My take on the current state of NCL.

[bkrickles1]

5 minutes ago, ace2542 said:

Is NCL headed toward bankruptcy do we think? They can only cost cut so far.

Lol!!!

Why would you possibly think that?

They are sailing at, or close to, full capacity on every sailing!

The majority of live reviews on these forums have been mostly positive too.

There has been cost cutting on all of the comparable lines, yet they are all filling their ships.

I'm voting no on if they are heading towards bankruptcy.

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

Is NCL headed toward bankruptcy do we think? They can only cost cut so far.

I don't think NCLH is going to go bankrupt for a whole lot of reasons I won't go into right now. But, of the major holding companies, I do believe NCLH has a better chance at going bankrupt than CCL or RCL. 

 

There are other, better threads here (that haven't been updated lately) discussing NCLH stock. You might want to go read those, rather than starting a discussion here on this one since it's a more upbeat thread regarding NCL. 

[PATRLR]

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

They can only cost cut so far.

NCL: "Hold my beer...."

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, ace2542 said:

Is NCL headed toward bankruptcy do we think? They can only cost cut so far.

NCL Bankrupt?  Seriously?

 

It is true all of the cruise lines. They all had to take on a large amount of debt to stay afloat during the shutdown.  That's true of the ones based in the U.S.  Cunard, owned by Carnival, was at one time a cruise line I suspected would be sold off.

 

Cunard has not been immune to cost cutting as they are reportedly doing the same.  Their parent Carnival is forcing them to do so.  Are you saying Cunard is susceptible to bankruptcy as a brand?  They have way fewer ships to spread out their cost structure.  I'm sure they are on their own P&L.

 

If I were a betting man, I'd bet on NCL to be strong and healthy.  I keep jumping in and out of their stock as proof of my belief in their health.

[bkrickles1]

3 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

NCL Bankrupt?  Seriously?

 

It is true all of the cruise lines. They all had to take on a large amount of debt to stay afloat during the shutdown.  That's true of the ones based in the U.S.  Cunard, owned by Carnival, was at one time a cruise line I suspected would be sold off.

 

Cunard has not been immune to cost cutting as they are reportedly doing the same.  Their parent Carnival is forcing them to do so.  Are you saying Cunard is susceptible to bankruptcy as a brand?  They have way fewer ships to spread out their cost structure.  I'm sure they are on their own P&L.

 

If I were a betting man, I'd bet on NCL to be strong and healthy.  I keep jumping in and out of their stock as proof of my belief in their health.

I've been trading NCLH on every dip and spike too.

Let it keep going from 14 to 20 and back down to 14 and I'll keep doing it.

It's been easy money!

[Sailing12Away]

On 3/19/2024 at 5:06 PM, graphicguy said:

Do not see a lot of difference between a Balcony and a Club Balcony on NCL.  Club Balcony does have a somewhat nicer bathroom.  And, has some "perks" (like a free load of laundry).  But, overall FAS covers everything I want with NCL.  As you point out, there can be a large delta between Balcony and Club Balcony.  Way not worth it for some free laundry and a bigger bathroom sink.

 

Just looked at the cabins via pictures on both Viking and Oceania Lowest Balcony cabins, which are quite similar to NCL's.  Oceania offers some wine and specialty dining, but so does FAS on NCL.

 

Both offer smaller ships.  

 

Have looked at Oceania a few times at the suggestion of my TA.  Just didn't find anything I found that interested me nor at a price point I was willing to pay.

 

But, to be totally frank, there is NO WAY I'd spend anywhere near $10K+ for a cruise.

 

Got to shop a bit, but sailed the Epic in a 2BR Haven Suite with FAS, 11 nite Mediterranean for well under $5K....all in.  $5K is my hard limit for any "lux" cruise.

There's more to it than that. Nothing wrong with staying at a Holiday Inn, but it's certainly not the same experience you would get staying at a Ritz. It's the little things, the types of linens, the fixtures in the bathroom, the furniture, room size, the little touches. Can you still have an amazing vacation without marble sinks, fresh flowers, and 1000+ count egyptian sheets? Of course. If not, none of us would be here on the NCL boards. But if the prices were somewhat similar, wouldn't you rather be at the Ritz when the occasion called for a vacation splurge?

 

But that's my point and rationale in saying you can't compare a basic balcony on NCL to a basic balcony on those other lines. It's the little things beyond the basics that add up to justify the higher prices beyond extra sqft, free mini fridge access, unlimited specialty dining, etc. Plus the rom sizes are much bigger on the other lines, more akin to the club balcony rooms at least on these older NCL ships.

