WanderingTravels

They recorded a non-cash "private derivatives loss" of $2B in 2023.  That is defined as "the non-cash loss (gain) on the remeasurement of the fair value of the derivatives associated with our Series A Preference Shares, Series B Preference Shares and Series C Preference Shares. Our Series A Preference Shares and Series B Preference Shares are no longer outstanding since the issuance of Series C Preference Shares in 2021. Our Series C Preference Shares will automatically convert to ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of this offering."

Without that non-cash loss the company would have reported a $1.1 billion EBITDA, impressive.

6 minutes ago, wolfie11 said:

In the past eight years or so - Alaska, Japan, the Med, British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Panama Canal, South America, and Antarctica. Before that some cruising in Europe, Asia, China, and Cuba.  

I meant where besides the Caribbean and Med would you like Virgin to go?  The ships are big so they do have limitations.

7 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

I cruise a lot.  In the last few years I’ve been on Princess, RCI, and Celebrity, as well as Viking, Regent, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Alaska Dream Cruises, and Virgin.  I really can’t stand the mainstream cruise lines anymore.  They nickel and dime, everything is a hard sell, constant announcements to urge people to the casino, shops, art auctions, bingo, and whatever else makes them money. And they absolutely lie to you.  I recently cruised Virgin and I have to say, they made cruising fun again.  Everything was pretty laid back with no frantic efforts to get you to spend, spend, spend.  Sailor’s loot so I could choose a budget that matched my drink consumption rather than having to spend almost the cost of another cruise on a drink package that was way more than I’d ever use.  Lots of free “classes” and activities that have mostly been discontinued on the Walmarts of the Seas.  I would gladly go on a Virgin cruise again.  My problem is that of all places in the world to go, the two I loathe the most are the Caribbean/Mexico and the Med in summer.  I wish they would expand their itineraries to more interesting places and I would jump onboard anytime.

Like where?

On 3/7/2024 at 1:48 PM, Host Dan said:

As I was looking over my final cruise docs from SD, I noticed that my suite is NOT listed as a murphy bed only.  (Notice the difference between affected suites on SDI and SDII)  I assumed the rep made a mistake, and quoted SDII.  My TA called, and was told that it was an error, and that, indeed, my suite is Murphy bed only.  A pretty substantial mistake, I'd say.  My TA was told that initially when the suite was booked, SD relies on the TA community to educate the client on such matters.  My TA had absolutely no idea that my suite was inferior. How in the world would he know that?  The only reference he had was the brochure from SD, and it was wrong!  SD did offer to move us to a normal suite, only as a paid upgrade. 

 

Hopefully this will be a lesson for future guests.  I'm done worrying about the details, and am looking forward to the service one comes to expect, onboard.

VERY unfair for SD to point fingers at the travel agent, shameful!  

Is that $10k per person or per couple?

Speechless!

Are goggles necessary?

4 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I'll second the recommendation, and explain.  It's about quality.  Viking's ships have the highest number of passengers crammed into the same size hull; AMA has more room per passengers in every area (public, and cabin sizes).  AMA spends more on food per passenger than Viking [according to the Berlitz River Cruising guide].  AMA has more choices of shore excursions and they are all included [I couldn't believe the recent thread about a Colmar tour on Viking costing $159 per person – that tour is free on AMA], and the groups are smaller.

 

One other thought: all pre- and post-extensions on all cruise lines are pricey, but with AMA at least the same Cruise Director accompanies you throughout so you have a high level of service and continuity. 

But when you factor in their air deals isn’t Viking substantially less than AMA?

If you’re from the US, Viking is the best value.

No worries on itineraries that visit Holland & Belgium, usually sailing round trip out of Amsterdam.

Symphony received new engines, is that true?  

On 9/4/2023 at 8:02 AM, crusinbanjo said:

Not sure if this is the right thread for thi, but just in case Azamara management is reading, here goes.

