Key Points

• Latitudes Rewards members earn points automatically on every Norwegian cruise, with higher tiers earning up to 2 points per dollar spent.
• Elite status unlocks significant perks including priority boarding, behind-the-scenes tours, and complimentary specialty dining.
• Points never expire as long as you sail at least once every three years, making this program ideal for occasional cruisers.

Introduction

If you've ever priced a cruise vacation, you know the sticker shock is real. A seven-day Caribbean cruise can easily run $2,000+ per person before you add excursions, specialty dining, and drinks. But here's what most cruisers miss: Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes Rewards program can dramatically reduce those costs—and eventually get you sailing for free.

Unlike airline and hotel programs where status feels impossible to reach, Latitudes Rewards is refreshingly attainable. Sail just four times and you're already in the Silver tier with meaningful benefits. Keep cruising, and you'll unlock perks that transform how you experience Norwegian ships. Let me show you exactly how this program works and how to maximize every point.

What Is Norwegian Cruise Line Latitudes Rewards?

Latitudes Rewards is Norwegian Cruise Line's free loyalty program that rewards you every time you sail. You earn points based on the length of your cruise and how much you spend onboard, then redeem those points for future cruise discounts, onboard credits, and exclusive experiences.

The program launched in 2010 and has grown into one of the cruise industry's most generous loyalty schemes. Unlike some competitors that only count cruise days, Norwegian rewards both your sailing frequency and your onboard spending—meaning you can accelerate your status even on shorter cruises if you enjoy specialty dining, spa treatments, or shore excursions.

Membership is automatic. Book your first Norwegian cruise, and you're enrolled. No applications, no fees, no complicated sign-up process.

How to Join Norwegian Latitudes Rewards

Joining couldn't be simpler:

1. Book any Norwegian Cruise Line sailing through their website, travel agent, or call center
2. You'll automatically receive your Latitudes membership number via email before your cruise
3. Use this number for all future bookings to ensure you receive credit

Your first cruise counts retroactively. If you've sailed Norwegian before but never registered, contact their Guest Services with your booking details and they'll add those cruises to your account.

Pro tip: If you're booking through a travel agent, provide them with your existing Latitudes number to ensure proper credit. I've seen cases where bookings through third parties failed to link properly, and chasing down missing points after the fact is frustrating.

How Latitudes Rewards Points Work

Earning Points

Norwegian uses a dual earning structure:

Cruise Points: Based on the length of your sailing

• 1 point per cruise night for sailings up to 13 nights
• 0.5 points per cruise night for sailings 14+ nights

Onboard Spending Points: Based on your purchases during the cruise

• Bronze and Silver: 1 point per $1 spent
• Gold: 1.5 points per $1 spent
• Platinum: 2 points per $1 spent
• Platinum Plus and above: 2 points per $1 spent

What counts as qualifying spend:

• Specialty dining reservations
• Spa and salon services
• Shore excursions booked through Norwegian
• Casino gaming (tracked separately but counts)
• Beverage packages and bar purchases
• Photo packages and retail shopping
• Gratuities and service charges

What doesn't count:

• Your base cruise fare
• Government taxes and port fees
• Travel insurance
• Pre-cruise hotel packages

Let me give you a real example. On a 7-night Caribbean cruise, you'd earn:

• 7 cruise points just for sailing
• If you spent $1,000 onboard (specialty dinners, excursions, drinks): 1,000-2,000 additional points depending on your tier

That's 1,007-2,007 points from a single week-long cruise.

Points Expiration

Here's the good news: Latitudes points never expire as long as you sail once every three years. Miss that window, and your points remain in your account but become inactive. One cruise reactivates everything.

This is far more forgiving than airline programs where points can vanish after 18-24 months of inactivity.

Latitudes Rewards Tier Levels and Benefits

Bronze Tier (0 Cruise Points)

Everyone starts here on their first sailing.

