Any useful perks at Platinum Plus over Platinum besides a 2nd bottle of water?

[fstuff1]

i'm 10days short of Platinum Plus.

and i dont see anything that useful at Platinum Plus level besides a 2nd bottle of water.

 

I dont need an additional discount on Photos since i never buy the over-priced photos anyway.

read that dinner with officiers is usually either the gift shop or photo mgr.

read that Concierge isnt that helpful since you're not Haven.

 

[njhorseman]

3 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

i'm 10days short of Platinum Plus.

and i dont see anything that useful at Platinum Plus level besides a 2nd bottle of water.

 

I dont need an additional discount on Photos since i never buy the over-priced photos anyway.

read that dinner with officiers is usually either the gift shop or photo mgr.

read that Concierge isnt that helpful since you're not Haven.

 

15% discount on shore excursions as opposed to 10% for platinum.

[KeithJenner]

It isn't an extra discount on photos. It is an extra 5% on shore excursions. Of course, that also depends on whether you actually use them or not.

 

You also get a little bit extra free internet, and priority seating at shows, which is another one that is often not something that actually happens. I did see one side of the front row of the theatre on the Spirit reserved for Platinum Plus.

 

But basically, no there isn't much extra benefit over platinum.

[fstuff1]

2 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

15% discount on shore excursions as opposed to 10% for platinum.

 

interesting.. i guess i misremembered   photo and shore excursions discounts.

https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program

 

photo discount stay the same between Platinum and Plus.

you get +5% more shore Ex discount

 

[don't-use-real-name]

Use this LINK to make comparisons and values of each of the Latitudes status:

 

https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program

[luv2kroooz]

2 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

i'm 10days short of Platinum Plus.

and i dont see anything that useful at Platinum Plus level besides a 2nd bottle of water.

 

I dont need an additional discount on Photos since i never buy the over-priced photos anyway.

read that dinner with officiers is usually either the gift shop or photo mgr.

read that Concierge isnt that helpful since you're not Haven.

 

 

No, nothing significant in my opinion. Platinum has decent benefits but the jump to platinum plus is not that big of a deal. And yes, photo gallery managers, shopping consultants, casino managers, gift shop managers, are considered officers.

Edited March 10, 2019 by blcruising

[cruisetimeforme]

 

47 minutes ago, blcruising said:

 

No, nothing significant in my opinion. Platinum has decent benefits but the jump to platinum plus is not that big of a deal. And yes, photo gallery managers, shopping consultants, casino managers, gift shop managers, are considered officers.

I'd be more happy to get the second bottle of H2O than having dinner with any of those people! But curious, is that in the MDR or a specialty restaurant? Either way, I wouldn't consider them "Officers" 

[luv2kroooz]

21 minutes ago, cruisetimeforme said:

 

I'd be more happy to get the second bottle of H2O than having dinner with any of those people! But curious, is that in the MDR or a specialty restaurant? Either way, I wouldn't consider them "Officers" 

On Escape, it was in a special downstairs portion of either Taste or Savor dining room.

[Budget Queen]

1 hour ago, cruisetimeforme said:

 

I'd be more happy to get the second bottle of H2O than having dinner with any of those people! But curious, is that in the MDR or a specialty restaurant? Either way, I wouldn't consider them "Officers" 

 

MDR

[Budget Queen]

Add to the mix.  Little  benefit  difference between  Platinum + and  Ambassador.    :)

 

For me,   It's not any perks that have me sailing NCL,   it's the value and itinerary.  :)  

[swmichigan cruiser]

Twice I have done the Platinum Plus dinner with officers. First time was with the Captain on the Sun. Second time was on the Bliss and I think he was Engineer and he showed up late and sat at the far end of the table.

[fstuff1]

22 minutes ago, swmichigan cruiser said:

 Second time was on the Bliss and I think he was Engineer and he showed up late and sat at the far end of the table.

 

it wasn't a 1on1 dinner?

how many people were there?

[Budget Queen]

12 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

it wasn't a 1on1 dinner?

how many people were there?

Of course not.  Not for the "standard",   dinner with officers benefit.     Has  been tables of 6-8 in my case.   

 

Have you gone to any of these dinners?

 

[fstuff1]

8 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

Of course not.  Not for the "standard",   dinner with officers benefit.     Has  been tables of 6-8 in my case.   

 

Have you gone to any of these dinners?

 

 

why would i have been at these dinners?

as i said in my OP, im not yet Plus

 

Edited March 10, 2019 by fstuff1

[swmichigan cruiser]

20 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

it wasn't a 1on1 dinner?

how many people were there?

I think 8 total the first time and the second time probably 12.

[Sand and Seas]

As someone who has been Platinum Plus since they created the category, I wish they would actually poll us and ask what we might be interested it. 

For example, why not keep track of our preferences regarding the wine, chocolates and bottles of water.  They keep track that we like our bed made as a double or twin, why can't they track that we do NOT want the wine and give us an extra bottle of water.  I'm sure there are those who don't want the chocolate strawberries but would rather have a cheese plate.

 

[luv2kroooz]

I think it would be too much work and a logistical nightmare if everyone was able to customize. Your stateroom steward is supposed to distribute a lot of the gifts, like the water and wine, on boarding day, which is a ridiculously busy day for him or her. The program is basically Standardized with no substitutions. 

 

I think they could accomplish something closer to what you are suggesting by giving a $10 nonrefundable OBC, preloaded to your onboard account.you could then choose to buy 2 waters, or 2 coffees, or 1 sparkling wine, etc.

 

They could add a coupon to the current booklet that is redeemable for strawberries or cheese plate. You could select your option and order through room service once onboard. Might also cut down on waste. Why send strawberries to someone who doesn't like strawberries?

