Change in NCL Platinum Latitudes benefits

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.

Nope. As I've said on the many previous threads on this subject, I'm fine with the changes.

Each to their own I suppose. You can't keep everyone happy.

This is how it works out for us.

Platinum perks we used to use:

Meal at La Cecina

Meal at Le Bistro

2 bottles of wine

Bottle of sparking wine

Occasionally the discount in the shop

On one occasion, a photo discount.

Priority check in

Godiva Chocolates

Priority tendering

Occasionally the cocktail party

Occasionally behind the scenes tour

Laundry

What we will probably use in future:

Dinner at Cagneys (preferred to Le Bistro)

Dinner at Moderno (preferred to La Cucina)

1 bottle of wine

Bottle of sparking wine

4 bottles of water

2 hours of free internet (potentially a big saving as we can buy less)

Possibly the photo discount sometime (at a higher rate I think)

Priority boarding (not just check in)

Priority tendering

Occasionally the cocktail party

Occasionally behind the scenes tour

Laundry

Plus, we now get dinner with officers if we want (probably won't actually use it much) and priority seating, whatever that is.

Overall, looks like an improvement to me.

No; they are rewarding the really loyal ones quite well. To advance now you do have to be loyal; no double points for an early booking will slow down the progression. Do a 25 nighter with early pay and in a suite got you to Platinum on your second cruise under the old system, that wasn't loyalty!!

I've always questioned why both Platinum members in a cabin only get one "reward" between them.

Seriously, I get it, two gifts would be obviously better than just one to share. But it should be just as obvious that one gift is better than nothing, which is what they could be giving you.

We sailed in February with 2 platinum members in Haven room. Here is how we used the benefits:

1. We left 2 bottles of sparkling wine when we checked out, we assume they were used for future guests? In the past we've exchanged it for white wine but didn't even try this time.

2. We used one platinum dinner certificate at Le Bistro and got our bottle of wine to go since we had UBP. We chilled it and used it for happy hour sunset on our balcony another night.

3. We shared on 2nd dinner certificate with newly met friends for dinner at La Cucina. We already had UDP. Dinner and service was fantastic.

4. We sent one bag of laundry out for cleaning but didn't need a second bag so we forfeited that benefit.

5. We attended the behind the scenes tour which was fascinating and enjoyed.

6. We did not attend the latitudes party, we were told when it was when we arrived for the behind the scenes tour.

7. My husband made a purchase in the gift shop so he got the discount at that time, $4 or $5 value.

8. We drink the ships water at meals. Had one bottle of water remaining by the time we disembarked as we had the Haven bar fill our water bottles before excursions, used the unused water bottle on our ride home. We had a total of 3 in the room when we boarded.

9. Internet perk - applied to our account, we used some of it but not all. We try hard to be unavailable on vacation!!! :)

Overall we didn't have any issues of feel that we missed out on anything. But, everyone places a different value on things. We just try to escape and hide from reality!!!

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 are thrilled with the changes. Exactly what needed to happen. The new program is a great improvement over forcing people to endure two dinners at Le Bistro. On our last two cruises of last year, we left Le Bistro certs unused and opted to pay for dinner at other restaurants.

No problem with the changes. I especially like that you can now use your platinum dinner perk at Cagney's and I get two dinners instead of just the one I got prior to the change.

The new program is a great improvement over forcing people to endure two dinners at Le Bistro.

We've been Platinums for years and never set foot in Le Bistro (except few times for the Jazz Brunch) and still have not had any problems using our comped speciality dinners.

This is how it works out for us.

 

Platinum perks we used to use:

 

Meal at La Cecina

Meal at Le Bistro

2 bottles of wine

Bottle of sparking wine

Occasionally the discount in the shop

On one occasion, a photo discount.

Priority check in

Godiva Chocolates

Priority tendering

Occasionally the cocktail party

Occasionally behind the scenes tour

Laundry

 

What we will probably use in future:

 

Dinner at Cagneys (preferred to Le Bistro)

Dinner at Moderno (preferred to La Cucina)

1 bottle of wine

Bottle of sparking wine

4 bottles of water

2 hours of free internet (potentially a big saving as we can buy less)

Possibly the photo discount sometime (at a higher rate I think)

Priority boarding (not just check in)

Priority tendering

Occasionally the cocktail party

Occasionally behind the scenes tour

Laundry

 

Plus, we now get dinner with officers if we want (probably won't actually use it much) and priority seating, whatever that is.

 

Overall, looks like an improvement to me.

Our feelings exactly. Not sure if we will be investigating the "priority seating" in the theater (when available) Never really had a problem getting seats. The 15% off shore excursions is very nice too. We already used the two hours of internet time, very useful. All good in our eyes.

We will be cruising with two first time cruisers, and by booking my wife and I, both platinum plus, in separate cabins we get a total of 4 bottles of wine, 4 dinners for two, a better deal than before. The computer time also a plus, and the 15% excursions discounts makes it all better for us. Glad for the improvements.

Good grief. I cruise for an itinerary. There are multiple thousands of Platinums. Sorry, only my opinion, but it isn't that hard to get. I qualified when it was 14 cruises. (all at least 7 days in my case).

