Regardless of the economic pressures, or possible because of them, we all want to take a cruise. But with job insecurities, retirement accounts depleted and general tendencies not to spend money on anything but necessities, the concept of taking a cruise seems so "pie in the sky". The reality is...and I have written about this twice already, but from different perspectives...a getaway can be a real benefit.
The question - assuming you are reading on - is: "How do I get the best bang for my shrinking buck? I gotta getaway, but don't think I can afford it."
First, the easy one: If you have the ability to get away during the period of December through February there are some incredible deals; where thousands of dollars have been shaved off of cruise prices on mass market, contemporary and premium cruise lines. If you have ever thought about doing a South American cruise this is well and truly the time to do it. Offers such as free air, half price for the second passenger, complimentary upgrades are now the norm.
Second, from a contemporary/mainstream cruise line point of view, I would look very hard at two things: (1) What is really included; and, (2) What is the service level onboard?
Why, you may ask, would I not look first a "price"? The reason is that there is a very real tendency by some lines to cut back on service and push the holy grail of onboard revenue. So in the end your great deal costs you a lot more than you ever anticipated...and you are stuck on that ship for a week or more. It is those little things like charges for specialty restaurants that really aren't that special (though some are!). Or charges for ice cream, pizza or a towel taken by someone from the pool area that you had to schlep from your cabin.
Complimentary activities can be more enjoyable or enlightening (such as lectures and demonstrations) than bingo or a spin through the shops or the casino. What about a good library of books or audio? If your cabin is comfortable and, if you like, there is a good selection of movies you may not feel the urge to be out in the public spaces in order to feel more at ease or entertained.
Clearly on a $599 cabin you can be spending 100% of your cruise fare on additional onboard revenue items in a heartbeat. So by careful planning you can actually cut your total cruise cost by as much as 50% or more.
Personally, I look at service even before I look at what is included. If I have good service then the overall feel of the cruise is better and, honestly, I tend not to spend as much trying to find my peace. I two minute chat with a friendly pool attendant may forestall that urge to "just do something"...like buy that $3.00 ice cream or that $1.50 soda. Solid service in the main restaurant makes the food taste better (or not be as important), so you don't feel the need to spend for a specialty restaurant just to feel...well...special. Someone casually stopping by my lounge chair and asking me if I would like a glass of water makes things feel more caring. It is, to be sure, the feeling that many need right about now.
So having figured out (1) Service; (2) What is included; and, (3) Price you may still have the hesitancy about booking a January or February cruise in November. If you think waiting will serve you better, I would caution you that while the deal you wanted may still be available, you may well be applying it to a two or three category higher cabin thereby losing hundreds of dollars dashing your plan of getting a better deal.
The fact is that prices will only go so low and then that is it. So if you think you will save more than the cost of that three category higher purchase you can risk it. Personally, I do not think at these prices it is worth it. (Remember, when the price is dropped to a certain point the cruise lines know that lowering it further isn't going to attract enough new passengers to offset the anger of all those that paid more money. I think we are, or are about to be there.)
The other day I was at a meeting where various travel agents discussed their philosophies. Some were pushing the way to increase revenue is by assessing fees; a fee for consultation, a fee for booking, a fee to cancel, a fee for airline info, a fee for passport info. Geez! Personally, I find that counterintuitive. You may make a few dollars on this person or that, but when the cruise passengers are concerned with making a commitment to a cruise and it is going to cost them significant fees if they find they just can't afford to go the only thing that happens is they are not going to book now, but will wait.
Goldring Travel never charges a consultation, booking, cancellation or other sort of fee. So you have the ability to book now, assuring yourself the cabin and category you want with absolutely no downside other than paying the fully refundable deposit. So the best way to "keep your options open" is to give yourself the option: Book now following the above steps and then decide when the final payment is coming due if you are comfortable going.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Science Responds to Needs of Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruises on Seabourn!
