Carnival PLC - CUK STOCK NEWS

Holland America Line's cruise ship, Volendam, will accommodate up to 1,500 Ukrainian refugees in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for three months, as part of the government's commitment to support displaced families. This initiative reflects an effort to assist 50,000 refugees fleeing the war. The ship will provide full amenities including meals and housekeeping, staffed by around 650 crew members. In addition, Holland America Line has committed $1 million in emergency support for its Ukrainian team members and aims to raise further funds through its charitable initiatives.

Princess Cruises, the leading cruise operator in Alaska, has launched its 'Wild for Alaska Seafood' program. This initiative features a diverse menu of 30 unique seafood dishes sourced sustainably from Alaskan fisheries, available on six vessels during the 2022 season. Diners will enjoy specialty cocktails and wine pairings alongside fresh local seafood. The program aims to enhance guests' culinary experiences while promoting sustainable fishing practices in partnership with notable seafood providers. This initiative also aligns with Princess's commitment to environmental stewardship.

Discovery Princess, the newest ship from Princess Cruises, departed on its maiden voyage to Mexico from the Port of Los Angeles on March 27, 2022. This marks the expansion of the fleet to 15 vessels. The ship, accommodating 3,660 guests, boasts luxurious features such as MedallionClass technology, gourmet dining, and the largest balconies at sea. A traditional naming ceremony is scheduled for April 29, 2022. From March 27 to April 24, 2022, Discovery Princess will sail the Mexican Riviera before heading to Alaska for seven-day cruises from Seattle.

Princess Cruises is launching a live game show, "Deal or No Deal," on its new ship, Discovery Princess, starting from March 27, 2022. This event offers participants the chance to win cash prizes up to $1,000 or a free cruise. The interactive game, in partnership with TimePlay, allows guests to engage through case cards with a buy-in of $25 to $50. Discovery Princess, the sixth Royal-Class ship, will also provide various luxury experiences and sail from Los Angeles and Seattle for cruises to Mexico and Alaska.

Princess Cruises appointed Cal Almaguer as Sr. Vice President of Sales and Service Strategy and Operations, and Carmen Roig as Vice President of Sales, enhancing its sales and service operations. They bring extensive experience from their prior roles, with Almaguer focusing on expanding sales channels and Roig overseeing trade relationships. The company aims to modernize its sales capabilities to boost cruise bookings and enhance service quality. This leadership change reflects a commitment to improving trade relations and sales performance.

Carnival Corporation reported a net loss of $1.9 billion for Q1 2022, while liquidity stands at $7.2 billion. Despite an occupancy increase to 54%, the Omicron variant impacted near-term bookings. Revenue per passenger cruise day increased by 7.5% compared to 2019, driven by enhanced onboard revenue. The company plans to fully resume operations by summer 2022 and has begun removing less efficient ships. Monthly adjusted EBITDA is expected to turn positive by summer 2022, alongside rising customer deposits, which reached $3.7 billion.

Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced a $3 million commitment from the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation to support humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees. This includes $1 million each to World Central Kitchen, Direct Relief, and UNICEF USA. Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line donated $50,000 to World Central Kitchen. The company emphasizes its commitment to humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, with CEO Arnold Donald expressing solidarity with affected individuals.

Holland America Line has improved the preboarding experience by introducing mBark facial recognition and the VeriFLY vaccine verification program at all U.S., Canadian, and European homeports. mBark allows guests to check in in under 10 seconds, while VeriFLY facilitates the upload of vaccination and test results. Initial testing has shown high satisfaction among guests. The rollout of these technologies is set to occur by the end of March 2022 across the fleet, enhancing the overall cruising experience and efficiency.