Q4 2025 Carnival PLC Earnings Call

December 19, 2025

Speaker #1: Greetings, and welcome to the Carnival Corporation & plc Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation.

Operator: Greetings and welcome to the Carnival Corporation and plc Q4 2025 earnings call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Beth Roberts, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations. Thank you, Beth. You may begin.

Speaker #1: If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.

Speaker #1: It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Beth Roberts, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations. Thank you, Beth. You may begin.

Speaker #2: Thank you. Good morning, and welcome to our fourth quarter 2025 earnings conference call. I'm joined today by our CEO, Josh Weinstein, our CFO, David Bernstein, and our Chair, Nikki Arston.

Beth Roberts: Thank you. Good morning and welcome to our Q4 2025 earnings conference call. I'm joined today by our CEO, Josh Weinstein; our CFO, David Bernstein; and our Chair, Micky Arison. Before we begin, please note that some of our remarks on this call will be forward-looking. Therefore, I will refer you to today's press release and our filings with the SEC for additional information on factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations. We will be referencing certain non-GAAP financial measures, including yields, cruise costs without fuel, EBITDA, net income, ROIC, and related statistics for all, which are on a net basis or adjusted as defined, unless otherwise stated. A reconciliation to US GAAP is included in our earnings press release and our investor presentation. References to ticket prices, yields, and cruise costs without fuel are in constant currency unless we note otherwise.

Speaker #2: Before we begin, please note that some of our remarks on this call will be forward-looking. Therefore, I will refer you to today's press release and our filings with the SEC for additional information on factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations.

Speaker #2: We will be referencing certain non-GAAP financial measures, including yields, cruise costs without fuel, EBITDA, net income, ROIC, and related statistics for all, which are on a net basis or adjusted as defined, unless otherwise stated.

Speaker #2: A reconciliation to US GAAP is included in our earnings press release and our investor presentation. References to ticket prices, yields, and cruise costs without fuel are in constant currency unless we note otherwise.

Speaker #2: Please visit our corporate website, where our earnings press release and investor presentation can be found. For further information on our proposed DLC unification and shift in legal incorporation, please visit CARNIVALCORP.COM/UNIFY.

Beth Roberts: Please visit our corporate website where our earnings press release and investor presentation can be found. For further information on our proposed DLC unification and shift in legal incorporation, please visit carnivalcorp.com/unify. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to Josh.

Please visit our corporate website where our earnings press release and investor presentation can be found. For further information on our proposed DLC unification and shift in legal incorporation, please visit carnivalcorp.com/unify. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to Josh.

Speaker #2: With that, I'd like to turn the call over to Josh.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Beth. It is definitely gratifying to begin this call by saying we delivered yet another very strong quarter to finish a fantastic year. Not only did we deliver historical fourth-quarter highs for revenues, yields, operating income, and EBITDA, we achieved these record results in each and every quarter of the year and for the full year.

Josh Weinstein: Thanks, Beth. It is definitely gratifying to begin this call by saying we delivered yet another very strong quarter to finish a fantastic year. Not only did we deliver historical Q4 highs for revenues, yields, operating income, and EBITDA, we achieved these record results in each and every quarter of the year and for the full year. 2025 was clearly another step change forward for us. We delivered over $3 billion to the bottom line, a 60% increase over 2024, and an all-time high net income for our company. This was over 30% greater than our initial guidance. Full-year yields improved more than 5.5% over last year and topped our initial guidance by almost a point and a half, driven by successful commercial execution across our industry-leading cruise lines, and all while absorbing the heightened volatility we encountered periodically throughout the year.

Speaker #3: 2025 was clearly another step change forward for us. We delivered over $3 billion to the bottom line, a 60% increase over 2024, and an all-time high net income for our company.

Speaker #3: This was over 30% greater than our initial guidance. Full-year yields improved more than 5.5% over last year, and topped our initial guidance by almost a point and a half, driven by successful commercial execution across our industry-leading cruise lines.

Speaker #3: And all while absorbing the heightened volatility we encountered periodically throughout the year. We also brought unit costs in over a point better than initial guidance, at a 2.6% increase for the management-mitigating year.

Josh Weinstein: We also brought unit costs in over a point better than initial guidance at a 2.6% increase for the year, with successful cost management mitigating inflation, higher dry dock expenses, and the inclusion of costs for our amazing new destination, Celebration Key, Grand Bahama. This combination pushed operating margins and EBITDA margins up by over 250 basis points year over year, leading to the highest operating income per ALBD in almost 20 years and EBITDA per ALBD reaching an all-time high. For all of these incredible achievements, full credit goes to our hardworking and dedicated team, the best in all of travel and leisure, for the consistent outperformance throughout the year that resulted in ROIC in excess of 13%, the highest level this company has seen in 19 years. Having said that, we are very well positioned to top 2025's fantastic results in 2026.

We also brought unit costs in over a point better than initial guidance at a 2.6% increase for the year, with successful cost management mitigating inflation, higher dry dock expenses, and the inclusion of costs for our amazing new destination, Celebration Key, Grand Bahama. This combination pushed operating margins and EBITDA margins up by over 250 basis points year over year, leading to the highest operating income per ALBD in almost 20 years and EBITDA per ALBD reaching an all-time high. For all of these incredible achievements, full credit goes to our hardworking and dedicated team, the best in all of travel and leisure, for the consistent outperformance throughout the year that resulted in ROIC in excess of 13%, the highest level this company has seen in 19 years. Having said that, we are very well positioned to top 2025's fantastic results in 2026.

