Just Not Treated Right

[beachchick]

I've always understood that some restrictions apply to the upgrades offers, even without reading the disclaimers, which are always there. The offers clearly say that the upgrades are within type of cabin and exclude mini-suites and suites. I think that's partly because the difference in amenities and fares between the lowest and highest level balcony cabins are small, but the differences between the lowest and highest level suites are enormous. If someone books an OS and the GVs are already booked, exactly what upgrade would be available? Or if someone books a GV, what should NCL do? Buy them a private yacht as their upgrade?

 

Anyone who feels the perks and benefits of any suite level are not acceptable or who does not believe NCL makes you "feel special" enough should write to the cruise line to express those disappointments and/or find a different cruise line that will meet those needs. IMO, spending a great deal of money for suites entitles people to the perks and benefits of them; it does not entitle them to be treated "better" than other passengers--that's actually already part of the included suite perks. Perhaps Crystal or another luxury line would be a better choice?

 

beachchick

[che5904]

I don't think the initial request sounded elitest. I think once their words were torn apart it made it seem as if s/he thinks that they're better than anyone. I don't think that was the initial intent. I don't think it's out of the question for NCL (or any service-oriented company) to acknowledge their repeat customers (suite guests or inside cabin guests). He's not asking for the martini, but to get one, or any sort of acknowledgement that says "you're here again...you continue to come back" is actually typical in the service industry. Whether you like it or not, the person spends a lot of money on those suites. They aren't doing it to make someone else jealous - they're doing it because they can. SOMEONE can because those suites sail full - upsells or not. So a martini, a free drink or the like to say thanks goes a long way.

 

DirecTV acknowledges my loyalty to them by sending me a free pay-per-view movie once in awhile. I'm not looking for it, but it's a nice gesture. I think the OP felt the same - a gesture to say "thanks for repeatedly coming back".

 

I agree to a point that perhaps this was not the original intent. However, NCL does recognize it's returning customers, it's called latitiudes. So I think the fact that the OP sounded like he/she wanted more than just regular latitudes as acknowledgement because he/she kept returning to the suite life was what gave the impression you are speaking about above, that the OP sounded like they were more deserving.

 

You are right with your TV analysis however your "free pay-per-view", that you are saying they offer because of loyalty is the same for eveyone that is a loyal customer. Therefore if you buy the basic package with one option you get the same deal as the TV customer buying the basic package with all of their offers.

 

Granted the OP (if not comped) is paying outragious prices for their cabin than the average inside cabin or balcony etc. However there is also more expense for the ship for that suite (consierge, butler, wine etc). Because they are paying more for that area doesn't mean NCL's profit is more for the same square footage of space

[Warmer Climes]

I have been on 8 cruises in the past twenty months, ALL on NCL. I stay in an owners suite, courtyard villa or penthouse suite ( recently only villas ) I am now over sixty, somewhat retired, love to cruise and am getting a poor signal from NCL that only if your staying in a basic room will they upgrade you, discount you or try to appeal to you. Their ad says free upgrades for EVERYBODY! but this is not so. If you want to spend triple to five times what everyone else is paying, there are no discounts or upgrades. I am also a Harrah's Diamond Player. Used to get a twenty percent discount but no more. If I stay in a balcony room for less money, they give a twenty percent discount, but because I like the amenities to the villas, I only get 10%. Does't seem right. I guess all things are'nt equal. You would think that they would go out of there way for those who are very repeat customers, who are willing to spend the additional monies for the better rooms to maybe treat them to the specialty restaurants instead of charging an additional $15. What extra does it really cost, I have to eat anyway. I own two restaurants on Long Island. It's possible that Kevin Sheehan has eaten in at least one of them because he lives in my neighborhood. And if he were a regular, like any other regular, he would know that I buy regulars a drink, an appetizer or a dessert just for being regulars, because without them, I wouldn't be in business. Companies that give things away to lure new people in are missing the big picture. It's all about the regulars. We all want to be acknowledged, we all love the attention and we all want to feel special. As an owner whos business is growing even in these hard times, I love to see repeat customers talking to other repeat customers who ultimately come just to see the other regulars, A meeting place. So why is it that NCL does not acknowlege me when I book a cruise ( which I only do through them ) My history is in the computer. Why is it that they don't go out of their way for me when I'm on board. Perhaps it's time to look at other lines. No matter where I go, I'll become a regular. Sad if you lose me

 

It would just seem like good business to keep a cruiser like you coming back. We have two restaurants where we are regulars and they greet us by name, send over a free beer once in a while and at Christmas comp a meal. We don't go to these places because of these gestures but it lets us know they appreciate our business. NCL is-pardon the expression- missing the boat by not making you feel especially welcome.

