Carnival Corp & plc Fourth Quarter Earnings

Carnival Corporation & plc Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings MIAMI, Dec. 21, 2010 -- Carnival Corporation & plc today reports earnings for the fourth quarter and full year ended November 30, 2010. The earnings of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc have been consolidated, and this statement includes consolidated results on a U.S. GAAP basis. 4Q and Full Year Highlights - 4Q revenues increased by $215m to $3.5b versus $3.3b in the prior year, driven by a 4.9% capacity increase and higher revenue yields - 4Q net revenue yields in constant dollars increased 3.9% compared to the prior year, which was better than September guidance of up 2.5 to 3.5% compared to the prior year - 4Q was impacted by recently announced voyage disruptions, which reduced earnings by $0.07 per share - Excluding fuel and voyage disruptions, constant dollar net cruise costs per available lower berth day ("ALBD") were down 1.1% - 4Q earnings per share (diluted) increased almost 30% to $0.31, compared to $0.24 for 4Q 2009 - Full year earnings per share (diluted) of $2.47, compared to $2.24 for the prior year 2011 Outlook - Since last September, booking volumes continued to be strong and prices for those bookings are higher than last year - Net revenue yields on a constant dollar basis for full year 2011 are expected to increase by 3 to 4% - Net cruise costs per ALBD excluding fuel for full year 2011 are expected to be flat compared with 2010 on a constant dollar basis - Forecasted fuel costs for the full year 2011 are expected to increase $134m compared to 2010, costing $0.17 per share - Full year 2011 earnings per share (diluted) expected to be in the range of $2.90 to $3.10, compared to $2.47 for 2010 - 1Q 2011 earnings per share (diluted) expected to be in the range of $0.15 to $0.19, compared to $0.22 in 1Q 2010. The 1Q 2010 included the favorable impact of $0.10 per share of unusual items Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Micky Arison commenting on these results: "All-in-all, 2010 was an encouraging year with improved business trends from a gradually recovering economy. We achieved an 11 percent increase in net income on 7 percent higher revenues. We recovered almost 3 points of revenue yield (constant dollars) from 2009's levels, while improved processes and efficiencies led to a 3 percent reduction in unit costs excluding fuel." "Cash from operations increased 14 percent to reach $3.8 billion, more than enough to fund our expansion program which peaked this year at a capital investment of $3.6 billion. We also reinstated the dividend early in 2010 at an initial rate of $0.10 per quarter." "Booking trends have continued to improve for both our North American and European brands, particularly for our peak summer season. We are optimistic these positive trends are an indicator of a strong wave season, our heaviest booking period which begins in early January. Given the recent cold weather and snow, particularly in the Northern U.S. and Europe, there is no better time to book a cruise vacation." "Based on the above guidance, we estimate our cash from operations will exceed $4 billion in 2011, while our capital investment commitments decrease to $2.6 billion. We expect to generate significant free cash flow in 2011 and beyond, which should provide us ample opportunities to return additional cash to shareholders over time." Analyst conference call The company has scheduled a conference call with analysts at 3:00 p.m. GMT (10:00 a.m. EST) today to discuss its 2010 fourth quarter and full year earnings. This call can be listened to live, and additional information can be obtained, via Carnival Corporation & plc's Web site at http://www.carnivalcorp.com and http://www.carnivalplc.com. Carnival Corporation & plc Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Cruises (Australia). Together, these brands operate 98 ships totaling more than 191,000 lower berths with 10 new ships scheduled to be delivered between March 2011 and May 2014. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices. Carnival Corporation & plc Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings MIAMI, Dec. 21, 2010 -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) reported net income of $248 million, with earnings per share increasing almost 30 percent to $0.31 diluted EPS, on revenues of $3.5 billion for its fourth quarter ended November 30, 2010. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $193 million, or $0.24 diluted EPS, on revenues of $3.3 billion. Earnings per share in the fourth quarter was just $0.01 below the company's September guidance despite the recently announced voyage disruptions, which reduced earnings by $0.07 per share. The company reported net income for the full year ended November 30, 2010 of $2.0 billion, or $2.47 diluted EPS, compared to net income of $1.8 billion, or $2.24 diluted EPS, for the prior year. Revenues for the full year 2010 were $14.5 billion compared to $13.5 billion for the prior year. Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO, commenting on full year results said, "All-in-all, 2010 was an encouraging year with improved business trends from a gradually recovering economy. We achieved an 11 percent increase in net income on 7 percent higher revenues. We recovered almost 3 points of revenue yield (constant dollars) from 2009's levels, while improved processes and efficiencies led to a 3 percent reduction in unit costs excluding fuel." Arison added, "Cash from operations increased 14 percent to reach $3.8 billion, more than enough to fund our expansion program which peaked this year at a capital investment of $3.6 billion. We also reinstated the dividend early in 2010 at an initial rate of $0.10 per quarter." Key metrics for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the prior year were as follows: - On a constant dollar basis net revenue yields (net revenue per available lower berth day) increased 3.9 percent for 4Q 2010, which was better than our September guidance of up 2.5 to 3.5 percent. Gross revenue yields in current dollars increased 1.5 percent. - Excluding fuel and voyage disruptions, net cruise costs per available lower berth day ("ALBD") for 4Q 2010 were down 1.1 percent on a constant dollar basis. Gross cruise costs per ALBD in current dollars increased 0.8 percent. - Fuel prices increased over 6 percent to $488 per metric ton for 4Q 2010 from $458 per metric ton in 4Q 2009 and was slightly higher than the September guidance of $479 per metric ton. During the fourth quarter, Cunard Line's 2,068-passenger Queen Elizabeth was delivered and was christened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a much anticipated ceremony in Southampton, England. This was the sixth successful ship delivery in 2010 furthering the company's strategy to expand its global presence. Today, P&O Cruises (Australia) held the inaugural celebration of Pacific Pearl, expanding its fleet to four ships. In addition, the company took advantage of attractive shipyard prices to order three more vessels during the year, bringing the company's order book to 10 ships to be delivered through 2014. 2011 Outlook Since last September, booking volumes continued to be strong and prices for those bookings are higher than last year. At this point in time, cumulative advance bookings for 2011 are at higher prices with slightly lower occupancies versus last year. Based on these booking trends, the company forecasts a 3 to 4 percent increase in constant dollar net revenue yields for the full year 2011. Looking forward Arison noted, "Booking trends have continued to improve for both our North American and European brands, particularly for our peak summer season. We are optimistic these positive trends are an indicator of a strong wave season, our heaviest booking period which begins in early January. Given the recent cold weather and snow, particularly in the Northern U.S. and Europe, there is no better time to book a cruise vacation." The company expects net cruise costs per ALBD excluding fuel for the full year 2011 to be flat compared to the prior year on a constant dollar basis. Based on current spot prices for fuel, forecasted fuel costs for the full year are expected to increase $134 million compared to 2010, costing $0.17 per share. This is forecasted to be partially offset by favorable movements in currency exchange rates worth $0.04 per share. Taking all the above factors into consideration, the company forecasts full year 2011 earnings per share to be in the range of $2.90 to $3.10 fully diluted, compared to $2.47 for 2010. Arison added, "Based on the above guidance, we estimate our cash from operations will exceed $4 billion in 2011, while our capital investment commitments decrease to $2.6 billion. We expect to generate significant free cash flow in 2011 and beyond, which should provide us ample opportunities to return additional cash to shareholders over time." First Quarter 2011 First quarter constant dollar net revenue yields are expected to increase by approximately 2 percent compared to the prior year. The company expects improved net revenue yields as the year progresses. Net cruise costs per ALBD excluding fuel for the first quarter are expected to be up 3 to 4 percent compared to the prior year on a constant dollar basis due primarily to the $44 million gain from the sale of P&O Cruises' (UK) Artemis in the first quarter of 2010. Excluding the Artemis gain and fuel, net cruise costs per ALBD for the first quarter are expected to be flat to up 1 percent on a constant dollar basis. Forecasted fuel costs for the first quarter are expected to increase $25 million compared to the prior year, costing $0.03 per share. Based on current fuel prices and currency exchange rates, the company expects fully diluted earnings for the first quarter 2011 to be in the range of $0.15 to $0.19 per share, down from $0.22 per share in 2010. The first quarter of 2010 included the favorable impact of $0.10 per share of unusual items. Selected Key Forecast Metrics Full Year 2011 First Quarter 2011 Current Constant Current Constant Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Change in: Net revenue yields 3.5 to 4.5 % 3.0 to 4.0 % 0 to 1.0 % 1.5 to 2.5% Net cruise cost /ALBD 1.5 to 2.5 % 1.0 to 2.0 % 2.0 to 3.0 % 3.5 to 4.5% Net cruise cost excl. fuel /ALBD 0 to 1.0 % (0.5) to 0.5 % 1.5 to 2.5 % 3.0 to 4.0% Full Year 2011 First Quarter 2011 Fuel price / metric ton $527 $526 Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands) 3,450 835 Currency Euro $1.32 to euro 1 $1.32 to euro 1 Sterling $1.58 to 1 UK Pound $1.58 to 1 UK Pound The company has scheduled a conference call with analysts at 10:00 a.m. EST (3:00 p.m. GMT) today to discuss its 2010 fourth quarter and full year earnings. This call can be listened to live, and additional information can be obtained, via Carnival Corporation & plc's Web site at http://www.carnivalcorp.com and http://www.carnivalplc.com. Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Cruises (Australia). Together, these brands operate 98 ships totaling more than 191,000 lower berths with 10 new ships scheduled to be delivered between March 2011 and May 2014. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices. Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this earnings release are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to Carnival Corporation & plc, including some statements concerning future results, outlooks, plans, goals and other events which have not yet occurred. These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like "will," "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "forecast," "future," "intend," "plan," "estimate" and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause Carnival Corporation & plc's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this earnings release. Forward-looking statements include those statements which may impact, among other things, the forecasting of Carnival Corporation & plc's earnings per share, net revenue yields, booking levels, pricing, occupancy, operating, financing and tax costs, fuel expenses, costs per available lower berth day, estimates of ship depreciable lives and residual values, liquidity, goodwill and trademark fair values and outlook. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the international political climate, armed conflicts, terrorist and pirate attacks, vessel seizures, and threats thereof, and other world events affecting the safety and security of travel; competition from and overcapacity in the cruise ship or land-based vacation industries; accidents, the spread of contagious diseases and threats thereof, adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, and other incidents affecting the health, safety, security and satisfaction of guests and crew; adverse publicity concerning the cruise industry in general, or Carnival Corporation & plc in particular, including any adverse impact that cruising may have on the marine environment; changes in and compliance with laws and regulations relating to the protection of persons with disabilities, employment, environment, health, safety, security, tax and other regulatory issues under which Carnival Corporation & plc operates; increases in Carnival Corporation & plc's fuel prices from adopting International Maritime Organization regulations that require the use of fuels with lower sulfur content for our ships; economic, market and political factors that are beyond our control, which could increase our operating, financing and other costs; the ability of Carnival Corporation & plc to implement its shipbuilding programs and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments on terms that are favorable or consistent with Carnival Corporation & plc's expectations; as Carnival Corporation & plc's fleet increases in age its repair and maintenance expenses and refurbishment costs will increase; the continued strength of Carnival Corporation & plc's cruise brands and its ability to implement its brand strategies; additional risks associated with Carnival Corporation & plc's international operations not generally applicable to its U.S. operations; the pace of development in geographic regions in which Carnival Corporation & plc tries to expand its business; whether Carnival Corporation & plc's future operating cash flow will be sufficient to fund future obligations and whether it will be able to obtain financing, if necessary, in sufficient amounts and on terms that are favorable or consistent with its expectations; Carnival Corporation & plc counterparties' ability to perform; continuing financial viability of Carnival Corporation & plc's travel agent distribution system, air service providers and other key vendors in its supply chain and reductions in the availability of, and increases in the prices for, the services and products provided by these vendors; Carnival Corporation & plc's decisions to self-insure against various risks or its inability to obtain insurance for certain risks at reasonable rates; disruptions and other damages to Carnival Corporation & plc's information technology networks, operations and breaches in data security; loss of key personnel or Carnival Corporation & plc's ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel; violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, UK Bribery Act or anti-money laundering regulations; union disputes and other employee relation issues; lack of continuing availability of attractive, convenient and safe port destinations; and risks associated with the dual listed company structure. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange rules, Carnival Corporation & plc expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this release, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2009 ---- ---- Revenues Cruise Passenger tickets $2,666 (a) $2,495 (a) Onboard and other 791 753 Tour and other 40 34 --- --- 3,497 3,282 ----- ----- Costs and Expenses Operating Cruise Commissions, transportation and other 561 (a) 524 (a) Onboard and other 124 116 Payroll and related 411 393 Fuel 413 378 Food 222 215 Other ship operating 587 553 Tour and other 38 40 --- --- Total 2,356 2,219 Selling and administrative 433 424 Depreciation and amortization 367 345 --- --- 3,156 2,988 ----- ----- Operating Income 341 294 --- --- Nonoperating (Expense) Income Interest income 2 4 Interest expense, net of capitalized interest (93) (99) Other income (expense), net 5 2 --- --- (86) (93) --- --- Income Before Income Taxes 255 201 Income Tax Expense, Net (7) (8) --- --- Net Income $248 $193 ==== ==== Earnings Per Share Basic $0.31 $0.25 ===== ===== Diluted $0.31 $0.24 ===== ===== Dividends Declared Per Share $0.10 ===== Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Basic 789 787 === === Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted 801 804 Twelve Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2009 Revenues Cruise Passenger tickets $11,084 (a) $10,288 (a) Onboard and other 3,104 2,885 Tour and other 281 287 --- --- 14,469 13,460 ------ ------ Costs and Expenses Operating Cruise Commissions, transportation and other 2,272 (a) 2,220 (a) Onboard and other 474 461 Payroll and related 1,611 1,498 Fuel 1,622 1,156 Food 869 839 Other ship operating 2,032 1,997 Tour and other 212 236 --- --- Total 9,092 8,407 Selling and administrative 1,614 1,590 Depreciation and amortization 1,416 1,309 ----- ----- 12,122 11,306 ------ ------ Operating Income 2,347 2,154 ----- ----- Nonoperating (Expense) Income Interest income 12 14 Interest expense, net of capitalized interest (378) (380) Other income (expense), net (2) 18 --- --- (368) (348) ---- ---- Income Before Income Taxes 1,979 1,806 Income Tax Expense, Net (1) (16) --- --- Net Income $1,978 $1,790 ====== ====== Earnings Per Share Basic $2.51 $2.27 ===== ===== Diluted $2.47 $2.24 ===== ===== Dividends Declared Per Share $0.40 ===== Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Basic 788 787 === === Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted 805 804 (a) During the three months ended November 30, 2010, we changed the classification of our port costs that vary with guest head counts to a gross presentation from a net presentation, which resulted in an increase in both passenger ticket revenues and commissions, transportation and other costs. The amounts included on a gross basis in passenger ticket revenues and commissions, transportation and other costs were $90 million and $346 and $76 million and $303 million for the three and twelve months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (in millions, except par values) November 30, 2010 2009 ---- ---- ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $429 $538 Trade and other receivables, net 248 362 Inventories 320 320 Prepaid expenses and other 247 298 --- --- Total current assets 1,244 1,518 ----- ----- Property and Equipment, Net 30,967 29,870 Goodwill 3,320 3,451 Other Intangibles 1,320 1,346 Other Assets 639 650 --- --- $37,490 $36,835 ======= ======= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Short-term borrowings $740 $135 Current portion of long-term debt 613 815 Accounts payable 503 568 Accrued liabilities and other 1,094 874 Customer deposits 2,805 2,575 ----- ----- Total current liabilities 5,755 4,967 ----- ----- Long-Term Debt 8,011 9,097 Other Long-Term Liabilities and Deferred Income 693 732 Shareholders' Equity Common stock of Carnival Corporation; $0.01 par value; 1,960 shares authorized; 646 shares at 2010 and 644 shares at 2009 Issued 6 6 Ordinary shares of Carnival plc; $1.66 par value; 214 shares at 2010 and 213 shares at 2009 issued 355 354 Additional paid-in capital 8,094 7,920 Retained earnings 17,224 15,561 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (254) 462 Treasury stock; 39 shares at 2010 and 24 shares at 2009 of Carnival Corporation and 31 shares at 2010 and 46 shares at 2009 of Carnival plc, at cost (2,394) (2,264) ------ ------ Total shareholders' equity 23,031 22,039 ------ ------ $37,490 $36,835 ======= ======= CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC OTHER INFORMATION Three Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2009 ---- ---- STATISTICAL INFORMATION Passengers carried (in thousands) 2,259 2,136 Occupancy percentage 103.8% 103.2% Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands) 846 826 Fuel cost per metric ton (a) $488 $458 Currencies U.S. dollar to euro 1 $1.35 $1.47 U.S. dollar to 1 UK Pound $1.58 $1.63 CASH FLOW INFORMATION (in millions) Cash from operations $734 $712 Capital expenditures $741 $978 Dividends paid $79 Twelve Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2009 ---- ---- STATISTICAL INFORMATION Passengers carried (in thousands) 9,147 8,519 Occupancy percentage 105.6% 105.5% Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands) 3,319 3,184 Fuel cost per metric ton (a) $489 $363 Currencies U.S. dollar to euro 1 $1.33 $1.39 U.S. dollar to 1 UK Pound $1.55 $1.56 CASH FLOW INFORMATION (in millions) Cash from operations $3,818 $3,342 Capital expenditures $3,579 $3,380 Dividends paid $237 $314 (a) Fuel cost per metric ton is calculated by dividing the cost of fuel by the number of metric tons consumed. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES Gross and net revenue yields were computed by dividing the gross and net revenues, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows (in millions, except ALBDs and yields) (a): Three Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2010 Constant 2009 ---- Dollar ---- ------ Cruise revenues Passenger tickets $2,666 $2,741 $2,495 Onboard and other 791 805 753 --- --- --- Gross cruise revenues 3,457 3,546 3,248 Less cruise costs Commissions, transportation and other (561) (579) (524) Onboard and other (124) (125) (116) ---- ---- ---- Net cruise revenues $2,772 $2,842 $2,608 ====== ====== ====== ALBDs (b) 16,824,720 16,824,720 16,042,056 ========== ========== ========== Gross revenue yields $205.48 $210.80 $202.42 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 1.5% 4.1% === === Net revenue yields $164.74 $168.92 $162.57 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 1.3% 3.9% === === Net passenger ticket revenue yields $125.07 $128.52 $122.91 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 1.8% 4.6% === === Net onboard and other revenue yields $39.67 $40.41 $39.67 ====== ====== ====== % increase vs. 2009 0.0% 1.9% ------------------- === === Twelve Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2010 Constant 2009 ---- Dollar ---- ------ Cruise revenues Passenger tickets $11,084 $11,194 $10,288 Onboard and other 3,104 3,117 2,885 ----- ----- ----- Gross cruise revenues 14,188 14,311 13,173 Less cruise costs Commissions, transportation and other (2,272) (2,287) (2,220) Onboard and other (474) (474) (461) ---- ---- ---- Net cruise revenues $11,442 $11,550 $10,492 ======= ======= ======= ALBDs (b) 66,545,164 66,545,164 62,105,916 ========== ========== ========== Gross revenue yields $213.21 $215.06 $212.10 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 0.5% 1.4% === === Net revenue yields $171.94 $173.57 $168.94 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 1.8% 2.7% === === Net passenger ticket revenue yields $132.41 $133.86 $129.91 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 1.9% 3.0% === === Net onboard and other revenue yields $39.52 $39.72 $39.03 ====== ====== ====== % increase vs. 2009 1.3% 1.8% ------------------- === === CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC OTHER INFORMATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED) Gross cruise costs, net cruise costs and net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD were computed by dividing the gross cruise costs, net cruise costs and net cruise costs excluding fuel, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows (in millions, except ALBDs and costs per ALBD) (a): Three Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2010 Constant 2009 ---- Dollar ---- ------ Cruise operating expenses $2,318 $2,362 $2,179 Cruise selling and administrative expenses (c) 425 434 416 --- --- --- Gross cruise costs 2,743 2,796 2,595 Less cruise costs included in net cruise revenues Commissions, transportation and other (561) (579) (524) Onboard and other (124) (125) (116) ---- ---- ---- Net cruise costs 2,058 2,092 1,955 Less fuel (413) (413) (378) ---- ---- ---- Net cruise costs excluding fuel $1,645 $1,679 $1,577 ====== ====== ====== ALBDs (b) 16,824,720 16,824,720 16,042,056 ========== ========== ========== Gross cruise costs per ALBD $163.03 $166.17 $161.66 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 0.8% 2.8% === === Net cruise costs per ALBD $122.30 $124.29 $121.82 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 0.4% 2.0% === === Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD $97.77 $99.77 $98.22 ====== ====== ====== % (decrease) increase vs. 2009 (0.5)% 1.6% --------------------- ===== === Twelve Months Ended November 30, ------------ 2010 2010 Constant 2009 ---- Dollar ---- ------ Cruise operating expenses $8,880 $8,911 $8,171 Cruise selling and administrative expenses (c) 1,583 1,587 1,558 ----- ----- ----- Gross cruise costs 10,463 10,498 9,729 Less cruise costs included in net cruise revenues Commissions, transportation and other (2,272) (2,287) (2,220) Onboard and other (474) (474) (461) ---- ---- ---- Net cruise costs 7,717 7,737 7,048 Less fuel (1,622) (1,622) (1,156) ------ ------ ------ Net cruise costs excluding fuel $6,095 $6,115 $5,892 ====== ====== ====== ALBDs (b) 66,545,164 66,545,164 62,105,916 ========== ========== ========== Gross cruise costs per ALBD $157.23 $157.77 $156.64 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 0.4% 0.7% === === Net cruise costs per ALBD $115.96 $116.28 $113.48 ======= ======= ======= % increase vs. 2009 2.2% 2.5% === === Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD $91.59 $91.91 $94.86 ====== ====== ====== % (decrease) increase vs. 2009 (3.4)% (3.1)% --------------------- ===== ===== (a) We use net cruise revenues per ALBD ("net revenue yields"), net cruise costs per ALBD and net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD as significant non-GAAP financial measures of our cruise segment financial performance. These measures enable us to separate the impact of predictable capacity changes from the more unpredictable rate changes that affect our business. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide a better gauge to measure our revenue and cost performance instead of the standard U.S. GAAP-based financial measures. Net revenue yields are commonly used in the cruise industry to measure a company's cruise segment revenue performance and for revenue management purposes. We use "net cruise revenues" rather than "gross cruise revenues" to calculate net revenue yields. We believe that net cruise revenues is a more meaningful measure in determining revenue yield than gross cruise revenues because it reflects the cruise revenues earned net of our most significant variable costs, which are travel agent commissions, cost of air and other transportation, certain other variable direct costs associated with onboard and other revenues and credit card fees. Substantially all of our remaining cruise costs are largely fixed, except for the impact of changing prices, once our ship capacity levels have been determined. CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC OTHER INFORMATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED) --------------------------------------- Net passenger ticket revenues reflect gross cruise revenues, net of (1) onboard and other revenues, (2) commissions, transportation and other costs and (3) onboard and other cruise costs. Net onboard and other revenues reflect gross cruise revenues, net of (1) passenger ticket revenues, (2) commissions, transportation and other costs and (3) onboard and other cruise costs. Net passenger ticket revenue yields and net onboard and other revenue yields are computed by dividing net passenger ticket revenues and net onboard and other revenues, respectively, by ALBDs. Net cruise costs per ALBD and net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD are the most significant measures we use to monitor our ability to control our cruise segment costs rather than gross cruise costs per ALBD. We exclude the same variable costs that are included in the calculation of net cruise revenues to calculate net cruise costs with and without fuel to avoid duplicating these variable costs in our non-GAAP financial measures. We have not provided estimates of future gross revenue yields or future gross cruise costs per ALBD because the quantitative reconciliations of forecasted gross cruise revenues to forecasted net cruise revenues or forecasted gross cruise costs to forecasted net cruise costs would include a significant amount of uncertainty in projecting the costs deducted to arrive at this measure. As such, management does not believe that this reconciling information would be meaningful. In addition, because a significant portion of our operations utilize the euro, sterling and Australian dollar to measure their results and financial condition, the translation of those operations to our U.S. dollar reporting currency results in decreases in reported U.S. dollar revenues and expenses if the U.S. dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies and increases in reported U.S. dollar revenues and expenses if the U.S. dollar weakens against these foreign currencies. Accordingly, we also monitor and report our non-GAAP financial measures assuming the 2010 periods' currency exchange rates have remained constant with the 2009 periods' rates, or on a "constant dollar basis," in order to remove the impact of changes in exchange rates on our non-U.S. dollar functional currency cruise operations. We believe that this is a useful measure since it facilitates a comparative view of the growth of our business in a fluctuating currency exchange rate environment. There are no specific rules for determining our non-GAAP current and constant dollar financial measures and, accordingly, it is possible that they may not be exactly comparable to the like-kind information presented by other cruise companies, which is a potential risk associated with using these measures to compare us to other cruise companies. (b) ALBDs is a standard measure of passenger capacity for the period, which we use to perform rate and capacity variance analyses to determine the main non-capacity driven factors that cause our cruise revenues and expenses to vary. ALBDs assume that each cabin we offer for sale accommodates two passengers and is computed by multiplying passenger capacity by revenue-producing ship operating days in the period. (c) For the three and twelve months ended November 30, 2010, selling and administrative expenses were $433 million ($424 million in 2009) and $1.6 billion ($1.6 billion in 2009), respectively. For the three and twelve months ended November 30, 2010, selling and administrative expenses were comprised of cruise selling and administrative expenses of $425 million ($416 million in 2009) and $1.6 billion ($1.6 billion in 2009) and Tour and Other selling and administrative expenses of $8 million ($8 million in 2009) and $31 million ($32 million in 2009), respectively. SOURCE Carnival plc CONTACT: MEDIA: Tim Gallagher, +1-305-599-2600, ext. 16000, or INVESTOR RELATIONS: Beth Roberts, +1-305-406-4832