Israel Next week Voyager

[CrushIt]

39 minutes ago, kjbacon said:

A couple years ago, we were booked on a Viking Ocean cruise that had a drastic itinerary change due to Covid. They graciously offered full refunds, not just FCC’s, for those of us who were not interested in the changed itinerary.

And how much did that gain them in public relations? More than it cost them to do refunds and FCC’s.

[Pcardad]

3 minutes ago, CrushIt said:

And how much did that gain them in public relations? More than it cost them to do refunds and FCC’s.

On the other hand, NCLH's top priority are the stockholders. If they felt they could be more profitable in the long run by issuing refunds they would certainly do so. One can only assume that they analyzed the situation and felt it was not the path to follow at this time otherwise they would have done so. Still, as I noted in the beginning, this is a fluid process and I have seen similar situations in the past that evolved through multiple steps until finally resolved...as this one has already begun to do.

[TheShag]

2 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

On the other hand, NCLH's top priority are the stockholders. If they felt they could be more profitable in the long run by issuing refunds they would certainly do so. One can only assume that they analyzed the situation and felt it was not the path to follow at this time otherwise they would have done so. Still, as I noted in the beginning, this is a fluid process and I have seen similar situations in the past that evolved through multiple steps until finally resolved...as this one has already begun to do.

I would hope that NCLH takes a more balanced approach than stockholders only. In my business experience,  Business Performance; Customer Satisfaction; Employee Satisfaction; and Corporate Reputation & Image all have to be examined and balanced off against each other when making critical business decisions. If any of these are 'ignored/downplayed then, over time, it will spell the end of any publicly traded company.

[welshfamily]

We too hope all cruising on the Voyager have boarded safely and by now enjoyed a good meal and several adult beverages.

Lets hope the onboard experience relives the stress of all these changes.

Hopefully Regent will increase their offer to you all.

[Lonedaddy]

1 hour ago, Pcardad said:

On the other hand, NCLH's top priority are the stockholders. If they felt they could be more profitable in the long run by issuing refunds they would certainly do so. One can only assume that they analyzed the situation and felt it was not the path to follow at this time otherwise they would have done so. Still, as I noted in the beginning, this is a fluid process and I have seen similar situations in the past that evolved through multiple steps until finally resolved...as this one has already begun to do.

When I got my mba (a long long time ago) the marketing professors said the cost to lose a loyal customer is ten times  less than the cost to gain a new customer.

[Pcardad]

1 minute ago, Lonedaddy said:

When I got my mba (a long long time ago) the marketing professors said the cost to lose a loyal customer is ten times  less than the cost to gain a new customer.

I am not saying they are right. However, there are only a fixed number of cabins and they are at a projected 103% occupancy. Perhaps this is a reason they are slowly making adjustments for cancellations/FCC's.

[Lonedaddy]

58 minutes ago, welshfamily said:

We too hope all cruising on the Voyager have boarded safely and by now enjoyed a good meal and several adult beverages.

Lets hope the onboard experience relives the stress of all these changes.

Hopefully Regent will increase their offer to you all.

I must say boarding was a very quick process once the bus navigated the traffic.   There was a huge line at the shoreex and if you didn’t get there early you got screwed.  The offerings were very limited compared to what you see on the website.  Hopefully the find more capacity.  
 

Our Luggage was delivered very quickly but it was 545 before I unfinished packing and hit the bar.  Sette mar was good although they didn’t open the terrace.  Drink service was a little slow but probably because we have been so stressed the last week.  
 

they said pax count was just under 600 so a fiat amount canceled or didn’t make it.

 

lonedaddy is back out of jail thanks texasrocks for filling in!

 

and hey I won 20 bucks at the casino !  

[NYC-London]

1 hour ago, Pcardad said:

On the other hand, NCLH's top priority are the stockholders. If they felt they could be more profitable in the long run by issuing refunds they would certainly do so. One can only assume that they analyzed the situation and felt it was not the path to follow at this time otherwise they would have done so. Still, as I noted in the beginning, this is a fluid process and I have seen similar situations in the past that evolved through multiple steps until finally resolved...as this one has already begun to do.

