Does NCL match loyalty programs?

[NYcruzzer]

@RaiderFaninNM I suspect you knew the answer before you started this thread. Why not change the title to "NCL should Loyalty match like MSC and Virgin do"..

[zqvol]

4 minutes ago, NYcruzzer said:

@RaiderFaninNM I suspect you knew the answer before you started this thread. Why not change the title to "NCL should Loyalty match like MSC and Virgin do"..

That wouldn’t be as much fun. 

[RaiderFaninNM]

8 minutes ago, NYcruzzer said:

@RaiderFaninNM I suspect you knew the answer before you started this thread. Why not change the title to "NCL should Loyalty match like MSC and Virgin do"..

Why??

 

Did not know thus the question..😉

[tgloersen]

19 hours ago, RaiderFaninNM said:

It's called gathering new business, aka money!!!

Ask Virgin why???😉

Exactly....👍

Ha, fat finger that one!!!🤣

Agree with al lof this!

[graphicguy]

I wonder if NCL is desperate for business to engage in a status match?  Their ships are sailing at capacity.  I think there would be little impetus for them to need such a ploy.

 

Carnival doesn't.  Royal doesn't.  Can't see why NCL would?

 

I remember the huge backlash from MSC frequent cruisers when others, who had never sailed MSC before, were granted Voyager status (in my case, Diamond) when "newbies" to MSC had never even set foot on their ships.

 

 

Edited December 20, 2023 by graphicguy

[shof515]

4 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Carnival doesn't.  Royal doesn't.  Can't see why NCL would?

 

Royal does status match only with their sister brand celebrity cruises

[graphicguy]

37 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

Royal does status match only with their sister brand celebrity cruises

Yeah.  I've taken advantage of that.  

 

Celebrity and Royal are like two sides of the same coin.  They're a little different (Celebrity doesn't have slides or Merry Go Rounds), but overall, I noticed many similarities.

 

I don't know that NCL or Oceania are similar.

[BirdTravels]

On 12/19/2023 at 6:03 AM, DominicAUS said:

It’s common practice to lure new customers snd try to win them over. Happens on many cruise lines, hotel and airlines. It’s businsss smart, that’s why 

A hotel or airline or casino match has a limited term (6 months or a year). It would be dumb business for a cruise line to status for an indefinite period. 

[G-DawgMN]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

I wonder if NCL is desperate for business to engage in a status match?  Their ships are sailing at capacity.  I think there would be little impetus for them to need such a ploy.

 

Carnival doesn't.  Royal doesn't.  Can't see why NCL would?

 

I remember the huge backlash from MSC frequent cruisers when others, who had never sailed MSC before, were granted Voyager status (in my case, Diamond) when "newbies" to MSC had never even set foot on their ships.

 

 

  One thing that I personally like about MSC is that you have to cruise every 3 years to keep your status. I’ve seen other cruise lines with lifetime status and their top tiers are pretty bloated. Not a big deal unless there’s perks like a lounge access etc. 

[graphicguy]

5 minutes ago, KSSS2013 said:

  One thing that I personally like about MSC is that you have to cruise every 3 years to keep your status. I’ve seen other cruise lines with lifetime status and their top tiers are pretty bloated. Not a big deal unless there’s perks like a lounge access etc. 

In reality, MSC status matched me for a cruise 7 years ago.  Haven't sailed them since.  They still show my Voyager's Club Diamond Status today!  I understand their desire to lure cruisers from other lines. But, then you have to execute to keep them.  With me, they haven't done that.

 

Maybe one day they'll revoke my status.  But, in reality, it won't matter if they can't get me to want to sail with them, again....regardless of Voyager Status.

 

 

Edited December 20, 2023 by graphicguy

[G-DawgMN]

Just now, graphicguy said:

In reality, MSC status matched me for a cruise 7 years ago.  Haven't sailed them since.  They still show my Voyager's Club Diamond Status today!  I understand their desire to lure cruisers from other lines. But, then you have to execute to keep them.  With me, they haven't done that.

 

 

 

 Interesting, they extended us during Covid but we do cruise them every 2-3 years, the biggest perk I like is that you can use the Yacht Club tender bypass lines getting back to the ship, it saved us an hour or so of waiting in line at Grand Cayman.

  I won't turn this thread into a NCL vs. MSC debate though, they both have their place...:).

 

[UKstages]

17 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

It would be dumb business for a cruise line to status for an indefinite period. 

perhaps.

 

some might say it’s a prudent investment and a low cost to premium customer acquisition. you’re getting a customer who is already prequalified as someone who is likely to buy large quantities of what you’re selling. by definition, an elite status member cruises more than the average bear.
 

and if they don’t, you’re not out much… if they don’t cruise, then you’re not providing any benefits and there is no cost to maintain the relationship. 

