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greenie
Super Cruiser
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Posted: Thu Apr 24th, 2008 07:48 pm | 1st Post |
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When it comes to Latitudes levels, are all cruises still considered equal, whether it's 2 weeks or 1 night? Our 1-nighter in October will make our total NCL cruises 4--which is still Bronze. But our 1-nighter next January brings it to 5. Will I be silver then?
Not that I think that's fair--I actually don't. But I still would like to know. I seem to remember Freestyle 2.0 saying something about making a change and having Latitude levels become dependent upon length of cruises, not just number of cruises.
Is this now in effect?
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shoreguy
Charter Member
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Posted: Thu Apr 24th, 2008 08:25 pm | 2nd Post |
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| Under the current program the answer would be yes. Remeber they annouced they are redoing the Latitudes program as part of 2.0. So all bets are off when they roll it out. I made Platinum from the only other one night cruise I had done.
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greenie
Super Cruiser
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Posted: Thu Apr 24th, 2008 09:25 pm | 3rd Post |
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shoreguy wrote:
Under the current program the answer would be yes. Remeber they annouced they are redoing the Latitudes program as part of 2.0. So all bets are off when they roll it out. I made Platinum from the only other one night cruise I had done.
OK, thanks SG. I will hope they don't roll it out until January 25th, 2009!
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Pangean
Cruiser
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Posted: Thu Apr 24th, 2008 11:11 pm | 4th Post |
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SG:
Any insight into whether Latitude 2.0 will affect the existing levels (I assume they will be grandfathered)? Do you think this will apply even to those of us who made Gold status the old-fashioned way (ie purchased as part of that failed marketing effort back in 2006)?
P.
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Buford T Justice
Cruiser
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Posted: Fri Apr 25th, 2008 02:14 am | 5th Post |
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greenie wrote: When it comes to Latitudes levels, are all cruises still considered equal, whether it's 2 weeks or 1 night? Our 1-nighter in October will make our total NCL cruises 4--which is still Bronze. But our 1-nighter next January brings it to 5. Will I be silver then?
Not that I think that's fair--I actually don't. But I still would like to know. I seem to remember Freestyle 2.0 saying something about making a change and having Latitude levels become dependent upon length of cruises, not just number of cruises.
Is this now in effect?
I believe you will be silver after your January cruise (At the the conclusion of you fifth cruise)
SILVER BENEFITS
(members with 5-8 completed cruises*)
Access to Latitudes customer service desk
Latitudes pricing on all sailings
Special notification when the latest online Latitudes magazine is available
The added enjoyment of Polo Club benefits when sailing on Orient Lines' Marco Polo
Special Latitudes check-in
Latitudes ship pin
Latitudes onboard liaison to answer your questions at sea
Members-only cocktail parties hosted by the Captain
Exclusive gathering
Tasty treat delivered to your stateroom two times during your cruise
Special Latitudes cruise offers and
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whatawonderfulworld
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Posted: Fri Apr 25th, 2008 03:04 am | 6th Post |
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Pangean wrote: SG:
Any insight into whether Latitude 2.0 will affect the existing levels (I assume they will be grandfathered)? Do you think this will apply even to those of us who made Gold status the old-fashioned way (ie purchased as part of that failed marketing effort back in 2006)?
P.
Pangean!!! How are you? So nice to see you again...and, yes, we're still headed out on the Jade in August...I will write all about Ceuta upon our return.
I've got a question regarding the "failed marketing effort back in 2006" that you've referred to in your post.
In October 2006, while on the Dawn, we bought into the Cruise Rewards program for $250 - we received the immediate $100 OBC and then used the $250 as a deposit for the next cruise. And we also received Gold status. We bought into it again last Fall and used the $250 to hold our cabin for the Jade cruise in August.
My friends were on the Dawn in March 2006...they had to give NCL $3500 (I believe that was the amount) which they've used as partial deposits for their last two cruise and they were bumped up to Platinum level. But I think they only had Platinum level when they used part of the $3500 as a deposit. I could never understand this program...my friend explained it to me several times. It seemed more complicated than the Cruise Rewards program. I know that that program went to the wayside....it wasn't being offered when we were on the Dawn 7 months later. Is that the one you're referring to as the "failed marketing effort..."?
Again, good to "see" you - hope all is well with the family.
