Just bought my CCL stocks!!

[Colo Cruiser]

It is one's own personal decision. Mine is up over 50%

 

Mike:)

 

 

Mine too. :D

[LARGIN]

Mine too. :D

 

Mine too.. :D

[veggie59]

If you have a retirement plan like an IRA, you can purchase stock with the money in the account.

 

We have IRA CD's at a local bank plus 401K's. Not sure how we could do it as part of a retirement plan.

[Colo Cruiser]

We have IRA CD's at a local bank plus 401K's. Not sure how we could do it as part of a retirement plan.

 

You may be able to purchase them through your 401k plan administrator.

[veggie59]

You may be able to purchase them through your 401k plan administrator.

 

Oh ok...thanks.

[FLACRUISER99]

Well, yeah...if...you have $3000 to invest in a stock that's down a full 50% from its 52-week high, don't mind tying that up in a stock that's underperformed the S&P by something like 6% over the past year, and should - if we're indeed going into the double dip of a big recession - probably suffer from a lack of disposable income. As part of a large, diversified portfolio with a long horizon, no problem. If you plan on - and will have the resources to take - two or three long cruises per year and usually charge 250 or more in non-gratuities to your onboard account, sure; it provides a cushion against stock decline. But if I'd bought 100 shares (the bonus minimum) on 1/1/10, I'd now be about $150 poorer on paper. The same amount in my low-risk GNMA fund has apppreciated by a bit over $200 by then. The difference is more than the OBCs for three 7-day cruises, $100 more than the OBC on a two-weeker.

 

Blanket stock market advice? Let the buyer beware.

I dont know where you went to school but 52 week high = $44.21 closed Yesterday at $30.44 more like 25% Stock closed 12/31/09 @ $31.51 for a loss of $100 + $300 OBC = a $200 gain. I know the stock could go to $0 and I would still be way ahead.

[shepp]

I dont know where you went to school but 52 week high = $44.21 closed Yesterday at $30.44 more like 25%.

 

Sorry, had a senior moment...we're both wrong (it's over 31%, actually, so nearly a third, not a half) but you're closer. However, that doesn't obviate my basic point. The OBCs (which have to be used on marked-up goods and services, not on you'll-pay-em-anyway gratuities or turned into cash at the casino) do not make CCL a can't lose proposition. I'm genuinely glad for the people who've made a killing. But if someone had bought 100 shares 4 months ago, they would have a big paper loss equivalent (unless my math fails me again) to almost six maximum OBCs. And CCL is nearing its 12-month lows and the market's been crumbling. Maybe a buying opportunity here, but maybe not. Buying the stock's not stupid, but neither is it a no-brainer just because you'll get free drinks.

 

Speaking of which...I generally, because I'm either wise with money or cheap, you're choice) book my own shore excursions and bring a couple of bottles of wine, so for me, being able to spend $100 on an activity I could do on my own for much less would kinda lessen the return. If you're the sort who always books Princess excursions, buys photos, and drinks martinis, you'll get a better rate of return. But in the real world, OBCs are not the same as, oh, cash (unless you can cash them out, which you can't in this case, right?) in figuring a real rate of return.

[bhopal21]

The OBCs (which have to be used on marked-up goods and serivces, not on you'll-pay-em-anyway gratuities or turned into cash at the casino) do not make CCL a can't lose proposition. quote]

 

Sorry, but that is not true either.

 

The OBC can be used for anything charged to your onboard account whether it be spa services, the bar, onboard shop purchases or gratuities. It is simply a credit to your account, no restrictions.

 

Mike:)

[spunkie4]

Good move! We have already recovered our investment through OBC.

 

Shirley

[shepp]

Sorry, but that is not true either.

 

The OBC can be used for anything charged to your onboard account whether it be spa services, the bar, onboard shop purchases or gratuities. It is simply a credit to your account, no restrictions.

 

Mike:)

 

Not having any stock-related credits, I can only trust what I read in Princess' materials linked above: "This benefit is not transferable and cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account."

 

Of course, it wouldn't be the first time Princess-in-theory differed from Princess-in-practice.

[bhopal21]

Of course, it wouldn't be the first time Princess-in-theory differed from Princess-in-practice.

 

Exactly:D And this is another one of those. The credit is no different than any other and can be used against anything that may be charged to your account.

 

Mike:)

[WeBeGone]

If I only had the stockholder credit of $100, and spent nothing (fat chance :rolleyes: ), I could still use that $100 as a cash advance in the casino. There are absolutely no restrictions. It just shows as a credit at the top of the column. Our gratuities eat it up (and more) in a heartbeat.

[Colo Cruiser]

 

Not having any stock-related credits, I can only trust what I read in Princess' materials linked above: "This benefit is not transferable and cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account."

 

Of course, it wouldn't be the first time Princess-in-theory differed from Princess-in-practice.

 

 

Contrary to what policy says....

Its posted as OBC which is used for any onboard purchases including auto tips.

[caribill]

 

Not having any stock-related credits, I can only trust what I read in Princess' materials linked above: "This benefit is not transferable and cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account."

 

 

The onboard accounting system is not sophisticated enough to tell one type of credit from another. All credits will show up on your onboard account and charges will be subtracted from them no matter what the source of each charge.