Speaker #3: Inflation, higher dry dock expenses, and the inclusion of costs for our amazing new destination, Celebration Key, Grand Bahama, combined to push operating margins.

Speaker #3: Over 250 basis points year-over-year and EBITDA margins up year-over-year, leading to the highest ALBD in almost 20 years and EBITDA per ALBD reaching an all-time high.

Speaker #3: For all of these incredible achievements, full credit goes to our hardworking and dedicated team—the best in all of travel and leisure—for the consistent outperformance throughout the year that resulted in ROIC in excess of 13%, the highest level this company has seen in 19 years.

Speaker #3: Having said that, we are very well positioned to top 2025's fantastic results in 2026. We are already about two-thirds booked, in line with where we were a year ago at this time, and at a historical high in prices for both North America and Europe.

Josh Weinstein: We are already about 2/3 booked, in line with where we were a year ago at this time and at historical high prices for both North America and Europe. Over the last three months, we achieved booking volumes that were at record levels for both 2026 and 2027. At the same time, closing demand remained strong, as demonstrated by the outperformance in our Q4, by our onboard revenue per diem significantly outperforming prior year levels, and our customer deposits up 7% year over year, hitting an all-time high for year-end. Our book position and recent performance are all despite Michigan's US consumer sentiment readings dipping quite low for several months throughout 2025, and in fact, last month dropping pretty close to its lowest level in recorded history.

We are already about 2/3 booked, in line with where we were a year ago at this time and at historical high prices for both North America and Europe. Over the last three months, we achieved booking volumes that were at record levels for both 2026 and 2027. At the same time, closing demand remained strong, as demonstrated by the outperformance in our Q4, by our onboard revenue per diem significantly outperforming prior year levels, and our customer deposits up 7% year over year, hitting an all-time high for year-end. Our book position and recent performance are all despite Michigan's US consumer sentiment readings dipping quite low for several months throughout 2025, and in fact, last month dropping pretty close to its lowest level in recorded history.

Speaker #3: And over the last three months, we achieved booking volumes that were at record levels for both 2026 and 2027. At the same time, closing demand remained strong, as demonstrated by the outperformance in our fourth quarter, by our significantly outperforming prior year onboard revenue per diem levels, and our customer deposits up 7% year over year, hitting an all-time high for year-end.

Speaker #3: Our book position and recent performance are all despite Michigan's U.S. consumers' sentiment readings dipping quite low for several months throughout 2025, and, in fact, last month dropping pretty close to its lowest level in recorded history.

Speaker #3: It is a true testament to the strength of the product offering across our portfolio of world-class cruise lines, and our guests' prioritizing their spending with us.

Josh Weinstein: It is a true testament to the strength of the product offering across our portfolio of world-class cruise lines and our guests prioritizing their spending with us. In reality, the disconnect between consumer sentiment and actual booking behavior continues to reinforce what we've said for a long time. Demand for our cruise lines is proving far more resilient than traditional macro indicators would suggest. We are expecting another year of same-ship yield improvement, marking our fourth consecutive year of low or mid-single-digit per diem growth. Normalizing for the accounting changes from the implementation of Carnival Cruise Line's beneficial new loyalty program and late-stage deployment changes necessitated by geopolitical uncertainties in the Arabian Gulf, we are forecasting a 3% yield increase in 2026.

It is a true testament to the strength of the product offering across our portfolio of world-class cruise lines and our guests prioritizing their spending with us. In reality, the disconnect between consumer sentiment and actual booking behavior continues to reinforce what we've said for a long time. Demand for our cruise lines is proving far more resilient than traditional macro indicators would suggest. We are expecting another year of same-ship yield improvement, marking our fourth consecutive year of low or mid-single-digit per diem growth. Normalizing for the accounting changes from the implementation of Carnival Cruise Line's beneficial new loyalty program and late-stage deployment changes necessitated by geopolitical uncertainties in the Arabian Gulf, we are forecasting a 3% yield increase in 2026.

Speaker #3: In reality, the disconnect between consumer sentiment and actual booking behavior continues to reinforce what we've said for a long time. Demand for our cruise lines is proving far more resilient than traditional macro indicators expecting another year of same would suggest.

Speaker #3: Ship yield improvement, marking our fourth consecutive year of low- or mid-single-digit per diem growth. With the implementation of Carnival Cruise Lines' beneficial new loyalty program and late-stage deployment changes necessitated by geopolitical uncertainties in the Arabian Gulf, we are forecasting a 3% yield increase in 2026.

Speaker #3: And while I think it's obvious, to address the question we've been getting most often, our 2026 guidance fully incorporates the 14% increase in non-Carnival Corporation capacity growth—a 27% increase in the Caribbean, taking that to in just two years—as well as our 4% growth over that time period.

Josh Weinstein: And while I think it's obvious, to address the question we've been getting most often, our 2026 guidance fully incorporates the 14% increase in non-Carnival Corporation capacity growth in the Caribbean, taking that to a 27% increase in just two years, as well as our 4% growth over that time period. Now, even against that backdrop, we continue to drive the business forward, underscoring the advantage of our diversified global portfolio. We are also continuing to successfully mitigate inflation through effective cost management. And again, with no ship deliveries for 2026, we don't have the advantage of offsetting large cost increases with significant capacity growth. On that basis, we've guided to unit cost growth of 3.25%, which includes a partial year of operating costs from our successful new destination developments and the timing of expenses hitting in the Q4 of 2026 rather than Q4 2025.

