graphicguy

Love Bermuda. But, Greek Isles are a bucket list item. I think maybe the cruise after next.

Alaska for me, too…simply stunning!

Just trying to be sure it's allowed.

Why would I do that?

I don’t see any copyright data for these stats. Looking good as best I can tell…. I might have to jump back into this stock…. As an aside, toward the bottom of the quote by Sommer, he states they’ve “de-risk(ed)” their balance sheet. “De-risk”? Never heard that as a term in stating they have backed off the precipice of bankruptcy. I’m going to use that next time I’m on a date with someone who I don’t want to go out with again. “Thank you for your time, but I need to de-risk interfacing with you again”! Second Quarter 2023 Highlights: Company met or exceeded guidance for all key metrics in the second quarter. Generated total revenue of $2.2 billion, a record for the Company and up 33% compared to the same period in 2019, and GAAP net income of $86.1 million, or EPS of $0.20. Achieved Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $515 million and Adjusted EPS of $0.30, above guidance of $485 million and $0.25 respectively. Second quarter outperformance was driven by solid revenue performance, lower costs and favorable fuel pricing. Occupancy improved sequentially to approximately 105% in the quarter, in line with guidance and reflecting the completion of our phased ramp-up. Total revenue per Passenger Cruise Day increased approximately 15% both as reported and in constant currency, compared to the same period in 2019. Continued to demonstrate results of ongoing margin enhancement initiative including sequential improvement in operating costs. Gross Cruise Costs per Capacity Day was approximately $315 in the quarter. Adjusted Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel per Capacity Day in constant currency was approximately $156, lower than the prior quarter and guidance of $159. Cumulative booked position for the remainder of 2023 continues to be at record levels and at higher pricing. The Company remains within its optimal booked position of approximately 60-65% on a 12-month forward basis. Advance ticket sales balance increased versus the prior quarter reaching a record $3.5 billion, approximately $167 million higher than prior quarter and 56% above the second quarter of 2019. $2.4 billion of liquidity at quarter-end, including boost from a $500 million return of cash collateral from a credit card processor. Full year 2023 Adjusted EPS guidance improved $0.05 to approximately $0.80 reflecting second quarter outperformance and continued strong results expected for the remainder of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA guidance improved to the range of $1.85 to $1.95 billion. Updated guidance reflects approximately $30 million of headwinds from higher interest and fuel expense for the back half of the year. “We are pleased to report strong second quarter results, in which we met or exceeded guidance on all key metrics, allowing us to improve our full year outlook for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “The continued strength in the demand environment is evident not only in this quarter’s results, in which we generated a meaningful increase in pricing on 19% capacity growth compared to 2019, but also in our forward booked position which is within our optimal range and at higher pricing. As we look to the near future, we are focused on sustaining this momentum by capitalizing on the robust demand environment, strategically enhancing our guest experience, rightsizing our cost base through our ongoing margin enhancement initiative, building excitement for the upcoming launches of Norwegian Viva and Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur and ultimately charting a path to reduce leverage and de-risk our balance sheet.”

Just hit retirement age last year. But, COVID turned both my company and my work upside down, as it did with many. It made me realize that going back to jumping on planes every week had worn me down. When I didn’t travel and was able to take a step back during COVID, it struck me that I didn’t want to go back to living out of a suitcase anymore after the restart. Told my financial guy (including me) to restructure everything to retire earlier than planned. He did. I did. Glad I did. And, have never looked back. When the cruise lines started back up, I found a bunch of deals, that I booked immediately. Some on NCL, Some on Celebrity, Some on Royal. Now that the prices have gone back up on all of them, I’ll probably curtail my cruising. But, for a couple of years, I was cruising every 3 months, or so. Don’t regret one bit of it.

Diamonds International suffers from the same issues as buying from the ship’s jewelry stores….once you get home, where do you go if something goes wrong? DI is in the Caribbean. You’re 2,000 miles away! That said, I’ve spent some time grinding on some DI managers to get a good price on a Swiss watch. Bargain? Not really. But, I did get a very good price. On top of that, no taxes or duties! Wasted about 45 minutes asking over and over, “is that the best you’re boss can do?”

Those are probably the smartest jewelry purchases you can make on the ship. If they end up breaking, you’re out very little once you get home. Jewelry, regardless of where you buy it, is rarely, if ever, a bargain.

