SS/RCCL Finances: Improving, Options, Questions??!!

[TLCOhio]

Royal Caribbean stock was dropping down, DOWN in a major way this am.  Not sure why.  More later today.  Next are a couple of articles that might be interest for cruise ship finances.    

 

From this financial news website this morning, they had this headline: “Royal Caribbean Cruises: Significantly Undervalued” with these highlights: “Royal Caribbean Cruises is a top cruise operator, recovering strongly post-pandemic with a 100.5% return over the last 3 years.  RCL's premium pricing and strong brand have led to near-record net margins and revenues surpassing pre-pandemic levels, indicating robust growth.  Despite significant debt, RCL's solid financial management and favorable financing terms make its debt manageable, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 4.7.  RCL is undervalued at 15.02x forward GAAP earnings, with analysts expecting earnings per share to double over the next 5 years.”

 

Not sure that I can understand and/or explain these GAAP, etc, workings and mechanics.  Any help to explain it and why it's so important?

 

Here is another comparison/detail shared: "The Royal Caribbean Cruises has offered investors total returns of 100.5% over the last 3 years, while the S&P 500 has risen 29.64% during the same timeframe."

 

Full story at:

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4718167-royal-caribbean-cruises-significantly-undervalued

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 33,694 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[TLCOhio]

From CBS-TV News yesterday, they had this headline: “Royal Caribbean is building 3 more Icon of the Seas-style megaships” with these highlights: “Royal Caribbean is growing its fleet of megaships, with plans to build three more Icon of the Seas-style vessels.  The cruise company, which currently operates 68 ships, this week said it is partnering with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to build the additional Icon-style ships. The deal includes options for Royal Caribbean to order fourth and fifth vessels.”

 

WOW!!  This will involve billions more in dollars to build and equip those mega ships.  Plus, the operating costs to staff and sail.  Looks like more borrowing and floating of stock?  How does all of those work out if and when some type of economic slow-down happens to temper consumer confidence and spending?

 

Full story at:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/royal-caribbean-megaships-icon-of-the-seas/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 23,044 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

From that CBS-TV News story just posted, there are some industry-wide data included that might be of strong interest as to this large cruising industry.  Growth trend and environment??

 

Here are some key data and details: "While the cruise industry was momentarily battered by COVID-19, statistics show that cruising remains a popular way to vacation. In 2023, 31.7 million passengers took cruises, surpassing 2019's record 20.7 million passengers, according to industry trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). CLIA expects that trend to continue, and forecasts that the number of cruise passengers will reach 34.7 million by the end of 2024. "

 

Also these environmental questions were raised and maybe addressed: "Icon of the Seas features energy-efficient technology designed to reduce its carbon footprint, and Royal Caribbean has pledged to introduce a net-zero ship by 2035. But climate advocates say these advances aren't enough to mitigate pollution from these ships, and that their sheer size and capacity is proof that the industry isn't prioritizing sustainability.  The world's biggest cruise ships are now twice as big as they were in 2020, according to a Transport and Environment report. CO2 emissions from cruise ships were nearly 20% higher in 2022 than they were in 2019, the Brussels-based group that advocates for clean transportation found."

 

Full story at:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/royal-caribbean-megaships-icon-of-the-seas/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals, Our firsts in these scenic areas!  Now at 22,836 views. Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

[TLCOhio]

From the New York Times Travel Section early this week, they had this headline: “Another Icon-of-the-Seas-Style Megaship? Make That 3 More" with this sub-headline reacting to the RCL new ship announcement:  "Royal Caribbean and other companies are aggressively building over-the-top ships. 'Today’s cruisezillas make the Titanic look like a small fishing boat,' noted one sustainability specialist.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, drew as much criticism as excitement when Royal Caribbean launched it earlier this year, but the ship has been a hit among cruise goers. Based on the current fleets of its member lines, CLIA said, there is a strong balance of cruise ship sizes. Many cruise lines argue that their larger vessels are being built more efficiently in line with their sustainability goals, with features to make them compatible with cleaner fuel sources like methanol.  The Icon of the Seas has several features designed to minimize the ship’s carbon footprint, including a waste management system that converts onboard waste into energy and an advanced purification system that is designed to treat all wastewater onboard.”

 

Not sure I want to hear about a "purification" system processing water from toilets and shower back to our drinking water and food systems.  Or, will the drinking/food water be separated out via the new plumbing systems?  Reactions?  How does this science/ship construction really work?  Trust it fully?

