Cruise Talk: Well done NCL

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Topic: Well done NCL

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 08-11-2009 09:45 AM

Certainly seems that NCL has at last turned a page by making another profit this quarter, in recent times this is a record. All key costs are down, on board spend up, occupancy up although fares are lower.

This will further improve when Majesty moves to Louis later on.

Well done. Who would have thought not so long ago that Carnival as always does ok, NCL makes a profit but RCI hands in a loss ? It would be interesting to see how the other Apollo brands were doing.

Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 08-11-2009 02:22 PM

Here on the west coast of Canada, the pilots are often on the ships for 16-30 hours depending on the route the ships follow. They are free to take their meals where they wish, and also have the time to circulate around the ship between stints on the bridge. Most are of the opinion that NCL's food has improved a great deal over the past year, both in the dining rooms and extra tariff eateries. Most other lines have held their own, and only one has sunk to a lower standard than in other years. Perhaps NCL has turned the corner, and better times are ahead perhaps to previous standards.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 08-11-2009 07:06 PM

It is nice to see NCL make a profit for a change. I do wish them success and perhaps they are finally on the right track. Shedding much of the NCL America operation was key to their profitability. Of course they have had many quarters of financial losses so they have a lot of catching up to do.

Royal Caribbean has had a history of sustained profitability and I highly suspect they will return to that trend in the very near future. A couple quarters of relatively small financial losses is not uncommon in this economy, even for historically profitable companies such as RCCL.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

jetwet1
First Class Passenger
Member # 6361

posted 08-12-2009 01:24 AM

Get a CEO who has a clue and see what happens....

Posts: 608 | From: Las VEgas | Registered: Mar 2006 | IP: Logged

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 08-12-2009 11:00 AM

RCI will no doubt get there. It is just my impression is they are a company that is used to living well, looking after dollars rather than the Carnival approach of looking after cents. It takes a long time to move from one to the other but it seems their focus is on doing that. I also have to say that RCI sure knows how to spend, and then some, hpoefully part of their plan is to spend less, pay more of their loans and keep more cash on hand.

Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 08-12-2009 08:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mike sa:
RCI will no doubt get there. It is just my impression is they are a company that is used to living well, looking after dollars rather than the Carnival approach of looking after cents. It takes a long time to move from one to the other but it seems their focus is on doing that. I also have to say that RCI sure knows how to spend, and then some, hpoefully part of their plan is to spend less, pay more of their loans and keep more cash on hand.

I'm a customer and not a stockholder, so I am quite pleased they spend so long as they keep it under control and stay in business. I'm willing to pay more for their ships. The amount of time and money that goes into their designs is quite apparent to me, which is why I prefer Royal Caribbean and Celebrity over the competition.

When I sail on other mass-market ships I really feel like I am on a second rate product in comparison. This goes for Princess, HAL, NCL, and Carnival. I enjoy them all, but the hardware is nothing compared to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity IMO. Perhaps NORWEGIAN EPIC will make me feel the same way the Voyager/Freedom/Oasis/Solstice Class does. A sense of excitement I just don't get when sailing on a Vista, Grand, or Destiny derivative.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

FL_Cruiser64
First Class Passenger
Member # 13706

posted 09-02-2009 12:05 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Grant:
Most are of the opinion that NCL's food has improved a great deal over the past year, both in the dining rooms and extra tariff eateries.

I concur. The food on my recent NCL cruise was far superior over RCI. Huge variety and top notch cooked.

Posts: 219 | From: Florida | Registered: Feb 2008 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 09-02-2009 10:08 AM

I would assume that most cruise lines use the same suppliers of food. There can't be that many or differences in quality between them. Therefore it's the chefs and preparation that effects food quality.( over or under cooked, salty etc.) IMHO
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 09-02-2009 10:40 AM

Frosty-while the number of suppliers is limited in some turn around ports, what does vary from line to line is the grade of the food supplies ordered. For example some load Grade A meat, while others purchase AAA grade product. The same applies to fruit and veggies. Even frozen product comes in varing grades, and not all cruise lines order the same quality.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sunviking82
First Class Passenger
Member # 4930

posted 09-02-2009 04:43 PM

While not a big NCL fan, from what I have heard /read lately is that the product quality is on the rise. It seems that RCL/ Celebrity is being flashy but that service and quality is suffering. NCL and CCL seem to be making the experience better (ship remodels, better food, more offerings for free).

I think it's funny that almost 7 years or so after NCL and Princess started Anytime dinning that RCL is just catching on? Each line seems to have different priorities right now that is for sure.

Posts: 383 | From: Minneapolis Minnesota , USA | Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

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