Carnival Corp & PLC (CCL) stock prices were down by 4.69% as of the market closing on July 16th 2021, bringing the price per share down to USD$20.92 at the end of the trading day. Subsequent premarket fluctuations have seen the stock fall by another 4.45%, bringing it down to USD$19.99.
Seabourn Ovation
July 14th 2021 saw the company announce the opening of the sale of its serious of new itineraries for Seabourn Ovation, which is expected to commence operation out of Miami between November 2021 and April 2022. This will coincide with the ship’s first-ever stop at a United States port on November 18th 2021. This will make the first Caribbean cruise for the Seabourn Ovation, which will start with three 11-day voyages from Miami, where it will also conclude. Trips will depart on November and December of 2021.
Forecasted Itineraries
The ship will go on to explore the Panama Canal and areas in Central America between December 2021 and March 2022. January 30th 2022 will see Seabourn Ovation set sail to Centra America with four roundtrip voyages departing from Miami. Customers who book one of the several new itineraries by August 31st 2021 will be granted Shipboard Credit of up to USD$1000, or up to USD$2000 in Shipboard Credit for a Penthouse or Premium Suite.
Post-Pandemic Operations
With the world’s continued efforts towards universal immunizations against the coronavirus pandemic, the company is keen to see the persistent easing of mobility restrictions around the globe. With more than 50% of the company’s capacity scheduled to resume sailing by Fall of 2021, CCL is hopeful to make a recovery from the devastating effects of the onset of the pandemic. Promisingly, bookings for 2022 are higher than just before the pandemic, with pent-up demand having burgeoned.
Continued Effects of Pandemic
The momentum generated, however, has recently been slowing down. This is largely due to an official announcement by the Government of Florida that denies cruise ship operators from enforcing passengers to show proof of vaccinations. This could result in the implementing of mandatory Covid-19 travel insurance, which would adversely affect demand. The company is keen to see the continued easing of restrictions on travel and mobility.
Future Outlook for CCL
With the world hurtling towards an end to the global coronavirus pandemic, CCL is poised to capitalize on the return of the global economy to pre-pandemic levels. Investors are hopeful that the company will be able to ramp up its operations even in light of partial removals of restrictions, with the eventual resumption of normal operations bringing in unprecedented growth as a result of long-term, pent-up demand.