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/27/travel/icon-of-the-seas-new-ships.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia.  This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc:  Live/blog:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

[TLCOhio]

As the stock market closes out the first eight months of this year, this past week was "Rocky!!"  Or, maybe even more wild and varied for these four stocks as each moved differently during these most recent five trading days.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal, here were the twisted trading pattern during these five days.  From today/Friday, Royal Caribbean has a huge slide down in the morning and then recovered a little in the afternoon.  What will happen in September?  Next week will be short with the USA observing on Monday what we call "Labor Day" as our national holiday.  

 

From this financial news website on Aug. 22, they had this headline: “Viking’s stock moves lower as cruise operator’s earnings fall short of target” with these highlights: “Viking’s stock was down nearly 6% on Thursday after the cruise operator’s profit and revenue fell short of consensus analyst estimates, although the company said its advance bookings are running ahead of year-ago levels.  Viking said its second-quarter net income fell to $155.8 million, or 37 cents a share, from $189.93 million, or 46 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. Analysts were looking for earnings of 67 cents a share, according to estimates compiled by FactSet.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vikings-stock-rises-as-cruise-operators-earnings-fall-short-63b14dc2?_gl=1*1t8cb7p*_gcl_au*MTY3OTkzNTQ2NS4xNzI0OTQxNTEx*_ga*NzI5MzY4NzcyLjE3MTU4MDA4MzM.*_ga_K2H7B9JRSS*MTcyNTA0ODgyNy4yMS4xLjE3MjUwNDkwMDMuNDAuMC4w

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island).  Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City.    Visual/Info Summaries:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

 

Below are the WSJ charts from the most recent five trading days for the four major cruise lines listed on the stock market.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

 

For the overall market, below are two WSJ S&P 500 charts.  First, trading for the past five days.  Second, this overall index since the start of this year.:

 

[TLCOhio]

From the London/UK Telegraph and Yahoo News two days ago, they had this headline: “What the green lobby won’t tell you about cruises” with these highlights as to the attacks from environmental types: “Growth would be fuelled by explosive demand for luxury travel is even more fantastical and not borne out in the slightest by trends to date. As anyone with even a passing knowledge of the industry will tell you, customers wanting a more upscale style of cruising opt for upmarket lines whose ships number guests in their hundreds rather than thousands. This sector of the cruise market has boomed in recent years, prompting the likes of Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas to add new ships. Simultaneously, the emergence of newcomers such as Explora Journeys and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, whose ships are similarly petite, underscores the 'small is beautiful' mantra.”

 

Also shared in this report: "Cutting-edge designs aimed at improving operational efficiencies are evident, with each new ship that launches incorporating additional energy-saving initiatives, such as LED lighting, heat recovery systems and the ability to plug into shoreside power while in port, negating the need to keep engines running."

 

Hard to make some of the Green-types happy as billions of human being are eating, living, consuming, etc., on this earth.  Everything creates "impacts" that the elites hate and attack.  Whether on a cruise ship or sitting at home?  Reactions?  

 

Full story at:

https://news.yahoo.com/news/green-lobby-won-t-tell-130000033.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Love the Caribbean? Here are popular posts/links with Dominica having over 30,440 views. Much information for . . . .

Barbados:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2179164-barbados-50th-birthday-our-pixs-experiences-feb2015/page/3/#comment-65530134Or, Dominica:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2169714-dominica-love-our-experience-pictures-etc/page/3/#comment-66637276

Edited August 31 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

Just slightly off topic, only a little, here is another angle for the question as to whether or not cruise ships are killing the environment and the earth. Here's a good, different angle?  

 

From this below-connected travel news website yesterday, they had this headline: “14 Remote Destinations Only Accessible By Cruise” with these highlights: “Cruising isn’t just about sailing the Caribbean or through the winding rivers of Europe. Some of the world’s most impressive and remote destinations, like parts of Alaska and the Amazon, are only accessible by boat.”

 

Among the location cited are the Panama Canal, Galapagos, parts of the South Pacific, around and near Antarctica, Amazon River locations, etc.  Interesting and different perspective?  