[pmatawan]

One more note, to the best of my knowledge, no cruiseline does this. So, if they were to, NCL would be the first.

NCL claims to be the first in many aspects of cruising, heres another opportunity for them.

[che5904]

Further to my above post, in making my point for net profit on GV's.

The GV's square footage on the star is the equivalent to 32 reg. balcony cabins. The price difference on estimation for say a February sailing is only equivalent to 8 reg. cabins. Therefore money wise if NCL was to sell 32 reg. balcony cabins I'm pretty sure there profit would be higher than 8 reg. balcony cabins. Plus it costs them for the perks in the GV.

 

So it only stands to reason that their net profit based on square footage of space is not as high on GV's so their plus for booking that space would be probably they are getting profit from 8 balconys in one shot and the person that could afford that space may spend more money through out the ship where apparently ships make their most profit from (in the extras)

 

So as you can see the returning GV patron would be no more important than the returning of any other guest on the ship no matter what category.

[gooch47]

I get what the OP is saying about being made to feel special. My husband is a VIP with Harrah's. Not quite their highest level (7-Star) but special enough that the casino hosts treat him very well and he gets special offers (like our recent Spirit "free" cruise) all the time. I guess it is human nature to enjoy being singled out for special treatment.

 

(I said "free" cruise because we paid to be upgraded from an inside cabin to a balcony.)

 

So if Harrah's can treat him very well, remember him or at least see his loyalty when they check his player's card stats, why can't NCL? They are both huge corporations and you could argue that they are at least on some level the same corporation.

[erdoran]

I think I'll come down on OP's side...it would cost NCL very, very little to welcome him to a specialty restaurant with his favorite drink FREE, which they should know a day or two into each cruise (or could even note his file with it), or send over a bottle of wine with ONE of his dinners. It's nothing to do with being cheap or getting something for nothing. It's IMHO appropriate to acknowledge your high dollar customers, and this is a very inexpensive way to do so for NCL.

 

As far as people who have scrimped and saved for years and years to come on their first cruise, if NCL (or any other cruise line) becomes aware of this, it would also be a LOVELY gesture to comp them something, even if it's a free dinner in the least expensive specialty restaurant.

 

The toughest thing would be to administer it appropriately. For the high rollers it isn't hard, just look that the dollars spent with NCL total and have certain comp levels based on that, the same way casinos do. It's the doing something special for the non-high dollar folks that gets dicey because if it is done for one, even with special circumstances, the other folks on tight budgets are going to be ticked. not sure what the solution is there!

 

And before the nasties swarm in, flamethrowers in hand....this is normal business for casinos, with megacomps for THEIR high rollers! Airlines give more FF mileage for first class and business class tix than coach, in recognition of the higher cost. I know of a couple who regularly sails Crystal, and they were recently upgrade from some suite level to the highest level for free because they cruise very frequently with that cruiseline.

 

as others have said, if you are already in the highest level suite an upgrade isn't an option...but the small freebies absolutely are.

 

As far as false advertising, the limitations on the "upgrades for all" are pretty clear. To me the false advertising was a Pizza Hut commercial a while ago (maybe it's still on) where they said ALL pizzas for $10 - not some, not most, but ALL - and then the fine print excluded some. In my book ALL is ALL with no exclusions - not that I care that much, it's just a good example of what is pretty unequivocally blatant. "Free upgrades for all" means ALL can buy a cabin in the free upgrade qualifying date group--free upgrades for all PEOPLE who want to use the promo. ALL pizzas is different, it's the product you are buying. It's like saying "Free upgrades for ALL CABINS"!

