Hate Losing Shareholder and Next Cruise Benefits? MAKE SOME NOISE WITH RCCL NOW

[mikeerdas]

Interesting ideas, both, to contest the credit card charge and/or make a booking with NextCruise, then cancel to get the deposit refunded. I suppose I ought to check the fine print on the NextCruise documentation.

 

So "non-refundable" only means you can't get a refund unless you make a booking, then cancel? Somehow, I thought once you booked with NextCruise, you'd never be able to get your deposit back even if you canceled the cruise.

 

Is there anyone else I can call or email about this?

[beachbuddy]

Interesting ideas, both, to contest the credit card charge and/or make a booking with NextCruise, then cancel to get the deposit refunded. I suppose I ought to check the fine print on the NextCruise documentation.

 

So "non-refundable" only means you can't get a refund unless you make a booking, then cancel? Somehow, I thought once you booked with NextCruise, you'd never be able to get your deposit back even if you canceled the cruise.

 

Is there anyone else I can call or email about this?

 

You can always call RCCL reps and ask them. I'm in that situation right now. I booked a cruise with a NC certificate for December but because of some complications from a foot surgery plus the fact that it really was to close to the holidays for me I called to cancel it but I didn't want to lose my next cruise OBC so instead of asking for a refund I moved the booking to anytime next fall until I could decide on a cruise. I wanted to save the booking number in case I found a good deal in late Nov or early Dec this year. We already have a cruise for March 09 booked. Anyway, now that the OBC from the NC certificate is not combineable with the shareholder OBC I don't need to keep it so I will probably be calling and asking for my deposit back. I may hang onto it for a little while just to see if RCCL has a change of heart regarding this new policy.

 

Patty

[WeLuvVacation]

RCCL has 213.52 million shares sold out of 500 million shares available for sale.

 

If you own 100 shares you can go to the annual shareholders meeting in Miami (at your own expense of course), have your say, vote your shares and go back home. You will have very little influence on corporate policy. Even if all the dissatisfied "obc" people create a "bloc" you won't be able to out vote these folks!

 

http://www.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/roster.asp?sid=10383&symb=RCL

 

As Walter Cronkite used to say "And that's the way it is."

[Morecruisesplz]

You can always call RCCL reps and ask them. I'm in that situation right now. I booked a cruise with a NC certificate for December but because of some complications from a foot surgery plus the fact that it really was to close to the holidays for me I called to cancel it but I didn't want to lose my next cruise OBC so instead of asking for a refund I moved the booking to anytime next fall until I could decide on a cruise. I wanted to save the booking number in case I found a good deal in late Nov or early Dec this year. We already have a cruise for March 09 booked. Anyway, now that the OBC from the NC certificate is not combineable with the shareholder OBC I don't need to keep it so I will probably be calling and asking for my deposit back. I may hang onto it for a little while just to see if RCCL has a change of heart regarding this new policy.

 

Patty

 

Thanks for the great suggestions. I should have said up front that our first choice is to hang on to the NC if there is any chance RCCL might reconsider this decision, but the gal who called us gave us no hope of that. I'm sure they would love everyone to book their NC's by the 15th and fill bookings but that just is not realistic.

It's not like we're not crusing. We have a Disney in January with all the kids and grandkids and wWe have the inaugural Oasis booked so are saving for that. We took the NC in case something really great came along that we wanted book with RCCL but we won't be rushed into it to save $100.00. If that is the case it would be easier to skip it until they make up their minds what the final policy will be.

[abridalmaven]

O no! Not another protest thread.:rolleyes:

 

jc

My exact thoughts.

[abridalmaven]

RCI can be as short sighted as they want to be. There is nothing in the NC documents which guarantees you the combo of OBC nor does the stock holder benefits guarantees you the combo. They can make changes to a benefit as they feel.

 

How many stockholders actually get the maximum benefits? $250 for cruises 12 nights or longer?

 

Otherwise you are talking pennies. Under 6 nights your OBC for each benefit is $50 respectively. Now you have to choose. $50 break your bank?

 

Or 7 Nights to 11 Nights? Your benefits for each program is $100 respectively. Now you have to choose. Is $100 gonna break your bank on 7 Nights and longer?

 

If your answer is yes to both questions you may not want to cruise at all.

