Can the Cruise Industry survive ?

[BandB]

But what they failed to mention, was that were 6 each, 8' long 2" x 4"'s hidden in that cargo of cocaine!

Sadly, was informed this morning of a family owned business of nine hardware and building supply stores. Seems they were somehow oblivious to lumber prices until every board they had sold, since their prices were far below others. Now business for sale as they aren't going to invest what it would cost to restock their inventory. They just decided this was the time to escape.

 

[Art]

Sadly, was informed this morning of a family owned business of nine hardware and building supply stores. Seems they were somehow oblivious to lumber prices until every board they had sold, since their prices were far below others. Now business for sale as they aren't going to invest what it would cost to restock their inventory. They just decided this was the time to escape.

"Seems they were somehow oblivious to lumber prices until every board they had sold, since their prices were far below others."

That is way beyond weird to have happened to a family who owns nine building supply stores. With that many stores there would be levels of officials [family or otherwise] who surely must have heard what's going on for drastically increasing lumber and other building material prices.

 

[SteveK]

"Seems they were somehow oblivious to lumber prices until every board they had sold, since their prices were far below others."

That is way beyond weird to have happened to a family who owns nine building supply stores. With that many stores there would be levels of officials [family or otherwise] who surely must have heard what's going on for drastically increasing lumber and other building material prices.

Or it may have been the best business move possible. They liquidated above costs and have a viable business to sell.

 

[BandB]

"Seems they were somehow oblivious to lumber prices until every board they had sold, since their prices were far below others."

That is way beyond weird to have happened to a family who owns nine building supply stores. With that many stores there would be levels of officials [family or otherwise] who surely must have heard what's going on for drastically increasing lumber and other building material prices.

Ah but more to the story. Family fighting and drew every dollar out of the company and two older brothers refusing to put any back in so behind on paying for what they had and couldn't purchase more. We'll take over tomorrow and a lumber truck already loaded and on the way. Younger brother great but two older ones from father's first wife are jerks and all votes went 2-1.

 

[BandB]

Or it may have been the best business move possible. They liquidated above costs and have a viable business to sell.

They were going to either sell or declare bankruptcy after stripping all cash out.

 

[BruceK]

They were going to either sell or declare bankruptcy after stripping all cash out.

So more to it than timber prices.
Why is the price of timber rocketing? There is shortage here too, lots of demand from spending on house renos now we can`t travel.

Had a few days in a nice B & B visiting what passes here for The Blue "Mountains" near Sydney,snowed quite heavily there( it does a couple of times a year),noticed the November 2019 "Ruby Princess" labels on the suitcase.

 

[Art]

They were going to either sell or declare bankruptcy after stripping all cash out.

You purchased the business?

 

[BandB]

Why is the price of timber rocketing? There is shortage here too, lots of demand from spending on house renos now we can`t travel.

A lot of factors. First, heavy buying during the pandemic. Then housing start ups boomed late 2000. On top of that the winter freeze and power outage in Texas affecting mills. Then the pine beetles in Canada destroyed enough trees to build 9 million homes. Plus it takes over 2 years to start a new sawmill. So, quite a combination of factors.

 

[Northern Spy]

A lot of factors. First, heavy buying during the pandemic. Then housing start ups boomed late 2000. On top of that the winter freeze and power outage in Texas affecting mills. Then the pine beetles in Canada destroyed enough trees to build 9 million homes. Plus it takes over 2 years to start a new sawmill. So, quite a combination of factors.

Don't forget the ongoing softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the US, which most Americans don't even know exists. The WTO (and NAFTA) have ruled repeatedly in favor of Canada, but the US keeps the tariffs in place, more or less.

 

[BandB]

Don't forget the ongoing softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the US, which most Americans don't even know exists. The WTO (and NAFTA) have ruled repeatedly in favor of Canada, but the US keeps the tariffs in place, more or less.

Not the only shortage impacted by tariffs.

 

[AlaskaProf]

Seems to me the cruise industry is understandably desperate to survive. Desperate people can do desperate things.

Yup:
Unvaccinated Cruise Guests Get Second-Class Treatment at Sea

 

[Group9]

I would just as soon go visit a TB ward as go on a cruise these days.

 

[BruceK]

Yup:
Unvaccinated Cruise Guests Get Second-Class Treatment at Sea

Smart move by RCCL. but, they should not even board unvaxxed pax. Even vaxxed, I would not want to share a ship with them.

 

[Northern Spy]

Interesting development.

https://nationalpost.com/news/world...cabins-over-covid-19-case-on-singapore-cruise

That said, these cruises have been going on for months with no previous incidents.

 

[Northern Spy]

https://vancouversun.com/news/econo...mber/wcm/e0ef4cd6-27e3-443d-bd75-d6e872c01ff0

Canada is lifting the cruise ship ban earlier than initially proposed. November 1st, which doesn't really make much difference...

