Two major cruise companies reported strong third quarter 2024 financial results—demonstrating the soaring popularity of cruise vacations. Royal Caribbean Group reported third quarter earnings per share ("EPS") of $4.21 and adjusted EPS of $5.20. These results were better than the company's guidance due to stronger pricing on close-in demand, continued strength in onboard revenue and lower costs due to timing.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) also said its third quarter revenue was up 11 percent year-over-year, setting a record for revenue in a quarter. NCLH also beat its own third quarter guidance to financial analysts across all key metrics and raised its full year earnings guidance for fourth time
Princess Cruises—a Carnival Corporation brand—had to cancel two sailings of its Regal Princess as it continued repairs, according to Seatrade Cruise News. In addition to a refund, passengers on the canceled October 27 and November 3 voyages will receive a future cruise credit of 50 percent. This FCC can be used for bookings made by May 31, 2025, for sailings by May 31, 2026. The ship is expected to sail its November 10 departure.
On the river cruise front, Tauck plans to build two new river cruise vessels to launch on France’s Seine and Rhone rivers in 2026; they’ll serve 124 and 130 passengers. In addition, AmaWaterways has announced the launch of 14-night “Grand River Cruises,” combining some of Europe’s most popular itineraries into a single voyage. The 2025 season sees three new combinations—"Grand Seine & Bordeaux," "Grand Seine & Rhône" and "Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals"—in addition to the existing "Magnificent Europe" and "Grand Danube" itineraries.
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Itinerary-wise, MSC Cruises is heading to Alaska in 2026, while Royal Caribbean International unveiled its summer 2026 cruise lineup in Europe. Carnival Cruise Line has added more Bahamas cruises to its 2026-27 schedule.
According to sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor, Ponant has received INNOVFUND support for its Swap2Zero project, the first transoceanic ship aimed at carbon neutrality. The clean-energy aid is granted by the European Commission and financed by revenue from the European Union.
Swan Hellenic in North America expanded its sales team to meet strong growth. Kelly Predmesky has been promoted to a new position of director of national accounts, where she will manage day-to-day sales and marketing plans and serve as the primary contact for Virtuoso, as well as future consortium accounts. Filling her former post as director of sales, Eastern USA, is Mark Spillane, newly hired by Swan Hellenic; he was formerly director of expedition sales for Seabourn.
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