NCL new tier levels

[Guest BasicSailor]

Been awhile since I cruised NCL, reading here and there tells me there will be a * New * tier level.  New 350 points Diamond, 700 points Ambassador.

Has my curiosity up .Any comments appreciated.

[cruiserbear55]

10 minutes ago, BasicSailor said:

Been awhile since I cruised NCL, reading here and there tells me there will be a * New * tier level.  New 350 points Diamond, 700 points Ambassador.

Has my curiosity up .Any comments appreciated.

Just google  " NCL Latitudes Tier Benefits". You'll get a whole list of the amenities available for each tier.

[hallux]

Or look at the Latitude Rewards section of the NCL website to see.  Oh, and there was a thread here about it, I'm sure you could find it using the search box.

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

[Guest BasicSailor]

15 minutes ago, hallux said:

Or look at the Latitude Rewards section of the NCL website to see.  Oh, and there was a thread here about it, I'm sure you could find it using the search box.

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

Yes, I'm sure there should be, just a bit lazy in my younger days. Thanks for the link. 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, BasicSailor said:

Been awhile since I cruised NCL, reading here and there tells me there will be a * New * tier level.  New 350 points Diamond, 700 points Ambassador.

Has my curiosity up .Any comments appreciated.

Useless change. NCL certainly does not appreciate their most frequent cruisers. 

[complawyer]

changed from platinum + to sapphire. after that  diamond and ambassador.

 

if you reach diamond status, you can upgrade one cabin level but only to club balcony suite. wont allow upgrade to any haven cabins.  we have 214 points. i'll have 241 by the end of this year.

 

still . 459 points shy of ambassador. i figured out that if i do 2 14 day sailings per year in the haven complex, that will give me 56 points per year. do the math, it should take me almost 8 1/2 years to get to 700.

 

im 74 years old, i doubt that this will ever happen, especially with the cruising criteria i have laid out.

 

by the way, i have no interest waiting a few more years to reach diamond status, just to be able to upgrade from a balcony to a club balcony.

while i understand, its an extra goodie ncl offers it frequent cruisers, and i suppose its better than a stick in the eye, for us its MEH!

[dexddd]

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Useless change. NCL certainly does not appreciate their most frequent cruisers. 

Agreed.

[SeaShark]

8 hours ago, complawyer said:

changed from platinum + to sapphire. after that  diamond and ambassador.

 

if you reach diamond status, you can upgrade one cabin level but only to club balcony suite. wont allow upgrade to any haven cabins.  we have 214 points. i'll have 241 by the end of this year.

 

still . 459 points shy of ambassador. i figured out that if i do 2 14 day sailings per year in the haven complex, that will give me 56 points per year. do the math, it should take me almost 8 1/2 years to get to 700.

 

im 74 years old, i doubt that this will ever happen, especially with the cruising criteria i have laid out.

 

by the way, i have no interest waiting a few more years to reach diamond status, just to be able to upgrade from a balcony to a club balcony.

while i understand, its an extra goodie ncl offers it frequent cruisers, and i suppose its better than a stick in the eye, for us its MEH!

 

Amazing. The Latitudes program used to have just four levels (bronze, silver, gold, and platinum). Once you reached platinum you were "top of the heap"...but people here weren't happy. There was a near constant drone of "NCL needs to add a new tier above platinum", "We need something to strive for", etc. 

 

NCL didn't just add the new level that people wanted...they added THREE new levels. Platinum used to be top-tier, now it is just the middle. And just like people here wanted, the new levels are spaced and designed so give everyone something to strive for...the days of "jump to the top quickly" are gone.

 

We all asked, and NCL answered.

 

 

And we're still not happy.

[Two Wheels Only]

11 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

The Latitudes program used to have just four levels (bronze, silver, gold, and platinum). Once you reached platinum you were "top of the heap"...but people here weren't happy.

 

I care nothing about Latitude status or any type of loyalty status on any cruise line so I have no dog in this fight. 

 

From what I remember, many people were complaining that too many people had the "top" status and that the benefits of being on top had been diminished. With so many levels now, people get to feel a bit more special...whatever that means. 

 

NCL...