I was reading my daily email from The American Scientist and, when I saw the two articles one right after the other, I thought of our recent Food & Wine Cruise:
Scientists to Measure Effects of Earthquakes on Acropolis
from the Chicago Tribune (Registration Required)
ATHENS, Greece (Associated Press)—For thousands of years the Acropolis has withstood earthquakes, weathered storms and endured temperature extremes, from scorching summers to winter snow. Now scientists are drawing on the latest technology to install a system that will record just how much nature is affecting the 2,500-year-old site. They hope their findings will help identify areas that could be vulnerable, allowing them to target restoration and maintenance. Scientists are installing a network of fiber optic sensors and accelerographs—instruments that measure how much movement is generated during a quake.
http://snipurl.com/4wh1s
Persistence Pays Off With New Drug for Gout
from the (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer
The line of work Dr. Mike Hershfield has pursued for most of his 32-year research career at Duke University is basically scientific social service. He adopts orphans. Specifically, he takes on so-called orphan diseases—afflictions so rare that the big pharmaceutical companies have no financial incentive to develop treatments. Hershfield and his team at Duke are among more than a dozen research groups at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and private biotech companies in the Research Triangle Park area that have contributed to a wave of new treatments for people suffering from diseases such as immune disorders, rare cancers and cystic fibrosis. Each disease afflicts fewer than 200,000 Americans, but all the orphan diseases added together strike an estimated 25 million. http://snipurl.com/4xo11
Yes, during the 2008 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on Seabourn we marveled at the Acropolis and truly overindulged ourselves with Seabourn’s incredible food…not to mention our little Food & Wine tasting.
So we now know that science is working to preserve the antiquies...and our big toes!
I am working on special plans for our 2009 Seabourn cruise, including a complimentary Ensemble Experience in Kotor, Montenegro (a UNESCO World Heritage site), but I just found the order of above articles too funny not to pass on right away.
Scientists to Measure Effects of Earthquakes on Acropolis
from the Chicago Tribune (Registration Required)
ATHENS, Greece (Associated Press)—For thousands of years the Acropolis has withstood earthquakes, weathered storms and endured temperature extremes, from scorching summers to winter snow. Now scientists are drawing on the latest technology to install a system that will record just how much nature is affecting the 2,500-year-old site. They hope their findings will help identify areas that could be vulnerable, allowing them to target restoration and maintenance. Scientists are installing a network of fiber optic sensors and accelerographs—instruments that measure how much movement is generated during a quake.
http://snipurl.com/4wh1s
Persistence Pays Off With New Drug for Gout
from the (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer
The line of work Dr. Mike Hershfield has pursued for most of his 32-year research career at Duke University is basically scientific social service. He adopts orphans. Specifically, he takes on so-called orphan diseases—afflictions so rare that the big pharmaceutical companies have no financial incentive to develop treatments. Hershfield and his team at Duke are among more than a dozen research groups at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and private biotech companies in the Research Triangle Park area that have contributed to a wave of new treatments for people suffering from diseases such as immune disorders, rare cancers and cystic fibrosis. Each disease afflicts fewer than 200,000 Americans, but all the orphan diseases added together strike an estimated 25 million. http://snipurl.com/4xo11
Yes, during the 2008 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on Seabourn we marveled at the Acropolis and truly overindulged ourselves with Seabourn’s incredible food…not to mention our little Food & Wine tasting.
So we now know that science is working to preserve the antiquies...and our big toes!
I am working on special plans for our 2009 Seabourn cruise, including a complimentary Ensemble Experience in Kotor, Montenegro (a UNESCO World Heritage site), but I just found the order of above articles too funny not to pass on right away.
Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Announce End to Fuel Supplements
"Effective November 10, 2008, fuel supplement charges will be eliminated from all Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyages departing in 2010. In addition, the company has established specific guidelines under which the fuel supplement may be reimbursed to guests sailing on voyages departing in 2009.
"For voyages departing in 2009, the company will continue to apply a $15 per guest per day fuel supplement. Fuel supplement charge adjustments, if any, will be determined on a quarterly basis. Refunds, in the form of Shipboard Credits, will automatically be applied to all reservations to which a fuel supplement had previously been charged if the quarterly closing price on the New York Mercantile Exchange of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $65 per barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter.