Ciao,
WaWW
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Pangean
Cruiser
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Posted: Fri Apr 25th, 2008 04:55 pm | 7th Post |
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Helloooo WAWW:
Yes, I haven't been around the boards much the last few months (we did a lot of skiing this year and then had to scramble to prune our vines before bud break).
Still envious of the itinerary on your Jade cruise, but as explained last fall the timing just didn't work for us. Our kids are both entering Middle School next fall and one of them is going into Late Entry French Immersion, so regardless of how bright they are, we just couldn't take them out of school in August/September. We've booked the 13 day Dawn Repo to Miami in November instead. Looking forward to getting back to NYC. We also have a couple of short Pacific Coastals coming up in the interim (including a 2 day SF to Vancouver on Princess in 2 weeks).
The marketing effort I was referring to was different than the straight $250 deposit/OBC package that's still in place. When we were on the Jewel Transatlantic in May 2006 they were selling two versions: the Platinum version your friends bought and a Gold package for $550. You could use it for deposit on your next cruise, there were OBC's, and also notionally some hotel and resort credits. The Gold or Platinum status was to apply only to the cruise that you used the deposit on, but I gather that because of problems with the program (difficulty in redeeming the hotel and resort credits) and administrative issues (difficulty in attempting to distinguish between legitimate Gold members and those nouveau riche riff raff like us that bought in), they ended up grandfathering our Gold status. Hoping the boondoggle continues....
P.
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cruise_more_often
Cruiser
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Posted: Sat Apr 26th, 2008 07:57 pm | 8th Post |
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I know Platinum status gets entrance to Cagney's for breakfast and lunch. How about Gold? If not, I'll sure miss it (unless the upsell fairy calls us), because the difference between the minisuite on our next cruise and the lowest-level penthouse suite is $500 PP. 
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shoreguy
Charter Member
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Posted: Sat Apr 26th, 2008 08:08 pm | 9th Post |
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cruise_more_often wrote: I know Platinum status gets entrance to Cagney's for breakfast and lunch. How about Gold? If not, I'll sure miss it (unless the upsell fairy calls us), because the difference between the minisuite on our next cruise and the lowest-level penthouse suite is $500 PP.
Platinum does not even get you in Cagney's for sure  They only folks that get in are the penthouse passengers and those on the VIP list. Now being Platinum might get you on the VIP list on some cruises but it is not a perk of the Latitudes program.
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cruise_more_often
Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 04:11 am | 10th Post |
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Wow, it sure did for folks we knew on the Jewel in February. They were in an interior cabin but Platinum level, and they were in Cagney's for breakfast every day. They didn't mention being on a VIP list, just said they were Platinum. And, this was not the first time they had been accorded that privilege.
Well, we'll just have to hope for an upsell (again). 
Last edited on Sun Apr 27th, 2008 04:15 am by cruise_more_often
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Stylish Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 09:46 am | 11th Post |
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Pangean wrote: SG:
Any insight into whether Latitude 2.0 will affect the existing levels (I assume they will be grandfathered)? Do you think this will apply even to those of us who made Gold status the old-fashioned way (ie purchased as part of that failed marketing effort back in 2006)?
P.
This wasn't a failed marketing effort back in 2006. This was a test marketing program, which has evolved into what is today known as "Freestyle Cruise Rewards." Based on the testing on the Dawn, NCL determined that selling Latitudes levels was counterproductive, reduced the cost to only $250, and created a program that is considered another forerunner in the industry.
http://www.stylishcruising.com/cruise/?p=42
Last edited on Sun Apr 27th, 2008 09:48 am by Stylish Cruiser
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Pangean
Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 05:19 pm | 12th Post |
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Stylish Cruiser wrote:
Pangean wrote: SG:
This wasn't a failed marketing effort back in 2006. This was a test marketing program, which has evolved into what is today known as "Freestyle Cruise Rewards." Based on the testing on the Dawn, NCL determined that selling Latitudes levels was counterproductive, reduced the cost to only $250, and created a program that is considered another forerunner in the industry.
http://www.stylishcruising.com/cruise/?p=42
Not intending to quibble, but the program as tested on the Jewel included three essential elements:
1. Enhanced Latitudes status;
2. Hotel and Resort credits;
3. Future cruise deposit.
Two of the three were dropped like a slimy salmon, leaving a completely different program; one that is great but it is similar to programs on other lines (several years ago we purchased a future cruise deposit on Princess, but ended up cashing it in when we found we preferred the NCL experience). I wouldn't consider the program as tested a rousing success.