 

I rather they make us choose benefits rather than have this company run into financial trouble.

 

I find it extremely funny that for most the 'loyalty' ends with cutting benefits.

 

We all were able to take advantage of a pretty darn good loyalty program over the years now its time that we too suffer a little.

 

I find it extremely disturbing that this board is filled with "free robes", "another price reduction, yeah me" and "I had 200OBC on a 7 Night cruise and I cashed out $100 of it".

 

I find it disturbing that people advocate on this forum to share soda cards to save a lousy $6 a day, promote smuggling alcohol to save a few bucks here and there, complain about every little thing to get a dollar here and there in compensation OBC and yet when every company has to tighten the belt and RCI does not take away benefits but rather makes you choose the screams are loud.

 

RCI didn't not make you pay $200 for an NC (you could have only paid $100 anyways). RCI did not make you buy stock. You choosed to do so. And it was clearly said (just with the C & A benefits) that RCI has the right to make changes at any time. You bought into that 'contract/agreement'. If you didn't read that I suggest you read before you buy anything.

Very well said!

 

I had a bridal shop. I sold and rented gowns. One day a woman came in with her daugther, showed me a picture of a couture bridal gown which wholesaled above $2000, and said this is the gown I want to rent for my daughter and I will only spend $200. I said so I am going to purchase this gown at $2000 rent it for you and then what? She said it is so beautiful it will rent again. I said lady, there is no guarantee I will ever rent it again, and gowns have a limited life the size you want is to small for most brides. I said good luck and showed her the door.

 

Some people expect the world and do not want to pay. I can not tell you how many people I encountered with an attitude like that. My sister owned a dance studio, and a mother complained my sister was making money off of children, so she said, so does Disney.

 

My last cruise I had an OBC of $450, that is alot of money!

[Morecruisesplz]

Very well said!

Some people expect the world and do not want to pay. I can not tell you how many people I encountered with an attitude like that. My sister owned a dance studio, and a mother complained my sister was making money off of children, so she said, so does Disney.

 

My last cruise I had an OBC of $450, that is alot of money!

 

You and the person to whom you responded have missed the point completely. It isn't about what we expect or free or if RCCL had the right to change their policy -- we all know they do. My complaint is that I paid for a Next Cruise to be used in the future during a 9/27 cruise then get home to be told I have to book it by 10/15 to take advantage of the benefits which have been available for previous cruises. I don't mind the new rules -- just tell me about them BEFORE I sign the "contract." And don't tell me that LA didn't know about the upcoming change. She is there to sell contracts so of course she "forgot" to mention it. But that doesn't make it right.

 

I'm glad you have lots of extra money to give away for your vacations but others of us are watching what we spend and trying to make the best decisions concerning limited dollars available for vacationing. When the rules change mid-stream it should be clearly communicated. After all how did you learn about the new policy? Exactly like the rest of us -- on cruise critic after a customer found out about it. Did RCCL contact me about having to book by the Oct 15th? Not until I complained to them!

 

See the problem?

[beachbuddy]

You and the person to whom you responded have missed the point completely. It isn't about what we expect or free or if RCCL had the right to change their policy -- we all know they do. My complaint is that I paid for a Next Cruise to be used in the future during a 9/27 cruise then get home to be told I have to book it by 10/15 to take advantage of the benefits which have been available for previous cruises. I don't mind the new rules -- just tell me about them BEFORE I sign the "contract." And don't tell me that LA didn't know about the upcoming change. She is there to sell contracts so of course she "forgot" to mention it. But that doesn't make it right.

 

I'm glad you have lots of extra money to give away for your vacations but others of us are watching what we spend and trying to make the best decisions concerning limited dollars available for vacationing. When the rules change mid-stream it should be clearly communicated. After all how did you learn about the new policy? Exactly like the rest of us -- on cruise critic after a customer found out about it. Did RCCL contact me about having to book by the Oct 15th? Not until I complained to them!

 

See the problem?

 

I definitely see the problem...........LOL We save our money up to cruise as well and we too look for bargains so no matter what others say, I think the majority of us are in the same boat.........or should I say ship? We all want RCCL to succeed in their business but I really think that the things they do are really aggravating some very good customers and I'm hoping they have a change of heart. I really don't think it's in their best interest to make this policy change.

