175th EDITION
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
August 2019
Do you want to join us for a taste of Retirement?
You're invited to join us to take a closer look at how good retirement living and aged care can be on board AQUA SAPPHIRE.
This is the perfect opportunity to experience what living in our vibrant communities is all about.
- Get a feel for what will make our community a special place to live.
- Join us in a group to tour the community
- Visit a display suite to see for yourself just how well-appointed they are
- Chat with residents to find out what they love about their community
- Discover the activities and amenities available
- Meet our friendly team who are there to help
Call me for more details 0414 888 186
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE ABOARD A CRUISE SHIP PERMANENTLY?
Many members are now travelling around the world jumping from cruise ship to cruise ship and spending serious money every year.
How much are they spending ... Watch the interview below!!!
174th EDITION
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
June/July 2019
Passengers Love Their Alcohol
Having alcohol on your cruise ship is like having a captain important. This is according to our recent study into the alcohol consumption on a typical cruise ship.
It seems that once our ship mates ship off, they get ship-faced.
The infographic below shows the average consumption of alcohol during a cruise vacation. On the typical 7-day sailing, 62,000 drinks are consumed! Per passenger, that's an average of 33 drinks per week, or 4.7 alcoholic drinks per day.
The typical American consumes four drinks per week in his or her normal, daily life. That means that, on average, people drink 8x as much while on a cruise ship than they would normally.
For those that hate reading infographics, here's a list of the average daily consumed alcoholic beverages while on a 7-day cruise.
Per Cruise Passenger / Per Day
0.3 glasses of champagne
0.7 beers (I am so abnormal)
1.2 glasses of wine
2.4 mixed drinks
That's roughly $34 per day (without tip) spent every day so around $240 spent during the course of seven days, per passenger. And you wonder why you got such a good deal on the cruise!
Note: The average consumption numbers shown above don't taken into account the amount of booze smuggled onboard! As you can see from that post, it definitely happens.
It's also fun to look at the cruise ship as a whole. Over the course of a 7-day sailing, the following total amounts of alcohol will be drunken, sipped, shot, chugged, lapped up, etc.
Per Cruise Ship / Per Week
1,200 x Glasses of champagne
10,100 x Beers
17,000 x Glasses of wine
32,700 x Mixed drinks
Serious Beer Money!!!
If we look at the total dollar amount of booze sales for ALL passengers for the ENTIRE week, we're talking close to $500k. Annualized, this means that over $20 million dollars per year is spent on alcohol, per ship!
The Carnival Cruise brand has 24 ships are you ready for this? Put your drink down first. That accounts for HALF A BILLION DOLLARS in alcohol sales just for Carnival Cruise Line ships!
When considering how many cruise lines Carnival Corporation owns, it's fair to assume that they see more revenues from alcohol than BevMo (estimated $1B).
Now, drink up this infographic.
173rd EDITION
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
May 2019
How fast does a Cruise ship Go?
Good morning fellow members,
Trust all those mum's out there were spoilt for Mother's Day!
You are most probably wondering how fast do cruise ships go?
Not as fast as they used to. In the early days of ocean travel, long before travelling by air became affordable, the aim of travelling by sea was to get to a destination as fast as possible. Time was money for many of the wealthy tycoons onboard and the journey wasn't the cushy stabiliser enhanced, smooth sailing passengers enjoy these days.
How fast cruise ships travel was a major selling point for those keen to get to where they needed to go quickly, not least to avoid the rolling seas of the Transatlantic. Variables such as the maximum cruise ship speed, the average speed of a cruise ship, and the time it would take to complete the crossing were major selling points for those buying tickets on the luxurious ocean liners of the time.
These days, most passengers prefer a more leisurely journey from one port to another. However, cruise ship top speed is still important in the event of situations such as an onboard medical emergency or the need to outrun bad weather. Sometimes captains need to get to where they're going fast.
Here is our list of the world's fastest cruise ships, ranked in order of cruise ship speed in knots, speed in miles, and speed in kilometres. If you have ever wondered how fast a cruise ship goes in mph, you will find everything you need to know below. You also might be surprised to discover the newest ships are not necessarily the fastest.
Chat soon, until next time.
172nd EDITION
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2019
Number of Global Cruise passengers Hits 28.5 million in 2018
Good afternoon fellow members,
The global cruise industry continued to see steady growth in 2018 in line with the overall increase in global tourism, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said in releasing its latest report on global cruise passenger statistics.
According to CLIA, cruising continues at a paced growth around the world with an almost 7 percent increase from 2017 to 2018, totaling 28.5 million passengers.
While the cruise sector represents 2 percent of the overall global travel industry, this segment is on pace with international tourism worldwide, CLIA notes. According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew 6 percent in 2018, totaling 1.4 billion while cruise travel grew at almost 7 percent during the same timing.
CLIA's research also shows North American travelers continue to embrace cruising with an annual passenger increase of 9 percent (14.2 million passengers) in 2018. The Caribbean continues to be the hottest cruise market with 11.3 million cruise passengers traveling there in 2018, representing an annual increase of 6 percent. CLIA noted only moderate growth in Asia and China when compared to the rapid increases of the past. In 2018, the region saw 5 percent increase in cruise passengers totaling a still impressive 4.2 million.