 

Since you're not in the realm of 10K vacations, those things may not matter to you at all. But for folks like myself who do splurge for mostly Haven trips on NCL, we hit that price point often - and at that price point you question what else are you not getting for that money that you can get from another line. Since you've stayed in the Haven - can you honestly say the experience and touches within the room are the same from your regular balcony room to your Haven room? Bathroom sink is the same? Shower is the same? Decor/touches the same? Room size/comfort the same?

 

To keep things as fair as possible, here's Asian trip options on the 3 lines, and comparing 3 cabin types on NCL Sun (Sky is sold out for suites for that trip), all around the same month. Your own logic - who in their right mind would consider paying 6-7K for a basic balcony room on NCL when many of us have been able to get into the Haven at that price point? For that extra $260/day I will gladly take the upgrade where you get 100+ things for it and the overall experience will be significantly different with half as many passengers around you.

 

But again - completely depends on the person. Folks who are not afraid of NCL free air program can have substantial savings (those luxury lines don't have good pricing on flights at all unless you pick business class). Folks who don't care about wifi, specialty dining, the spa, robes, fancy linens.... not a value add to them so they'll stick with whoever is cheapest.

 

Viking vs NCL Sun in a Club Balcony - would love to hear the rationale for wanting to pay more for NCL (beyond the casino argument for those who like to gamble).

 

[Distinctive-Destinations]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I don't think NCLH is going to go bankrupt for a whole lot of reasons I won't go into right now. But, of the major holding companies, I do believe NCLH has a better chance at going bankrupt than CCL or RCL. 

 

There are other, better threads here (that haven't been updated lately) discussing NCLH stock. You might want to go read those, rather than starting a discussion here on this one since it's a more upbeat thread regarding NCL. 

In all fairness, if anything is to be read, the current financials of NCLH (which is free and publicly available) is a much better source.

 

I wouldn’t take anyone’s financial advice on here.

[cruiseny4life]

13 minutes ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

In all fairness, if anything is to be read, the current financials of NCLH (which is free and publicly available) is a much better source.

 

I wouldn’t take anyone’s financial advice on here.

Well of course. If one is going to make an investment they should go to NCLH's website. This is the site for those curious: https://www.nclhltd.com/. 

 

If one just wants to discuss the financials or read what others are saying, I'd say Cruise Critic is a good source to do so. I wouldn't ever make an investment decision based on what I read here or on Motley Fool or pick your financial blog. I would discuss (and have) it with my financial advisor. 

[bkrickles1]

1 minute ago, cruiseny4life said:

Well of course. If one is going to make an investment they should go to NCLH's website. This is the site for those curious: https://www.nclhltd.com/. 

 

If one just wants to discuss the financials or read what others are saying, I'd say Cruise Critic is a good source to do so. I wouldn't ever make an investment decision based on what I read here or on Motley Fool or pick your financial blog. I would discuss (and have) it with my financial advisor. 

As a Financial Advisor myself, I concur.

[graphicguy]

Well....you're right about one thing.....I'd never spend $10K on a 7-14 day cruise on ANY cruise line.  I'm a value cruiser.  If I see the value, I'll book a cruise.

 

It's my perception, but based on your comparisons, I do NOT see the value going from a NCL Balcony cabin to an NCL Club Balcony Cabin.  I've sailed in both.  Using your chart, Club balcony runs arrpox $5K to $9K more...for a bigger bathroom sink, and a bag of free laundry.

 

Further, your comparison shows Oceania and Viking to be $3K-$4K more for their standard balcony to NCL's standard balcony.

 

Not trying to dissuade you.  Just saying I just don't see the value equation.  While probably not fair, I've seen some YouTube vids of both Viking and Oceania.  Not my cup of tea.  But, that's more of a personal preference.

 

I'm a simple man.  If I can wake up overlooking the water or a foreign port, I'm happy.  If the food is better than I can cook at home, I'm happy.  If the beer is cold and the bourbon good, I'm happy.

 

I'll treat myself by sailing in the Haven on NCL or the Retreat on Celebrity.  But, I'd never forgive myself if I ever paid more than $5K for either.

 

Then again, I've owned BMW's, Cadillacs, and Mercedes'.  I currently have a Honda Accord.  Know what?  My Accord makes me happier than the other ones I just mentioned because it runs well, is comfortable, is cheap to buy, maintain and own, which I couldn't say about all those other ones.

 

Point being, thread count doesn't mean a hill of beans to me.

 

But, I'm feeling feisty today.  So, take my post with a grain of salt. 😉

[graphicguy]

My financial advisor is typing this.  I trust him about as far as I can throw him.

 

Actually, let me amend that, my financial advisor got me to retirement with debt paid off, the ability to cruise where ever I want, for however long I want,  live in a house I built, while financing my son's 4 years in a private Jesuit school, 4 years undergraduate school leading to a Computer Science Degree.  Being able to not worry about dining out at nice restaurants, visiting some of the most iconic places in the world, etc.

