Carnival Corporation & plc Third Quarter Ea...

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC REPORTS THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS Carnival Corporation & plc today reports earnings for the third quarter ended August 31, 2009. The earnings of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc have been consolidated, and this statement includes consolidated results on a U.S. GAAP basis. Q3 Highlights * Q3 revenues decreased by $675m to $4.1bn versus $4.8bn in the prior year, driven by lower cruise ticket prices and onboard spending and unfavorable currency exchange rates * Q3 net revenue yields in constant dollars decreased 12.3% (down 16.5% in current dollars) which was better than June guidance of down 14 to 16% compared to the prior year * Fuel price decreased 39% to $405 per metric ton versus $666 per metric ton in the prior year * Q3 earnings per share (diluted) of $1.33 compared to $1.65 in the prior year Outlook * Since June, booking volumes for the remainder of 2009 and first half of 2010 are running 19% ahead of the prior year with ticket prices at lower levels * The company now expects net revenue yields on a constant dollar basis for full year 2009 to decrease 10% (14% in current dollars) at the better end of its previous guidance range of down 10 to 12% * Net cruise costs excluding fuel for the full year 2009 are expected to be in line with the prior year on a constant dollar basis * Full year 2009 earnings per share (diluted) expected to be in the range of $2.16 to $2.20 versus previous guidance range of $2.00 to $2.10 * Q4 earnings per share (diluted) expected to be in the range of $0.16 to $0.20 versus $0.47 in Q4 2008 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Micky Arison commenting on these results: "Given the global economic environment earning more than $1 billion this quarter was quite an achievement and is a testament to the power of our global brands. Our net income for the quarter exceeded our previous guidance, as a result of better than expected pricing on close-in bookings worldwide during the seasonally strong summer period." "While the environment for travel remains challenging, we are encouraged by the strength we have had in booking volumes throughout the year. Consumers are responding to the attractive pricing and product offerings our brands have in the marketplace. We have begun to experience an extension in the booking window as consumers realize the best value by booking early. For consumers, the value proposition has never been greater than it is now, so prospective vacationers looking for the best price should act quickly." MEDIA CONTACTS INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT Carnival Corporation & plc Carnival Corporation & plc Tim Gallagher Beth Roberts 001 305 599 2600, ext. 16000 001 305 406 4832 Analyst conference call The company has scheduled a conference call with analysts at 3:00 p.m. BST (10:00 a.m. EDT) today to discuss its 2009 third quarter earnings. This call can be listened to live, and additional information can be obtained, via Carnival Corporation & plc's Web site at www.carnivalcorp.com and 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 and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia. Together, these brands operate 93 ships totaling more than 180,000 lower berths with 12 new ships scheduled to be delivered between January 2010 and May 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the leading tour companies 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 Third Quarter Earnings MIAMI Sept. 22 -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) reported net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.33 diluted EPS, on revenues of $4.1 billion for its third quarter ended August 31, 2009. Net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $1.3 billion, or $1.65 diluted EPS, on revenues of $4.8 billion. Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO, commenting on third quarter results said, "given the global economic environment earning more than $1 billion this quarter was quite an achievement and is a testament to the power of our global brands. Our net income for the quarter exceeded our previous guidance, as a result of better than expected pricing on close-in bookings worldwide during the seasonally strong summer period." Key metrics for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the prior year were as follows: * On a constant dollar basis net revenue yields (net revenue per available lower berth day) decreased 12.3 percent for Q3 2009 which was better than our June guidance of down 14 to 16 percent. Net revenue yields in current dollars decreased 16.5 percent due to unfavorable currency exchange rates. Gross revenue yields in current dollars decreased 17.6 percent. * Excluding fuel, net cruise costs per available lower berth day ("ALBD") for Q3 2009 were 0.7 percent lower on