Royal Caribbean Cruises reported that its first quarter financial performance was adversely impacted by voyage disruptions early in the year. The line also said that full year 2014 results will be slightly better than the numbers previously given by the cruise company to financial analysts.
Adjusted quarterly net income for Royal Caribbean was down $46.1 million, or $.21 per share, compared with the adjusted net income of $78.2 million, or $.35 per share for the same period a year ago. The company said in a press release that “overall, the year is developing along the course the company previously anticipated.” Royal Caribbean also expects the impact of some first quarter voyage disruptions to be offset during the rest of the year.
Ticket sales and onboard revenue also decreased by .5 percent for the first quarter ending March 31. This contributed to six cruises being shortened or canceled between January and March. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corp. were also impacted operationally when two cargo vessels collided in the Gulf of Galveston, spilling fuel and effectively closing the Houston channel to cruise traffic.
Princess Cruises is gearing up for summer after revealing its 2015-2016 Americas cruise itineraries, which travel to the Caribbean, Canada and New England, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaiian Islands and West Coast. In total, 12 ships will sail on more than 230 departures on 48 itineraries to 86 destinations.
Princess' two newest ships, Royal Princess and Regal Princess, will be sailing Caribbean voyages, while two of the line’s largest sister ships, Crown Princess and Ruby Princess, will be positioned together on the West Coast for the first time. Princess is also offering a 50th anniversary cruise to Mexico and an all-new, five-day Mexico sampler cruise with an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas.
Hurtigruten is also preparing for summer by offering new land excursions for the season. Guests of the Hurtigruten expedition ship MS Fram in Greenland, Iceland and Spitsbergen can disembark the ship and experience land excursions including camping trips in the wilderness with a polar bear watch; kayak tours among icebergs; glacier hikes on the ice; and fishing excursions in the sea.
Kayak tours will be available in Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland. A variety of hikes are offered on expedition voyages. Excursions run from $40 to $410 per person.