bmwman

On 10/5/2020 at 5:32 PM, ABoatNerd said:

 bmwman - we do not have evidence this actually happened. No family ever emerged from this, no one went to the press which is very typical these days for people given their familiarity with social media.

Also possible was MSC issuing this "story" to prop up their plan.

Knowing corporations and the depths they would sink to, don't believe this for a minute.

Agreed about large corps but if it did happen serves them right 

On 10/5/2020 at 1:41 AM, BirdTravels said:

Isn’t this the same as everything else on the cruise. If you want a drink on the ship, you pay their bar prices. If you want a specialty dinner out, you pay their a la crate prices. 

Clearly you do understand keynsain monopolistic behaviour 

On 10/5/2020 at 8:41 PM, MoCruiseFan said:

The final decision was made this morning.  Up until then it was go as planned.

And your evidence or are you on the board of NCLH 

8 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

It's called a monopoly...and you know how those work

Absolutely ... 

14 minutes ago, Gershep said:

I would hope that the cruise lines would lower their excursion prices if this is the only way passengers can do excursions.

In the nicest possible way - dream on they need revenue!

On 9/28/2020 at 9:42 PM, linbobky said:

Another reason to buy the booze package. stay by the pool bar and enjoy the drinks. Every day!

The best answer I have seen 

On 9/28/2020 at 8:53 AM, ziggyuk said:

One family were refused boarding at Naples by MSC after deciding the rules did not apply to them and leaving the excursion "bubble".

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/family-denied-cruise-boarding-coronavirus-msc-naples-italy-a9679536.html

Serves them right - the rules is the rules

Agreed and a good summary. Its now up to the guests if they want to go and get quarantined on return 🙂

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I can't believe this was posted 12 hours ago and nobody had anything to say!

 

So, I will.

 

This is just unacceptable for me.  I like to have fun.  I like to talk to new people.  I like to roam around the ports.  I like a casino with available machines.  I like to dance.  I'm not a drinker or eater.  I can't sit in a corner with a good book either.

 

My life is far from majestic due to the limitations on my normal routine here....but, considering what I'm paying for my upcoming April cruise....if these policies are in force at final payment date....I could really have more fun at home (despite the limitations) with the money that won't be spent on the cruise.

 

I know there will be people who won't have a problem with "the rules" and I wish them a "bon voyage".

 

 

 

Great response and I agree - sadly this is not cruising that I  Iike - so as they say in the UK TV programme Dragons Den I am out! but for those that want to wear a nappy on their face and be fleeced for CCL cruise tours and not talk to anyone on the ship go for it. I will stay on a land based holiday for the moment and wait for normality 

4 hours ago, drsel said:

10 hours ago, ohiocruisemom said:

We made final payment in April! This is what NCL does right before they cancel! 
 

They need your interest free money

That seems to be a very odd business practice - why would they risk reputation by doing that?

10 hours ago, PelicanBill said:

yup. it's a bad sign all right. Sorry.

A bad sign of what? 

20 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Just remember our labor laws are very different in the US.  The federal minimum wage for wait staff is $2.13 per hour.  If they do not make enough in tips to reach the regular federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, the employer than makes up that difference.  However, due to our custom of 15-20% tipping, most wait staff make much more than the statutory minimum.

Exactly - we are very different and we must remember that when in the US - still giving more than 10% is not easy 🙂

On 9/20/2020 at 10:05 PM, Budget Queen said:

On 9/20/2020 at 4:08 PM, pmatawan said:

Back on the 10 day countdown till next announcement. I feel confident that we will see a whole lot more cancellations & changes. I have serious doubts about my booking on the Dawn sailing Dec.1st since it is an 18 day cruise. Would love to go but don't know if Americans will be welcome in Europe by then. If the Dawn does sail, I see it doing 7 day cruises.

 Americans always welcome-  but not now. There is no way there will be any cruising in Europe for non Europeans -.
 