Key Benefits:

• Welcome aboard gift
• Exclusive onboard events
• Special offers and promotions
• 1 point per $1 spent onboard

Bronze is your baseline. The benefits are minimal, but you're building toward something better.

Silver Tier (30 Cruise Points)

Reach Silver after approximately four 7-night cruises or three 10-night sailings.

Additional Benefits:

• Priority check-in at the pier
• 10% discount on all Norwegian shore excursions
• Welcome back gift
• Exclusive Silver member events
• Behind-the-scenes ship tour
• Lavender bath products in your cabin

Why this tier matters: Priority check-in alone saves 30-60 minutes of standing in line. The 10% excursion discount adds up quickly—save $50-100 per cruise if you book 2-3 tours.

Gold Tier (55 Cruise Points)

Typically achieved after seven 7-night cruises.

Additional Benefits:

• Priority disembarkation
• Priority tender boarding (crucial for popular ports)
• Complimentary specialty dining for two (one use per cruise)
• Welcome back bottle of sparkling wine
• 1.5 points per $1 spent onboard
• Exclusive Gold member events

The game-changer: Free specialty dining saves $60-100 per cruise. Norwegian's specialty restaurants (Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro) normally cost $30-50 per person. Gold members get one complimentary reservation for two each sailing.

Platinum Tier (80 Cruise Points)

Reach Platinum after approximately eleven 7-night cruises.

Additional Benefits:

• Priority restaurant reservations
• 50% off laundry services
• Behind-the-scenes galley tour
• Complimentary specialty dining for two (two uses per cruise)
• 2 points per $1 spent onboard
• Priority debarkation in a private lounge
• Exclusive Platinum member events

Why cruisers love this tier: Two free specialty dining experiences per cruise, priority restaurant reservations mean you actually get the times you want, and 50% off laundry is huge on longer sailings.

Platinum Plus Tier (175 Cruise Points)

This tier requires serious dedication—roughly twenty-five 7-night cruises.

Additional Benefits:

• Free unlimited laundry
• Complimentary pressing for formal nights
• Complimentary mini-bar setup
• Priority cabin upgrade requests
• Complimentary internet access (250 minutes per sailing)
• Three complimentary specialty dining experiences for two
• Private departure lounge with continental breakfast

The luxury level: Free laundry alone saves $50-75 per cruise. The 250 minutes of internet ($30-50 value) and mini-bar setup ($50+ value) make every sailing feel more premium.

Ambassador Tier (700 Cruise Points)

Norwegian's highest tier requires exceptional loyalty—think 100+ cruise nights.

Additional Benefits:

• All Platinum Plus benefits
• Complimentary unlimited internet (for two devices)
• Private car transfer to ship in select ports
• Concierge service for dining and shore excursion bookings
• Invitation to exclusive shipboard events with officers
• Four complimentary specialty dining experiences for two
• Complimentary mini-suite upgrades when available

Elite status: At this level, you're treated like royalty. The concierge service means someone else handles all your bookings, and officers know you by name.

How to Redeem Latitudes Points

Onboard Credit

Convert points to spending money for your next cruise:

• 7,500 points = $50 onboard credit
• 15,000 points = $100 onboard credit
• 22,500 points = $150 onboard credit
• 30,000 points = $200 onboard credit

Use onboard credit for:

• Beverage packages
• Specialty dining
• Shore excursions
• Spa treatments
• Gratuities

Cruise Discounts

Apply points directly to reduce your cruise fare:

• 10,000+ points can be converted to cruise discounts
• Exact value varies by sailing and availability
• Typically offers better value than onboard credit on expensive sailings

Exclusive Experiences

Redeem points for unique onboard experiences not available for cash:

• Behind-the-scenes kitchen tours
• Private cooking classes with executive chefs
• Mixology sessions with head bartenders
• Priority spa appointments
• Private dining experiences

Gift Certificates

Convert points to Norwegian gift certificates for future bookings or give to friends and family.

