Apollo preparing for Exit?

[Travelcat2]

Another thought, while other Luxury lines are also having sales, probably due to the economy, seems like Regent and Oceania are doing the most advertising and deepest discounts which has to indicate the ships are sailing less than full, at least for a lot of their itineraries.

 

Seabourn, IMO, has had the deepest percentage of discounts and I receive emails from them constantly. Regent is probably pretty close.

[Threechicks]

"Also the significant number of passengers complaining about poor service, surly waiters, overpriced excursions, lack of service from destinations and other current issues certainly aren't good new for a potential sail or IPO. In addition, some recent comments about Regent cutting back on staff, services, food, etc. are the signs of a sinking ship and not what one would expect a company posturing for sale or IPO would be doing."

 

I just completed a cruise on the Voyager and experienced none of the above. It was one of my best cruises. Staff were cheerful, food was excellent, service was excellent, Destinations staff were terrific, and the excursions I took were wonderful, with one exception. I had paid extra for an excursion that I felt was not worth the money. I filled out a form for the Destinations staff and at the end of the cruise I was reimbursed in cash for part of the cost. Sorry to disappoint you but I have no complaints and have several more cruises booked.

 

 

[/i]

[fg159]

At the end of 2011 Prestige cruise holdings (including Regent) will be four years old.Majority owner is Apollo.Most Venture capital or financial buyers look to exit at around 5 years by a trade Sale,market floatation (no pun intended),or by churning to another financial owner.

Am I alone in noticing changes to the business policies of Regent which are typical of a business planning for exit?

 

1 New customers valued more highly than loyalists

For example: Hiking prices to the early bookers and regulars followed by frenzied discounting to maxamise revenues.

For example: Creating a premium class to extract even more revenue from loyalists.

2Capital programmes slashed.

Example:What happened to Regents new ship?

3Operating Cost reductions

Example Serving Italian sparkling wine and calling it Champagne

4Failing to communicate for fear of damaging reputation.

Example Recent Voyager delay in UK port.

 

Its now about 11 months since my last cruise on Mariner (trying Seabourn in a couple of weeks)so I maybe off beam but interested in poster views.

 

i do not know if Regent is going to be sold or not. I do know that in business the bottom line is the number that is looked at. If investors are not receiving the expected returns change will be happening. Cutting cost is not a unique concept to Regent. It happens in every business regardless the size if they are to be in business tomorrow.

As for price reductions the closer you get to the actual sailing. Once the ship leaves the dock with an empty cabin revenue is completely lost. Every mode of transportation or hotel has the same issue. Empty seats or rooms means lost revenue. If you are a gambler than wait until the last moment to book.

I can't honestly blame a company for doing what it must do to secure passengers. I may not like it one bit but I still have a choice on where i SPEND MY MONEY.

If my experience does not meet my expectations then my choice is to find a company that offers me what I expect.

Making a profit is their business. Cut back to much and lose me as a customer.

[xplrcrzn]

Two questions any investor/buyer would ask (1) Is the company making money ("sailing full" does not equal making money) and (2) Is the reward worth the risk ("risk" as in economic trends and condition of the hardware--ships prone to breakdowns, for example).

[wapato2]

"Also the significant number of passengers complaining about poor service, surly waiters, overpriced excursions, lack of service from destinations and other current issues certainly aren't good new for a potential sail or IPO. In addition, some recent comments about Regent cutting back on staff, services, food, etc. are the signs of a sinking ship and not what one would expect a company posturing for sale or IPO would be doing."

 

I just completed a cruise on the Voyager and experienced none of the above. It was one of my best cruises. Staff were cheerful, food was excellent, service was excellent, Destinations staff were terrific, and the excursions I took were wonderful, with one exception. I had paid extra for an excursion that I felt was not worth the money. I filled out a form for the Destinations staff and at the end of the cruise I was reimbursed in cash for part of the cost. Sorry to disappoint you but I have no complaints and have several more cruises booked.

 

 

 

[/i]

 

I just completed the same cruise, and largely agree with your comments, except that the food was excellent.I'm in total diagreement with you there: La Veranda is cetainly no better than Princess or Oceania; Compass Rose Dinner Menu was sadly lacking in choice, and the food was no better than cafeteria quality; worst yet was Prime 7, they are in such a hurry to get you out of there they want you to order your meal before having time to have a glass of wine---the Oysters Rockefeller was a joke, 3 shells on a plate no garnish, and the cheese had been slathered on, not edible, but when the much ballyhooed sole arrived (It had been longgggg frozen) partially trimmed somewhere, and salty as the devil. BUT, when the waiter for the second time dropped food on my wife's lap, and the woman hostess arrived with a cloth and spray bottle, (I envision her now attempting to wash my wife down)---we were out of there. No dinner, no call of apology! The surly staff some people refer to were likely from Romania, Estonia, Poland, their attitude/bearing was much less appealing than the others.

Otherwise, a very good cruise.

[Stevanb]

They above two posts go to show that you never take what people say about food.