7 hours ago, Trimone said:

It often amazes me when someone talks about tipping they know the exact amount they tipped, if I have a meal out, and automatic gratuity is on the bill, that’s all they get, or if it’s above 10% I alter it, if the bill has gratuity not included I normally round it off to 10%, if the meal was cold, not what I ordered, slow service, I don’t tip anything.

Thats life in the U.K., everyone gets the minimum wage or above.

Well said - In fact I now remove any tip over 10%. 

9 hours ago, GA Dave said:

I live in the USA, have a job that compensates me very well, and have learned to live well below my means.  I like to tip people in many service professions just for the joy of knowing that I made their day a little brighter. 

The guys that delivered my last washing machine?  $50 tip that meant they could have a really nice lunch after their hard work.  The woman who trims my dog's nails?  $10 because she is so kind to him and treats him like her own.  And, particularly since Covid started, the wait staff at every restaurant I have gone to.  My usual 20% has been bumped to 25-30%, simply to thank them for being there and taking risks with their health to serve me that many people would not.

It's the human thing to do.

We are certainly different over here  - no one would tip a delivery driver might offer a cup of tea if they are lucky! Never would anyone offer 30% tip in the UK - (well at least not in the circles  mix) in fact 10% now is the max we would offer. I know a black cab driver (London) who says tips are now  only given by Americans and sometimes others but Brits simply pay by card and leave no tip. I am n0t going to pay the staff wages and when in the US I try and be a bit more generous but never 30%- covid or no covid. 

I think the elephant in the room is this.

I would cruise but I would not risk being quarantined in my room due to either someone else or my party having positive test. With the UK travel restrictions all a bit irrelevant now.

8 minutes ago, FreestyleNovice said:

 

That's some good detective work! So a (short) inaugural Med season for Leonardo 1 in 2022.

Lets hope so!

41 minutes ago, Trimone said:

This subject is flogged to death.

Most US, tourists leave a tip for anything, it’s the culture, most Europeans and British only leave a tip for service above what they’ve already paid for, if you think that’s mean, take a holiday in Yorkshire England.

Tip what you like it makes no difference.

Very well said and I love your comment about Yorkshire. I suggest that you try London Cabs as well now -tips are a thing of the past  As to restaurants my colleagues  say since the pandemic customers simply removing service charge at more than 10% (and that big chains).

I think the issue is that US culture is you work for your tips and expect. Over here - well Yorkshire holiday sums it up 🙂

Tip what you like - exactly - and if that means I do not tip on a ship so be it!

11 hours ago, oteixeira said:

NCL sent out emails in the past few days to a lot of their officers and onboard staff asking them to have their visa and health paperwork in order, I think they are serious this time (about returning).

11 hours ago, oteixeira said:

NCL sent out emails in the past few days to a lot of their officers and onboard staff asking them to have their visa and health paperwork in order, I think they are serious this time (about returning).

I think you are correct they are serious but I wonder how easy getting your papers will be.

19 hours ago, Barcode78 said:

By PvP I assume you mean PCC (personal cruise consultant vs Player vs Player) 🙂

 

Did she reveal any details regarding the discussion to get cruising going in November?  

 

I have a Western Caribbean scheduled to depart January 31st on the Breakaway and if cruises start in November that makes January sailings more confident in terms of fleet redeployments.

 

I snagged a Spa Balcony with all 5 offers for $2300 bucks and will be disappointed if it doesn't sail 🙂

 

However if it doesn't sail I will just try again.

 

 

 

Great deal but you have not really snagged anything as these are the current prices and are good but plenty of inventory. I hope that they are sailing again by then but  that cruise for a B9 cabin tonight on the UK website converting at $1.30 =£  equates to $2,189 and there are deals on other websites. It is rather good value but I can not risk another deposit stuck with NCL. Hope you sail and if these prices hold may be thee to and get away from UK winter if Quarantine subsides!! (BTW that is to  be your next door neighbour :))

On 9/15/2020 at 11:15 PM, oteixeira said:

@Falckon sorry that you are about to find out you can't post positive news here. I am with you, can't wait to see the ships sailing from the USA. 