"Frank Del Rio, Chairman of Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of RSSC, stated that the company was implementing these changes due to the recent decline in fuel prices. "If oil stabilizes below $65 per barrel, we are confident that we can effectively eliminate the need to charge our guests a separate fuel supplement. However, we must see stability in fuel pricing on a mid- to long-term basis as there could still be significant volatility in the marketplace," stated Del Rio."
I think what is implied, but not stated, is that Regent and Oceania - who have maintained the highest fuel supplement charges in the industry on both a per day and cruise total basis - will be adjusting their 2010 prices to incorporate a cushion against fuel increases as others have done.
"For voyages departing in 2009, the company will continue to apply a $15 per guest per day fuel supplement. Fuel supplement charge adjustments, if any, will be determined on a quarterly basis. Refunds, in the form of Shipboard Credits, will automatically be applied to all reservations to which a fuel supplement had previously been charged if the quarterly closing price on the New York Mercantile Exchange of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $65 per barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter.
"Frank Del Rio, Chairman of Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of RSSC, stated that the company was implementing these changes due to the recent decline in fuel prices. "If oil stabilizes below $65 per barrel, we are confident that we can effectively eliminate the need to charge our guests a separate fuel supplement. However, we must see stability in fuel pricing on a mid- to long-term basis as there could still be significant volatility in the marketplace," stated Del Rio."
I think what is implied, but not stated, is that Regent and Oceania - who have maintained the highest fuel supplement charges in the industry on both a per day and cruise total basis - will be adjusting their 2010 prices to incorporate a cushion against fuel increases as others have done.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Iamboatman's Alternative to Cruising: Skiing at Northstar-at-Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, California
I am not only about cruising and exotic vacations. Years ago I purchased a townhouse in a resort on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, California named Northstar-at-Tahoe.
How I wound up owning a place out west when I live in the east is a long (and probably boring) story, but my purchase was, as I often say, "the only smart thing I purchased when I was single". My family loves nothing better than to spend the day on the slopes, then a visit to the Recreation Center for a hot tub or some video games, and then home to a nice wood fire, looking out on the snow-covered pines, and hanging out together.
Over the past twenty plus years Northstar-at-Tahoe (http://www.northstarattahoe.com/) has changed from a small, family orientated, ski resort with picnic tables and a very small village to a world-class resort with an incredible village, the private luxury Tahoe Mountain Club (http://www.tahoemountainclub.com/) ...with a restaurant on the top of the mountain, a private club in the village and Jack Nicklaus designed golf course...and, opening next winter, a Ritz Carlton hotel. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/LakeTahoe/Default.htm Our secret getaway is no longer a secret! While there are upsides and downsides to such intense development, Northstar-at-Tahoe has really transformed from a wannabe to an almost luxury resort to a true luxury destination.
The beauty of my little place is that it is located away from village (a 3 minute shuttle away) so we have privacy, quiet and views of the mountains...with the bonus of having the glitz located just down the road anytime we want.
As I normally do, I offer my place out for rent when we are not using it. I do not usually rent it out by the day or week, but rather on a more long term basis. It is fully furnished down to the blender for Margaritas and the marshmallow fork for smores. Maid service is available. You can find more information at http://www.northstarrealestate.com/SkiLease/6126Lease.html . Feel free to email me at eric@goldringtravel.com or call me at 877-2GO-LUXURY if you want more information.
How I wound up owning a place out west when I live in the east is a long (and probably boring) story, but my purchase was, as I often say, "the only smart thing I purchased when I was single". My family loves nothing better than to spend the day on the slopes, then a visit to the Recreation Center for a hot tub or some video games, and then home to a nice wood fire, looking out on the snow-covered pines, and hanging out together.
Over the past twenty plus years Northstar-at-Tahoe (http://www.northstarattahoe.com/) has changed from a small, family orientated, ski resort with picnic tables and a very small village to a world-class resort with an incredible village, the private luxury Tahoe Mountain Club (http://www.tahoemountainclub.com/) ...with a restaurant on the top of the mountain, a private club in the village and Jack Nicklaus designed golf course...and, opening next winter, a Ritz Carlton hotel. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/LakeTahoe/Default.htm Our secret getaway is no longer a secret! While there are upsides and downsides to such intense development, Northstar-at-Tahoe has really transformed from a wannabe to an almost luxury resort to a true luxury destination.
