Carnival Sets Sail With Record Profits and Unprecedented Demand
Despite some grumbling over a loyalty program overhaul at Carnival Cruise Line, the brand’s parent company, Carnival Corporation, is cruising full steam ahead.
On June 24, 2025, the cruise giant announced that more people are booking trips, and even locking them in further ahead, than ever before.
In fact, Carnival Corporation had achieved record-setting second quarter results, including the highest customer deposits in its history and the strongest net yields in nearly two decades.
It also revealed a record $8.5 billion in customer deposits and said its booking pace is now the furthest out on record, with 2026 tracking at historically high pricing.
That demand helped Carnival Corporation outperform its own projections, with adjusted net income more than tripling compared to the same period in 2024.
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Revenue hit a record $6.3 billion, thanks to strong last-minute bookings and passengers spending more money once onboard.
“Our amazing team delivered yet another phenomenal quarter, more than tripling adjusted net income driven by record net yields and strong close-in demand,” said Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein.
He added that despite inflation and global uncertainty, “We also remain on track for a strong 4 percent net yield growth in the second half.”
Occupancy across company’s global fleet stayed high, with ships sailing above 100 percent full.
And the success wasn’t limited to one cruise line. Carnival Corporation, parent to eight brands operating around the world, says strong bookings are being seen across the board.
Cruise Lines Drive Momentum
Carnival Cruise Line, which has made news recently for revamping its loyalty program and angering its most loyal passengers, continues to be Carnival Corporation’s most recognizable name, especially among US cruisers.
The cruise line is preparing to debut Celebration Key, a new private Bahamian destination opening in July 2025 with multiple areas designed for beach days, family play zones, and exclusive experiences.
The company is also growing its fleet with two new Excel-class ships, Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale, set to debut in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Looking further ahead, the line is working on an all-new platform, Project Ace, with the first ship scheduled for delivery in 2029. It is expected to hold up to 8,000 passengers.
Princess Cruises, which introduced the new Sphere class when it debuted Sun Princess in 2024, will be bringing her sister ship, Star Princess to the seas in late 2025.
It’s set to sail the Mediterranean in the fall before heading to the Caribbean for winter 2025, with standout offerings like a glass-enclosed Dome and a multi-level dining room with views of the wake.
Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation’s ultra-luxury line Seabourn, which sadly lost one of its esteemed captains recently, has leaned into small-ship expedition cruising.
Newer ships like Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit are offering high-end sailings to destinations like Antarctica and the South Pacific.
Its high-end sister cruise line, Cunard, is also enjoying the spoils of increased bookings, spurred by the introduction of the Queen Anne in 2024, its first new ship in over a decade.
More changes are on the horizon, as well. AIDA Cruises has ordered two midsize ships, set to launch in 2030 and 2031, marking the start of a new class for German cruisers.
Carnival Corporation is also the parent to P&O Cruises, which recently dismantled its Australia division, moving two of its ships into Carnival Cruise Line; Holland America Line; and Costa Cruises.
Carnival Sets Sail With Record Profits and Unprecedented Demand