Shareholder Benefits

[RobInMN]

I just emailed them about 2 cruises middle of the evening a few days ago, and got a response the next day.

[SusieAV8R]

7 hours ago, LinRon3 said:

I guess we give up.  There is simply something about us that RCI does not like.  We applied twice through snail mail with downloaded application and our august statement, then once with September statement, and now through the online link given on this thread [that has up to 10 cruise entries??!!].  NO CIGAR. I read others here applying ahead for cruises months in advance?!  What's up with that since the instructions 'suggest' about 21 days in advance of one's cruise and how does one 'prove' they still own the shares?  So, we've followed precisely the instructs...as we have found them anyway.  It just has to be something about us personally?  Well, that ridiculous of course as we're all swallowed up in 'miles and piles' of datafiles.  10 cruises in advance??!! Really?!!

Yes we have 11 future cruises booked.......that way I can schedule my vacations (from work).  🙂

[Tlbecker1]

19 hours ago, LinRon3 said:

I guess we give up.  There is simply something about us that RCI does not like.  We applied twice through snail mail with downloaded application and our august statement, then once with September statement, and now through the online link given on this thread [that has up to 10 cruise entries??!!].  NO CIGAR. I read others here applying ahead for cruises months in advance?!  What's up with that since the instructions 'suggest' about 21 days in advance of one's cruise and how does one 'prove' they still own the shares?  So, we've followed precisely the instructs...as we have found them anyway.  It just has to be something about us personally?  Well, that ridiculous of course as we're all swallowed up in 'miles and piles' of datafiles.  10 cruises in advance??!! Really?!!

I am sorry that you are having issues.  I always use: https://rclshareholderbenefit.questionpro.com/  And I just checked and they have already applied my OBC to my last cruise that I booked in January of 2024.  Have you logged in and double checked your cruise to see if the OBC has been applied?  I don’t receive emails about 50% of the time from them, I just check it online.

[shellunderwater]

On 9/9/2022 at 1:30 AM, Inveterate Cruiser said:

And if you are savvy enough, you can sell call options monthly with your holding of 100 shares. This can provide you with dividend-like returns while you hold the stock and collect your OBC. 

Ka-boom!

 

Yes, I sell covered call options on RCL and SPY.  Then I use the proceeds to buy more SPY.

 

But, that's all a different story.

[bjlaac]

11 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

I am sorry that you are having issues.  I always use: https://rclshareholderbenefit.questionpro.com/  And I just checked and they have already applied my OBC to my last cruise that I booked in January of 2024.  Have you logged in and double checked your cruise to see if the OBC has been applied?  I don’t receive emails about 50% of the time from them, I just check it online.

How do you check it online if the credit was applied?

[Another_Critic]

38 minutes ago, bjlaac said:

How do you check it online if the credit was applied?

Go to the cruise planner (where you purchase excursions, internet, etc.).  OBC will be listed at the top.

 

I don't have any future cruises booked 😞 so I can post a screen shot.

 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Another_Critic

[hal2008]

On 10/9/2022 at 12:02 PM, shellunderwater said:

Ka-boom!

 

Yes, I sell covered call options on RCL and SPY.  Then I use the proceeds to buy more SPY.

 

But, that's all a different story.

 

I am sure you understand the risk you are taking by doing so(for a company that is not that in great financial position)

 

Just think about doing this in Jan 2020.

To get any decent premium income, you will have to set strike substantially below your purchase price.

 

Mathematically, covered put is same as selling naked put.

 

There much better (no risk) ways to handle this financially if sole purpose to buy RCL shares is to get 100 OBC.

[hal2008]

On 10/5/2022 at 9:43 PM, SusieAV8R said:

RCL Shareholder benefits are now combinable with other benefits.  $250 OBC for sailings 14 or more nights; $100 OBC for sailings 6-13 nights;  $50 OBC for sailings of 5 nights or less.    Your snail mail may not be arriving where intended?

 

It is combinable with many other discounts.

But not combinable with those specific ones listed in the T&C

However, that doesn't mean you can't find deficiency in RCL IT and get away with it

(someone upthread mentioned how they were able to get this OBC with casino discount even when T&C clearly states that it can not be)

[hal2008]

On 10/8/2022 at 12:24 PM, LinRon3 said:

I guess we give up.  There is simply something about us that RCI does not like.  We applied twice through snail mail with downloaded application and our august statement, then once with September statement, and now through the online link given on this thread [that has up to 10 cruise entries??!!].  NO CIGAR. I read others here applying ahead for cruises months in advance?!  What's up with that since the instructions 'suggest' about 21 days in advance of one's cruise and how does one 'prove' they still own the shares?  So, we've followed precisely the instructs...as we have found them anyway.  It just has to be something about us personally?  Well, that ridiculous of course as we're all swallowed up in 'miles and piles' of datafiles.  10 cruises in advance??!! Really?!!