 

You know, that LA might not have known about it. I have a friend that just called RCCL to ask about it because she has 2 cruises booked already but she never applied for the stock benefit and she wanted to know if she will still be able to apply it when she gets her next statement and have it combined with the OBC she already has from her NC certificates and the rep knew nothing about it at all - she had to go ask another rep. Of course they told her No, but I believe the answer should be Yes since her cruises have been booked already. I told her to call back tomorrow and to also email investor services and ask them.

[FL_Cruiser64]

You and the person to whom you responded have missed the point completely. It isn't about what we expect or free or if RCCL had the right to change their policy -- we all know they do. My complaint is that I paid for a Next Cruise to be used in the future during a 9/27 cruise then get home to be told I have to book it by 10/15 to take advantage of the benefits which have been available for previous cruises. I don't mind the new rules -- just tell me about them BEFORE I sign the "contract." And don't tell me that LA didn't know about the upcoming change. She is there to sell contracts so of course she "forgot" to mention it. But that doesn't make it right.

 

I'm glad you have lots of extra money to give away for your vacations but others of us are watching what we spend and trying to make the best decisions concerning limited dollars available for vacationing. When the rules change mid-stream it should be clearly communicated. After all how did you learn about the new policy? Exactly like the rest of us -- on cruise critic after a customer found out about it. Did RCCL contact me about having to book by the Oct 15th? Not until I complained to them!

 

See the problem?

 

I don't think you got Bridal's point at all.

[Ladylouwho]

What loyal cruisers? You mean the influx of vacationers who are out only to benefit for themselves and when changes are made they take a hike?

 

I consider a loyal cruiser who cruisers for the ship experience, for the love of being on an RCI ship not those who whine and moan and run off when there are minor changes to a certain benefit or a program.

 

Your entire post is actually proof of my opinion that the loyalty ends with certain benefit changes.

 

And maybe this is required for RCI to get back to their loyal cruiser base which once made this cruise line enjoyable and a step above the other mass market lines.

 

Because I tell you what: if RCI could dump the cheap and greedy customer and sail with those who love cruising and RCI (and not just for their benefit) we could see a resurging of the Royal Caribbean experience we all got to know 'back in the days'.

 

My proposal: Split RCI

 

Form a new company (call it Royal Caribbean Vacation) and throw in the Freedom Class, Oasis Class and half the Voyager Class and rename RCI into Royal Caribbean International Classic and throw in half the Voyager Class and all classes below. For RCIC increase the cruise fares and increase the service and for RCV keep on having dump prices and let them have what they paid for.

 

For RCI to cut services you have to know the reasons why.

 

a) RCI with bigger ships had to compete to fill them and went into price fight. Some cruises today are cheaper than Carnival, an issue it was unheard of as late as in the 90s. Even filling the ships it created less pre-cruise revenue.

 

b) cruisers turned more selfish especially the newer generation

I can not tell you how many people overdo the 'unlimited' food part. People walking around with two or three plates filled to the top and beyond just to eat a few bites and the rest is garbage - same at dinner. This was a rare occurance back then. Even if you had food plenty you usually ate what you ordered/served yourself.

 

c) new cruiser turn to compensation way to fast

A missed port, a little rough sea, a broken pipe etc - gimme, gimme, gimme. The new generation of cruisers is incapable of realizing that they are on a cruise, on a ship with limited capacities of resources and exposed to the elements.

 

d) the newer generation overall abuses the system more than the 'older' cruise generation

- C & A levels are being assigned to people (family or not) with less than the required cruise credits

- the "take cash out at the casino' was abused (thus a 3% fee)

- the word comes out that if you complain, even if unjustified, they give you something otherwise threat with exposure on the internet

....there are so many more

 

e) more often than not the newer cruiser generation breaks rules

- smuggling alcohol

- sharing soda cards

....just to name a couple of things

 

 

This is just to name a few reasons....

 

 

As a stock holder I am less concerned about the changes. I did not buy for the sole purpose of OBC. In a world where cruisers are proud that they can cash OBC out and are proud that they only spend $50 on a 7 night cruise as a stockholder I am concerned about the lack of onboard revenue. Onboard revenue is always the greatest money maker especially in times of low fares. The thinking behind low cruise fares is that cruisers will spend the money anyways once on board. But times have changed. Sorry to say that but a lot of cruisers are cheap cruisers.

