Carnival Cruise Line Posts Strong Earnings and Optimistic Booking Forecast
Carnival Corporation is riding a wave of success as it surpasses earnings expectations and delivers an upbeat forecast for 2025. With increased demand and growing bookings, the cruise giant is poised for another stellar year.
Earnings Beat Expectations
Carnival reported fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $0.23, nearly three times the $0.08 anticipated by analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha. Even its adjusted EPS of $0.14 exceeded expectations.
The company posted record Q4 revenue of $5.94 billion, up 10% from the previous year. While this fell slightly below analyst predictions, Carnival showed robust growth in key areas:
- Passenger ticket revenue: Increased by 10% to $3.85 billion.
- Onboard and other revenue: Rose 10.5% to $2.08 billion.
CEO’s Positive Outlook for 2025
CEO Josh Weinstein expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, stating, “2025 is shaping up to be another banner year, with yield growth expected to far outpace historical growth rates and again exceed unit cost growth.”
Weinstein highlighted the strength of future demand, with booking volumes for 2025 surpassing last year’s despite limited inventory and the traditionally quieter period surrounding elections. Even further out, bookings for 2026 have already set new records, underscoring sustained interest in cruise travel.
Carnival’s Momentum Reflects Growing Demand
Carnival’s shares climbed 4.5% in recent trading and have gained over 40% year-to-date. This growth demonstrates the company’s ability to attract passengers and capitalize on rising demand for cruise vacations.
With a record-breaking quarter behind them and optimistic guidance ahead, Carnival Cruise Line is setting sail for another successful year, making it a compelling option for travelers and investors alike.
