Owning Stock

[genealogygail]

Does anyone know the benefits of owning stock in Carnival (Princess). I see that you can get on board credit, but it seems as if it is limited to what it can be used for. It can not be used towards gratituties, so what can it be used for. What if you have other OBC, which would be used first. Is there any benefits to owning the stock

[Steelers36]

Does anyone know the benefits of owning stock in Carnival (Princess). I see that you can get on board credit, but it seems as if it is limited to what it can be used for. It can not be used towards gratuities, so what can it be used for. What if you have other OBC, which would be used first. Is there any benefits to owning the stock

 

Specialty restaurants, wine tastings, shore excursions, spa, etc, etc, etc. And my understanding is that gratuities are simply charged to on-board account and slowly bring down any credit balance.

 

Princess accounting automatically "spends" your non-refundable credits first and leaves the refundable to last, so if you don't spend it all, you do get a refund.

[fishywood]

No one has ever reported not being able to use the shareholder OBC for the daily service charge on Princess. What Carnival Corp rules say about non-refundable OBC is that it cannot be used for:

1. Gambling, specifically casino table games and bingo; and

2. Additional gratuities you write onto the chit in bars, specialty restaurants, the spa and such.

 

On Princess they keep it very simple: all OBC is simply exhausted as you make any charge to your shipboard account; non-refundable used before refundable is the only distinction made.

Edited November 1, 2015 by fishywood

[CruiserBruce]

Curious where you are seeing that it can't be applied to certain things. There are MANY experiences reported here, and on the other Carnival family members boards that reflect the exact opposite.

 

The OBC is simply a credit on your shipboard account. You start X dollars ahead. Any charge against your account draws that down.

[fishywood]

Curious where you are seeing that it can't be applied to certain things. There are MANY experiences reported here, and on the other Carnival family members boards that reflect the exact opposite.

 

From the shareholder benefit fact sheet found on the Carnival corporate website:

 

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-sharebenefit (have to save the PDF to view it)

 

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, cannot be exchanged for cash and, cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account. Only one onboard credit per shareholder-occupied stateroom

 

I know I have read somewhere that the "cannot be used for...gratuities charged to your onboard account" clause actually refers to only extra tips written onto charge slips. But everyone is right that on Princess it is essentially a moot point as all OBC nets against all charges.

 

(As for other Carnival Corp lines when I last sailed Cunard my room charge did break out certain items that were not eligible for OBC. Though Cunard has other unique draconian rules such as not combing Diamond member discounts on dry cleaning with OBC)

Edited November 1, 2015 by fishywood
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[Grego]

The other advantages are that it is a good stock. We purchased our lot when it was about $30 a share and look at it now. Still a good value. Pays a dividend and as my grandfather instructed me 60 years ago, "always invest in the companies whose products you use". He was right then and it's true today. Good to be a stakeholder.

[skynight]

In the Princess onboard accounting system the Shareholder's OBC is a simple credit on your onboard account. Any charges (debits) to your onboard account will be netted against the credits for a net balance. This includes the Hotel Charge (auto-tip). Carnival stock also pays a dividend which is somewhere in the 2-2 1/2% area depending on your purchase price.

[tml1230]

The other advantages are that it is a good stock. We purchased our lot when it was about $30 a share and look at it now. Still a good value. Pays a dividend and as my grandfather instructed me 60 years ago, "always invest in the companies whose products you use". He was right then and it's true today. Good to be a stakeholder.

 

As I have often said about my investing skills " if i invested in turkeys...they would outlaw Thanksgiving the next day" the CCL stock has more than paid for itself and it keeps on giving. it is the best .

[Dan Tanna]

In the Princess onboard accounting system the Shareholder's OBC is a simple credit on your onboard account. Any charges (debits) to your onboard account will be netted against the credits for a net balance. This includes the Hotel Charge (auto-tip). Carnival stock also pays a dividend which is somewhere in the 2-2 1/2% area depending on your purchase price.

 

 

And tax free!:)

Edited November 1, 2015 by Dan Tanna

[twinkle toes]

What happens if you have credit left over at the end of the cruise?

[JF - retired RRT]

What happens if you have credit left over at the end of the cruise?

If it is refundable - you can go to Passenger Services and ask for a "cash out" or wait for 4-6 weeks and you will get a check in the mail.

 

If it is non-refundable - you lose it if you don't use it.

You can go to the casino and gamble a little. Lose some, maybe win some;). Once you have done a little gambling, if you are in the win column, you can cash out at the casino cashier.

 

OR you can increase your gratuities at PS and give it to the crew.:cool:

[skynight]

What happens if you have credit left over at the end of the cruise?

Non-refundable OBC, you lose it. These credits are noted in the cruise personalizer. Refundable credits, we received a check in the mail about two weeks after disembarking. The check is issued by a 3rd party, the envelope does not mention Princess. The on board accounting system uses up all non-refundable OBC's first, you don't have to specify anything.

