what is RCL stock at now?

[klfhngr]

I learned the hard way back in the early 2Yk, no more stocks for me.. If it becomes a penny stock, then maybe!

[land lover]

RCCL Shareholder Benefit

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Who is eligible for this offer?

Any shareholder holding a minimum of 100 RCL shares at time of sailing.

 

2. What is the offer?

$250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights.

$200 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 9 to 13 nights.

$100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 8 nights.

$50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less.

Applicable on any Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises or Azamara Cruises Sailings. (excludes Celebrity Xpeditions)

 

3. How do I redeem this offer?

Provide your name, address, confirmation number, ship and sailing date along with a copy of your shareholder proxy card or a current brokerage statement showing proof of share ownership in Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

Via Mail: RCL Investor Benefit, PO Box 025511, Miami, Florida 33102-5511

Via Fax: 1-305-373-6699

Via Email: shareholderbenefit@rccl.com

 

4. I am sailing with my family and some friends. Can they redeem the offer too?

The offer is only available for the stateroom in which the shareholder (with a minimum of 100 shares) is sailing. Only one credit per shareholder on any one sailing.

 

5. Can I use the offer each time I sail?

Yes, you may request this offer multiple times-as often as you sail on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises or Azamara Cruises (excludes Celebrity Xpedition).

 

6. Can this offer be combined with other offers, onboard credits and coupons?

Yes, this offer is combinable with other offers, onboard credits and coupons. The offer is NOT available to company employees, travel agents, tour conductors and/or others utilizing complimentary or reduced-rate cruise fares.

 

7. Is offer transferrable?

No. Offer is non-transferable. Only the stateroom that the shareholder is traveling in will be eligible for the onboard credit.

 

8. Are there any restrictions?

Offer is non-transferable and not available to employees, or agents of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. or its subsidiaries and affiliates, travel agents and tour operators. Offer is not combinable with any special fare programs, including, but not limited to, staterooms purchased with tour conductor credits, interline rates, complimentary cruises or cruises onboard chartered sailings. The Shareholder must own the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. stock at time of sailing. Onboard credit is calculated in US dollars except on sailings where the onboard currency used is a foreign currency (in which case the onboard credit will be converted at a currency exchange rate determined by the cruise line) and is not redeemable for cash. Certificate value credited to onboard account at time of sailing. Any unused credit shall be forfeited. Credit is applied on a per stateroom basis; double occupancy. Single guests paying 200% of applicable fare shall receive full value of certificate. Only one shareholder credit per stateroom. Only one credit per shareholder on any one sailing. Other terms and conditions may apply.

 

Here is a page for the benefits:

 

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/103045/ShareholderBenefitLetter.pdf

 

Thank you both.

[TEXASMUNK]

If you bought 100 shares at $35.00, you invested $3,500. If you take 3 1 week cruises a year for 4 years, you have been the beneficiary of $1,200 in onboard credits. Thus your true cost is now only $2,300.00.

Plus they have paid a 15 cents per share dividend every quarter for the past few years so your have an additional 4 x 3 x 15 or $180.00 re-invested in your original purchase.

 

Even with the ups and downs of the market, works for us. Once you buy it, forget it, except when it is time to send in your proof for your OBC.

[truthandkeidy]

Bottom line comes down to your future cruise intentions with RCL.

This program is a "no brainer" if you plan to cruise a few times per year, regardless of the current share price. One cannot know where it will trade when you finally decide to liquidate the stock after hanging up your cruise boots. So removing that variable, lets evaluate the actual cost/return ratio.

 

The stock will cost you $3,219 (plus comission) based on todays close and therefore you will lose roughly $130 in cash equivalent interest (based on 4% return, the average over the past year). However, you will receive a dividend of around $58 (1.8%) yielding a net cost to own of approximately $72.

 

True the stock is far below its recent highs of $43+ but it could fall much further, as was pointed out here. In fact on 9/21/01 (fallout from 9/11) it closed at $8.67 after reaching an intraday low of $7.75. A major geopolitical calamity could send this stock plumetting. You must be willing to take on the risks associated with equity ownership. But as long as you plan on cruising, it could pay for itself in OBC regardless of the share price. Since we elect auto-grats, it can even offset those costs which is same as cash.

