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Thread: Norwegian Cruise Line and their dirty "20% off" trick for people who book future cruises with refunded cruise credit

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Norwegian Cruise Line and their dirty "20% off" trick for people who book future cruises with refunded cruise credit

    Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is playing dirty, and I don't like it.

    First off, it came out that their call center managers instructed employees to lie about the true danger of the coronavirus in order to get bookings in February.

    Now NCL has shut down all cruises, as have other US-facing lines, and the company is facing a grim future. They were already operating with a lot of debt before all of this happened. Their stock fell from $59.65 on January 14 to $7.77 yesterday.

    You'd think that they'd be highly discounting future bookings -- especially ones in the coming 6 months -- in order to get things going again, right?

    Wrong.

    Here's the prices (per person) for an upcoming cruise itinerary in May/June -- one which is not even likely to go. Keep in mind this is a very ordinary 7-day Caribbean cruise.

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    Could there really be such demand for a cruise in May, given the coronavirus fears and the recent bad press regarding cruising? How could they fill cabins at these prices? These prices are actually MORE expensive than they'd typically be for a cruise 2 months away in a normal year. Most cruise prices go DOWN as you get about 2 months from sailing date, as they need to fill cabins.

    Is it just this itinerary? No. I checked them all, and there's no good deals to be had in 2020. So what gives?

    Here's what gives:

    Guests who are currently booked on cruiess with embarkation dates from 3/13/20 to 4/11/20 will receive a full refund for their cruise fare in the form of a future cruise credit which can be applied towards any NCL voyage through 12/31/22. As an added incentive, guests who choose to reschedule their vacation will receive an additional 25% to 50% future cruise credit dependent upon their embarkation dates. Guests who prefere not to take advantage of a future cruise credit can receive a full refund in the amount of cruise fare paid.

    As a bonus for guests impacted by the temporary suspension, as well as guests who previously canceled via our Peace of Mind (2 day cancellation window) policy, we are offering them the ability to use their future cruise credit with a 20% discount off published fares for voyages from 7/1/20 to 12/31/22. All affected guests must book no later than 4/10/20.

    See what's going on here?

    They are required by law to refund passengers for cruises which aren't taking place. However, instead you can choose to convert the refund into a 125-150% "future cruise credit" which can be used until the end of 2022. Then they're also giving 20% additional off, if you book before April 10.

    This is why they aren't charging market rates for future cruises, but instead are charging inflated prices. They're hoping that idiots take the future cruise credits with the "extra" credits instead of the cash discount, and are incentivizing them to rebook within the next month by giving them another 20% off. Rather than giving these dolts an actual good deal, they're charging inflated prices for the future cruises, so they completely negate the "discounts" and extra credits they're giving these people.

    Dirty.

    NCL needs cash now, so they really don't want to refund people. This is the way they can get people to choose to give up their refund, while not sacrificing future profits, by falsely jacking up the prices in order to negate the "incentives" these suckers are getting.

    This is all completely legal, by the way. Just very unethical in my opinion.

     
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      Tellafriend: good info, but re cash, NCL used to be owend by the same fund that owend most of Caesars -- not sure if that remains the case, but if so, there is plenty of liquidity there

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    Oy....

    Sometimes I think this is all one big troll Druff.

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OSA View Post
    Oy....

    Sometimes I think this is all one big troll Druff.
    Who is trolling? Me or NCL?

    Surely you of all people see the trick being pulled here.

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    Speedster Out of Clemson adamantium's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by OSA View Post
    Oy....

    Sometimes I think this is all one big troll Druff.
    Who is trolling? Me or NCL?

    Surely you of all people see the trick being pulled here.
    Im thinking even my 9 yr old sees it, but GREAT discovery!
    Slava Ukraini!

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by adamantium View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post

    Who is trolling? Me or NCL?

    Surely you of all people see the trick being pulled here.
    Im thinking even my 9 yr old sees it, but GREAT discovery!
    I didn't say it was hard to figure out. I was pointing out that it's happening -- something you'd only know if you were aware of this offer & NCL's current pricing.

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    Diamond TheXFactor's Avatar
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    No U.S. federal bailout for cruise ships.

    They are a foreign business anyway since all their ships have flags from places like Nassau, Bahamas.

    Odds that Norwegian and other cruise lines are bankrupt by the end of the year?

    I would not go on a cruise even if it was free.


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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    I agree they shouldn't get a bailout.

    If these companies go under, they go under.

    Another company will buy up the ships and start fresh. The industry will continue, but it will take time to recover

    Foreign flagged companies do not deserve bailouts. Live by the tax dodge, die by the tax dodge.

     
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      tigerpiper: liberals and conservatives unite! rep

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    Gold MrTickle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    I agree they shouldn't get a bailout.

    If these companies go under, they go under.

    Another company will buy up the ships and start fresh. The industry will continue, but it will take time to recover

    Foreign flagged companies do not deserve bailouts. Live by the tax dodge, die by the tax dodge.
    Norwegian has the only US flagged cruise ship in the world

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MrTickle View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    I agree they shouldn't get a bailout.

    If these companies go under, they go under.

    Another company will buy up the ships and start fresh. The industry will continue, but it will take time to recover

    Foreign flagged companies do not deserve bailouts. Live by the tax dodge, die by the tax dodge.
    Norwegian has the only US flagged cruise ship in the world
    Only out of necessity so they can travel US-US without a foreign port in the middle. They had to have this for their Hawaii-only cruise. The rest of their line is foreign flagged.

    You probably know this already, but just wanted to clarify.

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    The foreign flagging of US-based cruise ships is such a tax scam, btw. Legal, but still a big tax scam.

