Platinum behind the scenes watered down.

[insidecabin]

Jade Xmas cruise they tried to pass off, Bridge viewing room, a walk down I95 and then out through the main galley(max 1hr) as the platinum behind the scenes tour.

 

Is this being done on other ships and dates?

 

 

NOTE : Issue was resolved to my satisfaction on board.

[Love my butler]

Jade Xmas cruise they tried to pass off, Bridge viewing room, a walk down I95 and then out through the main galley(max 1hr) as the platinum behind the scenes tour.

 

Is this being done on other ships and dates?

 

 

NOTE : Issue was resolved to my satisfaction on board.

 

Yes, I have noticed lately, last couple years, the BTST for platinum guests has been shortened on some cruises. Once last year the cruise consultant conducted the tour and he had just arrived on the ship and was lost almost the entire tour.

 

I guess since we don't 'pay' for it NCL figures they can lessen the experience and save a nickel or a dime.

[polySeraph]

Last spring on the Sun, the Behind The Scenes tour for Platinum members consisted of the galley, the theater, a quick walk down "I-95", and the bridge. The tour ended on the bridge where Captain Stensrud chatted and graciously answered questions for 20-30 minutes. I'd estimate that the whole tour was around 90 minutes and without the meeting with the Captain, would have lasted only about an hour.

Edited January 19, 2014 by polySeraph

[DGP1111]

I'm sorry to read this is a situation on some ships.

 

The tour offered onboard Norwegian Dawn in November was very (and I do mean VERY) extensive, with great presentation by all crew we interacted with along the way. It never once felt rushed, and the time on the bridge was much longer than I've had on any ship tour on any line.

 

I really enjoyed the experience. :)

 

.

[NMLady]

I'm sorry to read this is a situation on some ships.

 

The tour offered onboard Norwegian Dawn in November was very (and I do mean VERY) extensive, with great presentation by all crew we interacted with along the way. It never once felt rushed, and the time on the bridge was much longer than I've had on any ship tour on any line.

 

I really enjoyed the experience. :)

 

.

 

That was also my experience on the Star in October. We spent more than 90 minutes in kitchens, galleys, laundry before we went to Bridge for presentation and QA session. Excellent tour.

Edited January 19, 2014 by NMLady

[Demonyte]

Jade Xmas cruise they tried to pass off, Bridge viewing room, a walk down I95 and then out through the main galley(max 1hr) as the platinum behind the scenes tour.

 

Is this being done on other ships and dates?

 

 

NOTE : Issue was resolved to my satisfaction on board.

 

Yes, I wrote about it for the Jade in August and have since seen other mentions about other ships too. Last February on Pearl we got the full tour. (On Jade we also got the good tour later but that was because of clerical error they originally made when they booked us for the Platinum tour.)

[insidecabin]

Thanks guys,

 

OK was not just a one off,

 

Previously we have had the fuller tour and all those involved have been friendly and helpful and prepared to spend time.

 

We had noticed on a couple of trips there were what appeared to be attempts to put platinums off taking the tour by scheduling to clash with other events or at a very inconvenient time.

 

I encourage any platinums that have issues with the tour either the content or scheduling that they raise the issue on board, starting with the tour leader and/or cruise consultant then escalate if not resolved.

 

One thing to check is you have issues is the times for the paid for tour if that can be done at sensible times then ask to be included on the same tour.

 

 

There may be times when it is not practical(eg. where there are a lot of platinums on a trip) this should be dealt with through communication.

[polySeraph]

We had noticed on a couple of trips there were what appeared to be attempts to put platinums off taking the tour by scheduling to clash with other events or at a very inconvenient time.

 

We wanted to take the Behind The Scenes tour on the Dawn last week but it was scheduled during one of the port calls. We would have had to cancel an excursion to attend. The BTS tour I took on the Sun was also scheduled during a port call but it was late enough in the day that I had already returned from my shore excursion.

 

Oh well. I do not have another NCL cruise scheduled so I'm hoping that I can count on all of YOU, my fellow Platinums, to lead the charge in my absence. My next scheduled cruise is my first on another line so my "status" is probably slightly above that of a sea slug's.

[HokiePoq]

That was also my experience on the Star in October. We spent more than 90 minutes in kitchens, galleys, laundry before we went to Bridge for presentation and QA session. Excellent tour.

 

This is great to know! We board today. Have never taken one of the tours as they have always been at a time we were late getting back from port.

Thanks for the info.