 

 

vs. RCCL...

 

 

vs. Carnival...

 

 

 

vs. MSC...

 

 

[SeaShark]

2 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

I care nothing about Latitude status or any type of loyalty status on any cruise line so I have no dog in this fight. 

 

From what I remember, many people were complaining that too many people had the "top" status and that the benefits of being on top had been diminished. With so many levels now, people get to feel a bit more special...whatever that means. 

 

NCL...

 

 

vs. RCCL...

 

 

vs. Carnival...

 

 

 

vs. MSC...

 

 

 

First, the whole point of a loyalty program is to recognize, reward, and entice repeat customers. So any program with lots of people at the top level is, by definition, a success. If the top levels were sparse, then it would indicate that people just don't want to be there.

 

I agree with your statement that people just want to feel special...just look at how often people manage to work "we're in the haven" into the conversation...especially when it isn't relevant.

 

That aside, you seem to have done a good job of presenting info on the loyalty programs that you care nothing about. Thanks for sharing.

[Two Wheels Only]

Since I don't care, I know nothing about how the most common lines compare...so I looked them up. 

 

Unless someone had something taken away (common on NCL), I don't see why anyone would complain about the added levels. Maybe (just a guess) someone who was Plat. Plus felt that they were "2nd from the top" and now they are "3rd form the top" with them now being Sapphire.  IDK. 

 

 

After reading your post, I looked to see what the change from 4 levels was. Back then, being on top was easy (76+). 

 

It seems that NCL isn't really any different than the other lines. 7 levels, 6 levels, 5 levels. There are "levels to this". 😉

 

On the MSC side, many people who were top level were upset with the MSC status match program which made it easy for 1st time MSC guests to be top level. Again, I didn't see how anyone was losing anything except for when top level benefits were taken away (common on MSC). 

 

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

NCL certainly does not appreciate their most frequent cruisers. 

 

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

Agreed.

 

^^ Comments like these make me wonder what is so bad. 🤔

Edited May 26, 2022 by Two Wheels Only

[complawyer]

sea shark.. im neither happy nor unhappy with the status change. we werent complaining about status levels in the past, and we arent doing so now.  only threw in the part about haven as it doubles the points.

 

i like the free bag of laundry and the 2 extra dinners. otherwise, to me the rest is no big deal.  as i said before, i have no illusions of ever reaching ambassador, and if by some chance i do, i'll probably beto old to travel anyway

[SeaShark]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Since I don't care, I know nothing about how the most common lines compare...so I looked them up. 

 

Unless someone had something taken away (common on NCL), I don't see why anyone would complain about the added levels. Maybe (just a guess) someone who was Plat. Plus felt that they were "2nd from the top" and now they are "3rd form the top" with them now being Sapphire.  IDK. 

 

 

After reading your post, I looked to see what the change from 4 levels was. Back then, being on top was easy (76+). 

 

It seems that NCL isn't really any different than the other lines. 7 levels, 6 levels, 5 levels. There are "levels to this". 😉

 

On the MSC side, many people who were top level were upset with the MSC status match program which made it easy for 1st time MSC guests to be top level. Again, I didn't see how anyone was losing anything except for when top level benefits were taken away (common on MSC). 

 

 

 

^^ Comments like these make me wonder what is so bad. 🤔

 

If you're going to compare current to historical programs, don't forget that the current program awards points per night, and the legacy programs used to award points per cruise. And, like MSC, NCL at one time offered people the ability to buy their way to the top instead of earning it by sailing.

[Two Wheels Only]

1 minute ago, SeaShark said:

If you're going to compare current to historical programs, don't forget that the current program awards points per night, and the legacy programs used to award points per cruise. And, like MSC, NCL at one time offered people the ability to buy their way to the top instead of earning it by sailing.

 

I didn't know either of these things. I do see that some program points last forever while some must remain active by continuing to cruise. From what I can see, the programs aren't "bad" but I can't see why the status is so important to some people.

 

26 minutes ago, complawyer said:

i like the free bag of laundry and the 2 extra dinners. otherwise, to me the rest is no big deal. 

 

That's how I feel. The pins, chocolate treats, bottle of water, etc. aren't worth anything to me.