Statistics further show that passengers are preferring shorter cruises and more adventurous destinations, especially Alaska. Cruises in the Mediterranean are also gaining in popularity, with an 8 percent increase from 2017 to 2018 totaling more than 4 million cruise passengers.
"It is not surprising that cruise travel is on par with overall international tourism growth. Cruising makes international travel accessible for travelers worldwide and it is apparent in the 2018 CLIA global passenger findings," said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO, CLIA. "From a renewed interest in cruises to the Mediterranean to a significant increase in adventure cruising, travelers are embracing cruise travel more than ever before."
Chat to you soon and have a wonderful Easter break with plenty of EASTER EGGS :)
(WASHINGTON, DC, April 9, 2019)
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade organization, is releasing the latest global cruise passenger statistics. Playing a significant role in international tourism, cruising continues at a paced growth around the world with an almost 7 percent increase from 2017 to 2018, totaling 28.5 million passengers. Research also shows North American travelers continue to embrace cruising with an annual passenger increase of 9 percent (14.2 million passengers) in 2018.
While the cruise sector represents 2 percent of the overall global travel industry, this segment is on pace with international tourism worldwide. According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew 6 percent in 2018, totaling 1.4 billion while cruise travel grew at almost 7 percent during the same timing.
"It is not surprising that cruise travel is on par with overall international tourism growth. Cruising makes international travel accessible for travelers worldwide and it is apparent in the 2018 CLIA global passenger findings," said Kelly Craighead, president, and CEO, CLIA. "From a renewed interest in cruises to the Mediterranean to a significant increase in adventure cruising, travelers are embracing cruise travel more than ever before."
Cruise Passenger Insights Around the Globe
Mediterranean Moves Cruises in the Mediterranean are moving up in popularity with an impressive 8 percent increase from 2017 to 2018 totaling more than 4 million cruise passengers.
Shorter Cruises Passengers are preferring shorter cruise durations. Seven-day cruise itineraries are up 9 percent while three-day and under cruises are also up 10 percent in 2018.
Caribbean Rebounds Cruisers love the Caribbean and the latest insight reveal travel to the islands is still in full swing. An impressive 11.3 million cruise passengers traveled to the Caribbean in 2018 an annual increase of 6 percent.
Destination Alaska As adventure travel continues to thrive, so do adventurous cruise destinations. Alaska has experienced double-digit growth with a year-over-year 17 percent increase in passengers in 2017 and another 13 percent increase in 2018 accounting for more than one million cruisers traveling to this destination.
Moderate Growth in Asia When compared to the rapid increases of the past, 2018 saw moderate cruise passenger growth throughout Asia and China with a 5 percent increase in cruise passengers from the region totaling a still impressive 4.2 million.
Cruise Passenger Insights in North America
Cruise Travel on the Rise - North American passenger numbers reached 14.2 million in 2018, showing an increase of 9 percent from 2017.
Eyes on the Mediterranean Globally, Mediterranean cruises grew substantially in popularity last year, totaling more than 4 million cruise passengers worldwide. Of those, more than 700,000 passengers came from North America up 29 percent from the previous year.
Craving the Caribbean Cruise travelers from North America dominate cruise travel to the easily accessible Caribbean. Continued growth in cruising to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda, is up 7 percent to 9.8 million passengers in 2018.
Alaskan Adventures Preferred Aligning with global insights, North American cruisers made up the significant portion of cruise passengers traveling to Alaska in 2018 with 906,019 cruise passengers increasing to 14 percent from 2017.
Additional Destinations - Other growing North American destinations include the Hawaii & North Atlantic Coast region, Mexico, California, and Pacific which increased 4 percent in 2018, totaling 1.3 million cruise passengers.
For the full findings on global cruise passenger statistics, please visit HERE. For an overview of work being done by CLIA and its cruise lines: https://cruising.org/sustainability.
MARCH 2019
https://www.the-firm.com.au/travel-club.html
February 2019
INTERNET REMOVALS
Good Afternoon Fellow members,
The start of a new year and already plenty of action; however, before we go into details on what is on the agenda for this year I would like to introduce to you Internet Removals!
On 60 MINUTES: Charles Wooley finds out why Australians are so happy to hate. But is the age of outrage killing free speech?
If you missed the episode then it is A MUST WATCH!!!
This episode covers plenty of levels of hate experienced by everyday people. including cyber bullying in schools through offensive businesses and governments, and ways to protect ourselves.
https://www.9now.com.au/60-minutes/2018/episode-26
Internet Removals provides a service to its clients whereby it makes applications seeking the removal of potentially illegal content from the internet, ranging from fake Google reviews to revenge porn. In their seven years, they have removed over 55,421 problems for their clients and have serviced over 32 countries around the world.
In addition to the content removal applications, they also provide a the following services to protect individuals and business, and their online reputation:
- Account recovery;
- Content monitoring;
- Crisis management;
- Reputation management;
- Digital footprint analysis.