[graphicguy]

17 minutes ago, KSSS2013 said:

 

 Interesting, they extended us during Covid but we do cruise them every 2-3 years, the biggest perk I like is that you can use the Yacht Club tender bypass lines getting back to the ship, it saved us an hour or so of waiting in line at Grand Cayman.

  I won't turn this thread into a NCL vs. MSC debate though, they both have their place...:).

 

Yacht Club is a nice product.  When MSC was breaking into this market (with their "status match" marketing), their pricing was attractive. I booked the Divina in the Yacht Club on a Mediterranean cruise 7 years ago.  New cruise line (to me).  New(er) ship (at the time).  Yacht Club product promising a Haven type experience.  Plus IIRC, the fare was $3,500 plus some OBC for a 7 nite cruise.  Very attractive.  Not as good as the Haven, but still a very nice experience.

 

I've probably tried to book different MSC Cruises 3-4 times since then.  None of it has been a good experience.  One time they said they made a mistake with my cabin type (booked a YC Balcony, complete with the cabin number confirmed by MSC) which turned into an inside cabin.  I didn't even get an apology.  Had to get AMEX involved in that one.

 

Another time, they charged a deposit to my CC on file (same AMEX) for a cruise I didn't even book.

 

Now, their fares are on par with NCL, Royal, Carnival, etc.  So, based on my past experience, they could change my status to Captain of the Ship, I'd still probably not book them.

 

They'd have to get cheap, and I mean really cheap, for me to consider them, again.  Even then, I'd be leery of booking with them.

 

So yeah, there's a reason they do status match.  They have to, at least compared to the other dominant cruise lines around these parts.

Edited December 20, 2023 by graphicguy

[G-DawgMN]

Just now, graphicguy said:

Yacht Club is a nice product.  When MSC was breaking into this market (with their "status match" marketing), their pricing was attractive. I booked the Divina in the Yacht Club on a Mediterranean cruise 7 years ago.  New cruise line (to me).  New(er) ship (at the time).  Yacht Club product promising a Haven type experience.  Plus IIRC, the fare was $3,500 plus some OBC for a 7 nite cruise.  Very attractive.  Not as good as the Haven, but still a very nice experience.

 

I've probably tried to book different MSC Cruises 3-4 times since then.  None of it has been a good experience.  One time they said they made a mistake with my cabin type (booked a YC Balcony, complete with the cabin number confirmed by MSC) which turned into an inside cabin.  I didn't even get an apology.  Had to get AMEX involved in that one.

 

Another time, they charged a deposit to my CC on file (same AMEX) for a cruise I didn't even book.

 

Now, their fares are on par with NCL, Royal, Carnival, etc.  So, based on my past experience, they could change my status to Captain of the Ship, I'd still probably not book them.

 

They'd have to get cheap, and I mean really cheap, for me to consider them, again.  Even then, I'd be leery of booking with them.

 

  There's deals if you look. European cruises can be fantastically cheap.

 

   I've got the YC booked this November for $2900. Still a great deal since it includes free wi-fi and premium drink package. 

[graphicguy]

26 minutes ago, KSSS2013 said:

 

  There's deals if you look. European cruises can be fantastically cheap.

 

   I've got the YC booked this November for $2900. Still a great deal since it includes free wi-fi and premium drink package. 

Nites?  Per person or per cabin?  Ship?

[G-DawgMN]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Nites?  Per person or per cabin?  Ship?

 

 

 7 nights Western Caribbean in November on the Seascape. It was $2900 total for two of us with $200 OBC. It's an inside room but in the YC complex.

 

  We're also looking at a 10 day out of Copenhagen in 2025 for $2100 for an inside room. No other perks but it's all port days except for one.

 

 

[cruiser2015]

5 hours ago, shof515 said:

 

Royal does status match only with their sister brand celebrity cruises

So does Carnival.

[DominicAUS]

11 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

A hotel or airline or casino match has a limited term (6 months or a year). It would be dumb business for a cruise line to status for an indefinite period. 

Yet some cruise lines do status matches not all but some. Dumb or not they do it and it works for their business model. 
 

 

[nimbex1970]

On 12/19/2023 at 12:30 PM, graphicguy said:

Just did a quick look on Virgin and NCL fares, similar dates and similar itineraries.  Balcony cabins on both. FAS for NCL.  Drink credits on Virgin based on status match.

 

Fares and perks are similar, except NCL’s fare was for 7 days and Virgin’s is for 5 days! 

 

Virgin is doing some sleight of hand with pricing.  Not  apples to apples!