So with low cruise fares RCI attracted the a-typical bargain cruiser who are not willing to spend a dime onboard or just barely the minimum.

But, cruiser want more and more for less. Something has to give. Somewhere. You can not sit there honestly and run after every price reduction, every coupon, every (unpaid) RCI OBC, smuggle alcohol, bring your own soda (or share soda cards), spend a bare minimum and expect more. RCI is a for profit corporation and if those who bought their shares just for OBC dump their stock now and cruise somewhere else it may just be a wake up call for Mr Fain and he will maybe realize what a mistake he has made in the last 20 years.

 

As a stockholder your priority should be onboard revenue, cruise sales, reduced expenses to have your stock grow. Because the benefit of increased share value outweights the lousy OBC you still get but now have to choose.

 

:p

 

 

 

What Are You Talking About?

 

 

a) The newer, larger ship cruise fares are generally higher than the smaller, older ships. What are you talking about?

 

b) This is ridiculous. How many times and how many people have you really ever seen do this? What ships? What dates? I have cruised RCL many, many times and have never seen this. And exactly what is the "Newer Generation". What are you talking about?

 

c) What? How do you know who is a newer cruiser or not? What are you talking about?

 

d) Here you go again with the "Newer Generation". Regarding C & A credits, how do you know this? Give facts/evidence please. Cash in the casino? Again facts please. Threats? Again, names, dates, ships, etc. Please give us the facts! What are you talking about?

 

e) Only newer cruisers break the rules? What? Evidence please. What are you talking about?

 

As far as being a stockholder of RCL. I am a stockholder, my husband is a stockholder, my daughter is a stockholder. Thousands and thousands of people are stockholders of RCL. BIG DEAL!!!!!

 

You Sir/Madam (don't know which you are) are trying to make statements out of your opinions. But you have no evidence or facts to support them as statements, thus they are only your opinions, which you are entitled to post.

 

I guess there is the "Newer Generation" and then of course there is the "Older Generation" and I have been discovering on these boards that there is also the "Malicious Generation".

 

Happy sailings to you and all who cross your path.

[PH8]

I think if you put it on any cruise at all and cancel the cruise you will get your deposit back. For instance, if you put it on a little 3 or 4 night cruise any date at all and call back in a day or 2 and cancel it, they refund it since that is your deposit. I would call and ask if it works that way before you do it. At present I havea deposit on hold with the next cruise certificate but I might have to cancel it - when I cancel it I will get my full $500 refunded......the $100 from the next cruise and the $400 from the rest of the deposit. Once a next cruise is turned into a booking, it is treated like a regular booking. At least that's what a rep told me...........:D

 

Interesting ideas, both, to contest the credit card charge and/or make a booking with NextCruise, then cancel to get the deposit refunded. I suppose I ought to check the fine print on the NextCruise documentation.

 

So "non-refundable" only means you can't get a refund unless you make a booking, then cancel? Somehow, I thought once you booked with NextCruise, you'd never be able to get your deposit back even if you canceled the cruise.

 

Is there anyone else I can call or email about this?

 

You can get all your money back if you do turn that NC into a booking..........I have done that myself......................once its a booking, they dont see it as a NC anymore.......just a reservation.....

[ChevyCruiser]

I was not responding to abridalmaven and you and I got both of your points: Quit gripping about the change in rules - they are free to change them.

My point is: Not in mid-stream while selling me a NC then giving me less than 30 days to use it IF I want the same OBC's I have received in the past. (And, by the way, I did not ask for all of those OBC offers. I simply took advantage of what was available - what the company was offereing. So don't give me your poor, poor RCCL can't make any money stuff! Who was it who decided to offer Stockholder OBC's along with NC OBC?

 

 

Well said, Fredmdcruiser. I have yet to see any sort of annoucement on RCCL's website about the change. Maybe they were hoping to slide it right by without any fanfare - sort of like when the Colts left Baltimore in the dead of night. Such action or lack of on RCCL's part does not help instill a sense of brand loyalty - rather it leaves one feeling like he got the shaft.