[newmexicoNita]

5 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

As someone who has been Platinum Plus since they created the category, I wish they would actually poll us and ask what we might be interested it. 

For example, why not keep track of our preferences regarding the wine, chocolates and bottles of water.  They keep track that we like our bed made as a double or twin, why can't they track that we do NOT want the wine and give us an extra bottle of water.  I'm sure there are those who don't want the chocolate strawberries but would rather have a cheese plate.

 

I agree with you on this one. I do happen to enjoy the wine, as we like to take it to our cabin and enjoy a night cap a few nights, but yes, I wish they would either poll us or come up with something a little more rewarding. I am one that does not care about dinner with the captain or anyone else other than those I am traveling with. We are not huge net users on a vacation and we can live without the shore excursion discount, but it is nice. Regardless I do wish they would give us just a little more for our loyalty. 

[cheersforbeers]

27 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

I agree with you on this one. I do happen to enjoy the wine, as we like to take it to our cabin and enjoy a night cap a few nights, but yes, I wish they would either poll us or come up with something a little more rewarding. I am one that does not care about dinner with the captain or anyone else other than those I am traveling with. We are not huge net users on a vacation and we can live without the shore excursion discount, but it is nice. Regardless I do wish they would give us just a little more for our loyalty. 

NM, this is pretty much how my bride and I feel.  A nice personal item in your cabin would be nice, just a thought 

[snorklinbarb]

12 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

why would i have been at these dinners?

as i said in my OP, im not yet Plus

 

While Platinum Plus is guaranteed a spot at the Officers' Dinner, they generally have a "lottery" and platinums tend to get added -- at least that has been our experience.  So it seemed a reasonable question to ask if you had attended.  Even other latitudes levels have a "shot" with the lottery although these days there are a lot of Plat. Pluses and enough other Platinums to fill the dinners.

 

Last one I attended there were 2 couples plus me (solo).  One of the hosts was the Casino Manager and the key host was a corporate trainer.  It was highly interesting even though the dinners have largely moved away from say the Captain, HD etc. actually doing the table hosting.  I'm speaking for the larger ships though so not sure how it is handled on say Jewel class.

 

On Bliss last year we had one of the ship doctors and the table was hosted by the CruiseNext Manager.  

 

Dinners we've attended have all been in one of the MDR's with the regular menu and complimentary wine.  We have enjoyed every single one of them.  Another one we went to last year on Breakaway was hosted by the AHD and went very well until one of the guests started a conversation along the lines of "Here's why I think NCL has gone downhill."  The officer handled it very well, listened and commented on her concerns.  It did put a bit of cloud over the dinner though!

 

Besides the dinners (and water), we have availed ourselves of the 15% shorex discount.  Since we had also chosen the shorex credit as a perk, it made for quite a nice savings.  

 

As for concierge "access," it's true they no longer send a letter to the cabin offering services.  However, the Cruise Next team will give you the contact number if you just ask at the desk.  Of course they are busy with Haven guests but will help if you call (or leave a message).  

[Budget Queen]

All these "perks",  are paid for via cruise revenue.  They are not "free".    I for one,  would far rather,  have a small discount on cruises-  and NONE of these perks.    There are multiple 10,000's of Platinums and above.   It's already saturated and will become more so.    it is not difficult to obtain.      Not only is the cost of the wine,  water,  etc a factor-   time of stewards,  loading and storage on the ship,  disposal,  dispensing  etc etc,   all "cost".   

 

I'd think a tiered discount program would be a savings for everyone.   :)   

[Captain-John]

9 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

All these "perks",  are paid for via cruise revenue.  They are not "free".    I for one,  would far rather,  have a small discount on cruises-  and NONE of these perks.    There are multiple 10,000's of Platinums and above.   It's already saturated and will become more so.    it is not difficult to obtain.      Not only is the cost of the wine,  water,  etc a factor-   time of stewards,  loading and storage on the ship,  disposal,  dispensing  etc etc,   all "cost".   

 

I'd think a tiered discount program would be a savings for everyone.   🙂  

 

I wonder - does anyone know exactly how many members are in each tier? I know sometimes people get this information on a voyage by voyage basis - so an extrapolation of that or the actual number would be interesting........

[newmexicoNita]

6 hours ago, cheersforbeers said:

NM, this is pretty much how my bride and I feel.  A nice personal item in your cabin would be nice, just a thought 

certainly that would be nice. I am not losing sleep over what I do and do not get, but would be happy with just one more little surprise. 

[gooch47]

We were really looking forward to our dinner with officers and while the doctor and one assistant housekeeping manager were nice people, it certainly couldn't compare with our "Most Travelled Passenger" luncheons on Princess.  Ours was in the corner of the Taste dining room.  There were three other ladies plus us two.  There were three no-shows.  We ordered from the regular menu for that night.  Free wine.  And service was slooowww.  I thought perhaps that since this was our first time as Platinum Plus we were kind of on the low end of the totem pole, but one women was only a few points away from Ambassador.

 

I'm not sure if we'll sign up again.

[Sand and Seas]

We haven't signed up for the PlatPlus dinner as we have not heard of anything special about it.  We more enjoy small chats with officers at a M&G or when they stop by our table in a specialty restaurant.

I do wonder how many Platinum Plus there are sailing on each ship.  We do not run into many others when we are waiting in the 'special' boarding area but perhaps many others are boarding later.  The rare Ambassador passenger we meet is always someone fun to talk to. 

I don't think they do enough for Ambassadors (which we aren't trying to qualify for). 

Edited March 11, 2019 by Sand and Seas