Caesars Entertainment to drop NCL partnership, move to Royal Caribbean?

Apologies that the scan is a bit grainy.

Basically this is a Caesars Entertainment property (Harrahs Baltimore) offering a free cruise on Royal Caribbean. This is the first time I've seen such a thing. Everything else in recent memory has been on NCL.

Could this mean the end of NCL's partnership with Caesars, perhaps being replaced by RCCL?

I hope not.

Has anyone else seen non-NCL cruises given away by Caesars properties in the past few years?

Rather interesting. Have not seen this pop up anywhere else.

I highly doubt that this is a true statement. The private equity firm Apollo Global Mgmt. has a large stake in both Ceasars Ent. and NCL. I would find it hard to believe that they would send business to a competing entity. It might be something arranged by Horseshoe Balt. I currently have an offer for an NCL. giveaway for December in Vegas.

It's a Baltimore casino...and the cruise is being offered on a ship that's based in Baltimore. No NCL ships are based in Baltimore. It's simply a matter of needing a ship based in that port.

NCL and Caesar's Entertainment are both controlled by the same companies, Apollo Global Management and TPG Capital. Their affiliation isn't going away anytime soon.

We did a CET cruise a couple of years ago with RCL Oasis of the Seas. I think they are going to maintain their relationship with NCL but I think you will see them stick their toe in the water with RCL from time to time to make sure they get the best deal possible for themselves because of the shear volume of free cruises they give away in an effort to promote increased play at their casinos.

If they do decide to make a more decisive move to RCL I think we will know next spring when they roll out the changes to their rewards programs. Until then we will all have to wait and see.

Harrah's Vegas did a few cruises with Carnival Splendor while she was based in Long Beach 4-5 years ago. Players met in Vegas and took chartered buses to the port. NCL Star was in San Pedro at the time doing the same Mexican Riviera itinerary, so I suppose Harrah's could have chosen an NCL ship if they absolutely wanted to.

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The best possible solution would be for NCL to put a ship in Baltimore to pair cruises with the Horseshoe Casino. The Spirit or Sky would work great!

My parents went to Bermuda out of New York on Royal Caribbean through Resorts A.C. but I don't think the feedback from other people was good so they said they were sticking with NCL.

Not sure that NCL is "controlled" by Apollo,but they do a significant investment in NCL and CET.

As to Resorts in A/C using different cruise lines, that is totally different. No affiliation with CET or NCL there.

I would tend to agree that this was due to RCL being in Baltimore. That makes the most sense.

Not sure that NCL is "controlled" by Apollo,but they do a significant investment in NCL and CET.

 

As to Resorts in A/C using different cruise lines, that is totally different. No affiliation with CET or NCL there.

 

 

I would tend to agree that this was due to RCL being in Baltimore. That makes the most sense.

Apollo controls NCL by reason of holding the controlling number of seats on NCL's board of directors. That was part of the agreement with Genting when Apollo bought 50% interest in NCL a few years ago. The 50% ownership came with more than 50% of the vote on the board.

Apollo controls NCL by reason of holding the controlling number of seats on NCL's board of directors. That was part of the agreement with Genting when Apollo bought 50% interest in NCL a few years ago. The 50% ownership came with more than 50% of the vote on the board.

Thanks for the clarification. So, at the high end level, Apollo does have control of NCL.

As to Caesars (CET), not sure on that side. Even more interesting is that Genting is opening a good size casino on the Vegas strip.

 

Apologies that the scan is a bit grainy.

 

Basically this is a Caesars Entertainment property (Harrahs Baltimore) offering a free cruise on Royal Caribbean. This is the first time I've seen such a thing. Everything else in recent memory has been on NCL.

 

Could this mean the end of NCL's partnership with Caesars, perhaps being replaced by RCCL?

 

I hope not.

 

Has anyone else seen non-NCL cruises given away by Caesars properties in the past few years?

When I got that offer, I pretty much just assumed it was due to RC being in Baltimore and that they were offering the cruise, rather than Horseshoe due to the fact that my play with CET would not qualify me for a free cruise.

the ipo was for only a portion of the company

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1118711-ipo-preview-norwegian-cruise-line-holdings

APOLLO CONTROLLED

Pursuant to the terms of the Shareholders' Agreement, within 90 days following the consummation of this offering, our Board of Directors will consist of nine directors, including five directors designated by the Apollo Funds, two directors designated by Genting HK and two independent directors (one designated by the Apollo Funds and one designated by Genting HK).

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS POST-IPO

Genting HK, 43.4%

Apollo Funds, 32.5%

TPG Viking Funds, 10.8%

Thanks for the clarification. So, at the high end level, Apollo does have control of NCL.

 

As to Caesars (CET), not sure on that side. Even more interesting is that Genting is opening a good size casino on the Vegas strip.

Apollo and TPG also have the majority of CET's board. Out of 10 directors, 2 are from TPG and 4 from Apollo.