Biggs-Reichmann Galapagos Cruise

CORRECTION: the article below stated that Mike and Andy were selling their enhanced package at $3360 over rack rate. In fact the correct number is $4350. Management apologises for this error and we have corrected the text.

This post on LuLa is flirting with being outright scandalous and offensive.

I have previously reported that this is, essentially, a package that the principals have purchased for $72,450. They do seem to have added a few things, and Michael clarifies a few points. "Drinks," let us stipulate, includes alcoholic drinks, which the base package does not. They're covering a $100 park fee, and adding on a night of hotel accommodation. Michael makes it clear that there are 10 spots for paying victims, not 12. Still, if they fill it they're laying out $7245 a head, plus drinks, one night in a hotel, $100 park fee, and probably a few miscellaneous things here and there. They are in turn collecting $9995.00 for this. My guess is that they can cover the extras and have a few beans left over on the $2750/head margins here.

Note that the $9995 rate applies whether you're taking pictures or not, so it's not like this is even a clear "$2750 tuition fee on top of our cost", or, really, a "$4350 over rack rate tuition fee." Note the rack rates, substantially under $9995, here. Andy and Michael's cruise will have a few fewer heads on board, to be fair, although I dare say even crammed to the gills with 16 people the boat's pretty tolerable.

Assuming that they're not making up the "oh, we have some cancellations just now" story, they've already collected money from the 4 cancelled heads, and are hoping to resell the spots at full list. We're in the 50% refund (if we can resell your spot) zone, so they're looking at a nice little $20,000 pop here, if they can resell the thing. (Assuming I am reading Andy's remarks on cancellation right which I have to admit are pretty unclear.)

Ok, so all's fair in love, war, and business.

I will now quote a few choice lines from Michael's piece flogging the four suddenly available spots:

Andy is a close friend, and last summer we decided to do a small private Galapagos trip for ourselves in the Spring of 2016. It would include a few friends and a small number of enthusiastic photographers.

Please note as well that this voyage is not a photography workshop per-se.

This means that we will be there 24/7 during the trip to work closely with you on your photography if that’s what you desire. Everything from one-on-one instruction and advice, to portfolio reviews and image processing instructions and suggestions. Or, just kick back and do your own thing.

I dunno about you but this feels downright disingenuous to me. Andy's page insists, interestingly, that it is a workshop, but is similarly chummy, and similarly silent on the subject of what the rack rates for this cruise are, what tuition fees are and are not, and so on.

Let us, generously, assume that they're telling the truth about the 4 spots becoming available about now, and that they extras they're rolling in cost $1000 a head, and that they are able to resell the spots as quickly as they expect. That is, let us assume they are being open and forthright in what they are saying, and let us be generous about the cost of the extras.

Total receipts: $99,9950 (attendees) + $19,990 (cancellees) = $119,940
Total costs: $72,450 (charter) + $10,000 (extras) = $82,450
For which leaves $18,745 each for Andy and Michael to cover their expenses and buy a few cans of soup, maybe a couple potatos.

Nice work if you can get it!