Mary229

Yes, they get some, undisclosed benefit.  We buy on ship as there is usually a broader wine selection. 

8 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Sorry, wrong company.

 

Viking Line is a Ro/Pax company (aka 'ferry") based in Finland that operates ferries in the Baltic. Totally different company from Viking Cruises. As you correctly stated Viking Cruises, is a private company that does not publish financial results. BTW - this is a common mistake made by those that haven't worked in the industry and I also note that Viking Lifesaving Equipment is also a different company, as they are based in Denmark. Viking Cruises are a Norwegian Company, with a Head Office in Switzerland.

 

Viking is the largest operator on rivers and by 2030 will have the most operational ocean ships behind only Carnival and Royal Caribbean. When combining river, ocean and expedition fleets, I believe Viking are already the largest number of pax vessel in the World.

 

How can the needle not move, when the World's largest ship owner, by number of ships, is not a member of the CLIA club.

Here it is 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_(cruise_line)

https://www.datanyze.com/companies/viking-cruises/120471635
 

The needle won’t  move for two reasons - trends are the same (high demand and aging down) and their revenue and passenger traffic once averaged is suppressed and perhaps significant is not impactful

4 minutes ago, RAS4331 said:

People’s opinions here run the gamut from “the library is a waste of space” to “it’s not much of a library - there is hardly any selection of books.”. I actually think HAL has somewhat of a happy medium.  The library on the Rotterdam, for example, doesn’t  really take up much space.  It is tucked away (and is actually rather hard to find), and the room is compact.  The way the books are displayed (like a bookstore) makes browsing easy, because it’s true that it’s not a “real” library with a card catalog and extensive shelves of books.  I thought it was perfect for looking for something fun or interesting to read while on vacation.

 

If you have an interest in something extremely specific or scholarly, you won’t find it, but if you’d like to sample a best seller, mystery, biography, or even a classic, I think you could find something to enjoy.  I think the library fills a need for those who enjoy having a book to relax with on vacation but may not have brought their own or downloaded books in advance.  It’s just one of those things like bingo, the casino, trivia, crafts, or classical music - none of those are everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s nice for the ship to offer as many options for enjoyment as they can. It is not going to meet everyone’s expectations, but I think it’s something many passengers appreciate having on the ship.

If you have sailed HAL’s older ships they had the ideal libraries and still do. I don’t know why they recreated Barnes and Noble on the ships when they could have simply updated the model they already had.  I think that is the true consternation among us. 

10 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

CLIA is mostly the cruise lines serving the North American market. Doesn't include a number of European Lines with Viking, Hurtigruten, Ambassador, Fred Olsen just some that aren't members. Viking as a ocean, river and expedition cruise line are the biggest non-members.

 

The report also only included CLIA member newbuilds, as I believe Viking have more ships on order that all Carnival brands combined.

 

When discussing alternative fuels it mentioned only 15% of newbuilts will have battery storage and/or fuel cell capability. Not a great percentage, since most CLIA members are still introducing LNG, which burns cleaner, but still requires small amounts of diesel for combustion.

 

Viking has 8 ships on order and all have hydrogen fuel cell technology included. Norwegian companies are also investing heavily in SOLAR and hydrogen, so at least this part of the report is not representative of the industry as a whole.

Here is Viking.  https://www.vikingline.com/globalassets/documents/market_specific/corporate/investors/financial-reports/pressrelease-220218-year-end-report.pdf
 

if you want to add their sales and capacities everything is there to do so. Of course being a private company those are not publicly audited results.  They do not discuss their demographics.   I don’t think it will move the needle. 

4 minutes ago, Pottsy said:

If Egypt, Saudi and Oman are not safe and border the Red Sea, how is 8 days in the Red Sea considered safe by Oceania!!

They will simply sail somewhere else. The cruise will likely become another  Med cruise in Greece and Italy.  It is sad they won’t allow movement of funds.  

If they will let you roll your funds to another trip I would definitely do that now.  Flight credits/vouchers are usually good for one year. 

I always ask them which rooms are available?  That is a little different than picking your own but I usually get at least 2 if not more to choose from. 

Just now, HappyInVan said:

 

Thanks, I'm familiar with the quarterly reports. Doesn't provide much info about HAL.

 

BTW, here's the headline for 3Q report...

 

"CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC REPORTS ALL-TIME RECORD REVENUE AND DEMONSTRATES STRONG THIRD QUARTER 2023 EARNINGS MOMENTUM"

 

That must be why CCL is trading at $11.

Nothing is going to pass HAL’s lips concerning revenue that isn’t approved by corporate.  Most of this data is proprietary and the reports are about as good as the public will get.  

Never count out going on the cruise you really want and traveling independently to Normandy before of after the cruise. If independent travel is not for you perhaps a highly specialized bus tour (large or small group depending on budget)

I always check and carry what is appropriate , in Europe I avoid bringing my carryon on wheels. 

Here is the list of cruise lines who are members.  I think this covers most of us on cruise critic and likely represents the industry as well as any measure

https://cruising.org/en/cruise-lines

1 minute ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Received an offer today for a paid upsell to go from our guarantee OV cabin to a guarantee obstructed view balcony.  This is for our December 5 sailing, 11 nights to Mexico.  They could not tell me why I could not pick a cabin but for $99pp I will take my chances.  After all, our OV was a guarantee so what is the difference?  I was also offered an unobstructed balcony but it was more than I wanted to pay.  We typically do not use our balcony.

