Shares in listed cruise shipping companies soared on bullish equity markets after news had emerged that Pfizer, the US pharmaceutical giant, had made significant progress in its efforts to develop a vaccine against the Covid-19 virus.

Carnival Corporation, the US listed and Panama domiciled holding company in the Carnival group, traded some 31% up since the opening, at $18.12 around 1000 AM local time.

Carnival Plc, the group’s UK listed and domiciled holding company, had risen 34% to trade at just under £11.20. Shares are quoted in pence rather than pounds on the London market, hence the price of 1,198 /1,200 in the image above.

Royal Caribbean Group was quoted at $74.46 in New York, up 27% and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings at $20.70, up about 22% since the opening of the market today.