Due to Hurricane Helene, cruise lines scrambled last week to change schedules for more than a dozen ships sailing to/from southeastern U.S. ports and into the Caribbean region. The Florida ports of Tampa, Jacksonville and Port Canaveral were closed for a time. Guests on many ships including those of Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Margaritaville at Sea and others were impacted by schedule changes, missed ports of call, and delays in their return to ports. As of Monday, though, operations are normalizing.
But officials are now watching the potential for an October 1, 2024, strike at U.S. ports from Maine to Texas. As yet, no labor agreement has been reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents businesses operating at the ports. ILA workers resupply both cargo and cruise ships at such ports as Miami, New York, Boston, New Orleans and others.
But in more positive news, Carnival Corporation posted record-setting third quarter 2024 financial earnings and also projected glowing results for full year 2024. Third quarter net income was an increase of more than 60 percent compared to 2023 and third quarter revenues hit an all-time high. "We delivered a phenomenal third quarter, breaking operational records and outperforming across the board," says Josh Weinstein, CEO, Carnival Corporation. "Our strong improvements were led by high-margin, same-ship yield growth, driving a 26 percent improvement in unit operating income, the highest level we have reached in 15 years. We are poised to deliver record operating performance for full year 2024."
More Cruise News
MSC Cruises has unveiled 19 dining options for the new MSC World America when it enters service next year. Those include a new Italian-focused Eataly restaurant at sea with an open kitchen. Plus, the ship will offer four main restaurants, other specialty restaurants, two buffet venues, and two exclusive venues for guests in the MSC Yacht Club. Separately, today Travel Agent published an article with our insight about dining on board Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, as well as an update about what's planned in the ship's drydock revitalization later this year.
In luxury line news, sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor reports that Cunard Line launched a new package that allows travelers to couple their cruise with a London pre- or post-cruise stay at The Londoner Hotel. Also, Silversea’s Silver Nova, launched in 2023, has debuted in the Asia and Pacific region this week and will sail there through April 2025.
Huna Totem Corporation (HTC), the Alaska Native village corporation that owns and operates the cruise ship destinations Icy Strait Point and Port Klawock, as well as a new cruise terminal in Whittier, AK, has formed the Huna Totem Corporation Tourism Advisory Board. That includes well-known travel and cruise industry experts—including Charlie Ball, Susan Bell, Craig Milan and Howard Sherman. They’ll help guide the company’s tourism strategy and initiatives. In addition, Susan Bell has joined Huna Totem as vice president of strategic initiatives.
Celestyal Cruises launched a new guide for travel advisors; it outlines the earning opportunities available to advisors when they pre-book onboard extras for their clients. In addition, Quark Expeditions named David Marathakis as director of sales for the Americas. Randolph TenEyck will also become Quark's area sales director for the eastern United States.
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