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Change in NCL Platinum Latitudes benefits


dollyrox
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Was not sure what to expect for "priority" embarkation. But I can tell you I did not notice any difference from prior embarkations.

 

Sailed on Spirit from Barcelona last week. Arrived at terminal prior to board. Headed to the queue for Platinum, Platinum Plus (and Ambassador, I believe). Was handed a #3 boarding number. Sat to wait. A bit later, maybe 20 minutes, someone sat across from me having just exited their queue, holding a #4. Boarding was announced in sequence.

 

What do I surmise? The boarding number assigned me was no higher than everyone passing through the check-in lines that morning at the same time, regardless of latitude level or no level. Maybe I'm wrong. But I did not notice any differentiation between the embarkation before the change to now. So what makes it "priority"? The separate queue?

 

I suspect this explains your situation.

 

"Priority embarkation may not be available at all embarkation ports."

I have to say that it has always been my suspicion that this is a benefit which we won't see much in Europe.

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We really enjoyed the priority embarkation and disembarkation recently on the Escape. Made a HUGE difference in our previous experiences in Miami. Got on board as soon as boarding began and did escorted disembarkation down through the Haven elevator straight to the terminal with our priority luggage tagged directly ahead of us in the terminal for pick up. Still had all the walk off people with us going thru customs, but that is to be expected.

Also enjoyed the new option of Cagney's and Moderno for dinners. Overall, we're glad to see the new changes for Platinum level.

 

I don't think this had anything to do with your Platinum level. It sounds like you were in The Haven and that's why you received all those perks.

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Is anyone else perturbed at the changes to NCl's Platinum Latitudes benefits? Switching out Moderno or La Cucina for a Le Bistro meal and removing a bottle of wine in favor of water, is a real problem for me. I also miss the Godiva chocolates, although the box has been getting pretty small. I've always questioned why both Platinum members in a cabin only get one "reward" between them. It seems, at least on our last cruise (Pearl), that in their rush to acquire new passengers, that NCL is neglecting their most loyal customers. On this cruise, no invitations were issued for the Latitudes party, and consequently, many had no clue that it had even been held until later in the cruise. NCL once had one of the best loyalty club packages. Sadly, no more.
/We all have ideas as to what "better" means. I happen to be very happy with the changes and I went from platinum to platinum plus. OK, yes, i will miss the wine, but OMG how can anyone say it is a big deal. For water drinkers they are happy with the water. I know, our daughter and son in law are cruising with us and they are fine with the water. Most everyone who drinks much has the UBP, so what is the deal?

The party, big deal: we haven't even been going the last few years, crowded, waste of time and going to your Roll Call get together the second day of the cruise gives you a lot more information.

I love the addition of internet time and am glad we can now use our dinner at Cagneys.

Why do people always look at the negatives instead of being happy they can enjoy a nice vacation and how many people actually choose a cruise based on a cocktail party? I know we have been to the frequent guest party on Princess and Celebrity: no biggy!!!;) .

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  • 5 months later...

I have a concern about the new Platinum benefits - specifically, the rules for the specialty dinners. Both hubby and I are platinum members. Logic tells me that EACH of us should be entitled to a dinner at Le Bistro or Cagney's (and the same for the other two choices, La Cucina and Moderno). Thus, we should be entitled to go to all four if we wished, with each of us getting a dinner for two - to two restaurants each.

 

But in fact, we get the same benefit as if only one of us was platinum. Why is that specific benefit per stateroom rather than per platinum member? Not nice!

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I have a concern about the new Platinum benefits - specifically, the rules for the specialty dinners. Both hubby and I are platinum members. Logic tells me that EACH of us should be entitled to a dinner at Le Bistro or Cagney's (and the same for the other two choices, La Cucina and Moderno). Thus, we should be entitled to go to all four if we wished, with each of us getting a dinner for two - to two restaurants each.

 

But in fact, we get the same benefit as if only one of us was platinum. Why is that specific benefit per stateroom rather than per platinum member? Not nice!