[twinkle toes]

So I take it then that Shareholder OBC is non refundable then?

[LeeW]

So I take it then that Shareholder OBC is non refundable then?

 

As others have said, technically yes. But non-refundable are used first, so all onboard charges like gratuities, gift shops, specialty restaurants, photos, bar, and even slot machine direct charges to room account go against these first. Then refundable are used next, then your credit card is charged on the last day last.

 

Casino charges are a bit funny. You can go to the cage and get chips as an advance on your room account (for something like a 3% fee). Shareholder might not work for this if that is the only type of OBC you have. But you can get an advance at a slot machine without the fee and this is just a normal onboard charge. Winnings go into your casino account which you must close on the last night and do not get transferred back to your onboard account.

[caribill]

 

Casino charges are a bit funny. You can go to the cage and get chips as an advance on your room account (for something like a 3% fee).

 

I do not believe the 3% fee is charged anymore.

[johnatsis]

The stock has been a great deal for me - I purchased 100+ shares for less than $30 dollars and have use the OBC on 18 cruise's.

 

Its currently trading $54 and - CCL has made me a happy camper...

FY 2015 $39.01 - $54.21 52 Week Range

$1.20 Dividend with 2.22% Dividend Yield

[twinkle toes]

Wow, that is great!! We wouldn't obviously be getting the 100+ shares as an investment, but just to get the onboard credit. We usually don't get in on the sales, so the only OBC we have would be the shareholder credits. We are doing a 2 week hawaiian on November 25th. If we buy shares this week, would we have enough time to get in on the $250 OBC? So do I read it correct that if I was using the OBC for the casino, and prepaid my gratuities, then if I had winnings in my account over $250, then I could cash it all out and it wouldn't be seen as non-refundable for the first $250 of the winnings?

[caribill]

We are doing a 2 week hawaiian on November 25th. If we buy shares this week, would we have enough time to get in on the $250 OBC?

 

Yes, just FAX a copy of your dated purchase confirmation (with your name on it) of at least 100 shares to Princess (661 753 0180) along with your cruise conformation number, ship name and sail date. Also include your contact information if they have questions.

[moki'smommy]

Given that we have 2 cruises booked, I'm calling my stock guy tomorrow. Yes, the price is near a historical high, but $350 in OBC (for the combined 2 cruises) is basically a 7% bonus right away.....sounds pretty good to me.

[Pierlesscruisers]

The stock has been a great deal for me - I purchased 100+ shares for less than $30 dollars and have use the OBC on 18 cruise's.

 

Although I suspect that you mean less than $30/share, I hope you bought it for a total of less than $30, that would be even better! :eek:

 

Tom

[fishywood]

So do I read it correct that if I was using the OBC for the casino, and prepaid my gratuities, then if I had winnings in my account over $250, then I could cash it all out and it wouldn't be seen as non-refundable for the first $250 of the winnings?

 

For slot credits, yes.

For table game chips, no. Well not officially but somebody probably knows a workaround.

 

While the 3% fee for chips is no longer assessed, to charge them to your onboard account that account must be linked to a revolving credit card, not a debit card or cash deposit or OBC. Done this way so you don't run your account into the red without paying the rest of your charges--and to keep non-refundable OBC from being refunded. (But same possibility of a workaround may exist)

Edited November 2, 2015 by fishywood

[Native Floridian 26]

The stock is an awesome deal! We bought under $30 also and have received OBC on many cruises. On our TA next year, we'll get $250. Also awesome that it's for all the CCL brands, so many lines to choose from when shopping for a cruise.

 

Just don't prepay for your tips, and the OBC will be used towards them. On our TA the prepaid tips are included with the promo, so our $250 just goes for any shore excursions and of course whatever else we buy on board. It's fun money at that point.

[johnatsis]

Although I suspect that you mean less than $30/share, I hope you bought it for a total of less than $30, that would be even better! :eek:

 

Tom

 

Yep it was less than $30 per share in 2012 right after the Costa Concordia problems - I believed in the company so I purchased the stock...

[Grimsby]

What happens if you have credit left over at the end of the cruise?

 

Assuming a 10 day cruise, you would receive a total of $100. OBC. If you spend less than $100. during your cruise, (even exclusive of gratuities), I want to know how you are able to budget so exceptionally well. Our on board bill at the end of any cruise has always been upwards of $500.:D

 

My story: You should always invest in what you know. So in March of 2008 after another great Princess cruise, I purchased 200 Carnival shares at $35/each. In September of that year they were worth about $5.50/each. Fortunately I held on to all of these shares and made a significant profit once the "market" began to recover, plus 7 years of OBC for each cruise on Princess, Carnival, and Holland America. I still hold Carnival shares to this day.

[twinkle toes]

Grimsby,

 

It is a 15 day cruise, thus $250. Since I am on pain meds that don't allow me to drink, I cut a significant amount off of my OBC in the bar bill area.