Shareholder Benefit

[JKrise]

DW & I enjoy RCI's product.

We are currently 'Emerald' on RCI.

At this time we were looking at the shareholder benefit.

 

Anyone out there have thoughts RCI's Shareholder Benefit program?

When we read about the programs, the program reads as though the restrictions limit the utility of the program.

 

Thoughts? Experiences?

[gr8.guy]

I too am Emerald and learned of the shareholder benefit on our last cruise. I've invested in the requisite 100 shares and am interested in hearing the experiences of others as well.

[Clarea]

Very restricted. Hard to combine the OBC with anything.

 

Here are the terms:

 

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-shareholderbenefit

[14Terry]

We were able to use it a lot on our first few cruises. Not so much anymore.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Setting sail for fun]

I agree. We have used this benefit before but now it is difficult to use due to the restrictions.

[OTownNick]

I do a lot of 3-4 night cruises and use the benefit a lot. It's not combinable with balcony or other C&A discounts, but I've gotten at least $200 worth of OBC in the past year alone just from this. It IS combinable with the Club Royale casino rates.its also combinable with the BOGO promos.

 

The stock also pays a nice almost 2% dividend and if you look at the capital appreciation of the stock! I think owning the min. 100 shares of stock is a good idea. I plan to keep on using this benefit for many more cruises...and it's even good for Celebrity and Azamara too!

Edited February 15, 2015 by OTownNick

[setsail]

Hope you get advice before buying a stock at its all time high

[Treacher1]

We used the stock benefit for years - then RCI decided to restrict the use - could hardly combine with sales or any other earned OBC - so we cashed them in - and use other perks of booking such as sales and Crown and Anchor benefits. It was frustrating -

[JKrise]

Thanks to all.

You confirmed what we thought...RCI is very restrictive with thier shareholder benefit....and the stock is priced high for the time being.

 

Think we will pass on the Shareholder program and get the benefits (OBC)through C&A and the various 'Sales' that RCI has.

 

Thanks again.

[TX.Mameow&Papeow]

We have owned our stock for several years and bought it when it was less than half the price today. We have received benefits back when you could combine it with other discounts. Now the only time we use it is if we are in an ocean view or inside room which is rare. It is beneficial if you book an OV/ inside room for a longer cruise like a transatlantic or cruise in Europe that is 12/13 nights. We had a panoramic OV through Norway and Scan Russia last year and used it for OBC. We will be on Vision in a Panoramic OV for 13 nights in May and I plan to apply for it for that cruise.

 

I would look at how often you cruise and in what type room. If it's only once or twice a year and on shorter cruises I myself would watch for the stock to

go down a bit before I bought it. Best to buy in when it is low. I could kick myself for not buying more when it was $5,$6, a share. We probably will never see that again.

[cruisnfool]

In the early years when it was combine able it was great but now it's not. We sold ours as well.

[MicCanberra]

Goodness, such a shame they don't combine with much.:(

[OTownNick]

I don't recommend buying stock just for the shareholder benefits! That's an added bonus but shouldn't be the basis for initiating a new position. Ive owned the stock for many years and accumulated more on dips, even as recently as $72.50 I added more. I have taken profits here and there and already pocketed enough profits to pay for cruises for the next 5 years. If someone believes in a company and loves their products and the company's future growth in earnings looks good, then that's the basis anyone should use to invest in a company.

[KeywestK]

Early on in our cruising days we bought 100 shares and enjoyed the benefits. Once too many restrictions were placed on it, it simply lost its value to us. We cashed it in about a year ago. I would never recommend anyone buying shares now--for the most part, it's just not worth it.

[SamInWa]

With the new OBC structure for the open booking (based on the class of cabin)the shareholder benefit is looking more attractive.

 

I therefore expect it to be nerfed in the next 12 months as soon as someone remembers to do it.

[Paul65]

I was a shareholder for a few years, but never used the benefit, because it could not be combined with other offers, and there was almost always a discount of some sort that was as good as or better than the shareholder benefit.

 

That said, I bought the stock as an investment, when I thought it was undervalued and would likely go up, so the shareholder benefit was only of peripheral interest in the decision to purchase. (I think I held it for about 3 years and ended up selling it for about 3.5X what I paid, so it worked out well. :D)

[north29]

I bought mine at around $6 and the benefits were nice. Recently I booked a trip and told them not to include perks, any way for one reason or another they said I could not use the OBC from the stock. I guess i receive something that I was not aware of, that is OK, also, some times the RC booking agent may not know everything.

