JMAE

I'm a "nongambler", and it wouldn't bother me if they provided a VIFP benefit to gamblers since it is my choice not to gamble. I just hope they improve their overall VIFP program, which I believe there is a lot of room for development.

Since they are all parts of CCLs brands, I assume programmers could develop an IT connectivity solution that could work across all of CCLs brands.

I wonder if this will change once the pier is constructed....

Never got Cheers. Since it starts day 2, does it stop early on the last day too?

The $600 OBC is an expenditure. When I'm taking profits, I'm pointing out when the income (fares & on-board spending) covers the ship's operational cost any funds after that could be used to cover long term debt, and any other business expenses like OBC. CCL is about $30 billion in debt, in 1Q of 2024, CCL reported they retired $1 billion in debt, that was originally scheduled to be retired in 2027. They reduced their loss compared to Dec 2023 report and forecasted robust revenue growth over next several years. Based on Q1 2024 deposits at $7 billion, surpassing their previous record by $1.3 billion, things are looking better.

Easy, a day at sea, enjoying the ride!!!

I know what you said, the fares (about 70% of their income) only cover about 85% of operational experiences. The other 15% comes from on board spending (about 30% of their income).

If they announce the change in Q4 and they do it like the transition to the VIFP program you should be fine. The last time it was used as a marketing technique to get individuals that were close to a status change to purchase a cruise by their transition deadline.

There income is about 70% fare and 30% on board spending. Profits come from a combination of the fares and on board spending. On board spending is a variable base on sold fares. If at capacity about 10 to 15% of the on board spending is used to cover operational expenses. That is why cruise lines like sailing with their capacity greater than 100, meaning more than 2 in a cabin.

On board spend has fluctuated but as of Q4, avg onboard spending per passenger was slightly over $600PP line wide.

Guest capacity is based on two in a stateroom, which cover the operational costs (land/sea) and produces profits for each ship, taking into account fare and onboard spending. A ship at 100% capacity should run a profit between 15 - 20%. Cruise lines like to run a >100 capacity, which means they have additional guests in a stateroom. I believe CCL reached 101% capacity late last year line wide. Any guests over the first two in a stateroom add little expense to CCL, other than maybe the food. Since the ship is still sailing, the room stewards still have to same number of staterooms to maintain, etc. As % go, I believe CCL makes more profits on the additional individuals in the stateroom than you think.

I would assume they do it like last time and you keep the status you achieved prior to the transition. My guess benefit changes are coming and an additional level or two. I hope some changes include benefits like free or discounted internet based on your level, etc.

Prior to the VIFP program, the loyalty program gave credits based on the number of cruises you sailed regardless the length of the cruise. When they moved to the VIFP program there was transition period (I think 6 months) for individuals currently in their loyalty program. The transition period allowed individuals currently in the loyalty program to make the next level prior by 12/31/13 if I recall correctly. So, I think there will be some kind of a transition phase.

Yes, and he also mentioned improvements to the milestone program that rewards cruises that have reached their 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th cruises which is in addition to the VIFP program.

April 2024 will be our 12th cruise on a Spirit class ship (1 Legend, 11 Pride) and we love the layout. You are able to walk from the front to back on each deck without using stairs to get around crew areas. The Spirit class ships have the highest passenger space ratio of the entire CCL fleet, so there is "a lot" of room to move around compared to the other ships. Here is one recommendation you may like, try Sunset Garden Promenade (Pride), located on deck 3 forward. It is a little used walkway that goes around the outside of the Taj Mahal lounge (Pride). It has seating areas with tables and windows. Most don't even realize the doorways are for Sunset Garden. If you want a drink before dinner, try Raphael Lounge (Pride) on deck 3, just forward of the aft elevators. The Alchemy Bar is located one deck below Raphael's on deck 2, Alchemy is often very busy around dinner time that is why we use Raphael's. One more tip, if you don't need or want to sit around the pool, we get lounge chairs on deck 10 aft near the stairs to Serenity area. It provides easy access to a bar, pool, food and restrooms on deck 9 without a lot of people sitting around you. Enjoy your cruise!

Agreed, I wish they made the menus, Fun Times, etc available a week before your cruise. Also, I would like to see the info accessible post cruise too.

It may be Ken Byrne. I heard he was on the Legend but went on vacation and may returning to the Pride after his vacation. We are sailing the Pride in April, so I hope he is back.

Totally agree, it works better than the old walkie talkies we used years ago.

I would pick the Magic. I think it would be the warmer (air & water) cruise of the two. But either one would be great!

I know it has been a long time ago for us, our first cruise was a 7 day on CCL, our second was a 7 day on RCCL, based on what we experienced, we thought RCCL had a much more "rowdier" group of guests than CCL. Along with the fact that the onboard CCL staff was much more attentive to my family's which promoted another positive experience. We also preferred CCL food over RCCL offerings. Since this time, we have been CCL loyalist. We know RCCL and other lines may have newer venues and things to do on their ships, we are at a point in life that we cruise for RR and not things to do on the ship. In the coming year we are thinking of trying different brands but will always come back to CCL.

Bring back the Taste Bar.

Extra bedding is often stored in the couch drawers.

We will be cruising on the Pride after it returns to Balitmore in April. I hear Ken may be returning to it after his vacation. I haven't been on it since the drydock, how is it holding up and any recommendations? Thanks

I agree that as this post-COVID market continues to grow, ships will continue to change to get the most staterooms possible sailing and new onboard venues to increase onboard spending. I recently read an article about RCCL, the avg passenger spent a total of $1,818 ($1,251 ticket/ $567onboard). I assume, Carnival Corp breakdown would be about similar. Tickets generate about 70-75% of their revenue while onboard spending is about 25-30%. This produced about a 11-14% profit margin, if the ship is full. However, as markets go (up & down) if volume softens, we should see a decline in ticket pricing to a point with the cruise lines attempting to fill their ships to cover their expenses of the newer larger ships. The current market forecast is good for the coming years, this is a good discussion to have during a high demand market. If a major decline or a leveling occurs, we will be having a different discussion.

You can send a PDF or a photo of your account statement. when ours was approved, I sent a PDF of our statement with our account balance, account number and other stocks listed redacted.