P.
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Pangean
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 05:23 pm | 13th Post |
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cruise_more_often wrote:
Wow, it sure did for folks we knew on the Jewel in February. They were in an interior cabin but Platinum level, and they were in Cagney's for breakfast every day. They didn't mention being on a VIP list, just said they were Platinum. And, this was not the first time they had been accorded that privilege.
Well, we'll just have to hope for an upsell (again).
Adele;
Going momentarily off topic: I see from your sig line that you've been on the Coral Princess. How recent was your trip and what were impressions of the Coral Princess?
P.
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cruise_more_often
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 07:31 pm | 14th Post |
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Hi, Patrick! To stay off topic for just a moment longer, here are a few of the things that stood out on our September 2007, 2-night repo from Vancouver to San Francisco. It was just very different cruise than what we're used to and what we like. First of all, most of the cruisers were starting a long Panama Canal cruise, so the median age aboard was much higher than any cruise we've been on except our first on HAL. We are in our mid-60's, and we felt like youngsters aboard!
The interior of the Coral is extremely understated, in shades of aqua and coral throughout the entire ship -- not at all like the vibrant hues of NCL's Star-Class and Jewel-class ships. We love the bright, jazzy, eye-popping interiors of the newer NCL ships. But, that's just us, and there are thousands of others who must love the quieter interiors.
We tried Anytime Dining and found it to be just a version of Traditional Dining. We were seated at tables for 10, and we had to wait until the tables filled completely before we could begin to order. That also meant getting to know 8 strangers each night. We weren't aware that you could make reservations, and I think if you do, you can request smaller tables. I know there must be some, but I don't recall seeing any. Take me back to Freestyle!
The entertainment in no way came up to the level we've had on any of our NCL cruises.
There was a string quartet in the atrium on the second night. I thought it quaint . This was supposed to be formal night (on a 2-night cruise), but somehow it got dropped, probably because of complaints, some of which we heard being addressed to the maitre d'.
The solarium is to die for! Honestly, we spent both days in there. We never got in the pool, although it was inviting. We loved the deck chairs (teak) with their luxurious green pads and the gorgeous plants, and the bartender who refilled our mimosas quite often. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.
It's just a completely different ship, and line, from NCL. We'll be doing a one-night Princess cruise on the Golden in September, from Seattle to Vancouver (and you should join us). I'm really interested in seeing the differences between the two ships.
Are you thinking of booking the Coral?
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Stylish Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 08:55 pm | 15th Post |
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Pangean wrote: Stylish Cruiser wrote:
Pangean wrote: SG:
This wasn't a failed marketing effort back in 2006. This was a test marketing program, which has evolved into what is today known as "Freestyle Cruise Rewards." Based on the testing on the Dawn, NCL determined that selling Latitudes levels was counterproductive, reduced the cost to only $250, and created a program that is considered another forerunner in the industry.
http://www.stylishcruising.com/cruise/?p=42
Not intending to quibble, but the program as tested on the Jewel included three essential elements:
1. Enhanced Latitudes status;
2. Hotel and Resort credits;
3. Future cruise deposit.
Two of the three were dropped like a slimy salmon, leaving a completely different program; one that is great but it is similar to programs on other lines (several years ago we purchased a future cruise deposit on Princess, but ended up cashing it in when we found we preferred the NCL experience). I wouldn't consider the program as tested a rousing success.
But the test WAS successful. NCL was able to determine by testing that program that the enhanced Latitudes status was not feasible (too many issues with limiting enhanced status to the next cruise only) and there were too many restrictions (and therefore too little use) of the hotel credits. There were a total of four programs tested before the final roll-out of Freestyle Cruise Rewards. Each one looked more and more like the program we see today.
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scrappy
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 09:56 pm | 16th Post |
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I would love to see the Latitudes 2.0 go into effect before my 19 day repo cruise in November. It would be nice to get rewarded for such a long journey. But, haven't heard a thing out of NCL so who knows?
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Pangean
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Posted: Sun Apr 27th, 2008 10:58 pm | 17th Post |
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Hello Adele;
We'll be on the Coral Princess on its 2 day repo from SF to Vancouver. This will be our 4th Princess cruise, but first since we've been booking on NCL. We were originally booked on the 3 day Star up from LA, but cancelled that one basically, because of the itinerary (we love SF and LA doesn't interest us much).