I know the watches they sell are covered by the manufacturers’ international warranties. Not sure about the Bulova, Ctitizen and Invicta watches, but the Swiss brands offer that. Jewelry? That’s a whole other kettle of carp. Generally speaking, don’t disembark without having your jewelry sized correctly. That way, any issues can be taken care of on board, or you can get a refund. Once off the ship, aside from the stones being fakes or the metals not being what was advertised, they can claim the jewelry was abused, or it was somehow damaged by the wearer. Whether that be true or not, it’s not like you can march down to your nearest local jewelry store and get restitution. Not saying it’s right. But, the ship’s jewelry store can just say “hey, that jewelry was inspected by the buyer before S/He left out store and agreed it was fine.” Have said it before….buy jewelry (Including watches) on board because you like them, not because they’re a “deal”. The one store on board you can get serviced at any of their land based stores is Tiffany, which is on some of the Celebrity ships.

OK....that makes sense. I want voice, also. We're (my son and my sisters) will be traipsing around Europe when I disembark. Just another safety net to have voice, too. I'll double check, but I thin that's what the $50 is for. Thanks!

Quick question…..do I remember you saying you had T-Mobile? I just transferred to them, and they’re telling me I would have to pay $50 to get their plan in Europe.

Hmmmm….I think I’m going to wear all of my pins on my next cruise with a “My Name Is…….ask me anything” Badge! If you want to wear a badge, wear a badge. Interface with that person, or not. If you don’t like what they’re saying, leave! It really is this simple, isn’t it?

For some reason it popped up on my front page. I don't look at the dates if they're on my front page. Saw it...saw some misunderstandings...commented on them.

Always felt the same. Those hotel "resort fees" were something I never understood. But, they aren't optional.

DSC is the "Discretionary Service Charge" which by definition means the same as a TIP. Crew DOES GET it. May be monetary, may be a reward other than money. I don't want to get knee deep in yet another tipping or service charges thread. But, NCL's own definition is this... "The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports."

I give cash, also. But, I do think the waitstaff and bartenders do tend to "fudge" a bit about adding tips to the receipt. As best as we can tell (and none of us really know for certain) DSC (tips) paid daily are pooled and divided out by NCL, who uses them for bonuses tied to a particular person's customer service ratings. They are not directly paid out like they are at land based bars and restaurants. Does that mean the tips on the restaurant band bar receipts are subject to the same uses and procedures? I don't know. I have seen bartenders put the cash tips in a container behind the bar. Do those tips get turned in to NCL? Are they split up at the end of a shift with the bar backs and among all the bartenders? I don't know that either.

Great to hear!!!!!!

As others have said, wear what you want. No need to worry about what others are wearing. That’s the beauty of NCL. That said, you asked if a lot of others wore gowns or tuxes. I have sailed NCL 3X since the restart. I don’t think I’ve seen one tux or gown on any of them. I think some dress up to have their pics taken by NCL’s staff. But personally, I take all my own pics and prefer less “staged” picture opportunities.

Cool….love to hear about your cruise….thought about sailing the Sun. I still have Cruise Next certs. Please forward my regards to Zandy.

Interesting....just got an email yesterday asking if I wanted to upgrade.....the issue is, I'm no longer is a Haven Spa Suite. Further, I already upgraded to the Haven 2 BR Family Villa and I paid $113 IN TOTAL, not $500 per person they're stating as the minimum bid. Here are some upgrade options, priced per person for the entire duration of the cruise: The Haven Deluxe Owners Suite with Large Balcony (H2) From $950 pp The Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony (H6) From $500 pp (Note: Prices shown are in US Dollars.) Please see our Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions that apply to offers made under the Upgrade Advantage program. If you are experiencing any technical issues, simply reply to this email. Important Information NCL reserves the right to not accept any offer regardless of offer amount or stateroom availability. Availability of upgrades is limited and is made at the sole discretion of NCL. NCL reserves the right to accept any offer from the time it is submitted to the departure date and time. Offers are based on double occupancy. Only the first and second passenger on the reservation will be charged. Once your bid is accepted, the upgrade amount paid is final and non-refundable. The upgrade does not include any additional promotions. Current promotions on the reservation will not be altered. NCL cannot guarantee a specific cabin number assignment within the upgraded category. Your cabin number will depend on space availability and cannot be changed. NCL Address 7665 Corporate Center Dr, Miami, FL 33126 Contact Us If you have Norwegian's Travel Protection on your current booking, you will be automatically charged to cover the upgrade cost. For more information please click here. If you have travel protection via your travel professional, please contact them to add your upgrade to your coverage.