And while I think it's obvious, to address the question we've been getting most often, our 2026 guidance fully incorporates the 14% increase in non-Carnival Corporation capacity growth in the Caribbean, taking that to a 27% increase in just two years, as well as our 4% growth over that time period. Now, even against that backdrop, we continue to drive the business forward, underscoring the advantage of our diversified global portfolio. We are also continuing to successfully mitigate inflation through effective cost management. And again, with no ship deliveries for 2026, we don't have the advantage of offsetting large cost increases with significant capacity growth. On that basis, we've guided to unit cost growth of 3.25%, which includes a partial year of operating costs from our successful new destination developments and the timing of expenses hitting in the Q4 of 2026 rather than Q4 2025.

Speaker #3: Against that backdrop, we continue to drive the business forward, underscoring the advantage of our diversified global portfolio. We are also continuing to successfully mitigate inflation through effective cost management.

Speaker #3: And again, with no ship deliveries for 2026, we don't have the advantage of offsetting large cost increases with significant capacity growth. On that basis, we've guided to unit cost growth of 3.25%, which includes a partial year of operating costs from our successful new destination developments and the timing of expenses hitting in the first quarter of 2026 rather than Q4 2025.

Speaker #3: David will provide more color around the costs, but normalized just for these two items, net cruise cost ex fuel per ALBD are expected to be up about 2.5% for the full year.

Josh Weinstein: David will provide more color around the costs, but normalized just for these two items, net cruise cost ex-fuel per ALBD are expected to be up about 2.5% for the full year. All told, in 2026, we will bring over $350 million more dollars to the bottom line year over year and generate over $7.6 billion of EBITDA. With this strong cash flow, no new ship deliveries this year, and the fantastic balance sheet improvements we've made over the last two years, we're about a year ahead of schedule and can now embark on a capital allocation strategy that will return even more value to shareholders. Having reached a better-than-expected investment-grade leverage ratio of 3.4x at year-end, I am pleased to say we are now formally resuming our dividend at an initial rate of $0.15 per quarter, which we expect to grow responsibly over time.

David will provide more color around the costs, but normalized just for these two items, net cruise cost ex-fuel per ALBD are expected to be up about 2.5% for the full year. All told, in 2026, we will bring over $350 million more dollars to the bottom line year over year and generate over $7.6 billion of EBITDA. With this strong cash flow, no new ship deliveries this year, and the fantastic balance sheet improvements we've made over the last two years, we're about a year ahead of schedule and can now embark on a capital allocation strategy that will return even more value to shareholders. Having reached a better-than-expected investment-grade leverage ratio of 3.4x at year-end, I am pleased to say we are now formally resuming our dividend at an initial rate of $0.15 per quarter, which we expect to grow responsibly over time.

Speaker #3: All told, in 2026, we will bring over $350 million more to the bottom line and generate over $7.6 billion of year-over-year EBITDA.

Speaker #3: With this strong cash flow, no new ship deliveries this year, and the fantastic balance sheet improvements we've made over the last two years, we're about a year ahead of schedule and can now embark on a capital allocation strategy that will return even more value to shareholders.

Speaker #3: Having reached a better-than-expected investment-grade leverage ratio of 3.4 times at year-end, I am pleased to say we are initiating dividends at an initial rate of $0.15 per quarter, which we expect to grow responsibly over time.

Speaker #3: Reinstating the dividend reflects both our confidence in the durability of our cash generation and the structural improvements we've made to our balance sheet. Alongside the dividend, we will continue to delever to get below 3 times net debt to EBITDA, while still allowing for opportunistic share repurchases in the future.

Josh Weinstein: Reinstating the dividend reflects both our confidence in the durability of our cash generation and the structural improvements we've made to our balance sheet. Alongside the dividend, we will continue to delever to get below 3x net debt to EBITDA while still allowing for opportunistic share repurchases in the future. In fact, we just kickstarted that a bit by calling the last of our convertible debt and, in the process, using some cash to take out 18 million shares. We will also have ample opportunity to deliver even greater shareholder value over time as we continue to reinvest in our future through our disciplined new build program, return-generating vessel enhancement programs like our successful AIDA Evolution project, which will soon expand to several of our other brands, and our ongoing destination development efforts.

Reinstating the dividend reflects both our confidence in the durability of our cash generation and the structural improvements we've made to our balance sheet. Alongside the dividend, we will continue to delever to get below 3x net debt to EBITDA while still allowing for opportunistic share repurchases in the future. In fact, we just kickstarted that a bit by calling the last of our convertible debt and, in the process, using some cash to take out 18 million shares. We will also have ample opportunity to deliver even greater shareholder value over time as we continue to reinvest in our future through our disciplined new build program, return-generating vessel enhancement programs like our successful AIDA Evolution project, which will soon expand to several of our other brands, and our ongoing destination development efforts.

Speaker #3: In fact, we just kickstarted that a bit by calling the last of our convertible debt, and in the process, using some cash to take out 18 million shares.

Speaker #3: We will also have ample opportunity to deliver even greater shareholder value over time, as we continue to reinvest in our future through our disciplined newbuild program, return-generating vessel enhancement programs like our successful AIDA Evolution project, which will soon expand to several of our other brands, and our ongoing destination development efforts.

Speaker #3: We see much more pricing opportunity ahead as we transition our destination strategy from what has historically been a utilitarian asset base to a marketable growth driver for years to come.