You  are very correct but this was not positive news its was pure speculation from the travel press

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Just like when the airlines went bankrupt, it was business as usual the next day. 

It will not as there is too much outside and investment and funds. You may well travelled but I can assure fund mangers will not let it be business as usual. New board and asset stripping at worst.

Anyway why are we talking about this again aint going to happen is it

With the restrictions here in the UK and  gathering clouds in Europe I am not hopeful of November 2020 start. The Europe cruises are starting to fall away if you look at the sites and moreover they are for residents of the port of departure country only.  So its up to you USA - BTW Seaman your comment is funny but true!

13 hours ago, sunny aurora said:

 

They have already started building the first one.  It's very early in construction but a start has been made.

And so have other ships that are now stopped. At present there is no money for more than one of them (read the SEC filings)abut debt being rescheduled). The fact is when you lose what is likely to be 1 years profits and have new secured lenders and investors who want a return of capital there is no way 6 ships are going to be built. They simply will not allow their cash to be used in that way.

The further reality is that cruise pricing will not hold up as can be seen already fro 2021 prices. So FDR business model is shot to  pieces. Sadly I forsee the NCL brand being sold off  as it may be the only way investors see a return of capital

I know this is a cruise lovers site but sometimes we all lose a sense of business reality.  I can assure that at present if this first one is built it will be at least 30 months before a second is built. The corporate finance world if you have never been in it, is at times not a nice place to be and dog eat dog is sadly the truth of this. NCLH has made the following statement to the SEC.

If you only read the first line it tells you everything DEBT is 5 times more than cash available to repay it (if it had to) what is supporting is the mortgage of assets. NCLH is not even in control of its own destiny!!!

You will see they are now trying to sells 2022 cruises and even 2023 and get YOUR deposits why because management of all lines know the truth that 202 1will be a tough year too and most cruises will be FCC. 

Even credit card companies are now holding cash back I have seen from cruise lines (hearsay so I do not the truth of this) but please cruisers accept that the product on offer into the future is not going to be as we know and love it and this may be the start of the decline and the growth of resort hotels again. I know where i am investing!!!

"Balance Sheet and Liquidity Position
As of June 30, 2020, the Company’s total debt position was $10.3 billion and the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $2.3
billion. The Company believes it was in compliance with all debt covenants.
In July 2020, the Company closed on a series of capital markets transactions to further bolster liquidity and extend its debt
maturity profile. As a result of significant demand, oversubscription and the full exercise of the option to purchase additional
ordinary shares and partial exercise of the option to purchase exchangeable senior notes, the total amount of gross proceeds were
approximately $1.5 billion. The triple-tranche transaction consisted of (i) approximately $288 million public offering of common
equity, (ii) $450 million 5.375% exchangeable senior notes and (iii) $750 million 10.25% senior secured notes, the proceeds of
which were used in part to repay the existing $675 million short-term revolving credit facility.
Following the recent capital markets transactions, the repayment of the $675 million short-term revolving credit facility and
customer deposit refunds payable1
, total pro-forma liquidity is approximately $2.8 billion as of June 30, 2020. Total shares issued
and outstanding as of July 21, 2020 are 275.6 million.
“We continue to adapt to this unprecedented and fluid environment and take swift and proactive measures to reduce costs,
conserve cash and enhance our liquidity profile,” said Mark A. Kempa, executive vice president and chief financial officer of
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Our recent capital raises have enabled us to extend our debt maturity profile and secure
additional liquidity providing us with a strong foundation to withstand the impact of COVID-19.”"

Leonardo - you assume it will be built!!! there is no appetite to borrow more money or for that matter to lend it either.

NCL Crew or team  ? 😉