 

For the Panama Canal that we enjoy seeing up "close and personal" in early 2017, this story detailed: "Built over a century ago, this canal cuts through the Isthmus of Panama. This 50-mile waterway has transformed global trade and travel, shaving thousands of miles off journeys that would otherwise require rounding the treacherous southern tip of South America. The canal’s locks, which raise and lower ships by up to 85 feet, are a feat of engineering. As you pass through the Miraflores and Gatun Locks, you’ll feel the sheer power and precision it takes to move these massive ships through such narrow spaces.   The best way to truly experience the Panama Canal is by cruise ship, where you’ll immerse yourself in the surrounding natural beauty and culture. Panama Canal itineraries that let you pass through the locks, often with guides on board to explain the history and significance of what you’re seeing."

 

From our 2017 Panama Canal sailing, here was just one of my visuals:

 

Full story at:

https://whatthefab.com/destinations-only-accessible-by-boat.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 33,694 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[TLCOhio]

Involving and affecting the cruise finances are their future capital plans for new ships.  How many are coming?  And the costs?  

 

From this cruise industry trade news source yesterday, they had this headline: “Cruise Ship Orderbook Grows to Over 170,000 Berths” with these highlights: “The global cruise industry will see the addition of over 170,000 new berths across between now and 2036, according to the recently updated cruise ship orderbook published by Cruise Industry News.  The orderbook to open September is valued at $57 billion, with each ship averaging just over 2,500 guests.  The current orderbook totals some 67 ocean-going ships, with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings having the biggest plans of any of the large cruise operators, with 13 ships coming and a value of $15 billion.”

 

Is $57 billion kind of like real money?  People like new ships, but it all figures in the challenges to fund these future costs. 

 

Full story at:

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/09/cruise-ship-orderbook-grows-to-over-170000-berths/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon vs. Porto?  Many different Portugal tips, options, ideas, visuals, etc. with more than 32,900 views at:   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2558841-lisbon-vs-porto-which-best/page/7/#comment-66782296

[TLCOhio]

From this financial news website this morning, they had this headline: “NCL Corporation Ltd. Announces Proposed Offering of Senior Notes” with these highlights: “NCL Corporation announced today that it is proposing to sell $315.0 million aggregate principal amount of its senior notes due 2030 in a private offering that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.  We intend to use the net proceeds from the Notes Offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem $315.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.625% Senior Notes due 2024, including to pay any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.”

 

Rolling over old debt due up this year??  Assume this will require and involve paying a higher rate of interest.  More cost to the bottom line?  Lots of debt with all three cruise lines that must be managed and financed.  Correct?  Reactions?

 

Full story at:

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ncl-corporation-ltd-announces-proposed-offering-of-senior-notes-1033743046

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai?  Many different UAE tips, options, ideas, visuals, etc., with more than 22,800 views at:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2521493-abu-dhabi-vs-dubai-procon-factors/page/5/#comment-66634467

[TLCOhio]

Friday Fright??  Does that summarize the negative stock market slide today?  From the Wall Street Journal late this afternoon, below are the charts for the cruise ship stocks and broader S&P 500.  Not a good week?  Clearly much of it is about questions/doubts for the overall market, the slowing job hirings in the U.S., etc.  

 

Other factors?  Future predictions?  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoy the Caribbean? Here are two popular posts/links with thousands of views with much info for . . . . Grenada   

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2179927-grenada-pixs-fun-experiences-jan2015/page/2/#comment-66823149

Or, Aruba:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2178325-aruba-pixs-fun-experiences-feb2015/page/3/#comment-66677721

 

Here is a look at Royal Caribbean for the past five days of trading (with Monday being a closed day on Wall Street due to the Labor Day holiday).  Second is the downward slide for RCL during the past one-month period since an Aug. 27 high of $167.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

Here are the WSJ charts for this past week involving the other cruise lines.  Big, sliding Friday, too?.:

 

 

 

For more perspective, here are the Wall Street Journal charts for the overall S&P 500 during this past week and the previous one-month period.:

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, TLCOhio said:

Friday Fright??

Friday fright is right.  Did fill a nice gap though.

 

 

Um HELLO market police. @RetiredandTravel.

 

Was this just all about revisions?  Does this mean I have to pay attention while traveling?

[jpalbny]

3 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Does this mean I have to pay attention while traveling?

 

I have people for that.

 

If I tried to follow this and make sense of it, I'd have whiplash. Up one day, down the next... Not much logic in the markets these days.

[highplanesdrifters]

1 hour ago, jpalbny said:

 

I have people for that.

 

If I tried to follow this and make sense of it, I'd have whiplash. Up one day, down the next... Not much logic in the markets these days.