Josh Weinstein: We see much more pricing opportunity ahead as we transition our destination strategy from what has historically been a utilitarian asset base to a marketable growth driver for years to come. Celebration Key is a real differentiator for us and will be complemented by the expansion at RelaxaWay Half Moon Cay later this year. This will soon be followed by Isla Tropical Roatán as we lean into the rest of our Paradise Collection even harder. As recently announced, we'll also be looking forward to a great guest experience we're developing with our partners in Ensenada, Mexico, showcasing the culture and natural beauty of Baja California, Mexico, that will greatly benefit our West Coast deployments. Our significant competitive land-sea advantage in the incredibly profitable Alaska trades will continue to serve us well for decades to come.

We see much more pricing opportunity ahead as we transition our destination strategy from what has historically been a utilitarian asset base to a marketable growth driver for years to come. Celebration Key is a real differentiator for us and will be complemented by the expansion at RelaxaWay Half Moon Cay later this year. This will soon be followed by Isla Tropical Roatán as we lean into the rest of our Paradise Collection even harder. As recently announced, we'll also be looking forward to a great guest experience we're developing with our partners in Ensenada, Mexico, showcasing the culture and natural beauty of Baja California, Mexico, that will greatly benefit our West Coast deployments. Our significant competitive land-sea advantage in the incredibly profitable Alaska trades will continue to serve us well for decades to come.

Speaker #3: Celebration Key is a real differentiator for us and will be complemented by the expansion at Relax Away Half Moon Quay later this year. This will soon be followed by Isla Tropical Roatan, as we lean into the rest of our Paradise collection even harder.

Speaker #3: Recently announced, we'll also be looking—and looking forward—to a great guest experience while developing with our partners in Ensenada, Mexico. Showcasing the culture and natural beauty of Baja California, Mexico, will greatly benefit our West Coast deployments.

Speaker #3: And our significant competitive landscape advantage in the incredibly profitable Alaska trades will continue to serve us well for decades to come. On top of these important attributes, cruising has clearly become a mainstream vacation alternative.

Josh Weinstein: On top of these important attributes, cruising has clearly become a mainstream vacation alternative, and we have positioned our company with the most diversified portfolio of world-class cruise lines in the industry. In fact, we hold the number one or two brand in every major market for cruising today. Our well-recognized cruise lines have been honing in on their target markets, sharpening their marketing messages, and reaching target consumers in an incredibly efficient manner. Moreover, we are continuously improving upon our yield management tools and techniques to generate the most revenue possible from our asset base. We're also leaning into AI to further improve in areas such as marketing effectiveness and enhanced personalization and to find further efficiency gains across the business. The good news is the price-to-experience ratio to land-based alternatives is still at a ridiculous value and provides enormous headroom for many years to come.

On top of these important attributes, cruising has clearly become a mainstream vacation alternative, and we have positioned our company with the most diversified portfolio of world-class cruise lines in the industry. In fact, we hold the number one or two brand in every major market for cruising today. Our well-recognized cruise lines have been honing in on their target markets, sharpening their marketing messages, and reaching target consumers in an incredibly efficient manner. Moreover, we are continuously improving upon our yield management tools and techniques to generate the most revenue possible from our asset base. We're also leaning into AI to further improve in areas such as marketing effectiveness and enhanced personalization and to find further efficiency gains across the business. The good news is the price-to-experience ratio to land-based alternatives is still at a ridiculous value and provides enormous headroom for many years to come.

Speaker #3: And we have positioned our company with the most diversified portfolio of world-class cruise lines in the industry, and, in fact, we hold the number one or two brand in every major market for cruising today.

Speaker #3: Our well-recognized cruise markets, sharpening their marketing messages, and reaching target consumers in an incredibly efficient manner. Moreover, we are continuously improving upon our yield management tools and techniques to generate the most revenue possible from our asset base.

Speaker #3: We're also leaning into AI to further improve in areas such as marketing effectiveness and enhanced personalization, and to find further efficiency gains across the business.

Speaker #3: And the good news is, the price-to-experience ratio to land-based alternatives is still at a ridiculous value and provides enormous headroom for many years to come.

Speaker #3: And that's despite what will be an approximately 20% cumulative yield increase for us since 2023. So while we are not immune to things like the lowest consumer sentiment in years, or capacity spikes in our most concentrated market, or geopolitical conflicts around the world, having two-thirds of the business on the books at higher prices underscores the resilience of, against all of that background, our business model.

Josh Weinstein: And that's despite what will be an approximately 20% cumulative yield increase for us since 2023. So while we are not immune to things like the lowest consumer sentiment in years, or capacity spikes in our most concentrated market, or geopolitical conflicts around the world, having 2/3 of the business on the books at higher prices underscores the resilience of our business model. Against all of that background noise, we plan to deliver another double-digit earnings growth on top of the 60% increase we achieved in 2025, leaving us well positioned to continue to outperform in the consumer discretionary and travel space yet again. Again, thank you so much to each of our team members, ship and shore, who have delivered such phenomenal results in 2025 and set us up well for another step forward in 2026.

And that's despite what will be an approximately 20% cumulative yield increase for us since 2023. So while we are not immune to things like the lowest consumer sentiment in years, or capacity spikes in our most concentrated market, or geopolitical conflicts around the world, having 2/3 of the business on the books at higher prices underscores the resilience of our business model. Against all of that background noise, we plan to deliver another double-digit earnings growth on top of the 60% increase we achieved in 2025, leaving us well positioned to continue to outperform in the consumer discretionary and travel space yet again. Again, thank you so much to each of our team members, ship and shore, who have delivered such phenomenal results in 2025 and set us up well for another step forward in 2026.

