Carnival Plc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Carnival & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, has announced its upcoming fourth quarter earnings conference call scheduled for Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. (EST). The financial results are expected to be released the same morning, with a simulcast available through the company's websites. Carnival operates a diverse portfolio of cruise brands including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

Half Moon Cay, an exclusive destination in The Bahamas, is being renamed to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay as part of a major enhancement project announced by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line. The expansion includes a new pier on the north side accommodating Carnival's Excel class ships, expanded beachfront experiences, new lunch venues, and various bars.

The development spans over a mile of white-sand beach with distinct welcome plazas on both south and north sides. The south side will receive a Bahamian refresh with a new beach club and updated facilities, while the north side will feature new dining venues and island-themed bars. A new tram service will be added for convenience, along with expanded lounging areas, additional cabanas, and a shore excursion pier.

The enhancements are scheduled to begin completion by summer 2026 and continue through year-end, with all upgrades designed to complement the island's natural beauty.

Princess Cruises announced record-breaking bookings during the Black Friday through Cyber Monday period, with a 32% increase compared to 2023. Cyber Monday showed exceptional performance with a 136% surge in bookings versus the previous year.

The strong demand extended to both 2025 and 2026 sailings, with 2026 itineraries showing a remarkable 66% increase compared to 2025 bookings made during the same period last year. This indicates a growing trend of guests planning their cruises further in advance.

The success follows the company's expansion of offerings in popular regions like Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean, along with the introduction of new exotic destinations for 2025 and 2026.

Cunard has announced a major refurbishment of Queen Elizabeth cruise ship, scheduled from February 25 to March 13, 2025, at Seatrium's Admiralty Yard in Singapore. The renovation precedes the ship's inaugural Caribbean program from Miami and first Alaska season from Seattle in 2025.

The 2,000-guest vessel will undergo significant upgrades, including refreshed signature spaces like the Commodore Club, Queens Room, and Garden Lounge. The transformation includes enhanced Grills suites and dining experience, featuring an exclusive menu by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux. New additions include The Pavilion Wellness Café and Harper's Bazaar Wellness at Sea program.

The Caribbean season will begin October 16 with a 12-night roundtrip from Miami, marking the first time a Cunard ship will spend a full season there, offering voyages ranging from 9 to 28 nights.

Seabourn has launched its annual 'Sail of the Year' event, offering exclusive savings on select 2025 and 2026 voyages through February 18, 2025. The promotion includes up to 15% savings on ultra-luxury ocean and expedition voyages, 15% reduced deposits, and up to $1,000 shipboard credit per suite.

The offer covers more than 400 worldwide itineraries, including destinations such as the Arctic, Antarctic, Mediterranean, Alaska, and Caribbean. Shipboard credits can be used for shore excursions, spa treatments, boutique shopping, wine packages, and Wi-Fi services. Featured voyages include a 14-day North Cape & Norwegian Fjords cruise, 10-day Mediterranean Overture, and various expeditions to the Kimberley region.

Cunard has achieved record-breaking bookings in 2024, reporting 73,000 additional guest reservations from January to October compared to 2023, marking a 23% year-over-year increase. The company saw significant growth in both UK (24%) and North American (29%) markets. The launch of their new ship, Queen Anne, in May, along with three new cruise programs for 2026-2027, has been instrumental in this success.

International markets now represent over half of all bookings, with a 22% increase in international guest bookings. Notably, the company experienced a 49% rise in first-time guests choosing Cunard compared to the same period in 2023.

Cunard has achieved record-breaking bookings in 2024, with 73,000 additional guest reservations from January to October compared to 2023, marking a 23% year-on-year increase. The company saw significant growth in both UK (24%) and North American (29%) markets. The launch of Queen Anne ship and three new cruise programmes contributed to this success. International bookings now represent over half of total reservations, with a 22% increase in international guest bookings. Notably, there was a 49% rise in first-time guests choosing Cunard compared to 2023.

Princess Cruises has announced its 2026-2027 West Coast season, featuring 69 voyages across 26 destinations from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver, B.C. The program includes the debut of the new Star Princess and involves 8 ships offering diverse itineraries to Mexico, Hawaii, and California.

Key highlights include Mexican Riviera cruises, 16-day Hawaiian Islands voyages, California Coast sailings, and Pacific Northwest routes. The season features special holiday voyages and wine-themed cruises, with cruise lengths ranging from 4 to 32 days. The company offers a Better than Best Price Guarantee with 120% onboard credit if lower fares are found.

Princess Cruises launched its first-ever season of Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral with the arrival of Caribbean Princess. The ship began with a four-day Thanksgiving cruise to Turks & Caicos, marking the start of 19 additional cruise departures to the Eastern and Western Caribbean through April 2025. The 3,140-guest vessel offers various itineraries ranging from six to eight days, featuring destinations like Nassau, Grand Turk, St. Thomas, and Cozumel. The ship provides 1,571 staterooms and includes family-friendly amenities, MedallionClass technology, and inclusive packages offering up to 65% savings on amenities.