Frank Del Rio: " . . . the emphasis will continue to be push prices up . . .

[maywell]

You have to realize that they think by voicing their displeasure that NCL is going to roll everything back to "how it was". The only policy that was really reversed was the food back to the cabins and I feel that was done because (1) NCL new full well when it was announced that they could never enforce such a stupid rule and (2) all the negativity they got from the news media. Some folks had issue with what Mr. Sheehan did, some have issue with what Mr. Del Rio is doing and, guess what, there will be some that have issue with what the next CEO does when that time comes. I think we would all like some things to go back to the way they were or to never change, but the world doesn't work that way.

Both points which I previously said - No, I personally don't believe NCL going to rollback everything because they still made millions /billions despite the changes and are still filling out ships, even the mega ones. A la like what happen with Dawn & Jewel-class ships - it's just history repeating itself except it with Breakaway-class ships being the "too big" and other ships being "small". It's ironic, when one thinks about it.

 

Regarding complaining about whomever in charge - well, that always going to be something that never really changes (in this forum, anyway.) Won't shock me either if the poster start calling Del Rio/Stuart angels like they do now with Sheehan, when the new CEO takes over, lol.

 

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[SuiteCruiser]

I think refurbished ships, dry docks, new ships IS improving cruise experience.

 

Drydocks and ship improvements have always been done. Looking for something new that doesn't have a price tag attached? So far one thing is Margaritaville on Escape, but it likely won't stay without a price tag for long.

[hypercafe]

Also adding new upscale items on the MDR menu and adding new items to room service menu, many don't seem to have an issue paying for these items. Even heard that on Escape, they ran out of lobster in the MDR.

 

This is not improving anything as you are paying extra for it, include it and it is a improvement. They could offer jumbo shrimp, caviar, extra large lobster, every cut of aged steaks, whatever you can think of but if it a extra charge how is that a improvement. Replacing old carpet and wore out soft goods is just keeping the ships up to standards.

Edited November 17, 2015 by hypercafe

[SuiteCruiser]

Both points which I previously said - No, I personally don't believe NCL going to rollback everything because they still made millions /billions despite the changes and are still filling out ships, even the mega ones. A la like what happen with Dawn & Jewel-class ships - it's just history repeating itself except it with Breakaway-class ships being the "too big" and other ships being "small". It's ironic, when one thinks about it.

 

Regarding complaining about whomever in charge - well, that always going to be something that never really changes (in this forum, anyway.) Won't shock me either if the poster start calling Del Rio/Stuart angels like they do now with Sheehan, when the new CEO takes over, lol.

 

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Perhaps if you'd been here before you would know that it wasn't that way with Kevin Sheehan coming in. I know you like to make up stories of what it was like back then, but those of us who were actually here know the truth.

[NLH Arizona]

This is not improving anything as you are paying extra for it, include it and it is a improvement.

A lot of folks don't have an issue paying for better food, which in my opinion is an improvement. You might not think so, just as I don't think showing movies with popcorn or extending the hours of the children's club hours would be an improvement, but others do.

[MrMan]

I do not think so because he has made all the good stuff a la cart. To me improving the cruise experience is giving more for the same price. He could offer anything however if you are paying more for it there is no improvement. All the economy of size went to profit, not holding price or fees even. As far as I can tell there has been no change in Oceania or Regent. Maybe after all the million dollar bonuses are paid this year things will settle down. Maybe frank will take the money and run.

 

 

I just got off of Dawn, and while a nice cruise I can tell you the 90's were calling and want their decor back, and ripping out plastic plants and upgrading ship is needed for Dawn and other older ships to improve the experience.

 

I hope it went to profit, as without profit you won't have improvement, new ships, financing for improvements, better pay for employees.....

[NLH Arizona]

I just got off of Dawn, and while a nice cruise I can tell you the 90's were calling and want their decor back, and ripping out plastic plants and upgrading ship is needed for Dawn and other older ships to improve the experience.

 

I hope it went to profit, as without profit you won't have improvement, new ships, financing for improvements, better pay for employees.....