Speaker #3: Despite the noise, we plan to deliver another double-digit earnings growth on top of the 60% increase we achieved in Q4, to continue to outperform in the consumer discretionary and travel space yet again.

Speaker #3: Again, thank you, members, especially those who have delivered so much to each of our team—such phenomenal results—setting us up well for another step forward in 2025 and setting us up for 2026.

Speaker #3: At the end of the day, this is about delivering unforgettable happiness to over 13.5 million people around the world by providing them with extraordinary cruise vacations, while honoring the integrity of every ocean we sail and every life we touch.

Josh Weinstein: At the end of the day, this is about delivering unforgettable happiness to over 13.5 million people around the world by providing them with extraordinary cruise vacations while honoring the integrity of every ocean we sail, place we visit, and life we touch. That is something we do incredibly well. Thanks also goes out to our travel agent partners who have contributed immensely to this success. Likewise, a heartfelt thanks is owed to our loyal guests, investors, destination partners, and other stakeholders. Suffice it to say, these accomplishments reflect the effort, support, and loyalty we've received from all of you. I continue to be very proud of what we've been able to accomplish together, while at the same time remain incredibly excited about the runway ahead that leads to continued improvement to our business and results for years to come. With that, I'll turn the call over to David.

At the end of the day, this is about delivering unforgettable happiness to over 13.5 million people around the world by providing them with extraordinary cruise vacations while honoring the integrity of every ocean we sail, place we visit, and life we touch. That is something we do incredibly well. Thanks also goes out to our travel agent partners who have contributed immensely to this success. Likewise, a heartfelt thanks is owed to our loyal guests, investors, destination partners, and other stakeholders. Suffice it to say, these accomplishments reflect the effort, support, and loyalty we've received from all of you. I continue to be very proud of what we've been able to accomplish together, while at the same time remain incredibly excited about the runway ahead that leads to continued improvement to our business and results for years to come. With that, I'll turn the call over to David.

Speaker #3: And that is sail, place we visit, something we do incredibly well. Thanks also goes out to our travel agent partners who have contributed immensely to this success.

Speaker #3: Likewise, a heartfelt thanks is owed to our loyal guests, investors, destination partners, and other stakeholders. Suffice it to say, these accomplishments reflect the support from all of you.

Speaker #3: I continue to be very proud of the effort, support, and loyalty we've received, and what we've been able to accomplish together, while at the same time remaining incredibly excited about the runway ahead that leads to continued improvement to our business and results for years to come.

Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn the call over to David.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Josh. I'll start today with a summary of our 2025 fourth quarter results. Next, I will provide a 2025 deleveraging and refinancing recap of our efforts.

Josh Weinstein: Thank you, Josh. I'll start today with a summary of our 2025 Q4 results. Next, I will provide a recap of our 2025 deleveraging and refinancing efforts. Then I'll give some color on our 2026 full-year December guidance, as well as some key insights into our 2026 Q1, and then finish up with some comments on the recommended simplification of our corporate structure. Turning to the summary of our Q4 results, net income of $454 million was nearly two and a half times the prior year and exceeded September guidance by $154 million or $0.11 per share as we outperformed once again. The performance versus September guidance was driven mainly by two things. First, favorability in revenue were $0.03 per share as yields came in at 5.4% compared to the prior year, and that was on top of last year's robust increase of nearly 7%.

David Bernstein: Thank you, Josh. I'll start today with a summary of our 2025 Q4 results. Next, I will provide a recap of our 2025 deleveraging and refinancing efforts. Then I'll give some color on our 2026 full-year December guidance, as well as some key insights into our 2026 Q1, and then finish up with some comments on the recommended simplification of our corporate structure. Turning to the summary of our Q4 results, net income of $454 million was nearly two and a half times the prior year and exceeded September guidance by $154 million or $0.11 per share as we outperformed once again. The performance versus September guidance was driven mainly by two things. First, favorability in revenue were $0.03 per share as yields came in at 5.4% compared to the prior year, and that was on top of last year's robust increase of nearly 7%.

Speaker #1: Some color on our 2026 full-year December guidance, as well as some key—then I'll give insights into our 2026 first quarter. And comments on the recommended—then finish up with some simplification of our corporate structure.

Speaker #1: Turning to the summary of our fourth quarter results, net income was nearly two and a half times the prior year, and net income of $454 million exceeded September guidance by $154 million, or $0.11 per share, as we outperformed once again.

Speaker #1: The performance versus September guidance was driven by two things. First, mainly by favorability in revenue, where we saw three cents per share as yields came in up 5.4% compared to the prior year, and that was on top of last year's robust increase of nearly 7%.

Speaker #1: This was 110 basis points better than September guidance, driven by continued strong close-in demand, which resulted in higher ticket prices and an acceleration of strong onboard spending.

Josh Weinstein: This was 110 basis points better than September guidance, driven by continued strong close-in demand, which resulted in higher ticket prices and an acceleration of strong onboard spending. The increase in yield was driven by improvements on both sides of the Atlantic. Second, cruise costs without fuel per available lower berth day or ALBD were only up 0.5% compared to the prior year. This was 2.7 points better than September guidance and was worth $0.04 per share. The favorability was driven by both cost-saving initiatives, which we firmed up during the quarter, as well as timing of certain expenses between the years. The balance of the favorability, $0.04 per share, was a combination of better fuel prices, favorability in fuel consumption and fuel mix, slightly less depreciation than expected, favorable net interest expense, and a variety of other small factors.