 

I think the one thing that everyone can agree on is the liquor. :D

[OrpingtonT]

The surly staff some people refer to were likely from Romania, Estonia, Poland, their attitude/bearing was much less appealing than the others.

 

Such stereotyping should not be acceptable.

[gnld]

It is all economics.

 

First the small ship are not profitable any more. First they are old and upkeep is costly if they go with bigger ships the profit margin is higher. That is why you see no one building them any more

 

Second they always say if crude goes above 70.00 per barrel there will be fuel charge. Well it is way above that mark you see any fuel charges ??

 

 

The food is always going to be talked about But it is very subjective so really that is not a issue .

 

The wine I can not comment about as we do not drink, Wine that is the Martinis are always Absolute

 

They are trying to attract new customers and if they have never sailed on a luxury before would they know that the food has changed or the wine is different All they would know that it is way above any main stream cruise line they have been on the past

 

On Wind Star They have never been profitable look how many people have tried to make it work. People that cruise a lot do not want short cruises. It is a very small section of the public that would take a cruise on a sailing vessel.

 

Every that posts here has been on luxury in the past most likely many times so you seen the changes . But for the new clients there is no change . They have to get new clients.

 

An observation that "small ships are not profitable" and "no one is building them". Silversea brought out the Silver Spirit (540 pax) a year and a half ago. Seabourn has 3 identical new ships (2009-2011) that have 450 pax each. They didn't build these to lose money!

We were on the Wind Surf in January - first time on a WindStar ship. Liked it, but didn't love it. Certainly not a luxury cruise; wouldn't even call it premium (Oceania & Azamara).

[Stevanb]

An observation that "small ships are not profitable" and "no one is building them". Silversea brought out the Silver Spirit (540 pax) a year and a half ago. Seabourn has 3 identical new ships (2009-2011) that have 450 pax each. They didn't build these to lose money!

We were on the Wind Surf in January - first time on a WindStar ship. Liked it, but didn't love it. Certainly not a luxury cruise; wouldn't even call it premium (Oceania & Azamara).

 

 

 

Those are twice the size of the original triplets That is what I ment. It seems like 600 is going to be small now

[Travelcat2]

It appears that Seabourn now has too much capacity to fill -- they end up heavily discounting many itineraries. Unfortunately, the Silver Spirit is being shunned by passengers and crew alike (per the Silversea board, passengers and crew that we have spoken with). They took her off of the world cruise and have her doing short itineraries.

 

Regent seems to have the ship size correct -- even though they would like to build a ship with closer to 1,000 passengers. I would think that small ship builds would not be happening if they are not profitable. Think about how many cabins you have to fill on RSSC or Carnival to equal the cost of one suite on Regent.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

...Unfortunately, the Silver Spirit is being shunned by passengers and crew alike (per the Silversea board, passengers and crew that we have spoken with). They took her off of the world cruise and have her doing short itineraries. ...

 

 

TC, without me wading through the SS board, can you tell us, in a nutshell, why the Spirit is being shunned?

[rallydave]

Think about how many cabins you have to fill on RSSC or Carnival to equal the cost of one suite on Regent.

 

Assume you mean RCCL as opposed to RSSC and what does your statement have to do with anything?? Companies are looking to make a profit and that is determined by the difference between what the actual costs are vs. what income comes in. RSSC is all inclusive therefore their fares include almost all of their income to cover costs plus profit while the mainstream lines, RCCL and Carnival to name a few entice people to cruise with them by having fares that don't cover all the costs or generate any profit. The mainstream lines cover the balance of their costs plus make their profits thru casinos, drinks, speciality restaurants, excursions, etc.

 

A fairly recent show on CNBC followed a NCL ship during a cruise and explained this situation. These ships push the added cost items to make a profit while RSSC's profits come thru the basic fare plus added profit thru the minimal number of extra cost items such as excursions, premium wines and booze, etc.

[Stevanb]

It appears that Seabourn now has too much capacity to fill -- they end up heavily discounting many itineraries. Unfortunately, the Silver Spirit is being shunned by passengers and crew alike (per the Silversea board, passengers and crew that we have spoken with). They took her off of the world cruise and have her doing short itineraries.

 

Regent seems to have the ship size correct -- even though they would like to build a ship with closer to 1,000 passengers. I would think that small ship builds would not be happening if they are not profitable. Think about how many cabins you have to fill on RSSC or Carnival to equal the cost of one suite on Regent.

 

 

If they keep building they will not be able to fill them up. Look at Oceania they built the Marinia and they are taking off 75% already

[Travelcat2]

TC, without me wading through the SS board, can you tell us, in a nutshell, why the Spirit is being shunned?

 

The ship is too small for the number of passengers:

 

1. It is very difficult to walk around tables in the La Veranda equivalent.

 

2. The theater is way too small -- drinks cannot be served there. If you take your own drink in, the small "holder" is quite flimsy and may not hold the glass. The seats are the size of 1 1/2 chairs (small loveseats). Too big for one -- to small for two unless you are intimately acquainted with each other.

