New Latitude Tiers

[phillygwm]

I can see why you would think there would be "class envy" when your milestone signature changed from 535 to 562 since this morning.

 

:rolleyes:

 

LOL. But I'm probably one of the unwashed masses he's referring to. I took my first NCL cruise in late 2011. I've taken 7 total and reached Platinum after the 6th. No wonder there are so many Platinums! Not that I don't appreciate the perks but frankly, it was probably a bit generous for those of us willing to book far enough in advance. I got 14, once 21, points per cruise.

 

The only minor concern I have is the crowd at the CruiseNext desk signing up for the M&G and BTS tour. I never go to the M&G but enjoyed the one BTS tour I've been on and look forward to it in the future. They may need to open CruiseNext sooner in the day, like before the lifeboat drill or, better still, when people begin boarding.

 

So what the changes accomplish is twofold: 1) adding the additional levels for people to "aspire to" and 2) Make people really work for added status. I may get to P+ one day. I'll probably never get to Ambassador. Unless they really water down the benefits, it probably won't affect my travel habits except I won't be as diligent about booking 9 months out anymore.

Edited January 29, 2017 by phillygwm

[Uniall]

Perhaps you should move to one of their more upscale lines so you can be treated more fairly.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I never said NCL treated me unfairly. In fact they have treated me like royalty for 10 years. The only company to whom I've paid more money is my mortgage lender. I love NCL and spend 60% of my cruise cash with them and 40% with Royal Caribbean.

 

But, NCL screwed up big time with this new Latitudes Roll Out. Whenever, the politicians want to announce news but not take questions, they issue press releases on Friday. That's what NCL did.

 

It was impossible to get definitive answers except through the good graces of the Original & Early posters on this thread (before the Cruise Critiquers' invasion).

In fact, this thread answered my questions when my PCC was unavailble and Miami & Mesa were declining to give answers.

 

Armed with the info from the OP and Early thread posters, I booked a $21 K B2B2B for fall of 2017 on courtesy hold to get the Suite bonus AND 9 month bonus .

 

Once my PCC is available on Monday, I will cancel 1/3 of my $21 K previously booked B2B2B in the Spring 2018. NCL makes an extra $14 K and I'll make my 700 points for my Eire cruise.

 

None of that would have been possible except for the assistance of the OP and Early posters who posted in an effort to help fellow Cruise Critics instead of critiquing fellow Cruise Critics.

Edited January 29, 2017 by Uniall

[mabones]

You will still receive your points. I've been told the new program goes into effect 2/3/17 for new bookings.

[Casino Comp Chick]

I never said NCL treated me unfairly. In fact they have treated me like royalty for 10 years. The only company to whom I've paid more money is my mortgage lender. I love NCL and spend 60% of my cruise cash with them and 40% with Royal Caribbean.

 

But, NCL screwed up big time with this new Latitudes Roll Out. Whenever, the politicians want to announce news but not take questions, they issue press releases on Friday. That's what NCL did.

 

It was impossible to get definitive answers except through the good graces of the Original & Early posters on this thread (before the Cruise Critiquers' invasion).

In fact, this thread answered my questions when my PCC was unavailble and Miami & Mesa were declining to give answers.

 

Armed with the info from the OP and Early thread posters, I booked a $21 K B2B2B for fall of 2017 on courtesy hold to get the Suite bonus AND 9 month bonus .

 

Once my PCC is available on Monday, I will cancel 1/3 of my $21 K previously booked B2B2B in the Spring 2018. NCL makes an extra $14 K and I'll make my 700 points for my Eire cruise.

 

None of that would have been possible except for the assistance of the OP and Early posters who posted in an effort to help fellow Cruise Critics instead of critiquing fellow Cruise Critics.

 

You do know your free cruise is only for 7 days and the Eire cruise is 12 so it will not be valid for the freebie don't you?

 

Well you do now.

I can see the lightbulb going on now....

