Royal Caribbean Cruises released its second quarter results for 2014, which introduced a three-year profitability initiative called the Double-Double Program. Highlights for the second quarter of 2014 showed net yields up 2.4 percent, while net cruise costs down 4.2 percent. Adjusted quarterly net income was $146.7 million or $.66 per share, versus $34.2 million for the same quarter in 2013.
Royal Caribbean also expects net yields to increase 2 to 3 percent. Adjusted earnings per share are anticipated to be in the range of $3.40 to $3.50 per share. Also, the line is looking forward to its fourth quarter, where it will be delivering the first of its three Quantum-class vessels, which will be the first new ship deliveries for the brand since 2010.
Crystal Cruises will be host to Archbishop Desmond Tutu on a March 13, 2015 voyage to South Africa. A complimentary presentation and Q & A session will take place on the voyage, and the World Cruise segment sails from Perth to Cape Town, where Tutu is Archbishop Emeritus.
This voyage visits several South African cities central to Archbishop Tutu’s history, including Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay (maiden call) and Cape Town (overnight). Other calls include Mauritius/Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius; St-Denis, Réunion, France; Ambodifotatra and Taolanaro, Madagascar (both maiden calls); Maputo, Mozambique, and the embarkation port of Perth, Australia. Until the August 29 “Book Now” deadline, all-inclusive cruise fares start at $9,785 per person.
Costa Cruises launched its Grazie Mille appreciation program, where agents will be able to earn gift cards and free cruises based on their Costa bookings. based on cruise bookings that can be redeemed for a $50 gift card and enter drawings for $50 or $100 gift cards. Agents’ are awarded points based on the length of a cruise booking, regardless of the occupancy. Each cruises booked earns 100 points per night, and bookings for 12 nights or more are eligible to receive additional bonus points.
All registered agents also will be entered in a monthly flash drawing for a $50 gift card and a quarterly drawing for a $100 gift card. The top seller over the year who earns the most points will have the opportunity to enjoy a veranda cabin on a costa cruise and a $300 onboard credit.