Well, if you think about it. Prior to the change you and your husband each got a dinner at either LeBistro or La Cucina and now you get a dinner at either Cagney's or Le Bistro, as well as a dinner at either Moderno or La Cucina, so you really didn't lose anything. If anything, you gain being able to eat at Cagney's and Moderno for free.

 

I for one am happy we get a free dinner at Cagney's.

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The way I look at it is... it's free stuff, they owe me nothing yet they're giving me free dinners, free wine and free laundry, amoung other things... don't like it... sorry, there are other cruise lines. JMO and not meant to be rude, just honest.

 

Enjoy the little things in life... they don't last either.

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I have a concern about the new Platinum benefits - specifically, the rules for the specialty dinners. Both hubby and I are platinum members. Logic tells me that EACH of us should be entitled to a dinner at Le Bistro or Cagney's (and the same for the other two choices, La Cucina and Moderno). Thus, we should be entitled to go to all four if we wished, with each of us getting a dinner for two - to two restaurants each.

 

But in fact, we get the same benefit as if only one of us was platinum. Why is that specific benefit per stateroom rather than per platinum member? Not nice!

We get two dinners, just as before. Stop being greedy. Just be happy your status is being acknowledged.

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We get two dinners, just as before. Stop being greedy. Just be happy your status is being acknowledged.

 

Agreed- I'm happy enough with the dinners. It's nice to have Cagney's as an option. Also excited that on the Bliss they are replacing Modernos with Los Lobos Cantina. I hope that's an option for our Plat Plus dinner as we loved it on the Dawn.

 

I do wish they would let us opt out of the bottle of 'champagne'. It seems wasteful. I'm either leaving it in the room or trying to find a neighboring cabin who wants it. (It's surprisingly hard to give away!)

 

Wouldn't you think they could allow us to put some sort of preference in our profile? Would much rather have a choice or just the chance to say no to it. If given a choice instead of the 'champagne', would love the small box of Godivas back or extra chocolate strawberries....or?? :confused:

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I guess my real question is - why is that benefit per stateroom rather than per platinum member?

 

From the chastising above we are in the minority but I raised this point in February. I will be honest as this doesn't affect us as we only sail as a couple but by taking away the per person and making it stateroom you are potentially devaluing a loyal customer. Now if there are 3-4 platinums in a room you are drawing straws as to who gets to use the coupons. The other parties are just SOL.

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I guess my real question is - why is that benefit per stateroom rather than per platinum member?

Until February, it was one free dinner per platinum member at the Le Bistro. No water. No shore ex discount. I would much prefer dinner at Cagneys. And a water. And a shoreex discount. And an officers dinner.

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From the chastising above we are in the minority but I raised this point in February. I will be honest as this doesn't affect us as we only sail as a couple but by taking away the per person and making it stateroom you are potentially devaluing a loyal customer. Now if there are 3-4 platinums in a room you are drawing straws as to who gets to use the coupons. The other parties are just SOL.

 

 

 

Not true. Check out the FAQ latitudes on the NCL website. It states every platinum member gets vouchers for 1 dinner at 2 restaurants.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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Not true. Check out the FAQ latitudes on the NCL website. It states every platinum member gets vouchers for 1 dinner at 2 restaurants.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

That is most certainly not true. See the highlighted section from the latitudes chart.

 

 

Also from the FAQ:

 

I am traveling with other Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador guests in the same stateroom? Do we each get a voucher?

 

 

No. If there are 2 Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador members in one stateroom, only one Welcome Back Card will be delivered. This gives the correct number of Dinner for Two vouchers the guests are entitled to.

For 3rd and 4th Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador members in the same stateroom, an additional Welcome Back Card will be delivered.

If there is only a 3rd Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador member in the same stateroom, an additional Welcome Back Card will be delivered but this guest will be treated as a solo traveler who get one dinner only. The benefit is only if there are 2 guests dining on the same visit.

I will say that I do not remember that last paragraph. It might be an update as I remember a number of people saying it is unfair as each person had individual earned their status. So I will say that even getting 1 dinner is better than the 0 that I thought additional platinums would get.

Latitudes.JPG.eed6deb1e3b334a7b022785860698d4c.JPG

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That is most certainly not true. See the highlighted section from the latitudes chart.

