5 Interesting Carnival Cruise Line Itineraries Taking Place This Year

Posted on 1 August, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

With a fleet of 25 cruise ships and a global reach, Carnival Cruise Line is sailing from all major U.S. homeports in addition to having a presence in Europe and Australia.

Cruise Industry News selected some of the most interesting cruises being offered by the U.S.-based company still to take place in 2023.

Greenland and Canada from Baltimore
Ship: Carnival Legend
Date: August 13, 2023
Length: 14 nights
Homeports: Baltimore (United States)
Complete Itinerary: Sydney, St. Anthony and Corner Brook (Canada); Qaqortoq and Nanortalik (Greenland)

The Carnival Legend will offer a series of unique 14-night cruises to Greenland and Canada in August and September. Departing from Baltimore, the vessel is set to sail to the Arctic region, with itineraries that include visits to at least five ports.

On August 13, for instance, the vessel sails from Maryland on a two-week voyage that features stops at Sydney, St. Anthony and Corner Brook, in Canada, as well as Qaqortoq and Nanortalik, in Greenland.

British Islands and Ireland
Ship: Carnival Pride
Date: September 1, 2023
Length: Nine nights
Homeports: Dover (England)
Complete Itinerary: Greenock (Scotland); Dublin and Cork (Ireland); Belfast (Northern Ireland); Liverpool (England); and Holyhead (Wales)

Continuing its summer program in Europe, Carnival Pride is offering a nine-night cruise to the British Islands in September.

Sailing roundtrip from the Port of Dover, in England, the port-intensive itinerary sails to all of the major countries that are part of the United Kingdom, in addition to Ireland. Destinations set to be visited include Greenock, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Holyhead and more.

Southern Caribbean with the Carnival Celebration
Ship: Carnival Celebration
Date: September 9, 2023
Length: Eight nights
Homeports: Miami (United States)
Complete Itinerary: Oranjestad (Aruba); Kralendijk (Bonaire); and Willemstad (Curaçao)

Adding more destinations to its regular cruise schedule, the Carnival Celebration is offering a few longer sailings to the Southern Caribbean during the remainder of the year.

Sailing from Carnival’s Terminal F in PortMiami, this eight-night cruise, for instance, is set to depart in September and features visits to the ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

Return to Mobile
Ship: Carnival Spirit
Date: October 6, 2023
Length: Eight nights
Homeports: Mobile (United States)
Complete Itinerary: Bimini, Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay (Bahamas)

The Carnival Spirit will mark Carnival Cruise Line’s return to Mobile after a year-long gap. Starting in October, the 2001-built vessel will offer new itineraries from the Alabama homeport.

The first cruise of the program, for example, is an all-Bahamian trip that features visits to Bimini, Freeport and Nassau. Before returning to Mobile, the eight-night cruise also pays a visit to Half Moon Cay, one of Carnival Corporation’s private destinations in the country.

Mexican Riviera with La Paz
Ship: Carnival Panorama
Date: November 18, 2023
Length: Eight nights
Homeports: Long Beach (United States)
Complete Itinerary: La Paz, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)

Stepping away from its regular seven-night itinerary to the Mexican Riviera, the Carnival Panorama is offering a few longer sailings later this year.

On November 18, for instance, the ship sails from Long Beach on an eight-night cruise that, in addition to Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, adds a visit to another port of call: La Paz.

Royal Caribbean Sees Increased Demand for European Cruise Itineraries

Posted on 31 July, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean Group is pleased with the increased demand for European itineraries, resulting in a better-than-expected yield performance.

“While the Caribbean remains a standout performer this year, we were particularly pleased with the strength and quality of cruising [Ph] demand for European itineraries. This acceleration of demand for Europe contributed to the better-than-expected yield performance for the quarter,” said Chief Executive Officer Jason Liberty, speaking on the company’s second-quarter earnings call.

Liberty added that volumes from European consumers looking to book their summer vacations have accelerated, leading to double-digit yield growth expectations for this year compared to 2019.

“Europe sailings account for 17 per cent of our full-year capacity and 35 per cent in the third quarter. The acceleration in demand is increasing our revenue expectations for Europe sailings,“ said Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz.

“The better-than-expected performance has mostly been driven by our European customers, which underscores our nimble and global sourcing model,” he added.

Commenting on the somewhat surprising takeaway regarding the European market, Liberty explained that Europeans’ willingness to spend was very competitive with the North American consumer. Still, the difference is that they were delayed in activating their vacation.

“We expected Europe to be a little bit lighter versus 2019, in terms of load factor and it came roaring back,” continued Liberty.