Redemption sweet spot: Most frequent cruisers say the best value comes from saving points for cruise discounts on expensive sailings (Alaska, Europe) rather than converting to onboard credit on cheaper Caribbean cruises.

Strategies to Maximize Latitudes Rewards

Book Longer Sailings Strategically

A 10-night cruise earns more cruise points than two 5-night cruises, but the math isn't always straightforward.

Example calculation:

• Two 5-night cruises: 10 cruise points + spending points from 2 embarkation days
• One 10-night cruise: 10 cruise points + spending points from 1 embarkation day

The shorter cruises might offer better value if you're trying to reach a new tier quickly, since you get two chances to earn substantial onboard spending points.

Consolidate Onboard Spending

Since higher tiers earn more points per dollar spent, consolidate purchases on one cruise rather than spreading them across multiple sailings.

If you're Silver:

• Spending $2,000 across two cruises = 2,000 points

If you reach Gold mid-year:

• Front-loading $2,000 on post-Gold cruises = 3,000 points

The difference compounds over time.

Time Your Status Jumps

Plan larger purchases (spa packages, premium shore excursions) on cruises where you'll reach a new tier during the sailing. Your elevated earning rate applies to all subsequent purchases that same cruise.

Book Through Norwegian Directly

While travel agents often offer lower prices or added perks, booking directly through Norwegian ensures your Latitudes number is always properly credited. I've heard too many stories of third-party bookings that somehow didn't link correctly.

Balance approach: Get quotes from travel agents, but verify they'll properly credit your Latitudes account and get it in writing.

Leverage Credit Card Combinations

While Norwegian doesn't have a co-branded credit card, you can maximize the value of your cruise spending with the right cards.

Best credit cards for cruise purchases:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points per dollar on travel (including cruise bookings), and those points transfer to dozens of airline and hotel partners. If you book a $3,000 cruise, that's 9,000 Chase points—worth $135 in the Chase travel portal or potentially much more when transferred to partners.

For higher-volume cruisers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers similar 3x earning on travel with a lower $95 annual fee. The 60,000-point welcome bonus covers a significant chunk of your first cruise booking.

If you prefer cash back over points, the Capital One Venture X earns 2x miles on every purchase (including cruises) and includes a $300 annual travel credit that works for cruise bookings. The 10x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel make it valuable for pre-cruise stays and port transportation.

Onboard spending strategy: Use the Chase Freedom Unlimited for onboard purchases. It earns 1.5% back on everything and has no foreign transaction fees—crucial since cruise ships often process charges in foreign currencies. The 3% back on dining also applies to specialty restaurants on the ship.

Pool Points with Family

Norwegian doesn't officially allow point transfers, but sailing in the same cabin with family members means both people earn cruise points. Book under the higher-status member's account to maximize onboard spending points.

Family strategy: If one partner has Gold status (1.5x earning) and the other has Bronze (1x earning), book all cruises under the Gold member's name. The spending multiplier applies to all purchases in that cabin.

Latitudes Rewards vs Competing Cruise Programs

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society

Royal Caribbean's program:

• Tier levels: 3-175+ cruise points for top status
• Perks focus on similar benefits (priority boarding, specialty dining discounts)
• Points earned per night + spending

Norwegian advantage: Reaches top-tier benefits faster. Norwegian's Platinum tier (80 points) offers comparable perks to Royal Caribbean's Diamond tier (80 points), but Norwegian's spending multiplier accelerates progress.

Royal Caribbean advantage: Larger fleet means more redemption opportunities and sailing options.

Carnival VIFP (Very Important Fun Person)

Carnival's program:

• Tier levels: Based on days sailed only, not spending
• Perks emphasize social benefits and priority services
• Simple earning structure

Norwegian advantage: Rewards onboard spending in addition to days sailed, meaning you can reach higher tiers faster if you enjoy premium experiences.

Carnival advantage: Simpler program without tracking spending. Some cruisers prefer the straightforward "cruise nights only" approach.