 

Snailmail is inefficient and expensive to process.

And with resource shortages everywhere, understandable if RCL is not jumping to give away money especially when they make it so easy online.

 

Instruction "suggest" at least 2-3 weeks before sailing. Doesnt mean you cant do it months in advance.

In reality, they have done processing even with 4 days to go before sailing. They just request 2-3 weeks to give them slack.

[hal2008]

On 9/9/2022 at 1:30 AM, Inveterate Cruiser said:

And if you are savvy enough, you can sell call options monthly with your holding of 100 shares. This can provide you with dividend-like returns while you hold the stock and collect your OBC. 

 

Strategy doesnt work when stock gaps down (as it did in early  2020 or to lesser degree earlier this year). Basically, you are writing a naked put option with that strategy and agreeing to take associated risk.  Much better ways to eliminate stock exposure and still get OBC

[hal2008]

On 9/9/2022 at 7:14 AM, Biker19 said:

You don't need any of that - just buy 100 shares one day, sell them the next (hopefully on an up day) and use the buy transaction to keep getting the OBC.

 

RCL may not bother checking as such small OBC is just sort of marketing money for them.

But as per T&C, you need to be shareholder of at least 100 shares as of

1. Applying for OBC 

2. Date of sailing

BOTH

 

They ask for proof of 1.  And do not bother with 2 but in theory they can.

 

 

Also, given volatility in this stock lately, a daily move can easily exceed this small 100 OBC. (so buying one day and selling the next, does not eliminate the risk of losing more than 100 OBC and also it violates T&C)

 

There are smarter ways to hedge and have zero exposure and still get OBC

Edited November 18, 2022 by hal2008

[shellunderwater]

1 hour ago, hal2008 said:

 

I am sure you understand the risk you are taking by doing so(for a company that is not that in great financial position)

 

Just think about doing this in Jan 2020.

To get any decent premium income, you will have to set strike substantially below your purchase price.

 

Mathematically, covered put is same as selling naked put.

 

There much better (no risk) ways to handle this financially if sole purpose to buy RCL shares is to get 100 OBC.

Very low risk for me.  1 - 5 days max duration. I have a few stocks I do it with.  I actually do better quicker when the price drops.

 

So get the profits from the option trade and the OBC.  It's a nice hobby.

[nelblu]

On 9/7/2022 at 2:06 AM, Merion_Mom said:

 

I just submitted the request for SH OBC first.  After that was done, I added the casino discounts.  😄 😄   😄 

 

 

 

I received the benefit even with a casino discount. However, when I applied on a casino free cruise, I was gently informed that I was not eligible. 🤣

[SusieAV8R]

4 hours ago, hal2008 said:

 

Snailmail is inefficient and expensive to process.

And with resource shortages everywhere, understandable if RCL is not jumping to give away money especially when they make it so easy online.

 

Instruction "suggest" at least 2-3 weeks before sailing. Doesnt mean you cant do it months in advance.

In reality, they have done processing even with 4 days to go before sailing. They just request 2-3 weeks to give them slack.

 

4 hours ago, hal2008 said:

 

Snailmail is inefficient and expensive to process.

And with resource shortages everywhere, understandable if RCL is not jumping to give away money especially when they make it so easy online.

 

Instruction "suggest" at least 2-3 weeks before sailing. Doesnt mean you cant do it months in advance.

In reality, they have done processing even with 4 days to go before sailing. They just request 2-3 weeks to give them slack.

 

4 hours ago, hal2008 said:

 

Snailmail is inefficient and expensive to process.

And with resource shortages everywhere, understandable if RCL is not jumping to give away money especially when they make it so easy online.

 

Instruction "suggest" at least 2-3 weeks before sailing. Doesnt mean you cant do it months in advance.

In reality, they have done processing even with 4 days to go before sailing. They just request 2-3 weeks to give them slack.

Wow!!  What a difficult time you have had!  I went online, followed the provided instructions, which included each of our 11 Celebrity cruise confirmation numbers (out to April, 2024) and, cruise dates; then uploaded a copy of my recent monthly investment statement (my account number, non-RCL share holdings,  total account value etc blackened out) showing I was a current holder of at least 100 RCL shares. Within a week or so, I had confirmation of all relevant  Shareholder OBCs.  (I expect that since all share holders are listed electronically with RCL, it would not be difficult to have a program coded to pick up sales of shares by future cruisers who have been awarded Shareholder OBCs.) 