a constant dollar basis. Excluding the impact of the $26 million insurance settlement received during the same period last year, net cruise costs per ALBD excluding fuel were 2.4 percent lower on a constant dollar basis. * Including fuel, net cruise costs per ALBD decreased 11.4 percent on a constant dollar basis (decreased 14.8 percent in current dollars). Gross cruise costs per ALBD decreased 17.1 percent in current dollars. * Fuel price decreased 39 percent to $405 per metric ton for Q3 2009 from $666 per metric ton in Q3 2008 and was in line with the June guidance of $406 per metric ton. Outlook Since June, booking volumes for the remainder of 2009 and the first half of 2010 are running 19 percent ahead of the prior year. Although occupancy levels are catching up with last year they are still slightly behind, with ticket prices for these bookings also at lower levels. "While the environment for travel remains challenging, we are encouraged by the strength we have had in booking volumes throughout the year. Consumers are responding to the attractive pricing and product offerings our brands have in the marketplace. We have begun to experience an extension in the booking window as consumers realize the best value by booking early. For consumers, the value proposition has never been greater than it is now, so prospective vacationers looking for the best price should act quickly," said Arison. Based primarily on the strength in the third quarter, the company now expects full year net revenue yields, on a constant dollar basis, to decrease 10 percent, at the better end of its previous guidance range of down 10 to 12 percent. The company forecasts a 14 percent decline in net revenue yields on a current dollar basis for the full year 2009 compared to 2008 caused by unfavorable movements in currency exchange rates. The company continues to expect net cruise costs excluding fuel for the full year 2009 to be in line with the prior year on a constant dollar basis. Based on current spot prices for fuel, forecasted fuel costs for the full year have increased $40 million since the previous guidance, costing $0.05 per share. This has been partially offset by favorable movements in currency exchange rates worth $0.03 per share. Taking all the above factors into consideration, the company now forecasts full year 2009 earnings per share to be in the range of $2.16 to $2.20, compared to its previous guidance range of $2.00 to $2.10. Fourth Quarter 2009 Fourth quarter constant dollar net revenue yields are expected to decline in the 11 to 13 percent range (down 9 to 11 percent on a current dollar basis). Net cruise costs excluding fuel, for the fourth quarter are expected to be down slightly compared to the prior year on a constant dollar basis. Based on current fuel prices and currency exchange rates, the company expects earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 to be in the range of $0.16 to $0.20 per share, down from $0.47 per share in 2008. In June the company took delivery of Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn's first newbuild in two decades. Just last week, the company took delivery of Carnival Cruise Lines' new flagship, the 3,652- passenger Carnival Dream, the lines' largest ship ever. Both are achieving significant premiums above other vessels in their respective brands. Selected Key Forecast Metrics Full Year 2009 Fourth Quarter 2009 Current Constant Current Constant Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Change in: Net revenue yields (14) % (10) % (9) to (11)% (11) to (13)% Net cruise cost per ALBD (12) % (9) % (2) to (4)% (4) to (6) % Full Year 2009 Fourth Quarter 2009 Fuel price per metric ton $365 $465 Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands) 3,190 830 Currency Euro $1.39 to (euro) 1 $1.46 to (euro) 1 Sterling $1.57 to (pound) 1 $1.67 to (pound) 1 The company has scheduled a conference call with analysts at 10:00 a.m. EDT (3:00 p.m. BST) today to discuss its 2009 third quarter earnings. This call can be listened to live, and additional information can be obtained, via Carnival Corporation & plc's Web site at www.carnivalcorp.com and 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 and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia. Together, these brands operate 93 ships totaling more than 180,000 lower berths with 12 new ships scheduled to be delivered between January 2010 and May 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the leading tour companies 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 and plc's earnings per share, net revenue yields, booking levels, pricing, occupancy, operating, financing and/or tax costs, fuel expenses, costs per available lower berth day, estimates of ship depreciable lives and residual values, liquidity, goodwill and trademark fair values, outlook or business prospects. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic and business conditions, including fuel price increases, high unemployment rates, and declines in the securities, real estate and other markets, and perceptions of these conditions may adversely impact the levels of Carnival Corporation & plc's potential vacationers' discretionary income and net worth and this group's confidence in their country's economy; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro and sterling; the international political climate, armed conflicts, terrorist and pirate attacks and threats thereof, and other world events affecting the safety and security of travel; conditions in the cruise and land-based vacation industries, including competition from other cruise ship operators and providers of other vacation alternatives and overcapacity offered by cruise ship and land-based vacation alternatives; accidents, the spread of contagious diseases, adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, and other incidents (including, but not limited to, ship fires and machinery and equipment failures or improper operation thereof), which could cause, among other things, individual or multiple port closures, injury, death, alteration of cruise itineraries or cancellation of a cruise or series of cruises or tours; adverse publicity concerning the cruise industry in general, or Carnival Corporation & plc in particular; lack of acceptance of new itineraries, products and services by Carnival Corporation & plc's guests; changing consumer preferences; changes in and compliance with laws and regulations relating to employment, environmental, health, safety, security, tax and other regulatory regimes under which Carnival Corporation & plc operate; increases in global fuel demand and pricing, fuel supply disruptions and/or other events on Carnival Corporation & plc fuel and other expenses, liquidity and credit ratings; increases in Carnival Corporation plc's future fuel expenses from implementing approved International Maritime Organization regulations, which require the use of higher priced low sulfur fuels in certain cruising areas, including the proposed establishment of a U.S./ Canadian Emissions Control Area ("ECA"), which will, if established, significantly affect the quality and price of fuel that ships will be required to burn within this ECA; changes in financing and operating costs, including changes in interest rates and food, insurance, payroll and security costs; the ability of Carnival Corporation & plc to implement its shipbuilding programs and ship maintenance, repairs and refurbishments, including ordering additional ships for its cruise brands from European shipyards, on terms that are favorable or consistent with Carnival Corporation & plc's expectations; Carnival Corporation & plc's ability to implement its brand strategies and to continue to operate and expand its business internationally; 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's ability to attract and retain qualified shipboard crew and maintain good relations with employee unions; continuing financial viability of Carnival Corporation & plc's travel agent distribution system, air service providers and cruise shipyards and their subcontractors; availability and pricing of air travel services, especially as a result of significant increases in air travel costs; changes in the global credit markets on Carnival Corporation & plc's counterparty risks, including those associated with its cash equivalents, committed financing facilities, contingent obligations, derivative instruments, insurance contracts and new ship progress payment guarantees; 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; lack of continuing availability of attractive, convenient and safe port destinations; and risks associated with the dual listed company structure, including the uncertainty of its tax status. 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 listing 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 OPERATIONS Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2009 2008 2009 2008 ----- ----- ----- ----- (in millions, except per share data) Revenues Cruise Passenger tickets $3,105 $3,658 $7,566 $8,684 Onboard and other 825 864 2,132 2,309 Other 209 292 253 351 ----- ----- ----- ----- 4,139 4,814 9,951 11,344 ----- ----- ----- ------ Costs and Expenses Operating Cruise Commissions, transportation and other 515 660 1,469 1,743 Onboard and other 131 134 345 380 Payroll and related 387 381 1,105 1,106 Fuel 327 529 778 1,346 Food 223 231 624 648 Other ship operating 498 505 1,444 1,428 Other 145 194 196 256 ----- ----- ----- ----- Total 2,226 2,634 5,961 6,907 Selling and administrative 381 372(a) 1,166 1,222 Depreciation and amortization 336 323 964 936 ----- ----- ----- ----- 2,943 3,329 8,091 9,065 ----- ----- ----- ----- Operating Income 1,196 1,485 1,860 2,279 ----- ----- ----- ----- Nonoperating (Expense) Income Interest income 4 8 10 30 Interest expense, net of capitalized