Enhanced Rewards for NCL Latitudes

Norwegian announced some enhancements to its loyalty program, which is now called Latitudes Rewards, and it was accompanied by the usual blah-blah-blah, PR-crafted statement from company president Kevin Sheehan, who among other things said: “We are dedicated to making sure our guests have the best possible cruise experience and look forward to welcoming them back on board again and again.”

As Latitudes — make that Latitudes Rewards — members, we have more than a passing interest in what the enhancements are. So from now on, you (and we) will…

• remain in the same tier of membership or be upgraded
• earn one point per cruise night
• tack on additional points by booking a suite or staying in NCL’s upscale area, The Haven, or by booking at least nine months in advance
• enjoy new benefits such as priority check-in, cocktail parties, access to an on-board rep and an online magazine

Members with 1 to 19 points are in the Bronze Class. Silver is 20 to 47 points. Gold is 48 to 75 points. Platinum is more than that.

There are some new on-board perks, too, based on what tier of membership you have, but when all was said and done, guess what jumped out at us first?

Chocolate-covered strawberries.

Hey, what can we say? We’re not that hard to please.

DAILY DEAL:
Azamara Journey
8 nights
March 10, 2012
Barbados to Miami: Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Barts, St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands
Inside $1,649
www.azamaraclubcruises.com