 

Something like the ability to book before the general public would mean something to me. Discounts on bookings are nice, too. Some lines have something similar but their communication is so poor, loyal guests might not get the email to book earlier than everyone else or know when the discounts are available. Even when NCL offers extra points for booking certain cruises, many people have no idea. CC forum posts get the info to more people than the actual cruise line does.  

[PelicanBill]

Agree that it's the benefits more than the tiers. For me it's

Specialty Dinners

Laundry

Priority to tenders

Free behind the scenes tour

Priority Boarding (meaningless since most terminals don't have it any more and covid testing changed all boarding anyway)

 

[mking8288]

Oh, yes - free laundry of course.  We had to do two bags instead of just one (which is typical & normal for us on a 7 nighter ...)  Couldn't get the same sized load to fit into the downsized paper bag - somehow, steward found 2 old (formerly regular) sized paper bag when asked, for our convenience ... of course.

 

These specials are now $30 a bag (when offered to all as a "special"), thus we saved $60 in values.  Now, about those complimentary WiFi minutes, we "lost" 60 free minutes each but ... under Free At Sea (first world problem except for those that don't travel with a mobile device, power it off and lock it up in the mini safe until they disembark)

 

NCL get the honor of pioneering shrinkflation at sea ... like those incredible water carton(s).  Just business.  

 

 

Edited May 26, 2022 by mking8288

[Yesimapirate]

4 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

First, the whole point of a loyalty program is to recognize, reward, and entice repeat customers. So any program with lots of people at the top level is, by definition, a success. If the top levels were sparse, then it would indicate that people just don't want to be there.

 

I agree with your statement that people just want to feel special...just look at how often people manage to work "we're in the haven" into the conversation...especially when it isn't relevant.

 

That aside, you seem to have done a good job of presenting info on the loyalty programs that you care nothing about. Thanks for sharing.

With all due respect,  you're dead wrong.  That's what the travel companies WANT you to think. However,  it couldn't be further from the truth.

 

The idea of a loyalty program is a marketing tool to drive consumer behavior and maximize revenue.  Loyalty is a one way street!  There is not one person at NCL who is loyal to you.  

 

Loyalty programs aren't about you AND them.  It's about you AGAINST them.  As a consumer,  it is our job to maximize tjr benefits we receive while minimizing our cost.  Their job is to make sure you spend more and more often.  

 

[complawyer]

ive been cruising with ncl since 2010 when we were offered a free cruise through cesar's entertainment / casino's at sea. they continue to offer us free cruises, so we continue to book. they allow us to upgrade to better category cabins.  finally, we get 20% off on club balcony cabins and below, and 10% on suites or haven.  as an extra incentive, ncl offers itineraries and prices that i like.

 

ive checked rcl, celebrity, holland america, disney and carnival, and i believe that ncl gives me much more bang for my buck. ive checked suites on royal carribbean, and some of them are less then 1/2 the size of a n ncl balcony.  im sure if i want to spend 0ver $20,000 any of the other lines will be more than happy to accommodate me and take my money, but other than some very minor annoyances,

in general, ive been more than happy/satisfied with the ncl experience. we are now sapphire, and again, other than the free bags of laundry and the extra 2 dinners, the lattitudes program means absolutely nothing to me, and has no bearing on which ncl ship itinerary i choose

[SeaShark]

3 hours ago, Yesimapirate said:

With all due respect,  you're dead wrong.  That's what the travel companies WANT you to think. However,  it couldn't be further from the truth.

 

The idea of a loyalty program is a marketing tool to drive consumer behavior and maximize revenue.  Loyalty is a one way street!  There is not one person at NCL who is loyal to you.  

 

Loyalty programs aren't about you AND them.  It's about you AGAINST them.  As a consumer,  it is our job to maximize tjr benefits we receive while minimizing our cost.  Their job is to make sure you spend more and more often.  

 

 

What are you talking about? Of course loyalty programs are a one way street...designed to make you loyal to them, not the other way around...and I never said otherwise.

 

BTW, if you understood the negative benefits cost model on how loyalty programs are built, you'd sing a different tune. The cost of those loyalty benefits is built into the costs that we all pay. They could give EVERYONE the full benefits and still make out since those costs are already built in. 

