Compare and contrast RCL company's US and international home pages for presentation and content

Compare and contrast RCL company's US and international home pages for presentation and content

Similitude on both websites:

·         Both Royal Caribbean International and Royal Caribbean International U.K. websites offer the choice of booking to any of part of the world where there is a port of departure.  Both websites have live chat option from 8:30 am to 9:00pm. 

·         Both websites are missing at the bottom of the page any connection with a web designer or technician in charge

·         Both have similar copyright statement, terms and conditions, & legal information

·         Both websites connects the customer to locate a travel agent

·         Both websites offer a good description of the range of ships of the company

·         Both websites are displayed in English language

·         Both websites have the special offers information in an attractive way to the customer

·         Both have colorful pictures as part of the media to beautify the site and attract customers

·         Both websites have a top ribbon menu and each tab has a drop down menu of options as well

·         Both websites are designed for attracting the attention of the customer

Websites differentiate each other on:

·         Royal Caribbean International website update: 2011

·         Royal Caribbean International U.K. website update: 2012

·         Royal Caribbean International website has more options in tabs on top ribbon (Plan a cruise, Deals and gifts, before you board, All about cruising, Customer support, Crown and anchor society)

·         Royal Caribbean International U.K. website’s top ribbon has only four tabs (Why cruise, Our ships, Destinations, and Find and book a cruise)

·         Royal Caribbean International website has a wide variety of more pictures and also pictures of advertising that move as a marquee.  More media technology was used when webpage designing was performed

·         Royal Caribbean International website has an option at the bottom of the Home page about the departures with a world’s atlas: Destination/Departure ports.  Each departure/port has a link that takes the customer with description and pictures even to the places of interest on taking a trip to the area. 

·         Royal Caribbean International website at the down bottom of the page under tab “Our Company” has a link to Environment. This link takes the customer to a page where the company states their efforts and commitment to operate in a friendly way to the environment. This is a very good that this information is available to the customers before they decide to reserve a traveling ticket in a cruise

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/home.do
http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/

RCL stock change from Friday, June 22 to Friday, June 29, 2012

RCL stock change from Friday, June 22 to Friday, June 29, 2012

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

-NYSE

24.59 0.48(1.91%) Jun 22, 4:01PM EDT|After Hours: 24.59 0.00 (0.01%) Jun 22, 6:56PM EDT

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

-NYSE

26.03 1.28(5.17%) Jun 29, 4:01PM EDT|After Hours: 25.82 0.21 (0.80%) Jun 29, 4:42PM EDT

Historical prices

Date	Open	High	Low	Close	Volume	Adj Close*
Jun 29, 2012	25.77	27.00	25.62	26.03	1,957,400	26.03
Jun 28, 2012	24.43	24.89	24.33	24.75	1,290,100	24.75
Jun 27, 2012	24.36	24.78	24.33	24.71	1,171,400	24.71
Jun 26, 2012	24.01	24.49	23.69	24.33	1,960,800	24.33
Jun 25, 2012	24.44	24.45	23.80	23.89	2,194,200	23.89
Jun 22, 2012	25.93	26.06	24.27	24.59	6,360,100	24.59
* Close price adjusted for dividends and splits. WALL STREET'S BULL

RCL Brands & ships

 
                                                                    

 RCL Brands & ships

(completion dates below are the dates when ships entered service)

