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Carnival Corporation & plc Reports Second Quarter Earnings

Carnival Corporation & plc Reports Second Quarter Earnings

MIAMI, June 22 - Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) reported net income of $252 million, or $0.32 diluted EPS, on revenues of $3.2 billion for its second quarter ended May 31, 2010. Net income for the second quarter of 2009 was $264 million, or $0.33 diluted EPS, on revenues of $2.9 billion.

Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison indicated that operating results for the second quarter 2010 exceeded the company’s March guidance as a result of better than expected net revenue yields and cost reductions.

Commenting on the second quarter, Arison said, “We were encouraged to see revenue yields turn positive for the first time since late 2008. Improving revenue yields combined with an 8 percent capacity increase and ongoing cost control efforts offset significantly higher fuel prices.” Increased fuel prices negatively impacted earnings by $0.20 per share during the quarter.

Key metrics for the second quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year were as follows:

— On a constant dollar basis net revenue yields (net revenue per
    available lower berth day) increased 2.0 percent for 2Q 2010, which
    was at the higher end of the company’s March guidance, up 1 to 2
    percent. Net revenue yields in current dollars increased 2.4 percent
    due to favorable currency exchange rates. Gross revenue yields
    increased only 0.4 percent in current dollars driven by lower air
    transportation revenue.
— Excluding fuel, net cruise cost per available lower berth day (“ALBD”)
    declined 4.9 percent in constant dollars, which was better than March
    guidance, down 3.5 to 4.5 percent.
— Including fuel, net cruise costs per ALBD increased 4.2 percent on a
    constant dollar basis (increased 4.9 percent in current dollars).
    Gross cruise costs per ALBD increased 1.6 percent in current dollars.
— Fuel prices increased 64 percent to $498 per metric ton for 2Q 2010
    from $304 per metric ton in 2Q 2009 but was lower than March guidance
    of $511 per metric ton.

Continuing with its strategic growth initiatives, the company took delivery of two new ships during the second quarter - P&O Cruises’ 3,100-passenger Azura and The Yachts of Seabourn’s 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn. In addition, contracts were finalized with Fincantieri for the construction of two Princess Cruises’ 3,600-passenger ships for delivery in May 2013 and 2014.

2010 Outlook

Since March, booking volumes for the second half of the year have been running slightly ahead of the prior year at higher prices.  At this time, cumulative advance bookings for both quarters are at higher prices (constant dollars) with occupancies for the third quarter in line with the prior year and for the fourth quarter slightly behind last year.

Arison noted, “Considering recent global economic concerns and other world events our advance bookings are holding up reasonably well and remain in line with our expectations. We believe this will lead to earnings growth in both the third and fourth quarters. The summer season, which is our strongest and most important quarter of the year, is shaping up particularly well.”

The company continues to expect full year net revenue yields, on a constant dollar basis, to increase 2 to 3 percent, in line with its March guidance. However, currency exchange rates have moved significantly since March guidance was provided. As a result, the company now expects net revenue yields on a current dollar basis to be approximately flat for the full year 2010 compared to 2009.

The company expects net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the full year 2010 to be down 2.5 to 3.5 percent on a constant dollar basis which is slightly better than its March guidance. Since March guidance, unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates have reduced earnings by $97 million. This has essentially been offset by a $41 million benefit from a decline in the spot price for fuel and lower forecasted costs for the remainder of the year.

Consequently, the company continues to forecast full year 2010 fully diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.25 to $2.35, compared to 2009 earnings of $2.24 per share. Based on the current spot price for fuel, fuel costs for all of 2010 are expected to increase $440 million compared to 2009, costing an additional $0.55 per share.

Third Quarter 2010

Third quarter constant dollar net revenue yields are expected to increase 5 to 6 percent (flat to up 1 percent on a current dollar basis) compared to the prior year. Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the third quarter are expected to be 1 to 2 percent higher on a constant dollar basis (down 2 to 3 percent on a current dollar basis). Fuel costs for the third quarter are expected to increase $74 million compared to the prior year, costing an additional $0.09 per share.

Based on the above factors and using current fuel prices and currency exchange rates, the company expects earnings for the third quarter of 2010 to be in the range of $1.43 to $1.47 per share, compared to $1.33 per share in 2009.