[che5904]

I think I'll come down on OP's side...it would cost NCL very, very little to welcome him to a specialty restaurant with his favorite drink FREE, which they should know a day or two into each cruise (or could even note his file with it), or send over a bottle of wine with ONE of his dinners. It's nothing to do with being cheap or getting something for nothing. It's IMHO appropriate to acknowledge your high dollar customers, and this is a very inexpensive way to do so for NCL.

As far as people who have scrimped and saved for years and years to come on their first cruise, if NCL (or any other cruise line) becomes aware of this, it would also be a LOVELY gesture to comp them something, even if it's a free dinner in the least expensive specialty restaurant.

The toughest thing would be to administer it appropriately. For the high rollers it isn't hard, just look that the dollars spent with NCL total and have certain comp levels based on that, the same way casinos do. It's the doing something special for the non-high dollar folks that gets dicey because if it is done for one, even with special circumstances, the other folks on tight budgets are going to be ticked. not sure what the solution is there!

And before the nasties swarm in, flamethrowers in hand....this is normal business for casinos, with megacomps for THEIR high rollers! Airlines give more FF mileage for first class and business class tix than coach, in recognition of the higher cost. I know of a couple who regularly sails Crystal, and they were recently upgrade from some suite level to the highest level for free because they cruise very frequently with that cruiseline.

as others have said, if you are already in the highest level suite an upgrade isn't an option...but the small freebies absolutely are.

 

I get what the OP is saying about being made to feel special. My husband is a VIP with Harrah's. Not quite their highest level (7-Star) but special enough that the casino hosts treat him very well and he gets special offers (like our recent Spirit "free" cruise) all the time. I guess it is human nature to enjoy being singled out for special treatment.

 

(I said "free" cruise because we paid to be upgraded from an inside cabin to a balcony.)

 

So if Harrah's can treat him very well, remember him or at least see his loyalty when they check his player's card stats, why can't NCL? They are both huge corporations and you could argue that they are at least on some level the same corporation.

 

 

I’m actually on neither side of any of the debates on this thread, just making observations.

As I’ve stated above the OP is getting perks based on their return loyalty, it’s called latitudes. Granted not a lot but a tidbit to say thank you for returning, which is what he/she basically stated that it wasn’t the money or value but the principal.

As for acknowledgement of higher paying customers, I have pointed out above the economics of this and showed where actually NCL would probably make a smaller net profit on a GV as oppose to lower priced cabins.

I am also a Diamond with Harrahs and therefore get the perks (or dangling carrots as I prefer to call them). The difference with the two companies would be if I game at Harrahs (unless I get a huge win), my dollars are net profit. The more I spend, the more hours I’m there, the more net profit Harrahs makes (Keep me smiling I bring up your net take home money, quite simple). So business wise speaking it’s not what you are paying but what they are making in their profits.

[swedish weave]

NCL does have a VIP party including free drinks on most if not all cruises. Between the perks for suites and above, and Lattitudes perks, NCL does very well at recognizing loyalty and money spent. Anything beyond that is nice if offered, but should not be expected.

 

Keep in mind -- When you walk out of your cabin, you are one of over two thousand people on the cruise and blend in with the crowd. You don't have a sign on you saying what type of cabin you are in or how much you spent for the cruise. We cruise in inside cabins and are greeted warmly by the people who know us. That is what keeps us cruising with NCL.

[briansnel]

Just my take on this:

When Oprah exclaims on her show "This or that for everyone" only her guests in the studio get what she is giving away. Her home based audience know and understand she does not include them in the "everyone". Same when NCL uses the term - the average reasonable person would know it does not include all on the globe, but everyone that wants specifically offered deals.

 

Then to compare your businesses to a few ships with multiple restaurants and other services is a stretch. Stop at saying you demand better service. Personally I believe the best service principle is that every guest is a VIP, irrespective of their history with the company or other factors.

Every person on a cruise has their own reason, budget and history with their vacation. To imply your status is superior because you have done it a few times more I find a bit hard to swallow. May not be the intention but sounds a bit elitist.

[che5904]

Just my take on this:

When Oprah exclaims on her show "This or that for everyone" only her guests in the studio get what she is giving away. Her home based audience know and understand she does not include them in the "everyone". Same when NCL uses the term - the average reasonable person would know it does not include all on the globe, but everyone that wants specifically offered deals.