All of the other Princess cruises that we've been on has been as part of a group, so this will be our first time getting the true feel of traditional/Anytime dining.
Sorry, I don't think we're going to be able to the cruise in September. That same group (its a work thing) has us on the Celebrity Millennium for 3 days at that time.
P.
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nhrich
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 12:51 pm | 18th Post |
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scrappy wrote: I would love to see the Latitudes 2.0 go into effect before my 19 day repo cruise in November. It would be nice to get rewarded for such a long journey. But, haven't heard a thing out of NCL so who knows?
Last I heard, everything would be in place by June, so you should be all set for November, even if that schedule slips a bit.
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shoreguy
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 02:52 pm | 19th Post |
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nhrich wrote: scrappy wrote: I would love to see the Latitudes 2.0 go into effect before my 19 day repo cruise in November. It would be nice to get rewarded for such a long journey. But, haven't heard a thing out of NCL so who knows?
Last I heard, everything would be in place by June, so you should be all set for November, even if that schedule slips a bit.
Freestyle 2.0 is planned to be completed by June but to my knowledge there has been no word on the timing of new Lattitudes Program that was mentioned in early press coverage.
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scrappy
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 04:32 pm | 20th Post |
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shoreguy wrote: Freestyle 2.0 is planned to be completed by June but to my knowledge there has been no word on the timing of new Lattitudes Program that was mentioned in early press coverage.
Wonder if they've given up on that part of it. Hope not, that was one I was really looking forward to.
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nhrich
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Posted: Mon Apr 28th, 2008 04:40 pm | 21st Post |
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shoreguy wrote: nhrich wrote: scrappy wrote: I would love to see the Latitudes 2.0 go into effect before my 19 day repo cruise in November. It would be nice to get rewarded for such a long journey. But, haven't heard a thing out of NCL so who knows?
Last I heard, everything would be in place by June, so you should be all set for November, even if that schedule slips a bit.
Freestyle 2.0 is planned to be completed by June but to my knowledge there has been no word on the timing of new Lattitudes Program that was mentioned in early press coverage.
You're right, of course. I was thinking of Freestyle 2.0.
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SeattleCruiselover
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Posted: Tue May 27th, 2008 12:34 am | 22nd Post |
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You know, this whole thing has me totally confused, too. I've gotten my nerve up to go back to NCL next year in August. I already have seven cruises (all 7 days) with them, but they seem to have given me a new Latitudes number every time I've cruised, so it is as if the one in September 2005 is the only one that they recognize.
Anyone have any idea who is the best person to try to get to to get this cleared up. If they can do it, they might even get me over my angst with them a bit.
TIA!
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nhrich
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Posted: Tue May 27th, 2008 12:48 am | 23rd Post |
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First off, welcome to CTT!
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6e1d7"Your best bet is to contact NCL's Latitudes desk. They can combine all of your different numbers. After that, make sure that you give your Latitudes number when you make a reservation. Otherwise the reservation system will assign a new number.
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SeattleCruiselover
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Posted: Tue May 27th, 2008 12:55 am | 24th Post |
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nhrich wrote: First off, welcome to CTT!
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6e1d7"Your best bet is to contact NCL's Latitudes desk. They can combine all of your different numbers. After that, make sure that you give your Latitudes number when you make a reservation. Otherwise the reservation system will assign a new number.
I have always given them my numbers when I make the reservations (since I am a TA) and then, by the time I'm ready for the next cruise, they tell me that number does not exist, and I've been cruising with them for nearly 15 years.
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PCD_Barb
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Posted: Thu May 29th, 2008 05:39 am | 25th Post |
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SeattleCruiselover wrote: nhrich wrote: First off, welcome to CTT!
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6e1d7"Your best bet is to contact NCL's Latitudes desk. They can combine all of your different numbers. After that, make sure that you give your Latitudes number when you make a reservation. Otherwise the reservation system will assign a new number.
I have always given them my numbers when I make the reservations (since I am a TA) and then, by the time I'm ready for the next cruise, they tell me that number does not exist, and I've been cruising with them for nearly 15 years.
Definitely call the Latitude's desk. My latitudes number was screwed up the 3rd time we cruised NCL, and they cleared it up for me. The number has been consistent since then.
Perhaps something similar happened to you and the number you are continuing to use is a bad number, as far as the database is concerned.
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