RCL Forecast

Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) has reduced its earnings forecast for the year by $0.15 per share to a range of $3.10 to $3.30, citing the events in Northern Africa and Japan, which were partially offset by improvements in the company’s other itineraries. The company has also been able to offset higher fuel prices through its hedging strategies as well as the impact of currency exchange rates.

RCL reported net income of $91.6 million, or $0.42 per share, on revenues of $1.7 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to net income of $87.4 million, or $0.40 per share, on revenues of $1.5 billion for the same period last year.

NCL Reports

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has reported a net loss of $10.6 million on revenues of $495.5 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to a net loss of $16.1 million on revenues of $416.5 million for the first quarter of 2010. NCL said it saw increases in both net ticket prices and net onboard spending per passenger day.

Regent Innovations

Generating an average fare of $600 per day per passenger for cruises that average nine days, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is 82 percent sold out for 2011 and sailed full, except for 14 unsold beds, in 2010, according to Mark Conroy, president and CEO of the brand.

But the per diem has to support more complimentary offerings, ranging from free airfare to one-night pre-hotel stays and unlimited shore excursions.

Regent has also announced additional updates to its multi-million dollar, fleetwide Seven Seas Signature upgrades.

And there is more: Cruise Industry News is comparing net ticket and onboard revenues for Carnival, Royal and Norwegian; is a Korean start-up for real; Costa Crociere reports 2010 results; the drug battle is said to be moving from Mexico to Central America; Chinese authorities are clamping down on conspicuous luxury consumption; and with rising labor wages in Asia, will seafarers be affected?

For the full reports, please read the May 6, 2011 edition of Cruise Industry News, the Newsletter, click here to subscribe