Upgraded Latitude Levels?

[che5904]

Although we've benefited, I do agree that the point levels escalate at quite a rapid pace. I wonder why NCL handled it that way? I mean, it was after four (or was it five?) cruises you went from Bronze to Silver. Now you transition to Silver after 19 points; less than three 7 day cruises. Or one 11 day cruise in a suite automatically puts you at Silver afterward. :confused:

 

Well this is my guess.

 

You are actually not escalating any faster than those that live in port cities and were taking short cruises. 4 day cruises x 5 would have gotten you to the next level. I've read many complaints on the unfairness of that.

 

They probably didn't want to make the 2nd level too far away. New cruisers are far easier to lose loyalty to than long time cruisers of one line. If you make your benefits too far away for your first level move up you've lost the opportunity to try and entice that customer to be loyal by "dangling carrots" in front of them.

 

For example using the old way, since I've started cruising, I try to take a 7 day cruise every 2 years (sorry NCL thats the most vacation days I get). If I was the type of person that was wooed by the possibility of getting something to move to the next level. It would be so far out of sight that it would be of no interest to get me to stick with NCL for my 3rd cruise. Using the new method, at the time of the 3rd 7 day cruise, I would be thinking well if I go NCL again this time, I can move up a level.

 

If you put something to far away you lose someones interest.

[sjbdtz]

Oh, yeah, those added benefits are soooo amazing. :rolleyes:

 

 

As for your statement that it matters very little how many people get the same benefits, well, yes, when resources are limited, it does. Le Bistro only holds so many guests. The room stewards are already overworked and now they're going to have to deal w/ chocolates and pins on top of everything else. The concierges are over-worked, which is why they stopped making access to them automatic for gold and platinum passengers to begin with.

 

As you pointed out we have no idea what the Milestone gifts will be. I'll try to stop assuming they're going to be the same ol' stuff if you stop assuming they'll be fantastic. ;)

 

 

Agreed. :)

 

I wonder whether they might consider doubling-up the concierges on each ship?

 

Regarding the dinners at Le Bistro, consider this: my partner & I both were moved up from Gold to Platinum with this new program. We both now get a dinner & wine at Le Bistro.

 

But we would have eaten at Le Bistro at least twice, even if we were paying for it. So the fullness of the restaurant is in no way impacted by the fact that we won't have to pay a bill. In fact, since this type of stuff is often comped by the casino, even our Accounts will have no change due to this.

 

We've enjoyed concierge access thanks to the generosity of certain HDs, so that's no additional impact, either.

 

 

The only 2 things which are new and impactful are the laundry, and the ship tour. And I promise we won't over-stuff the laundry bag, or be too slow on tour! ;)

 

 

 

.

[Diana68]

Re- your comment about RCI - If you have anything documenting your 32 nights just let them know, they will adjust your number.

Their website shows the correct number of days per cruise, and shows all four cruises taken, but when I sent an email and called on it their response was that they would not move anyone up a level. They saw no problem in this as I am at the same level that I was, and it will only take one more cruise to move up a level, same as with the old program. :o

[Beaver1975]

I didn't know that party was for Platinum. I thought it was for Suite guests ?

 

Barb is probably correct about the VIP status versus Platinum. I just know that I have enjoyed these gathering so much more than the Latitudes Party. I don't think I have ever received an invite to the Silver and above gathering. Do they just post this in the Freestyle Daily or are there actual invites. I have seen a letter for the Latitudes gathering but never for the other.

[vacation 24/7]

I believe they were referring to upsells from a "non-suite" to a suite not counting towards additional points. Whereas the only "upsell" that would count towards points are suites to suites, or suites to Garden Villa or Haven suites, because their original booking qualified.

 

 

 

Agreed! Thank you for wording it far better than I! :-)

I used the same words NCL did on the phone when explaining the upsell points or no points to me. But looks like everybody here understands them far better than I did.:) Thank you for wording so people would understand.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

WOW! Did not know about the change, thank you for posting this. We don't sail that often with NCL, but when we do it's always in a suite. It's nice to be acknowledged! This is basically the same way HAL does it with one exception, HAL also rewards you for $$ spent on board -- 1 point for every $300 spent.

[roger001]

Barb is probably correct about the VIP status versus Platinum. I just know that I have enjoyed these gathering so much more than the Latitudes Party. I don't think I have ever received an invite to the Silver and above gathering. Do they just post this in the Freestyle Daily or are there actual invites. I have seen a letter for the Latitudes gathering but never for the other.

 

 

Actual invites. Nice little sealed invitations.

[vacation 24/7]

WOW! Did not know about the change, thank you for posting this. We don't sail that often with NCL, but when we do it's always in a suite. It's nice to be acknowledged! This is basically the same way HAL does it with one exception, HAL also rewards you for $$ spent on board -- 1 point for every $300 spent.

We went from Bronze to Gold in a snap:p We try to only do suites and longer cruises. We love the change also! Gold in only three cruises with NCL.

[pixiedustdawn]

Was the "romance suite" an upsell at all? I found out today that upsells don't count for extra points unless you upsold from a suite to another suite.

 

Yes, paid $300.00 to go from a AE to a AD. Both suites, just wanted the deck above on the 10th.

[fergusonvt]

Upsells do not count, unless the original booking was in a suite or higher.

 

 

What about if I "upsold" myself a couple of months after booking my balcony to a suite and paid full price?

[gma_pat]

What about if I "upsold" myself a couple of months after booking my balcony to a suite and paid full price?

 

They counted that for me when I upsold myself for my cruise in Jan so it should count.

[fergusonvt]

They counted that for me when I upsold myself for my cruise in Jan so it should count.

 

Yippee! Thanks. Still waiting for them to fix my current points where they are counting my mini-suite as a suite.

