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Norwegian Cruise Line Enhances Latitudes Rewards Loyalty Program

LauraS

By LauraS,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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phillygwm

phillygwm

Posted
Posted

Let me know is I'm missing something, but this looks like a mixed bag: a good deal for those already at or close to Platinum level but more difficult to accumulate points for those at lower levels. Lots of changes but the big ones are:

 

There are two new tiers but at the 175 and 700 point levels, you'd have to cruise A LOT to reach them. Other tiers are mostly unchanged except it's now 30 points (versus 20) to get to Silver and 55 (versus 48) for Gold.

 

However, on the down side, you no longer receive a bonus point per night for booking 9+ months in advance. I racked up a lot of points that way.

 

At Platinum, you now get two comp meals for two: One at Cagney's/LeBistro the other at Moderno/La Cucina. That's nice.

 

The comp bottle of sparkling wine now applies to everyone, not just platinum (you really weren't missing anything.)

 

Free Internet minutes for Platinum and above

 

Other minor items: No more ship pins, or at least not complimentary. NBD for me, but I know many collect them. Ditto for the "nightly chocolate" which was just a chocolate mint on your pillow, and the "Welcome Gift" which was a mini box of Godiva Chocolate.

 

Thoughts?

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Uniall

Uniall

Posted
Posted
Check out the latest Norwegian Cruise Line news from Cruise Critic:

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Enhances Latitudes Rewards Loyalty Program

 

Is there a reduction of accumulating points under the new system???

 

The Existing program, awarded a point for every night, plus bonus points for Suites & Haven, plus bonus points if booked more than 9 months prior to sailing.

 

The New program does not mention 9 month prior bonus points but includes bonus points if booked with a "Latitudes Insider Offer".

Are 9 month bonus points GONE.

If so, is it retroactive for existing bookings ???

What does Insider Offers mean ???

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NMLady

NMLady

Posted
Posted
....

 

At Platinum, you now get two comp meals for two: One at Cagney's/LeBistro the other at Moderno/La Cucina. That's nice.

.... Thoughts?

 

Two comp meals per cabin, not per person, just clarifying.

Still a good deal for most folks, especially those who've been wanting to use their perk at Moderno.

 

For those of us who do not like either La Cucina or Moderno, not so good. We've always used hubby's and mine both at Le Bistro. Can't do that in new program but we'll adapt.

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littleengine

littleengine

Posted
Posted

So... I'm currently gold with 49 pts. I board the Getaway on Sunday for a B2B ending Feb 12. I booked 9+ months out so those 2 weeks will get me an additional 28 pts. Under the existing program that would have been enough to push me into Platinum, but based on the new program I'll now be 3 pts below the Platinum level. But... on my Feb 5 cruise, since it's after the new program's Feb 3 start date, I'll get a free bottle of sparkling wine.

 

After Feb 3 the new program doesn't give extra points for booking 9+ months out, but the B2B I have booked for 2018 will still give me double points, and if I book any additional weeks before Feb 3 I'll also get double points on those.

 

That's my understanding of the new changes. Am I way off in my figuring how it'll affect my status?

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Valen9

Valen9

Posted
Posted

Here is what I am seeing:

  • +10 points to get from Bronze to Silver
  • +7 points to get from Silver to Gold
  • +4 points to get from Gold to Platinum
  • No more ship pins. I liked those.
  • No more nightly chocolates. Unless everyone gets them now? It's not like it's hard to stock up on those Andes Mints.
  • No more welcome gift, which was usually some Godiva chocolate.
  • Everyone gets sparking wine. Personally, I prefer chocolate to sparkling wine. What about those who can't/don't drink alcohol?
  • A bottle or two of bottled water for Gold and above. Nice, especially now that they're cracking down on bringing your own water but strange that it's more exclusive than a bottle of wine.
  • Nobody gets an invitation to the Cocktail Party. You have to go to the CruiseNext desk on the first night in order to find out when and where it is. It's going to be busy because if you want a ship tour you need to sign up by 9pm on embarkation day, and anyone who wants dinner with an officer needs to show up the first night also. Not enjoying the experience of standing in the lobby waiting for the next CruiseNext agent...
  • A bigger discount for Gold members for the laundry bag. I'll use that.
  • More choice on the free dinner for Platinum and above. But one of your dinners will be without wine; you get two vouchers for two but only one of each type PER STATEROOM. So if you travel with someone at your same tier you have the same number of meals as someone who travels with a total newbie.

 

I feel like I am losing more stuff I like than I am gaining stuff I find valuable.