 

Regarding buying in bits and pieces, what about mounting comissions? You may be better waiting to buy all at once, reducing your comission costs and perhaps it will be cheaper when you buy (That refects my macro-market prognostication, another subject matter altogether). Good luck and enjoy your cruises!

 

Keith

[land lover]

Gonzo70 and NEBC you provided some interesting food for thought.

 

But a question still remains should one buy stock to get the OBC?

 

I have been wavering on what to do the last couple of years.

 

Let's look at my cruise history with RCI during that time. I booked 2 holiday cruises .....in the mean time a Wow sale came up I booked 2 more cruises, the shareholder is not combinable with this promo.

A few weeeks later I cancelled one of my holiday cruises.

 

A month ago when I was booking a cruise with a future cruise credit I noticed it became a Hot Deal a few days later...I could not combine that special with my existing reservation because I had the future OBC. But anyone else who booked on that hot deal will have the same OBC as I.

 

Many other Hots deals or specials have the same restrictions when OBC is involved the "guest" must pick which promo he wants to apply.

 

From teh above examples you can see how one could pick up OBC in many ways without having to tie up 3200+ in stock........for me personally at this time the return is not worth the effort. Remember it is not an automatic OBC you have to make a request .

 

But, that does not mean I won't buy the stock, eventually I will, but my reasoning will not be due to OBC.

 

Many posters talk about the $100's they have saved but then again they are cruising 3-4 times a year and are limiting themselves to the RCI product.

 

MHO... Before you buy odd lots and pay small commissions. Think is this purchase really going to benefit you. Because you probably won't be able to use it on every sailing.

 

Enjoy

[land lover]

Bottom line comes down to your future cruise intentions with RCL.

This program is a "no brainer" if you plan to cruise a few times per year, regardless of the current share price. One cannot know where it will trade when you finally decide to liquidate the stock after hanging up your cruise boots. So removing that variable, lets evaluate the actual cost/return ratio.

 

The stock will cost you $3,219 (plus comission) based on todays close and therefore you will lose roughly $130 in cash equivalent interest (based on 4% return, the average over the past year). However, you will receive a dividend of around $58 (1.8%) yielding a net cost to own of approximately $72.

 

True the stock is far below its recent highs of $43+ but it could fall much further, as was pointed out here. In fact on 9/21/01 (fallout from 9/11) it closed at $8.67 after reaching an intraday low of $7.75. A major geopolitical calamity could send this stock plumetting. You must be willing to take on the risks associated with equity ownership. But as long as you plan on cruising, it could pay for itself in OBC regardless of the share price. Since we elect auto-grats, it can even offset those costs which is same as cash.

 

Regarding buying in bits and pieces, what about mounting comissions? You may be better waiting to buy all at once, reducing your comission costs and perhaps it will be cheaper when you buy (That refects my macro-market prognostication, another subject matter altogether). Good luck and enjoy your cruises!

 

Keith

 

If you bought 100 shares at $35.00, you invested $3,500. If you take 3 1 week cruises a year for 4 years, you have been the beneficiary of $1,200 in onboard credits. Thus your true cost is now only $2,300.00.

Plus they have paid a 15 cents per share dividend every quarter for the past few years so your have an additional 4 x 3 x 15 or $180.00 re-invested in your original purchase.

 

Even with the ups and downs of the market, works for us. Once you buy it, forget it, except when it is time to send in your proof for your OBC.

 

Finally posted my comments after several interuptions so had not read either of the above, both authors make good points and great detail thanks...

 

But what if the the dividend is cut? How about the tax one pays on the dividend( I know it would be small, but still it might generate anothe tax form for some) I think one would get a better benefit on a RCI Visa, and the instant 100. OBC.

 

Enjoy

[TEXASMUNK]

Is to as good as RCI's. It does not have to be. RCI stockholders and passengers are smarter than Carnivor's. Therefore, Carnivor can get away with not as lucrative a program.