[roger001]

The sky is not falling. LeBistro isn't yet overflowing (hey...wait until you see it happening...if it ever does). No one lost a thing with the new program. For those who already had bennies, everyone has gained a few more bennies on top of what they already had. Many folks without the bennies got to move up to some bennies....which has not been shown in any way to take away from those who already had bennies. I'm not quite sure I see anything but...."hey...this is a pretty good deal for everybody...and it doesn't cost us an additional penny".

[Beaver1975]

The sky is not falling. LeBistro isn't yet overflowing (hey...wait until you see it happening...if it ever does). No one lost a thing with the new program. For those who already had bennies, everyone has gained a few more bennies on top of what they already had. Many folks without the bennies got to move up to some bennies....which has not been shown in any way to take away from those who already had bennies. I'm not quite sure I see anything but...."hey...this is a pretty good deal for everybody...and it doesn't cost us an additional penny".

 

But, it going to cost the cruise line in the long run so keep an eye for the reductions in the future. Remember NCL is still being run by a bean counter.

[newmexicoNita]

Sadly, I am unable to access anything, I get a "Server Error so no comments from me, but my guess is Res Arch is "Reservation Archives". I had to take pictures of something that I purchased on the Wind in the 90's to get credit for it.

 

I was able to get mine, but when I try to get hubby's it seems to just bring up mine, plus they do have me listed as inside cabins on about 1/2 my stays, I wouldn't know what an inside cabin on NCL looks like. I will say, the points seem to be the same for inside as for balconies so I am not complaining. It is just the system seems a little screwed up right now.

 

NIta

[newmexicoNita]

Not a complaint...yet...let's call it a very valid concern. ;) I mostly brought it up to illustrate that you can't just ignore the surge in Platinum membership if you will, saying that how many members there are isn't relevant when it clearly is.

 

no, it appears you are looking for problems that may or may not exist. What about the other lines that have similar programs, similar rewards, they seem to work just fine. We cruised in Oct on Princess, the number of elite guests was unbelievable and everything worked fine.

 

Nita

[njhorseman]

I was able to get mine, but when I try to get hubby's it seems to just bring up mine, plus they do have me listed as inside cabins on about 1/2 my stays, I wouldn't know what an inside cabin on NCL looks like. I will say, the points seem to be the same for inside as for balconies so I am not complaining. It is just the system seems a little screwed up right now.

 

NIta

 

I doubt they'll ever change the older cruise history to reflect the actual cabin type...they probably don't have that data for cruises that were taken prior to a particular date. It doesn't matter anyway, unless you were in a suite.

[AuntieBarb]

Well this is my guess.

 

You are actually not escalating any faster than those that live in port cities and were taking short cruises. 4 day cruises x 5 would have gotten you to the next level. I've read many complaints on the unfairness of that.

 

They probably didn't want to make the 2nd level too far away. New cruisers are far easier to lose loyalty to than long time cruisers of one line. If you make your benefits too far away for your first level move up you've lost the opportunity to try and entice that customer to be loyal by "dangling carrots" in front of them.

 

Makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint!

[newmexicoNita]

Last 3 cruises, 3 cocktail parties - 1 all Latitudes where they have the drawings, 2nd Lat for silver and up and a Captain's which I thought was suite guests only. Maybe I am wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.:)

 

I think it was for suite guests and VIPs only..

[fergusonvt]

So if your next cruise takes you up a level do you get the next level perks on that cruise?

[BikerAl]

But, it going to cost the cruise line in the long run so keep an eye for the reductions in the future. Remember NCL is still being run by a bean counter.

 

why don't you wait and see how it falls out before going chicken little. You have been an NCL can do no wrong poster for years, so take a deep breath John.

 

Al

[newmexicoNita]

My points are posted (12/1) and under the FAQ at the bottom of the page it takes you to the level requirement and point requirements.

 

It does say "this program was institutedon Dec. 5, 2011". Gotta' love 'em.

 

Hey, I'm happy. I'd have been platinum after my next cruise, so one early is fine with me :D

 

I made it one cruise plus early, so I am thrilled. Feb would be my 13th.

 

Nita

[Dolphins]

I remember when there were no Latitudes's Levels. Give it a brake. Go wash the car, mow the lawn, hug the familey, buy me a xmas present. Just stop crying:confused::confused:

 

I agree! We sailed over 100 days on HAL and all we got was a copper medallion?

[newmexicoNita]

Agreed. :)

 

I wonder whether they might consider doubling-up the concierges on each ship?

 

Regarding the dinners at Le Bistro, consider this: my partner & I both were moved up from Gold to Platinum with this new program. We both now get a dinner & wine at Le Bistro.

 

But we would have eaten at Le Bistro at least twice, even if we were paying for it. So the fullness of the restaurant is in no way impacted by the fact that we won't have to pay a bill. In fact, since this type of stuff is often comped by the casino, even our Accounts will have no change due to this.

 

We've enjoyed concierge access thanks to the generosity of certain HDs, so that's no additional impact, either.

 

 

The only 2 things which are new and impactful are the laundry, and the ship tour. And I promise we won't over-stuff the laundry bag, or be too slow on tour! ;)

 

 

 

.

 

We have enjoyed the concierge as well, in the past: I will add, at one time concierge service was available for GOLD as well but many people do not use the service anyway, so I doubt it is going to be a huge problem.

 

Beaver, I am beside myself trying to figure out why you are so unhappy? If you don't like the progarm find a line that meets your needs better, you aren't going to get many more perks on other lines, if as many.

 

NIta

 

Nita

[BikerAl]

So if your next cruise takes you up a level do you get the next level perks on that cruise?

 

In the past, the perks started on the cruise after you achieved the leve;. I assume it will be that way in the future

 

Al