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Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Bull of the Day: Carnival Corp (CCL)
Carnival Corporation Company Overview Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock Carnival Corporation ( CCL ) operates a cruise and vacation company. Carnival Corporation and its affiliates operate the largest and most profitable cruise operator in the world, responsible for carrying nearly half of the global cruise guests. CCL operates in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia under brands, like AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Seabourn. The company's diverse array of services accommodates vacation guests of various ages, backgrounds, and interests. Carnival Cruises Sees Record Bookings in 2025, Expects Strong 2026 Because Carnival has the strongest brand recognition in the Cruise industry and a market-leading position, it can generate a cost advantage and a higher return on investment than its smaller competitors. In addition, thanks to the combination of improved operational execution across its brands and robust consumer travel demand, the company is recording record-setting bookings in 2025. Zacks Consensus Analyst Estimates suggest that CCL will grow 2025 earnings per share by a strong 39.44%. Meanwhile, bookings for 2026 are tracking in line with the record levels seen this year. Beyond these record bookings, Carnival is charging its highest prices ever, and the company has expanded its booking window further than ever, providing deeper visibility into the future and setting the company up for sustained long-term growth potential. CCL Blows Away Analyst Expectations Savvy investors understand that Wall Street is a game of expectations. Though CCL has been producing robust earnings for several quarters, Wall Street analysts have yet to catch on. For instance, CCL has delivered positive EPS surprises in eleven consecutive quarters and has beaten expectations by an average of 169.85% over the past four. CCL Marketing Campaigns & Fleet Expansion Carnival's strategic investment in marketing is yielding significant returns. Over the past five years, website searches to Carnival's website spiked 60%, helping to attract new and returning guests and maintain market share gains. Meanwhile, Carnival is using its cash hoard to expand its destination footprint worldwide. The Cruise Industry is Firing on All Cylinders On Wall Street, 'birds of a feather, flock together.' The cruise line industry remains strong, as evidenced by the strong performance by competitors like Viking Holdings ( VIK ) and Royal Caribbean Group ( RCL ). CCL: Relative Strength and Technical Breakout CCL shares exhibit relative strength, up 21% in 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index. Currently, CCL is breaking out of a five-month base structure – a bullish omen. Bottom Line With record bookings extending into 2026, consistent outperformance of analysts' expectations, and a proactive approach to fleet expansion and destination development, CCL is well-positioned for long-term growth. Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double" Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest. This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Carnival Corporation (CCL): Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL): Free Stock Analysis Report Viking Holdings Ltd. (VIK): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Cheaper prices, fewer people: why Aussies are embracing off-season travel
Camping at a Reflections Holidays park in Australia. By Sarah Falson Updated July 22 2025 - 12:24pm, first published 12:30pm A growing percentage of Aussies are turning their backs on popular European summer in favour of "off-season" travel. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area The off-season and shoulder season market is growing as tourism operators spruik the benefits of avoiding the peak travel months in Australia and abroad. These can include fewer crowds, cheaper prices and less impact on the environment. Holland America Line's ANZ director of sales, Alex Pikardt, said the organisation had expanded its 2026 Europe cruise season by six weeks to allow more people to cruise outside European summer. Popular off-season destinations are Norway during the winter for a chance to see the Northern Lights, and Belgium for its picturesque streets and Christmas markets which can be visited outside the peak Christmas holiday season. A Holland America Line ship cruising through Norwegian fjords. Mr Pikardt said shorter lines at iconic sites during the off-season meant "a more authentic, less hurried atmosphere" for travellers. The reduced number of ships competing for dock space allowed for extended shore visits. Wendy Wu Tours Australia managing director, Simon Bell, said the company had a 30 per cent growth year-on-year in passengers travelling to Japan during the northern hemisphere summer. Japan's peak season is March to April when the cherry blossoms are blooming, and October and November when the autumn leaves turn. May and September are also popular for sumo wrestling tournaments. Mount Fuji, as seen from a Wendy Wu tour in summer. During the off-season from June to August, travellers can enjoy festivals including Kyoto's Gion Matsuri. Travelling during the off-season also helps to tackle overtourism by spreading travellers out throughout the year. "Travelling in the off-season not only offers a more enjoyable and relaxed experience, with fewer crowds and more breathing room, but also plays a key role in reducing pressure on heavily visited destinations," Mr Bell said. "It allows travellers to engage more deeply with local culture, while helping to distribute tourism more evenly throughout the year." Extending school holidays For East Coast Car Rentals CMO, Ben Whitmore, the big benefit of embracing the off-season is the cheaper prices and therefore the opportunity to extend the holiday. He said Aussies are feeling fatigue from "revenge travel", and with interest rates and household costs rising, they are looking for easier, more affordable escapes - like a domestic road trip. Road tripping. Picture: Shutterstock "There's definitely been a shift in how Aussies