Hold on to your wallet!

[SailorJeff66]

Full disclosure, have not sailed NCL yet. On my radar to try the brand as well as others. 

That said, I came across an online article where NCL holdings CEO basically laid it on the line, they intend to crank up prices as far as they can get away with. 

I'm not a Pollyanna by any means, and I understand that NCL is a business. It's main focus will always be to provide a healthy return to its investors. But this kind of stuck in my craw a little bit. Instead of, "we will look at ways of increasing revenue while striving to make our customers experience more enjoyable and exceeding their expectations", we got So we’re focusing on price; we’re pushing price higher everywhere we can both in 2019 and 2020,” he said. “While we still have a lot of cabins to fill, the emphasis will be on raising prices across all three brands". 

Just......Wow.....article link below. Maybe loyal NCL customers can register their displeasure with the board and they can reassess their strategy?

https://skift.com/2019/02/21/norwegian-cruise-boss-zeroes-in-on-higher-prices/amp/

[Mrdell]

They may be shooting them selves in the foot! What they don’t realize is that people are not stupid and there is still plenty of competition for people to go elsewhere. I for one see a lot of “smoke and mirrors “ in all the perks that are in the pricing structure. It’s up to us as consumers to figure it all out and get the most bang for our buck. Thanks for posting.

[roger001]

I wish them well.  Hope NCL parent company makes a huge profit for themselves and the stock holders.  That's what it's all about.  And after 22 NCL cruises, I just booked our next cruise on MSC (Yacht Club status) at about half the NCL price for similar accommodations.  Competition and  my ability to shop and choose, that's what it's all about also.   

[ColinIllinois]

Already posted and discussed.   Thread from page 2.

 

 

[Visigoth]

 

"Hope NCL parent company makes a huge profit for themselves and the stock holders.  That's what it's all about."

 

Really?  In October of 2015 NCLH  (NCL holding company) stock was selling at $63.62 per share and they closed Friday at $53.70 per share.  NCLH does not issue dividends so if you are one of those lucky stock holders you would have lost nearly 16% of your investment.  With about an 8% market share and an 8% revenue share they certainly appear to be very average in pricing versus fill rate.  

 

 

[LD Silver]

29 minutes ago, ColinIllinois said:

Already posted and discussed.   Thread from page 2.

 

 

 

And so has every other cruise related topic under the sun.  Just scroll by if it bothers you.

[SeaShark]

4 minutes ago, LD Silver said:

 

And so has every other cruise related topic under the sun.  Just scroll by if it bothers you.

 

Good advice until you realize that by the time someone realizes they are bothered, it is too late to scroll by...

[ColeThornton]

12 minutes ago, LD Silver said:

 

And so has every other cruise related topic under the sun.  Just scroll by if it bothers you.

 

He didn't say it bothered him.   Simple Internet Posting 101...peruse through the first couple of pages before posting.  Not a big deal though.

[sfaaa]

NCL cruises are no longer a bargain like they used to be a few years ago.  That's why I stopped buying their FCC onboard. 

[ColinIllinois]

21 minutes ago, LD Silver said:

 

And so has every other cruise related topic under the sun.  Just scroll by if it bothers you.

 

I was pointing it out so they could read what has been said already.  That's why I provided a link.   Chill.

[FLAHAM]

So the competing cruise lines plan to decrease prices in coming years?

[newmexicoNita]

17 hours ago, SailorJeff66 said:

Full disclosure, have not sailed NCL yet. On my radar to try the brand as well as others. 

That said, I came across an online article where NCL holdings CEO basically laid it on the line, they intend to crank up prices as far as they can get away with. 

I'm not a Pollyanna by any means, and I understand that NCL is a business. It's main focus will always be to provide a healthy return to its investors. But this kind of stuck in my craw a little bit. Instead of, "we will look at ways of increasing revenue while striving to make our customers experience more enjoyable and exceeding their expectations", we got So we’re focusing on price; we’re pushing price higher everywhere we can both in 2019 and 2020,” he said. “While we still have a lot of cabins to fill, the emphasis will be on raising prices across all three brands". 