During the second half of the year two new ships will debut in Europe- Holland America Line’s 2,106-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam, and Cunard Line’s 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth- furthering the company’s strategy to expand its global presence. These vessels will be the fifth and sixth ships the company will introduce in 2010.

  Selected Key Forecast Metrics
  -
                                Full Year 2010
                            Current       Constant
                            Dollars       Dollars
  Change in:
                   
  Net revenue yields             (0.5) to 0.5%  2.0 to 3.0%
                   
  Net cruise cost / ALBD           1.0 to 2.0%  2.5 to 3.5%
  Net cruise cost excl. fuel / ALBD   (4.0) to (5.0)%  (2.5) to (3.5)%


                              Third Quarter 2010
                            Current       Constant
                            Dollars       Dollars
  Change in:
                               
  Net revenue yields             0.0 to 1.0%  5.0 to 6.0%
                               
  Net cruise cost / ALBD           1.0 to 2.0%  4.5 to 5.5%
  Net cruise cost excl. fuel / ALBD   (2.0) to (3.0)%  1.0 to 2.0%

 

 

                        Full Year 2010 Third Quarter 2010

  Fuel price/metric ton                 $495           $493
  Fuel consumption (metric tons in
  thousands)                      3,344           843
  Currency
    Euro                   $1.29 to EUR1     $1.24 to EUR1
    Sterling               $1.51 to BPS1     $1.48 to BPS1

 

 

The company has scheduled a conference call with analysts at 10:00 a.m. EDT (3:00 p.m. BST) today to discuss its 2010 second quarter earnings.  This call can be listened to live, and additional information can be obtained, via Carnival Corporation & plc’s Web site at http://www.carnivalcorp.com and http://www.carnivalplc.com.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.

Together, these brands operate 96 ships totaling more than 187,000 lower berths with 11 new ships scheduled to be delivered between now and May 2014. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results

Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this earnings release are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to Carnival Corporation & plc, including some statements concerning future results, outlooks, plans, goals and other events which have not yet occurred.  These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms.  Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause Carnival Corporation & plc’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this earnings release.  Forward-looking statements include those statements which may impact, among other things, the forecasting of Carnival Corporation & plc’s earnings per share, net revenue yields, booking levels, pricing, occupancy, operating, financing and tax costs, fuel expenses, costs per available lower berth day, estimates of ship depreciable lives and residual values, liquidity, goodwill and trademark fair values and outlook. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, including fuel price increases, high unemployment rates, and declines in the securities, real estate and other markets, and perceptions of these conditions, may adversely impact the levels of Carnival Corporation & plc’s potential vacationers’ discretionary income and net worth and this group’s confidence in their country’s economy; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the movement of the U.S. dollar against the euro, sterling and the Australian and Canadian dollars; the international political climate, armed conflicts, terrorist and pirate attacks and threats thereof, and other world events affecting the safety and security of travel; competition from and overcapacity in both the cruise ship and land-based vacation industries; lack of acceptance of new itineraries, products and services by Carnival Corporation & plc’s guests; changing consumer preferences; Carnival Corporation & plc’s ability to attract and retain qualified shipboard crew and maintain good relations with employee unions;  accidents, the spread of contagious diseases and threats thereof, adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic ash, and other incidents (including, but not limited to, ship fires and machinery and equipment failures or improper operation thereof), which could cause, among other things, individual or multiple port closures, injury, death, damage to property and equipment, oil spills, alteration of cruise itineraries or cancellation of a cruise or series of cruises or tours; adverse publicity concerning the cruise industry in general, or Carnival Corporation & plc in particular, including any adverse impact that cruising may have on the marine environment; changes in and compliance with laws and regulations relating to the protection of disabled persons, employment, environmental, health, safety, security, tax and other regulatory regimes under which Carnival Corporation & plc operate; increases in global fuel demand and pricing, fuel supply disruptions and other events impacting on Carnival Corporation & plc’s fuel and other expenses, liquidity and credit ratings; increases in Carnival Corporation & plc’s future fuel expenses from implementing approved International Maritime Organization regulations, which require the use of higher priced low sulfur fuels in certain cruising areas, including the U.S. and Canadian Emissions Control Area, which will change the specification and increase the price of fuel that ships will be required to use within these areas; changes in financing and operating costs, including changes in interest rates and food, payroll and security costs; the ability of Carnival Corporation & plc to implement its shipbuilding programs and ship maintenance, repairs and refurbishments, including ordering additional ships for its cruise brands from shipyards, on terms that are favorable or consistent with Carnival Corporation & plc’s expectations; the continued strength of Carnival Corporation & plc’s cruise brands and its ability to implement its brand strategies; additional risks associated with Carnival Corporation & plc’s international operations not generally applicable to its U..S. operations; the pace of development in geographic regions in which Carnival Corporation & plc tries to expand its business; whether Carnival Corporation & plc’s future operating cash flow will be sufficient to fund future obligations and whether it will be able to obtain financing, if necessary, in sufficient amounts and on terms that are favorable or consistent with its expectations; Carnival Corporation & plc counterparties’ ability to perform; continuing financial viability of Carnival Corporation & plc’s travel agent distribution system, air service providers and other key vendors and reductions in the availability of and increases in the pricing for the services and products provided by these vendors; Carnival Corporation & plc’s decisions to self-insure against various risks or its inability to obtain insurance for certain risks at reasonable rates; disruptions and other damages to Carnival Corporation & plc’s information technology networks and operations; lack of continuing availability of attractive, convenient and safe port destinations; and risks associated with the dual listed company structure. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results.  Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant listing rules, Carnival Corporation & plc expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this release, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

              CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                              Three Months Ended
                                  May 31,
                                 

                                2010     2009
                              ——    ——
                        (in millions, except per share data)
  Revenues
    Cruise
        Passenger tickets           $2,427     $2,242
        Onboard and other             737       673
    Tour and other                   31       33
                                —-      —-
                              3,195     2,948
                              ——-    ——-
  Costs and Expenses
    Operating
        Cruise
            Commissions, transportation
            and other               440       440
            Onboard and other         106       110
            Payroll and related         383       366
            Fuel                   416       243
            Food                   212       203
            Other ship operating       504       488
        Tour and other               32       35
                                —-      —-
        Total                   2,093     1,885
    Selling and administrative           404       393
    Depreciation and amortization         349       317
                                —-      —-
                              2,846     2,595
                              ——-    ——-

  Operating Income                     349       353
                                —-      —-

  Nonoperating (Expense) Income
    Interest income                   3       2
    Interest expense, net of
      capitalized interest             (99)      (90)
    Other (expense) income, net           (2)      5
                                —-      —-
                                (98)      (83)
                                —-      —-

  Income Before Income Taxes             251       270

  Income Tax Benefit (Expense), Net           1       (6)
                                —-      —-

  Net Income                       $252     $264
                                ====      ====

  Earnings Per Share
    Basic                       $0.32     $0.34
                              =====    =====
    Diluted                     $0.32     $0.33
                              =====    =====

  Dividends Declared Per Share           $0.10
                              =====

  Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Basic   788       787
                                ===      ===
  Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted 806       804
                                ===      ===

 

                                  Six Months Ended
                                    May 31,
                                   

                                  2010     2009
                                ——    ——
                        (in millions, except per share data)
  Revenues
    Cruise
        Passenger tickets             $4,785     $4,461
        Onboard and other               1,466     1,307
    Tour and other                     39       44
                                  —-      —-
                                6,290     5,812
                                ——-    ——-
  Costs and Expenses
    Operating
        Cruise
            Commissions, transportation
            and other                 937       954
            Onboard and other           219       214
            Payroll and related           774       718
            Fuel                     813       451
            Food                     424       401
            Other ship operating         978       946
        Tour and other                 47       51
                                  —-      —-
        Total                     4,192     3,735
    Selling and administrative             800       785
    Depreciation and amortization           694       628
                                  —-      —-
                                5,686     5,148
                                ——-    ——-

  Operating Income                       604       664
                                  —-      —-

  Nonoperating (Expense) Income
    Interest income                     7       6
    Interest expense, net of
      capitalized interest               (195)    (186)
    Other (expense)  income, net           (5)      24
                                  —-      —-
                                  (193)    (156)
                                ——    ——

  Income Before Income Taxes               411       508

  Income Tax Benefit (Expense), Net           16       16
                                  —-      —-

  Net Income                         $427     $524
                                  ====      ====

  Earnings Per Share
    Basic                         $0.54     $0.67
                                =====    =====
    Diluted                       $0.54     $0.66
                                =====    =====