 

[BruceK]

A month ago we booked a domestic cruise in late 2022. Today the operator cancelled it, saying they intend keeping the ships in North America,at present the one we booked is "at anchor" (no idea what kind) in the Middle East.
Cruises are banned here until Feb 17.No news from Govt what happens after,plenty of agitation by ship operators for reopening but, methinks this suggests "ban continued", Ruby Princess aftermath I guess.

 

[BruceK]

News Article about Carnival pulling out of Australia until it has clarity about operations.
https://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/7608209/carnival-exit-hits-aussie-cruise-industry/
The "Port Stephens Examiner" is hardly a major news source, but this suggests the Feb 17 Govt. Review of cruising bans may be negative. That or Carnival`s recent marketing of cruises this year was not successful in attracting bookings.

Australia currently has a lot of Omicron, with increased hospitalizations and deaths, maybe starting to decline, maybe not. That may be a factor in willingness to cruise, for Govt. and people. To a great extent, Western Australia remains off limits for most Australians, even for WA residents who left the State for short or long absences, such that some WA based businesses are looking at management relocating east.

 

[BruceK]

Cruise sips are back, and so is Covid. Coral/Covid Princess is in today Sydney, with 100+ infected crew and around 14 infected pax, while domestic cruising. "Sails" again tonight. Positive pax not allowed off, do they get the next cruise free, albeit in their cabin? Crew are isolated onboard.

Another mess methinks. Covid is ramping up,as is flu and another respiratory illness. Looks like wave 3, no reason for cruise ships to be an exception.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-australia-updates-coral-princess-cruise-ship-dock-sydney-covid-19-
cases/d7c2ffc0-cb44-4e08-ac7a-5c98095cb01a

 

[Simi 60]

Dissapointing watching the interviews of those on the plague ships
Pretty sure they thought it was a joke
Only one mask to be seen.

Saw pics from a tightly packed concert in Europe yesterday, no mask seen at all.

Yet elective surgeries keep being cancelled
Hospital beds are in short supply
Staff are off sick
And death numbers increase.

Glad to be out here.

 

[bogranjac1]

Cruise ships

Stinking cess pitts of disease - should all be driven ashore in India and cut in tiny pieces.
Nothing but trouble

 

[HTurner]

Stinking cess pitts of disease - should all be driven ashore in India and cut in tiny pieces.
Nothing but trouble

Actually, help the American economy:


https://www.portofbrownsville.com/americas-premier-ship-recycling-port/

 

[Comodave]

We recently had a family gathering for a memorial for my mom and dad. My daughter in law ended up with Covid and so did I. My symptoms weren’t too bad but it took about 10 days before I tested negative. No way would I ever set foot on a cruise ship. Discounting Covid, no way would I get aboard with that many people and hope there were no emergencies. No thanks.

 

[Simi 60]

But how goods the footy

Last night's state of origin was a super spreader event if ever if seen one.

 

[Simi 60]

And let's all rush off to Bali and not only get a dose of covid but bring back foot and mouth disease as well
Yippee

Stupid crowds at Sydney airport doing what stupid does.

 

[markpierce]

Why are some small-boat owners so obsessed with demonizing cruise ships? Jealous of the facilities and services? Cruise ships are not relevant to "trawler" discussions unless one compares luxury to camping, or socializing to isolation.

 

[BruceK]

Lousy at maths, but the reported pax infection score on Coral Princess so far is 14 out of 2300 pax,ie. 0.6%. Sydney went from 10000 to 14000 daily infections yesterday. There are 8.5M total to date reported cases Australia wide, a figure some say you can double. Based on that, the Coral/Covid Princess numbers are seem modest.

 

[Simi 60]

Lousy at maths, but the reported pax infection score on Coral Princess so far is 14 out of 2300 pax,ie. .

100+ infected crew as well so says the article
Serving drinks and foods,accessing cabins

No where to run, nowhere to hide, all sucking that same recirculating air.

 

[SteveK]

Why are some small-boat owners so obsessed with demonizing cruise ships? Jealous of the facilities and services? Cruise ships are not relevant to "trawler" discussions unless one compares luxury to camping, or socializing to isolation.

Umm, Mark. That picture needs some narrative or we will tink you were expecting company.

 

[BruceK]

P & O`s Pacific Explorer(? an ex Princess ship) docked in Sydney yesterday with 100+ infected pax. Nothing said about crew infections. It was continuing on cruising, leaving Sydney later that day. Ship was meeting cost of delivering the infected home in some vehicle( poor driver!)or if not local,paying for hotel accomm until not infected.Apparently infected pax get treated onboard by ship`s medics gratis.
Interesting trend developing,Covid as an accepted concomitant of cruising.
Prediction is that the current wave in Australia may peak mid August. Presumably that will be reflected in cruise ship cases as well as the general population.
What`s happening elsewhere, USA, Canada, etc?

 

[Insequent]

I'm not sure I see the cruise ships gratis medical treatment and free transport or accommodation as benevolent. More likely a bribe. On one ship infected passengers were locked into their cabins to minimise risks to others. A comfortable prison perhaps, but a prison still.