News

Carnival says bookings continue to firm but remain behind last year

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 25 September 2012 25 September 2012

Carnival Corp & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, says that since June, fleetwide booking volumes and pricing trends for the remainder of fiscal 2012 and first half of 2013 have continued to strengthen, but remain behind prior year. The group’s financial year ends on 30 November.

“For the last six weeks, booking volumes excluding Costa have increased 9% versus the prior year at prices in line with last year’s levels. Over the same period, booking volumes for Costa have also increased 9% albeit at lower prices. For the remainder of the year and first half of 2013, cumulative advance bookings excluding Costa are still behind the prior year at slightly lower prices.

For Costa, cumulative advance bookings have shown considerable improvement but are still five occupancy points behind the prior year at lower prices over the same period.

Chairman and CEO Micky Arison commented: “The pace of booking volumes remains healthy enabling us to continue to catch up on occupancy levels, while pricing has gradually improved. Both of these trends leave us well positioned for a recovery in cruise ticket prices beginning in the second quarter of 2013.”

Carnival Corp & plc reports rise in third quarter net profit to $1.3 billion

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 25 September 2012 25 September 2012

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, has unveiled third quarter net profit of $1.3 billion, up from $1.2 billion in the same period in the previous financial year. The company beat forecasts of industry analysts.

Reported U.S. GAAP net income, which includes unrealized gains on fuel derivatives of $136 million, was $1.3 billion, or $1.71 diluted earnings per share.

Net income for the third quarter of 2011 was $1.3 billion, or $1.69 diluted earnings per share. Revenues for the third quarter of 2012 were $4.7 billion compared to $5.1 billion for the prior year.

Analysts in New York and London had forecast earnings share (EPS) of $1.44. The highest forecast by analysts is $1.46 and the lowest $1.41, according to Thomson Reuters data posted on the company's website. In the third quarter of the 2011 financial year, Carnival reported EPS of $1.69 per share.

Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison noted that third quarter non-GAAP earnings were better than anticipated in the company’s June guidance due primarily to a combination of higher than expected revenue yields and lower than expected costs, partly due to the timing of certain expenses.

Commenting on the third quarter, Arison said, “The significant efforts of our brand management teams were successful in partially mitigating the decline in cruise ticket prices. Onboard revenue yields (constant dollars excluding Costa) improved three percent during the quarter. Our brand managements’ continued focus on cost containment contributed to a three percent reduction in cruise costs (constant dollars excluding fuel) as well as a 6% reduction in fuel consumption on a unit basis.”

Serenade of the Seas to be dry docked in Cadiz in November for major upgrade

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 25 September 2012 25 September 2012

As part of Royal Caribbean International’s extensive ship investment programme – which will see $300 million spent on enhancing the facilities and guest experiences onboard ships across the fleet – Serenade of the Seas is the next ship scheduled for a refurbishment in November this year.

More speciality restaurants, new bars, a new baby and toddler nursery, flat-screen TVs in every room, plus a giant outdoor cinema screen are just a few of the stunning new features awaiting guests on Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas when it emerges from dry dock at the end of November.

Serenade of the Seas is just one of many ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet that is receiving a major upgrade as part of the extensive investment programme.Serenade of the Seas will be refurbished during dry dock in November 2012 in Cadiz, Spain and will then sail from Barcelona, Spain on an 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing on 3 December 2012. The ship will remain sailing from Barcelona throughout December, with a number of itineraries including a Christmas and New Year cruise departing Barcelona on Christmas Eve.

On 14 January 2013 Serenade of the Seas will head to Dubai, where the newly refurbished ship will offer a series of seven-night cruises calling at Fujairah, United Arab Emirates; Muscat, Oman; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and back to Dubai, where the ship offers an overnight stay in the Emirates. Guests sailing on the seven-night Dubai itinerary will also have opportunity to join a 4-night Arabian land tour to further enhance their Middle Eastern experience

Highlights available on board Serenade of the Seas following its revitalisation will include

An outdoor movie screen
The new R Bar – an overhaul of the existing Champagne Bar featuring a retro 1960s vibe, complete with signature cocktails and trained mixologists
Chef’s Table dining option - an exclusive and private experience co-hosted by the executive Chef and Sommelier for a wine pairing dinner of five courses
Giovanni’s Table speciality Italian restaurant
Izumi speciality sushi restaurant
Rita’s Cantina speciality vibrant Mexican restaurant
New Vintages wine bar
Flat screen interactive TVs in all stateroom accommodation
Wifi throughout the ship
A Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme members
And, various enhancements to the pool deck

In addition to the increased dining experiences on offer, Serenade ofthe Seas will debut a series of Speciality Dining Packages. Guests will have the option of choosing the Royal Choice Dining Package, which includes dinner at Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi for $55 per guest, or the Chef’s Table Dining Package for $130 per guest, which includes all of the speciality restaurants as well as the Chef’s Table.

Serenade of the Seas will also offer additional dining deals at Giovanni’s Table. Groups of four or more can take advantage of the Celebration Dining Deal, which is valid for the first two nights of each sailing and allows groups of four or more to enjoy a delicious meal plus a $30 beverage credit at a cost of $20 per person. Groups of eight or more can opt for the Set Sail Dining Deal which includes dinner on the first night of their cruise for $14 per guest.

Further enhancing its onboard culinary offerings Royal Caribbean International is expanding its partnership with renowned wine producer Domaines Barons de Rothschild by offering the exclusive Lafite Wine Tasting Experience onboard. Available for $23 to $25 per person, depending upon ship and itinerary, the experience, which was first introduced onboard Allure of the Seas, offers guests a unique tasting showcasing the renowned vintages from France’s Bordeaux region.

Developed in conjunction with Château Lafite Rothschild, the premier estate under the Rothschild name, and Master Sommelier John Blazon, the Lafite Wine Experience aims to expand guests’ understanding of growing regions within Bordeaux. A Royal Caribbean International cellar master leads the tasting, sharing details about the wines and the winemakers and the history and suggestions for food pairings. A souvenir packet allows guests to take a piece of the experience home with winemakers’ notes, recipes and more.

Serenade of the Seas is the ninth ship within Royal Caribbean International’s 22 strong fleet to benefit from the investment programme. Further refurbishments will continue throughout 2013 and 2014.