Don't say that, I'll be on the Dawn in 19 days. But I do know it is an older ship and they never look brand spanking new and to me it is not all about how the ship looks cosmetically, it is about the overall experience. So, for that, I can't wait.

 

I think it is great that NCL is going to put the majority of ships in drydock and that they noticed that some needed overhauling. They may have been scheduled in the coming years to go to drydock, but it looks like NCL is doing it sooner than anticipated, which will definitely be an improvement for most everyone cruising on those ships.

[SuiteCruiser]

Don't say that, I'll be on the Dawn in 19 days. But I do know it is an older ship and they never look brand spanking new and to me it is not all about how the ship looks cosmetically, it is about the overall experience. So, for that, I can't wait.

 

I think it is great that NCL is going to put the majority of ships in drydock and that they noticed that some needed overhauling. They may have been scheduled in the coming years to go to drydock, but it looks like NCL is doing it sooner than anticipated, which will definitely be an improvement for most everyone cruising on those ships.

 

They still have to do a drydock every 5 years, so bringing them in early doesn't affect a whole lot, except that they will have more ships out of service at the same time. If all ships are drydocked in 2015/16, all ships will need to be drydocked in 2020/21, etc. Doesn't make fiscal sense to do that.

[MrMan]

Don't say that, I'll be on the Dawn in 19 days. But I do know it is an older ship and they never look brand spanking new and to me it is not all about how the ship looks cosmetically, it is about the overall experience. So, for that, I can't wait.

 

.

 

You will be fine. Sky Bar is your friend to get away from the masses. Rock/Roll show ok. Modernao food not so great would not spend money, and I love Brazilian steak houses. Benehana type resterant excellent. Some sort of steak in MDR every night and Prime Rib as wll as latin spiced skirt steak was offerend in buffet.

 

If you have time in NOLA be sure to go to Drago's for grilled oysters, best thing you will ever eat. It takes about 8 hours to get to Guf so casino does not open till late, but great balcony sitting watching life on bank of Mississippi. You will have fun.

[NLH Arizona]

You will be fine. Sky Bar is your friend to get away from the masses. Rock/Roll show ok. Modernao food not so great would not spend money, and I love Brazilian steak houses. Benehana type resterant excellent. Some sort of steak in MDR every night and Prime Rib as wll as latin spiced skirt steak was offerend in buffet.

 

If you have time in NOLA be sure to go to Drago's for grilled oysters, best thing you will ever eat. It takes about 8 hours to get to Guf so casino does not open till late, but great balcony sitting watching life on bank of Mississippi. You will have fun.

I'm just doing specialty restaurants (Cagney's, Teppanyaki and La Cucina); got all the reservations except for Teppanyaki that I have to make onboard.

 

I'll be in New Orleans for three days before the cruise and one day after the cruise, but don't hate me, I don't eat shellfish or seafood, won't be trying the oysters at Drago's, but will be eating some beignets at Cafe Du Monde. I did this same cruise a few years ago and love sitting on the balcony watching life go by. This trip combines two of my favorite things....New Orleans and cruising!!!

[hondorner]

...I personally think that the cruise industry has a bigger problem then them raising fares, implementing charges and raising fees and that is that they are, IMHO, building too many mega ships too fast, but that is for another discussion.

Mr. Del Rio has already stated he will build no more mega ships until they can get a handle on what they have coming. I sincerely doubt he would have committed to four ships in the Escape class. He's getting off the hook on the next one by sending it to China, which is a largely untapped market.

 

The largest ships he constructed for Oceania are 60,000 tons with 1,250 passengers. The "new" ship Oceania will be getting in April, 2016 is the old Ocean Princess, and before that one of the Renaissance "R" ships, 30,000 tons, 684 passengers. Oceania's total capacity for 6 ships with the "new" ship will be 5,236 passengers, or only a little more than ONE of the mega ships. Regent's new ship, Explorer, will be for 738, increasing Regent's total capacity for 4 ships to 2,647, or about the capacity of NCL Jade.