               Royal Caribbean International -

• Sovereign Class ships: all built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, France.
• Monarch of the Seas (completed November 1991) - 73,937 tons / 2,774 passenger berths + 858 crew
• 
• Majesty of the Seas (completed April 1992) - 73,941 tons / 2,774 passenger berths + 827 crew
• 
• Vision Class ships:
• Legend of the Seas (completed May 1995 by Chantiers de l'Atlantique) - 69,130 tons / 2,076 passenger berths + 720 crew
• 
• Splendour of the Seas (completed March 1996 by Chantiers de l'Atlantique) - 69,130 tons / 2,064 passenger berths + 720 crew
• 
• Grandeur of the Seas (completed December 1996 by Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Finland) - 74,137 tons / 2,446 passenger berths + 760 crew
• 
• Rhapsody of the Seas (completed May 1997 by Chantiers de l'Atlantique) - 78,491 tons / 2,435 passenger berths + 765 crew
• 
• Enchantment of the Seas (completed July 1997 by Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Finland) - 81,500 tons / 2,730 passenger berths + 840 crew
• 
• Vision of the Seas (completed May 1998 by Chantiers de l'Atlantique) - 78,491 tons / 2,436 passenger berths + 765 crew
• 
• Voyager Class ships: all built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Finland.
• Voyager of the Seas (completed November 1999) - 137,280 tons / 3,838 passenger berths + 1,176 crew
• 
• Explorer of the Seas (completed October 2000) - 137,308 tons / 3,840 passenger berths + 1,181 crew
• 
• Adventure of the Seas (completed November 2001) - 137,276 tons / 3,838 passenger berths + 1,185 crew
• 
• Navigator of the Seas (completed December 2002) - 137,276 tons / 3,835 passenger berths + 1,185 crew
• 
• Mariner of the Seas (completed November 2004) - 137,276 tons / 3,840 passenger berths + 1,185 crew
• 
• Radiance Class ships: all built by Meyer Werft, Germany.
• Radiance of the Seas (completed April 2001) - 90,090 tons / 2,542 passenger berths + 858 crew
• 
• Brilliance of the Seas (completed July 2002) - 90,090 tons / 2,500 passenger berths + 869 crew
• 
• Serenade of the Seas (completed August 2003) - 90,090 tons / 2,500 passenger berths + 858 crew
• 
• Jewel of the Seas (completed June 2004) - 90,090 tons / 2,500 passenger berths + 858 crew
• 
• Freedom Class ships: all built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Finland.
• Freedom of the Seas (completed June 2006) - 154,407 tons / 4,375 passenger berths + 1,397 crew
• 
• Liberty of the Seas (completed May 2007) - 154,407 tons / 4,375 passenger berths + 1,397 crew
• 
• Independence of the Seas (completed May 2008) - 154,407 tons / 4,376 passenger berths + 1,397 crew
• 
• Oasis Class ships: both built by Aker Yards, Finland.
• Oasis of the Seas (completed December 2009) - 222,900 tons / 6,360 passenger berths + 2,164 crew                                      
• 
• Allure of the Seas (completed December 2010) - 225,062 tons / 6,360 passenger berths + 2,164 crew

                                 

Word summary on Intercultural business communication and its implications for us as business people

Word  summary on Intercultural business communication and its implications for us as business people:

At first when establishing a business, location, location, location, is the most important word.  However, after is established and has ramified as a global franchise, communication becomes the most important word, in order to keep it running with success in all the areas of it.  Now, communication methods have evolved in the past two decades and businesses do not depend on phone, regular mail (snail mail) and fax only.  Now, businesses use technology to deliver not only informative mails but also training materials and manuals to strategic directive.  Video trainings, conference calls, webinars are tools to communicate important information, but if there is not an appropriate follow up with calls to get feedback and answer questions from the participants in large companies, the essence of the transmitted message can be lost.    We live in an “immediate feedback world”.  Many people feel blameworthy if they have not answered the last e-mail received 30 minutes ago.   Franchises managers in U.S. have to keep a healthy communication contact.   To keep healthy communication levels: (1) the individuals have to have a clear definition of their role at their level and (2) frequent communication.  In global franchises communication becomes a challenge because of (1) different time zones and (2) different languages.  Technology helps with e-mails and intranets, but a dedicated effort from the franchise company to the franchise partners overseas is crucial to keep in touch.  One size doesn’t fit all; each business has to find out its specific and effective way to communicate with its franchise or business partners to establish and keep the needed touch that is basic for successful running.   In short, communication is a key in personal live, in business and also in politics and should be neglected. 

Reference:    Myres, K. (2006). Communicate, Communicate, Communicate. Franchising World, 38,(11), 80-82.

RCL stock change from Friday, June 15, to Friday, June 22, 2012

RCL stock change from Friday, June 15, to Friday, June 22, 2012

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

-NYSE

25.18 1.14(4.74%) Jun 15, 4:01PM EDT|After Hours: 25.18 0.00 (0.01%) Jun 15, 4:53PM EDT

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

-NYSE

24.59 0.48(1.91%) Jun 22, 4:01PM EDT|After Hours: 24.59 0.00 (0.01%) Jun 22, 6:56PM EDT

Historical prices

Date	Open	High	Low	Close	Volume	Adj Close*
Jun 22, 2012	25.93	26.06	24.27	24.59	6,322,400	24.59
Jun 21, 2012	25.91	26.01	24.91	25.07	1,870,200	25.07
Jun 20, 2012	25.68	26.37	25.53	25.92	3,478,000	25.92
Jun 19, 2012	25.23	25.70	25.15	25.40	2,194,700	25.40
Jun 18, 2012	24.84	25.00	24.68	24.79	2,459,000	24.79
Jun 15, 2012	23.99	25.18	23.89	25.18	3,643,100	25.18
* Close price adjusted for dividends and splits.