If this is on the Koningsdam I have read that all of the obstructed balconies are a good value and in a part of the ship that is “safe from noise”.  Look at the deckplan, there are just a few obstructed cabins.  I actually went from a higher level select cabin down to a guarantee obstructed view once I read the reviews 

3 minutes ago, JRG said:

 

Good to know.   Analysts like to 'stack them and rack them' when they do comparative analysis from year to year to identify and visualize (graph) historical trends.

 

In the case of US shipbuilding,  graphing these year by year will show the composite performance of US shipbuilding relative to the global production and my gut feeling is that we were bringing up the rear but I didn't have anything to back up my suspicion.   

 

You've helped me 'Bag an Elephant' on this one.

 

I like a lot of the other graphs in the report too though.

 

 

 

You may already be aware but here is another website that keeps tabs on the industry.  https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/store/

4 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

Actually, I'm only interested in the data for just a few brands; like HAL.

That is not this report, this is the state of the entire cruise industry.  You would have to go to the SEC website and read the CCL reports. Or here:

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/financial-information/quarterly-and-semiannual-reports

13 minutes ago, JRG said:

 

Mary,  this is a fantastic data set that you have found.

 

 

 

It can be so useful in so many of the threads that are discussed here on CC with everybody having the ability to see the same data,  and from the same source, CLIA.  Who could argue with them.?

 

Me thinks you deserve extra-credit bonus points for finding this golden nugget.

 

Good-bye silly arguments.   The Goose-Egg produced by the USA's relative contribution to Shipbuilding is interesting to those who believe that PVSA is helping protect Shipbuilding.

 

Thank You.

 

 

 

 

They produce this document annually though it was disrupted by the shutdowns.  You can go into their archives and should be able to find previous years.  It is quite the treasure trove of data, I agree. 

46 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

• age of the average cruiser in 2022 was 46.5, with 65% being 40+ (about evenly split between 40-59 and 60+)

Edited 43 minutes ago by Honolulu Blue

I didn’t do the back research but by recollection the average age of cruisers was in the late 50s just a few years ago.  It seems the lines have really made inroads into the family vacation market. They are now competing directly with the large amusement parks and the road trip. Road trips, popular during the shutdowns, will likely start back on the waning track they were on prior to 2020

Demand is high and it appears the average age of cruisers has decreased.  

CLIA_State of the Cruise Industry Report-Sept 2023 Update Live.pdf

34 minutes ago, jules815 said:

How long does it take to receive? 

 

No one knows as they haven’t yet started the registration process

Here is the new Europe Visa page, as Ann mentioned.  You will need this and it can be gotten and carried digitally 

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

Depends ion when you are travelling. Next year, things will change..

 

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

2 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

new my opinion that it makes no sense for HAL to maintain ship libraries, for a relatively few

I agree with most of what you said but this line.  The libraries used to be a gathering spot for quiet activities - reading, games, puzzles, crafts.  Gathering these activities in a single spot with the coffee bar was ideal in my opinion.  Then, they were always full.  Now we have the library void of people, a separate craft area used for limited hours, a separate map area and a separate game area. Just combine like activities in one area is my opinion.  I would not be adverse to including an alcohol bar in this area as well but please, not another noisy lounge with branded, homogenized, pasteurized overly loud music 

17 minutes ago, Thetideishigh2021 said:

This might be a duh question but here goes anyway,  are upgrade offers only made on bookings with cabin numbers assigned or on cabin guarantee bookings as well.  We always choose cabin guarantees as we’re not too bothered about where we are on the ship and also because I sold travel in past years and TA rates are always guaranteed stateroom.   I’ve never had an upgrade offer even after I left the travel industry ,  wah!

 

I have upgraded on a guarantee after room assignment.  It was a poorly positioned room and they offered a few others in that same category for free or for a small fee moving to the next category.  

On 10/18/2023 at 12:05 PM, OlsSalt said:

Roll call poster put us on to a website called "Windy" which tracks ocean winds, waves and temperatures in real time. My own impression was smooth sailing all the way - Deck 8 midship.

 

We did the prior 14 days  up to Kodiak AK and back to Vancouver where they captain did have to maneuver around some rough seas, but again people were still out and about enjoying the Lido throughout it all. 

 

I thought the Noordam sailed extremely well. 

I agree.  I didn’t notice any bad weather on this cruise at all.  A little occasional rocking is nice to remind you that you are at sea.  This was almost placid. I recall carrying a tray with 4 full cups of coffee down  the stairs most mornings. 

2 hours ago, wdw1972 said:

I wonder if it went away when the old style of muster drills went away.  With ships no longer needing to herd all passengers into one space at the same time to accomplish the drill I'm assuming that frees up some of the pre-sailing time.

 

Sue/WDW1972

Not really.  They start calling for people to check in at muster well before sail away.  They want to get underway on schedule.  For checkin and boarding I would arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to sailaway.  For port visit days 60 minutes will do 

Another , yes it can be negotiated.  I usually use the tactic of getting a better room than offered for the price offered. 

2 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

But that could be done on any long cruise. I supposed you were saying that HAL provided enrichment opportunities that were unique or not available on other lines on Caribbean cruises.

And I didn’t say otherwise.  I merely said it does work for families seeking an enriching cruise. Sometimes when we answer the question who is HAL for we forget all of the others who are seeking a quieter, more subdued environment .  
 

And perhaps the lack of distractions, like the amusement parks onboard, does help.