[Nanannjen]

 

Best to buy in when it is low. I could kick myself for not buying more when it was $5,$6, a share. We probably will never see that again.

 

As a stockholder, I certainly hope not!:eek:

[disfan]

I have used the Shareholder OBC for short cruises, in the past, without any problems.

 

On a 3 day Enchantment cruise last month, I booked at the going rate without any discounts.

 

When I applied for the OBC, I was turned down because I had booked at a "special rate",

 

When I asked what was the special rate that I had received, I was told to go to the website, which I did and the site repeated that OBC did not apply to "special rates".

 

While my question wasn't answered, I suppose that I should be happy that I got a "special rate".

[Clarea]

I have used the Shareholder OBC for short cruises, in the past, without any problems.

 

On a 3 day Enchantment cruise last month, I booked at the going rate without any discounts.

 

When I applied for the OBC, I was turned down because I had booked at a "special rate",

 

When I asked what was the special rate that I had received, I was told to go to the website, which I did and the site repeated that OBC did not apply to "special rates".

 

While my question wasn't answered, I suppose that I should be happy that I got a "special rate".

That's one of the problems with the never ending BOGOHO sale. All rates are special rates, even though they are not deals at all. It's stopping certain Visa card redemptions too.

[MicCanberra]

While I agree that the shares should only be bought as an investment and have the OBC as a bonus. I just don't agree that RCI shares are the best shares for an investment for me at the moment, perhaps if they dropped somewhat I may consider them in a better light.:D

Edited February 16, 2015 by MicCanberra

[karelet]

My wife and I typically cruise Celebrity and have had the shares for about 3 years. We have received about $1900 in OBC over our last 9 cruises, mostly TransAtlantic; and the stock has risen dramatically, so we are very happy cruisers. On our one recent Royal Caribbean TransAtlantic, we were able to combine Shareholder with the Balcony Discount with an "agent" OBC and other perks for almost $1000 in OBC and perks. I think one of the secrets is using the Shareholder benefit in combination with travel agents that give additional "agent" OBC and perks (pre-paid gratuities, dinners, spa, etc.) rather than booking with Celebrity directly (on-board included). My wife and I are shocked at the number of people booking on-board months or years before a future cruise, especially since the on-board benefits have decreased. We suspect they really like booking a specific cabin rather than getting a great deal.

 

We're all about shopping, waiting, and getting the best deal...:)

 

That said, wouldn't it be great if there were a 2 for 1 stock split....LOL

Edited February 20, 2015 by karelet

[Clarea]

My wife and I typically cruise Celebrity and have had the shares for about 3 years. We have received about $1900 in OBC over our last 9 cruises, mostly TransAtlantic; and the stock has risen dramatically, so we are very happy cruisers. On our one recent Royal Caribbean TransAtlantic, we were able to combine Shareholder with the Balcony Discount with an "agent" OBC and other perks for almost $1000 in OBC and perks. I think one of the secrets is using the Shareholder benefit in combination with travel agents that give additional "agent" OBC and perks (pre-paid gratuities, dinners, spa, etc.) rather than booking with Celebrity directly (on-board included). My wife and I are shocked at the number of people booking on-board months or years before a future cruise, especially since the on-board benefits have decreased. We suspect they really like booking a specific cabin rather than getting a great deal.

 

We're all about shopping, waiting, and getting the best deal...:)

That's surprising that you were able to combine Shareholder OBC with C&A Balcony Discount. That combination was removed back in 2009. Must have slipped through the cracks.:)

[Baby let's cruise away]

I am booked on Liberty of the Seas' May 2015 10 night sailing. My booking was a BOGO half off.

 

I have a family interior cabin for 2 adults. I contacted Carlos Moya from Investor Relations and he confirmed I was eligible for a $200.00 OBC for my 10 night sailing; as long as there were no changes to my current booking.

 

It does not hurt to inquire.

 

[cruisegirl1]

I am booked on Liberty of the Seas' May 2015 10 night sailing. My booking was a BOGO half off.

 

I have a family interior cabin for 2 adults. I contacted Carlos Moya from Investor Relations and he confirmed I was eligible for a $200.00 OBC for my 10 night sailing; as long as there were no changes to my current booking.

 

It does not hurt to inquire.

 

 

I was denied shareholder credit ( I also called C&A as well as Investor Relations ) for an OV cabin because I used the BOGOHO pricing.

 

Glad you were able to use the benefit.

 

enjoy

M