Carnival Corporation Surpasses Profit Expectations and Sets New Booking Record for 2025
Carnival Corporation & plc, a leading player in the cruise industry, has once again raised its annual profit forecast, signaling robust demand and a thriving market for cruise vacations. The company, in its recent investor update, revised its adjusted profit per share forecast for 2024 to approximately $1.18, up from the previously anticipated 98 cents. This adjustment marks the second increase this year, reflecting Carnival’s positive financial trajectory.
Additionally, Carnival reported a second-quarter profit of 7 cents per share, surpassing analysts’ expectations and showcasing strong financial health. The company’s bookings for 2025 have also reached unprecedented levels, setting a new record and underscoring the growing consumer confidence in cruising as a preferred mode of vacation.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival, expressed his satisfaction with these results, stating, “We are very pleased with the continued acceleration of demand for 2025 and beyond, which builds upon the fantastic achievements in 2024 thus far. This positive trajectory is a testament to the successful execution of our demand generation efforts and the delivery of exceptional vacation experiences once onboard.”
Key financial highlights from the report include:
- Total customer deposits reached a record $8.3 billion.
- A 4 percent year-over-year increase in cruise costs per available lower berth day.
- A record second-quarter operating income of $560 million.
- Second-quarter revenue also hit a new high at $5.8 billion.
In a strategic move earlier this month, Carnival announced the sunset of its P&O Cruises Australia brand in March 2025. This decision aims to enhance the capacity of the Carnival Cruise Line, which is the most profitable entity within the Carnival Corporation & plc portfolio. Two ships from the P&O Cruises Australia fleet, Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure, will transition to sail under the Carnival brand, further expanding its operational capacity and market reach.
These developments illustrate Carnival Corporation’s strong market position and its effective strategies for growth and profitability, setting an optimistic outlook for the company’s future in the cruise industry.