The beauty of my little place is that it is located away from village (a 3 minute shuttle away) so we have privacy, quiet and views of the mountains...with the bonus of having the glitz located just down the road anytime we want.
As I normally do, I offer my place out for rent when we are not using it. I do not usually rent it out by the day or week, but rather on a more long term basis. It is fully furnished down to the blender for Margaritas and the marshmallow fork for smores. Maid service is available. You can find more information at http://www.northstarrealestate.com/SkiLease/6126Lease.html . Feel free to email me at eric@goldringtravel.com or call me at 877-2GO-LUXURY if you want more information.
Carnival Corp.'s Response to Anticipated Cash Flow Reductions: Shareholders, Not Passengers, To Feel the Pinch
Carnival Corp. (owner of Carnival, Princess, Costa, Holland America, Cunard and Seabourn) announced yesterday that it was suspending the distribution of dividends for 2009; not because of a lack of profitability - Carnival's products are, and are projected to remain, profitable - but because of a change in cash flow and cruising habits on most of its brands.
Even though Carnival reports it is sitting with over $1.3 Billion dollars in cash, it is anticipating that (as occurred immediately post 9/11) (1) people are not as easily committing to cruises 6-9 months or longer in advance, so the immediate cash flow from the deposit payments is reduced; and, (2) people are not willing to travel as far to get to their cruise vacation (and the increases in air fares and reduction in airline service doesn't help).
What this also means is that people are going to be booking more of the less profitable Caribbean cruises than the higher profit European cruises on most of the Carnival brands. Ships are being repositioned as we speak; with, for example, Baltimore announcing it will be a home port for Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity on an extended (almost year round) basis. [Note: Seabourn is not taking these steps. It has, in fact, announced its expansion into Asia and its commitment to finding additional unique European ports. More to come on this.]
One other thing to consider, there will not be many new ships added to order books. So what is seen as a lack of shipyard capacity today, may result in an overcapacity situation in a few years. To me this is a classic example of how the economy is grown from the bottom up. If the consumers aren't spending money...or even just aren't spending it as fast...the businesses contract, the investors get less in the short term and industry retracts.
With Exxon Mobil announcing $13.8 Billion dollars in profits in the 3rd Quarter, one wonders what the effect of shorter cruising itineraries (driving first by the outrageous oil prices and now by reduced/changed itinerary demands) will have on the 4th Quarter 2008/1st Quarter 2009 profits. We have all seen the drastic effect a 5% drop in U.S. driving has done on the price of a gallon of gasoline, so the cruise lines' changes will most definitely have some affect. I think those investors - who have been extremely happy over the past few years - may see a bit less in the way of dividends and stock value increases.
While I am not thrilled with the concept of Carnival suspending dividends to its shareholders for 2009, in the long term (as Mickey Arinson asserts) this bit of fiscal conservatism (rather than gimmicks) is designed to assure Carnival will remain fiscally strong in the long term. (Now reflect on some of the short term gimmicks I wrote about earlier in the week and you can better understand why I see some of them as Red Flags.)
Even though Carnival reports it is sitting with over $1.3 Billion dollars in cash, it is anticipating that (as occurred immediately post 9/11) (1) people are not as easily committing to cruises 6-9 months or longer in advance, so the immediate cash flow from the deposit payments is reduced; and, (2) people are not willing to travel as far to get to their cruise vacation (and the increases in air fares and reduction in airline service doesn't help).
What this also means is that people are going to be booking more of the less profitable Caribbean cruises than the higher profit European cruises on most of the Carnival brands. Ships are being repositioned as we speak; with, for example, Baltimore announcing it will be a home port for Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity on an extended (almost year round) basis. [Note: Seabourn is not taking these steps. It has, in fact, announced its expansion into Asia and its commitment to finding additional unique European ports. More to come on this.]
One other thing to consider, there will not be many new ships added to order books. So what is seen as a lack of shipyard capacity today, may result in an overcapacity situation in a few years. To me this is a classic example of how the economy is grown from the bottom up. If the consumers aren't spending money...or even just aren't spending it as fast...the businesses contract, the investors get less in the short term and industry retracts.