Royal Caribbean: Better Than Expected Q2 2023 Results

Posted on 28 July, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbeans Serenade of the Seas leaving the port of Vancouver, photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr

Royal Caribbean Group today reported second-quarter Earnings per Share of $1.70 and Adjusted Earnings per Share of $1.82.

These results were significantly better than the company’s guidance due to more robust pricing on closer-in demand and further strength in onboard revenue, the company said in a statement.

As a result of the accelerating demand environment for its vacation experiences, the company is increasing its 2023 Adjusted Earnings per Share guidance by 33% to $6.00 – $6.20.

“Our brands continue to fire on all cylinders, resulting in record yields and second-quarter earnings significantly exceeding our expectations,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, of Royal Caribbean Group. “Demand for cruising and our brands is exceptionally strong and we have seen another step change in booking volumes and pricing, leading us to now expect double-digit net yield growth for the full year. We also expect to achieve record Adjusted EBITDA per APCD and Return on Invested Capital this year and are well on our way toward achieving our Trifecta goals.”

Key Highlights

Strong ticket pricing from both North America and Europe itineraries, combined with strength in onboard revenue, led to better-than-expected revenues in the second quarter and a significant increase in the company’s full-year outlook for revenue and earnings.

Second Quarter 2023:

Gross Margin Yields increased 13.1% As-Reported, and Net Yields increased 12.9% in Constant-Currency (12.6% As-Reported), both compared to the second quarter of 2019.
Gross Cruise Costs per Available Passenger Cruise Day (“APCD”) increased by 10.9% As-Reported, and Net Cruise Costs (“NCC”), excluding Fuel, per APCD increased by 9.0% in Constant-Currency (8.6% As-Reported), both compared to the second quarter of 2019. The favourable timing of operating expenses was offset by the increase in stock compensation expense due to the rise in share price and expected financial performance.
Total revenues were a record $3.5 billion, Net Income was $458.8 million or $1.70 per share, Adjusted Net Income was $491.7 million or $1.82 per share, Adjusted EBITDA was a record $1.2 billion and Operating Cash Flow was $1.4 billion.

Full Year 2023 Outlook:

Net Yields are expected to increase 11.5% to 12.0% in Constant-Currency and As-Reported, compared to 2019.
NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD is expected to be up approximately 7.0% in Constant-Currency (6.7% As-Reported), compared to 2019. The increase in costs, relative to previous guidance, is driven by an increase in stock compensation expense due to the rise in share price and expected financial performance.
Adjusted Earnings per Share for the entire year are expected to be in the range of $6.00 to $6.20 per share.

Third Quarter 2023 Outlook:

Net Yields are expected to increase 13.5% to 14.0% in Constant-Currency (14.0% to 14.5% As-Reported), compared to the third quarter of 2019.
NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD is expected to increase by approximately 11.2% in Constant-Currency and As-Reported, compared to the third quarter of 2019. Approximately half of the cost increase compared to 2019 is related to structural costs, a timing shift of operating expenses from the second quarter, and an increase in stock compensation expense.
Adjusted Earnings per Share for the third quarter are expected to be in the range of $3.38 to $3.48 per share.

Second Quarter 2023

The company reported Net Income for the second quarter of $458.8 million or $1.70 per share compared to Net Loss of $(0.5) billion or $(2.05) per share for the same period in the prior year. The company also reported an Adjusted Net Income of $491.7 million or $1.82 per share for the second quarter compared to an Adjusted Net Loss of $(0.5) billion or $(2.08) per share for the same period in the prior year.

Second-quarter revenue significantly exceeded the company’s guidance due to higher pricing and higher shipboard revenue across the company’s key itineraries, including the Caribbean and Europe. The load factor for the second quarter was 105%.

Gross Cruise Costs per APCD increased by 10.9% As-Reported, compared to 2019. NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD increased by 8.6% As-Reported and 9.0% in constant currency, compared to 2019. Favourable timing of operating expenses drove NCC lower, however, it was offset entirely by an increase in stock compensation expense-related costs due to the significant rise in share price and expected financial performance.

Update on Bookings

Booking volumes in the second quarter remained significantly higher than in the corresponding period in 2019 and at record pricing levels. Demand for 2023 sailings has significantly exceeded expectations and bookings for 2024 sailings are up significantly versus all prior years at record prices. Demand from the North American consumer has remained incredibly strong throughout the year, and booking volumes from European consumers who are booking European cruises this summer have accelerated.

The further increase in yield expectations for the year is the result of higher pricing and onboard revenue expectations for key itineraries, particularly in North America and Europe. Consumer spending onboard, as well as pre-cruise purchases, continue to significantly exceed 2019 levels driven by greater participation at higher prices.

As of June 30, 2023, the Group’s customer deposit balance was at a record-high $5.7 billion.