interest (95) (108) (281) (308) Other (expense) income, net (8) 16(b) 6 ----- ----- ----- ----- (99) (100) (255) (272) ----- ----- ----- ----- Income Before Income Taxes 1,097 1,385 1,605 2,007 Income Tax Expense, Net (24)(c) (52)(a)(c) (8) (48) ----- ----- ----- ----- Net Income $1,073 $1,333 $1,597 $1,959 ===== ===== ===== ===== Earnings Per Share Basic $1.36 $1.70 $2.03 $2.49 ===== ===== ===== ===== Diluted $1.33 $1.65 $2.00 $2.43 ===== ===== ===== ===== Dividends Declared Per Share $0.40 $1.20 ===== ===== Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Basic 787 786 787 786 ===== ===== ===== ===== Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted 809 814 809 818 ===== ===== ===== ===== (a) Includes a $26 million gain from insurance settlement and a $7 million related income tax expense. (b) Includes a $15 million gain from the unwinding of a lease out and lease back type transaction. (c) Includes a $10 million income tax benefit in 2009 and a $6 million income tax expense in 2008 related to changes in uncertain income tax position liabilities. CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS August 31, November 30, August 31, 2009 2008 2008 ----- ----- ----- (in millions, except par values) ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $976 $650 $792 Trade and other receivables, net 476 418 642 Inventories 309 315 365 Prepaid expenses and other 337 267 254 --- --- --- Total current assets 2,098 1,650 2,053 ----- ----- ----- Property and Equipment, Net 28,882 26,457 27,735 Goodwill 3,402 3,266 3,500 Trademarks 1,332 1,294 1,359 Other Assets 645 733 631 --- --- --- $36,359 $33,400 $35,278 ======= ======= ======= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Short-term borrowings $199 $256 $63 Current portion of long-term debt 1,264 1,081 888 Convertible debt subject to current put options 278 271 232 Accounts payable 612 512 505 Accrued liabilities and other 886 1,142 1,224 Customer deposits 2,536 2,519 2,917 ----- ----- ----- Total current liabilities 5,775 5,781 5,829 ----- ----- ----- Long-Term Debt 8,373 7,735 8,345 Other Long-Term Liabilities and Deferred Income 651 786 783 Shareholders' Equity Common stock of Carnival Corporation; $0.01 par value; 1,960 shares authorized; 644 shares at 2009 and 643 shares at 2008 issued 6 6 6 Ordinary shares of Carnival plc; $1.66 par value; 226 shares authorized; 213 shares at 2009 and 2008 issued 354 354 354 Additional paid-in capital 7,695 7,677 7,666 Retained earnings 15,577 13,980 13,925 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 199 (623) 666 Treasury stock; 20 shares at 2009 and 19 shares at 2008 of Carnival Corporation and 51 shares at 2009 and 52 shares at November 2008 and 51 shares at August 2008 of Carnival plc, at cost (2,271) (2,296) (2,296) ------- ------- ------- Total shareholders' equity 21,560 19,098 20,321 ------ ------ ------ $36,359 $33,400 $35,278 ======= ======= ======= CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC SELECTED INFORMATION Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2009 2008 2009 2008 ----- ----- ----- ----- (in millions, except statistical information) STATISTICAL INFORMATION Passengers carried (in thousands) 2,485 2,322 6,383 6,218 Occupancy percentage 111.4% 110.9% 106.4% 106.8% Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands) 807 795 2,359 2,383 Fuel cost per metric ton (a) $405 $666 $330 $565 Currency U.S. dollar to (euro) 1 $1.41 $1.54 $1.37 $1.53 U.S. dollar to (pound) 1 $1.64 $1.95 $1.53 $1.97 CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash from operations $1,189 $1,064 $2,630 $2,879 Capital expenditures $446 $1,130 $2,402 $2,723 Dividends paid $315 $314 $945 SEGMENT INFORMATION Revenues Cruise $3,930 $4,522 $9,698 $10,993 Other 312 399 373 478 Intersegment elimination (103) (107) (120) (127) ----- ----- ----- ----- $4,139 $4,814 $9,951 $11,344 ====== ====== ====== ======= Operating expenses Cruise $2,081 $2,440 $5,765 $6,651 Other 248 301 316 383 Intersegment elimination (103) (107) (120) (127) ----- ----- ----- ----- $2,226 $2,634 $5,961 $6,907 ====== ====== ====== ====== Selling and administrative expenses Cruise $372 $364 $1,142 $1,197 Other 9 8 24 25 --- --- --- --- $381 $372 $1,166 $1,222 ==== ==== ====== ====== Depreciation and amortization Cruise $327 $314 $937 $909 Other 9 9 27 27 --- --- --- --- $336 $323 $964 $936 ==== ==== ==== ==== Operating income Cruise $1,150 $1,404 $1,854 $2,236 Other 46 81 6 43 --- --- --- --- $1,196 $1,485 $1,860 $2,279 ====== ====== ====== ====== (a) Fuel cost per metric ton is calculated by dividing the cost of our fuel by the number of metric tons consumed. CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES Gross and net revenue yields were computed by dividing the gross or net revenues, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2009 2008 2009 2008 ----- ----- ----- ----- (in millions, except ALBDs and yields) Cruise revenues Passenger tickets $3,105 $3,658 $7,566 $8,684 Onboard and other 825 864 2,132 2,309 --- --- ----- ----- Gross cruise revenues 3,930 4,522 9,698 10,993 Less cruise costs Commissions, transportation and other (515) (660) (1,469) (1,743) Onboard and other (131) (134) (345) (380) ----- ----- ----- ----- Net cruise revenues (a) $3,284 $3,728 $7,884 $8,870 ====== ====== ====== ====== ALBDs (b) 16,241,798 15,392,070 46,063,860 44,034,240 ========== ========== ========== ========== Gross revenue yields (a) $241.99 $293.82 $210.54 $249.65 ======= ======= ======= ======= Net revenue yields (a) $202.21 $242.27 $171.16 $201.45 ======= ======= ======= ======= Gross and net cruise costs per ALBD were computed by dividing the gross or net cruise costs, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2009 2008 2009 2008 ----- ----- ----- ----- (in millions, except ALBDs and costs per ALBD) Cruise operating expenses $2,081 $2,440 $5,765 $6,651 Cruise selling and administrative expenses 372 364 1,142 1,197 --- --- ----- ----- Gross cruise costs 2,453 2,804 6,907 7,848 Less cruise costs included in net cruise revenues Commissions, transportation and other (515) (660) (1,469) (1,743) Onboard and other (131) (134) (345) (380) ----- ----- ----- ----- Net cruise costs (a) $1,807 $2,010 $5,093 $5,725 ====== ====== ====== ====== ALBDs (b) 16,241,798 15,392,070 46,063,860 44,034,240 ========== ========== ========== ========== Gross cruise costs per ALBD (a) $151.07 $182.17 $149.96 $178.23 ======= ======= ======= ======= Net cruise costs per ALBD (a) $111.29 $130.62 $110.57 $130.03 ======= ======= ======= ======= NOTES TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (a) We use net cruise revenues per ALBD ("net revenue yields") and net cruise costs 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. There are no specific rules for determining our non-GAAP 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 them to compare us to other cruise companies. 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 transportation and certain other variable direct costs associated with onboard and other revenues. 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. Net cruise costs per ALBD is the most significant measure 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 to avoid duplicating these variable costs in these two non-GAAP financial measures. We have not provided estimates of future gross revenue yields or future gross cruise costs per ALBD because the reconciliations of forecasted net cruise revenues to forecasted gross cruise revenues or forecasted net cruise costs to forecasted cruise operating expenses would require us to forecast, with reasonable accuracy, the amount of air and other transportation costs that our forecasted cruise passengers would elect to purchase from us (the "air/sea mix"). Since the forecasting of future air/sea mix involves several significant variables that are relatively difficult to forecast and the revenues from the sale of air and other transportation approximate the costs of providing that transportation, management focuses primarily on forecasts of net cruise revenues and costs rather than gross cruise revenues and costs. This does not impact, in any material respect, our ability to forecast our future results, as any variation in the air/sea mix has no material impact on our forecasted net cruise revenues or forecasted net cruise costs. As such, management does not believe that this reconciling information would be meaningful. In addition, because a significant portion of Carnival Corporation & plc's operations utilize the euro or sterling 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 two non-GAAP financial measures assuming the current period currency exchange rates have remained constant with the prior year's comparable period rates, or on a "constant dollar basis," in order to remove the impact of changes in exchange rates on our non-U.S. dollar 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. On a constant dollar basis, net cruise revenues and net cruise costs would be $3.5 billion and $1.9 billion for the three months ended August 31, 2009 and $8.4 billion and $5.4 billion for the nine months ended August 31, 2009, respectively. On a constant dollar basis, gross cruise revenues and gross cruise costs would be $4.1 billion and $2.6 billion for the three months ended August 31, 2009 and $10.4 billion and $7.4 billion for the nine months ended August 31, 2009, respectively. In addition, our non-U.S. dollar cruise operations' depreciation and net interest expense were impacted by the changes in exchange rates for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2009, compared to the prior year's comparable periods. (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. CONTACT: MEDIA, Tim Gallagher, Carnival Corporation & plc, +1-305-599-2600, ext. 16000; or INVESTOR RELATIONS, Beth Roberts, Carnival Corporation & plc, +1-305-406-4832