 

 

 

 

 

Also from the FAQ:

 

 

 

I am traveling with other Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador guests in the same stateroom? Do we each get a voucher?

 

 

 

 

 

No. If there are 2 Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador members in one stateroom, only one Welcome Back Card will be delivered. This gives the correct number of Dinner for Two vouchers the guests are entitled to.

 

For 3rd and 4th Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador members in the same stateroom, an additional Welcome Back Card will be delivered.

 

If there is only a 3rd Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador member in the same stateroom, an additional Welcome Back Card will be delivered but this guest will be treated as a solo traveler who get one dinner only. The benefit is only if there are 2 guests dining on the same visit.

 

 

I will say that I do not remember that last paragraph. It might be an update as I remember a number of people saying it is unfair as each person had individual earned their status. So I will say that even getting 1 dinner is better than the 0 that I thought additional platinums would get.

 

 

 

But the poster said the other platinum passengers in the cabin were SOL and that was not true. And the FAQ said that an additional voucher would be delivered to 3 or more platinum passengers. What is not clear is if they will be given 2 cards for 1 dinner or 1 card for 1 dinner. Maybe someone can clarify this who has gone recently. I saw this posted at least a month or so ago.

 

 

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Does anyone know if there is any flexibility with the Moderno/LaCucina vouchers, if we wanted to go to a different restaurant instead?

 

 

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It has been reported that there is no flexibility on this. But, YMMV. My thought...never hurts to ask. :confused:

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That is most certainly not true. See the highlighted section from the latitudes chart.

 

 

Also from the FAQ:

 

I am traveling with other Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador guests in the same stateroom? Do we each get a voucher?

 

 

No. If there are 2 Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador members in one stateroom, only one Welcome Back Card will be delivered. This gives the correct number of Dinner for Two vouchers the guests are entitled to.

For 3rd and 4th Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador members in the same stateroom, an additional Welcome Back Card will be delivered.

If there is only a 3rd Platinum, Platinum Plus or Ambassador member in the same stateroom, an additional Welcome Back Card will be delivered but this guest will be treated as a solo traveler who get one dinner only. The benefit is only if there are 2 guests dining on the same visit.

I will say that I do not remember that last paragraph. It might be an update as I remember a number of people saying it is unfair as each person had individual earned their status. So I will say that even getting 1 dinner is better than the 0 that I thought additional platinums would get.

 

Thank you so much for this information. We have more than 2 Platinum persons in our stateroom and thought we would only get one Welcome Back Card. This information is very helpful as we plan our Specialty dinners.:)

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My husband and I are Platinum. I miss the Godiva chocolates (4-piece box) and the other bottle of wine with dinner. Definitely feel I'm getting less. On my next cruise I'll be Platinum plus.

 

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app

Yes, we miss the chocolates but it certainly isn't a biggy and with the ultimate B package, which so many people have today, we don't need the other bottle of wine. Now we have internet access and plenty of drinking water in our cabin. I have no complaints with the changes.

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Are the platinum dinners still restricted to one appetizer? For several years, I had a standard meal I enjoyed at Le Bistro but when FDR took over, that was no longer available without a charge.

 

The only problem I have with the changes is the pettiness and disrespect NCI upper management is showing their loyal guests.

 

Perhaps I should mention that after more than 50 cruises with NCL, my last few cruses have been on other lines. I have one booked on NCL to use up a future cruise deposit.

Edited by swedish weave
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Question for Platinum members, or those in the know... I will be sailing on the Escape again soon on my first sailing as Platinum. How do you go about making a reservation 90 days out using your complimentary dinners? Thank you in advance...

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Are the platinum dinners still restricted to one appetizer? For several years, I had a standard meal I enjoyed at Le Bistro but when FDR took over, that was no longer available without a charge.

 

The only problem I have with the changes is the pettiness and disrespect NCI upper management is showing their loyal guests.

 

Perhaps I should mention that after more than 50 cruises with NCL, my last few cruses have been on other lines. I have one booked on NCL to use up a future cruise deposit.

 

never had any issues ordering multiple apps. Ordering multiple entrees was a no go but apps were fine.

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