  Dividends Declared Per Share             $0.20
                                =====

  Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Basic     788       787
                                  ===      ===
  Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted   806       804
                                  ===      ===


              CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC
              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                May 31,      November 30,
                                    2010         2009
                                  ——        ——

                                (in millions, except par
                                    values)
  ASSETS
  Current Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents               $594         $538
    Trade and other receivables, net           455         362
    Inventories                         297         320
    Prepaid expenses and other               240         298
                                    —-        —-
      Total current assets               1,586         1,518
                                  ——-        ——-

  Property and Equipment, Net               29,317       29,870

  Goodwill                             3,214         3,451

  Trademarks                           1,289         1,346

  Other Assets                           623         650
                                    —-        —-
                                  $36,029       $36,835
                                  =======      =======

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  Current Liabilities
    Short-term borrowings                 $808         $135
    Current portion of long-term debt           676         815
    Convertible debt subject to current
    debt option                         595
    Accounts payable                     548         568
    Accrued liabilities and other             928         874
    Customer deposits                   3,208         2,575
                                  ——-        ——-
        Total current liabilities           6,763         4,967
                                  ——-        ——-

  Long-Term Debt                         7,681         9,097

  Other Long-Term Liabilities and
  Deferred Income                         721         732

  Shareholders’ Equity
    Common stock of Carnival Corporation;
      $0.01 par value;  1,960 shares
      authorized; 645 shares at 2010 and
      644 shares at 2009 issued               6           6
    Ordinary shares of Carnival plc; $1.66
      par value; 214 shares at 2010 and 213
      shares at 2009 issued                 355         354
    Additional paid-in capital             8,059         7,920
    Retained earnings                   15,830       15,561
    Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
      income                         (1,029)        462
    Treasury stock; 32 shares at 2010 and
      24 shares at 2009 of Carnival
      Corporation and 38 shares at 2010 and
      46 shares at 2009 of Carnival plc, at
      cost                         (2,357)      (2,264)
                                  ———      ———
            Total shareholders’ equity     20,864       22,039
                                  ———      ———
                                  $36,029       $36,835
                                  =======      =======

 


                CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC
                  SELECTED INFORMATION

                    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                        May 31,        May 31,
                               
                    2010           2009     2010   2009
                    ——        ——    ——  ——
                    (in millions, except statistical
                              information)
  STATISTICAL
  INFORMATION
      Passengers
      carried (in
      thousands)      2,222       2,029     4,271     3,898
      Occupancy
      percentage       103.8%      103.3%    103.7%    103.6%
      Fuel
      consumption
      (metric tons
      in thousands)      835         799     1,635     1,552
      Fuel cost per
      metric ton (a)    $498         $304     $497     $291
      Currency
        U.S. dollar to
          EUR1       $1.32       $1.33     $1.36     $1.33
        U.S. dollar to
          BPS1       $1.50       $1.48     $1.55     $1.47

  CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION
    Cash from
      operations       $1,398       $1,136     $1,794   $1,441
    Capital
      expenditures       $999       $1,650     $2,168   $1,956
    Dividends paid       $79                 $79     $314

  SEGMENT
  INFORMATION
      Revenues
        Cruise       $3,164       $2,915     $6,251   $5,768
        Tour and other     45         48       54       61
        Intersegment
        elimination     (14)        (15)      (15)    (17)
                    —-        —-      —-    —-
                  $3,195       $2,948     $6,290   $5,812
                  ======      ======    ======    ======

      Operating
      expenses
        Cruise       $2,061       $1,850     $4,145   $3,684
        Tour and other     46         50       62       68
        Intersegment
        elimination     (14)        (15)      (15)    (17)
                    —-        —-      —-    —-
                  $2,093       $1,885     $4,192   $3,735
                  ======      ======    ======    ======

      Selling and
      administrative
      expenses
        Cruise         $396         $386     $785     $770
        Tour and other     8           7       15       15
                    —-        —-      —-    —-
                    $404         $393     $800     $785
                    ====        ====      ====    ====

      Depreciation and
      amortization
        Cruise         $339         $308     $676     $610
        Tour and other     10           9       18       18
                    —-        —-      —-    —-
                    $349         $317     $694     $628
                    ====        ====      ====    ====

      Operating
      income (loss)
        Cruise         $368         $371     $645     $704
        Tour and other   (19)        (18)      (41)    (40)
                    —-        —-      —-    —-
                    $349         $353     $604     $664
                    ====        ====      ====    ====


  (a)  Fuel cost per metric ton is calculated by dividing the cost of
  fuel by the number of metric tons consumed.