 

Then to compare your businesses to a few ships with multiple restaurants and other services is a stretch. Stop at saying you demand better service. Personally I believe the best service principle is that every guest is a VIP, irrespective of their history with the company or other factors.

Every person on a cruise has their own reason, budget and history with their vacation. To imply your status is superior because you have done it a few times more I find a bit hard to swallow. May not be the intention but sounds a bit elitist.

 

Well said

[sunshine nana]

I agree with the OP. I'm hoping to make the OP feel better by letting him know he probably IS getting some special treatment over others in lower suites by the butler and concierge, but he doesn't realize it.We have been upsold twice to a Romance Suite from a mini and a balcony. Both times, the passengers in the more expensive suites were escorted on and off the ship by the concierge while the rest of us waited and this last time, we didn't get on until everyone else was boarding. I felt we were not getting one of the advertised suite perks. Also, both times the concierges gave much more personal attention to the higher suites when they were present at Cagneys at breakfast and at the parties.Both were somewhat rude in answering our questions.We paid the extra to get Cagneys for breakfast and lunch and we did get discounted upsells, so we had great cruises, but we did notice the extra attention the higher suites got. I do agree the villas should get at least a couple of free specialty dinners. There are usually plenty of empty seats!

[coka]

Uhhhh...10% of $17.50 is a 1 dollar and seventy five cents.

 

LOL, it sure was late last night when I computed that! :o Hopefully the point was understood by OP. He never came back to clarify further. No matter, I hope the recognition is felt by him on his next cruise. Lastly, wouldn't it be a hoot if Mr. Sheehan appeared at OP's establishment back home to introduce himself, to open his arms, and state, "OP's First Name, I hear you are not feeling the NCL love..." I too remember many years ago joking with NCL that I was the Red Buttons Never Got A Dinner Kind Of Gal Myself. And look what happened.

 

I promise I will not post anymore! I am surprised at myself that I woke up still thinking about it.

 

coka

[jo15ro]

I have been on 8 cruises in the past twenty months, ALL on NCL. I stay in an owners suite, courtyard villa or penthouse suite ( recently only villas ) I am now over sixty, somewhat retired, love to cruise and am getting a poor signal from NCL that only if your staying in a basic room will they upgrade you, discount you or try to appeal to you. Their ad says free upgrades for EVERYBODY! but this is not so. If you want to spend triple to five times what everyone else is paying, there are no discounts or upgrades. I am also a Harrah's Diamond Player. Used to get a twenty percent discount but no more. If I stay in a balcony room for less money, they give a twenty percent discount, but because I like the amenities to the villas, I only get 10%. Does't seem right. I guess all things are'nt equal. You would think that they would go out of there way for those who are very repeat customers, who are willing to spend the additional monies for the better rooms to maybe treat them to the specialty restaurants instead of charging an additional $15. What extra does it really cost, I have to eat anyway. I own two restaurants on Long Island. It's possible that Kevin Sheehan has eaten in at least one of them because he lives in my neighborhood. And if he were a regular, like any other regular, he would know that I buy regulars a drink, an appetizer or a dessert just for being regulars, because without them, I wouldn't be in business. Companies that give things away to lure new people in are missing the big picture. It's all about the regulars. We all want to be acknowledged, we all love the attention and we all want to feel special. As an owner whos business is growing even in these hard times, I love to see repeat customers talking to other repeat customers who ultimately come just to see the other regulars, A meeting place. So why is it that NCL does not acknowlege me when I book a cruise ( which I only do through them ) My history is in the computer. Why is it that they don't go out of their way for me when I'm on board. Perhaps it's time to look at other lines. No matter where I go, I'll become a regular. Sad if you lose me

 

 

I totally understand where you're coming from. After many cruises on many lines, I've found that lately NCL has centered its strategy solely on generating money and new customers while pushing aside the loyalty to its regular customers.

 

An example of this is them being the first and only cruise line to announce that they're charging for a special brunch to honor the upcoming Royal Wedding in England and also charging for a special tea gathering. (Hurry up..spend money).

 

Another example is announcing a fare increase April 1st. (Hurry up...spend more money). Previously free restaurants are not free anymore. Money. Previous 'perks' are long gone, too. Money. All that hype just a few short years ago....champagne upon embarkation, a new NCL, it's all gone now. As you stated above, Perhaps it is time to look at other lines.