Just......Wow.....article link below. Maybe loyal NCL customers can register their displeasure with the board and they can reassess their strategy?

https://skift.com/2019/02/21/norwegian-cruise-boss-zeroes-in-on-higher-prices/amp/

This topic has been discussed over and over. It isn't news and as long as the product sells prices will continue to rise. I remember when NCL added a service charge for room service and all hell broke lose. Well guess what, now other lines are doing the same and charging slightly more than NCL. As for the poster who referred to the price of stock, NCL has increased more this year so far then any of the major lines. If you were to check what any of them were selling for in 2015 compared to right now you would probably find similar prices.

[sparks1093]

52 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

This topic has been discussed over and over. It isn't news and as long as the product sells prices will continue to rise. I remember when NCL added a service charge for room service and all hell broke lose. Well guess what, now other lines are doing the same and charging slightly more than NCL. As for the poster who referred to the price of stock, NCL has increased more this year so far then any of the major lines. If you were to check what any of them were selling for in 2015 compared to right now you would probably find similar prices.

This has been Del Rio's MO since he took over the reins so you are right, it isn't news. Just because NCL has started a negative trend doesn't mean they should be lauded for it. I do continue to price NCL when I'm booking a cruise and they are always way too much compared to others.

[Trimone]

The sad thing about NCL pricing structure is going directly to them is very expensive, we use an T/A that do smart packages, flights, hotel, and cruise, we always get the quote then ring NCL cruise specialist Tim Hancock, poor Tim can’t compete, we normally get the package for the price that NCL directly want for the cruise alone.

 

 

[Markanddonna]

We recently tried MSC and found the experience to be equal or superior to NCL. The big difference is freestyle, although an anytime dining option is available.  Their Yacht Club experience is similar but much less expensive compared to the Haven. 

[FLAHAM]

Thankfully,  other cruise lines are oblivious as to whether they are profitable and will undoubtedly lower their prices to make customers happy.

[Sara_smile]

19 hours ago, ColinIllinois said:

Already posted and discussed.   Thread from page 2.

 

 

As soon as I saw this thread my reaction you would be post 2 but I was wrong.  You were #3. Its great that these are the only kinds of things you post on CC.  But can you please let others discuss without constant interruption.  This was already posted.  This was already posted.  Why is this thread activated.  This was already posted.  Are you a robot?

[SeaShark]

11 minutes ago, Sara_smile said:

As soon as I saw this thread my reaction you would be post 2 but I was wrong.  You were #3. Its great that these are the only kinds of things you post on CC.  But can you please let others discuss without constant interruption.  This was already posted.  This was already posted.  Why is this thread activated.  This was already posted.  Are you a robot?

 

That is an interesting take. Can you step back from it and look again?

 

FWIW, multiple threads on the same topic are a rule violation on CC...you should always post to an existing thread before you start another. Someone pointing that out is simply following the rules. Which, btw, exist for a reason, right?

 

You complain about being able to "discuss without constant interruption". Have you considered that multiple threads on the same topic come off as "constant interruption" on a forum? One topic, one thread...that way the topic isn't interrupting each time it is posted.

 

Your post indicates that you are annoyed by the "this was already posted. this was already posted. why is this tread activated" aspect. I'm certain that you find that to be an annoyance. I'm not disagreeing with you. But...have you considered that the poster you addressed might be equally as annoyed with the multiple threads on the same topic? Lets be honest here...it isn't really fair that you get to dress down people when you are annoyed and others can't do the same when they are annoyed, right?

 

Just a different point of view to consider.

[erdoran]

Sometimes (not always) it IS hard to find just the thread you want...or someone is a newbie and is overwhelmed...or someone is relatively computer-inept and can't use Search ...or someone has a hard time using search to zero in on what they want because it's a tad tricky for someone who doesn't think that way, and to whom computers are a second or third language.

 

Have some compassion for people like that.  This needs to be a warm and welcoming place for people to ask questions and get answers, not to slam a computer-phobe or other newbie who is just getting oriented.

[fshagan]

Lots of old fogies here. The rules against duplicate posts are a holdover from the days of dial up Internet connections when keeping things concise and small mattered. If the rule still mattered, the mods would crack down. Why don't they? Because more activity on the boards means more ad views, and this site is supported by ads.

 

Back on topic:

 

5 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

This topic has been discussed over and over. It isn't news and as long as the product sells prices will continue to rise.

 

Remember the pearl clutching outrage at Mr. Del Rio's statement that cruisers didn't mind a higher price for a soda at sea because they were a "captive audience"? I think that was one of his first earnings calls with investors. Some of us were shocked - SHOCKED! - that a CEO of a company could be so crass as to put profits ahead of ... well, something else. No one was ever going to cruise NCL again and "Del Fee-o" would be gone soon.

