Carnival Plc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Carnival Corporation (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced an extension of the pause in operations for its North American cruise lines, suspending voyages between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020. CEO Arnold Donald affirmed the company’s commitment to compliance and safety and noted collaboration with health authorities to plan a safe restart of cruising. Updates regarding affected cruises will be communicated individually by each brand. The company emphasizes its dedication to the health and well-being of guests and crew.

AIDA Cruises, a leading cruise line in Germany and part of Carnival Corporation, has announced a temporary pause in its operations for November 2020 due to the German government's measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. All cruises scheduled between October 31 and November 30 will be canceled. The company supports the government's restrictions to ensure health and safety for guests and crew. AIDA Cruises had recently resumed operations with enhanced health protocols and aims to restart cruises in December 2020, while continuously monitoring the pandemic situation.

Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation (CCL, CUK), has revised its winter 2020-2021 cruise schedule due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in Europe. The flagship Costa Smeralda will operate only in Italy until February 2021, while Costa Deliziosa continues its itinerary in Italy and Greece until January 3, 2021. The start of Costa Diadema's long cruises is postponed to April 6, 2021. New ship Costa Firenze is set for delivery in mid-December 2020, but its cruises will commence on February 28, 2021. Cancellations include Caribbean cruises for Costa Favolosa and the 2021 World Tour for Costa Deliziosa.

Princess Cruises has announced an extension of its operational pause for cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand until May 31, 2021 due to ongoing international travel restrictions. Guests impacted by these cancellations will receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) worth 100% of their cruise fare, plus an additional non-refundable 25% FCC. Alternatively, guests can opt for a full refund by November 30, 2020. The company will also protect commissions for travel advisors on fully paid bookings that are cancelled. More details are available online.

Costa Cruises announced its 2021-2022 season in South America, introducing the new flagship Costa Toscana, set to debut in Brazil with an inaugural cruise on December 26, 2021. The ship boasts over 180,000 gross tons and 2,600 staterooms, promising high-end amenities and experiences. Additionally, Costa Favolosa will extend its season to nearly five months, starting on November 20, 2021. Both ships will offer various itineraries, including cruises that encompass popular destinations in Brazil and Italy, enhancing Costa's longstanding presence in the region.

Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), announced a significant milestone with the successful LNG bunkering of its ship, Costa Smeralda, on October 25 in La Spezia, Italy. This marks the first LNG operation in Italy, enhancing the company's commitment to sustainability. The operation was supported by local authorities and Shell, underscoring Carnival's leadership in LNG technology. With this successful operation, Costa Smeralda becomes part of a growing fleet utilizing cleaner energy. The company aims to reduce air emissions significantly through advanced LNG technology.

AIDA Cruises, a brand under Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is set to resume cruise operations in Italy starting October 17, 2020. This marks a significant step as AIDA follows the earlier resumption by Costa Cruises. Initial voyages will target Sicilian destinations and will continue weekly until November 28. Both brands have implemented enhanced health protocols in partnership with health authorities, including COVID-19 testing and health checks for all guests and crew. Roger Frizzell, Carnival's chief communications officer, emphasized a commitment to public health and safety.

Seabourn has announced the sale of revised itineraries for its inaugural winter season of the ultra-luxury expedition ship Seabourn Venture from December 2021 to April 2022. These voyages will feature 10- to 14-day cruises along Norway's coast, offering guests unique opportunities to explore winter landscapes, Viking history, and the Northern Lights. Key features include inclusive outdoor activities, complimentary jackets from Helly Hansen, and custom-built submarines for ocean exploration. Inaugural sailings, starting December 11, 2021, have already sold out.

Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) updated its previous announcement regarding a cybersecurity incident. On August 15, 2020, unauthorized third-party access was detected in its IT systems. Affected brands include Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Seabourn. Following the incident, Carnival engaged a cybersecurity firm for investigation and notified law enforcement. Personal information of some guests, employees, and crew may have been compromised, but evidence indicates a low likelihood of misuse. Notifications will be sent to those impacted within 30 to 60 days with offers for credit monitoring.