 

NCL Latitudes perks..the usual gathering parties....the free newsletter...the free coupons to this or that, etc., and one free dinner after 14 cruises. A free dinner on your fifteenth cruise? Whoopie. That's the extent of NCL loyalty??

 

 

As a comparison, Celebrity X perks..the usual gathering parties....the free newsletter....the free coupons to this or that, etc. Plus, after your 10th cruise complementary espresso, cappuccino, coffees, teas and continental breakfast at the private casual coffeehouse from 8-10AM daily every day on your cruise. Additionally, from 4-6PM daily a private gathering with complementary drinks and appetizers. That's right.... a 2 hour free open bar....and free wi-fi while there, daily every day on your cruise.

 

The list goes on and on... 90 minutes of free internet, complementary dry cleaning of one garment, complementary pressing of two garments, complementary fill-it-up laundry bag of wash, dry and fold items, a complementary elegant tea service, and a private disembarkation lounge on the last morning with breakfast included privately before departure.

 

Celebrity has a loyalty program for all of its customers, not just the suite customers. And all this after only 10 cruises....not 14. Quite a difference, huh??

 

There are other lines, too, not just Celebrity, that treat their return customers......well, like you have expressed that you'd like to be treated. Like I said, I know where you're coming from.

 

And it's too bad that you were subjected to the usual harassment that's so prevalent on this NCL board.

 

Good luck to you on another cruise line.

[swedish weave]

I totally understand where you're coming from. After many cruises on many lines, I've found that lately NCL has centered its strategy solely on generating money and new customers while pushing aside the loyalty to its regular customers.

 

An example of this is them being the first and only cruise line to announce that they're charging for a special brunch to honor the upcoming Royal Wedding in England and also charging for a special tea gathering. (Hurry up..spend money).

 

Another example is announcing a fare increase April 1st. (Hurry up...spend more money). Previously free restaurants are not free anymore. Money. Previous 'perks' are long gone, too. Money. All that hype just a few short years ago....champagne upon embarkation, a new NCL, it's all gone now. As you stated above, Perhaps it is time to look at other lines.

 

NCL Latitudes perks..the usual gathering parties....the free newsletter...the free coupons to this or that, etc., and one free dinner after 14 cruises. A free dinner on your fifteenth cruise? Whoopie. That's the extent of NCL loyalty??

 

 

As a comparison, Celebrity X perks..the usual gathering parties....the free newsletter....the free coupons to this or that, etc. Plus, after your 10th cruise complementary espresso, cappuccino, coffees, teas and continental breakfast at the private casual coffeehouse from 8-10AM daily every day on your cruise. Additionally, from 4-6PM daily a private gathering with complementary drinks and appetizers. That's right.... a 2 hour free open bar....and free wi-fi while there, daily every day on your cruise.

 

The list goes on and on... 90 minutes of free internet, complementary dry cleaning of one garment, complementary pressing of two garments, complementary fill-it-up laundry bag of wash, dry and fold items, a complementary elegant tea service, and a private disembarkation lounge on the last morning with breakfast included privately before departure.

 

Celebrity has a loyalty program for all of its customers, not just the suite customers. And all this after only 10 cruises....not 14. Quite a difference, huh??

 

There are other lines, too, not just Celebrity, that treat their return customers......well, like you have expressed that you'd like to be treated. Like I said, I know where you're coming from.

 

And it's too bad that you were subjected to the usual harassment that's so prevalent on this NCL board.

 

Good luck to you on another cruise line.

 

You have obviously overlooked some of the NCL Lattitudes benefits such as free laundry and priority embarkation and disembarkation.

 

Also, I would like to point out that NCL changed upper management and some unpopular (to some) changes were made that turned the company

around.

 

NCL treats their guests very well IMHO and provides a quality product at a fair price. The suites on NCL far exceed any other mass marketed cruise line.

[jo15ro]

You have obviously overlooked some of the NCL Lattitudes benefits such as free laundry and priority embarkation and disembarkation.

 

Also, I would like to point out that NCL changed upper management and some unpopular (to some) changes were made that turned the company

around.

 

NCL treats their guests very well IMHO and provides a quality product at a fair price. The suites on NCL far exceed any other mass marketed cruise line.