[graphicguy]

You know, I look at the cruise industry overall as my preferred way to vacation.  Those of us who cruise a lot see it that way, too.

 

I have some sort of alleged "status" with all the major cruise lines.  But, that's not what entices me to cruise with them.  If they have a deal going on that I like, I'll book with them.  Free Laundry, "Behind the Scenes" tours, a few free drinks aren't going to do it, at least not for me.

 

Seeing my so called status only reminds me of how many times I've cruised with any particular line.  And, none will keep me loyal unless they offer me some value in their fares.

 

For the first time, in a very long time, I had to actually buy drinks on my last cruise which was on Royal.  I had to pay for my laundry and internet,  too (which gets me pretty terrible internet for a very high price).  The fare was good, however.  And, the few "perks" I did get (a few free drinks and a place to "hang" away from the crowds) didn't make a hill of beans worth of difference to me.

 

So, go ahead and give me perks.  But, you want me to be loyal?  Give me a good fare and good service.  Everything else is just fluff.

[The Shrike]

7 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

If you're going to compare current to historical programs, don't forget that the current program awards points per night, and the legacy programs used to award points per cruise. And, like MSC, NCL at one time offered people the ability to buy their way to the top instead of earning it by sailing.

For newer NCL customers that might not know, you used to get bonus points if you booked early, too.  It used to be one extra point per night if you booked at least nine months prior to sailing.  Then they changed it to at least a year prior to sailing.  Then they did away with that altogether.

We were bummed when they did that because we plan out our vacations well in advance.  We were racking up bonus points pretty easily until then. 

[scooter6139]

53 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

So, go ahead and give me perks.  But, you want me to be loyal?  Give me a good fare and good service.  Everything else is just fluff.

 

I'd add one other:  Put back in place where I could get a reasonable discount from being a previous and loyal cruiser.  Now I rarely bother with putting in my info as it doesn't change the base fare.

[graphicguy]

15 hours ago, scooter6139 said:

 

I'd add one other:  Put back in place where I could get a reasonable discount from being a previous and loyal cruiser.  Now I rarely bother with putting in my info as it doesn't change the base fare.

Agree.  You want me to keep coming back?  Give me a break on my fare.

[complawyer]

well, ,ncl gives you a 70% discount on the 2nd fare, bogo on air fare, and 3rd and 4th guests are free in the cabin. what more can you possibly ask for?

 

(sarcasm duly intended) !

 

[nferr]

23 hours ago, graphicguy said:

You know, I look at the cruise industry overall as my preferred way to vacation.  Those of us who cruise a lot see it that way, too.

 

I have some sort of alleged "status" with all the major cruise lines.  But, that's not what entices me to cruise with them.  If they have a deal going on that I like, I'll book with them.  Free Laundry, "Behind the Scenes" tours, a few free drinks aren't going to do it, at least not for me.

 

Seeing my so called status only reminds me of how many times I've cruised with any particular line.  And, none will keep me loyal unless they offer me some value in their fares.

 

For the first time, in a very long time, I had to actually buy drinks on my last cruise which was on Royal.  I had to pay for my laundry and internet,  too (which gets me pretty terrible internet for a very high price).  The fare was good, however.  And, the few "perks" I did get (a few free drinks and a place to "hang" away from the crowds) didn't make a hill of beans worth of difference to me.

 

So, go ahead and give me perks.  But, you want me to be loyal?  Give me a good fare and good service.  Everything else is just fluff.

Yeah, it's "fluff" but it adds up. I'm Diamond now on RCL which gives me 4 free drinks a day. That's enough to keep me from buying the drink package which is $67 a day right now for my upcoming cruise. That and I can bring on two bottles of wine, so I'm pretty much set since I'm going solo. I got another $220 off my solo balcony cabin. So a seven nights cruise NY to the Bahamas is costing me $765 including port fees and taxes, and that's solo in a balcony.  Way more if I wasn't Diamond because I would absolutely purchase the drink package and the balcony room would be $985.  So there's real savings there.

Edited May 27, 2022 by nferr