WALL STREET

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FACTORS THAT I THINK COULD INFLUENCE THE STOCK PRICE IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS FOR A COMPANY LIKE:

R.C.L.

Stock market prices are affected by business essentials, company and world events, human sensibility, and much more. In spite of the fact that none can predict the future, at least studying past events and cases can help us make more educated guesses of what could happen in a company that as a result could affect its stock price.  In the case of Royal Caribbean cruise line (R.C.L.) there could be different scenarios or situations that could lead the stock price of the company to go up or down in matter of days.

·        Sudden weather inclement like a hurricane that can come with little announcement and can become a disasters of major proportions in a week can be one reason.  Summer is the best time for Caribbean cruises, it’s actually their harvest time of the year; however, it’s also hurricane season for this area of the world.  In the past, devastating hurricanes like Wilma (2005) or Andrew (1992) both started as a small storm and made people think at first that they continue on with their busy schedules and routines, and it was not.  Little storms that become intimidating and destructive hurricanes can be detriment for leisure and tourism industries like Royal Caribbean cruise line.  An event like this bring loses to the company since passengers have to be refunded for a cancelled trip.  

·        Layoffs is another factor that also affects stock prices, especially if a CEO is the one being layoff. Depending on a specific situation involved that could lead to a CEO fired, the company name could be used and abused by media, and this could affect stock price.   If only some layoffs happen, in a way this could lower the expenses of the company and rise profits, and this could be favorable for stocks.   

·        General economy conditions and inflation influence tremendously on commodity prices, since vacation is an option people make, not a first need to cover like food on the table or bills.  Price of oil is a very important factor to consider. If oil price goes up, consequently, ticket price for passengers has to go up also.  Food price goes also up if oil price goes up, then, a cruise line like Royal Caribbean would have to choose between raising the price of a ticket and keeping food quality or cut down on food quality and not raising the price of a ticket. 

·        Competition factor: it is important that RCL keeps its name up high with media since there is strong competition.  Royal Caribbean corporate owns, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises lines only.  Their competitions are Norwegian, and Carnival corporate that owns Princess, Holland America, CND cruise lines (a total of 85 ships worldwide, the largest in the world).  Then, Royal Caribbean’s prices depend also on competition prices of these companies. 

·        Sick cruise ships, who can prevent them?  They are disastrous for cruise company reputations.  In spite of the fact that less than 1% of passengers get sick on a cruise ship, misfortunes have happened in the past where 200, more than 500 or so have been contaminated with bad viruses.  Contaminations of Norwalk virus happened by the hundreds in November and December of 2002 for Disney and Holland America cruises (Norwalk virus is a common gastrointestinal bug that brings on short but intense sessions of abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea). The highly contagious virus can lay victims low for two days.  Cruises bring together people from all over and sequester them in a small, confined space; diseases can spread rapidly -- just as in college dormitories, military barracks and other close-quarters situations.  Is not a surprise that these outbreaks could happen, but they are horrible when news like these get to media for cruise lines profits and reputation.   

·        Last but not least, we can mention unexpected accidents as the one from Costa Concordia this past January 2012.  News like this one can erase the idea of some people to board a cruise ship in a long time on the basis of fear.  This works just the opposite as the ads show that cruise ships are just fun and entertainment; being this one, another unexpected factor that could lead stock price to go down in a short period of time.

RCL stock change from Friday, June 8, 2012 to Friday, June 15, 2012

RCL stock change from Friday, June 8, 2012 to Friday, June 15, 2012

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

-NYSE

24.24 0.34(1.42%) Jun 8, 4:00PM EDT|After Hours: 24.27 0.03 (0.12%) Jun 8, 4:14PM EDT

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

-NYSE

25.18 1.14(4.74%) Jun 15, 4:01PM EDT|After Hours: 25.18 0.00 (0.01%) Jun 15, 4:53PM EDT

	<>Historical Prices <> Date Open High Low Close Volume Adj Close* Jun 15, 2012 23.99 25.18 23.89 25.18 3,643,100 25.18 Jun 14, 2012 23.44 24.16 23.11 24.04 2,391,900 24.04 Jun 13, 2012 23.53 24.04 23.33 23.62 2,713,900 23.62 Jun 12, 2012 23.76 24.19 23.29 24.12 2,509,600 24.12 Jun 11, 2012 24.65 24.66 23.44 23.48 2,764,600 23.48 Jun 8, 2012 23.73 24.31 23.49 24.24 1,465,900 24.24 * Close price adjusted for dividends and splits.