Carnival Corporation - CCL STOCK NEWS

Carnival Corporation (CCL, CUK) has priced a private offering of $900 million in second-priority senior secured notes with a 9.875% interest rate due by August 1, 2027. The offering is set to close on August 18, 2020. The secured notes are guaranteed by Carnival plc, along with subsidiaries that own significant assets including vessels and intellectual property. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. The notes will be offered to qualified institutional buyers and may not be sold in the U.S. without registration.

Holland America Line has announced the extension of its pause on cruise operations through Dec. 15, 2020, due to ongoing global health concerns. Affected itineraries include those in the Caribbean, Hawaii, South America, and more. Guests will automatically receive future cruise credits (FCC) of 125% or double the deposit amount, depending on payment status. A full refund option is available until Sept. 15, 2020. The company also assures that travel advisor commissions will be protected on full bookings. Holland America Line continues to assess health protocols for future sailings.

P&O Cruises has announced an extension of its operational pause until November 12, 2020, adhering to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office guidance. The company has also cancelled two major itineraries set to depart in January 2021, specifically the Caribbean and South America Adventure and Arcadia's World Cruise. Despite these cancellations, P&O Cruises is witnessing strong demand for future bookings. Guests impacted by the cancellations will receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit or a 100% refund. The new ship Iona is expected to launch before autumn 2020.

Holland America Line is hosting a weeklong virtual cruise to Norway starting Aug. 16, 2020, following a successful virtual voyage to Alaska. Fans can engage through live events, scenic videos, and interactive activities on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The virtual itinerary includes stops at Eidfjord, Ålesund, Geiranger, and Bergen, highlighting Norway’s culture. The HAL@HOME initiative continues to provide enriching content, including cooking demonstrations and musical performances. This innovative approach keeps the cruise experience alive during operational pauses due to COVID-19.

Seabourn announced the cancellation of upcoming voyages for three cruise ships: Seabourn Encore (until Nov 25, 2020), Seabourn Ovation (until Dec 20, 2020), and Seabourn Sojourn (through May 24, 2021). This decision aims to proactively manage operations amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Guests will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit or refunds depending on their payment status. The company emphasizes the priority of health and safety and will communicate changes to all affected guests.

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced the closure of a registered direct offering of 93,663,808 shares at $14.02 each to select holders of its 5.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023. The proceeds, totaling $836.3 million, will be utilized to repurchase Convertible Notes through private transactions. An additional 5.5 million shares will be offered on August 10, aiming to repurchase $49.3 million more in Convertible Notes. Post-repurchase, $1.13 billion in Convertible Notes will remain outstanding.

On August 6, 2020, over 17,000 participants engaged in the WTTC/Carnival Corporation Global Scientific Summit on COVID-19, featuring insights from 12 health experts on combating the pandemic. Hosted by the WTTC and Carnival Corporation, the event aimed to offer evidence-based practices for safe travel. Speakers discussed crucial topics like epidemiology, transmission, and testing. Gloria Guevara (WTTC) emphasized the need for enhanced testing and tracing programs, while Arnold Donald (Carnival) highlighted the importance of public health communication during the pandemic.

Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced a registered direct offering of 99,185,968 shares at $14.02 per share, aimed at repurchasing $885.6 million of its Convertible Senior Notes due 2023. The transactions will not materially affect its cash position, as no proceeds will be received. The offering is expected to close on August 7, 2020. Post-repurchase, $1.13 billion of Convertible Notes will remain outstanding. Goldman Sachs acts as the placement agent, with the transaction subject to customary closing conditions.

Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced its partnerships with EGE CELIK and SIMSEKLER for the responsible dismantling and recycling of two retired cruise ships. This initiative supports the company's phased strategy to resume cruise operations while committing to sustainability through compliance with EU, IMO, and other international regulations. The collaboration with Sea2Cradle ensures optimal safety and environmental standards throughout the recycling process, which aims to reuse and recycle a significant percentage of materials, reinforcing Carnival's commitment to a sustainable cruise industry.