With Exxon Mobil announcing $13.8 Billion dollars in profits in the 3rd Quarter, one wonders what the effect of shorter cruising itineraries (driving first by the outrageous oil prices and now by reduced/changed itinerary demands) will have on the 4th Quarter 2008/1st Quarter 2009 profits. We have all seen the drastic effect a 5% drop in U.S. driving has done on the price of a gallon of gasoline, so the cruise lines' changes will most definitely have some affect. I think those investors - who have been extremely happy over the past few years - may see a bit less in the way of dividends and stock value increases.
While I am not thrilled with the concept of Carnival suspending dividends to its shareholders for 2009, in the long term (as Mickey Arinson asserts) this bit of fiscal conservatism (rather than gimmicks) is designed to assure Carnival will remain fiscally strong in the long term. (Now reflect on some of the short term gimmicks I wrote about earlier in the week and you can better understand why I see some of them as Red Flags.)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trump National Golf Course - Colts Neck Update
I have noticed quite a number of people are visiting my blog looking for information on the Trump National - Colts Neck golf course. So here is what I am aware my new neighbor is up to.
Work has already begun on the reconfiguration of the golf course itself (lengthening/reconfiguring some holes, moving bunkers, etc.) as well as the planning for the new swimming pool and tennis courts. (I also understand that some interior improvements are also started, but I do not know what they are as of yet.)
As part of those plans the two ponds were emptied last week which, inadvertently, caused a bit of a problem: The water from the ponds is also the water source for the sprinkler system in the Clubhouse. So without the ponds filled, the sprinkler system has no water supply. If the Clubhouse was empty that would be one thing, but it is not. So with events planned and water sources needed, tanker trucks filled with water are, as necessary, on site to supply water. (Such are the logistical problems with being pretty much in the country.) I am not sure how long this is going to be going on, or what the total logistical situation is, but it is an interesting quandary.
On another front Trump wants to change the name of the road leading into the Club to "Trump Boulevard" from Professional Circle. While the name sounds good, if you ever saw it, you would know a boulevard it is not. Apparently the businesses on the road are in favor of it, but some in town have objections like a supposed unwritten rule that streets aren't to be named after living people (though there are streets named after existing businesses, i.e. Slope Brook Farm Road...which isn't even related to the business and was named by other people) and someone didn't like it promoting Mr. Trump.
As for the present name "Professional Circle", I have to wonder if so much interest and concern was put into such a terrible name for our fairly rural town? Personally, as one living in the area, I think if the present road name had any historical significance, like Hominy Hill Road (which is the back entrance into the development) there might be a legitimate issue. I live in the Hominy Hill area in between it and Hominy Hill Golf Course (a public course); both named after an old farm.
However, there is no such history and, just as Hominy Hill Road was named for an existing entity, Trump Boulevard should also be so named. I am sure more people will eventually be familiar with the name Trump than Hominy Hill so to me it makes sense. Just my neighborly opinion.
Work has already begun on the reconfiguration of the golf course itself (lengthening/reconfiguring some holes, moving bunkers, etc.) as well as the planning for the new swimming pool and tennis courts. (I also understand that some interior improvements are also started, but I do not know what they are as of yet.)
As part of those plans the two ponds were emptied last week which, inadvertently, caused a bit of a problem: The water from the ponds is also the water source for the sprinkler system in the Clubhouse. So without the ponds filled, the sprinkler system has no water supply. If the Clubhouse was empty that would be one thing, but it is not. So with events planned and water sources needed, tanker trucks filled with water are, as necessary, on site to supply water. (Such are the logistical problems with being pretty much in the country.) I am not sure how long this is going to be going on, or what the total logistical situation is, but it is an interesting quandary.
On another front Trump wants to change the name of the road leading into the Club to "Trump Boulevard" from Professional Circle. While the name sounds good, if you ever saw it, you would know a boulevard it is not. Apparently the businesses on the road are in favor of it, but some in town have objections like a supposed unwritten rule that streets aren't to be named after living people (though there are streets named after existing businesses, i.e. Slope Brook Farm Road...which isn't even related to the business and was named by other people) and someone didn't like it promoting Mr. Trump.
