Wartsila and Carnival Extend Collaboration with Lifecycle Agreement
Wartsila and Carnival Corporation have entered into an eight-year Lifecycle Agreement covering four cruise ships in the Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line fleets, including two newbuild vessels currently under construction.
The agreement marks the first service contract between the companies covering Carnival LNG-fueled cruise ships.
“The agreement reinforces Carnival Corporation’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, sustainability and delivering a world-class guest experience,” said Vera Lannek, VP of strategic sourcing and asset management at Carnival.
“By working with Wartsila through a long-term lifecycle agreement, we can further strengthen the performance of the covered vessels while supporting the high standards our guests and operations depend on,” added Lannek.
“This agreement is the latest milestone in the long-standing relationship between Carnival Corporation and Wartsila,” said Andrea Morgante, VP of performance services at Wartsila Marine.
“It reflects our shared focus on ensuring high-performing cruise operations through proactive lifecycle support, data-driven insight and close technical collaboration throughout the vessel lifecycle.”
Wartsila said in a press release that under the agreement, it will provide a lifecycle maintenance solution for the vessels’ Wartsila dual-fuel engines and related equipment.
Wartsila booked the order in Q2 2026, and the Lifecycle Agreement provides long-term lifecycle support focused on optimizing asset performance throughout the vessel lifecycle.
The scope of the agreement includes:
Planned and unplanned maintenance support
Spare parts supply and logistics
Major engine overhauls
Remote monitoring and condition-based maintenance
Technical audits and performance reviews
Advisory services
Crew training, and
Performance management through agreed KPIs and a performance-based framework.
According to the press release, the agreement also provides Carnival with a lifecycle partnership focused on maintaining fleet reliability, increasing asset availability and optimizing total cost of ownership across the covered vessels.
Its performance-based structure also aligns the companies around measurable operational outcomes, including lower unscheduled maintenance costs and fewer unplanned stops.
Viking Announces CEO Transition and Reports First Quarter Results
Viking Holdings today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Leah Talactac, President and Chief Financial Officer, as Chief Executive Officer.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO, has been appointed as Executive Chairman and will continue to serve as Chairman of Viking’s Board of Directors, according to a press release.
The company also announced that Linh Banh, Executive Vice President of Finance, has been appointed as CFO.
Since joining Viking in 2006, Viking said Talactac has been a key leader on the executive team. Alongside Hagen, she led Viking’s initial public offering in 2024, which was the largest offering on the NYSE that year, and she was appointed President in January 2025 while retaining her responsibilities as CFO. Starting today, Talactac will report to the Board of Directors and continue to lead Viking’s executive committee.
As Executive Chairman, Hagen will focus on long term strategy and continue to support Talactac in her role as CEO.
“This leadership transition reflects the strength and depth of Viking’s management team and the succession planning we have built over many years,” said Hagen. “Leah’s appointment as CEO is a natural next step, and the Board and I have full confidence in her ability to lead Viking with the same continuity, discipline and vision that have guided us since Viking was founded. On behalf of the entire Viking family, we congratulate Leah, and I look forward to partnering closely with her and the Board as she guides Viking forward in this next chapter.”
“I am honored by this appointment and deeply grateful for the trust of the Board and Tor,” said Talactac. “Tor and our entire executive team have built a phenomenal company over the last 29 years, and I am delighted to lead Viking as we continue to deliver meaningful experiences for our guests and execute our long-term strategy. I also want to take a moment to congratulate Linh on her new appointment as CFO. Linh is a trusted leader within Viking, and her financial stewardship will ensure a smooth transition.”
Q1 Results
The company also reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, and provided an update on operating capacity and bookings.
Key Highlights
Total revenue was $1,053.7 million for the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
Gross margin increased 21.2% and Adjusted Gross Margin increased 16.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
Net Yield was $596, an increase of 9.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA was $104.8 million, an increase of 43.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
Diluted EPS was $(0.12) and Adjusted EPS was $(0.11).
Net Leverage improved from 1.1x as of December 31, 2025 to 1.0x as of March 31, 2026.
As of May 3, 2026, for its Core Products, Viking had sold 92% of its Capacity Passenger Cruise Days for the 2026 season and 38% of its Capacity Passenger Cruise Days for the 2027 season.
“2026 is off to a strong start and we are very pleased with our first‑quarter results. Total revenue for the quarter grew 17.5% driving a 43.9% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA, underscoring the demand for our product and our operational discipline,” said Mr. Hagen. “Moreover, we are already 92% booked for 2026 which positions us very well for the remainder of the year. During the quarter, we also continued to make progress increasing our fleet and destination-focused offerings, further enhancing the experiences and value we offer our guests. As we look ahead, we remain focused on delivering on the strong demand while continuing to invest in our future and generate sustainable, profitable growth.”
First Quarter 2026 Consolidated Results
During the first quarter of 2026, Capacity PCDs increased by 6.6% over the same period in 2025. This year-over-year increase was mainly driven by the growth of the company’s fleet, which included one additional ocean ship. Occupancy for the first quarter of 2026 was 94.7%.