    If there is any aid to cruise lines, the US government should make two demands:

    1) It's a loan, not a bailout

    2) All ships must convert to US flags and stay that way for a minimum of 20 years


    Also, the law should change requiring that all cruise lines with the majority of departures from US ports have US-flagged ships.

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    Master of Props Daly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    The foreign flagging of US-based cruise ships is such a tax scam, btw. Legal, but still a big tax scam.

    If there is any aid to cruise lines, the US government should make two demands:

    1) It's a loan, not a bailout

    2) All ships must convert to US flags and stay that way for a minimum of 20 years


    Also, the law should change requiring that all cruise lines with the majority of departures from US ports have US-flagged ships.

    0.0% chance of that happening.

    The tax advantage would be worth more than any loan they could get.

    It’s not fair and it should be changed. Now probably isn’t the best time to address it.

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Daly View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    The foreign flagging of US-based cruise ships is such a tax scam, btw. Legal, but still a big tax scam.

    If there is any aid to cruise lines, the US government should make two demands:

    1) It's a loan, not a bailout

    2) All ships must convert to US flags and stay that way for a minimum of 20 years


    Also, the law should change requiring that all cruise lines with the majority of departures from US ports have US-flagged ships.

    0.0% chance of that happening.

    The tax advantage would be worth more than any loan they could get.

    It’s not fair and it should be changed. Now probably isn’t the best time to address it.
    If it's between that and ceasing to exist, they might go for it.

    I thought bailouts are supposed to be for important businesses which have no other chance to continue forward?

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    Gold MrTickle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    The foreign flagging of US-based cruise ships is such a tax scam, btw. Legal, but still a big tax scam.

    If there is any aid to cruise lines, the US government should make two demands:

    1) It's a loan, not a bailout

    2) All ships must convert to US flags and stay that way for a minimum of 20 years


    Also, the law should change requiring that all cruise lines with the majority of departures from US ports have US-flagged ships.
    UK-based cruiselines are just as bad. Flagged in Bermuda and Bahamas. P&O has one 'flagship' with the Union Jack.

    At least Bermuda and Bahamas still have the Queen!

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MrTickle View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    The foreign flagging of US-based cruise ships is such a tax scam, btw. Legal, but still a big tax scam.

    If there is any aid to cruise lines, the US government should make two demands:

    1) It's a loan, not a bailout

    2) All ships must convert to US flags and stay that way for a minimum of 20 years


    Also, the law should change requiring that all cruise lines with the majority of departures from US ports have US-flagged ships.
    UK-based cruiselines are just as bad. Flagged in Bermuda and Bahamas. P&O has one 'flagship' with the Union Jack.

    At least Bermuda and Bahamas still have the Queen!
    At least I give Europe credit for putting an end to the "forced tip" scam, where the cruiseline just pockets the $.

    This has long been standard across the US cruiseline industry, but Europe doesn't allow those lines to charge this to their passengers due to their laws against mandatory tipping.

    I don't praise Europe very often but they are 100% right on this.

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    Plutonium Sanlmar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Daly View Post


    0.0% chance of that happening.

    The tax advantage would be worth more than any loan they could get.

    It’s not fair and it should be changed. Now probably isn’t the best time to address it.
    If it's between that and ceasing to exist, they might go for it.

    I thought bailouts are supposed to be for important businesses which have no other chance to continue forward?
    This is actually incorrect.

    If the smoking ruin is worth something - some enterprising outfit will put a bid in and take them over in bk

    Free enterprise.

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sanlmar View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post

    If it's between that and ceasing to exist, they might go for it.

    I thought bailouts are supposed to be for important businesses which have no other chance to continue forward?
    This is actually incorrect.

    If the smoking ruin is worth something - some enterprising outfit will put a bid in and take them over in bk

    Free enterprise.
    Yes, that could happen, but they might prefer a government loan with restrictive terms over a takeover.

    They are definitely worth SOMETHING because the ships themselves have a good deal of value.

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    Plutonium Sanlmar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Sanlmar View Post

    This is actually incorrect.

    If the smoking ruin is worth something - some enterprising outfit will put a bid in and take them over in bk

    Free enterprise.
    Yes, that could happen, but they might prefer a government loan with restrictive terms over a takeover.

    They are definitely worth SOMETHING because the ships themselves have a good deal of value.

    They’re certainly financed. But regardless, there is some asset value and the bankruptcy process will determine what that is.

    You will cruise. Don’t fret. Just may be under a different brand. That may turn out to be a plus too.

    Let the Virgin gay guy take a look for instance.

    You know nothing of Gov Reagan, do you? Socialist California during your formative years damaged you

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    Master of Props Daly's Avatar
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    CCL was as low as 7.5B yesterday. Disney should have wrote the check:

     
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      Sanlmar: See how easy this is?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    The foreign flagging of US-based cruise ships is such a tax scam, btw. Legal, but still a big tax scam.

    If there is any aid to cruise lines, the US government should make two demands:

    1) It's a loan, not a bailout

    2) All ships must convert to US flags and stay that way for a minimum of 20 years


    Also, the law should change requiring that all cruise lines with the majority of departures from US ports have US-flagged ships.
    3) no more unlimited 10% rake on poker

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sanlmar View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post

    Yes, that could happen, but they might prefer a government loan with restrictive terms over a takeover.

    They are definitely worth SOMETHING because the ships themselves have a good deal of value.

    They’re certainly financed. But regardless, there is some asset value and the bankruptcy process will determine what that is.

    You will cruise. Don’t fret. Just may be under a different brand. That may turn out to be a plus too.

    Let the Virgin gay guy take a look for instance.

    You know nothing of Gov Reagan, do you? Socialist California during your formative years damaged you
    You mean "socialist California" which, at the time, had reasonable sales, gasoline, and property taxes and low income tax?

    I'd like that California -- and Governor Reagan - back.

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