As for the present name "Professional Circle", I have to wonder if so much interest and concern was put into such a terrible name for our fairly rural town? Personally, as one living in the area, I think if the present road name had any historical significance, like Hominy Hill Road (which is the back entrance into the development) there might be a legitimate issue. I live in the Hominy Hill area in between it and Hominy Hill Golf Course (a public course); both named after an old farm.
However, there is no such history and, just as Hominy Hill Road was named for an existing entity, Trump Boulevard should also be so named. I am sure more people will eventually be familiar with the name Trump than Hominy Hill so to me it makes sense. Just my neighborly opinion.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
So You Think Cruise Prices Are High and You Are Holding Off Booking a Seabourn Cruise...Waiting For a Bargain? Check This Out!
I love to find "stuff". I get in trouble for finding "stuff". But I will always be on the lookout for some good "stuff". And here is one bit of "stuff" that you have to see to believe.
I recently purchased a pile of old Seabourn brochures and advertisements. Included were ads for Asia, the South Pacific (oh, Seabourn please go back there!!) and the Caribbean. As the Caribbean cruising season is just about upon us, I thought I would share part of a 1995-1996 Caribbean promotional brochure from Seabourn. (If you click on the images, you will see a full size image in a new window.)
Let's do a bit of comparison:
I. Holiday Cruise
December 21, 1995 to January 6, 1996 (16 days) - Lowest available price, taking into account an air credit of $350 and $200 for a hotel and transfer credit: $13,410 per person ($838 per day)
December 19, 2008 - January 2, 2009 (14 days) - Lowest available price: $6,995.00 per person ($499 per day).
Can you believe it is virtually half the price to cruise on Seabourn today as it was 12 yeas ago...and that doesn't include cost of living adjustments?
II. Panama Canal Cruise:
November 16, 1995 - November 26, 1995 (10 days) - Lowest available price, taking into account an air credit of $400 and $200 for a hotel and transfer credit: $5,950 per person ($595 per day).
December 5, 2008 - December 19, 2008 (14 days) - Lowest available price: $4,373.00 per person ($312 per day).
Again, it is virtually half the price to cruise on Seabourn today as it was over a decade ago.
Also, keep in mind that back in 1995 the concept of discounting cruise fares really did not exist. Goldring Travel discounts literally every cruise we sell...last year, this year and in the future.
I found this, and lots of other information, fascinating. I will be looking through this treasure trove of material and, from time to time, will share some of it with you.
I recently purchased a pile of old Seabourn brochures and advertisements. Included were ads for Asia, the South Pacific (oh, Seabourn please go back there!!) and the Caribbean. As the Caribbean cruising season is just about upon us, I thought I would share part of a 1995-1996 Caribbean promotional brochure from Seabourn. (If you click on the images, you will see a full size image in a new window.)
I. Holiday Cruise
December 21, 1995 to January 6, 1996 (16 days) - Lowest available price, taking into account an air credit of $350 and $200 for a hotel and transfer credit: $13,410 per person ($838 per day)
December 19, 2008 - January 2, 2009 (14 days) - Lowest available price: $6,995.00 per person ($499 per day).
Can you believe it is virtually half the price to cruise on Seabourn today as it was 12 yeas ago...and that doesn't include cost of living adjustments?
II. Panama Canal Cruise:
November 16, 1995 - November 26, 1995 (10 days) - Lowest available price, taking into account an air credit of $400 and $200 for a hotel and transfer credit: $5,950 per person ($595 per day).
December 5, 2008 - December 19, 2008 (14 days) - Lowest available price: $4,373.00 per person ($312 per day).
Again, it is virtually half the price to cruise on Seabourn today as it was over a decade ago.
Also, keep in mind that back in 1995 the concept of discounting cruise fares really did not exist. Goldring Travel discounts literally every cruise we sell...last year, this year and in the future.
I found this, and lots of other information, fascinating. I will be looking through this treasure trove of material and, from time to time, will share some of it with you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)