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phillygwm

phillygwm

Posted
Posted (edited)
Is there a reduction of accumulating points under the new system???

 

The Existing program, awarded a point for every night, plus bonus points for Suites & Haven, plus bonus points if booked more than 9 months prior to sailing.

 

The New program does not mention 9 month prior bonus points but includes bonus points if booked with a "Latitudes Insider Offer".

Are 9 month bonus points GONE.

If so, is it retroactive for existing bookings ???

What does Insider Offers mean ???

 

Exactly. You no longer get the extra points for booking 9+ months in advance. If you have a qualifying booking under the old rules, you WILL get the extra points; I believe the changes take effect next week (so if you're close to the next tier level, book another cruise this week!)

 

"Insider offers" are ones advertised in their email communications or on their website. So those February cruises to Alaska, hurricane season in Nassau, etc.

 

If you're already at or close to Platinum, the changes are a good deal. If you're not, and you took advantage of the advance purchase points (as I did; I went from zero to Platinum in 5 years that way) it kind of sucks.

 

They're trying to drive traffic to the CruiseNext office, which is understandable. But let's see how crowded it gets. Hopefully, they'll open it earlier on embarkation day to accommodate.

 

And the dinners PER CABIN versus per person are important for many. I usually have my own cabin, so it works out well for me as well as those who may be travelling with someone of a different status. But I'd imagine it's a wash for most.

Edited by phillygwm
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PhillyTravelBug

PhillyTravelBug

Posted
Posted

I just attained silver status, so it's nice to see I won't be bumped back down. Maybe it's just me, but I actually like the new loyalty program. While I'm not benefiting yet, the addition of two new tiers is a nice perk. For those who travel Norwegian frequently, it seemed there wasn't really more to work towards after platinum level.

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phillygwm

phillygwm

Posted
Posted
I just attained silver status, so it's nice to see I won't be bumped back down. Maybe it's just me, but I actually like the new loyalty program. While I'm not benefiting yet, the addition of two new tiers is a nice perk. For those who travel Norwegian frequently, it seemed there wasn't really more to work towards after platinum level.

 

Of course, if you're Silver, witht he slower point accumulation, you'll need to take a LOT more cruises to get to Platinum Plus. Ambassador is almost out of the question unless you're retired and cruising constantly.

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jaja

jaja

Posted
Posted (edited)

By Phillygwm...

 

"At Platinum, you now get two comp meals for two: One at Cagney's/LeBistro the other at Moderno/La Cucina. That's nice."

 

Can someone tell me..where this is officially posted? I can't find it...:confused: So my DH and I ..(both Platinum)...get to specialty dine..4 times instead of 2.?

 

NEVER MIND...JUST FOUND IT ON OTHER THREAD....

BUMMER...PER STATEROOM...NOT PER PLATINUM MEMBER..

Edited by jaja
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CruisinHarvey

CruisinHarvey

Posted
Posted

The dinner changes are the only flaw I see in their logic. If you're one platinum member in a Cabin, you get double what you used to get. If you have 2 in a cabin, it's kind of wash, minus the wine at the second dinner. If you have 3 or 4 platinum members in a cabin or suite, then I guess whoever gets the short straw gets nothing.

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funredhead

funredhead

Posted
Posted

With regard to the laundry for plantinum....

 

It's vague with just 1 bag. No notation per person or per cabin. Which makes me believe it's the lesser (sadly). Does anyone know for sure?

I love this perk! I'm also wondering if it is per room, would you also be able to take advantage of the second bag for half off the laundry special?

 

Thanks for your insight.

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Freckles_51

Freckles_51

Posted
Posted

The way I read it, regardless if you booked more than nine months ahead, you will not get the extra point per night if your "sailing" is Feb 3 or later.

 

I'm bummed, 2 points short of gold, cruise in 28 days and would have been gold upon completion of that cruise. :(

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cruisingcasinos

cruisingcasinos

Posted
Posted (edited)
Two comp meals per cabin, not per person, just clarifying.

Still a good deal for most folks, especially those who've been wanting to use their perk at Moderno.

 

For those of us who do not like either La Cucina or Moderno, not so good. We've always used hubby's and mine both at Le Bistro. Can't do that in new program but we'll adapt.

 

Agree! We like le Bistros and we always ate twice there- once with DH's platinum and once with mine. I wonder what will happen when we cruise in a few weeks- I already booked our dinners and we have 2 cagneys and 1 Teppanyaki under our SDP and 2 le Bistros for our platinum dinners. Wonder if they will honor that?

Edited by cruisingcasinos
spelling :(
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