 

I don't have any particular loyalty to NCL, but did buy their stock as part of my overall portfolio to watch the company (I also did this with Disney a couple of decades ago). I'm up 14% right now so I can't complain about my tiny investment. I suspect that NCLH, focused on profits, will continue to do well with both stock holders and cruisers.

[IrieBajan54]

deleted

Edited February 24, 2019 by IrieBajan54
delete

[NH Cruisers]

9 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

That is an interesting take. Can you step back from it and look again?

 

FWIW, multiple threads on the same topic are a rule violation on CC...you should always post to an existing thread before you start another. Someone pointing that out is simply following the rules. Which, btw, exist for a reason, right?

 

You complain about being able to "discuss without constant interruption". Have you considered that multiple threads on the same topic come off as "constant interruption" on a forum? One topic, one thread...that way the topic isn't interrupting each time it is posted.

 

Your post indicates that you are annoyed by the "this was already posted. this was already posted. why is this tread activated" aspect. I'm certain that you find that to be an annoyance. I'm not disagreeing with you. But...have you considered that the poster you addressed might be equally as annoyed with the multiple threads on the same topic? Lets be honest here...it isn't really fair that you get to dress down people when you are annoyed and others can't do the same when they are annoyed, right?

 

Just a different point of view to consider.

Just by posting on this thread...  we are all breaking the rules!

[SailBreakaway]

On 2/23/2019 at 1:49 PM, roger001 said:

I wish them well.  Hope NCL parent company makes a huge profit for themselves and the stock holders.  That's what it's all about.  And after 22 NCL cruises, I just booked our next cruise on MSC (Yacht Club status) at about half the NCL price for similar accommodations.  Competition and  my ability to shop and choose, that's what it's all about also.   

 

Same situation here. Taking my Plat status and happily heading to the white glove care of the YC at a substantial savings. It was a good run, but they have priced themselves out of my market after several years and good memories. 

 

I have been a loyal NCL customer. Ive waved the flag, and been constructively critical of the operation with good intentions over the years. Ive listened to many shareholder quarterly reports. This month, the level of confidence and over confidence was without any hint of reserve. The business plan for their shareholders has always been maximize profit. I get it. Thats fine, however they now declare without reatraint that as long as bookings continue to hit record levels, earlier than ever, they will continue to raise prices without any ceiling.  While some lines such as RCCL profit by more flat and steady pricing,but yielding more revenue through greater capacity, NCL will keeping squeezing. I can go on and on, you get it. 

 

MSC, is IMHO, NCL’s silent killer. They are not publicly held, and take time to see what NCL does, and they most certainly do(as Ive been told), and invest to do it that much better. They conpete in the same markets with great equipment and products.  I believe, and this is just my educated guest, that they shall continue to prey quietly on NCLs market share until they eventually reach the point of dininished returns and the bottom drops out of their greed and MASSIVE debt, shareholders split,  and they (MSC) will and CAN (being a private company) doninate their markets. 

 

Booked 7 days YC Deluxe Balcony Suite, Miami on Seaside this summer for 4300$ out the door with Premium Beverage package (no fees) and Internet (not just 250 minutes).  Same week Breakaway Courtyard from Miami, $7500, and thats cheap for Haven these days. 

 

MSC will match your status, Platinum for NCL? You’re instantly Platinum on MSC with 5% off total cruise cost and better benefits! 

 

Just my $0.02. 

 

 

 

 

[roger001]

1 hour ago, SailBreakaway said:

 

 

Booked 7 days YC Deluxe Balcony Suite, Miami on Seaside this summer for 4300$ out the door with Premium Beverage package (no fees) and Internet (not just 250 minutes).  Same week Breakaway Courtyard from Miami, $7500, and thats cheap for Haven these days. 

 

MSC will match your status, Platinum for NCL? You’re instantly Platinum on MSC with 5% off total cruise cost and better benefits! 

 

Just my $0.02. 

 

 

 

 

  

Exact booking I got with them.   Looking forward to it.   

[SailorJeff66]

SailBreakaway, 

That was my point exactly. Rational people understand price increases over time as a normal function of business. But the cavalier attitude exhibited by the CEO of "screw 'em, we're gonna crank up prices because we can" is pretty galling.