Member Info for YoungRetiree

Interesting Fordy, thanks.

On cruise news, there was a bit in the a telegraph today about Saga Cruises. They are not in good shape and speculation by some that a trade buyer could appear. Can't see it myself.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/11/30/inside-scramble-save-saga-debt-mountain-euan-sutherland/

I've been digging further into it (I've a guaranteed cabin booked to Istanbul in a few days!)

It seems since the poster tweeted he has been given an enhanced package and is now very happy! Mind you, I'd still be miffed if i flew to Australia with family to be bumped!

RCL seem to be sailing at full capacity....Shocking treatment by RCL considering people had paid for flights only to be turned away at the pier!

https://twitter.com/doe21644064372/status/1729524103000830009?t=fOrat-nmXV_2P7QJ-j0NbA&s=19

A copy of the notice has been leaked online, so i think there was certainly some intent at one stage.

https://twitter.com/NewportDave3/status/1728065566659821872?t=WmSDUhtPoMSekbDqizQRCQ&s=19

Not ccl related, but if anyone is booking a rcl or ambassador cruise, i note amex are currently running cashback offers in case it helps save anyone a few quid.

The Guardian appear to have updated their article based on the press update. Its still quite negative and has generated quite a lot of negative publicity on social media for the p&o brand.

I'm currently out of the country, Not sure if this has been picked up on here

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/23/po-cruises-and-cunard-prepares-to-fire-and-rehire-more-than-900-uk-staff

I think your voyage was the one that followed the sailing I was on. She is indeed a lovely ship. I didn't have a drink package but was happy to buy ad hoc drinks. I didn't find the cost too expensive. Mind you, coming from London no price is as bad as London! Don't tell P&O though.... don't want them thinking they can squeeze them higher 😀

Cheers Bhants. They are down another 5% today / 23.5% in the month (against CCL down 5.5% in the month), so they continue to tank. A lucky escape!

I didn't buy in the end. I'll hold off.

It was a 'shelf offering'. From the sound of it, it's the ability to issue (ie not yet done). Could be like a block listing announcement here?

Anyway, I think I'll look elsewhere! Too risky. Thanks for the useful insights guys.

Just looking at ncl financial liquidity per below and stumbled upon this CCL analysis in case anyone is interested!

https://www.macroaxis.com/invest/ratio/CCL/Probability-Of-Bankruptcy#:~:text=Based%20on%20the%20latest%20financial,of%20the%20Consumer%20Discretionary%20industry.

Thanks bot. They gave notice late yesterday of a pending large increase in share issue. I guess things don't look good. Maybe that's fed into ncl/ccl upon us opening

I know this is a CCL board, but anyone here hold NCL? you think we have it bad, ncl is bobbing along the bottom on a 5 year graph. I'm tempted to widen my cruise portfolio :-)

Finally back in blighty from Arvia. Good to be on solid ground. We had an unexpected stop in La Corona on the way back to drop an ill passenger off. This put us back re time so she was full out steaming back. Only 30 minutes late in the end but at full power our cabin shook like a helicopter in our cabin at the back all night. 9th floor.

Anyway, just catching up on news. Not spotted this mentioned, but as I'm going from 2 hours from 'Venice' I do sympathise! Mind you, I booked through a German agent... so i guess the ruling won't impact them over there.

https://cruiseradio.net/royal-caribbean-sanctioned-for-false-advertising/

Cheers Top. Plenty of ships in dock, they certainly have embraced cruises! Well, the authorities have anyway! It was heaving in the city, so i can understand why locals who have to use the infrastructure must get annoyed. Saw a Virgin ship for first time whist there. Looked like big NCP carpark. Nothing like the brochures

I think it will have an impact on many regions. I'm already considering cancelling my Istanbul one before full payment becomes due in 3 weeks after seeing the protests there smashing up McDonalds etc. . I can't be alone.

Anyway, still on Arvia. Been a super couple of days in Barcelona. Next stop Cadiz.....

Must dash... Zenith in 15 minutes 😉

Don't get me wrong, staff are great. Just over worked. Storm was really bad. Rocked well in bed from side to side, praying we weren't going to tip. Did i read somewhere that a 5 degree tilt could tip a ship? But captain was great. Ship handled it very well. Full confidence in her

Also, the staff don't seem to be attentive. Small things, like witnessing people order drinks from waiter in the bars, being told they are too busy serving other people at the moment and will come back to them. And then not returning. I think they have really cut back in staff so the poor chaps are running around and just not delivering the usual service levels. I stress, not terror l their fault. Witnessed this across the ship, MDR etc

Currently on Arvia. Took a hammering in 75 knot storm off Portugal. Couldn't get off in Lisbon so now sent to Gibraltar.

Cost cutting very evident on Aviva. Very old demographic this sale, not much spending from what I can see.

I read a tweet yesterday from an exasperated HAL passenger that their captain was being very stubborn regarding leaving port. I guess they must have left in the end.

Bit more here re cruise impact

https://cruiseradio.net/cruise-lines-cancel-israel-after-hamas-attack/