[BabsterA]

We just returned from my first voyage at the Platinum level and had forgotten about the tour being a perk. How did you arrange for it? Was it an invitation or did you have to ask? We finally ended up having to ask for our dinner coupon and our concierge said she'd contact out butler for us. (This was on day 5 of the trip). We called him a couple of hours later because my son and his girlfriend were going to have a date night with the dinner. The Butler said he hadn't heard from the concierge but would follow up. 15 minutes later he delivered the coupon which was on the same page as the Latitudes party which we had missed since it was the night before. Never did get ship pins. Overall, making Platinum was a letdown BUT we still had a great time!!!! The Jewel Haven suite was LOVELY and quiet and relaxing!

[Demonyte]

We just returned from my first voyage at the Platinum level and had forgotten about the tour being a perk. How did you arrange for it? Was it an invitation or did you have to ask? We finally ended up having to ask for our dinner coupon and our concierge said she'd contact out butler for us.

 

The tour invitation should come in the envelope with all other Latitudes vouchers/invitations and ship pin - waiting for you in the cabin when you board or delivered on first night.

Edited January 19, 2014 by Demonyte

[polySeraph]

Come to think of it, we didn't get the ship's pin either.

[roger001]

Pearl, a year ago, long and complete tour, about 2 1/2 hours. However, after having done that tour, I haven't felt the need to do another one. Everything will look pretty much the same on the other ships I would imagine. So, I'm not sure platinums will be filling additional tours frequently after they have already done one.

[OceanDreaming2]

We've taken several of the Behind the Scenes (platinum) tours. They have always been on sea days, toward the end of the cruise. Some included the Bridge, most did not. Our tours included I-95, galley, laundry, provisions, environmental, backstage, and either the bridge viewing room or the bridge. Once, when the tour was led by the Latitudes rep, we saw some of the crew areas - bar, lounge, etc. Our tours have always been 2-1/2 hours and while it may have been somewhat repetitious, it was fun, educational and we got a little (well needed) exercise climbing stairs, etc.

 

Any why is it some people don't understand the requirement: no open toed shoes, sandals, flip flops? The floors in the galleys are slippery!

[asand5554]

I'm sorry to read this is a situation on some ships.

 

The tour offered onboard Norwegian Dawn in November was very (and I do mean VERY) extensive, with great presentation by all crew we interacted with along the way. It never once felt rushed, and the time on the bridge was much longer than I've had on any ship tour on any line.

 

I really enjoyed the experience. :)

 

.

 

Hopefully this will be the same when we sail as platinum for the first time on the dawn in October. DH is really looking forward to this perk.

[bob brown]

We've taken several of the Behind the Scenes (platinum) tours. They have always been on sea days, toward the end of the cruise. Some included the Bridge, most did not. Our tours included I-95, galley, laundry, provisions, environmental, backstage, and either the bridge viewing room or the bridge. Once, when the tour was led by the Latitudes rep, we saw some of the crew areas - bar, lounge, etc. Our tours have always been 2-1/2 hours and while it may have been somewhat repetitious, it was fun, educational and we got a little (well needed) exercise climbing stairs, etc./quote]

 

I agree with this. That was the way it was on our Platinum tour of the Gem in October. When we got to the Bridge Viewing Room, an officer met our tour, and escorted us onto the actual bridge for a twenty minute photo op, and Q&A. Always the highlight of the BTS tour....

 

This time, on the Breakaway, which doesn't even have a bridge viewing room, the Platinum tour coupon specifically noted the points covered, and the bridge was not included. After confirming that with the Latitudes Rep, I gave him the coupon, and declined taking the tour. A real disappointment. Don't care to see the galley, the stockroom, and the laundry.

 

I suspect that since there are so many more Platinum passenger's now, they had to 'water down' the tour. I asked if the paid tour viewed the bridge, but they answered that Captain Svedung never allows passenger's on his bridge. I'm not sure if Captain Hoyt differs in that policy.

[martinchem]

Our Pearl tour was awesome last February, but the Breakaway was kind of a waste of time.

[OceanDreaming2]

We've taken several of the Behind the Scenes (platinum) tours. They have always been on sea days, toward the end of the cruise. Some included the Bridge, most did not. Our tours included I-95, galley, laundry, provisions, environmental, backstage, and either the bridge viewing room or the bridge. Once, when the tour was led by the Latitudes rep, we saw some of the crew areas - bar, lounge, etc. Our tours have always been 2-1/2 hours and while it may have been somewhat repetitious, it was fun, educational and we got a little (well needed) exercise climbing stairs, etc.