 

 

                CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC
              NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

  Gross and net revenue yields were computed by dividing the gross or
  net revenues, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows:


                            Three Months Ended    
                                May 31,         
                                         
                            2010         2009  
                            ——        —— 
                      (in millions, except ALBDs and yields)
  Cruise revenues
    Passenger tickets           $2,427       $2,242
    Onboard and other             737         673
                            —-        —-
  Gross cruise revenues             3,164         2,915
  Less cruise costs
    Commissions, transportation
    and other                 (440)        (440)
    Onboard and other             (106)        (110)
                            ——        ——
  Net cruise revenues (a)          $2,618       $2,365
                          ======        ======
  ALBDs (b)                16,575,242     15,329,812
                        ==========    ==========
  Gross revenue yields (a)        $190.90       $190.19
                          =======      =======
  Net revenue yields (a)          $157.97       $154.24
                          =======      =======

 

                              Six Months Ended
                                May 31,
                               
                            2010         2009
                            ——        ——
                      (in millions, except ALBDs and yields)
  Cruise revenues
    Passenger tickets           $4,785         $4,461
    Onboard and other             1,466         1,307
                          ——-        ——-
  Gross cruise revenues             6,251         5,768
  Less cruise costs
    Commissions, transportation                
    and other                 (937)        (954)
    Onboard and other             (219)        (214)
                            ——        ——
  Net cruise revenues (a)          $5,095         $4,600
                          ======        ======
  ALBDs (b)                32,465,324     29,822,062
                        ==========      ==========
  Gross revenue yields (a)        $192.53       $193.42
                          =======        =======
  Net revenue yields (a)          $156.91       $154.25
                          =======        =======

 


  Gross and net cruise costs per ALBD were computed by dividing the
  gross or net cruise costs, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows:

                            Three Months Ended    
                                May 31,     
                                     
                            2010         2009    
                            ——      —— 
                  (in millions, except ALBDs and costs per ALBD)

  Cruise operating expenses         $2,061       $1,850
  Cruise selling and        
  administrative expenses             396         386
                            —-        —-
  Gross cruise costs               2,457       2,236
  Less cruise costs included
  in net cruise revenues
    Commissions, transportation
    and other                   (440)        (440)
    Onboard and other             (106)        (110)
                            ——      ——
  Net cruise costs (a)            $1,911       $1,686
                            ======      ======

  ALBDs (b)                  16,575,242     15,329,812
                        ==========    ==========

  Gross cruise costs per ALBD (a)    $148.22       $145.90
                          =======      =======

  Net cruise costs per ALBD (a)      $115.29       $109.95
                          =======      =======

 

                              Six Months Ended
                                May 31,
                               
                            2010         2009
                            ——      ——
                  (in millions, except ALBDs and costs per ALBD)
  Cruise operating expenses         $4,145       $3,684
  Cruise selling and          
  administrative expenses             785         770
                            —-        —-
  Gross cruise costs included         4,930       4,454
  Less cruise costs
   
  in net cruise revenues
    Commissions, transportation          
    and other                   (937)        (954)
    Onboard and other             (219)        (214)
                            ——      ——
  Net cruise costs (a)            $3,774       $3,286
                            ======      ======

  ALBDs (b)                  32,465,324     29,822,062
                        ==========    ==========

  Gross cruise costs per ALBD (a)    $151.87       $149.36
                          =======      =======

  Net cruise costs per ALBD (a)      $116.25       $110.18
                          =======      =======


  NOTES TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

      We use net cruise revenues per ALBD (“net revenue yields”) and net
      cruise costs per ALBD as significant non-GAAP financial measures
      of our cruise segment financial performance.  These measures
      enable us to separate the impact of predictable capacity changes
      from the more unpredictable rate changes that affect our business.
      We believe these non-GAAP measures provide a better gauge to
      measure our revenue and cost performance instead of the standard
      U.S. GAAP-based financial measures. There are no specific rules
      for determining our non-GAAP financial measures and, accordingly,
      it is possible that they may not be exactly comparable to the
      like-kind information presented by other cruise companies, which
      is a potential risk associated with using these measures to
  (a)  compare us to other cruise companies.

