Harry Peterson

I've lost a pretty sizeable chunk of money on these shares, having very stupidly bought them primarily for the OBC. My loss, my fault, and I'm certainly not complaining - just observing. Logically I should sell now - I think there's a fair chance they'll ultimately be worthless. The OBC still tips the balance and prevents me from taking the logical step, but mentally and financially I've long since written them off altogether. If I depended on the sale proceeds, I'd definitely sell now. The company will doubtless continue in some shape or form, but it will be the ordinary shareholders that lose out, and probably lose all or most of their investment. Anyone who took a punt on Eurotunnel shares back in the day will know exactly what I mean.

That's an excellent move from P&O if it's a new general policy. Might encourage a lot more people to book, if they could be sure that they weren't 'overpaying' with dynamic pricing. I wonder whether it is a general policy, or whether it's just specific cruises? Moley?

Who said Lincolnshire was a dull county! 😀

That was my first thought. 23 December 2021 by the looks of it: https://www.sharecast.com/news/broker-recommendations/berenberg-maintains-target-price-on-carnival--8932554.html

Thanks - that's useful to know. I wouldn't fuss like this under normal circumstances, but unfortunately my underlying neurological condition means that Covid is particularly risky, and the medication used to treat the condition knocks out the vaccine - double whammy! FFP3 mask, and the next comment I get from someone telling me I shouldn't be wearing a mask any more will be politely advised that I work in a Monkeypox clinic and that it's standard policy to protect the public - just watch them back off! Social distancing returns! 😉

Thanks Wowzz - appreciated! With Covid rates increasing again and a compromised immune system stopping the vaccines working I'll find a quiet time - mid-afternoon perhaps. If it's crowded it'll be a takeaway, but that's a last resort!

It is. Papas, however, on Cleethorpes Pier is a very nice fish and chip restaurant serving amongst the best in the country. Hull based company with several branches serving proper Yorkshire fish and chips, skin off of course and fried in beef dripping. Not keen on their haddock pizzas though. 😱

On my list too. If you happen to see this while you’re there, would you mind having a look at the outside tables (on the pier) to see whether they’re for two or four, and whether they’re well spaced apart? I’m guessing they’re in full sun?

That's interesting - and if it means fairer pay for those the cartel operate against, good luck to them! Even if it means slightly higher prices. The argument has always been that Carnival et al are paying the market rate, so if the market rate's increased that's good news in my book. Well done Virgin (though I suspect it's probably going to be a temporary phenomenon)!

Is it that bad now? I remember huge shopping trips to the Sainsbury/BHS SavaCentre there, which opened around the time we moved to Hutton. Massive place at the time, and Basildon was a thriving shopping centre. Big M&S at one end, and SavaCentre at the other, as I recall.

Sorrento - what a great place to go, and what a great time to go! One of the best holidays we ever had was based there. So relaxing, such good food, and so many places to visit.

If there's any truth in this, I'd imagine the suite passengers will be pretty unhappy about it - given that one of the key reasons quite a few (including us) book suites is the breakfast experience in Epicurean. Goodness knows there are precious few other benefits!

Not sure whether this applies to UK bookings, but: https://www.rclinvestor.com/contact-us/faqs/shareholder-benefit/

Sure, Zap - I predict that it will be won by a horse. Or, for older members, that it needs replacing urgently by a combi boiler. 😉

Not sure which bit of the 'Harry route' that is, mrsgoggins, but on two particular issues almost all of the predictions have, unfortunately, been fulfilled. I wish they hadn't.

I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way. The share price reflects the perception of the value of the company, but doesn’t change it. Carnival could issue new shares to raise capital, often done via a rights issue to existing shareholders, but that obviously depends on people buying them, and as things stand buyers might be thin on the ground.

Pineapple shorts you say? A friend of mine was asking the other day, purely coincidentally, where one might obtain said items………

They might well do that, but unless they linked it with a rights issue (which they might well do) it wouldn't actually bring in any new money to the company. Not sure that a rights issue would go well in the current climate though!

Interesting email from Hargreaves Lansdown today. I have an ISA with them, and it now contains just the one share (because I sold everything else last year, thinking the stock market was too high) - Carnival. It started like this: "Dear Mr Peterson, Based on your current HL account, your portfolio could be a little risky. We wanted to let you know taking more risk doesn’t always pay off, and offer some tips to help manage risk on your terms." Do they know something I don't? 😉

Great question. Great tactics. But impossible to predict how P&O would react. They might ask you to cover up, but as you rightly say it’s entirely up to you how you dress, or don’t dress, in your own cabin. Mind you, that would also apply at a window in your house that happened to be overlooked by a public highway, and you’d probably get a visit from HM Constabulary - we have a very strange attitude to nakedness in this country!

I very much sympathise. Our children have long since left home and produced their own, but when we took them on holiday the children's clubs that were available were an essential part of the holiday for all of us. They absolutely loved the company of other children, and we had a bit of valuable time to ourselves, knowing that they were safe. To have booked in the expectation of getting that, but not getting it, must have been a huge disappointment, and I can fully understand how you'll feel about the experience.

Most definitely not.

Very good points made there - P&O are marketing some sort of luxury cruise experience, which it would very much once have been. But it's not now. It's OK, but certainly not in line with the marketing. "Chic accommodation Enjoy the comfort of a luxury hotel, complete with all the trimmings. From a quiet space to lay your head, to something a little more indulgent, everyone has their own style. We've got a range of accommodation to suit all travellers." Really?

To answer the original question, which was “When will Carnival shares be worth buying”, my personal view, having lost around £3300 on them so far, would be very simple - when they’re around 10p and you’re happy to lose £10.

Having ignored all my previous self warnings about buying shares for the perks and bought at around the £40 mark, at which point all the predictions were upwards, this has been a costly exercise! I’ve mentally written off the lot now - just one of those things, and a warning not to buy shares unless you’re prepared to lose the lot. Having said that, though, the Barratt shares bought for similar reasons a long time ago when we were moving frequently (never used the discount in the end though) have been the best investment we ever made. Original cost repaid many times over and still producing sparking dividends!