 

 

Just off the Sun a few days ago. Our BTS tour took all of 90 minutes. It was lead by the Cruise Consultant and consisted of the galley, laundry and backstage. The Production Manager came to talk to us for all of 30 seconds and would not let anyone see the dressing rooms and did not do any Q & A. The Sun's captain doesn't allow Bridge tours and no one from the Bridge spoke to us.

 

The cruise consultant opened his cabin for all of to see what crew quarters are really like. He had a decent size cabin and didn't have to share with anyone. It was the best part of our tour.

Edited February 5, 2014 by OceanDreaming2

[newmexicoNita]

The tour invitation should come in the envelope with all other Latitudes vouchers/invitations and ship pin - waiting for you in the cabin when you board or delivered on first night.

 

yes, it was waiting when we boarded our last cruise. We have never taken the tour, we have been too busy doing other things.

[Ilovesailing]

yes, it was waiting when we boarded our last cruise. We have never taken the tour, we have been too busy doing other things.

 

 

You also have to confirm your attendance prior to, sorry but I don't remember time frame but it will be on your event card.

[barnacle_boy]

This time, on the Breakaway, which doesn't even have a bridge viewing room, the Platinum tour coupon specifically noted the points covered, and the bridge was not included. After confirming that with the Latitudes Rep, I gave him the coupon, and declined taking the tour. A real disappointment. Don't care to see the galley, the stockroom, and the laundry.

 

I suspect that since there are so many more Platinum passenger's now, they had to 'water down' the tour. I asked if the paid tour viewed the bridge, but they answered that Captain Svedung never allows passenger's on his bridge. I'm not sure if Captain Hoyt differs in that policy.

 

Breakaway attracted a lot of Platinum Latitudes members eager to see the new NCL platform in 2013, so it's understandable why the tour had to be watered-down to handle the demand. On Star last month, we had only a few dozen Platinum members aboard (compared to the several hundred on our Breakaway cruises), and we got the typical tour that ended with some time on the bridge.

 

Since there's a lot of new tech on Breakaway that I wanted to see, I ended up doing the paid tour on both of my Breakaway sailings in 2013. Both Hoyt and Svedung allowed tours to visit the bridge. Most of the paid tour took place on Tuesday, the second sea day, while the bridge tour portion happened on Friday morning, the last day in Bermuda. After the Safety Officer described a few of the controls, Hoyt came out to do an extensive Q&A session. Svedung let his subordinates handle the visitors and never made an appearance. I've sailed with Svedung previously on Epic, and he wouldn't let our tours on the bridge of that ship, so I can see why someone might have erroneously assumed that he doesn't allow them on Breakaway. I think it's possible that it has to do with the fact that Epic has a bridge viewing room while Breakaway does not.

[DMH15]

This should be CONSISTENT across the fleet. It should be covered by an agenda that all tour guides follow. I understand the Ship's Captain might not always be available, but a senior officer could handle that portion in their leave.

 

I hope NCL addrsses this discrepancy. Yes, although we didn't pay for it directly, it was paid for in a sense, as it was earned.

 

What a shame!

 

 

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[Love my butler]

This should be CONSISTENT across the fleet. It should be covered by an agenda that all tour guides follow. I understand the Ship's Captain might not always be available, but a senior officer could handle that portion in their leave.

 

I hope NCL addrsses this discrepancy. Yes, although we didn't pay for it directly, it was paid for in a sense, as it was earned.

 

What a shame!

 

As more and more platinums are born, expect more of this, not less.

[DMH15]

As more and more platinums are born, expect more of this, not less.

 

I can understand the perk being watered down due to an influx of platinum members joining the top tier, that is a given, after the revamping of the program. But regardless of the quantity the experience should be consistent across the fleet for all platinum members.

 

It would be like some ships giving a full bottle of wine and others a carafe. Or some a full meal at Cagney's and others only an entree. Or some a regular size laundry bag and some a smaller one.

 

Water it down? Maybe? But do it across the fleet.

 

 

 

 

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[Love my butler]

I can understand the perk being watered down due to an influx of platinum members joining the top tier, that is a given, after the revamping of the program. But regardless of the quantity the experience should be consistent across the fleet for all platinum members.

 

It would be like some ships giving a full bottle of wine and others a carafe. Or some a full meal at Cagney's and others only an entree. Or some a regular size laundry bag and some a smaller one.

 

Water it down? Maybe? But do it across the fleet.

 

I agree with you sister! But look at NCL's track record. I am less than optimistic things will get better.