We all know that our reputation takes a lifetime to build and a minute to destroy! If you or a friend can benefit from their service, I personally recommend giving them a call. They are very cost effective, friendly, genuinely caring and determined to get success for their clients.
Internet Removals can be reached on 1300 039 196 or via email, team@Internetremovals.com.au.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode in the life and times with The FIRM.
Chat soon and continual blessings over you and your family for the future.
JANUARY 2019
Good morning everyone,
I trust you had a rested holiday season and welcome to 2019.
Plenty of activity was happening last year as we all prepare for retirement. Many of us have developed strategies along the way to secure a better lifestyle for the future.
Reflecting on my previous goals and ambitions I feel very proud of all my achievements in my life which now are of closure.
I am now classified as a senior citizen, yet, now more than ever I have the passion, the hunger and the dedication to achieve more, which I wish to share with all of you.
Introducing AQUA SAPPHIRE Residential Yacht
Imagine the ultimate lifestyle that comes with combining a private yacht and an affordable luxury vacation home. A home that takes you around the globe allowing you to wake up to a new scenery outside your private balcony every few days.
Elegant, timeless, relaxing AQUA SAPPHIRE is all these things, but with a few little surprises too.
With only 376 individual homes, AQUA SAPPHIRE residents enjoy one of the most exclusive lifestyles imaginable. Not only do the residents own their own individual Residences but collectively, they own the ship, ensuring that the experiences- both onboard and off - are far beyond current luxury travel standards.
But what this community shares with one and other goes far beyond ownership. Each Resident has an endless thirst for knowledge, adventure and of course travel.
Join me, as time passes, neighbours become travel companions, and travel companions become good friends. Residents offer one and other new ways to experience the many destinations we sail to. But above all they offer each other comfort, good company, and lots of laughter.
Intrigued to know more, then please call me for a one on one discussion as I know you will be pleasantly surprised.
Chat to you soon!
With kindest regards and blessings!
John
Australia to see world's worst 2019 house price fall
Courtesy ABC NEWS
Australia will see the world's biggest house price declines this year, according to one of the world's major credit ratings agencies, which declared homeowners would have to wait until 2020 to see any recovery.
Key points:
Australia faces the sharpest decline in house prices, a study of 24 economies shows
House prices are not expected to stabilise until 2020
Lending is likely to tighten further due to the banking royal commission findings
In a research report released on Wednesday, Fitch Ratings forecast Australian house prices would decline a further 5 per cent this year, on top of a 6.7 per cent decline from the peak so far, making Australian housing the worst performer out of 24 countries for the second consecutive year.
Fitch also warned that mortgage delinquencies will rise as house prices fall and homes take longer to sell.
It said Australia has now hit a household debt-to-GDP ratio of 121 per cent, which is a big risk to the nation's economy going forward.
But it said above-trend GDP growth, decreasing unemployment and strong net migration should stabilise prices by 2020.
Fitch said the national decline of 6.7 per cent as of December was being driven by lower investor demand as regulators imposed restrictions on interest-only and investment lending.
"We expect price declines to continue at a similar pace in 2019 in Sydney and Melbourne, where larger falls have occurred," Fitch's research report warned.
It noted peak-to-trough declines of 11.1 per cent in Sydney and 7.2 per cent in Melbourne as of December.
"The most expensive quartile of properties has experienced the largest declines with falls of 9.5 per cent [nationwide]," the report said.
Lending to tighten further
First home buyers have found it hard to get funding as banks imposed tougher screening processes for loan applications.
Property outlook for 2019
Policymakers have embarked on the delicate task of deflating a property bubble without bursting it this year we'll find out if they've succeeded.
Recognising the weaker housing market, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) last month scrapped its 30 per cent restriction on interest-only loans.
Fitch believes the banking royal commission's final recommendations, due in February, could further reduce credit availability.
The report said housing credit growth that is lending by banks would ease further this year to 3.5 per cent, from 5.1 per cent year-on-year growth in October.
Fitch also forecasts loans in arrears over 90 days to increase slightly by 2020.
"Properties in possession will take longer to sell as home prices fall, so loans will remain delinquent for longer" the report forecast
"Early-stage mortgage arrears 30 to 90 days in arrears will be broadly stable in 2019."
Household debt rises globally
Globally, Fitch Ratings said that more countries will face challenges to home price growth this year as a result of high household debt levels, political risk, slowing economic growth and stretched affordability.
The report said high household debt amplifies risks, with debt-to-GDP ratios at or over 100 per cent in Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, and over 85 per cent in New Zealand, South Korea, Sweden and the UK.
This housing downturn is different
Australia has had housing downturns before, but they usually happen when interest rates are high or rising, not at record lows.
It noted political risks, including Brexit, new governments in Latin America and less government participation in the US mortgage market, which could increase mortgage pricing and lead some lenders to reduce product offerings.
Suzanne Albers, senior director of structured finance at Fitch said, like Australia, Swedish house prices would also fall before stabilising in 2020.
She said "modest corrections" would occur in China and South Korea, and growth will stall in Canada and slow in several other countries.
Other economic forecasters have also warned of large house price declines.
CoreLogic's December figures showed Australian house prices had experienced the sharpest drop since global financial crisis and would continue to trend lower.
