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Without wading through the bumffff again, if memory serves me right..... it is those on the register at 5pm today, will get the 33.99p in due course.
Not sure where ex div comes into it as such, as it is not being paid as a special dividend (from memory), just a return of capital - purely to those on the register.
You are missing the point about bums on seats.......... whether it be SAGA, Cunard or the 7* luxury yachts; if you set sail on a cruise not full to standard capacity, you are in effect losing money (as your basic operating costs remain the same - there might be a saving on food used if under capacity)............. and to have only sold 64% of the first 19 cruises (I think was the figure in yesterdays results) after all the time they have been on sale; is not that inspiring.
With the other cruise brands (good, bad or indifferent) bringing their new ships online; the choice of new ships for cruisers becomes even greater. Yes, there are people loyal to brands, but why would someone loyal to say P&O try SAGA's new ship, likewise, why would someone loyal to SAGA, try P&O's new IONA............. it's unlikely to happen in large numbers.......... yes, some will, those who like to sail on Maiden Cruises etc regardless of , and I know a few people like that, but they are in the minority.
Profit comes from bums on seats........... most cruise companies use the price you pay for your cruise to cover basic costs (fuel, port costs etc) the real money is made on bars, shore excursions, shop sales and casino etc.......so whether you compare David to Goliath or Goliath to David.......... your profit is ultimately down to what passengers spend............and price is a major factor, especially when you have passengers moaning about paying tips to staff!
As I said, personally speaking I think they would do wise to get out of doing cruises and concentrate on the insurance side.......especially cruise insurance which is completely different from ordinary travel insurance (as it should allow for coverage of cover for 'air lift' if someone is taken ill whilst at sea which requires them to be taken ashore urgently..
We have just booked a 2 week cruise for 6 people which includes my mother in law, who will be 80 when we sail...... cruise insurance cover quotes for her range so far from £350 to £900 on one search engine. Even if you took the lower figure obtained , if (assuming) SAGA was selling it; how much profit would they make?.....I bet it would be nearly far off what they make per person on a cruise.
I have read a number of comments over the weeks about the CEO and BOD and how SAGA is going.
As someone who is both a SAGA shareholder and someone who cruises a few times a year with another brand; the figures of advance sales on SAGA's new ship seem extremely low. I know on another chat board, people who don't cruise were making a lot of SAGA's new ships...........but I think they will not gain anymore market share than they have at present.
Bearing in mind the ship is small both in size and passenger numbers compared to many; after being on sale for a some time now, only 64% of first 19 cruises sold does not seem particularly good.
If you compare that to P&O's new ship IONA due in 2020 which will be the largest ship geared to the UK Passenger (at Circa 5000 passengers) . They only released cabins for sale on 10th September and I am told the maiden cruise was sold out within a couple of days.....and that they could have sold that cruise 7 times over. They then have another one of a similar size due 2 years later................and I think I read the Princess Cruises will have a new similar size ship based in Europe (Princess and P&O are part of the same group) in 2021/23.........hence why I think SAGA will struggle to get further market share.
Perhaps SAGA should consider selling the cruise ships to Carnival UK/Corp (who own P&O, Cunard, Princess and other brands) as part of a deal to be the nominated Cruise Insurance supplier for over 50's?????
Try Selftrade Equiniti...................... 98% of the time I get my divi's on the due pay date.......and if they are delayed it usually a delay fro the paying company. Whether it is because I have used them for years, I even get REIT dividends with PID in full, as they view the client should not be penalised for the tax part (whilst they claim it back).