[hal2008]

On 11/18/2022 at 9:23 PM, SusieAV8R said:

 

 

Wow!!  What a difficult time you have had!  I went online, followed the provided instructions, which included each of our 11 Celebrity cruise confirmation numbers (out to April, 2024) and, cruise dates; then uploaded a copy of my recent monthly investment statement (my account number, non-RCL share holdings,  total account value etc blackened out) showing I was a current holder of at least 100 RCL shares. Within a week or so, I had confirmation of all relevant  Shareholder OBCs.  (I expect that since all share holders are listed electronically with RCL, it would not be difficult to have a program coded to pick up sales of shares by future cruisers who have been awarded Shareholder OBCs.) 

 

Snailmail was a response to other poster who had issues with it.

Was suggesting him/her the easier route (without using any hyperbole) 

 

BTW, I never use monthly statement (it has too much other information).  One liner from brokerage house with absolutely minimum info that RCL needs has been enough.

 

Your "expectations" that all shareholders are listed electronically with RCL is way out of the ballpark. In USA, most securities are held in street name.

[Tlbecker1]

2 hours ago, hal2008 said:

 

Snailmail was a response to other poster who had issues with it.

Was suggesting him/her the easier route (without using any hyperbole) 

 

BTW, I never use monthly statement (it has too much other information).  One liner from brokerage house with absolutely minimum info that RCL needs has been enough.

 

Your "expectations" that all shareholders are listed electronically with RCL is way out of the ballpark. In USA, most securities are held in street name.

We always use a monthly statement and block out account numbers and anything personal.

[Mum2Mercury]

On 9/9/2022 at 7:14 AM, Biker19 said:

You don't need any of that - just buy 100 shares one day, sell them the next (hopefully on an up day) and use the buy transaction to keep getting the OBC.

I don't want to sell!  I've only owned this stock 2-3 months, and I'm up almost $2000 -- plus I'm (hopefully) about to get OBC for the second time.  I bought at the right time!  

On 10/8/2022 at 12:24 PM, LinRon3 said:

I guess we give up.  There is simply something about us that RCI does not like. 

On our September cruise, we had NO PROBLEM.  Sent in the info, immediately saw the credit on our account.  Easy-peasy.  

 

We're leaving on Monday for a cruise, and I have contacted Royal SIX TIMES about OBC over the course of THREE WEEKS.  Right now I'm on the phone -- I was on hold for 90 minutes before I spoke to anyone, and now I've passed the two hour mark.  They keep asking me the same information over and over.  They keep acting like it's my fault that they haven't credited my account.  

Edited December 2, 2022 by Mum2Mercury

[Biker19]

3 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

plus I'm (hopefully) about to get OBC for the second time. 

You don't need to hold the stock to get the OBC - only need to show you owned it at one time.

[DaKahuna]

24 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You don't need to hold the stock to get the OBC - only need to show you owned it at one time.

 

 Really - are you saying that I can send months, even years old statements and still get OBC?  

 I assume you have done this and are speaking from experience?

 

 

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Really - are you saying that I can send months, even years old statements and still get OBC?  

 I assume you have done this and are speaking from experience?

 

 

Yes and yes, though there might be some limit where they ask for something more recent.

[Wineaux007]

52 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Yes and yes, though there might be some limit where they ask for something more recent.

Seeing that I'm approved for two sailings in 2024, I guess I could sell my shares now if I'm so inclined?

[PlanetX]

Just one data point, but I submitted my shareholder benefit request on 11/23 and got confirmation and $$ on my account on 11/30, for a 12/10 sail date.  

[fsufancc]

First off, taking investment advice on a web board is probably a bad idea. Secondly, I do own 100 shares for OBC.  But hate to admit it but RCL and other cruise line stocks are just above junk level. The shares I own are with money I can afford to lose or don't need at this time. I'm not saying that the money isn't important, it is just that if the shares drop substantially, I'm not fretting.  The travel industry as a whole is extremely volatile (as Covid has shown us).  My financial advisor "bites her tongue" when it comes up in planning sessions.

 

As far as getting the OBC, I find it very easy using the online portal. I download my financial statement in a .PDF file, black out important account information, then highlight the RCCL shares.  Email the sheet to RCCL shareholders site and within 48 hours, the OBC is posted.

[Biker19]

12 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

Seeing that I'm approved for two sailings in 2024, I guess I could sell my shares now if I'm so inclined?

Yes.

[nelblu]

14 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Really - are you saying that I can send months, even years old statements and still get OBC?  

 I assume you have done this and are speaking from experience?

 

 

I thought it was within a 3-month range.