 

I hear ya.  Is bad news, bad news or is it good news today?🤣 

 

I guess it's just second nature when it once was your life.  At some point before they're wiping the drool off my chin I'll get some peeps.

[RetiredandTravel]

14 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Friday fright is right.  Did fill a nice gap though.

 

 

Um HELLO market police. @RetiredandTravel.

 

Was this just all about revisions?  Does this mean I have to pay attention while traveling?

 

Hello.  Hows the vacation?

 

The best I can figure the better than expected workweek hours worked and hourly earnings somewhat offset the lower number of jobs.  This reduced the probability of a 50bps cut, 25bps now a 75% chance.  I know. 🙃  Zero day optons and social media has exacerbated these moves.

 

Semiconductors were down over 4% yesterday and almost 12% on the week.  I would be more concerned if credit spreads had widened. 

 

There is another gap lower and a potential long term double top.  Hopefully its just September the historically worst month of the year.  Enjoy!!

 

https://yardeni.com/charts/sp-500-historical-monthly-annual-returns/

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7 by RetiredandTravel

[RetiredandTravel]

Yen carry trade all the rage these days

 

 

Ed Yardeni's thoughts on Bloomberg & a couple articles

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRP6172izBQ

 

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-japanese-yen-still-poses-a-very-big-risk-to-global-markets-heres-why-f0e949b5

 

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/yen-carry-trade-stock-market-crash-jobs-report-recession-yardeni-2024-9

 

 

[TLCOhio]

On 9/7/2024 at 7:49 AM, RetiredandTravel said:

Semiconductors were down over 4% yesterday and almost 12% on the week.  I would be more concerned if credit spreads had widened. There is another gap lower and a potential long term double top.  Hopefully its just September the historically worst month of the year.  Enjoy!!

 

Appreciate these very good follow-ups from R&T and many of the "usual suspects" who are so smart and savvy.  Keep it coming!!  Much new to come during the next few weeks.  

 

From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “September Is Once Again a Tough Month for Stocks" with this sub-headline:  "The S&P 500 dropped sharply last week on worries about a slowing economy.”

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights and a key chart below posted with this story: “The S&P 500 fell 4.2% last week on concerns about the health of the U.S. economy. Friday’s monthly jobs report showed the labor market added fewer jobs than expected. Tuesday’s weak manufacturing data led stocks to their worst day since early August.  Going back to 1928, the S&P 500 has declined an average 1.2% in September, the weakest month of the year for stocks. The index ended lower 56% of the time over that stretch, according to Dow Jones Market Data.  In the coming days, investors will parse Wednesday’s inflation report to see whether price pressures are continuing to ease and whether big tech stocks, such as Nvidia, can find their footing after a recent slide.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/september-is-once-again-a-tough-month-for-stocks-8392fe0a

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Singapore: Travel Tips, Trends? Ideas & Insights?  Many recent visuals!!  22,500+ views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2949645-singapore-travel-tips-trends-ideas-insights/

[TLCOhio]

On 9/6/2024 at 9:01 PM, jpalbny said:

If I tried to follow this and make sense of it, I'd have whiplash. Up one day, down the next... Not much logic in the markets these days.

 

YES, JP summarizes this well with a great follow-up as to how crazy are the markets these days.  It is hard to follow on a day-by-day basis.  Over the many months, things come a little more into focus.  Maybe?  

 

From MSN News and this financial news website this morning, they had this headline: “Carnival, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean: Which Cruise Stock Is the Best Buy Today?” with these highlights: “The cruise ship industry took a long time to shake off the impact of the forced lockdowns of the pandemic, but are once again sailing the high seas.  There are high barriers to entry in the industry, limiting the competition, which lets investors focus on which of the three leading cruise stocks they should buy.”

 

Much background is detailed for new ships, recent sales, etc.  For Carnival, they summarized: "Carnival is still weighed down by its massive debt load. Although it paid down more than $1.3 billion worth over the past year, it still has over $27.1 billion of long-term debt on its balance sheet versus $1.6 billion in cash and equivalents. However, it ended the quarter with $4.6 billion in available liquidity."

 

For Norwegian, they highlight their having: "$11.9 billion in long-term debt. That's a substantial amount considering it has a third of the ships Carnival does but 44% of the debt load.  While NCLH trades at substantial discounts to the market and its peers, it has also been burning cash with negative free cash flow of $428 million over the last 12 months. It could be rough seas ahead for Norwegian Cruise Line."