I think Pcardad hit it in the nose - within the next 30 days NCL is expected to have their third quarter earnings call and NCL has not been doing as well as their competitors and there is a great deal of pressure on the C suite to their stockholders. I am sure this is their number #1 priority - however, this may prove to be very short sighted, but when it comes to the market, that is the thinking instead of looking at the long game and the need not only to keep their current customers, but also to attract new customers. In the realm of all cruising passengers, only a very small percentage can afford to travel at the level of Regent and those that can have choices. No matter the product, almost all try to appeal to the more affluent section since this is the one demographic least likely to be affected by an economic slow down. While retail sales are hurting, there is an upscale mall near to where I live that has few few empty storefronts and is always crowded and on Sunday one has to fight for a parking space, as I just did a few hours ago (anyone living in North NJ or the suburbs of NYC know which mall I am referring to). But this segment of the overall population is quite small and are usually well educated consumers. Regent may be able to fool people once or twice,, but if too many people feel that the fancy brochure is just marketing hype and cannot deliver the product promised, they will not be able to retain their current customer base, let alone attract new long term customers. The couple I met at the diner last week is a perfect example - this would have been their first Regent cruise and the likelihood of them booking another Regent cruise is slim to none and with just a little bit of common sense and customer courtesy it did not have to be that way.

[NYC-London]

17 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

I am not saying they are right. However, there are only a fixed number of cabins and they are at a projected 103% occupancy. Perhaps this is a reason they are slowly making adjustments for cancellations/FCC's.

I know you have quoted this 103% occupancy for quite some time, yet it seems that they are constantly have various promotions to sell certain cruises and selling excess capacity through discount travel websites at significantly reduced rates. I do see that the very popular cruises are waitlisted only but there are quite a few with plenty of availability. I follow a website that lists "last minute" discount cruises and there are quite a number of Regent cruises and if I had the available vacation time, I would be booking one of them in a heartbeat.

[roninman]

1 hour ago, Pcardad said:

On the other hand, NCLH's top priority are the stockholders. If they felt they could be more profitable in the long run by issuing refunds they would certainly do so.

 

Executive suites are notorious for being short-sighted and self-serving, quite often at the expense of shareholders, customers, business partners.  Making number for this quarter makes my bonus for this quarter.   What happens a year or two from now we'll handle then... or my successor will have to deal with, since my good numbers right now will land me a sweet offer from the next cruise line offering me a promotion.

 

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by roninman

[PaulaJK]

Hello NYC. We are Short Hills Mall locale. The one you mean? Yes, very interested in Lonedaddy’s MBA mention. I guess surprised since not MBA..but I can say that world of mouth is very strong here…in malls, clubs, etc.

[Pcardad]

38 minutes ago, NYC-London said:

I know you have quoted this 103% occupancy for quite some time, yet it seems that they are constantly have various promotions to sell certain cruises and selling excess capacity through discount travel websites at significantly reduced rates. I do see that the very popular cruises are waitlisted only but there are quite a few with plenty of availability. I follow a website that lists "last minute" discount cruises and there are quite a number of Regent cruises and if I had the available vacation time, I would be booking one of them in a heartbeat.

I hear you. The number came from a public filing from NCLH.

Is it the Short Hills Mall?

Edit - didn't see Paula's post but I grew up right there.

Edited October 15, 2023 by Pcardad

[irishwitchy]

On 10/11/2023 at 4:35 PM, melbox4 said:

Friday the 13th is a “global Jihad day

Yup, Short Hills Mall in my stomping ground, also.  So I’m weigh in on the topic of Regent and what happens when the itinerary you paid goes sideways.    
 

Years ago,  we had picked out a cruise that had Turkey, Israel and Egypt.   Well, Turkey had issues and it was looking like Egypt was next, but Regent wasn’t committing to canceling the Egypt ports or not.  We dropped the cruise,  we had plenty of time and didn’t lose any money.  Glad we did this,  the cruise turned into a cruise of the Greek islands, which we had no interest in.   Sounds like the current issue.  History does  repeat itself.  
 

This past year we got on the Explorer in New Zealand after being promised the ships hull was just fine.  It wasn’t,  we both really feel that Regent didn't care and lied to everyone.  We missed a bunch of stuff I wanted to do.  We did get money back and  very nice credit.  However,  we will never cruise anywhere again that I really want to see the stuff in the middle of the cruise. 
 

So we took the credit and we are booked a nine day cruise August 2024 between Turkey and Israel, that way I could do a land trips before and after and I really didn’t care about the ports in the middle.  Will that happen, who knows.  I may just have to change this to a quick local cruise to use the credit.  
 

