Deadline for Submitting Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara Shareholder Statements

Royal Caribbean International has recently changed their rules for shareholder benefits. If you are a shareholder and currently booked for 2009 and 2010, or thinking of booking one of their brands (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Azamara), this affects you.

As of January 1, 2009, shareholder onboard credits will no longer be able to be combined with other onboard credits, such as those you receive for booking onboard, credits I may offer as part of a group, or other special sales promotions or onboard benefits. This is a major change in their program, and important enough I thought you should know.

If you are a shareholder, and you are already booked for 2009 or 2010, you MUST send in your proof of shareholder ownership information and have it applied to your booking(s) prior to December 31. That doesn't mean send it in on December 31 - it actually has to be on your booking by that date. If you do that, your credits WILL still be combinable. After that date, you get one onboard benefit, that's it.

If you are a shareholder and are considering booking for 2009 or 2010, using an onboard open booking (such as a RCCL NEXT booking or Celebrity Passages booking), in order to receive both the onboard credit and the shareholder onboard credit benefit, you MUST book by December 31, 2008 and have the shareholder benefit applied by that date. Again, that doesn't mean you can wait until December 31 to book and send in your verification - it all must be complete and on your booking by 12/31.

I am going through my clients and for those for whom I have current shareholder statements, I'm proactively sending them in for you. However, if you do have a 2009 or 2010 booking through me, please also email me at amber@cruiseresource.com to ensure that I have you taken care of.

If you're booked through me, but usually take care of your own shareholder verification, either send that in for your future bookings immediately, or forward the proof of ownership to me (as an email attachment), and I'll submit it on your behalf.

There are still people at RCI who are fighting to reinstate the combinability, but in the current economic situation, they're fighting an uphill battle. Hopefully at some time in the future, they'll be successful, and it will again be combinable. In the meantime, at least they got us the reprieve until December 31 so we can still submit for your current bookings.

Please call or email with any questions you have and let me know how I can be of assistance, either with submitting for your current bookings, or making a new one for you in time.

And if you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about, shareholders of at least 100 shares of Royal Caribbean International or Carnival Corporation stock are entitled to onboard credits on every cruise. It's an often-overlooked benefit to stock ownership, and a good option for frequent cruisers to pursue. If you'd like more information on these benefits, email or call and I'll be happy to explain the programs.