Carnival Plc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Carnival & plc reported record-setting third quarter 2024 results, outperforming guidance and raising full year 2024 outlook for the third time. Key highlights include:

- Net income of $1.7 billion, up over 60% from 2023
- Record revenues of $7.9 billion, up $1.0 billion year-over-year
- Record operating income of $2.2 billion, exceeding 2023 by $554 million
- Raised full year 2024 adjusted EBITDA guidance to approximately $6.0 billion, up over 40% from 2023
- Strong demand driving record advanced bookings for 2025 with higher prices

The company reported robust booking volumes for 2025 sailings at higher prices, positioning it well for continued growth. Carnival also improved its leverage metrics and balance sheet, with expectations to approach a 4.5x net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio for 2024.

Princess Cruises celebrated a major construction milestone for its second Sphere-Class vessel, Star Princess, with a traditional maritime float out ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The 4,300-guest, 178,000-ton ship, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), is set to debut in Fall 2025. John Padgett, Princess Cruises president, announced that Commodore Nick Nash and Captain Gennaro Arma will serve as masters of Star Princess.

The company also revealed additional senior officers for the ship, including Chief Engineers Gaetano Guida and Massimiliano Imperiale, Staff Captains Chris King and Michele Russo, and Hotel General Managers Ralph D'Souza and Bosco Pires. Star Princess will feature innovative designs like The Dome, The Sphere, and The Arena, similar to its sister ship Sun Princess. Voyages for Star Princess's inaugural season are now on sale.

The Eighth Annual Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage, and Creativity was awarded to Blair McKeil on September 25, onboard Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The prize, established in 2015, honors individuals exemplifying Cunard's qualities. McKeil, Vice Chairman of McKeil Marine , led the company's evolution from a tug and barge operation to a leading marine service provider.

Under McKeil's leadership, the company grew to employ over 400 skilled crew members. His commitment to community and fostering a culture of respect among employees is highlighted as a significant part of his legacy. The award recognizes McKeil's dedication to Canada's maritime industry and his family business, demonstrating the values of Samuel Cunard.

Holland America Line is enhancing the holiday season with exclusive themed food and beverage menus across its fleet. The cruise line will offer festive culinary experiences for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve. Highlights include:

- Traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and trimmings
- New 'Breakfast with Santa' event
- Christmas Eve menu featuring international dishes
- Hanukkah treats in Lido Market
- Special New Year's Eve dinner and celebrations

The cruise line aims to provide a stress-free holiday experience with diverse dining options. Festive cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Travelers can choose from various holiday itineraries in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii, with sailings ranging from 7 to 16 days.

Cunard has announced an extensive range of shore excursions for its 78-night South America Discovery voyage on Queen Victoria, departing from Southampton on January 9, 2025. This marks Cunard's return to South America since 2020, offering up to five-day shore excursions at iconic destinations like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Patagonia, and the Chilean fjords.

Highlights include a four-day Overland to Machu Picchu, a five-day Overland to Galapagos, and a four-day Iguassa Falls experience. Other excursions feature city tours in Salvador, Lima, and Rio de Janeiro, as well as unique experiences like visiting Codpa Village and a sunset schooner cruise in Rio.

The voyage will also include special features such as a World Voyage cocktail party, a shoreside Gala event, and a unique commemorative gift for guests.

Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled extensive dining and beverage offerings for its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, set to open on Grand Bahama in July 2025. The destination will feature over 30 food and beverage outlets, including:

- Four full-service restaurants
- A food hall
- Nine food trucks
- Five snack shacks
- Two counter-service kiosks
- Twelve bars

The offerings will include local Bahamian specialties, beachside favorites, seafood, barbeque, and various other cuisines. Some outlets will offer complimentary lunch options as part of the destination's 'Island Eats' program. Key features include waterfront dining at Mingo's Tropical Bar & Kitchen, slow-smoked meats at Surf N' Sauce BBQ & Brews, and Caribbean seafood at Gill's Grill. The destination will also offer unique experiences like swim-up bars and a swings bar.

Carnival (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, is making significant strides in reducing food waste across its global fleet. The company has surpassed its 2025 food waste reduction goal, achieving a 42% reduction compared to 2019 levels, and is on track to meet its 50% reduction target for 2030.

Costa Cruises, Carnival's Italian line, has expanded its 4GOODFOOD program to donate prepared, unserved food to local community food banks. The program now operates in 16 ports, including recent additions Palma de Mallorca and Valencia, and has donated over 300,000 portions of food since its inception in 2017.

The company's efforts include revising recipes, using Winnow kitchen scales to analyze waste, training galley staff, and implementing the 'Too Good to Waste' campaign to raise awareness among guests and crew.

Princess Cruises has added a second Total Solar Eclipse cruise option aboard the Sun Princess for the August 2026 eclipse. The cruise line adjusted the itinerary of the voyage departing Barcelona on August 8, 2026, to position the ship off southern Spain's coast on August 12 for two minutes and 18 seconds of totality.

The Sun Princess offers six Mediterranean voyage options ranging from 7 to 21 days, departing from various popular ports. These itineraries include stops at numerous destinations such as Rome, Athens, Barcelona, and more. During the eclipse, guests will gather on the top decks with safety glasses and enjoy astronomy lectures, themed activities, and stargazing.

This new offering follows the success of Princess Cruises' previous solar eclipse voyages. The 14-day Total Solar Eclipse Mediterranean cruise on the Sky Princess, sailing roundtrip from Southampton, is also available for the 2026 eclipse.

Seabourn, the ultra-luxury cruise line, has announced two new Solar Eclipse cruises for 2026, offering guests a unique opportunity to view the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, from Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The voyages will be aboard Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Sojourn, strategically positioned for optimal viewing.

Seabourn Ovation will embark on a 14-day West Ireland Gems & Solar Eclipse voyage from Dover to Reykjavik, while Seabourn Sojourn will offer a 10-Day Spanish Gems & Solar Eclipse cruise roundtrip from Barcelona. Both ships will feature special Seabourn Conversations programs with experts to educate guests about the solar eclipse.

The cruises will provide an all-inclusive 'Seabourn Difference' experience on intimate, yacht-like ships equipped with SpaceX's Starlink for enhanced connectivity. Bookings for these voyages and the Europe 2026 season will open on October 10, 2024.