I would have been very upset, if I needed to go on this current cruise, which has turned into a Greek island cruise.   I’m only 64,  but I think I will be sticking to land trips, that I can control instead of being at the mercy of paying for one thing and getting something very different.  

[RD64]

One thing is for sure - when the dust settles - all of the cruise lines will be tightening their rules regarding cancellations / flights / different ports / etc. Everything will be spelled out specifically and to the letter of the law. 

[cwn]

13 minutes ago, irishwitchy said:

Yup, Short Hills Mall in my stomping ground, also.  So I’m weigh in on the topic of Regent and what happens when the itinerary you paid goes sideways.    
 

Years ago,  we had picked out a cruise that had Turkey, Israel and Egypt.   Well, Turkey had issues and it was looking like Egypt was next, but Regent wasn’t committing to canceling the Egypt ports or not.  We dropped the cruise,  we had plenty of time and didn’t lose any money.  Glad we did this,  the cruise turned into a cruise of the Greek islands, which we had no interest in.   Sounds like the current issue.  History does  repeat itself.  
 

This past year we got on the Explorer in New Zealand after being promised the ships hull was just fine.  It wasn’t,  we both really feel that Regent didn't care and lied to everyone.  We missed a bunch of stuff I wanted to do.  We did get money back and  very nice credit.  However,  we will never cruise anywhere again that I really want to see the stuff in the middle of the cruise. 
 

So we took the credit and we are booked a nine day cruise August 2024 between Turkey and Israel, that way I could do a land trips before and after and I really didn’t care about the ports in the middle.  Will that happen, who knows.  I may just have to change this to a quick local cruise to use the credit.  
 

I would have been very upset, if I needed to go on this current cruise, which has turned into a Greek island cruise.   I’m only 64,  but I think I will be sticking to land trips, that I can control instead of being at the mercy of paying for one thing and getting something very different.  

As I have said before if you really want to visit a place, do a land trip. You can t really see a place in a few hours on a bus or van tour or even with a private car and driver. Cruising is a wonderful way to to have a relaxing vacation and maybe get a taste or a neat site or two but making that special port always comes with sone risk.

 

Sibce we retired we have traveled around the world twice, once for 5 1/2 months and once fie 4 1/2 months. Both times we patched the weeks long land sections with connecting cruises of 2 to 3 week cruises. I really don’t like flying given a choice so we drove ourselves or had a car and driver for the Asian countries.

 

In 2018 we did the WC and had a ball visiting favorite sites or places we had eaten again during the port stops. We missed several special ports due the accident and weather which was disappointing because we will never get there again, never the less the cruise wasn’t ruined and we had a good time. 

[kathy49]

23 minutes ago, RD64 said:

One thing is for sure - when the dust settles - all of the cruise lines will be tightening their rules regarding cancellations / flights / different ports / etc. Everything will be spelled out specifically and to the letter of the law. 

Also think insurance coverage maybe needs to be evaluated to include cruises changing itinerary by more than 50%. I think some claiming are going to have a problem if the cruise is still going and not allowing cancellations for credit. Right now there seems to be no protection for passengers when the product they purchase is significantly different from that actually offered.  

[kathy49]

1 minute ago, cwn said:

As I have said before if you really want to visit a place, do a land trip. You can t really see a place in a few hours on a bus or van tour or even with a private car and driver. Cruising is a wonderful way to to have a relaxing vacation and maybe get a taste or a neat site or two but making that special port always comes with sone risk.

 

Sibce we retired we have traveled around the world twice, once for 5 1/2 months and once fie 4 1/2 months. Both times we patched the weeks long land sections with connecting cruises of 2 to 3 week cruises. I really don’t like flying given a choice so we drove ourselves or had a car and driver for the Asian countries.

 

In 2018 we did the WC and had a ball visiting favorite sites or places we had eaten again during the port stops. We missed several special ports due the accident and weather which was disappointing because we will never get there again, never the less the cruise wasn’t ruined and we had a good time. 

I am a big proponent of land travel to concentrate on one or two destinations and really get a feel for them...however for many that requires lots of planning, details to be arranged and sometimes travel between places is not that easy. In the case of the cruise at question this is a very easy way for those not interested in arranging all the details to get a look at places they may otherwise never visit. Egypt and Israel with overnights...I can see why these itineraries are popular especially as one gets older.