 

RCI stockholders are far better looking, have higher IQ's and are better dancers than Carnivor customers.

[land lover]

Bottom line comes down to your future cruise intentions with RCL.

This program is a "no brainer" if you plan to cruise a few times per year, regardless of the current share price. One cannot know where it will trade when you finally decide to liquidate the stock after hanging up your cruise boots. So removing that variable, lets evaluate the actual cost/return ratio.

 

The stock will cost you $3,219 (plus comission) based on todays close and therefore you will lose roughly $130 in cash equivalent interest (based on 4% return, the average over the past year). However, you will receive a dividend of around $58 (1.8%) yielding a net cost to own of approximately $72.

 

True the stock is far below its recent highs of $43+ but it could fall much further, as was pointed out here. In fact on 9/21/01 (fallout from 9/11) it closed at $8.67 after reaching an intraday low of $7.75. A major geopolitical calamity could send this stock plumetting. You must be willing to take on the risks associated with equity ownership. But as long as you plan on cruising, it could pay for itself in OBC regardless of the share price. Since we elect auto-grats, it can even offset those costs which is same as cash.

 

Regarding buying in bits and pieces, what about mounting comissions? You may be better waiting to buy all at once, reducing your comission costs and perhaps it will be cheaper when you buy (That refects my macro-market prognostication, another subject matter altogether). Good luck and enjoy your cruises!

 

Keith

 

Keith, what is Auto-gratis?

 

I just figured it out TIPS...I thought it had something to do with the stock.

[Gonzo70]

Bottom line comes down to your future cruise intentions with RCL.

This program is a "no brainer" if you plan to cruise a few times per year, regardless of the current share price.

 

Regarding buying in bits and pieces, what about mounting comissions?

 

Keith

 

Your theory is making the assumption that the OBC perk will continue for years which may or may not occur. It is very risky to buy a stock mainly for a perk that you could disappear before you are able to utilize it much. I personally would not consider buying the stock only because of the OBC unless I was dealing with money I could easily afford to lose.

 

Also buying in bits and pieces is often smart investing; commissions are often as low as $7 (sometimes even lower) these days. By purchasing in increments you protect yourself against the downside. If the stock goes up; you make money. If the stock goes down, you are able to buy more at a cheaper price. Buying all at once greatly increases the risk.

[land lover]

Your theory is making the assumption that the OBC perk will continue for years which may or may not occur. It is very risky to buy a stock mainly for a perk that you could disappear before you are able to utilize it much. I personally would not consider buying the stock only because of the OBC unless I was dealing with money I could easily afford to lose.

 

Also buying in bits and pieces is often smart investing; commissions are often as low as $7 (sometimes even lower) these days. By purchasing in increments you protect yourself against the downside. If the stock goes up; you make money. If the stock goes down, you are able to buy more at a cheaper price. Buying all at once greatly increases the risk.

 

Your last paragraph makes me smile, 100 shares is a small increment, who wants to hassel with all that paper work.....:)

I do agree about the possibility of the perk being cut off.Don't they renew it every year around this time?

[land lover]

Your theory is making the assumption that the OBC perk will continue for years which may or may not occur. It is very risky to buy a stock mainly for a perk that you could disappear before you are able to utilize it much. I personally would not consider buying the stock only because of the OBC unless I was dealing with money I could easily afford to lose.

 

Also buying in bits and pieces is often smart investing; commissions are often as low as $7 (sometimes even lower) these days. By purchasing in increments you protect yourself against the downside. If the stock goes up; you make money. If the stock goes down, you are able to buy more at a cheaper price. Buying all at once greatly increases the risk.

 

Your last paragraph makes me smile, 100 shares is a small increment, who wants to hassel with all that paper work.....:)

I do agree about the possibility of the perk being cut off.Don't they renew it every year around this time?

[Gonzo70]

Your last paragraph makes me smile, 100 shares is a small increment, who wants to hassel with all that paper work.....:)

I do agree about the possibility of the perk being cut off.Don't they renew it every year around this time?

 

Yes, I believe it is in May they make the decision whether or not to continue it for the next year.