 

:eek:

Edited January 29, 2017 by Casino Comp Chick

[mabones]

You should be safe. You booked before 2/3/17.

[WORKING-TO-CRUISE]

We board the ship in a week and have had the reservation for a suite since 12/2015! Big splurge for us, AND it would just put us into platinum. We almost cancelled the reservation for a better Princess itinerary, but thought the future perks with NCL would be great, so we kept the NCL reservation... It seems that they should at least be honoring the reservations they have which have reached non-cancellable status!! I just got off the phone with them and they said we WILL NOT be receiving the 9 month points!!! It was verified and confirmed by the person on the phone. Of course we may just have to wait for the smoke to clear. Oh well, nothing we can do about it now... - Karen in Arizona.

Edited January 29, 2017 by WORKING-TO-CRUISE
hit enter by mistake

[hawkeyetlse]

I don't understand that rush to get to ambassador level. the only extra perk is the free cruise and it appears that it is a one time thing and has to be the first cruise taken after you reach the status.

Where did you get this information (about it having to be the very next cruise that you take after 700 points)? It sounds pretty dubious to me.

[SeaShark]

I never said NCL treated me unfairly. In fact they have treated me like royalty for 10 years. The only company to whom I've paid more money is my mortgage lender. I love NCL and spend 60% of my cruise cash with them and 40% with Royal Caribbean.

 

But, NCL screwed up big time with this new Latitudes Roll Out. Whenever, the politicians want to announce news but not take questions, they issue press releases on Friday. That's what NCL did.

 

It was impossible to get definitive answers except through the good graces of the Original & Early posters on this thread (before the Cruise Critiquers' invasion).

In fact, this thread answered my questions when my PCC was unavailble and Miami & Mesa were declining to give answers.

 

Armed with the info from the OP and Early thread posters, I booked a $21 K B2B2B for fall of 2017 on courtesy hold to get the Suite bonus AND 9 month bonus .

 

Once my PCC is available on Monday, I will cancel 1/3 of my $21 K previously booked B2B2B in the Spring 2018. NCL makes an extra $14 K and I'll make my 700 points for my Eire cruise.

 

None of that would have been possible except for the assistance of the OP and Early posters who posted in an effort to help fellow Cruise Critics instead of critiquing fellow Cruise Critics.

 

So in other words, you are spending an additional 14k so that when you go on your Eire cruise you get 100 free internet minutes instead of 60, and a 20% discount on shore excursions instead of 15%?

[Uniall]

You do know your free cruise is only for 7 days and the Eire cruise is 12 so it will not be valid for the freebie don't you?

 

Well you do now.

I can see the lightbulb going on now....

 

:eek:

 

When did I ever say that I expected the Eire cruise to be comped?

I'll book the Comp Cruise next year.

What many (if not all) of the Critiquers of Cruisers don't seem to understand, the perks of cruise industry loyalty programs are not only the ones specified in the "official" benefits list.

In fact, it's the unspecified and unspoken perquisites that are the most important.

In a nutshell, it's a VIP treatment that harkens back to another day and time that is now lost (on most people) but not forgotten by a many.

Think Cunard treatment at NCL prices and you'll understand.

I realize it's hard to find that class level in Casinos except for places like Monaco.

Edited January 29, 2017 by Uniall

[Uniall]

So in other words, you are spending an additional 14k so that when you go on your Eire cruise you get 100 free internet minutes instead of 60, and a 20% discount on shore excursions instead of 15%?

 

As I previously posted (in jest?) I booked the Irish Isles cruise to reclaim the ancient Gaelic throne as a descendant of the High Kings of Eire, Tyrone, Ulster and Connaught. ;)

To do so, I should arrive by sea as a VIP, just as my ancestors.

Ambassador status should fit that niche' very nicely, thank you. :D

In addition, the extra 14K is an additional 14 days with a great itinerary for an otherwise empty Fall cruise schedule.

