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Shrinkflation Hits Norwegian Cruise Lines NCL Specialty Dining Package Promotion.

René by René
July 25, 2022
in Cruises
3
How I Would Fix / Improve the Norwegian NCL Elite Latitudes Rewards Program!
Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


When I cruise, it tends to be on NCL. I had their second highest status in the Latitudes program (then Platinum Plus) but after the new expanded elite levels I dropped to third from the top (now Sapphire). I should, over the next year or so, reach Diamond. After that, it will take many years to reach their top elite status: Ambassador.

Like anything in the travel spaces (think travel cards or perks) and being a “frequent floater” I always try to squeeze out every single benefit I can to get the most out of every sailing. I plan way out and look for ways to stack promotions. One of the best deals NCL has had for many years has been a part of their “Free at Sea” promotion that has been free-ish (you have to pay 20% gratuities) specialty restaurants no matter what cabin you booked.

The above is the old promotion that had been in place for a very, very long time. I always try to book either Suites or Haven level rooms but on smaller ships where there is no proper Haven restaurant (basically a specialty restaurant on its own) you only get to dine away from the public dining rooms for breakfast and lunch. For dinner having a number of nights of specialty choices included matters a bunch. This year, things have changed!

As you can see from the new updated Free at Sea offer, above “Shrinkflation” has hit Norwegian Cruise Lines and it really stinks if you tend to book lower-cost cabins. As an example, if you booked say just a porthole room, like this amazing NCL Gem sailing I took and got to see whales from on-board, you would, on a 7-day cruise, have gone from 3 specially nights to just 1.

Ouch!

Now I get that COVID has been simply brutal on the cruise industry and the price of gas is not making the return to profitability any better. But this is a deep cut in the promotional experience. On the flip side for NCL, the change will likely mean more cash as folks will buy more specialty dining packages of 2, 3, or more nights whereas before they would not.

As a Sapphire, I still get 2 more specialty nights free on sailings of 5 days or more so will still have some good choices. Additionally, all my current bookings will be under the old program so these changes will not impact me till 2023 sailings I have yet to book. – René

 

Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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René

René

René de Lambert is a contributing writer for EyeoftheFlyer.com - He is an avid Delta and SkyTeam flyer who has held Delta’s top Diamond Medallion status for many years and flown millions of miles.

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Comments 3

  1. Byron says:
    2 weeks ago

    Thanks for the post, I am mid tier of Platinum and get the 2 extra specialty dining packages. Sailing in Sept and Dec. on the Joy in balcony cabins.

    I appreciate your cruise posts.

    Reply
  2. Tami says:
    2 weeks ago

    As a Sapphire cruiser, I hate to see things change. I’m hoping it will be just temporary until things get back to a more normal and predictable budget for NCL. Love your cruise posts too!

    Reply
    • René says:
      2 weeks ago

      @Tami @Byron – Thanks so much. More cruise posts may be one the way in a big way!

      Reply

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