are travelling - and it's happening pretty quickly," Mr Whitmore said, adding the idea of "peak season" is starting to fade as Aussies look for better value. East Coast Rentals has had a 20 per cent rise in visits to the sites and cars are being rented for 20 per cent longer compared to last year. He said this was "a sign that Aussies are embracing more leisurely, family-style holidays and taking the journey at a slower, more relaxed pace." Reflections Holidays CEO, Nick Baker, said the organisation's Australian east coast holiday parks don't have "much of an off-season" but attract different kinds of travellers. "Outside of summer and school holidays, our coastal parks tend to shift from families to a more relaxed pace, welcoming grey nomads, couples, solo adventurers, and those seeking a peaceful nature escape," Mr Baker said. A Reflections Holidays glamping tent. "Many people also look inland during the off-season, to enjoy activities such as hikes and fishing in the cooler months. "The atmosphere is generally quieter and more serene, making it ideal for those who want to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy uninterrupted time outdoors." Reflections was forecasting a 10 per cent increase in winter bookings compared to the same period last year, which represents approximately an additional 20,000 winter guests. His top tips for enjoying the winter months either camping, caravanning or staying in a cabin were to pack layers - including thermals, waterproof jackets and extra bedding - put your screens away so you can make the most of nature, and get to know your camping neighbours to build a sense of community, and hopefully memories. "Many of the people you meet in the off-season will be camping enthusiasts and there is always something to talk, laugh about and even learn about for your next trip," he said. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
How are cruise ship itineraries planned? Inside the years-long process
Holland America Line will visit a maiden port in 2026, stopping for the first time in Odda, Norway. Before the town was added to more than a dozen itineraries, Paul Grigsby, the cruise line's vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, had to see it for himself. He and Robert de Bruin, director of deployment and itinerary planning, traveled to Bergen in January 2024 and on to Odda, where they surveyed the port's conditions, met with officials and explored the surrounding region. 'Even in the harsh conditions of January (everything was frozen and snowy – shows the grit of our Pacific Northwest cruise line to do port research in the Norwegian winter!), it was clear it would be the perfect stop during a cruise of the fjords, sailing past the region's apple orchards and offering some excellent shore excursions,' Grigsby told USA TODAY. That's all part of the itinerary planning process. Well before guests embark, many months of preparation go into crafting the routes they'll take during their trip. Here's how cruises are planned. How are Holland America cruises planned? When creating new itineraries, Grigsby said guest feedback informs the team's thinking. 'We take seriously the surveys that we do,' he said. 'We do a couple of those a year where we get a sense of what destinations guests are interested in.' They ask about preferred ports, how long they'd like to visit and more. The cruise line also keeps an eye on industry trends and 'what's motivating people to travel these days.' Grigsby cited astrotourism, for example, which has shown up in itineraries designed around seeing solar eclipses or the Northern Lights. After developing the concept, the cruise line incorporates it into an itinerary plan, utilizing the expertise of its team members. 'I have a couple of navigators that came off the ships that are the ones that are really essentially designing these cruises to make sure that they are, let's say, navigable, right? That you can actually sail these things,' Grigsby said. The cruise line's port operations team is typically the 'boots on the ground' when it comes to scouting out new ports the cruise line hasn't visited before, while its marine team investigates whether these ports can accommodate its ships. 'Not just if it's a dock, but also if it's an anchorage, they need to make sure that the tender docks are adequate and meet the expectations of our brand,' Grigsby said. Because Holland America is part of Carnival Corp. – which includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and other brands – he added that even if their team hasn't visited a given destination, they can tap their colleagues elsewhere in the company who may have. 'And we'll use some of their research to help guide us,' Grigsby said. Some destinations also demand a certain amount of flexibility. 'We have a few cruises that go to Greenland, and you really never know until you get to a couple weeks before a departure what the ice conditions are going to be like,' he said. 'So, what we do is we build in some buffers. We add some slow speed – slow steaming, as we call it – so that the ship can adapt to whatever ice conditions they may be dealing with.' The planning isn't limited to what happens on the ship, either. The cruise line has a dedicated shore excursion team that helps build out a selection of land-based activities to accompany the ocean-going adventures. How long does it take to plan a cruise? Itineraries usually take between two-and-a-half to three years to plan, according to Grigsby. Sometimes the process can take even longer. What makes a good cruise itinerary? Some cruises – such as Alaska itineraries, where there are only so many ports ships can visit – are more straightforward. Those satisfy guest expectations, but Grigsby particularly enjoys planning voyages that have something extra thrown in. For example, he designed a 2025 sailing through the Coral Triangle – the most diverse marine ecosystem on Earth – in collaboration with a marine biologist. The cruise, which is available to book again for 2027, incorporated programming about wildlife, volcanology and indigenous cultures. 'I think that the best itineraries are those that have various layers of stories and themes, and not just a collection of ports,' Grigsby said.