 

Maybe someday the programmers will figure out how to do the accounting differently, but I would not expect that anytime soon.

[shepp]

Contrary to what policy says....

Its posted as OBC which is used for any onboard purchases including auto tips.

 

Gotta say, then, that that's a big enticement for me to buy the shares shortly before my 14-day canal cruise next year...

 

But after a 6% plunge in the market over the past few days, I'm thinking that maybe my stock position is high enough for just now.

[Putterdude]

[SIZE=4]Well naturally I purchased mine at almost the top end of the price range and now am off almost $425:(....but I really only bought them for the stockholder's benefit. Interestingly my IA wouldn't buy the stock for our accounts instead suggesting I open an online account.[/SIZE]

[trixiee]

[quote name='shepp']Well, yeah...if...you have $3000 to invest in a stock that's down a full 50% from its 52-week high, don't mind tying that up in a stock that's underperformed the S&P by something like 6% over the past year, and should - if we're indeed going into the double dip of a big recession - probably suffer from a lack of disposable income. As part of a large, diversified portfolio with a long horizon, no problem. If you plan on - and will have the resources to take - two or three long cruises per year and usually charge 250 or more in non-gratuities to your onboard account, sure; it provides a cushion against stock decline. But if I'd bought 100 shares (the bonus minimum) on 1/1/10, I'd now be about $150 poorer on paper. The same amount in my low-risk GNMA fund has apppreciated by a bit over $200 by then. The difference is more than the OBCs for three 7-day cruises, $100 more than the OBC on a two-weeker.

Blanket stock market advice? Let the buyer beware.[/QUOTE]

OOH! Great advise - thanks! I've had enough stocks tank in the past 2 years. I need to use some caution if I ever want to cruise in a suite higher than a mini! :p

[rdsqrl]

[quote name='paul929207']If you have a retirement plan like an IRA, you can purchase stock with the money in the account.[/quote]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=indigo]Paul, thank you very, very much! I knew nothing of this. I'll be getting on to my accountant before my next cruise.! I have no idea what my IRA monies are doing but I'm sure there's enough in there to buy 100 shares. At least this I would get some actual benefit from right now. Really, seriously, a huge thank you -- I would never in a million years have found out you could do this as I don't involve myself in financial matters. I'll have to hoist a (stockholder credit-purchased!) martini in your direction on my next cruise![/COLOR][/FONT]

[bhopal21]

You do need to check into that. I have had a "self-directed IRA" for years and it is very easy to buy and sell stocks with the click of your mouse. No restrictions and as long as you don't touch the money you can pretty much do as you wish with it.

Mike:)

[paul929207]

Your accountant should be able to help you place the trade.

[cruiser113]

[quote name='veggie59']How do you get the stocks to work as part of your retirement plan??[/quote]


We called our broker and requested enough monies from our common trust fund to cover 100 shares of stock. Actually did it all via e-mail. Just a redistribution of our retirement account...........so just a good return on our investment.

[catergirl]

thats my point...with the pitiful interest rates earned, why not, and i did:D

[ctguy001]

[B][COLOR="DarkRed"]How many other companies pay dividends that equal Carnival's Shareholder Benefits? I've used it on 15 cruises so far, so it's already almost paid for the stock.[/COLOR][/B]

[paul929207]

[quote name='ctguy001'][B][COLOR="DarkRed"]How many other companies pay dividends that equal Carnival's Shareholder Benefits? I've used it on 15 cruises so far, so it's already almost paid for the stock.[/COLOR][/B][/QUOTE]
The OBC is better than a dividend, it is tax free.

[FLACRUISER99]

[quote name='shepp']Sorry, had a senior moment...we're both wrong (it's over 31%, actually, so nearly a third, not a half) but you're closer. However, that doesn't obviate my basic point. The OBCs (which have to be used on marked-up goods and services, not on you'll-pay-em-anyway gratuities or turned into cash at the casino) do not make CCL a can't lose proposition. I'm genuinely glad for the people who've made a killing. But if someone had bought 100 shares 4 months ago, they would have a big paper loss equivalent (unless my math fails me again) to almost six maximum OBCs. And CCL is nearing its 12-month lows and the market's been crumbling. Maybe a buying opportunity here, but maybe not. Buying the stock's not stupid, but neither is it a no-brainer just because you'll get free drinks.

Speaking of which...I generally, because I'm either wise with money or cheap, you're choice) book my own shore excursions and bring a couple of bottles of wine, so for me, being able to spend $100 on an activity I could do on my own for much less would kinda lessen the return. If you're the sort who always books Princess excursions, buys photos, and drinks martinis, you'll get a better rate of return. But in the real world, OBCs are not the same as, oh, cash (unless you can cash them out, which you can't in this case, right?) in figuring a real rate of return.[/quote]Even though they state you that you cannot use them for tips or the casino [B]You Can![/B] I do agree with you that you should not purchase just for the OBC. I happen to have purchased mine when I had 2 14 day cruises booked so $500 OBC right off the bat looked good to me. Also you can cash out the OBC's for cash at the casino for a cost of 3%.