[Retired LEO]

You can get all your money back if you do turn that NC into a booking..........I have done that myself......................once its a booking, they dont see it as a NC anymore.......just a reservation.....

 

Thanks, that's what I'll probably do. I currently have 2 NC certificates that I got in August. Since the OBC is now useless I'll just book 2 cruises then cancel them.

[beachbuddy]

I was not responding to abridalmaven and you and I got both of your points: Quit gripping about the change in rules - they are free to change them.

My point is: Not in mid-stream while selling me a NC then giving me less than 30 days to use it IF I want the same OBC's I have received in the past. (And, by the way, I did not ask for all of those OBC offers. I simply took advantage of what was available - what the company was offereing. So don't give me your poor, poor RCCL can't make any money stuff! Who was it who decided to offer Stockholder OBC's along with NC OBC?

 

 

Well said, Fredmdcruiser. I have yet to see any sort of annoucement on RCCL's website about the change. Maybe they were hoping to slide it right by without any fanfare - sort of like when the Colts left Baltimore in the dead of night. Such action or lack of on RCCL's part does not help instill a sense of brand loyalty - rather it leaves one feeling like he got the shaft.

 

Well put...........of course they were hoping to slide it right thru just like they slid other things right thru like changing the OBC of $200 on a NC certificate from a 9 night plus to a 10 night plus cruise without notifying anyone. I found this out when I booked a cruise but it was a $200 OBC for 9 nights when I purchased it.

[ksuds]

I sent my letter to RCL. I will be disappointed if that "perk" goes away. I will just land up not prebooking cruises. No shareholders will prebook any longer. That may land up hurting them more then the obc's would. Don't know how many prebooks they do per month, but at 50.00 per person and they are just hanging on to your money, collecting interest off it.....seems that they will be loosing more.

[FL_Cruiser64]

As far as being a stockholder of RCL. I am a stockholder, my husband is a stockholder, my daughter is a stockholder. Thousands and thousands of people are stockholders of RCL. BIG DEAL!!!!!

 

Obviously you didn't get the conversation at all. So I will refrain from a response to your entire post.

 

How do I know this? You quote above says it all.

 

It was not the point of me being a stockholder. Sure there are thousand of them. No biggie. I could have generalized it. I could have said: As a stockholder, people should be.....

 

The point I was making is that I did not invest for OBC and as a stockholder I gladly give up the combination of benefits and the lousy $100 if that helps RCI generate more revenue thus increasing the share value so that my investment pays off.

 

But in your attempt to viciously attack a few posters on CC who happen to disagree with you, you failed to put this quote and my entire post into the proper context and used it as a platform for attacks. Why am I not surprised?

[Ladylouwho]

Obviously you didn't get the conversation at all. So I will refrain from any response.

 

How do I know this? You quote above says it all.

 

It was not the point of me being a stockholder. Sure there are thousand of them. No biggie. I could have generalized it. I could have said: As a stockholder, people should be.....

 

The point I was making is that I did not invest for OBC and as a stockholder I gladly give up the combination of benefits and the lousy $100 if that helps RCI generate more revenue thus increasing the share value so that my investment pays off.

 

But in your attempt to viciously attack a few posters on CC who happen to disagree with you, you failed to put this quote and my entire post into the proper context and used it as a platform for attacks. Why am I not surprised?

 

I didn't viciously attack you. I asked for facts and evidence of your assertions that people in the "Newer Generation", whatever that means, do the sorts of things that you accuse them of doing in your long post about this "Newer Generation". You have definite opinions that are not very nice about this Newer Generation and Newer Cruisers in general. And as I responded to your post only regarding this topic, I really don't know what you are talking about when you accuse me of viciously attacking "a few posters on CC". I did not care for your post slamming and degrading people (Newer Cruisers, Newer Generation) who go on cruise ships without any evidence to support your claim. Thus I was pointing out that these allegations of yours that somehow these Newer Cruisers are causing such problems were your opinions only and not supported by fact. You have the right to post your opinions and I have the right to respond to them. I just don't understand why you have to put down an entire group of cruisers when there is no reason to do so. To me this does indeed seem malicious. How can everyone who is a newer cruiser or everyone in this so called newer generation be blamed for all the things you accuse them of? What was your point in maligning them?