 

I thought it was understood that all cruise lines offer one form or another of embarkation and disembarkation perks as well as a long list of (mostly useless) other standard perks so that point was not obviously overlooked by me.....as for the free laundry.....as I remember it is available with the following caveat: only when that promotion is offered.

 

The OP had not addressed the quality of the NCL suites and nor do I. As a matter of fact, I, like you, love their suites as well.

 

I understood the OP's point to be how NCL treats their guests and my answer to that post was to show an example of true loyalty by another cruise line such as Celebrity....not just to their suite guests, but to all of their guests, whether inside or outside cabins, or penthouse guests; they are thanked with free cocktail hours, free espressos, free cappuccinos, all on a daily basis, as well as the other perks listed, which to me sounds like just the type of expressive "thank-you's" that the OP is looking for.

 

As you may recall, NCL once gave free espressos and cappuccinos, free champagne, coffee makers in all cabins, etc, that's just a small sampling of what they have stopped giving out, but that loyalty and those things do still exists elsewhere with most other main stream lines.

 

And it's not the economy forcing the cruise lines to change, it's how the cruise line decides to treat their customers, with some of those companies using the economy as an excuse for their tight-wade decisions.

[GuyFromOK]

I totally understand where you're coming from. After many cruises on many lines, I've found that lately NCL has centered its strategy solely on generating money and new customers while pushing aside the loyalty to its regular customers.

 

An example of this is them being the first and only cruise line to announce that they're charging for a special brunch to honor the upcoming Royal Wedding in England and also charging for a special tea gathering. (Hurry up..spend money).

 

Another example is announcing a fare increase April 1st. (Hurry up...spend more money). Previously free restaurants are not free anymore. Money. Previous 'perks' are long gone, too. Money. All that hype just a few short years ago....champagne upon embarkation, a new NCL, it's all gone now. As you stated above, Perhaps it is time to look at other lines.

 

NCL Latitudes perks..the usual gathering parties....the free newsletter...the free coupons to this or that, etc., and one free dinner after 14 cruises. A free dinner on your fifteenth cruise? Whoopie. That's the extent of NCL loyalty??

 

 

As a comparison, Celebrity X perks..the usual gathering parties....the free newsletter....the free coupons to this or that, etc. Plus, after your 10th cruise complementary espresso, cappuccino, coffees, teas and continental breakfast at the private casual coffeehouse from 8-10AM daily every day on your cruise. Additionally, from 4-6PM daily a private gathering with complementary drinks and appetizers. That's right.... a 2 hour free open bar....and free wi-fi while there, daily every day on your cruise.

 

The list goes on and on... 90 minutes of free internet, complementary dry cleaning of one garment, complementary pressing of two garments, complementary fill-it-up laundry bag of wash, dry and fold items, a complementary elegant tea service, and a private disembarkation lounge on the last morning with breakfast included privately before departure.

 

Celebrity has a loyalty program for all of its customers, not just the suite customers. And all this after only 10 cruises....not 14. Quite a difference, huh??

 

There are other lines, too, not just Celebrity, that treat their return customers......well, like you have expressed that you'd like to be treated. Like I said, I know where you're coming from.

 

And it's too bad that you were subjected to the usual harassment that's so prevalent on this NCL board.

 

Good luck to you on another cruise line.

Wow, Ok I am sold. I think Celebrity is in my future. Sorry NCL.

[rxlowry]

Personally if I were to spend that much money, I would sail on a different line like Regent or another all-inclusive.

[barbgazz]

I agree with the OP. When I first read his thread I thought he was a bit obnoxious, but then I realized, hey, what would it cost to make this big spender feel special? It probably wouldn't take much to feel appreciated and he deserves it.

 

I'm hoping if I ever go to the OP's restaurant, which I probably cannot afford, he will buy me a free mint or something because I agreed with him. I just wish he was my husband because I've never even had a balcony room.

 

I'm jealous.

[swedish weave]

The problem I have with this whole scenario is that OP doesn't mention the things NCL does to make the big spenders and frequent guests feel special. OP wants more !!

 

When I book, I know what to expect, and that is sufficient to keep me coming back to NCL. If they do more, it adds a lot to my enjoyment of the cruise, but I do not expect or demand that they give me individual attention.