All Virgin restaurants are no fees, and they are considered "upscale" like NCL pay for restaurants.  One does have to make reservations though. You also have to be a higher level tier, like Diamond on RCL to transfer that status over.  We gifted our Virgin cruise to our son, and went on our first NCL 10 nighter instead, simply because we couldn't get a B2B with Virgin.  Son is now a huge fan and won't go back to RCL.  He states the amount he would have paid for specialty dining made the cost point the same per night for Virgin/RCL.  Some food for thought if you are comparing NCL and pay for specialty restaurants. 

[RaiderFaninNM]

2 hours ago, nimbex1970 said:

All Virgin restaurants are no fees, and they are considered "upscale" like NCL pay for restaurants.  One does have to make reservations though. You also have to be a higher level tier, like Diamond on RCL to transfer that status over.  We gifted our Virgin cruise to our son, and went on our first NCL 10 nighter instead, simply because we couldn't get a B2B with Virgin.  Son is now a huge fan and won't go back to RCL.  He states the amount he would have paid for specialty dining made the cost point the same per night for Virgin/RCL.  Some food for thought if you are comparing NCL and pay for specialty restaurants. 

Been on RCCL and enjoyed it but the cost today is not worth it, I mean Icon interior room for $1600 pp, seriously, new ship or not....IMHO...

Virgin, dunno it gives me the creepy vibe, if you will, dunno for no other reason then my own silliness..

Maybe it's that red lighting in the ship, I don't know but I don't have a desire to try....

 

Loyalty branding is kind of silly as one gets a different colored card, BFD as one really doesn't get benefits until the much higher tier status.

I see all cruise lines eventually moving on to a virtual, electronic type like ticketmaster has done.

Edited December 21, 2023 by RaiderFaninNM

[graphicguy]

18 hours ago, KSSS2013 said:

 

 

 7 nights Western Caribbean in November on the Seascape. It was $2900 total for two of us with $200 OBC. It's an inside room but in the YC complex.

 

  We're also looking at a 10 day out of Copenhagen in 2025 for $2100 for an inside room. No other perks but it's all port days except for one.

 

 

Yeah...that's what I was wondering.  MSC's an inside cabin, whereas NCL's Haven are all balconies and above.  So, tough to do an apples to apples.

 

I'm in a Haven Suite in Feb on the Prima... it's about $ $1,200 more than your inside on MSC but it includes FAS, Specialty Dining, Drinks, Excursion Credit and some internet minutes.  But, it's a balcony.

 

I'm a bit claustrophobic, so inside cabins are out for me.

 

Point being, MSC used to be way less expensive when everything is totaled up (fare, perks, add ons, etc).  Now, they aren't.

[graphicguy]

10 minutes ago, RaiderFaninNM said:

Been on RCCL and enjoyed it but the cost today is not worth it, I mean Icon interior room for $1600 pp, seriously, new ship or not....IMHO...

Virgin, dunno it gives me the creepy vibe, if you will, dunno for no other reason then my own silliness..

Maybe it's that red lighting in the ship, I don't know but I don't have a desire to try....

Diamond on Royal, also.  I'll sail them, but the fare has to be reasonable.  Usually, a Jr Suite on Royal is within a few hundred $ of a good Haven fare on NCL, which I seem to be able to seek out.  Star Class on Royal is way, way up there as far as fares and not even remotely competitive.

 

My Haven fares usually run between high $3,000s to low $4,000s. per cabin with FAS.

 

Virgin?  Can't put my finger on it, either.  But, it doesn't seem to appeal to me.

Edited December 21, 2023 by graphicguy

[RaiderFaninNM]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Diamond on Royal, also.  I'll sail them, but the fare has to be reasonable.  Usually, a Jr Suite on Royal is within a few hundred $ of a good Haven fare on NCL, which I seem to be able to seek out.  Star Class on Royal is way, way up there as far as fares and not even remotely competitive.

 

My Haven fares usually run between high $3,000s to low $4,000s. per cabin with FAS.

 

Virgin?  Can't put my finger on it, either.  But, it doesn't seem to appeal to me.

I never conciderd that on RCCL, will look into that.

I have yet to sail on NCL and this coming August will be our first.

I hear good things about the Haven and will go from there after our first cruise with NCL...

 

As far a Virgin, I just can't seem to hit the book button..

 

Oh well...

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, RaiderFaninNM said:

I never conciderd that on RCCL, will look into that.

I have yet to sail on NCL and this coming August will be our first.

I hear good things about the Haven and will go from there after our first cruise with NCL...

 

As far a Virgin, I just can't seem to hit the book button..

 

Oh well...

The Haven is far better than a suite on RCCL (unless you are talking about the best suites on the ship). We sailed in a 2 Story Sky loft on RCCL and got very little for it. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

On 12/18/2023 at 11:59 PM, complawyer said:

lets do it, lets fall in love. Thank you Mr Cole Porter!

 

By the way raiderfan,did you mean to say that "stinks"? That sticks makes no sense 

A lot of things that are posted make no sense.  Just check my post history! 🤡