Baron Barracuda

Also just off 33 days on the Star. While we found most food items (including burgers at the grill) delicious have to admit disappointment with both Manfredi's rib eyes. Ate there seven times and tried each once but found them thin and fatty. Waiter told us due to supply chain issues Viking had switched from European to inferior American beef. After that stuck with chicken parm and fish of the day (usually pollock or swordfish) which were all enjoyable. Osso Buco was served several times in the Dining Room. Aside from the rib eye my biggest gripe was the salt grinders which I could never get to work. Guess we're easier to please.

If you search there are bargains to be found on the premium lines. Need to ignore brochure price and check CC for offer codes. On our 33 night Viking sailing we met a number of folks who booked close-in for only $4,500k. That's under $150 per day and some received free air !!!!

AMEN!!! Just spent 33 wonderful days in Hawaii and Polynesia with Viking. It's not just all the inclusions they provide, it's their overall commitment to excellent service. Plenty of available loungers poolside, waiters eager to fetch you a drink, three seafood buffets featuring all the lobster tails you want. After 30 years with X Viking is now our favorite cruise line.

Since 2020 Royal and X have each added 3 new ships. While the new vessels are presumably cash flow positive debt level would be much more manageable without them.

Just off 33 days on the Star, dined at Chef's Table seven times and saw guests receiving off-menu selections. EVERY waiter at EVERY venue asked about food allergies when taking our order. We have none but appreciate how they are obviously trained to inquire.

Ours provides us with a post cruise "loyalty credit" rather than OBC. Definitely prefer the cash back.

Royal Caribbean has all their ships using Starlink with reportedly good connectivity. They have thousands of passengers per ship while VO only has hundreds, so why does Viking have a capacity issue, is it hardware or software?

We're currently on our 20th sea day as we near the end of the 33 day Grand Polynesian. As we head back from Tahiti to LA internet has been spotty, even at 4am when dw starts her day. Haven't had live tv (yeah, different satellites) for several days. If Viking plans to charge for higher internet usage they need to deliver a more reliable product.

Haven't read through the prospectuses but it's likely debt covenants prevent RCL from paying a dividend until capital ratios get back to a certain level. Business may be performing fine, but balance sheet is still highly leveraged.

If ill mightn't travel insurance cover lost excursion?

Left Kauai at 4pm yesterday scheduled for 6 sea days prior to arrival at Bora Bora. Just before noon captain notified us that due to a sick passenger we are returning to Hawaii (Hilo?). Nevertheless he hopes to reach Bora Bora on time. Ship tracker currently shows we still have a fair amount of back-tracking to do.

Currently on the Star. Met a guy at embarkation who was extremely angry that he flew in a day early using Viking Air and they wouldn't provide him with transfer. Planned to go to guest services to seek reimbursement for his Uber fare. Gave him my sympathy and wished him luck but said that's just the way the system works. Ran into him yesterday at tea and he was beaming. Said after several visits guest services gave in and awarded him $45 obc.

Currently aboard the Star which left from LA last week. Port of LA web site showed us leaving from berth 93 while final Viking docs said berth 46. Several in our roll call contacted Viking who assured them it was 46. As we drove to port there was the Star tied up at 93. A number of folks initially went to 46 and had to double back.

Seems pretty clear to me. CCL has both cruise and non-cruise business. The cruise business pays no US taxes while the Alaskan tour business does. Results for tour business segment isn't broken out in their financials. Also, as the chief explained the $70 million in taxes is global, not just US. How much is US? Don't know, they don't break out taxes by country. If you need to know call Jim Heaney, their CFO and see if he'll tell you.

Thanks chief, but Outdoorphoto obviously believes a 3rd party web site has it all right and Carnival's SEC filings and shareholder reports are all wrong.

Read the link but prefer to believe what CCL says in their SEC filings over third party reformatted data. Just read the extensive tax discussion in the 10k. Also, there are numerous news articles from the covid shutdown period on how the cruise lines were excluded from the various relief packages because they are foreign companies that pay little to no US taxes. VP Mike Pence was involved in these cruise line discussions.

That $70 million (2.3% of earnings) is global, not just US. Small amount of US taxes is related to their Alaskan hotel and tour operations. Cruise earnings aren't subject to US tax. It's spelled out in their 10k.

We book direct through our great Viking rep, make our air reservations through Air+ (if applicable) and then transfer the completed booking to our great TA. TA sends us a "loyalty credit" check post cruise. For our upcoming 32 night sailing we're getting $1,750. Viking rep gets her commission and is happy, TA gets commission for doing next to nothing and is happy and I am happy with my check. Only one possibly unhappy is Viking for paying out double commission, but they made the rules.

Not cruise lines. Never have, even pre-covid. Domiciled in tax havens offshore

Not having to pay income taxes certainly helps.

Which VO ships currently have Starlink installed?

Three months ago we were able to cancel and immediately re-book same sailing / same cabin. Paid the $100pp penalty and replaced forfeited Tripmate policy with outside coverage.

Learned that lesson when we cancelled and re-booked Polynesia. Fortunately for us savings was compelling even after booking new non-Viking insurance

Interest expense has nothing to do with the $3B debt reduction. The $8.7B figure is debt due over the next three years, much of which will likely be re-negotiated and extended. Their actual debt maturity for 4q '23 is $0.7B and full year '24 is $2.4B. Remember that you repay debt from cash flow, not earnings. RCL's earnings are net of $1.4B of annual depreciation, a non-cash expense.

They paid down $3B in nine months this year, leaving $20B. Pre-covid ltd was $9B. If business holds up wouldn't be surprised with dividend in '25.