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Travel deals and discounts: Island holidays, Alaskan glaciers, Disneyland and more
Family fun at Hong Kong Disneyland Make magical memories with the family on this fun-filled Hong Kong escape. Enjoy three nights at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, including a two-day Hong Kong Disneyland ticket for two adults and two children (aged 2 to 11 years) for an unforgettable theme park getaway. From $563pp, this deal is on sale until August 31 this year. Price is based on two adults and two children travelling for three nights. Valid for travel between September 16–28, 2025, and March 3–15, 2026. Airfares and transfers are additional and booking fees apply. For terms and conditions, and to book, visit or call 0800 427 555. Take the whole family to Hong Kong Disneyland. Photo / Getty Images Holland America Line teams up with Sony Holland America Line has teamed up with Sony Electronics to offer guests an unforgettable Alaska cruise experience for 2025. Select sailings will feature interactive photography workshops led by Sony Artisans aboard select sailings, giving travellers the chance to capture glaciers, wildlife and landscapes with expert guidance and Sony's cutting-edge technology. Guests can sharpen their skills during pop-up classes or tune in from their staterooms via onboard TV. Holland America Line offers a variety of Alaska itineraries, including the 14-day Great Alaska Explorer round trip from Vancouver, and seven-day sailings such as the Northbound Glacier Discovery and Southbound Glacier Discovery between Whittier and Vancouver. Each cruise includes glacier viewing and expert-led wildlife spotting. To book, visit or call 1300 987 322. Learn how to take beautiful pictures of the glaciers in Alaska with this cruise. Photo / Holland America Line Fiji combo getaway Enjoy two iconic Fijia island resorts with the Coral Combo Package. Spend three nights soaking up the energy of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and another three nights unwinding on Castaway Island, Fiji, with options to stay in an island, ocean view or beach bure. Priced from FJ$6568 ($4872), this package also includes a FJ$800 resort credit per resort, credited at check-in. Travel is valid from May 28 this year onwards. Book the reservations with each resort using the booking code FIJICOMBO. Experience the best of Fiji with this combined Outrigger Fiji and Castaway Island getaway. Little Polynesian Resort With just 14 Beachfront Bungalows and Garden Studios, Little Polynesian Resort offers a peaceful escape on Rarotonga's southern coast, ideal for couples looking for quiet and privacy. Guests can enjoy slow days by the saltwater infinity pool, beach walks, and meals at the on-site restaurant overlooking the lagoon. This package starts from $3419 pp twin or double share for five nights in a Beachfront Bungalow, for stays between January 26 and March 20, 2026. It includes return Economy Class airfares with Air New Zealand from Auckland to Rarotonga, private return airport transfers, daily breakfast and a $250 food and beverage credit per room, per stay. Sale ends July 27, 2025. Guests must be 18 years or older. Book at
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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
The 5 Best Large-ship Ocean Cruise Lines of 2025
With an ambience distinctively different from mega-ships, large ships, which we define as those with 800 to 1,399 cabins, are big enough to offer a good choice in accommodations, restaurants, activities, and entertainment. What they don't have is mega-ship crowds or, for that matter, as many amusement park attractions as the larger ships. Itineraries include the tried-and-true but also destinations that mega-ships may not be able to visit given their larger size—a perk that delights our voters. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories based on number of cabins. Ships were specifically rated on the criteria below: Cabins/facilities Food Service Itineraries/destinations Excursions/activities Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. The Disney Wish docked at Castaway Cay. Holland America Line (No. 3) is a T+L reader favorite, particularly in Alaska, where the brand has had a presence for more than 75 years. Another legacy brand is the venerable Cunard (No. 2), with its traditional White Star service, ballrooms where real dress-up balls take place, and regular roster of transatlantic voyages. Moving into the No. 1 spot this year is Disney Cruise Line, popular with families and nostalgic adults alike. Also making the top five are Celebrity Cruises (No. 4) and Geneva-based MSC Cruises (No. 5). Disney Cruise Line Interior of the Enchanté restaurant on board the Disney Wish. Last year at No. 2 and this year in the winning spot, Disney Cruise Line was a reader favorite not only with families with kids but with an adult crowd, too. Readers praised the themed rotational dining setup, created so kids don't get bored, and the frequent presence of Disney characters. They also praised the line's crew and overall attention to detail. 'Amenities and facilities were amazing, and everything felt like the Disney atmosphere of my childhood,' wrote one reader. 'As an adult I am wowed; I can't imagine what it must be like to see it through the eyes of a child,' said another fan. As an adult I am wowed; I can't imagine what it must be like to see it through the eyes of a child. — T+L Reader 1. Disney Cruise Line WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 88.33 2. Cunard WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 85.04 3. Holland America Line WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 83.62 4. Celebrity Cruises WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 82.60 5. MSC Cruises Reader Score: 80.71
