Serge's default weapon, Sea Swallow, is believed to be a tribute to the NES game Ninja Gaiden, a game that Chrono Cross' producer also worked on. Irene Lew's CIA codename in Ninja Gaiden was Sea Swallow.

Spekkio is believed to make an appearance in the Bend of Time. If Janice is brought to the area, the timekeeper will note that the "God of Combat" has taken an interest in her, and she will be bestowed her level 7 tech, What'sUpDoc. He still has his own separate room, and after a trial similar to the one in Chrono Trigger (involving running three laps around the room) he offers a battle with Ozzie, Slash, and Flea. A minigame ensues in which the player must run a correct number of laps to receive a Dreamer's Sarong. After the minigame is won, he remarks that perhaps he will see the player in another, different dimension.
Sprigg is a variation of sprig, which is a leafy shoot or twig. Sprigg may also be short for Spriggan, a type of wood fairy or pixie. Since Sprigg is a Green Element and a generally woodsy being, either name would be fitting.

The player can partake in an optional fight against Slash, Ozzie, and Flea from Chrono Trigger while playing New Game Plus.
Spoiler:The Time Devourer is Lavos from Chrono Trigger.
Grobyc is a cyborg, and his name is just the word "cyborg" reversed.
Masato Kato has gone on to state that Robo, from Chrono Trigger, Spoiler:is the Prometheus Circuit.
Spoiler:"Anyway, if you have played Trigger, then Prometheus should be very familiar to you. I'm sure a lot of players would make a similar 'big fuss' over the death of such a much-loved friend..."
Orlha's name stems from the Irish name, Órfhlaith, which translates to "golden princess". Evidently, this fact seems to refer to Orlha's hair color.
Pierre and Harle speaks with an interlanguage called Franglais, which is a blend of English and French.
At one point, Leah says that she would name her child Spoiler:"Ayla" after going home. This could mean that she is either Ayla from Chrono Trigger's mother, or is simply referencing her.
The rock star Nikki's name is a reference to the rock star Nikki Sixx from Mötley Crüe. In Japan, the character's name is Slash as a reference to the English name of Soysau from Chrono Trigger, which is also a reference to the guitarist, Slash, from Guns N' Roses.

Chrono, Marle, and Lucca makes a cameo appearance in Opassa Beach. Using the Astral Amulet, you can talk to the original cast of Chrono Trigger.