[msescada]

Simply put. Don't advertise free upgrades for EVERYONE when this is not a true statement. Item #2. To become a diamond player you must spend a certain amount of money each year. For those who spend the money they get perks. In this case if you use your diamond statis on a lesser room you get higher discounts. A diamond player discount should be the same for every room on the ship not just the cheaper rooms. It's not about how many of each rooms are on the ship and what they charge for each room. As for dinner with the captain, been there, done that. In most instances the captain does not even show up to his own gatherings. Villas and suites are invited to have drinks with the captain on deck 14. Other officers appear on behalf of the captain but he himself is nowhere to be found. Have done tours of the bridge and the captain is nowhere to be found. Some captains don't want to be found and that's o.k. Some captains are very pleasant and love to chat with guests and that's o.k.

I've had ono on ones with captains because we shared interests. This is about proper & honest advertising and proper discounts where they should be applied. I'm now done with this forum

 

 

This is not about 'rich people griping just because..' I agree completely: when I saw the 'free upgrades for all,' I thought 'yeah, right, not for those who pay the most, never for us.'

 

We book GVs or owners suites. Yes there are perks but we pay for them. We also are platinum lattitudes: if you're in a GV there are 2 perks platinum gives you that you don't automatically get with the GV -- a bag of laundry and a complimentary Bistro dinner. That's it. Make no mistake: those in the suites and villas PAY FOR CAGNEYs --for lunch and breakfast, we pay for the concierge and butler service, we pay for the special seats, for the Courtyard use, for the priority tender, etc...it's part of why the suites and villas cost more than the other cabins on the ship. Nothing is given away for free. But after a while, it gets old that NCL hasn't revamped its promotions, hasn't revamped lattitudes. And it sticks in my crawl when they say 'Free upgrades for All' and they don't mean for me.

 

NCL could create a higher level of platinum benefits as other cruise lines have done. NCL could offer suite upgrades within suite categories, which it hasn't done in a VERY long time. It could offer OBD for the suites when it does the free balcony upgrades,thus moving more people up into suites, which frees up balconies, which frees up inside cabins to be booked as last minute deal, which fills up the ship, which causes NCL to make money...See, it's not generosity, it's good business...and it would create at least some sense that those of us who can/choose to spend up to 10x more on our cruises than others do, and whoh have done so many, many times, are not being ignored. (And yes, we are moving to another cruise line to at least try it.)

 

Luxury hotels and resorts understand that even those in the highest priced suites will enjoy being made to feel appreciated and special monetarily, as well as through services. They routinely send out specials via email that offer discounts or combined services. One would still pay for the incremental service, but the combined rate does as least offer something of a discount.

 

If NCL is going to offer perks and incentives for those not in the highest cost accommodations, it should once in while offer similar 'deals' for the suites and villas that are geared toward these guests. They should want my business as much as they want anyone elses. They're just no longer working very hard, or at all, to get it. and THAT's the point.

[volleyballmom87]

I could be wrong, but I think the OP is suggesting that NCL needs to acquire some of the customer service techniques that restaurants and HOtels have been using for years, specific to their best, returning customers. Yes, NCL has "perks" for Suite guests and return guests, but I think the OP is suggesting that they are too impersonal.

It is true, that when you frequent the same restaurant or hotel, they will remember your name, and add a number of nice "touches" just to make you feel special and appreciated. Even some department stores are notorious for doing such.

I could be off, but I think when the OP (who is obviously a top-tier customer) calls to book a new cruise, it would be nice to have a concierge/customer service person appointed strictly to them (like Hotel/Casinos do in Vegas). Then, that person would make things more personal, and add certain perks for them (a signed note, bottle of champagne, free dinner at Cagney's, etc as examples).

If I am wrong, please correct me OP.

 

I agree (and believe that the OP acknowledged that he did too) with this sentiment. This would not be difficult for any of the cruiselines to do and my guess is that the luxury lines already do.

 

OP - (if you are still monitoring this thread) take my advice... if you are willing to spend $10,000 on a cruise... why not take your business someplace that is regarded highly for its service like Regent or Oceania? I cannot wait until I can sail with them.

