Stockholder "Perks"

[TwoSue]

I don't think you have to be a shareholder at the time of sailing. I believe it's at the time of booking. At least I can't find anything from Carnival that says it must be at the time of sailing. Maybe someone else can find it.

 

I've looked everywhere and I've talked to HAL. If someone thinks they can find the rule somewhere and have some evidence behind all this bashing, I'd love to see it.

[richwmn]

No it is not the same..The dividend is paid to Stockholders who owned this stock on the Preceding three months, not on the Future three months..

Betty

Actually, Betty, you do not have to own the stock for the preceding three months -- you only have to own it own the date specified in the dividend declaration (the EX-Dividend date). You do not need to own the stock before or after that date. You can, in fact, buy the dividend if the prices work out right.

[serendipity1499]

As another Poster stated, I too hope the OP gets caught! Better yet, I hope HAL puts a name to his/her Cruise Critic sign in & demands that they produce their latest statement just prior to sailing!:rolleyes::rolleyes:It would be very easy for HAL to check all the OBC's on the July 29, Zaandam sailing & I really hope they do!

 

I don't understand the venom behind all of this. I have never felt so attacked before, so I just called HAL again to double-check. I even told them my booking number, so they can be sure to "catch" me if they want to. I was told that you have to be a shareholder at the time that you apply for the credit. It doesn't matter to them what you do after your onboard credit is applied. There is NOTHING in the rules that says you have to be a long-term shareholder or be a shareholder at the time of the cruise. There is NOTHING that says you have to hold the stock for a certain length of time. I had it for quite a while, but it doesn't matter whether I did or not. All the rules state is that you have to apply for the credit two weeks before sailing. You could buy the stock two weeks before the cruise and sell it right after the cruise and be abiding by all the rules. I'm not cheating anyone. I'm not unethical.

<SNIP>

 

You claim to have had this stock for quite a while...:confused::confused:

However your post on Page one states that you bought the stock after you booked the cruise...So which post is correct?

 

You don't have to own the stock at the time of sailing, either. We booked the cruise, bought the stock, got the credit, sold the stock, and haven't sailed yet.

.

[Lembano]

Don't you think just the complexity and time involved in verifying stock ownership at check-in time would cost the cruise companies much more than a $100 onboard credit here and there for items purchased with prices greatly inflated in the first place because we are a captive audience?

 

What does $100 in drinks cost CCL? $5?

Aren't there more important things in this World to worry about?

 

Even if this is unethical there is a wise written text that states,"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone".

 

Enjoy your cruise Susan.

[arewethereyet]

I've looked everywhere and I've talked to HAL. If someone thinks they can find the rule somewhere and have some evidence behind all this bashing, I'd love to see it.

I don't think any such rule exists. I think posters here are making up rules on the fly.

[richwmn]

Don't you think just the complexity and time involved in verifying stock ownership at check-in time would cost the cruise companies much more than a $100 onboard credit here and there for items purchased with prices greatly inflated in the first place because we are a captive audience?

Enjoy your cruise Susan.

 

This subject comes up regularly, and a couple of years ago in response to the same claim about the amount of time it would take to verify ownership I called my PCC and asked how many people were claiming the stock benefit on my cruise and the ones before and after. It was around 4 or 5 for each cruise. As has been said before, CC members are about 1% of cruisers and the Stockholder Benefit while discussed regularly here may be relatively unknown by others. That said, with only 5 or so for each cruise it wouldn't take that long to verify, but it may be that it is not worth the trouble.

[cruz chic]

I don't think any such rule exists. I think posters here are making up rules on the fly.

That was always the rule as I understood it so I don't think anyone is "making it up". I do think some are getting a little carried away with the rudeness of their posts.

[TwoSue]

You claim to have had this stock for quite a while...:confused::confused:

However your post on Page one states that you bought the stock after you booked the cruise...So which post is correct?

 

[/b]

.

 

I booked the cruise and then started reading Cruise Critic daily (which I have loved until today) to get tips for our trip. One of the things I read about was the shareholder credit, which seemed like a great idea. So I bought the stock. I entered into the same risk that every other stockholder has... that the stock value will go up or down. Months later (but would it matter if it were shorter or longer?), it went up and I wondered if I could sell it or if I needed to keep it until the cruise. I called World Cruise Reservations and asked. I was told that I had my OBC and it was up to me what I did with the stock. So I sold it. There was no deceipt. There was no trickery.

[Lembano]

So the tone of this thread is those that hold stock are worried about those they feel are abusing this perk may cause the cruise line to end the program.

 

So if only 4 or 5 actually use the perk whether abused or not lead to eliminating it?

 

Probably not, but this thread gives some the ability to brag about stock ownership, number of cruises, and their higher moral values.

[arewethereyet]

That was always the rule as I understood it so I don't think anyone is "making it up". I do think some are getting a little carried away with the rudeness of their posts.

Fair enough. Do you remember what lead you to believe that that was always the rule? Several posters lit up TwoSue for her post. I'm trying to find the source of the belief that the stock had to be owned at sailing. That's all.

 

The only person in this thread who has a reason to be offended is TwoSue, IMO.

 

Again, I'm interested in what the rules actually are because they may apply to me in the future.

[serendipity1499]

Actually, Betty, you do not have to own the stock for the preceding three months -- you only have to own it own the date specified in the dividend declaration (the EX-Dividend date). You do not need to own the stock before or after that date. You can, in fact, buy the dividend if the prices work out right.

 

OK I understand what you are saying...When they announced in Jan of 2010 The gave a record date of Feb. 19 & a pay date of March 12, so agree some would not have had their stock the entire 3 months..

Thanks...Betty

[cruz chic]

Fair enough. Do you remember what lead you to believe that that was always the rule? Several posters lit up TwoSue for her post. I'm trying to find the source of the belief that the stock had to be owned at sailing. That's all.