[SuiteCruiser]

I'm just doing specialty restaurants (Cagney's, Teppanyaki and La Cucina); got all the reservations except for Teppanyaki that I have to make onboard.

 

I'll be in New Orleans for three days before the cruise and one day after the cruise, but don't hate me, I don't eat shellfish or seafood, won't be trying the oysters at Drago's, but will be eating some beignets at Cafe Du Monde. I did this same cruise a few years ago and love sitting on the balcony watching life go by. This trip combines two of my favorite things....New Orleans and cruising!!!

 

I love New Orleans too, and the beignets at Cafe du Monde sound amazing right about now. They also talked us into some kind of raspberry beer to have with them, it was 7:30 AM day one of vacation, so we had a breakfast beer. Start of an amazing day!

Edited November 17, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[NLH Arizona]

Mr. Del Rio has already stated he will build no more mega ships until they can get a handle on what they have coming. I sincerely doubt he would have committed to four ships in the Escape class. He's getting off the hook on the next one by sending it to China, which is a largely untapped market.

 

The largest ships he constructed for Oceania are 60,000 tons with 1,250 passengers. The "new" ship Oceania will be getting in April, 2016 is the old Ocean Princess, and before that one of the Renaissance "R" ships, 30,000 tons, 684 passengers. Oceania's total capacity for 6 ships with the "new" ship will be 5,236 passengers, or only a little more than ONE of the mega ships. Regent's new ship, Explorer, will be for 738, increasing Regent's total capacity for 4 ships to 2,647, or about the capacity of NCL Jade.

Thanks for the update....it makes me happy!

[hypercafe]

Mr. Del Rio has already stated he will build no more mega ships until they can get a handle on what they have coming. I sincerely doubt he would have committed to four ships in the Escape class. He's getting off the hook on the next one by sending it to China, which is a largely untapped market.

 

The largest ships he constructed for Oceania are 60,000 tons with 1,250 passengers. The "new" ship Oceania will be getting in April, 2016 is the old Ocean Princess, and before that one of the Renaissance "R" ships, 30,000 tons, 684 passengers. Oceania's total capacity for 6 ships with the "new" ship will be 5,236 passengers, or only a little more than ONE of the mega ships. Regent's new ship, Explorer, will be for 738, increasing Regent's total capacity for 4 ships to 2,647, or about the capacity of NCL Jade.

 

Nice he feels this way however he still has to pay for them along with the extended dry dock for the NCL fleet, new ship for Regent and a referb for Oceania. Many ships in Europe however the business in Paris I wonder how soft that market will become.

[hondorner]

That is an excellent observation regarding Regent/Oceania. I have not heard that mentioned before. I dont sail them but i wonder if they have seen any changes in the last 11 months since the Del Rio takeover?

FDR is the founder of Oceania, it's his baby. When Apollo purchased Regent, they made FDR Chairman and CEO of both lines, back in early 2008. He's already placed his mark on both cruise lines, and past guests, for the most part, like it very well (there are always some who don't like anything :rolleyes:).

 

If they have then i think i would feel better that he was making sweeping changes across the board. Unless Regent/Oceania doesn't need the improvements.

You nailed it with your last thought, although many guests think Oceania's entertainment is lacking (not me). That's the one change to Oceania/Regent; they will be switching to NCL's entertainment department, which is very good.

 

I know they are all inclusive so i wonder what areas he could increase profits? NCL is easier to do because its basically al la carte.

Regent is all inclusive, in fact the most inclusive of any cruise line. Oceania is NOT all inclusive; it is the ala carte version of Regent. Alcohol and

Excursions are included with Regent; they are ala carte on Oceania. It is true they are both AI in regards to dining; there is no charge for any specialty restaurant and no extra charge for any item, except I do think there is an upcharge on Regent for the most expensive caviar and the most expensive liquors and wines (we're talking about hundreds of dollars per bottle).

 

However, (regent ) i dont think he will remove room charges from fares and begin charging nor remove prime rib from the menu and add it back with a la carte pricing. If he even tried it his passengers would have a fit lol they should. So why do it to ncl passengers i wonder....