[sjbdtz]

I agree (and believe that the OP acknowledged that he did too) with this sentiment. This would not be difficult for any of the cruiselines to do and my guess is that the luxury lines already do.

 

OP - (if you are still monitoring this thread) take my advice... if you are willing to spend $10,000 on a cruise... why not take your business someplace that is regarded highly for its service like Regent or Oceania? I cannot wait until I can sail with them.

 

 

NCL is also highly regarded for its service at the Suite level.

 

The OP isn't looking for more service, he's looking for "recognition".

 

 

And I agree with him.

 

 

I agree that upgrades for all, should mean "all"....not all except you.

 

I agree that there are ways to make people feel recognized, which are low-to-zero in cost.

 

I agree that Latitudes should reflect the onboard spend (like airline mileage....it's both frequency and distance which count....or hotels...frequency & spend). With NCL it's just frequency.

 

Is someone retired, who lives in Miami and takes a 5-day Western Carribbean cruise every 6 months, but doesn't spend any money onboard equal in MONETARY value to someone who takes 2 12-day cruises per year, but flies to Europe to do it, and takes shore excursions, upgraded dining, internet spend, and casino play?

 

The answer is 'no', yet the two are treated equally at Latitudes.

[joealan]

We go on a cruise to get away. I don't turn on my phone, I don't watch tv and hope I don't run into anyone I know. We call this VACATION! When the waiters, bell boys and Captain know my name, it's time to go somewhere else. Leaving on the April 3rd and I don't want anything FREE!:)

[swedish weave]

This is not about 'rich people griping just because..' I agree completely: when I saw the 'free upgrades for all,' I thought 'yeah, right, not for those who pay the most, never for us.'

 

We book GVs or owners suites. Yes there are perks but we pay for them. We also are platinum lattitudes: if you're in a GV there are 2 perks platinum gives you that you don't automatically get with the GV -- a bag of laundry and a complimentary Bistro dinner. That's it. Make no mistake: those in the suites and villas PAY FOR CAGNEYs --for lunch and breakfast, we pay for the concierge and butler service, we pay for the special seats, for the Courtyard use, for the priority tender, etc...it's part of why the suites and villas cost more than the other cabins on the ship. Nothing is given away for free. But after a while, it gets old that NCL hasn't revamped its promotions, hasn't revamped lattitudes. And it sticks in my crawl when they say 'Free upgrades for All' and they don't mean for me.

 

NCL could create a higher level of platinum benefits as other cruise lines have done. NCL could offer suite upgrades within suite categories, which it hasn't done in a VERY long time. It could offer OBD for the suites when it does the free balcony upgrades,thus moving more people up into suites, which frees up balconies, which frees up inside cabins to be booked as last minute deal, which fills up the ship, which causes NCL to make money...See, it's not generosity, it's good business...and it would create at least some sense that those of us who can/choose to spend up to 10x more on our cruises than others do, and whoh have done so many, many times, are not being ignored. (And yes, we are moving to another cruise line to at least try it.)

 

Luxury hotels and resorts understand that even those in the highest priced suites will enjoy being made to feel appreciated and special monetarily, as well as through services. They routinely send out specials via email that offer discounts or combined services. One would still pay for the incremental service, but the combined rate does as least offer something of a discount.

 

If NCL is going to offer perks and incentives for those not in the highest cost accommodations, it should once in while offer similar 'deals' for the suites and villas that are geared toward these guests. They should want my business as much as they want anyone elses. They're just no longer working very hard, or at all, to get it. and THAT's the point.

 

Do the math ! First off, you get the perks you pay for when you book ANY cabin on any ship. If you want personal special treatment, you are one among many who want the same thing. Let's take one of NCL ships and figure that at full capacity the ship handles 2466 guests per week. Multiply that by 52 weeks and you get 128,232 guests per year on that ship. If you book 6 cruises per year, you will get to platinum lattitudes in less than three years, and gain the perks that go with that.

 

What percentage of NCL's business do you contribute ? Do the math!

 

There are far more inside, OV, and balcony cabins on the ships than suites, so in total, those guests in the lower category cabins contribute a larger percentage of revenue than those in the higher categories.

 

Also, I need to point out the small print in the lower right corner of the "Upgrades for all" ad that sparked this thread. It says "restrictions apply".