[rallydave]

37 minutes ago, RD64 said:

One thing is for sure - when the dust settles - all of the cruise lines will be tightening their rules regarding cancellations / flights / different ports / etc. Everything will be spelled out specifically and to the letter of the law. 

Don’t believe there will be any tightening or any needed. The terms and conditions  (rules) are well spelled out and not ambiguous at all. Believe the problem is that the vast majority of cruisers fail to read or understand the rules and believe the cruise lines are completely responsible for everything which is the furthest from the facts

 

No need for any tightening at all. 

[rallydave]

20 minutes ago, kathy49 said:

Also think insurance coverage maybe needs to be evaluated to include cruises changing itinerary by more than 50%. I think some claiming are going to have a problem if the cruise is still going and not allowing cancellations for credit. Right now there seems to be no protection for passengers when the product they purchase is significantly different from that actually offered.  

This is not the purpose of insurance. If this were to happen look for cruise insurance costs to significantly increase. 
 

we already have this with cancel for any reason and those costs are significantly higher and in most cases only cover approx 75%.   Be careful what you ask for as the results will cause unintended conquences.  

[wcsdkqh]

14 minutes ago, rallydave said:

Don’t believe there will be any tightening or any needed. The terms and conditions  (rules) are well spelled out and not ambiguous at all. Believe the problem is that the vast majority of cruisers fail to read or understand the rules and believe the cruise lines are completely responsible for everything which is the furthest from the facts

 

No need for any tightening at all. 

Absolutely correct. The terms and conditions are very specific, people just don’t like it when their enforcement affects them personally, and I am sympathetic to that position.

[cwn]

34 minutes ago, kathy49 said:

I am a big proponent of land travel to concentrate on one or two destinations and really get a feel for them...however for many that requires lots of planning, details to be arranged and sometimes travel between places is not that easy. In the case of the cruise at question this is a very easy way for those not interested in arranging all the details to get a look at places they may otherwise never visit. Egypt and Israel with overnights...I can see why these itineraries are popular especially as one gets older.

Any itinerary that includes stops in the Holy Land is a very tempting way to visit there because one feel some protection with the all inclusive nature of cruising.
 

We did exactly that …a Med cruise Athens to Rome almost like this one in the late 90’s. Things seem to be calm at the time, we hadn’t booked too far ahead and all worked out. But we also knew and accepted the risk of missing those ports, The options for the cruiser have not changed… insurance didn’t cover acts of war and the ship could change the ports to keep us safe with no refunds as long as the cruise sailed. Though airline changes were easier to deal with then. We have tried do a cruise including the Holy Land with Regent since then, but things got iffy around final payment time so we canceled. We were to sail from India to Istanbul. Couldn’t change the air so figured out a land trip in India and added a flight back to Europe and did a land trip in Germany. Score flying home! We are trying for Israel again in 2025 with Regent but time will tell. We self insure and have been doing it long enough that we are ahead. We also know and accept the cruise T and C are in the cruise lines favor and that probably will not change in the US anyway. The customer beware. My parents taught me to read and be sure I understabd ever contract I ever sign. They were wise people.

Edited October 16, 2023 by cwn

[cruiseluv]

2 hours ago, PaulaJK said:

Hello NYC. We are Short Hills Mall locale. The one you mean? Yes, very interested in Lonedaddy’s MBA mention. I guess surprised since not MBA..but I can say that world of mouth is very strong here…in malls, clubs, etc.

Short Hills Mall! Would that be near Summit, NJ by any chance? 

[NYC-London]

16 minutes ago, cruiseluv said:

Short Hills Mall! Would that be near Summit, NJ by any chance? 

Although everyone calls it the Short Hills Mall, the official name is The Mall at Short Hills (I guess that sounds fancier) and yes, it is very close to Summit, which is the next town over

Edited October 16, 2023 by NYC-London

[NYC-London]

2 hours ago, PaulaJK said:

Hello NYC. We are Short Hills Mall locale. The one you mean? Yes, very interested in Lonedaddy’s MBA mention. I guess surprised since not MBA..but I can say that world of mouth is very strong here…in malls, clubs, etc.

Winner Winner Chicken dinner - yes that is the correct mall!

 

 

[NYC-London]

2 hours ago, Pcardad said:

I hear you. The number came from a public filing from NCLH.

Is it the Short Hills Mall?

Edit - didn't see Paula's post but I grew up right there.

Yup, that is the mall - wouldn't it be funny if we all know one another

 

Columbia High School grad