This was 110 basis points better than September guidance, driven by continued strong close-in demand, which resulted in higher ticket prices and an acceleration of strong onboard spending. The increase in yield was driven by improvements on both sides of the Atlantic. Second, cruise costs without fuel per available lower berth day or ALBD were only up 0.5% compared to the prior year. This was 2.7 points better than September guidance and was worth $0.04 per share. The favorability was driven by both cost-saving initiatives, which we firmed up during the quarter, as well as timing of certain expenses between the years. The balance of the favorability, $0.04 per share, was a combination of better fuel prices, favorability in fuel consumption and fuel mix, slightly less depreciation than expected, favorable net interest expense, and a variety of other small factors.

Speaker #1: The increase in yield was driven by improvements on both sides of the Atlantic. Second, cruise costs with our fuel per available lower berth day, or ALBD, were only up half a percent compared to the prior year.

Speaker #1: This was 2.7 points better than September guidance and was worth four cents per share. The favorability was driven by both cost-saving initiatives, which we firmed up during the quarter, as well as timing of certain expenses between the years.

Speaker #1: The balance of the favorability, four cents per share, was a combination of better fuel prices, favorability in fuel consumption and fuel mix, slightly less depreciation than expected, favorable net interest expense, and other factors.

Speaker #1: variety of other small Next, I will provide a recap of our 2025 deleveraging and refinancing efforts. We have reached a meaningful turning point, achieving an investment grade net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.4 times as of the end of the fiscal year 2025.

Josh Weinstein: Next, I will provide a recap of our 2025 deleveraging and refinancing efforts. We have reached a meaningful turning point, achieving an investment-grade net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.4x as of the end of the fiscal year 2025. We successfully completed our $19 billion refinancing plan in less than a year. These efforts strengthened our balance sheet by simplifying our capital structure, reducing interest expense and debt, optimizing our future debt maturities, and enhancing our financial flexibility. In total, we have reduced our debt by over $10 billion since the peak less than three years ago. These efforts and our strong continued operating performance resulted in multiple credit rating upgrades throughout the year, culminating in reaching investment-grade with Fitch and being one notch away with a positive outlook from S&P.

Next, I will provide a recap of our 2025 deleveraging and refinancing efforts. We have reached a meaningful turning point, achieving an investment-grade net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.4x as of the end of the fiscal year 2025. We successfully completed our $19 billion refinancing plan in less than a year. These efforts strengthened our balance sheet by simplifying our capital structure, reducing interest expense and debt, optimizing our future debt maturities, and enhancing our financial flexibility. In total, we have reduced our debt by over $10 billion since the peak less than three years ago. These efforts and our strong continued operating performance resulted in multiple credit rating upgrades throughout the year, culminating in reaching investment-grade with Fitch and being one notch away with a positive outlook from S&P.

Speaker #1: We successfully completed our $19 billion refinancing plan in less than a year. These efforts strengthened our balance sheet by simplifying our capital structure, reducing interest expense and debt maturities, and enhancing our financial flexibility. Optimizing our future debt reduced our debt by over $19 billion.

Speaker #1: $10 billion since the peak less than three years ago. These efforts and our strong continued operating In total, we have rating upgrades throughout the year, culminating in reaching performance result in a multiple credit investment grade with Fitch and being one notch away with a positive outlook from result in an over S&P.

Josh Weinstein: All of this is expected to result in an over $700 million improvement in net interest expense in 2026 as compared to 2023, which is fully reflected in our guidance. Now I will provide some color on our 2026 full-year December guidance. On top of the 17% yield growth over the last two years, we are expecting to deliver further yield improvement in 2026 with our guidance forecasting an increase of approximately 2.5%, which is really 3% when normalized for the Carnival Cruise Line loyalty program accounting and the last-minute changes we made to our Arabian Gulf deployment and certain dry dock schedules. The 2.5% yield growth is worth over $0.35 per share when compared to 2025, which is a result of both an increase in ticket prices and higher onboard spending, which has continued to remain strong.

All of this is expected to result in an over $700 million improvement in net interest expense in 2026 as compared to 2023, which is fully reflected in our guidance. Now I will provide some color on our 2026 full-year December guidance. On top of the 17% yield growth over the last two years, we are expecting to deliver further yield improvement in 2026 with our guidance forecasting an increase of approximately 2.5%, which is really 3% when normalized for the Carnival Cruise Line loyalty program accounting and the last-minute changes we made to our Arabian Gulf deployment and certain dry dock schedules. The 2.5% yield growth is worth over $0.35 per share when compared to 2025, which is a result of both an increase in ticket prices and higher onboard spending, which has continued to remain strong.

Speaker #1: $700 million improvement in net interest expense in 2026 as compared to 2023, which is fully reflected in our guidance. All of this is expected to be in our guidance.

Speaker #1: Now I will provide some color on our 2026 full-year December guidance. On top of the 17% yield growth over the last two years, further yield improvement is expected. We are expecting to deliver 2026 with our guidance forecasting an increase of approximately two and a half percent, which is really 3% when normalized for the Carnival Cruise Line loyalty program accounting, and the last-minute changes in deployment and certain dry dock schedules.