 

This week, the first of my two final payments are due, and I will make them on time, but there has been absolutely NO communication from Aza at all. No reminders of upcoming payments, no emails on excursions, no communication about OBC that was promised, no promos for future cruises, nothing.  It is like I fell off the radar or maybe they lost my email address?  I don’t know, hopefully all goes well, but Aza is not making a good first impression!  

Curious, did you book with a travel agent or direct?

Royal is more popular than Celebrity

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

4,300 passengers (double occupancy).  New ship with a very youthful vibe.  Complaints about cutbacks on Princess generally (as about most mass market cruise lines trying to pay off the Covid borrowings).  Your kids and grandkids will probably like it a lot – and you will enjoy traveling with them...

Well said!

17 minutes ago, Wildcatllamas said:

Wow I hadn't heard about Celebrity. I bet that is going to be a nightmare. I have even been using different browsers, going back and forth between my two laptops and work computer (don't judge me 😏and constantly clearing my cache and cookies. Just keep hoping.

Now that Celebrity has a new president they are just changing some ships around to meet demand.  I just read Summit is moving from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale, much easier to get to so that's a plus.

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Silversea, Regent, Crystal, Seabourn, Ritz, etc. all have years of luxury expertise. My travel agent, who belongs to the largest network of luxury travel agents, pointed out to me she’s never heard of Seaside hotels and neither has her network.

I sailed Aquaclass on Beyond in April.  Turn down service was done twice a day and we received the little chocolates each night.  Blu was the best included restaurant and the Eden restaurant was the best overall, though pricey!  The buffet was crowded and the food was very mediocre.

In a BIG way, four ships!

19 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

I have found out that Crystal will be announcing a new build sooner than we might have thought.

Details?  You’re leaving us in suspense.

Would love to see pictures of the Bistro, I spent a lot of time in there over the years!  LOL

Past Crystal river cruiser here, go with Tauck...they do a very nice job.

On 7/17/2023 at 3:16 PM, Cloud9 Bob said:

I'm curious about something and maybe someone with a maritime pay grade higher than mine can answer this. Who would be responsible for this? Would it be the Harbor Pilot or the ships Master or Staff Captain? Just a fun fact to add in, I visited the SL bridge last year and asked all the officers there which port was the worst to negotiate and they all said Port of Miami at night due to it's narrow apporoach.

The Captain is ultimately responsible because the pilot is just there as an advisor.

Definitely not chaotic and plenty of quiet areas around the ship.

2 hours ago, SCruiseFam said:

Hopefully. 
 

I consider myself to be Virgin’s target demographic ( I’m in my early 30s, fairly tech savvy and I’m looking to have a fun/easy going time on vacation) and still its Day 2 on Scarlet Lady and I’m not looking forward to the rest of this vacation. 
 

Let’s start with the cabin. It just doesn’t get cleaned? No seriously, I’ll leave my cabin for hours and hours in the morning or at night with the light on indicating I’d like my cabin cleaned and no one stops by to clean it. Day 2 and I don’t know what stateroom attendant looks like or if I have one. Im

used to the Oasis class ships of Royal Caribbean, you know where you can leave your cabin for 15 minutes to get a coffee and come back with your bed made and towel monkey.
 

Next, the Galley. The idea of the Galley is great: take a seat, someone stops by to take  your order and they deliver your food to you. The problem is execution has me preferring the frustration of the buffet because what actually happens is you take a seat and wait 30 minutes or so to grab someone’s attention and then another 30 minutes for you to get 1/2 of your order and a lot of apologies. 

The positives? When the food eventually comes it’s actually very good. And I love the amount of quiet places to sit on this ship. 
 

I hope Day 3 and onward gets better and I actually get my cabin cleaned and my french toast, but I honestly don’t think I’ll sail on the Scarlet Lady again. 
 

Someone needs to convince Royal Caribbean to have an adult-only ship 😞 

how many people are on your sailing?  A while ago someone posted their personal observation, based on several cruises, the more full the ship the more slow the service.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I have sailed three times in the past year and each sailing was less than half full.  Let them focus on the four they have, bigger is not always better.