Royal Caribbean posts 2Q loss, slashes forecast

[klingoncruiser]

Pretty much NOT a shock. The big bet on Europe came back to bit them in the arse. Air fare as well as the declining economy world wide really stuck it to all the cruise line. Pile on continued high fuel and the Costa disaster and this was inevitable.

Time to bring a lot of tonnage back to the states and scatter them out to several ports, not just pile them on top of each other out of Florida. There are some forlorn ports out there that could offer some sweet deals to get even a part time ship back. Fuel is also much cheeper here in the states as well.

[aurelius180]

Originally Posted by dz9yvr

So let's do some rough math to see what it takes foor RCCL to break even,

$3,700,000 / 90 days per quarter= $41,111 - RCCL is losing $41k/day.

So if RCCL and Celebrity have a total of 33 ships then each ship is losing $1,245 per day.

If each ship has an average of 4000 passengers then RCCL is losing 31 cents per day per passenger.

So RCCL doesn't need to dramatically change the menu make up the difference but expect to see them continue to eliminate some little things. If RCCL eliminates mints on the pillows, increase drink prices by a nickel or dime, eliminating little shampoo bottles it can go a long way to getting them to the break even point. So you should expect to see RCCL to focus eliminating even the smallest amount of waste or eliminating even the smallest frills so they can balance their books.

They already eliminated the mints. I bring my own shampoo so I'll return it to the room stewart at the beginning of the cruise and save $0.10 there for them.

Thanks for bringing some logic to the CC boards. I'm sure lgt42, or whatever, will be upset when he comes back from bolivian.

[Iluvcruising2]

Maybe RCI will move more ships to Asia!

[ramsfan]

I have to agree with the previous posters about the higher costs of airfare. We live in Knoxville and the airfares to fly to any of RCL's departure ports is outrageous! We have been on 3 southern Carib cruises out of San Juan, PR but no more. In fact our next cruise is an eastern Carib out of Port Canaveral and we will be driving 12 hours to get there.
We have even tried to fly out of Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Chattanooga...but still too expensive. I would rather spend my dollars on the cruise than on the airlines.

Jim

[lysolqn]

Originally Posted by klingoncruiser

Time to bring a lot of tonnage back to the states and scatter them out to several ports, not just pile them on top of each other out of Florida. There are some forlorn ports out there that could offer some sweet deals to get even a part time ship back. Fuel is also much cheeper here in the states as well.

There just aren't that many US ports that accommodate pax ships, thus scattering ships to new home ports would likely require a sizeable investment on the part of the cruise lines to make existing cargo ports pax-friendly. Unfortunately, ports that aren't located within a reasonable distance from densely populated areas which would allow pax the option to drive rather than fly, would do nothing to ameliorate the spiraling cost of flying which is surely at least one of the factors adversely affecting bookings and/or onboard spending.

[negc]

Originally Posted by Iluvcruising2

Maybe RCI will move more ships to Asia!

Only if they believe that the Asian market will support more ships. They have decided that Europe will no longer support as many cruise ships as was previously the case and are lowering the number of their ships in the region in 2013. One of the advantages that cruiselines have is their ability to redeploy their ships on relatively short notice as circumstances require. They are already moving two large capacity ships to Asia so that may be sufficient to satisfy the current demand. What will happen as they develop the Asian market is something we will all have to wait and see, but it is probably much too early to jump to any conclusions, although perhaps we could start a rumor that one of the Sunshine project ships will be based in Singapore

As far as high airfares being a concern, this is almost as huge a problem with US fares as it is with international fares and is something pretty much controlled by the airlines, not the cruiselines. There are still some good fares out there if you look hard enough and I know someone heading for a Med cruise in October who found a $748 r/t fare through Choice Air.

[onyourtoes]

Originally Posted by SPDBigG

Time to buy!

Crazy question - How does one go about buying shares? Thanks.

[traveler/]

I think RCL monitors some of these threads, so posting your suggestions may be noticed!
Here's several more:
Don't print all those photos. Simply tag them to the seapass card so they can be viewed, ordered, and purchased that way. I've been able to view the pictures on at least 1 ship. Also saves the hassle of trying to find all your pictures.
Reduce printing costs by having more information available on screens throughout the ship or on tablets provided to cruisers. Already have the screens on some ships.
Establish FOCUS groups or Suggestion programs where cruisers, TA's, etc. are invited to participate to help suggest changes/improvements.

[grand isle joe]

Originally Posted by negc

As far as high airfares being a concern, this is almost as huge a problem with US fares as it is with international fares and is something pretty much controlled by the airlines, not the cruiselines. There are still some good fares out there if you look hard enough and I know someone heading for a Med cruise in October who found a $748 r/t fare through Choice Air.

