It’s Time to Revamp the Latitudes Program

[gmbhardy]

Once you reach Platinum there’s really no incentive to collect more points. We will be Platinum Plus after our next cruise and I can’t wait to get that extra bottle of water. Seriously, there really needs to be some categories between Platinum and Ambassador with some nice perks. Any suggestions?

[amygutman]

Personally...I'd love to get some sort of incentive to book my next cruise - perhaps 10-15% off? That would make a huge difference. 

We are Platinum as well, soon to be Platinum Plus, and the Platinum perks are awesome...but It will take us years to be Ambassador and I can't see the incentives...

Amy

[Greenpea2]

I'm Platinum Plus and will never reach Ambassador. Even if I could, I think there is only one additional perk, yes? I actually really like the perks I get as Platinum Plus. I don't feel gypped.

[BirdTravels]

We are platinum plus. No desire for additional levels. 

 

We would like a Platinum Lounge (like RCCL Diamond Lounge). And we would like additional perks being a Platinum Plus member (like RCCL's reserved seating at shows for their D+ members). 

[phissy]

1 hour ago, amygutman said:

Personally...I'd love to get some sort of incentive to book my next cruise - perhaps 10-15% off? That would make a huge difference. 

We are Platinum as well, soon to be Platinum Plus, and the Platinum perks are awesome...but It will take us years to be Ambassador and I can't see the incentives...

Amy

Count me in on this one.

MSC offers 10% off cruise fare for Black card level.

being Platinum Plus, I agree Ambassador will not happen in my lifetime.

I like Birdtravels idea of a Platinum Plus Lounge.

[Mike D.]

I'm also Platinum Plus and don't want to diminish the perks.  I've enjoyed dinner with the officer and the extra bottle of water.  But it took "only" 175 points (and 16 cruises on NCL) to get to PP. The gap between PP and Ambassador (700 points) is 525 points.  That would mean about 37 more 7 day cruises at 14 points a cruise if my math is right.

 

I'll chime in with others about some incentives/perks that would encourage me with an obtainable point target along the way to Ambassador which I'll never make.  The Lounge idea is OK but as a non-drinker, I'm thinking an extra specialty meal (or two), a free shore excursion, or as others have mentioned, a cruise fare discount.  Maybe one of those at 250 points and another at 350 points etc.

 

While I don't really want to "start over" on another line, a few cruises on that other line, and I'd have some perks there.

 

Thanks for the thoughtful discussion. 

[casofilia]

We are pleased with what we get as Platinum Plus, it is after all "something for nothing"  However it is certainly a long way to Ambassador, another three PP+ sets of points.  Something halfway from the PP+ (175) to A (700), say at 425 or 450, would be nice.   But what?  Better wine?  Another meal?

[sverigecruiser]

5 hours ago, phissy said:

 

MSC offers 10% off cruise fare for Black card level.

 

 

On some cruises

[JohnIreland]

4 hours ago, Mike D. said:

While I don't really want to "start over" on another line, a few cruises on that other line, and I'd have some perks there.

 

 

MSC will start you at Black (top level) if you do a status match.

[dexddd]

1 hour ago, JohnIreland said:

 

MSC will start you at Black (top level) if you do a status match.

Is that still the case for PP on NCL to MSC?  There were reductions late last year.

Edited May 28, 2019 by dexddd

[newmexicoNita]

OK, I admit none of us will ever make Ambassador so why not just do away with the level period. Sure, more perks are always appreciated but I am not complaining about what we receive for bein platinum plus. I love the extra water: also the discount  we get in the gift shop and on excursions it would be nice if they would give a bottle of wine per person instead of per cabin and let us exchange the bubbly for wine. I do know what ever changes they make will not affect us, as we have reached the age where our next cruise, in Oct is probably our last. 

[dexddd]

We are PP and if you read between the lines and what has been changed over the years I doubt they really care or have any interest in the program IMO.  It is more about getting bodies on the ships.

[drvmywifecrzy]

Casino has even more perks

[gmbhardy]

One thing that also disappoints me is the Latitudes reception. It’s a totally benign event that is just an excuse to promote CruiseNext (as if people in the room don’t know about the program). They serve cheap booze and cheese and crackers. You would think they would serve something a little nicer to their best customers. On some ships, the officers make an attempt to circulate and engage guests but on others they simply make an appearance and then quickly disappear. Why not organize some prize draws or hand out something like ship pins. You should leave the event feeling special not feeling it was a waste of time. 

[lakelivin2]

8 hours ago, casofilia said:

We are pleased with what we get as Platinum Plus, it is after all "something for nothing"  However it is certainly a long way to Ambassador, another three PP+ sets of points.  Something halfway from the PP+ (175) to A (700), say at 425 or 450, would be nice.   But what?  Better wine?  Another meal?

How about some specialty coffee/dessert coupons, or a few movies, or an upgrade within the category of cabin, a little discount on booking next cruise, always allowing pp+ to use 2 cruise next certificates to any new booking, giving priority window seats in dining rooms when available, hmm...anything else?  anyone?

 

[Markanddonna]

4 hours ago, JohnIreland said:

 

MSC will start you at Black (top level) if you do a status match.

No, that is not true anymore. The status match WAS NCL platinum to MSC Black, but that ended last fall. It appears they were a bit too generous and folks like me swarmed over to MSC.  Glad I did because I loved our first MSC cruise, esp since I was at their highest level as a newbie.