Speaker #1: We made to our Arabian Gulf. The two and a half percent yield growth is worth over $0.35 per share when compared to an increase in ticket prices for 2025, which is a result of both, and higher onboard spending, which has continued to remain strong.

Speaker #1: Turning to costs, cruise costs without fuel per ALBD are expected to be up approximately three and a quarter percent, costing $27 cents per share for 2026 versus 2025.

Josh Weinstein: Turning to costs, cruise costs without fuel per ALBD are expected to be up approximately 3.25%, costing $0.27 per share for 2026 versus 2025. This is really a normalized rate of 2.5% when factoring in two things. First, operating expenses for full-year operations of Celebration Key, Grand Bahama, and the mid-year opening of our new pier at RelaxaWay Half Moon Cay will impact our overall year-over-year cost comparisons by half a point. Second, the sliding of some costs from Q4 2025 to 2026 will impact our overall year-over-year cost comparisons by about three-tenths of a point. The three main drivers of our normalized 2.5% cost increase are first, 3% attributable to inflation, and higher advertising expenses. Second, about six-tenths of a point from dry dock expense on our income statement. In 2026, after optimizing our dry dock schedule, we are expecting 604 dry dock days.

Turning to costs, cruise costs without fuel per ALBD are expected to be up approximately 3.25%, costing $0.27 per share for 2026 versus 2025. This is really a normalized rate of 2.5% when factoring in two things. First, operating expenses for full-year operations of Celebration Key, Grand Bahama, and the mid-year opening of our new pier at RelaxaWay Half Moon Cay will impact our overall year-over-year cost comparisons by half a point. Second, the sliding of some costs from Q4 2025 to 2026 will impact our overall year-over-year cost comparisons by about three-tenths of a point. The three main drivers of our normalized 2.5% cost increase are first, 3% attributable to inflation, and higher advertising expenses. Second, about six-tenths of a point from dry dock expense on our income statement. In 2026, after optimizing our dry dock schedule, we are expecting 604 dry dock days.

Speaker #1: Of two and a half percent when factoring in two things: First, operating expenses for full-year operations of Celebration Key, Grand Bahama, and second, the mid-year opening of our Moon Quay, will impact our new pier at Relax Away Half. Overall year-over-year cost comparisons are affected by half a point.

Speaker #1: Second, the sliding of some costs from fourth quarter 2025 to 2026 will impact our overall year-over-year cost comparisons by about three-tenths of a point.

Speaker #1: The three main drivers of our normalized two and a half percent cost first, 3 percent attributable to inflation and higher increase are, advertising expenses, second, about six tenths of a point from Dry Dock expense on our income statement, in 2026 after optimizing our Dry Dock schedule, we are expecting $604 Dry Dock days.

Speaker #1: While the total actual spending for our dry dock in 2026 is expected to be roughly in line with 2025, as a result of the nature of the 2026 work, more of the spending is classified as operating expense and less as capital expenditures.

Josh Weinstein: While the total actual spending for our dry docks in 2026 is expected to be roughly in line with 2025, as a result of the nature of the 2026 work, more of the spending is classified as operating expense and less as capital expenditures. And third, cost mitigation of approximately 1.1% from efficiency initiatives and further leveraging our industry-leading scale. Regulatory costs related to emission allowances and higher income taxes driven by Pillar 2 will cost us $0.11 per share. Benefits from net interest expense, fuel consumption, and capacity were partially offset by increased depreciation for a net favorable impact of $0.06 per share. The net impact of fuel price and currency is expected to favorably impact 2026 by $0.20 per share, with fuel prices favorable by $0.17 and the change in currency exchange rates adding $0.03.

While the total actual spending for our dry docks in 2026 is expected to be roughly in line with 2025, as a result of the nature of the 2026 work, more of the spending is classified as operating expense and less as capital expenditures. And third, cost mitigation of approximately 1.1% from efficiency initiatives and further leveraging our industry-leading scale. Regulatory costs related to emission allowances and higher income taxes driven by Pillar 2 will cost us $0.11 per share. Benefits from net interest expense, fuel consumption, and capacity were partially offset by increased depreciation for a net favorable impact of $0.06 per share. The net impact of fuel price and currency is expected to favorably impact 2026 by $0.20 per share, with fuel prices favorable by $0.17 and the change in currency exchange rates adding $0.03.

Speaker #1: And third, cost mitigation of approximately 1.1% from efficiency initiatives and further leveraging our industry-leading scale. Regulatory costs related to emission allowances and hiring taxes driven by Pillar Two will cost us $0.11 per share.

Speaker #1: Benefits from net interest expense, fuel consumption, and capacity were partially offset by increased depreciation, for a net favorable impact of six cents per share.

Speaker #1: The net impact of fuel price and currency is expected to favorably impact 2026 by $0.20 per share, with fuel prices favorable by $0.17 and the change in currency cents.

Speaker #1: In summary, putting all these factors—exchange rates, adding three together—our net income guidance for full year 2026 is over $3.45 billion, an improvement of more than 12% versus 2025, or 23 cents per share.

Josh Weinstein: In summary, putting all these factors together, our net income guidance for full-year 2026 is over $3.45 billion, an improvement of more than 12% versus 2025 or $0.23 per share. In addition, this will result in $7.6 billion of EBITDA, as we mentioned on the last earnings call, for the longer term, which is targeting a net debt to EBITDA ratio under 3x. Well, I'm happy to report that even with four dividend payments modeled into our guidance for 2026, we are projecting to get there by the end of the year. Before I leave our 2026 guidance, I did want to update you on the impact of Carnival Cruise Line's new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, which will now start in September 2026, impacting results for the Q4. As a reminder, while the program will be cash flow positive from day one, it does impact our yields in 2026.