That's a great airfare but the airlines all know when most people vacation so they price accordingly.....It's all in their spread sheets

[UCF_Knight]

Originally Posted by onyourtoes

Crazy question - How does one go about buying shares? Thanks.

Royal Caribbean is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Just contact any stock broker (real-life or online) and put in a buy order for stock symbol RCL. The stock closed Friday at 24.62 per share.

[klingoncruiser]

Originally Posted by lysolqn

There just aren't that many US ports that accommodate pax ships, thus scattering ships to new home ports would likely require a sizeable investment on the part of the cruise lines to make existing cargo ports pax-friendly. Unfortunately, ports that aren't located within a reasonable distance from densely populated areas which would allow pax the option to drive rather than fly, would do nothing to ameliorate the spiraling cost of flying which is surely at least one of the factors adversely affecting bookings and/or onboard spending.

There are several existing cruise port that are now empty. I bet Mobile, Houston, and a couple of others along the east coast, let alone the west coast would jump to get ships back to existing ports.

[sammyh25]

Originally Posted by negc

We are flying to London next month and got a British Air daytime flight from Boston to Heathrow for about $400-500. That is a pretty good one-way fare and since we are cruising from the UK to Boston, a one way flight is all we will require.

British Air, are they a new airline? Never seen them in the UK before, or did you mean, British Airways? Lol

[sammyh25]

In the UK APD (Government Airline Tax) places a massive financial burden onto individuals and families booking airline tickets. Maybe about time cruise companies and other holiday providers got together with the airlines to fight for a much farer tax,or just get rid of it all together.

[ryano]

Originally Posted by klingoncruiser

There are several existing cruise port that are now empty. I bet Mobile, Houston, and a couple of others along the east coast, let alone the west coast would jump to get ships back to existing ports.

Yes! Please! Bring a ship to Mobile AL RCI! Great cruise port with ZERO competition.

[SPDBigG]

Originally Posted by onyourtoes

Crazy question - How does one go about buying shares? Thanks.

The easiest way to buy RCI or any other stock is through an on-line brokerage. You're usually required to make a minimum deposit in the account and then buy. That being said, stock trading is not for the faint of heart. Before you buy, do some reading on how the market works. Some of my favorite authors are Peter Lynch, Jim Cramer, and Benjamin Graham.

[wl2cruise]

Originally Posted by negc

What has changed that makes the west coast more attractive when there are so many other areas besides Europe where they can deploy their ships and offer a wider range of itineraries. Has the economy on the West Coast dramatically improved, have they discovered a number of new itinerary options, has public perception of crime and other problems associated with Mexico suddenly changed? IMO a lot more things beyond problems in Europe, will have to happen first. RCI and other lines have already begun reducing their presence in Europe and they are moving their ships to many other locations which, so far at least, don't include the West Coast.

A lot has changed just put your emotions aside and open your Eyes. Princess has announced putting a ship in San Francisco year round, All the lines are showing positive metrics in Alaska. California's economy is improving.

[grand isle joe]

Originally Posted by wl2cruise

California's economy is improving.

.........Is this an April's fools Day hoax?....... Just 'cause Gov.Moonbeam says it doesn't mean it is......

[RoyalDiamond]

Originally Posted by grand isle joe

I have too agree 100%. Flying out of a small airport with limited choice the airfare is more than the cruise costs. We are booked in the Med. next summer and we are staring at a airfare cost of $4500.00. And all we get is a crappy airline meal coupled with a huge hassel. The 16 hour airfare costs the same as a 2400 hour cruise. Something is wrong.

No...you get expeditious travel to Europe! Isn't that what you want? Or are booking for the meal? wahhh...the food is bad on the plane, wahhh, the food is bad on the ship. Why leave home? Or is your food bad, too? LOL. Passengers always complained about airline food, but they complain even louder when they don't get airline food! (most domestic flights)

[wl2cruise]

Originally Posted by grand isle joe

.........Is this an April's fools Day hoax?....... Just 'cause Gov.Moonbeam says it doesn't mean it is......

#'s don't lie, put your political feelings aside and look at the facts. According to the title of the thread anyone with half a brain could conclude April is in the books.

[grand isle joe]

Originally Posted by RoyalDiamond

No...you get expeditious travel to Europe! Isn't that what you want? Or are booking for the meal? wahhh...the food is bad on the plane, wahhh, the food is bad on the ship. Why leave home? Or is your food bad, too? LOL. Passengers always complained about airline food, but they complain even louder when they don't get airline food! (most domestic flights)

........well EXCUSE ME Mr.Moneybags........$4500.00 is alot of money in my book but by your bragging list you are a world brageller...er...traveler. and money is no object..Please pass the Gray Poupon?..Wahhhh