[traveler/]

Just a question and a thought:

What is the real cost to RCL for providing an OBC?

LESS than face value, so long as the OBC is actually spent onboard.

I would guess that it may be 50 cents or less on the dollar.

So, is RCL making that much of an impact to the bottom line by instituting this change?:confused:

[FL_Cruiser64]

I didn't viciously attack you. I asked for facts and evidence of your assertions that people in the "Newer Generation", whatever that means, do the sorts of things that you accuse them of doing in your long post about this "Newer Generation". You have definite opinions that are not very nice about this Newer Generation and Newer Cruisers in general. And as I responded to your post only regarding this topic, I really don't know what you are talking about when you accuse me of viciously attacking "a few posters on CC". I did not care for your post slamming and degrading people (Newer Cruisers, Newer Generation) who go on cruise ships without any evidence to support your claim. Thus I was pointing out that these allegations of yours that somehow these Newer Cruisers are causing such problems were your opinions only and not supported by fact. You have the right to post your opinions and I have the right to respond to them. I just don't understand why you have to put down an entire group of cruisers when there is no reason to do so. To me this does indeed seem malicious. How can everyone who is a newer cruiser or everyone in this so called newer generation be blamed for all the things you accuse them of? What was your point in maligning them?

 

"More often than not"

"Overall"

 

Means majority not all....

 

Fact:

Some of it is my observation and talking to people.

Some of it is the fact that RCI still has over 100% sold inventory but revenue went down.

Some of it is this very same forum we are posting on.

 

The combination of the three are enough facts for me.

 

I don't slam new cruisers or new generations I slam those who hurt this company through less spending and constant complaining. Unfortunately it is the majority of the new cruiser generation. The only ones who get all fuzzy about it are those who can identify themselves or those who are close to them with my comments.

 

So tell me what is your thinking behind still sailing full ships with less onboard revenue?

 

But after having just read another post of yours on a different thread I think I stop responding to you. Obviously there is a context problem (you nicely avoided my point I made about the stockholder part) after reading this other thread. Now before you accuse me of stalking you as you do with JC: I read the thread because it was about the Majesty and I will be sailing on her come Monday. But of course your one response stuck out and I had to grin.

 

Have a wonderful day.

[beachbuddy]

"More often than not"

"Overall"

 

Means majority not all....

 

Fact:

Some of it is my observation and talking to people.

Some of it is the fact that RCI still has over 100% sold inventory but revenue went down.

Some of it is this very same forum we are posting on.

 

The combination of the three are enough facts for me.

 

I don't slam new cruisers or new generations I slam those who hurt this company through less spending and constant complaining. Unfortunately it is the majority of the new cruiser generation. The only ones who get all fuzzy about it are those who can identify themselves or those who are close to them with my comments.

 

So tell me what is your thinking behind still sailing full ships with less onboard revenue?

 

But after having just read another post of yours on a different thread I think I stop responding to you. Obviously there is a context problem (you nicely avoided my point I made about the stockholder part) after reading this other thread. Now before you accuse me of stalking you as you do with JC: I read the thread because it was about the Majesty and I will be sailing on her come Monday. But of course your one response stuck out and I had to grin.

 

Have a wonderful day.

 

FL Cruiser,

 

Do you really think they have 100% sold inventory? I don't think they do. Have you seen the special deals they've been running? C'mon, when in the past could you get a balcony for $650 for a 7 night cruise and that doesn't even include your platinum or diamond discount yet. They had the Adventurer and the Serenade on sale for quite a long time - I think they're finally filling them because the prices went up. I also think the reason they aren't filling cabins is because people can't afford or depend on airfare to get to their cruise! A few weeks ago there was a JS on the Navigator for $829 and with a diamond discount, that's $729!!! Great price but I searched for airfare to Florida and it was ridiculous and flights weren't convenient either so I didn't book. RCCL might want to consider moving some of their ships and then I think they might have fuller ships.

[Ladylouwho]

"More often than not"

"Overall"

 

Means majority not all....

 

Fact:

Some of it is my observation and talking to people.

Some of it is the fact that RCI still has over 100% sold inventory but revenue went down.

Some of it is this very same forum we are posting on.

 

The combination of the three are enough facts for me.