 

100 shares may to some be a tiny increment and to others it may be a lot to do all at once. Depends on how much money one has to invest.

[aloha of the seas]

Although the dividend that RCI is not very large, when you combine it with your shareholder benefit, you have a nice yield on your investment. If you took 2, 7 day cruises a year, and paid $35 a share for the stock, your yield would be approx. 6%. Most of which is not taxed, from what I understand;but then again I am not an expert. The yield only goes up when you take longer cruises and get larger OBCs.

[Gonzo70]

Although the dividend that RCI is not very large, when you combine it with your shareholder benefit, you have a nice yield on your investment. If you took 2, 7 day cruises a year, and paid $35 a share for the stock, your yield would be approx. 6%. Most of which is not taxed, from what I understand;but then again I am not an expert. The yield only goes up when you take longer cruises and get larger OBCs.

 

The OBC is not taxable. The dividend is subject to 15% tax, but will likely go up under a Democratic president. CCL (Carnival Co.) has a better dividend but worse shareholder benefit (same dollar amounts but it is not combinable with other OBC offers).

[ehfl]

Since it varies second by second, just check the latest prices at any financial site such as http://moneycentral.msn.com

[DON M.]

The price is lower than is has been recently, but that does not necessairly make it a good buy right now. IMHO it is down for largely legitimate reasons. I would not be surprised if they have to announce some time in the next few months that they are not going to meet their revenue goals for the year. Between having to reimburse fuel surcharges, people having less spending money, fuel prices still skyrocketing and also causing food prices to go way up they are in a difficult situation. Although the stock is near it's 52 week low, I think it is still risky. Yeah, it could bounce back up, but I would not be surprised if it fell into the high 20s. Buying low and selling high is good, but you also have to take into consideation if a stock is low for a good reason and if their is some catalyst upcoming that will drive the stock upwards.[/quote

The price is down because of the casino no-smoking nights.

[truthandkeidy]

Your theory is making the assumption that the OBC perk will continue for years which may or may not occur. It is very risky to buy a stock mainly for a perk that you could disappear before you are able to utilize it much. I personally would not consider buying the stock only because of the OBC unless I was dealing with money I could easily afford to lose.

 

Also buying in bits and pieces is often smart investing; commissions are often as low as $7 (sometimes even lower) these days. By purchasing in increments you protect yourself against the downside. If the stock goes up; you make money. If the stock goes down, you are able to buy more at a cheaper price. Buying all at once greatly increases the risk.

 

Gonzo

 

You're right, you describe the priciple of dollar cost averaging and is an excellent way to invest while reducing the risks associated with market fluctuations, just as you described. I didn't think anyone would want to bother with the added paperwork and/or extra comission costs by splitting up 100 shares. But at $7 a pop, even 5x 20 share trades only equates to 1% total costs, not bad.

*You are also correct that I'm assuming the policy will remain in effect.

Gosh, I hope its here for a long, long time.

 

BTW, off topic, what other OBC's does Carnival offer that are not combinable with shareholder OBC? I am Carnival "Platinum" (equiv to my RCL Diamond) and have always been able to use my CCL OBC as well. What other OBC's does Carnival have anyhow? (We cruise more RCL than CCL)

 

Keith

[joediver]

I fully agree with you second paragraph, but not so much with the first. $100 or so per shareholder multiplied by the number of people who use this benefit adds up to likely a rather significant amount. I hope they keep the benefit in place, but it is no guarantee. A more likely scenario is that they make it non-combinable with other types of OBC (like Carnival's shareholder policy) which would significantly weaken the usefulness of the benefit (as there are already easy methods in place to get OBC without owning the stock).

 

FYI Carnival's shareholder policy is now combinable with other OBC.

[CharmedOne]

What does RCI consider "reduced-rate fares" when considering whether or not you can use the OBC? It it ANY sale fare or just one of their "special" Tuesday or Hot Deal sales? Anyone know?

[negc]

FYI Carnival's shareholder policy is now combinable with other OBC.

Perhaps Carnival concluded that RCCL's OBC attracts more business than their's does and decided to follow RCCL's lead, which is the opposite of Gonzo's supposition.