[MNcruisingcouple]

Funny that this thread popped up today as DH and I were just talking about this subject yesterday.

 

We are Plat and really appreciate the perks.  However PP perks seem lame; additional water, dinner with officers and additional internet minutes.  The addition of another specialty dinner, or specialty coffees would go along way, for us.  

The great distance between PP and Ambassador is discouraging.  It would be nice if there were additional levels, with things like shore excursions, specialty dining, premium wine/liquor, unlimited internet, cruise fare discount, PP lounge, etc.

We agree that the Latitudes events could be improved.  A premium Latitude event might be a nice perk for PP and above; better drinks, better snacks, more interesting information (as opposed to the Cruise Next sales pitch). 

 

As others have mentioned, the great discrepancy in what it takes to reach PP and what it takes to reach Ambassador doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.  

 

[Lupush]

I'd say bring down the amount of points required for Ambassador to 250-300 or so.  

[spanishguy1970]

15 hours ago, amygutman said:

Personally...I'd love to get some sort of incentive to book my next cruise - perhaps 10-15% off? That would make a huge difference. 

We are Platinum as well, soon to be Platinum Plus, and the Platinum perks are awesome...but It will take us years to be Ambassador and I can't see the incentives...

Amy

completely agree, Maybe we could get more onboard credit, or a few cocktails ( vouchers). Ambassador should get more free meals on specialty restaurants, there are so many possibilities to give customers incentives.

[spanishguy1970]

1 hour ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

Funny that this thread popped up today as DH and I were just talking about this subject yesterday.

 

We are Plat and really appreciate the perks.  However PP perks seem lame; additional water, dinner with officers and additional internet minutes.  The addition of another specialty dinner, or specialty coffees would go along way, for us.  

The great distance between PP and Ambassador is discouraging.  It would be nice if there were additional levels, with things like shore excursions, specialty dining, premium wine/liquor, unlimited internet, cruise fare discount, PP lounge, etc.

We agree that the Latitudes events could be improved.  A premium Latitude event might be a nice perk for PP and above; better drinks, better snacks, more interesting information (as opposed to the Cruise Next sales pitch). 

 

As others have mentioned, the great discrepancy in what it takes to reach PP and what it takes to reach Ambassador doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.  

 

when i saw the change in the Latitudes program, it was obvious to me that whoever planned it did not give it a lot of though or maybe that was the point. The 2 bottles of water was a joke. The free cruise for Ambassador is nice but then they get the same perks we Platinum plus people get so is not much of an incentive to get to Ambassador.

[spanishguy1970]

3 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

One thing that also disappoints me is the Latitudes reception. It’s a totally benign event that is just an excuse to promote CruiseNext (as if people in the room don’t know about the program). They serve cheap booze and cheese and crackers. You would think they would serve something a little nicer to their best customers. On some ships, the officers make an attempt to circulate and engage guests but on others they simply make an appearance and then quickly disappear. Why not organize some prize draws or hand out something like ship pins. You should leave the event feeling special not feeling it was a waste of time. 

on our last cruise we were at the party for 5 minutes, it was so cramped and same sales tactic of the cruise next rewards thing, they tell you that without us they would not be able to survive LOL..but words are cheap, show it with actual action.

[spanishguy1970]

5 hours ago, dexddd said:

We are PP and if you read between the lines and what has been changed over the years I doubt they really care or have any interest in the program IMO.  It is more about getting bodies on the ships.

ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.

[Mid43]

I'd swear the bottled water they give you is poured from the taps on the ship and bottled on board... it's actually embarrassing for them I feel.

[Sand and Seas]

7 hours ago, lakelivin2 said:

How about some specialty coffee/dessert coupons, or a few movies, or an upgrade within the category of cabin, a little discount on booking next cruise, always allowing pp+ to use 2 cruise next certificates to any new booking, giving priority window seats in dining rooms when available, hmm...anything else?  anyone?

 

I like the idea of some choices given, instead of the same things we may or may not use.   We have been Platinum Plus since they created the new program levels.    I don't know how many of us P Plus there are on a given cruise, but you would think they might want to note our preferences for what we like.   (No more 'champagne' for us please, but we love the chocolate strawberries)

 

It seems it wouldn't be that hard to ask us to choose among a couple of different items that we could select from when we update our profile.    Or if that's too difficult, they could attach another coupon (with dinner coupons) to choose a specialty coffee or bakery cupcake or something else relatively inexpensive for NCL to provide.

 

And, we will not be trying to reach Ambassador.  If we happen to get there, OK.  Those folks deserve VIP status on board for all the cruises they have done.  You would think they would be invited to Haven restaurant for a couple of meals plus get the escorted disembarkation (Gold tags....not Yellow!)

 

 

[npater]

11 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

One thing that also disappoints me is the Latitudes reception. It’s a totally benign event that is just an excuse to promote CruiseNext (as if people in the room don’t know about the program). They serve cheap booze and cheese and crackers. You would think they would serve something a little nicer to their best customers. On some ships, the officers make an attempt to circulate and engage guests but on others they simply make an appearance and then quickly disappear. Why not organize some prize draws or hand out something like ship pins. You should leave the event feeling special not feeling it was a waste of time. 

About 6-7 years ago the Gem or Dawn did do prizes. It was held in Spinnaker lounge. They gave you a raffle ticket as you entered for the Latitudes reception. I actually won a piece if blown glass from Bermuda and my son won a bottle of wine. They did it for a few years and then it stopped. And yes the officers make a quick appearance and disappear.