 

I wouldn't consider him smart, just able to learn from his mistakes, which he's made a lot of over the years.

Edited March 21 by graphicguy

[Distinctive-Destinations]

S&P index historically beats just about every financial advisor over time.

 

I own 100 NCLH for the cruise credit. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

On 3/17/2024 at 11:03 PM, Panhandle Couple said:

Two other posters have validated that they personally saw "Prom Night" on the Viva in the theater.  Why is that so had a concept to grasp?  How many freakin Prom nights does NCL perform?  Yeah,,,only 1. 

 

Let me be one more poster to confirm...

 

On my Viva transatlantic in November 2023, the Syd Norman band and singers performed their "Prom" show at the Viva Theater, not at the Pour House. The theater was decorated and converted into a prom dance hall so it was one big 80s dance party.

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

9 hours ago, ace2542 said:

Is NCL headed toward bankruptcy do we think? They can only cost cut so far.

Reducing costs leads to bankruptcy?  That doesn't sound quite right.

[ChiefMateJRK]

5 hours ago, graphicguy said:

4 years undergraduate school leading to a Computer Science Degree.

I'll bet he could tell @ChiefMateJRKhow he mucked up that four nines reliability thing.🤣

[IAcruising]

9 hours ago, ace2542 said:

Is NCL headed toward bankruptcy do we think?

 

Not as soon as we actually, you know, start thinking.

 

 

 

Edited March 21 by IAcruising

[ChiefMateJRK]

5 hours ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

S&P index historically beats just about every financial advisor over time.

 

I own 100 NCLH for the cruise credit. 

Bingo.  I'm a 100% buy and hold total US market index fund investor (I'm sure you meant that the total return of an S&P 500 index fund beats just about every advisor.  Heck, I'm sure just the index growth ignoring dividends does as well).

 

That said, I bought those 100 shares of NCL as soon as I got smarter, and I'll have those until I stop cruising.  Best dividends anywhere! 😎

[Distinctive-Destinations]

41 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Bingo.  I'm a 100% buy and hold total US market index fund investor (I'm sure you meant that the total return of an S&P 500 index fund beats just about every advisor.  Heck, I'm sure just the index growth ignoring dividends does as well).

 

That said, I bought those 100 shares of NCL as soon as I got smarter, and I'll have those until I stop cruising.  Best dividends anywhere! 😎

Yeah, SPY or VOO (or several others). SCHD is my main fund.

 

Best part of the “dividends” from NCLH is they aren’t taxable…lol

[Oceansaway17]

On 3/15/2024 at 2:28 PM, PATRLR said:

Absolutely my observation as well.

and that includes the Wizard of OZ show on the new Icon,.  Getting rave reviews.

[laudergayle]

On 3/21/2024 at 11:27 AM, bkrickles1 said:

I've been trading NCLH on every dip and spike too.

Let it keep going from 14 to 20 and back down to 14 and I'll keep doing it.

It's been easy money!

Yes, for sure.  I’m waiting for the next dip. Sold NCL near $20 to get 100 CCL for upcoming cruise.  Have enough banked to buy NCL on the dip before I need to apply for another NCL shareholders OBC.  😊

[IAcruising]

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

 Have enough banked to buy NCL on the dip before I need to apply for another NCL shareholders OBC.  😊

 

Don't confuse me with a financial advisor, but I wouldn't count on a big dip anytime soon.

 

[Panhandle Couple]

On 3/21/2024 at 8:28 AM, cruiseny4life said:

I don't think NCLH is going to go bankrupt for a whole lot of reasons I won't go into right now. But, of the major holding companies, I do believe NCLH has a better chance at going bankrupt than CCL or RCL. 

 

There are other, better threads here (that haven't been updated lately) discussing NCLH stock. You might want to go read those, rather than starting a discussion here on this one since it's a more upbeat thread regarding NCL. 

One cost NCL is holding down is advertising. I have seen RCL, CCL, Virgin and Viking ads on TV, but no NCL.  NCL cut their mailing ads way down. I still get Princess mailings every 6 weeks, and I have only sailed them once. 

And NCL is still around 99% capacity overall.  

[IAcruising]

27 minutes ago, Panhandle Couple said:

One cost NCL is holding down is advertising. I have seen RCL, CCL, Virgin and Viking ads on TV, but no NCL

 

NCL is huge on cruise vlogger YT videos (at least mine). I get few mailings. It's the difference between mass bombing and a more surgical approach.

 

[laudergayle]

1 hour ago, IAcruising said:

 

Don't confuse me with a financial advisor, but I wouldn't count on a big dip anytime soon.

 

❤️u.  But I didn’t say big.

[IAcruising]

10 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

❤️u.  But I didn’t say big.

 

Personally, I wouldn't give a 🐀's arse about the price. 😎  Buy it, get the benefit, sell it or wait. No-brainer.