MIAMI — Carnival Corp. says its forward bookings for the first nine months of 2017 are “well ahead” of 2016, at considerably higher prices. Booking volumes and yields picked up in September 2016 and have been trending upward ever since, says the cruise company.

“We enjoyed strong momentum in booking patterns throughout 2016 and therefore are in a stronger booked position entering the new year at higher prices as a result of our ongoing efforts to increase consideration and demand for our brands,” says Carnival Corporation & plc President and CEO Arnold Donald.

Based on current booking trends, the company expects full year 2017 net revenue yields to be up 2.5% compared to the prior year.

“We are anticipating another solid year of operational improvement in 2017,” added Donald, despite the “unusual and significant impact of fuel and currency working against us” simultaneously.
Carnival Corp. had the most profitable year in its history as well as record fourth quarter earnings, according to the company’s Q4 and full-year results. Net income for the year was US$2.8 billion, compared to $1.8 billion in 2015. Revenues for the year were $16.4 billion, up $0.7 billion from 2015.

“This continued strong performance is a credit to the outstanding contributions of our 120,000 employees worldwide who work every day to exceed our guests’ expectations and our thousands of travel agent partners around the globe whose support is crucial to our success,” said Donald.

Highlights during the fourth quarter included the debut of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista. Holland America’s Koningsdam also made its North American debut in November while Seabourn took delivery of Seabourn Encore. Carnival Corporation also signed a memorandum of agreement with Meyer Werft for three new 180,000-ton cruise ships. Two of the ships are for Carnival Cruise Line and are scheduled for delivery in 2020 and 2022. The third ship is designated for P&O Cruises (UK) and is scheduled for delivery in 2020.