Can Royal Caribbean Group Avoid Hitting a Debt Iceberg?

[hcat]

51 minutes ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

Outstanding FCC's are .4 billion compared to 5.67 billion in regular customer deposits. COVID FCC's no longer expire. 

So  how are they counted.. potential debit if used??? Finances not my lane...but its like unused gift cards..but they expire.

[Mike981]

3 hours ago, hcat said:

FCC

 

My thought as well, are we still seeing higher rates  because of them.

 

3 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Pretty far from an apples to apples comparison as most don't cruise to US ports of call and there are also airbnbs which can be far cheaper than hotels.  There are some very luxurious land resort AIs that are extremely affordable in Caribbean

 

I would love to hear about some of these AI's you speak of.

[NutsAboutGolf]

56 minutes ago, Mike981 said:

 

My thought as well, are we still seeing higher rates  because of them.

 

 

I would love to hear about some of these AI's you speak of.

 

Look in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen; with most of travel, there isn't any "fixed" prices, it's dynamic based on occupancy.  But for one example, in Playa Del Carmen next weekend to the following weekend (7 nights) there is a RUI for $251/night all in for two adults.  You get a room that's the size of Celebrity suite, fast internet, free drinks, free food, activities, a nightly show, several huge pools and its beachfront with free loungers.  Staying static at a AI resort every now and then is a nice change up from a cruise

[QuestionEverything]

Another point of view - cancel cruises.

We, and our friends, have cancelled 4 cruises and replaced them with 2 escorted tours with Globus and Trafalgar in Europe with a return to NY on the QM2. 

We never had an FCC, so we are unencumbered with our travel $.

Suffice it to say - do not presume that cruising has "strong bookings".

The more the cruise lines cut back, the more that moves former customers like us to reduce cruising.

We cancelled Oceania cruises due to their "Simply More" new configuration of mandated shore excursions, alcohol etc. Oceania is Cancelled until they return to their previous configuration.

Regarding Celebrity, the butler file, total cost saving bull from C. 

Cruising used to be our 1st go to, no more. All travel options are on the table.

 

 

[phoenix_dream]

5 hours ago, Saturngrl said:

I've posted before and will post again, there are numerous opportunities for Royal and Celebrity to eliminate waste without eliminating jobs or quaility of service.  I was asked if I worked for the cruise line on our last Reflection cruise, because I openly observed expensive waste.  The lines won't get ahead by cutting crew, by cutting items from the buffet or raising drink prices.   

 

Oh, how I wish they had a certified Lean professional working for them, like me!  

I hear you on your last point. Not a Lean certified professional but managed several corporate wide business process re-engineering projects and I go nuts watching some of the business processes, in ships and otherwise.  But my real dream would be to re-engineer government processes!

[hcat]

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Look in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen; with most of travel, there isn't any "fixed" prices, it's dynamic based on occupancy.  But for one example, in Playa Del Carmen next weekend to the following weekend (7 nights) there is a RUI for $251/night all in for two adults.  You get a room that's the size of Celebrity suite, fast internet, free drinks, free food, activities, a nightly show, several huge pools and its beachfront with free loungers.  Staying static at a AI resort every now and then is a nice change up from a cruise

we have enjoyed  Sandals....Nassau Bahamas..go suite or concierge.. excellent accomodation.. lg ocean view balc .treated like Royalty.. complete in rm bar set up.

 

Only extras were  Red Door SPA ..( great prices)  shopping and a few extra  tips.. great restaurants/ bars. workout space with ocean views,    night time  events...music.. quiet and active pools, off shore island with pool and lunch...and they offer excursions too. 

Maybe we'll go back sooner than planned!

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

32 minutes ago, hcat said:

we have enjoyed  Sandals....Nassau Bahamas..go suite or concierge.. excellent accomodation.. lg ocean view balc .treated like Royalty.. complete in rm bar set up.

 

Only extras were  Red Door SPA ..( great prices)  shopping and a few extra  tips.. great restaurants/ bars. workout space with ocean views,    night time  events...music.. quiet and active pools, off shore island with pool and lunch...and they offer excursions too. 

Maybe we'll go back sooner than planned!

 

 

Sounds like fun!  Some even have waterparks and lazy rivers...Many of us would love for cruise ships to have a lazy river going around the perimeter of the entire lido deck.  The icing on the cake is it might even reduce the number of chairhogs...lol

[hcat]

4 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Sounds like fun!  Some even have waterparks and lazy rivers...Many of us would love for cruise ships to have a lazy river going around the perimeter of the entire lido deck.  The icing on the cake is it might even reduce the number of chairhogs...lol

honey moon couples get reserved sun loungers. That's . not us....but we never were without places to lounge at either pool or at the island pool..  We might try another Sandals in the Bahamas that offers golf for dh..

 

The one we went to involved easy flights, small clean airport, limo pick up and champagne at check in...

 

All in price at the time was same as a cruise on Reflection which we cancelled in lieu....felt a beach vacay would be more relaxing at the time!

[sgmn]

13 hours ago, bnurick said:

Not being snarky, but picked a Friday night at Walt Disney World.  Kinda shocked.

  

I was also pleasantly surprised after hearing how high hotel rates are in USA,   we got very good rates for a Hyatt hotel in Tampa for this September. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

3 hours ago, hcat said:

honey moon couples get reserved sun loungers. That's . not us....but we never were without places to lounge at either pool or at the island pool..  We might try another Sandals in the Bahamas that offers golf for dh..

 

The one we went to involved easy flights, small clean airport, limo pick up and champagne at check in...

 

All in price at the time was same as a cruise on Reflection which we cancelled in lieu....felt a beach vacay would be more relaxing at the time!

We spend 15 years going to All inclusive resorts from Brazil to Panama to Cuba 

it was nice to have air , transfers included in the price 

But don’t have any great  desire to sit on a beach now , like to go and see other places 

Do like doing transatlantic / repositioning cruise , see someplace with seadays 😁

Never taken a Caribbean cruise and really don’t want to do one 

[budmeister]

18 hours ago, bnurick said:

 

We are feeling their debt retirement plan. Not complaining, just stating.

 

Us too.  Other companies are also going the business model of  increasing prices and lowering services, losing  middle income people cannot pay more and keeping people that can pay a lot and still find the service worth having, - rather than doing without. 

 

I may find myself as the middle squeezed out, but I do understand. This is business, and I am not owed a price or service if it is not in the best interest of the company. 

 

That said, I  hope the company finds my customer level to be valuable in the future! 

[budmeister]

16 hours ago, hcat said:

So  how are they counted.. potential debit if used??? Finances not my lane...but its like unused gift cards..but they expire.

 I am curious too. 

[budmeister]

19 hours ago, basenji56 said:

When a Hampton Inn costs more than $300 a night in a nice area, cruising is a relative bargain.

 

Even at 1350.00(pre-fee/taxes/ext.)each for a cruise, and all expenses considered, I still found a 7 day less expensive and more relaxing enjoyable vacation than a land Florida vacation. The difference is that I can do a 5-6 day vacation, skip flying in the night b4, and cut my costs. So, they will not lose me be because of lack of value, but because simply too much money is required.  

 

Unfortunately,  my 750-950 each preferred price point may be a lack of value to the company. 

Edited August 3, 2023 by budmeister