 

The only person in this thread who has a reason to be offended is TwoSue, IMO.

 

Again, I'm interested in what the rules actually are because they may apply to me in the future.

To be totally honest I don't know if I've heard it here many times or whether I read it on the website. I agree with your assessment about being offended.

[Sea42]

People can disagree about this as much as they want but there is no mention in the paperwork that you own the stock when you book or sail. You just need proof of ownership when you apply for the credit.

 

"This benefit is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc. Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, tour conductors or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer. This benefit is not transferable and cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account. Only one onboard credit per shareholder-occupied stateroom. Reservations must be made by February 28, 2013.

Please provide your name, reservation number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, shares certificate or a current brokerage or nominee statement) to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected below."

[cruz chic]

People can disagree about this as much as they want but there is no mention in the paperwork that you own the stock when you book or sail. You just need proof of ownership when you apply for the credit.

 

"This benefit is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc. Employees, travel agents cruising at travel agent rates, tour conductors or anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer. This benefit is not transferable and cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account. Only one onboard credit per shareholder-occupied stateroom. Reservations must be made by February 28, 2013.

Please provide your name, reservation number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, shares certificate or a current brokerage or nominee statement) to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected below."

I would think the word holding means that you own them now?

[Sea42]

I would think the word holding means that you own them now?

I agree it could be read that way. But by not being specific, I can also see where there could be different interpretations.

[cruz chic]

I agree it could be read that way. But by not being specific, I can also see where there could be different interpretations.

Agree.

[Mary Ellen]

"This benefit is available to shareholders holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc."

By selling the stock before boarding the ship they are no longer a shareholder holding a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation nor Carnival plc. To me this means they are no longer entitled to recevive a benefit of owning the stock. The quote doesn't say it is available to anyone who has ever been a shareholder. I know my ethics would prohibit me from availing myself of it in that situation. YMMV. :rolleyes:

[jcrandle]

I wonder how many posters that are flaming the OP as unethical have bothered to call Stockholder Relations and ask what the rules really are?

 

If it is unethical to take advantage of HAL by following Carnival Corporation rules, wouldn't it also be unethical to take a income tax credit or deduction that you are legally entitled to, because it is a loophole?

 

Instead of calling names, call Carnival, and then post back what you heard them say!

[HamburgAvonLady]

The word "holding" in this context is a verb meaning "occuring at the present time" or put another way: "currently in one's possession". To me that means --- at the time of the cruise's departure. JMO

[Salacia]

Please accept my apolgy TwoSue and others. I did not mean to offend by my previous post (post #7). My interpertation of CCL Stockholder credit was literal, while clearly there are other interpertations, as I now see a result of this discussion. Again, my apologies. Regards, Salacia

[arewethereyet]

The word "holding" in this context is a verb meaning "occuring at the present time" or put another way: "currently in one's possession". To me that means --- at the time of the cruise's departure. JMO

And to me it means at the time the credit was applied for.

[TwoSue]

Please accept my apolgy TwoSue and others. I did not mean to offend by my previous post (post #7). My interpertation of CCL Stockholder credit was literal, while clearly there are other interpertations, as I now see a result of this discussion. Again, my apologies. Regards, Salacia

.

 

Thank you, and also to arewethereyet for seeing my side.

[Hawaiidan]

I see no difference in buying any stock prior to its date of record for dividend and then selling it. Or buying the stock a month before and selling it a month after the cruise ? Whats un ethical ? Is there a law/rule that says how long you have to hold or when to buy a stock?

 

Same with a ship credit, a form of dividend, If you owned the stock when you booked and made final payment what the difference?

Hundreded of brokers do this daily... is that un ethical ?

 

Bottom line is investing in a stock for cruise credits is not all that wise. I was amused to read one poster.. we have made lots of money on our stock byt it is still underwater....just how did you make money by loosing money?

 

Pardon me but that sounds like you are in a loosing position and and only fooling your self that you have made money because you get cruise credits.....

[Sea42]

I see no difference in buying any stock prior to its date of record for dividend and then selling it. Or buying the stock a month before and selling it a month after the cruise ? Whats un ethical ? Is there a law/rule that says how long you have to hold or when to buy a stock?

 

Same with a ship credit, a form of dividend, If you owned the stock when you booked and made final payment what the difference?

Hundreded of brokers do this daily... is that un ethical ?

 

Bottom line is investing in a stock for cruise credits is not all that wise. I was amused to read one poster.. we have made lots of money on our stock byt it is still underwater....just how did you make money by loosing money?

 

Pardon me but that sounds like you are in a loosing position and and only fooling your self that you have made money because you get cruise credits.....

You can only lose money on a stock if you sell it or it loses all value. Until that point you haven't lost anything.

[Salacia]

PARTIAL QUOTE

...Bottom line is investing in a stock for cruise credits is not all that wise. I was amused to read one poster.. we have made lots of money on our stock byt it is still underwater....just how did you make money by loosing money?

 

Pardon me but that sounds like you are in a loosing position and and only fooling your self that you have made money because you get cruise credits.....

 

Hi Hawaiidan. Can't speak for the poster to whom you refer, but here's my personal experience: The 100 shares of CCL that I bought last year are underwater. But even if I sold them now for less than what I paid, I still would not have lost any money. In fact, because of the stockholder OBC's I received on the 4 voyages since buying the stock, I have realized hundreds of dollars tax-free over what I paid for the stock. I don't think I'm fooling myself, but please let me know if you see it that way.

 

Anyway, I bought the stock as long-term investment, and I have no plans on selling it in the foreseeable future (at least not as long as those dividends and OBC's keep coming my way :))

 

Regards,

Salacia