New Past Guest program on Carnival - NCL just changed theirs...

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I am awaiting word (sometime next year, last time I heard) as to the levels and perks of the new Carnival Past Guest program. Sometimes it is helpful to see what other lines offer, and how they have changed their program after input from their guests. Recently NCL changed their Latitudes (Past Guest) program. As could be expected, some like it, some do not. They have gone from a credit system like Carnival has (1 cruise of any length = 1 credit) to one where booking a suite, booking 9+ months in advance, and booking one of their special offers all gain you extra credit.

 

 

 

I have not examined the new program very closely, but at first glance it appears that it is almost "too easy" to become Platinum (their top tier) with the new bonus credit options. I feel that they may be holding out and might add in an additional tier down the road --- another carrot to reach, so to speak... but who knows!

 

A couple of the Platinum level perks are nice (dinner for two at their French restaurant being one) - though one of my favorite perks of various past guest programs would have to be the FREE 90 minutes of internet that I receive (90 for Cheryl too) on Celebrity.

 

It will be interesting to see what Carnival comes up with -- given the LARGE amount of time they have been "hard at work" :rolleyes: I trust it will be well thought out and appealing!

 

--------------------------

 

I almost forgot --- to better see the changes in their (NCL's) program, it would help to know what it was previously!! Sorry that the two images below don't line up properly, but you get the idea... Here you go:

 

 

 

Tom

[golfadj]

Wow substantially better than the Carnival one.

 

Only problem for us it took quite a few years to reach platinum and ifwe start going to other destinations that Caribbean will probably go to all the other cruise lines so probably will never get to platinum on another line.

[imluvncruzn]

Wow...thanks for posting! Very interesting!

[shof515]

Good comparison between the cruise lines

[crusinpsychRN]

Wow, no laundry until 15th cruise!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Wow, no laundry until 15th cruise!

 

Well... that all depends. If you book 7-night sailings 9+ months in advance, then each sailing will earn you 14 points. After just 5 sailings, you would have 70 points --- 6 shy of Platinum. If you sailed in a suite on just one of those 5 cruises, you would have 77 points (Platinum).

 

Tom

[halos]

Well... that all depends. If you book 7-night sailings 9+ months in advance, then each sailing will earn you 14 points. After just 5 sailings, you would have 70 points --- 6 shy of Platinum. If you sailed in a suite on just one of those 5 cruises, you would have 77 points (Platinum).

 

Tom

 

True. My next NCL cruise is going to be my 6th and after I have sailed that, I will be platinum.

That is because I had a couple long cruises (14 and 15 days) and the next cruise, although only a 7 day cruise, will be in a suite plus I booked it 9 months in advance. :)Those points can add up fast....which is actually not great according to some of the already-platinum cruisers who are feeling unappreciated.

For me, I don't care one way or another. Any little perk is fine with me. Although, I must say that I do like being awarded points based on days rather than sailings....but obviously, that is because I take a couple long cruises here and there so it benefits me. ;)

[big_duck]

Is it really priority check-in if everyone but newbies get it? :confused:

[Elaine515]

Very interesting... thnx Tom... Although I don't understand how anyone with 1 point or more gets priority boarding. Right now although we haven't seen Carnival's new program yet (and who the hell knows if or when we will !!!)... I like this one much better than what we have heard will be Carnivals... (their 225 day top tier is unobtainable for most)...

 

Time will tell... sooner than later I hope

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Is it really priority check-in if everyone but newbies get it? :confused:

 

Well... there is the DOUBLE SECRET priority boarding too - don't forget about that! :D

 

Yes, some things are no more than fluff - but that's to be expected to some extent.

 

Tom

[halos]

I can't believe I forget this :rolleyes:..but I think they board according to cabins as well (if I recall correctly)...inside and OV's are different lines from balconies and mini's...then suites are VIP.

They divide it up nicely from what I recall, so lines are not usually an issue.

To be honest, the only times I have had a nightmare boarding issue were both in NY..once on CCL and once on NCL. So to me that says it's more about the port than the cruise line.

I think Miami rocks when it comes to boarding. My last 3 cruises out of there were a breeze...got there by 11:00-ish and was on the ship in approx 20- 25 minutes each time.

[genegri]

I am still trying to understand this: are you saying if I book a suite 9 mon in advance, I get TRIPLE points? If so that's pretty cool!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

One of my only (minor, admittedly) issues with the new system has to do with the fact that I book through NCL's casino department (CAS). By doing this, my reservation shows what category their system (casino action) deems that I've earned. That is typically going to be a complimentary balcony cabin.

