Strong booking trends help Carnival ride storms and earthquakes
Strong booking trends have offset the impact of the Mexico earthquakes and hurricanes in the Caribbean for Carnival Corporation.
The cruise giant, whose brands include P&O, Cunard, Costa, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, said cumulative bookings for the first half of next year are ‘well ahead’ of the previous year in terms of both price and occupancy.
It gave a trading update as it reported a rise in profits for the three months to August 31 to $1.7 billion, compared to $1.4 billion in the same quarter in 2016.
Revenues over the same period rose from $5.1 billion to $5.5 billion.
President and chief executive Arnold Donald sad: “After the earthquakes in Mexico and a very challenging series of hurricanes, our thoughts are with all of those impacted and we are actively contributing to the relief and rebuilding efforts in the Caribbean and the southern U.S. through monetary and other support.
"Many people throughout these areas have been impacted and several ports are temporarily unavailable."
He said the group’s owned destinations, as well as more than 40 other ports, plus all those in Mexico, are fully operational and welcoming guests.
But he said several temporary port closures associated with the storms led to voyage disruptions which are expected to result in an estimated $0.10 to $0.12 per share reduction in earnings in the fourth quarter.
"The company has resumed normal operations, with some itinerary modifications and is continuing to deliver exceptional Caribbean cruise vacations to its guests," he added.
He said record results, coupled with strong booking trends, have ‘more than offset the anticipated earnings impact from these weather disruptions’.
As a result, the group has raised its previous earnings guidance range from the mid-point to the higher end.
It expects full year 2017 net revenue yields in constant currency to be up approximately 4% to the prior year, better than June guidance of up approximately 3.5%.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026