 

Royal Caribbean gets the best "shout-out" as they summarized: "The mid-tier cruise ship stock has been by far the best performer of the three. Where both Carnival and Norwegian are taking on water this year with their stocks down 15%, Royal Caribbean is riding the wave higher by 20%.  Over the past two years, its stock has soared 274%. Over the past five years, where its rivals have lost two-thirds of their value, RCL stock is up 44%. That still trails the S&P 500's 81% gain, but is by far the industry's best."

 

Interesting background and comparisons?  But, is now the right time to buy?  Which one of the three potentials would be best?  For RCL, is it too late in the cycle to invest?  Have you missed out as to the already-achieved RCL stock rise? 

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/carnival-norwegian-or-royal-caribbean-which-cruise-stock-is-the-best-buy-today/ar-AA1qfEUU?ocid=BingNewsVerp

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 260,787 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/

[highplanesdrifters]

18 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

Yen carry trade all the rage these days

 

 

Ed Yardeni's thoughts on Bloomberg & a couple articles

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRP6172izBQ

 

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-japanese-yen-still-poses-a-very-big-risk-to-global-markets-heres-why-f0e949b5

 

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/yen-carry-trade-stock-market-crash-jobs-report-recession-yardeni-2024-9

 

 

 

Big Yardeni fan. 

 

I thought the yen carry trade had pretty much wound down.  Few straggler junior hedgies in pain? 😅

 

Very happy on the trip so far. Love the Seabourn sisters Pursuit and Venture.

[RetiredandTravel]

25 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

Big Yardeni fan. 

 

I thought the yen carry trade had pretty much wound down.  Few straggler junior hedgies in pain? 😅

 

Very happy on the trip so far. Love the Seabourn sisters Pursuit and Venture.

 

I'm a long term buy and hold guy these days and don't follow this stuff that close.  Just reporting whats on the TV for you while you're singing Bali Ha'i  but of course by the time the press reports it the trades over. Have Fun!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwYvWF5j0a8

 

Edited September 9 by RetiredandTravel

[TLCOhio]

On 9/9/2024 at 5:12 PM, highplanesdrifters said:

Very happy on the trip so far. Love the Seabourn sisters Pursuit and Venture.

 

Appreciate this above follow-up from your Seabourn sailing.  Sounds nice!!  Our first cruise was in 2006 on one of the Seabourn smaller triplets in the Greek Isles going to Istanbul.  Wonderful!!  Keep it coming from R&T.    

 

From the Reuters newswire two mornings ago, they had this headline: “Greece to tax cruise ship arrivals to protect popular islands from overtourism” with these highlights: “Greece plans to impose a 20-euro levy on cruise ship visitors to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer season, in a bid to avert overtourism, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.  Greece relies heavily on tourism, the main driver of the country's economy which is still recovering from a decade-long crisis that wiped out a fourth of its output.  But some of its most popular destinations, including Santorini, an idyllic island of quaint villages and pristine beaches with 20,000 permanent residents, risk being ruined by mass tourism.”

 

Fears of mass tourism and extra fees added to the cruise ship cost?  All of these trends impacts the cruise lines and passengers considering future bookings.  Right or wrong?

 

Wild stock market today.  Down big in the early morning!  Then, rebounding late am.  Then, soaring in the afternoon.  Unpredictable and crazy?  The three cruise lines were all up significantly today.  More, later on Friday afternoon.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greece-tax-cruise-ship-arrivals-protect-popular-islands-overtourism-2024-09-08/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 253,793 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

[TLCOhio]

As of mid-day Thursday, Royal Caribbean and the overall market continues up, UP.  Good news and long-term trend?    

 

From the Wall Street Journal this morning, they had this headline: “Cruise Companies Cater to Millennials With Quick Escapes, Private Islands"  with this sub-headline:  "Operators are working to ‘cultivate the next generation of cruisers’ with adults-only experiences, internet and shorter trips.”

 

Good background for future cruise marketing and customer targeting?  How does Silversea adjust its efforts to reach these Millennials?

 

Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Young people are increasingly going on cruises. But they want a different, and more affordable, experience, forcing cruise companies to redesign their voyages.  The world’s three largest North American cruise operators are investing in short excursions, private island destinations and reliable internet to appeal to young cruisers. Three- to four-day trips, versus the more standard week or longer excursions, appeal to a young traveler’s desire to either test out cruising for the first time or for a long weekend escape, cruise executives say.”