Edited January 29, 2017 by Uniall

[SeaShark]

As I previously posted (in jest?) I booked the Irish Isles cruise to reclaim the ancient Gaelic throne as a descendant of the High Kings of Eire, Tyrone, Ulster and Connaught. ;)

To do so, I should arrive by sea as a VIP, just as my ancestors.

Ambassador status should fit that niche' very nicely, thank you. :D

In addition, the extra 14K is an additional 14 days with a great itinerary for an otherwise empty Fall cruise schedule.

 

And that is the difference between paying for amenities and receiving perks for free. Anyone can buy amenities, that does't make them a VIP. When they give you the perks regardless of your Latitude status, your cabin category, or the money you spend, then you are a true VIP. ;)

[808cruisef]

We board the ship in a week and have had the reservation for a suite since 12/2015! Big splurge for us, AND it would just put us into platinum. We almost cancelled the reservation for a better Princess itinerary, but thought the future perks with NCL would be great, so we kept the NCL reservation... It seems that they should at least be honoring the reservations they have which have reached non-cancellable status!! I just got off the phone with them and they said we WILL NOT be receiving the 9 month points!!! It was verified and confirmed by the person on the phone. Of course we may just have to wait for the smoke to clear. Oh well, nothing we can do about it now... - Karen in Arizona.

 

 

 

 

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[ranchette]

LOL. But I'm probably one of the unwashed masses he's referring to. I took my first NCL cruise in late 2011. I've taken 7 total and reached Platinum after the 6th. No wonder there are so many Platinums! Not that I don't appreciate the perks but frankly, it was probably a bit generous for those of us willing to book far enough in advance. I got 14, once 21, points per cruise.

 

The only minor concern I have is the crowd at the CruiseNext desk signing up for the M&G and BTS tour. I never go to the M&G but enjoyed the one BTS tour I've been on and look forward to it in the future. They may need to open CruiseNext sooner in the day, like before the lifeboat drill or, better still, when people begin boarding.

 

So what the changes accomplish is twofold: 1) adding the additional levels for people to "aspire to" and 2) Make people really work for added status. I may get to P+ one day. I'll probably never get to Ambassador. Unless they really water down the benefits, it probably won't affect my travel habits except I won't be as diligent about booking 9 months out anymore.

Why do you have to sign up for the M&G if you already joined? Where is the cruise next desk and what is the BTS tour is that the tour of the ship?

[jmele999]

When did I ever say that I expected the Eire cruise to be comped?

I'll book the Comp Cruise next year.

What many (if not all) of the Critiquers of Cruisers don't seem to understand, the perks of cruise industry loyalty programs are not only the ones specified in the "official" benefits list.

In fact, it's the unspecified and unspoken perquisites that are the most important.

In a nutshell, it's a VIP treatment that harkens back to another day and time that is now lost (on most people) but not forgotten by a many.

Think Cunard treatment at NCL prices and you'll understand.

I realize it's hard to find that class level in Casinos except for places like Monaco.

 

If possible, can you please elaborate on the Unspecified Perks that you receive so that we can better understand how important it is to be a very loyal customer to a company that does not "officially" promote or provide good perks (compare to other cruise lines) to very loyal customers. We have completed 11 cruises with NCL, most of them in suites, and don't feel that NCL provides any additional benefits that you cannot get by booking a suite. BTW, NCL is still our favorite cruise line.

 

Not trying to start a war, just interested in finding out.

Edited January 29, 2017 by jmele999

[triptolemus]

If possible, can you please elaborate on the Unspecified Perks that you receive ...

 

It's all in their head.

 

Posters like that are the reason why loyalty programs exist. They are susceptible to marketing phrases like "act now" and "before it's too late" and "limited time only" and "be the first" and "exclusive" and "bigger than before" and "amazing" and "discover" and "secret"...

Edited January 29, 2017 by triptolemus

[dexddd]

Why do you have to sign up for the M&G if you already joined? Where is the cruise next desk and what is the BTS tour is that the tour of the ship?