 

I don't slam new cruisers or new generations I slam those who hurt this company through less spending and constant complaining. Unfortunately it is the majority of the new cruiser generation. The only ones who get all fuzzy about it are those who can identify themselves or those who are close to them with my comments.

 

So tell me what is your thinking behind still sailing full ships with less onboard revenue?

 

But after having just read another post of yours on a different thread I think I stop responding to you. Obviously there is a context problem (you nicely avoided my point I made about the stockholder part) after reading this other thread. Now before you accuse me of stalking you as you do with JC: I read the thread because it was about the Majesty and I will be sailing on her come Monday. But of course your one response stuck out and I had to grin.

 

Have a wonderful day.

 

 

 

Look this is tedious and unpleasant. I will no longer engage you or read your posts.

[FL_Cruiser64]

Just a question and a thought:

What is the real cost to RCL for providing an OBC?

LESS than face value, so long as the OBC is actually spent onboard.

I would guess that it may be 50 cents or less on the dollar.

So, is RCL making that much of an impact to the bottom line by instituting this change?:confused:

 

a) If they spend it you are right. And I don't think that is the major problem (maybe part of it). An OBC used to have the function of just being part of your bill. Now, for many it has become the guideline to spending: we spend our OBC and nor more. So RCI is losing. I am not sure if your number is right but let's say the net loss is $.50 on each dollar OBC. With $200 in RCI OBC they lose $100. Doesn't sound much right? But now project that onto the larger picture.

 

Project the $100 onto 20,000 passengers (10,000 berth through double occupancy). That comes out to $1,000,000.

 

The 10,000 is a rather small number considering that RCI has about 71,000 berths to fill each and every week.

 

So, I am sure that this is a consideration.

 

b) The other problem is that the OBC is not being spend at all but people cash out left over unpaid OBC. In that case RCI is losing 1:1 on whatever amount is cashed out. So the loss of revenue is evn greater.

 

This change has only one reason: that is loss of revenue on board.

 

And it is not like they are taking away these benefits nut they make you choose which one to apply.

 

I have 3 NCs and will buy one more next week. I know that I can not use stockholder OBC with NC so I will choose stockholder OBC on my future cruises. The NCs I hold onto until they either kill the stockholder OBC completely or they allow combining again.

 

In the mean time as I always have said. If people feel that RCI is screwing them: hey its a free market. Choose another cruise line. I know that, as much as I love cruising on RCI, if they do not give me the cruising experience I like or if I would feel they are screwing with me I'd switch. :D

[billscruiser]

I just booked a NC credit to get under the deadline and because I also received the Diamond balcony discount, they won't combine the NC on board credit. I have seen nothing about this on the boards. Did it just happen to me, or was this always the rule. I have never tried to use the NC credit before. Always booked cabin and cruise on board. Any ideas?:rolleyes:

Kathryn

[French_Fry]

RCCL has 213.52 million shares sold out of 500 million shares available for sale.

 

If you own 100 shares you can go to the annual shareholders meeting in Miami (at your own expense of course), have your say, vote your shares and go back home. You will have very little influence on corporate policy. Even if all the dissatisfied "obc" people create a "bloc" you won't be able to out vote these folks!

 

http://www.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/roster.asp?sid=10383&symb=RCL

 

As Walter Cronkite used to say "And that's the way it is."

 

It really amazes me how people with their 100 or 500 or even 5,000 shares of stock in some company really think thay have some controlling interest!

 

What amazes me even more is that they really think that if thay can organize all of the "small fry" owners they can affect some sort of change!

 

They can get their thoughts heard and voted on but that's about it. Unless management somehow (and that's very unlikely) agrees with them it will never get passed.

 

So keep fighting the good fight and be prepared to lose.

[beachbuddy]

I just booked a NC credit to get under the deadline and because I also received the Diamond balcony discount, they won't combine the NC on board credit. I have seen nothing about this on the boards. Did it just happen to me, or was this always the rule. I have never tried to use the NC credit before. Always booked cabin and cruise on board. Any ideas?:rolleyes:

Kathryn

 

The Diamond balcony discount should be a given and they should be combinable. Call back and talk to someone else or ask to speak to a supervisor!

 

Good Luck and let us know how you make out.