Cruiselover7543

2 hours ago, being_there said:

Yeah, I can only imagine the stress for Branson and their management. What a time to start a cruise line!

 

Their current sale on new bookings (10% discount + up to $400 Sailor Loot through February 9th) is all about raising cash fast. Ditto for the BarTab promotion ($400 in future credit for $300 payment today through February 9th). The earliest sailings are cheaper but require full payment immediately. If they discount too much more, they make it harder to raise prices later (as well as damaging the upscale image they are going for by turning it into a cut-rate line).

 

I've noticed that their farther-out sailings now require higher minimum deposits (increased from 10% to 20%). If that gets raised too much, it defeats the purpose. Like, why would I decide to pay $675 deposit today for a $3,530 RockStar cabin voyage more than a year away? Just because it's 10% off and I get $400 SailorLoot? I'm not sure that's worthwhile. I'd rather not be locked-in and out-of-pocket. There will probably be future sales that can be taken advantage of closer to the sailing that don't require significant payments to be forked over now. 

 

Meanwhile, other threads have noted various perks that are being stripped from the experience to cut future costs. And of course they are offering upgrades & sailor loot incentives to encourage people with cancelled itineraries to make new reservations on future sailings rather than be refunded. 

 

I currently have two reservations with VV (one fully paid and one on 20% deposit). I'm doing my part to toss some money their way and take advantage of their current sales, but I'm also reminding myself that I am rolling the dice on an industry that is imploding... 

True, I just wonder if they have much money or not left in the business.

Do we know anything about this company's financial situation? Do they have a lot of money or are they struggling?

I'm just surprised that they have lasted this long without a paying passenger.