This is the easiest question to answer. Compare what Oceania and Regent passengers pay for their fares to what NCL charges. The charges for prime rib and lobster are for the quality found on Oceania and Regent, which have NEVER been available on NCL or any other mass market cruise line.

 

99% funding the 1% hmmmm

 

Again. Great point.

It's the other way around -- the ideas that FDR perfected on Oceania and Regent will be to the benefit of NCL, once they are fully implemented, Sparks1093 often says it best, it will be a long process, and we should all wait to see how it turns out. Speculation now is pointless.

[maywell]

 

 

I mean, who picked those colors? A circus manager? Is this really what NCL guests prefer?

 

 

60's Batman called - He wants NCL to return the Joker's color scheme back....

 

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[NLH Arizona]

 

I mean, who picked those colors? A circus manager? Is this really what NCL guests prefer?

 

Was Prince the Godfather??

[janpo]

60's Batman called - He wants NCL to return the Joker's color scheme back....

 

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They made a mistake....it was supposed to be for the Sky...per the thread about the sky just posted today.

[whenisthemidnightbuffet?]

That was the exact color scheme and decor, complete with velvet, that our Deluxe Owner Suite on the Gem had. Quite the eye opener. Prefer the new muted tones they are decorating with now.:D:D

[SuiteCruiser]

Do you know the category or cabin number of this particular stateroom. It looks like it could be a two bedroom suite. If so the changes have already begun as this was not the decor on the Pearl in October.

 

Curious if you have a date and source for this photo?

 

 

Rochelle

 

That's definitely the two bedroom suite.

[sjbdtz]

The charges for prime rib and lobster are for the quality found on Oceania and Regent, which have NEVER been available on NCL or any other mass market cruise line.

 

 

 

I agree with this statement. The Queen's Cut Prime Rib they've got on the Escape was one of the best prime ribs I've ever had, anywhere.

 

And while they're not 'luxe', I do live right next door to the Keg Mansion, which got its start as a Prime Rib house.

 

 

Stephen

 

.

[swedish weave]

He must raise prices and fees without improving the cruise experience because NCLH has lots of bills to pay. All the dry docks, the new mega ships plus the cost of the initial merger. I also think he is using NCL to fund Oceania and Regent. Both lines have seen no cutbacks and Regent is getting a new ship and Oceania is getting a refurbished one. Same old story, the 99% fund the 1%.

 

Interesting info and it fits with some of the figures I saw on the internet yesterday. Quote below !

 

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS: [FAIL]

 

A positive cash flow is typically used for internal expansion, acquisitions, dividend payments, etc. A company that generates rather than consumes cash is in much better shape to fund such activities on their own, rather than needing to borrow funds to do so. NCLH's free cash flow of $-1.96 per share fails this test. (end of quote)

 

 

Another thing in the article stated one sign of a healthy company is that insiders should own 10 percent of the stock. NCLH also failed that with insiders owning only 0.47. Maybe FDR and other insiders should have enough confidence in their management skills to purchase some of the stock.

Edited November 18, 2015 by swedish weave

[insidecabin]

If it were a simple matter of raising prices I don't think that it would be that big a deal. This is more about a new direction for NCL because of a change in management. Some will like it. Some won't. And only time will tell whether it will work or not.

 

You drive prices with quality the escape roll out of new menus and food options needs some twerking but could be a step forward if sorted before rolling out across the fleet.

 

A la carte us a bit of red herring as those that do speciality get the fixed price option with included choice or SDP purchase.

 

Investments in ship refurb beyond an interior refresh is a good.

 

In the UK we are seeing Oceania and Regent deals that bring the pppd rates Dow to decent rates.

[ColinIllinois]

...You drive prices with quality the escape roll out of new menus and food options needs some twerking but could be a step forward if sorted before rolling out across the fleet....

 

 

Is that the customers or the servers twerking? :D

[perkydebrajean]

Is that the customers or the servers twerking? :D

 

Isn't that on Carnival? The servers that is!