Carnival Corporation & PLC reports second-quarter results, 2013

(News Release)

 

MIAMI (June 25, 2013) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced non-GAAP net income of $72 million, or $0.09 diluted EPS for the second quarter of 2013 compared to non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2012 of $159 million, or $0.20 diluted EPS.

For the second quarter of 2013, reported U.S. GAAP net income, which included net unrealized losses on fuel derivatives of $31 million, was $41 million, or $0.05 diluted EPS. For the second quarter of 2012, reported U.S. GAAP net income, which included unrealized losses on fuel derivatives of $145 million, was $14 million, or $0.02 diluted EPS. Revenues for the second quarter of 2013 were $3.5 billion, in line with the prior year.

Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison noted that second quarter earnings were slightly better than May guidance due primarily to the timing of selling and administrative expenses.

 Key metrics for the second quarter 2013 compared to the prior year were as follows:

·         On a constant dollar basis, net revenue yields (net revenue per available lower berth day or “ALBD”) decreased 1.9 percent for 2Q 2013. Gross revenue yields decreased 3.1 percent in current dollars.

·         Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD increased 8.8 percent in constant dollars, primarily due to the timing of dry-dock expenses, vessel repair costs and non-recurring items which benefitted the prior year. Gross cruise costs including fuel per ALBD in current dollars decreased 0.1 percent.

·         Fuel prices decreased 9.7 percent to $683 per metric ton for 2Q 2013 from $756 per metric ton in 2Q 2012.

·         Fuel consumption per ALBD decreased 5.7 percent in 2Q 2013 compared to the prior year.

 During the second quarter, the company took delivery of Princess Cruises’ 3,560-passenger Royal Princess, the first of a new class of ships for Princess. Royal Princess debuted with a spectacular naming ceremony in Southampton, England on June 13 that captured world-wide attention. The ceremony was presided over by the ship’s godmother, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge. Royal Princess launched with many exciting new features including an over-water SeaWalk, and nightly performances of dancing fountains and music shows in the ship’s central pool area, as well as plush private poolside cabanas.  

Additionally, Carnival Sunshine entered service in May following an unprecedented $155 million modernization that added all the features and facilities of Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program.  Fun Ship 2.0 is transforming the Carnival brand’s on-board experience through celebrity partnerships including comedian George Lopez, who serves as the brand’s creative director for comedy, and Food Network personality and chef Guy Fieri, who developed a complimentary burger venue called Guy’s Burger Joint, as well as brand partnerships with EA Sports and Hasbro. Also, earlier this month Carnival Cruise Lines completed $115 million in upgrades and repairs to Carnival Triumph. The ship successfully reentered service in Galveston, Texas last week, featuring various Fun Ship 2.0 dining and bar innovations, including BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar and Alchemy Bar, among others.

2013 Outlook 

At this time, cumulative advance bookings for the remainder of 2013 are behind the prior year at prices below the prior year levels. Since the end of March, fleetwide booking volumes for the next three quarters, excluding Carnival Cruise Lines, are running higher than the prior year at higher prices. Booking volumes for Carnival Cruise Lines during the same period are running behind the prior year at lower prices.

Arison noted, “Our 90,000 global team members are dedicated to delivering an outstanding vacation experience to 10 million guests each year.  The level of quality, variety and innovation available throughout our fleet has never been greater and our guests are reaping the benefits of truly exceptional vacation values. We are working to more broadly communicate that message through stepped up consumer and trade marketing efforts, as well as strengthened engagement of our travel agent partners. We believe these initiatives, combined with slower supply growth, will lead to increased yields.”

 Arison also stated, “In addition, we remain focused on reducing our fuel dependence. By year end, we will achieve a 23 percent cumulative reduction in fuel consumption since 2005 and expect our research and development efforts in fuel saving technologies to continue to bear fruit. We have strengthened our management teams in maritime and technical ship operations and product delivery, as well as marketing and communications. We expect the combination of these efforts will drive improved return on invested capital over time.” 

The company expects full year net revenue yields, on a constant and current dollar basis to be down 2 to 3 percent compared to the prior year, in line with the May guidance. The company also expects full year net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD to be higher by 3.5 to 4.5 percent compared to the prior year on a constant and current dollar basis.

Taking the above factors into consideration, the company forecasts full year 2013 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.45 to $1.65, compared to 2012 non-GAAP diluted earnings of $1.88 per share.

Third Quarter 2013 Outlook

Third quarter constant dollar net revenue yields are expected to be down 3.5 to 4.5 percent compared to the prior year. Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the third quarter are expected to be higher by 8.5 to 9.5 percent on a constant dollar basis compared to the prior year, the majority of which is due to costs associated with the previously announced vessel enhancement initiatives and increased marketing expenses, as well as higher pension plan contributions.    

Based on the above factors, the company expects non-GAAP diluted earnings for the third quarter 2013 to be in the range of $1.25 to $1.33 per share versus 2012 non-GAAP earnings of $1.53 per share.

Selected Key Forecast Metrics

Full Year 2013

Third Quarter 2013

Year over year change:

Current Dollars

Constant Dollars

Current Dollars

Constant Dollars

Net revenue yields

(2.0) to (3.0) %

(2.0) to (3.0) %

(2.0) to (3.0) %

(3.5) to (4.5) %

Net cruise costs excl. fuel / ALBD

3.5  to   4.5 %

3.5 to   4.5 %

9.5  to 10.5 %

8.5   to  9.5 %

		Full Year 2013		Third Quarter 2013
Fuel price per metric ton		$671		$671
Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands)		3,270		810
Currency:   Euro		$1.32 to €1		$1.33 to €1
Sterling		$1.56 to £1		$1.56 to £1

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK). 

Together, these brands operate 102 ships totaling 209,000 lower berths with seven new ships scheduled to be delivered between May 2014 and April 2016.  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.