  Net revenue yields are commonly used in the cruise industry to measure
    a company’s cruise segment revenue performance and for revenue
    management purposes.  We use “net cruise revenues” rather than “gross
    cruise revenues” to calculate net revenue yields.  We believe that
    net cruise revenues is a more meaningful measure in determining
    revenue yield than gross cruise revenues because it reflects the
    cruise revenues earned net of our most significant variable costs,
    which are travel agent commissions, cost of air transportation and
    certain other variable direct costs associated with onboard and other
    revenues.  Substantially all of our remaining cruise costs are
    largely fixed, except for the impact of changing prices, once our
    ship capacity levels have been determined.

  Net cruise costs per ALBD is the most significant measure we use to
    monitor our ability to control our cruise segment costs rather than
    gross cruise costs per ALBD. We exclude the same variable costs that
    are included in the calculation of net cruise revenues to calculate
    net cruise costs to avoid duplicating these variable costs in these
    two non-GAAP financial measures.

  We have not provided estimates of future gross revenue yields or
    future gross cruise costs per ALBD because the reconciliations of
    forecasted net cruise revenues to forecasted gross cruise revenues or
    forecasted net cruise costs to forecasted cruise operating expenses
    would require us to forecast, with reasonable accuracy, the amount of
    air and other transportation costs that our forecasted cruise
    passengers would elect to purchase from us (the “air/sea mix”).
    Since the forecasting of future air/sea mix involves several
    significant variables that are relatively difficult to forecast and
    the revenues from the sale of air and other transportation
    approximate the costs of providing that transportation, management
    focuses primarily on forecasts of net cruise revenues and costs
    rather than gross cruise revenues and costs.  This does not impact,
    in any material respect, our ability to forecast our future results,
    as any variation in the air/sea mix has no material impact on our
    forecasted net cruise revenues or forecasted net cruise costs. As
    such, management does not believe that this reconciling information
    would be meaningful.

  In addition, because a significant portion of our operations utilize
    the euro or sterling to measure their results and financial
    condition, the translation of those operations to our U.S. dollar
    reporting currency results in decreases in reported U.S. dollar
    revenues and expenses if the U.S. dollar strengthens against these
    foreign currencies and increases in reported U.S. dollar revenues and
    expenses if the U.S. dollar weakens against these foreign currencies.
    Accordingly, we also monitor and report our two non-GAAP financial
    measures assuming the 2010 periods’ currency exchange rates have
    remained constant with the 2009 periods’ rates, or on a “constant
    dollar basis,” in order to remove the impact of changes in exchange
    rates on our non-U.S. dollar cruise operations. We believe that this
    is a useful measure since it facilitates a comparative view of the
    growth of our business in a fluctuating currency exchange rate
    environment.

  On a constant dollar basis, net cruise revenues and net cruise costs
    would be $2.6 billion and $1.9 billion for the three months ended May
    31, 2010 and $5.0 billion and $3.7 billion for the six months ended
    May 31, 2010, respectively. On a constant dollar basis, gross cruise
    revenues and gross cruise costs would be $3.1 billion and $2.4
    billion for the three months ended May 31, 2010 and $6.1 billion and
    $4.8 billion for the six months ended May 31, 2010, respectively. In
    addition, our non-U.S. dollar cruise operations’ depreciation and
    net interest expense were impacted by the changes in exchange rates
    for the three and six months ended May 31, 2010, compared to the
    prior year’s comparable period.

      ALBDs is a standard measure of passenger capacity for the period,
      which we use to perform rate and capacity variance analyses to
      determine the main non-capacity driven factors that cause our
      cruise revenues and expenses to vary. ALBDs assume that each cabin
      we offer for sale accommodates two passengers and is computed by
      multiplying passenger capacity by revenue-producing ship
  (b)  operating days in the period.

 

 

Source: Carnival Corporation
 

CONTACT:  Media, Tim Gallagher, +1-305-599-2600, ext. 16000;  Investor
Relations, Beth Roberts, +1-305-406-4832

Web Site:  http://www.carnivalcorp.com/


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