These perks all have costs involved. I'd rater see overall lower cruise rates. :)

We will be cruising with two first time cruisers, and by booking my wife and I, both platinum plus, in separate cabins we get a total of 4 bottles of wine, 4 dinners for two, a better deal than before. The computer time also a plus, and the 15% excursions discounts makes it all better for us. Glad for the improvements.

Well organised, staring to think I should have done that, taking parents who haven't been and slipped up there

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi. Does Platinum get wine or faux champagne? I'm asking since I'm Platinum and in the Haven and although have the UBP, we have rented a beach cabana on Harvest Caye and I would take the champagne off with me and have mimosas with my dh and the other couple we are with that day. Thanks!

Good grief. I cruise for an itinerary. There are multiple thousands of Platinums. Sorry, only my opinion, but it isn't that hard to get. I qualified when it was 14 cruises. (all at least 7 days in my case).

 

These perks all have costs involved. I'd rater see overall lower cruise rates. :)

It did take a while back then, I thought it was 16 cruises, either way a 2 or 3 week back to back was still only counted as one cruise. It is nice having the perks, although more been recognized as a loyal NCL cruiser. We travel for the itinerary also but also for the experience on the ship. Most of our cruises have been with NCL and we have seen a few changes. I think the freestyle was a good move and does add to our enjoyment. It is a little less freestyle now having to book restaurants and shows ahead of time. I agree there must be thousands of Platinum and Platinum Plus members now. Great to have the perks as the prices will probably will not go down any.

I don't cruise for the perks but for the itineraries. The perks are just a nice addition. I think the only perk i really enjoy is the free laundry LOL, i could care less about the free internet since i put my phone away, that is the sole reason i go on vacation to get away from my gadgets. The only gadget i like is my kindle :D to read. The changes wont affect me, but the only thing i find odd is that the dinner vouchers is by stateroom instead of by cruiser, each cruiser earned their status so making it by stateroom does not make sense to me specially if you are not a couple but friends cruising together but it is what it is...:evilsmile:

Hi. Does Platinum get wine or faux champagne? I'm asking since I'm Platinum and in the Haven and although have the UBP, we have rented a beach cabana on Harvest Caye and I would take the champagne off with me and have mimosas with my dh and the other couple we are with that day. Thanks!

The in-room for Platinums will be sparkling wine - retail cost around $3-4. Mking posted a picture of it at one point.

We will be cruising with two first time cruisers, and by booking my wife and I, both platinum plus, in separate cabins we get a total of 4 bottles of wine, 4 dinners for two, a better deal than before. The computer time also a plus, and the 15% excursions discounts makes it all better for us. Glad for the improvements.

great idea. we are going with another couple who are first time NCL on our next cruise. had this plan been in place when we all booked, i would have kicked myself for not being this smart!!!

Hi. Does Platinum get wine or faux champagne? I'm asking since I'm Platinum and in the Haven and although have the UBP, we have rented a beach cabana on Harvest Caye and I would take the champagne off with me and have mimosas with my dh and the other couple we are with that day. Thanks!

Can't take anything off the ship in Harvest Caye, unfortunately. They even have dogs at the entrance to the island.

The in-room for Platinums will be sparkling wine - retail cost around $3-4. Mking posted a picture of it at one point.

The sparkling wine is not the best, a little orange juice helps. I got through about 11/2 glasses but could finish the second glass. The colder the better, one or two steps down from "Baby Duck" if anyone remembers that stuff, used to cut that with "Ruby Red" :D

Sounds like it is no improvement on the old stuff!!

We will be cruising with two first time cruisers, and by booking my wife and I, both platinum plus, in separate cabins we get a total of 4 bottles of wine, 4 dinners for two, a better deal than before. The computer time also a plus, and the 15% excursions discounts makes it all better for us. Glad for the improvements.

Very nice...bravo :D

We sailed in February with 2 platinum members in Haven room. Here is how we used the benefits:

1. We left 2 bottles of sparkling wine when we checked out, we assume they were used for future guests? In the past we've exchanged it for white wine but didn't even try this time.

2. We used one platinum dinner certificate at Le Bistro and got our bottle of wine to go since we had UBP. We chilled it and used it for happy hour sunset on our balcony another night.

3. We shared on 2nd dinner certificate with newly met friends for dinner at La Cucina. We already had UDP. Dinner and service was fantastic.

4. We sent one bag of laundry out for cleaning but didn't need a second bag so we forfeited that benefit.

5. We attended the behind the scenes tour which was fascinating and enjoyed.

6. We did not attend the latitudes party, we were told when it was when we arrived for the behind the scenes tour.

7. My husband made a purchase in the gift shop so he got the discount at that time, $4 or $5 value.

8. We drink the ships water at meals. Had one bottle of water remaining by the time we disembarked as we had the Haven bar fill our water bottles before excursions, used the unused water bottle on our ride home. We had a total of 3 in the room when we boarded.

9. Internet perk - applied to our account, we used some of it but not all. We try hard to be unavailable on vacation!!! :)

 

Overall we didn't have any issues of feel that we missed out on anything. But, everyone places a different value on things. We just try to escape and hide from reality!!!

Excellent idea taking your free bottle and using it later. Thanks.

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.

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?