More Cancellations Imminent?

[jeanlyon]

Just went on MSC website and cruises are showing from 1st October?

[brian1]

21 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Just went on MSC website and cruises are showing from 1st October?

Well my one isn't.Don't forget it's from Barcelona and includes Lisbon and Genoa.Could be relavent.

[jeanlyon]

I just meant that they have cruises in September as well.

[wowzz]

Seems that Viking are hoping to do round cruises round the UK this summer. Given their smaller ship size and higher  fares, I guess they can be more flexible than P&O 

https://shipmonk.co.uk/2020/06/02/viking-confirms-it-is-testing-the-waters-for-round-britain-cruises-this-summer/

[brian1]

56 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

I just meant that they have cruises in September as well.

I think I've solved it.There are no more new bookings from Barcelona being taken on our date so our cruise is showing as sailing from Lisbon to Lisbon departing 2 days earlier.As there are 3 BtoB in October we would have to encroach 2 days on the following cruise to achieve our dates and itinerary.Clear as mud,eh,lol.

[No pager thank you]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

Seems that Viking are hoping to do round cruises round the UK this summer. Given their smaller ship size and higher  fares, I guess they can be more flexible than P&O 

https://shipmonk.co.uk/2020/06/02/viking-confirms-it-is-testing-the-waters-for-round-britain-cruises-this-summer/

An interesting article.  I think that the Government's response to this proposal from Viking will be interesting, with respect to when the Government believes that cruising will become acceptable from a public health perspective - read across to the current P&O position.

 

At the moment, this proposal would be of course be forbidden as passengers would be staying away from their home addresses overnight, which is not allowed, at least for most people.  

 

There is a possibility (not confirmed) that some hoteliers and/or holiday accommodation may be available for the traditional school holiday season.  I am not commenting on how wise this is, just that it may be allowed.

 

This could align with the date of Viking's proposal being allowed.  However, I would have thought that the residual requirements around social distancing and congregations in indoor environments will make this tricky.  Therefore, will the Government introduce barriers?

 

If so, this means that there is a longer journey for international cruise lines to go, including P&O.  If not, then October might be on the cards (in a favourable / upside analysis).  I wouldn't put too much money on that though!

[P&O SUE]

I’ve just used my 125% FFC to upgrade my Ventura cruise next year to a balcony. I was very impressed because I only paid the deposit and thought you only got 125% if you’d paid the whole balance! Roll on September 2021 😊

[drsel]

Seems that Viking are hoping to do round cruises round the UK this summer. Given their smaller ship size and higher  fares, I guess they can be more flexible than P&O 

https://shipmonk.co.uk/2020/06/02/viking-confirms-it-is-testing-the-waters-for-round-britain-cruises-this-summer/

Why would anyone pay so much more for a Viking cruise? Is it really worth so much more?

What is the rationale?

 

[No pager thank you]

3 hours ago, drsel said:

Why would anyone pay so much more for a Viking cruise? Is it really worth so much more?

What is the rationale?

 

In these strange times in this country, if you really do want to go on a cruise then it might be your only option from August without quarantine...

 

Some people (not I, I hesitate to point out) might pay a lot for that. 

 

They may have tapped in to a niche, time limited business opportunity, given the other premium lines of travel may be out of action for a while longer.  Just a thought?

[wowzz]

4 hours ago, drsel said:

Why would anyone pay so much more for a Viking cruise? Is it really worth so much more?

What is the rationale?

 

All cabins have balconies, higher staff/pax ratio, better food, drinks included, smaller ships, no extra dining charges  - need I go on?

[drsel]

Yes, you need to go on because even all that does not justify a price of $400 per person per day

[Captain_Morgan]

10 hours ago, drsel said:

Why would anyone pay so much more for a Viking cruise? Is it really worth so much more?

What is the rationale?

 

Viking has pros and cons like every line, with the some pros already mentioned; however, there are cons as well such as their policy of having to pay in full at least 6 months prior to sailing (used to be payment in full at the time of booking).   Yes they are newer ships and are nicely decorated with very good food, no kids, casinos, etc.  and I would argue the value for price paid is very good but they are far from perfect.  
 

At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist I would believe their motivation is more closely linked to the fact they just recently secured funding by way of high interest junk bonds so they are looking to pay that back sooner rather than later and what better way than to try and drum up additional business, get money coming in and then they can issue FCC’s while keeping the money on the balance sheet.  Add to the fact that the CDC has a no sail order, Australia and Canada have closed to ships, Asia is still a tenuous market, and the Med is still relatively closed to most tourism too so what’s left?  
 