 

Take for example the cruise we have booked on the Jewel (Alaska) for next year. It is a 7 night cruise, so we will receive 7 points for that. We booked it more than 9 months out, so another 7 points will be earned. We booked a suite, so that should earn an additional 7 points (for 21 points total). However, CAS put us down for a balcony, and I paid the difference to sail in the suite. Since that reservation shows the booked category as a balcony, with an upgrade to a suite, we will not receive the suite points. I really don't have room to complain, as we are able to sail in one heck of a cabin - and receive about $3,000 off the standard fare. Still that cabin will run us about $3,000 pp... and you would think that would be "enough" to qualify for the 7 extra points! ;)

 

Again -- I am not complaining, only making the observation!

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I am still trying to understand this: are you saying if I book a suite 9 mon in advance, I get TRIPLE points? If so that's pretty cool!

 

Yes (very generous, don't you think?)!

 

Unless you fall into the category which I describe in my previous post, then you "only" get double points!! :)

 

Tom

[pe4all]

I would love it if CCL put something similar to this plan in place. We never book less than 9 months out - just booked Breeze for Christmas 2012! That would mean double points right off! I hate the fact that CCL might have such a high "number" to achieve for their highest award level. I honestly can't see us sticking around to achieve that level, which leaves us open to try other lines - not a bad thing! Supposedly, there are only a few weeks left till CCL announces their new program. They still have time to re-vamp it to make it competitive with the other lines who have more perks to offer.

[Aplmac]

And maybe Carnival Corp. was waiting for someone else to shoot first (Norwegian?)

before judging public response carefully, and then launching theirs...

.

[halos]

I am still trying to understand this: are you saying if I book a suite 9 mon in advance, I get TRIPLE points? If so that's pretty cool!

 

Suites are expensive...so it's fair to get extra points for a suite.

I also think if you give your deposit that far in advance, that deserves a little extra credit as well, don't you??

Yes..it's very cool :D

[halos]

I would love it if CCL put something similar to this plan in place. We never book less than 9 months out - .

We book early all the time as well. This next CCL cruise I am taking in April, I booked in July of 2010

[tiggerman101]

I am still trying to understand this: are you saying if I book a suite 9 mon in advance, I get TRIPLE points? If so that's pretty cool!

 

Yes, I have sailed NCL one time. It was a 12 day Med cruise in a suite that I booked almost a year out. I have 36 points from that one cruise. I think it is kind of crazy, but I will take it.

 

Edit: I should also add that NCL pretty much always has a OBC bonus for booking a suite far in advance. We got $300 OBC for that cruise for booking early. Plus the suite perks are amazing on NCL. All in all it was a great deal that I would not hesitate to do again. The downside is that it would be hard for me to book anything BUT a suite on NCL.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

I also think if you give your deposit that far in advance, that deserves a little extra credit as well, don't you??

Yes..it's very cool :D

 

I wonder what made them choose 9 months. I wonder what % of their cruisers book that far out (or more)? Our first one with them was only perhaps 3 months out, and our next one close to 9. Hey, now I need to go and check! :)

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I wonder what made them choose 9 months. I wonder what % of their cruisers book that far out (or more)? Our first one with them was only perhaps 3 months out, and our next one close to 9. Hey, now I need to go and check! :)

 

Tom

 

Make that 10.5 months... now let's see if I can get the "proper" credit!!

 

Tom

[golfadj]

Generally we book about 3-6 months out.

 

Guess we will try NCL and if we like it gives us a reason to book early.

[jetskier]

Suites are expensive...so it's fair to get extra points for a suite.

I also think if you give your deposit that far in advance, that deserves a little extra credit as well, don't you??

Yes..it's very cool :D

 

If you use the NCL Cruise Reward, you dont have to put down the additional deposits. What should have been a $1000 deposit (4 people) for us on our upcoming NCL cruise reflects a $250 deposit from the certificate. The downside is that the final payment will be higher. I am still getting the extra points for booking early plus the extra points for being in a suite.

 

Dave

[jetskier]

I wonder what made them choose 9 months. I wonder what % of their cruisers book that far out (or more)? Our first one with them was only perhaps 3 months out, and our next one close to 9. Hey, now I need to go and check! :)

 

Tom

 

This makes the second NCL cruise I have booked over a year out. I have found the prices to be cheaper and go up the closer the cruise gets here. My Family Suite has already gone up $920 for our upcoming Thanksgiving cruise. There are 20 of these suites out of 52 onboard the Star. They are popular because they hold 6 people, floor to ceiling windows and are 409 sq feet.

 

Dave

[jeanietoo]

So booking a 21 day cruise 9 months ahead, in a suite, on a Latitudes special would make you Platinum?