The "hold up" to restart RCL being too passive

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5394/?fbclid=IwAR2kOnFfFtdpsxbe3v1tZaNkAgTALStqZnbvtH8NkO03qkrh9o0ARy7kmwc

The link connects to an interview of Richard Fain, CEO of RCL. I've seen elements of this in 2 interviews, both "not our fault" - points to hold-ups by US and international health organizations in setting the new "standards" for cruising. Personal opinion, after working for the USG for many years; if you are waiting for a gov't organization to give you an answer (as he as stated in 2 interviews) (1) you won't be able to live with that answer, or (2) it will be so late as to adversely affect business operations.

As a customer and stockholder, I believe his story should be, "we are working with government organizations to jointly develop standards for restart of our industry" and we as an industry are working with our industry lobby Washington to ensure health organizations are reviewing our options and helping us to shape solutions to return to sailing before the end of this year."

There's an industry in peril. Leaders of that industry need to drive the company to develop the solutions then present to government organizations for approval. Don't wait for someone outside the industry to define the future of that industry.

Just my rant for today.

Tags: RCL

15 Answers

Maybe that's the plan.

I agree with that. Someone needs to be the first and lead. I also believe the supply chain may be is just a great disarray. There may not be the ability to supply the ships in a manner they were once supplied with the diversity and richness of food and beverage items pre-plague. In leading, some line, most with a private island, needs to exercise the new protocols and test the waters. Observe what works and what doesn't and correct the protocols. This will not be turned on overnight, but believe all the lines further jeopardize the industry if they're not sailing by Q4.

One of the problems is that everyone is afraid to take a step forward until they are able to resolve all or some of the legal issues behind them from when this mess all started. The precedent and decisions from those will affect the future decisions. So until that is all settled no one wants to be the first to stick their foot into to test the waters.

Yes - understand and agree. Maybe things are being pursued quietly, but if I were a CEO of a multi-billion $$ business with no cash flow, I'd be working with at least Florida ports and CDC for a track for short cruises to their private island 2 sea days and an island stop. Test the waters, try the new procedures and let a couple of ships and crews back together. Pick the ones with the lowest operating costs and test the waters over closed & controllable itinerary. Fuel is cheap right now and they might be able to start some cash flow. If successful, you expand, sends good news to the market etc. I was disappointed in reading "we're waiting for the gov't". Gov'ts don't fix the problems for you (especially as you mentioned above - for a "conspicuous consumption" industry; but the industry (all of them) needs to offer a start path and sell it for gov't approval. Lots of jobs and capital at stake.

What I believe a lot of folks are missing is that virtually nobody in "officialdom" gives a fig about cruise lines...one of the ultimate conspicuous consumption luxury items....and their assorted offshore parent co's, none of which are of interest to the current occupant...need I explain why?

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