Their ships are smaller relative to P&O when it comes to passenger count but there are plenty of other smaller ships not following suit so I think that is less of an issue as distancing onboard will be an issue regardless of the ship size.  Surely it would be more conceivable for a large ship to sail half full in order to maximize space than it would for a small ship to sail full simply because they offer all balcony cabins?

[drsel]

At these prices, they should offer 1 free massage everyday along with a complementary shore excursion of your choice at every port

[drsel]

If, as you say, their bonds are rated " junk" , then there is a high risk of them defaulting, right?

 

 

[wowzz]

3 hours ago, drsel said:

Yes, you need to go on because even all that does not justify a price of $400 per person per day

You pay more because you get a more luxurious all round experience. In the same way that you pay more to stay in the Dorchester than you do in a Premier Inn.

[Captain_Morgan]

3 hours ago, drsel said:

At these prices, they should offer 1 free massage everyday along with a complementary shore excursion of your choice at every port

 

They do offer included tours in each port, albeit they're usually a panoramic bus tour or something very basic and because they're 'included' or 'free' it means they fill up fast and are always crowded

 

2 hours ago, drsel said:

If, as you say, their bonds are rated " junk" , then there is a high risk of them defaulting, right?

 

 

'Junk' Bonds do in fact have a higher risk of default in comparison to other offerings and are typically offered by companies that are struggling financially.  As Viking is a privately owned company there is no way to know for sure what their status is, although its public information that they were recently downgraded by Moody's 

[Captain_Morgan]

7 minutes ago, wowzz said:

You pay more because you get a more luxurious all round experience. In the same way that you pay more to stay in the Dorchester than you do in a Premier Inn.

 

I would consider Viking to be more in line with a Marriott or Hilton vs Premier Inn if we're comparing land based hotel chains to cruise operations.  Luxury is a vastly over used term in this industry as someone who sails exclusively with Crystal or Seabourn would likely not refer to Viking as being luxurious, whereas those sailing on more budget-friendly ships would likely call Viking luxurious.

[wowzz]

2 minutes ago, Captain_Morgan said:

 

I would consider Viking to be more in line with a Marriott or Hilton vs Premier Inn if we're comparing land based hotel chains to cruise operations.  Luxury is a vastly over used term in this industry as someone who sails exclusively with Crystal or Seabourn would likely not refer to Viking as being luxurious, whereas those sailing on more budget-friendly ships would likely call Viking luxurious.

That's probably true, but drsel will now want to know why Crystal can charge even more than Viking !

[Captain_Morgan]

1 minute ago, wowzz said:

That's probably true, but drsel will now want to know why Crystal can charge even more than Viking !

 

Touche! 

[drsel]

That's probably true, but drsel will now want to know why Crystal can charge even more than Viking !

Haha, excellent reply, I must admit!

 

I guess it's the Robinhood principle of life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wowzz]

29 minutes ago, drsel said:

Haha, excellent reply, I must admit!

 

I guess it's the Robinhood principle of life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I say that it follows the principle of "you get what you pay for". Some people have inside cabins, and don't believe balcony cabins are "worth", it, those in balconies don't believe suites are "worth"  it. The more you pay, the more you get - only the individual can decide if the "more" is worth the extra cost.

 

[drsel]

Just like in life a little better is a lot more expensive

[drsel]

Would you book this cruise and how would you justify its cost of US$ 15044 per person for 7 nights or US$ 2149 per person per day.

 

7 nights  December 20, 2020 - Suite!

Round Trip Cruise To Galapagos from Baltra

Celebrity / Flora

$15,044 SUITE

$2,149/day

 

 

 

 

[terrierjohn]

1 minute ago, drsel said:

Would you book this cruise and how would you justify its cost of US$15044 per person for 7 nights or US$2149 per day.

7 nights 

December 20, 2020 - Suite!

Round Trip Cruise To Galapagos from Baltra

Celebrity / Flora

$15,044

SUITE

$2,149/day
 

That would be a very special trip to take, and I am sure there are less expensive offers to the Galapogos for those not wanting to pay as much,  as wowzz says you get what you pay for.

[drsel]

You don't even get a free massage after paying more than $15000!

 

And mind you, I am one of Celebrity's biggest fans.

I just love them. My favourite cruise line.

 

But still, I sincerely don't think it's worth paying so much for any 7 night cruise to any destination.