 

Additional, this added story background might be of interest:  "More than one-fifth of global cruise travelers are millennials, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. Millennials combined with Gen Z, who range from 12 to 27 years old, account for 36% of cruisers.  The price difference between a cruise and other travel options has widened enough to offset assumptions that some younger travelers might have about the ships being cramped, crowded and stale, analysts said. "

 

For us "seasoned citizens" doing ships such as with Silversea, we also like to read in this story a detailing that cruise lines are focusing on improving the Internet when we sail.  Good background for how the cruise lines are trying to keep and satisfy older, established customers (such as us) and then widen the "net" to reach the younger folks who have not previously done sailings.  

 

Reactions, questions and insights?  

 

Full story at:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruise-companies-cater-to-millennials-with-quick-escapes-private-islands-fdc9b507?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D84817926001950249494102990150653740800|MCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%40AdobeOrg|TS%3D1726156661

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 252,863 views.

[TLCOhio]

From a financial news website this morning, they had this headline: “Cruise Industry Sees Steady Rise In Web Traffic While Other Travel Sectors Decline” with these highlights: “Website traffic to cruise companies has risen year over year nearly every two weeks from late March to late August.  Web traffic to other sectors within travel and entertainment declined from a year ago.  Consumers are apparently itching to go on a cruise as online interest in cruise lines has shown consistent growth over the past several months,  Web traffic to other sectors within travel and entertainment—such as airlines, hotels, rental cars, entertainment, online travel agencies, and meta search engines—declined on the same days compared to a year earlier.  Entertainment saw the biggest drops in year-over-year web traffic in the past two months.”

 

Could this be a sign that consumers are starting to "tighten up" and guard their wallets more carefully?  When and if does the next economic slow-down hit?  

 

Full story at:

https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/24/09/40835139/cruise-industry-sees-steady-rise-in-web-traffic-while-other-travel-sectors-decline

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 117,140 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[highplanesdrifters]

On 9/13/2024 at 2:24 AM, TLCOhio said:

For us "seasoned citizens" doing ships such as with Silversea, we also like to read in this story a detailing that cruise lines are focusing on improving the Internet when we sail.  Good background for how the cruise lines are trying to keep and satisfy older, established customers (such as us) and then widen the "net" to reach the younger folks who have not previously done sailings.  

 

I have to say that Starlink is a game changer.  In March On Silversea Antarctica/cape to Cape we had great internet.  Currently in the middle of the Pacific on Seabourn Pursuit, and the same.  Will the youngsters be able to stream and play live action.  Perhaps not yet.😄 

 

While everything else has been excellent, the complaint we have on the current Seabourn trip is the included wines.  They are grocery store plonk, been hearing that a lot lately.  Even asking what else they are pouring hasnt helped.  Will be having a chat with the Sommiler.   Not "ultra luxury" or "fine wines".  Last Silversea trip had a great included list and also great revenue list.

 

 

 

On 9/13/2024 at 3:54 AM, TLCOhio said:

Could this be a sign that consumers are starting to "tighten up" and guard their wallets more carefully?  When and if does the next economic slow-down hit?  

 

I've been looking for this for years.  Is it finally happening?

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

@RetiredandTravel

 

Triple top or blow thru?  I would have expected more of a pullback from the double.

 

BTW, it's a sea day.😁

 

 

3% here we come

 

 

Crikey.  Might have to dig up that stuff in the back yard...or at least move it to a more secure location. 🤣

 

Where's our resident Gold Bug?

 

[RetiredandTravel]

It would take a braver person than me to call a triple top.  The market seems to have these sharp declines followed by sharp increases.  Not only are we close to the high on the S&P 500 but it looks to me like a triangle (pennant) formation forming in the QQQ and NVDA.  The next move could be signficant going into/after the Fed.  Still a dicey time of year historically.

 

The two year note yield does look like a double top and IMO with the 2yr @ 3.60 and 1mo bill @ 5 the Fed looks like they are quite a ways behind the curve (get it😃).  Everyone talks about the Fed but quite often they follow they just follow the market.  Ten year note has been below 5% since 2002 and as I have said in the past I think technological advancements will continue to keep rates low.  The elephant in the room is again supply.

 

I dont know much about Gold except that I have suggested, to no avail, to Mrs R&T that melting down some of the bling could be a revenue stream for the team.   NYC Fifth Avenue jewelry stores do seem to charge quite a bit more than price per oz for their artistic contribution so maybe its not such a great idea.

 

Enjoy!!