Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, said its net profit in three months to 31 May rose to $605 million from $222 million in the same period last year, while revenues increased to $3.70 billion from $3.59 billion.
In the first half of its financial year, the Anglo-American group reported a net profit of $747 million, an increase from $271 million. Revenues rose to $7.36 billion from $7.12 billion
Arnold Donald, CEO, stated: “Our strong secondquarter demonstrates continued momentum as we again achieved a near doubling of adjusted earnings per share. Our ongoing effort to drive demand for our brands in excess of our measured capacity growth has led to increased revenues and helped maintain the mid-point of our full year earnings guidance despite the recent currency movements and rises in fuel prices that combined represent negative $0.17 per share.”
Key metrics for the second quarter 2016 compared to the prior year were as follows: On a constant currency basis, net revenue yields (net revenue per available lower berthday or “ALBD”) increased 3.6% for the 2Q 2016, which was better than th ecompany’s guidance of up 1.5% to 2.5%.
Gross revenue yields increased 1.3%. Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD decreased 1.9% in constant currency, compared to March guidance, up 0.5% to 1.5% due to the timing of expensesbetween quarters. Gross cruise costs including fuel per ALBD in current dollars decreased 5.4%.
Donald also noted several major milestones that will contribute to the future of the company including the re-mastering of Queen Mary 2, the opening of Holland America’s Denali square complex in Alaska and the introduction of AIDA Cruises’ AIDAprima, Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista. In addition, building on a legacy of pioneering achievements, Carnival group became the first cruise company to begin operating voyages from the US to Cuba in more than four decades through its Fathom brand -- a historic moment that captured world wide media coverage.