 

3. All but four tables for two in the Compass Rose equivalent are flush with the side of a serving station.

 

4. In regular suites, there is a table in front of the bed. If you sit there, the other person cannot walk by. No drawers for the desk or make-up table (made of some sort of plastic material).

 

I could go on and on, but won't since this isn't a SS board. I must say, however, that the Silver Whisper is the most well designed, comfortable ship we have ever been on.

 

Rallydave: Okay -- I get your point . . . and yes, I did mean RCCL. Just don't get why you had to be sarcastic about it:confused:

[Stevanb]

I agree the Whisper was just the right size. Especially when there was only 250 on our cruise Too bad they most likely build them that small . Look like 600 plus is the new small size

[DaveFr]

I agree the Whisper was just the right size. Especially when there was only 250 on our cruise Too bad they most likely build them that small . Look like 600 plus is the new small size

Stevanb,

 

You mentioned that you thought the Whisper was just the right size, especially with only 250 passengers. TC mentioned that there were about 280 passengers on her Whisper cruise. Would you think the Whisper was still just the right size if she was at full capacity of 382 passengers?

 

Dave

[Stevanb]

Stevanb,

 

You mentioned that you thought the Whisper was just the right size, especially with only 250 passengers. TC mentioned that there were about 280 passengers on her Whisper cruise. Would you think the Whisper was still just the right size if she was at full capacity of 382 passengers?

 

Dave

 

 

 

I see no problem the areas are large enough for sure. The only thing I can think of is La Terrazza and Hot Rocks as it is limited sitting especially on formal nights . Just have to make a reservation in advance. Also La Terrazza al fresco dining on the outdoor terrace for breakfast and lunch as it seem like people like that.

[DaveFr]

Thanks, Stevenb.

 

Dave

[countflorida]

We were on board the Whisper in the spring of 2010, San Juan to Ft. Lauderdale, with about 350 passengers embarked, and it seemed fine. We thought it had better food, especially more choices, and significantly better service than Regent, particularly in the suites where everyone has a butler. No noticeable crowding either.

 

We haven't booked Silversea again. Reason: we get too many extra benefits on Regent (SSS - Platinum) that Silversea charges much too much for - alternate dining, the Internet, overpriced excursions, laundry. There was a rumor they were going to match Regent's SSS program, and give long-time Regent loyalists some incentives to switch, but if anything ever came of it, we didn't learn of it. Too bad, we really enjoyed that cruise and particularly the ship.

[Travelcat2]

We were on board the Whisper in the spring of 2010, San Juan to Ft. Lauderdale, with about 350 passengers embarked, and it seemed fine. We thought it had better food, especially more choices, and significantly better service than Regent, particularly in the suites where everyone has a butler. No noticeable crowding either.

 

We haven't booked Silversea again. Reason: we get too many extra benefits on Regent (SSS - Platinum) that Silversea charges much too much for - alternate dining, the Internet, overpriced excursions, laundry. There was a rumor they were going to match Regent's SSS program, and give long-time Regent loyalists some incentives to switch, but if anything ever came of it, we didn't learn of it. Too bad, we really enjoyed that cruise and particularly the ship.

 

Silversea just announced the new person in charge of their loyalty program. Rumor has it that he left Regent for Silversea. If this is true, and they make some changes to their currenty policies, it could be a good thing for all of us.

[wripro]

I understand appreciating all the extras one accrues for loyalty to any cruise line. What I don't understand is choosing a cruise line for free internet or laundry. If I really preferred a different line those extras mean very little in the overall cost of a cruise.

[Stevanb]

If they do anything PLEASE make it on-board credits for people who cruise a lot it is the best way as the free excursions are not what all want to do and some do not email and some do not drink wine so we feel that is the fairest for everyone. Just use it the way YOU want to :D

[Responder]

If they do anything PLEASE make it on-board credits for people who cruise a lot it is the best way as the free excursions are not what all want to do and some do not email and some do not drink wine so we feel that is the fairest for everyone. Just use it the way YOU want to :D

 

Wouldn't doing what you suggest change the entire business and success model that put Regent where it now resides in the world of luxury cruising?

[AWED23]

Wouldn't doing what you suggest change the entire business and success model that put Regent where it now resides in the world of luxury cruising?

...In support of your post, in yesterdays' mail I received 2 brochures from Crystal. They are making a great fuss over their attempt to catch up with Regent by going "All inclusive" next Spring....In the meantime they continually bombard us with flyers offering ever increasing discounts on cruises occuring prior to the launch of their all inclusive program..We took a 2 week RT from Los Angeles to Hawaii on the Symphony the last week of April and the first week of May. It was less than 75% full. In 2 weeks we board the Serenity in Copenhagen for a Norwegian Fiords and Spitzbergen cruise ending in Dover...There is still lots of space available in all categories including the Penthouse Suites with Verandas that usually book first....My interpretation of this is that Responder is right on target when he says that there is no reason for Regent to change it's business model...Especially when the competition is scrambling to catch up....

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I too hope they change their business model. But I think they should return to the original all-inclusive concept, plus the alcohol-included perk that they added a few years back--that addition is a keeper!