Princess Captain's Circle

Princess program:

• Tier levels: Based on days sailed only
• Strong focus on recognition and exclusive events
• No spending multiplier

Norwegian advantage: The spending component means active cruisers who enjoy premium services progress faster than "cruise and done" passengers.

Princess advantage: More international itineraries for redemption opportunities.

Common Questions About Latitudes Rewards

Can I earn Latitudes points on another cruise line?

No. Latitudes Rewards points are only earned on Norwegian Cruise Line sailings. However, if Norwegian operates a cruise under a partner brand, you may earn points—verify before booking.

Do cruise points expire?

Points never expire as long as you sail at least once every three years. If you miss that window, points become inactive but aren't deleted. One cruise reactivates your entire balance.

Can I transfer points to someone else?

Norwegian doesn't officially allow point transfers. However, you can book cruises for others using your account and Latitudes number, allowing you to continue earning points on their bookings.

How long does it take for points to post?

Cruise points typically post within 2-3 weeks after disembarkation. Onboard spending points can take 4-6 weeks. If points haven't appeared after 60 days, contact Norwegian Guest Services with your booking documentation.

Can I combine Latitudes points with other promotions?

Yes. Latitudes benefits stack with Norwegian's promotional offers, early booking discounts, and senior/military rates. You'll earn points on the actual amount paid, but benefits like complimentary specialty dining remain regardless of the fare paid.

Do I earn points if I book through a travel agent?

Yes, as long as your Latitudes number is on the reservation. Always verify with your agent that they've added your membership number to the booking.

What happens to points if I cancel a cruise?

If you cancel before final payment, you keep any points from previous sailings but don't earn points for the cancelled cruise. If you cancel after final payment, you typically retain points already earned, but Norwegian's specific cancellation policy applies—review their terms.

Can I use points for taxes and fees?

No. Points convert to onboard credit or cruise fare discounts, but government taxes and port fees must be paid separately in cash or with a credit card.

Is Norwegian Latitudes Rewards Worth It?

Yes, if you cruise at least once every 2-3 years with Norwegian. The program rewards loyalty without requiring extraordinary commitment, and the benefits at Silver and Gold tiers offer tangible value even for occasional cruisers.

The math: If you cruise with Norwegian three times per year (21 nights), you'll reach Gold status within 2-3 years. At Gold, you're earning 1.5x on onboard spending and getting two free specialty dinners per cruise—that's $120-200 in value per sailing. Over a decade of cruising, that compounds to thousands in savings and perks.

Who benefits most:

• Frequent Norwegian cruisers sailing 2+ times per year will rapidly accumulate meaningful status
• Couples and families who prefer the same cruise line for consistency
• Premium experience seekers who regularly book specialty dining, excursions, and spa treatments

Who should look elsewhere:

• Cruise line hoppers who prioritize variety over loyalty won't accumulate enough points with any single line
• Budget cruisers who skip all add-ons won't benefit from the spending multiplier
• Once-a-decade cruisers might not reach Silver tier before needing to start over

The beauty of Latitudes Rewards is its accessibility. You don't need to be a cruise fanatic to see real value—just someone who enjoys Norwegian's ships and prefers sticking with what works.

Conclusion

Norwegian Cruise Line's Latitudes Rewards transforms occasional cruisers into VIP guests without requiring unrealistic loyalty. The program's dual earning structure—rewarding both frequency and spending—means you control how fast you advance. Sail regularly, enjoy the ship's premium offerings, and you'll reach Gold or Platinum status faster than you'd expect.

The sweet spot is Silver to Gold tier, where priority boarding, excursion discounts, and complimentary specialty dining deliver immediate, tangible value. Beyond Gold, the perks become increasingly luxurious, but even Silver status meaningfully improves your cruise experience from day one.

Whether you're planning your first Norwegian cruise or your fifteenth, understanding how Latitudes Rewards works ensures you're maximizing every sailing. The points you earn today become the free cruises and premium perks you enjoy for years to come.

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