 

Desk is usually around the lobby area or nearby. It will be listed in the Dailies.

 

BTS tour is typically around the areas of the ship you don't normally get to see - laundry, galley area, back stage, environmental area or some combo of those. We even got to see the crew galley one time.

[millineumwoman]

If possible, can you please elaborate on the Unspecified Perks that you receive so that we can better understand how important it is to be a very loyal customer to a company that does not "officially" promote or provide good perks (compare to other cruise lines) to very loyal customers. We have completed completed 11 cruises with NCL, most of them in suites, and don't feel that NCL provides any additional benefits that you cannot get by booking a suite. BTW, NCL is still our favorite cruise line.

 

Not trying to start a war, just interested in finding out.

 

 

 

I can say we have received a few extra perks when I was a silver member I received a plate of chocolates every night sometimes 2. Also have received by being allowed to eat in cagneys for breakfast for entire cruise and I have yet to book a suite or haven , received early disembarkation at the ports(a gold and up privalage)

The beverage manager personally came and brought us specialty coffees and hot chocolate's nightly to our dinner table(which are not included in the ubp) didn't pay extra. That's just a few of the things we have received

[Tiggertastic]

The thing we always struggle with is the insider offer booked from the UK. We get the advert emailed but the PCC always says their system in Europe doesn't recognise it. We weren't given it 4 times and were already platinum so let it go, so worked out we've missed 42 points. When I booked the epic for April it was the latitude offer and i argued they shouldn't discriminate this way as I'm entitled to it too. They sent me confirmation of the $100 obc but not the points. So we'll be in touch with them Monday to make sure we get these extra 1 point for the epic a night as it takes us to platinum plus.

 

 

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[Swells1]

That means you will get a table starboard.

Touche.

[TheDougOut]

As a silver member I once received a complimentary spray of hand sanitizer while boarding the ship. Totally unexpected.

[millineumwoman]

As a silver member I once received a complimentary spray of hand sanitizer while boarding the ship. Totally unexpected.

 

 

 

Washy washy happy happy!! Lol

[janymac]

https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program-enhancements

 

 

 

janymac:p

[WORKING-TO-CRUISE]

Well - boarding on 2/5 and NCL is providing multiple answers about the 9 month multiplier. So, until we see it in writing on NCL's site OR someone returns after boarding after 2/3...we may just have to wait to see and hope that NCL will 'do the right thing'. Happy sailing!!

Edited January 29, 2017 by WORKING-TO-CRUISE

[808cruisef]

I'm adding this picture because technically someone from NCL put it writing. This could help in making them honor. They repeatedly posted this on their FB site.

 

 

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[Uniall]

If possible, can you please elaborate on the Unspecified Perks that you receive so that we can better understand how important it is to be a very loyal customer to a company that does not "officially" promote or provide good perks (compare to other cruise lines) to very loyal customers. We have completed 11 cruises with NCL, most of them in suites, and don't feel that NCL provides any additional benefits that you cannot get by booking a suite. BTW, NCL is still our favorite cruise line.

 

Not trying to start a war, just interested in finding out.

 

Normally, I'd be happy to elaborate with your requested information.

Since I find myself in shark infested waters, I'm sure you will understand my reluctance to oblige.

 

I will try to give you two examples that run the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous:

Sublime:

Complimentary planned, coordinated and executed cabin to cabin transfer of ourselves, cruise mates, and luggage from NCL ship to RCCL ship by limo.

Ridiculous:

Returning from a shore shore excursion too late for VIP lunch in Cagney's, where we usually ordered shrimp cocktail, we retired to our cabin for room service. We found a "bouquet" created with 36 shrimp toothpicked into a fully round grapefruit attached by toothpicks to a half grapfruit sitting on a bed of ice. It was accompanied with a chilled bottle of champagne and a welcome home note from the executive chef.

Edited January 29, 2017 by Uniall