Total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 was $1,053.7 million, an increase of $156.6 million, or 17.5%, over the same period in 2025 mainly driven by increased Capacity PCDs and higher revenue per PCD in 2026 compared to 2025.
Gross margin for the first quarter of 2026 was $297.6 million, an increase of $52.1 million, or 21.2%, over the same period in 2025 and Adjusted Gross Margin for the first quarter of 2026 was $717.2 million, an increase of $103.9 million, or 16.9%, over the same period in 2025. Net Yield was $596 for the first quarter of 2025, up 9.5% year-over-year.
For the first quarter of 2026, vessel operating expenses were $357.5 million and vessel operating expenses excluding fuel were $316.1 million. Compared to the same period in 2025, vessel operating expenses increased $47.6 million, or 15.4%, and vessel operating expenses excluding fuel increased $47.9 million, or 17.9%, mainly driven by timing of maintenance and repair costs and the increase in the size of the company’s fleet in 2026 compared to 2025.
Net loss for the first quarter of 2026 improved to $54.2 million compared to a loss of $105.5 million for the same period in 2025. Adjusted Net Loss attributable to Viking Holdings Ltd for the first quarter of 2026 improved to $49.2 million compared to a loss of $105.5 million for the same period in 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA was $104.8 million, an increase of $32.0 million, or 43.9%, over the same period in 2025. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by increased Capacity PCDs and higher revenue per PCD.
Diluted EPS was $(0.12) and Adjusted EPS was $(0.11) for the first quarter of 2026, compared to Diluted EPS and Adjusted EPS of $(0.24) for the same period in 2025.
Our first quarter results reflect the seasonality of our business. While our ocean, expedition and Mississippi products operate year-round, the primary cruising season for our river product is from April to October.
“We are very encouraged by the financial results of the first quarter. Increasing capacity together with Net Yield improves our profitability and further strengthens our market leadership,” said Banh. “In this dynamic macroeconomic environment, we remain focused on delivering superior experiences, optimizing revenue and maintaining disciplined cost management, while prudently investing to support long‑term growth.”
Update on Operating Capacity and Bookings
For the company’s core products, operating capacity is 7% higher for the 2026 season compared to the 2025 season and 15% higher for the 2027 season compared to the 2026 season.
As of May 3, 2026, for the company’s core products, it had sold 92% of our Capacity PCDs for the 2026 season and 38% for the 2027 season. Viking said it had $6,225 million of Advance Bookings for the 2026 season, 13% higher than the 2025 season at the same point in time; and said it had $3,403 million of Advance Bookings for the 2027 season, 31% higher than the 2026 season at the same point in time.
Advance Bookings per PCD for the 2026 season was $842, 5.5% higher than the 2025 season at the same point in time, and Advance Bookings per PCD for the 2027 season was $986, 11.0% higher than the 2026 season at the same point in time.
“With 2026 mostly booked, our focus has shifted to the 2027 season, which is off to a great start. Capacity for our Core Products is increasing by 15%, and is already 38% booked, with Advance Bookings 31% ahead of last year,” said Talactac. “Our booked positions for 2026 and 2027 demonstrate the resilience of our loyal customer base and the sustained demand for our product reflecting that travel remains a priority for our customers. These results also underscore the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives including an extended booking window, targeted direct marketing, a broader itinerary offering and a compelling value proposition.”
Hantavirus-Hit Hondius Passengers Repatriated to Home Countries
Twenty British nationals evacuated from the Hondius are beginning 45 days of self-isolation in the UK after their chartered flight from Tenerife landed at Manchester Airport on May 10, according to the BBC.
The evacuees are isolating at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside for 72 hours before being asked to self-isolate for a further 42 days at home.
Seventeen American passengers from the vessel returned to the United States on May 11, landing in Nebraska, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The American passengers were transported to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, the country’s only federally funded quarantine center.
Two of the American passengers traveled in specialized biocontainment units out of an abundance of caution.
One passenger had mild symptoms and the other was the passenger who had tested mildly positive for the Andes virus, the department said.
International passengers from 23 nationalities were repatriated to their home countries following the vessel’s arrival at Granadilla port in Tenerife on May 10 at 06:24 local time, according to Oceanwide Expeditions.
Spanish nationals were given priority during the evacuation process, the Spanish health ministry said.
Passengers were ferried to shore in small launch boats and underwent medical screening before boarding evacuation flights arranged by their respective countries. Luggage stayed on the ship and will be dealt with separately.
The disembarkation was coordinated by local authorities, the WHO and international governments, with the sequence timed to the arrival of repatriation flights.
No quarantine of non-Spanish nationals took place in Spain, Oceanwide Expeditions said.
The Hondius docked in the Canary Islands on May 10 after Spain granted permission for the vessel to sail from Cape Verde.
Wetravel2u's Weblog 