Carnival Corporation has sold two ships this year, as the Seabourn Sojourn will be transferred to Mitsui Ocean Cruises next year, and the Costa Fortuna will sail for Margaritaville in late 2026.
“Over time, since ships get older, we will sell them to other parties,” said David Bernstein, CFO, speaking on the company’s second quarter earnings call.
“We do not feel that those parties come back to compete against us because they are generally in different marketplaces with different brands,” he continued.
Neither Bernstein nor Josh Weinstein, CEO, would comment on the sales prices of either ship, although Weinstein said it was “nicely over book value.”
“People came to us looking for ships and gave us prices that we thought were in the best long-term interest of the company,” Weinstein said.
He also explained that the Costa Fortuna’s departure from the fleet does not impact Costa’s core program in Europe, as the Serena will take its place in the market.
The 3,400-guest ship is now set to undergo some routine maintenance before kicking off its inaugural cruise from the Galataport on June 28, 2025.
“We’re excited to be bringing Aroya to some of the Mediterranean’s most popular cruise destinations this summer,” said Dr. Joerg Rudolph, president of Aroya Cruises.
“Aroya Cruises first set sail just six months ago, and we’re incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved so far, with passenger numbers in the Red Sea exceeding expectations. We look forward to welcoming our valued guests aboard this season,” he added.
As part of its inaugural season in the region, the Aroya will offer a series of six- and seven-night cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Extending through September, the season includes two itineraries to ports in Turkey, Greece and Egypt, such as Kas, Bodrum, Marmaris, Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes, Alexandria and Souda Bay.
According to Aroya, the product blends iconic destinations with its Arabian-inspired onboard experience.
“The move to the Mediterranean marks a strategic next chapter for Aroya Cruises as it expands its itineraries and brings a taste of Arabian culture and hospitality to Europe,” the company stated in a press release.
Sailing from Jeddah, the company welcomed more than 70,000 guests onboard for sailings that visited Egypt, Jordan and the Saudi Red Sea private island of Jabal AlSabaya for Saba Beach.
Originally in service for Dream Cruises, the Aroya was acquired by the company in late 2023 and underwent a year-long refurbishment before launching service for its new owners.
DXC Technology and Carnival Cruise Line today announced a multi-year agreement to power the cruise line’s technology infrastructure.
This partnership will support Carnival’s guest experience across its global fleet, as well as its portside and shoreside operations.
DXC will deliver IT services designed to enhance operational efficiency, improve employee productivity and help ensure a seamless and connected experience for guests.
“At Carnival, we’re committed to delivering memorable vacations for our guests, and technology plays a vital role in ensuring they have the best onboard experience,” said Sean Kenny, senior vice president and chief information officer at Carnival.
“The DXC team demonstrates exceptional technical expertise, responsiveness and a clear commitment to delivering on our long-term vision.”
“With them as our trusted partner, we’re investing in technology that strengthens the foundation of our operations to provide a great experience for our guests across our 29 ships globally and supporting our dedicated team members both shipboard and shoreside,” added Kenny.
“This collaboration with Carnival Cruise Line represents a significant milestone for DXC as we continue to expand our footprint in the hospitality and travel sectors,” said Chris Drumgoole, president of global infrastructure services at DXC Technology.
“Our goal is clear: deliver complete customer operational confidence by minimising technology disruptions. By managing their complex IT operations and providing modern solutions, we’re proud to help Carnival do what they do best, ensuring every guest enjoys their cruise vacation,” added Drumgoole.
Through the partnership, DXC will manage Carnival’s core IT infrastructure across all operational environments, including shipboard systems, shoreside offices and port facilities.
Using an employee-centric delivery model, DXC will ensure that the tools and services provided are tailored to support Carnival’s workforce needs and provide a consistent guest experience.
Services will include workplace support, IT service management, infrastructure operations and security risk management.
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