I've been cruising for 25+ years and the"art" exhibits/"sales" still befuddle me. I just can't wrap my mind around someone going on a cruise and thinking a several thousand dollar art purchase from a dubious art vendor is a good idea. But, they must make a lot of money on it as they dedicate a lot of space for it. A while ago I read that there were a slew of artists that made paintings for the Park West cruise folks in the Peter MAxx style, and all he'd do was sign them. Not sure if that's true, though. Then again, I'm not an expert. Maybe it's great art and it is a good deal. I think I've seen may a half dozen pieces over the decades that I found mildly interesting. Nothing I would smack down 3,4 or 5 figures for, though. I don't know if they're still around, but there was an artist who depicted water scenes, nature scenes that galleries would be dedicated to in resort towns. They would light them in a way where they looked almost three dimensional. Cool effect. But, I bet that effect went away when you got them home and hung them. Can't recall the artist but the sales people were similar to the ones you find in Park West on board. Long on hype, short on knowledge. I've bought 3 pieces of art in my lifetime. Knew and met the artists personally. One was a local artist who was a friend of my parents. She did a large painting depicting all of us as a family at a Sunday Dinner. That's prized to me as it depicts us perfectly. One is a small painting from a local artist in Alaska, who had a studio that a friend turned me on to. She had a bunch of oil paitingings of wildlife. The last one is an oil abstract painting done by a friend's girlfriend. She is a true starving artist. She doesn't make much of a living from her craft. But, she doesn't let that deter her. She says she paints because that's the main way to get her emotions out. Her paintings reflect that perfectly. If I have $1,000 invested in ALL of those pieces, I'd be shocked. And, they're priceless to me because they depict something, some place and some time in my life that means a lot to me. They'd be worthless to anyone else.

@YVRteacher…love….LOVE the pics. The service/food situation you’re going through POs me to no end. This is a total failure of the GM, the Capt, and ultimately NCL for letting that happen. I know NCL takes CC members’ opinions seriously. Maybe worth a chat with the GM. Show him a couple of your posts here (say the LaCucina and Garden Cafe posts) and give a link to this review. To me, the Capt and GM need to be accountable. The rest? You’ve done a wonderful job and I’m enjoying it immensely.

Been a while since I went to any cruise line’s jewelry “shopper” pitches. I give the same advice to everyone who is a novice to those pitches. On board jewelry stores, those at the ports (Diamonds International, Etsy, etc)…if there’s something you like and there’s something you want as a remembrance of the cruise, buy it. Truth is, the prices on board aren’t bad, particularly given the tax and duty free prices. But, if you’re going to ANY jewelry store ANYWHERE thinking you’re getting a deal, regardless of what they tell you, you’re naive. Jewelry everywhere has the highest markup of any product or good that I’m aware of. Long time ago I picked up one of the ubiquitous Tag Huer watches for probably $100 less than I could have bought it locally at my preferred jewelry store. Great deal? Not really. But, I saw it, liked it, and wear it daily even today….a decade plus later. Nice watch. Great quality. The amount saved (I think 15% off) my local place would have matched. What they could not match is the duty savings. Those xx% Invicta sales are everywhere. Plus, if you like the gaudy style of those watches, those aren’t bad deals either. But, the ones the cruise lines carry are mostly the cheaper Chinese made ones….not the Swiss ones. I found a jewelry store off the beaten path in the Dominican. Small shop, mostly did repairs. Wish I could remember the name of it. The owner was there with his wife. Said he had been there servicing the locals before the cruise ships frequented the area. Bought an ORVIS automatic from him and stud ear rings for the then GF. Was wondering if the watch was legit (and the studs, too). Ended up getting a great deal on both and both were authenticated when we got home. But, it was a place that was not sponsored on the ship’s shopping recommendation list. I sometimes have fun with the sales hawks in Diamonds International. I’m something of a Swiss Watch enthusiast and keep up on the industry and the manufacturers and the movements used throughout their models. The “experts” in DI are likely mostly wrong in their knowledge of $5K+ watches they’re selling. But, if you work them a little, get a couple of their “managers” involved you can eke out a decent discount on their items if you grind them. True on their jewelry, too. Just like buying a car. They hate to let a client go after you’ve been with them a while. YMMV!

That is ALL jewelry stores land or sea.

My guess is that would not count the savy cruisers here. I can’t see anyone here spending 70% of the cruise fare once on board. I know I wouldn’t even come close to that. 10% would be a stretch. As my Mother used to say to me….”what you want and what you get are two very different things”. That said, Royal tends to be higher when I try to book them. I’m sure that’s not true all the time. But, I also tend to book during “low season” for the itinerary I’m interested in (e.g. Spring and Summer for Alaska). Not sure why they’re higher. But, maybe the CEO’s discussion explains it. They just try to charge more. I’m Diamond with them, so obviously I find some fares with them that are decent, but not often.