In summary, putting all these factors together, our net income guidance for full-year 2026 is over $3.45 billion, an improvement of more than 12% versus 2025 or $0.23 per share. In addition, this will result in $7.6 billion of EBITDA, as we mentioned on the last earnings call, for the longer term, which is targeting a net debt to EBITDA ratio under 3x. Well, I'm happy to report that even with four dividend payments modeled into our guidance for 2026, we are projecting to get there by the end of the year. Before I leave our 2026 guidance, I did want to update you on the impact of Carnival Cruise Line's new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, which will now start in September 2026, impacting results for the Q4. As a reminder, while the program will be cash flow positive from day one, it does impact our yields in 2026.

Speaker #1: In addition, this will result in $7.6 billion of EBITDA. As we mentioned on the last earnings call, for the longer term, we're targeting a net debt to EBITDA ratio under three times.

Speaker #1: Well, I'm happy to report that even with four dividend payments modeled into our guidance for 2026, we are projecting to get there by the end of the year.

Speaker #1: Before I leave our 2026 guidance, I did want to update you on the impact of Carnival Cruise Line's new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, which will now start in September 2026, impacting results for the fourth quarter.

Speaker #1: As a reminder, while the program will be cash flow positive from yields on day one, it does impact our 2026. The impact is expected to be two-tenths of a point in 2026, half a point in 2027, two-tenths of a point in 2028, and turn positive thereafter.

Josh Weinstein: The impact is expected to be 0.2 of a point in 2026, 0.5 point in 2027, 0.2 of a point in 2028, and turn positive thereafter. Now, some key insights into our 2026 Q4. Yield improvement is approximately 1.6% or 2.4% when normalizing for the last-minute changes to our Arabian Gulf deployment and certain dry docks in the Q4. Q4 2026 has a difficult prior-year comparison as 2025 was at a record level with a 7.3% increase compared to 2024. In addition, the quarter is being affected by the Caribbean double-digit industry-wide growth, along with the Q1 having the largest absolute quarterly capacity in the Caribbean during the year, as well as the impact of volatility in the first half of last year had on our advanced booking curve.

The impact is expected to be 0.2 of a point in 2026, 0.5 point in 2027, 0.2 of a point in 2028, and turn positive thereafter. Now, some key insights into our 2026 Q4. Yield improvement is approximately 1.6% or 2.4% when normalizing for the last-minute changes to our Arabian Gulf deployment and certain dry docks in the Q4. Q4 2026 has a difficult prior-year comparison as 2025 was at a record level with a 7.3% increase compared to 2024. In addition, the quarter is being affected by the Caribbean double-digit industry-wide growth, along with the Q1 having the largest absolute quarterly capacity in the Caribbean during the year, as well as the impact of volatility in the first half of last year had on our advanced booking curve.

Speaker #1: Now, some key insights into our 2026 first quarter. Yield improvement is approximately 1.6%, or 2.4% when normalizing for the last-minute changes to our Arabian Certain dry dock in the first quarter.

Speaker #1: Gulf deployment and first quarter 2026 has a difficult prior year comparison, as 2025 was at a record level, with a 7.3% increase compared to 2024.

Speaker #1: In addition, the quarter is being affected by the Caribbean double-digit industry-wide growth, along with the first quarter quarterly capacity in the Caribbean having the largest absolute during the year, as well as the impact of volatility in the first half of last year had on our advance booking curve.

Speaker #1: Adjusted cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD are expected to be up approximately 5.9% compared to the prior year. This results from all of the items that are expected to impact the full year, and higher than the full year will have a greater impact on the first quarter. Some comments on the recommended simplification of our quarter.

Josh Weinstein: Adjusted cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD are expected to be up approximately 5.9% compared to the prior year and higher than the full year. This results from the fact that all of the items that are expected to impact the full year will have a greater impact on the Q4. I'll finish up with some comments on the recommended simplification of our corporate structure. We are recommending to our shareholders that we unify the dual-listed company or DLC framework into a single company listed solely on the New York Stock Exchange. This aligns with the marketplace. We are aware of 15 dual-listed companies or DLCs created over the last four decades, including our DLC in 2003. A substantial number of those have been unified in recent years for many of the same reasons we are recommending our unification. Today, we know of only three other major DLCs remaining.

Adjusted cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD are expected to be up approximately 5.9% compared to the prior year and higher than the full year. This results from the fact that all of the items that are expected to impact the full year will have a greater impact on the Q4. I'll finish up with some comments on the recommended simplification of our corporate structure. We are recommending to our shareholders that we unify the dual-listed company or DLC framework into a single company listed solely on the New York Stock Exchange. This aligns with the marketplace. We are aware of 15 dual-listed companies or DLCs created over the last four decades, including our DLC in 2003. A substantial number of those have been unified in recent years for many of the same reasons we are recommending our unification. Today, we know of only three other major DLCs remaining.

Speaker #1: This aligns with the marketplace. We are aware of 15 dualistic companies, or DLCs, created over the last four decades, including our DLC in 2003.

Speaker #1: A substantial number of those have been unified in recent years. I'll finish up with, for many of the same reasons, we are recommending our unification.

Speaker #1: Today, we know of only three other remaining. Under our major DLCs, shareholders would receive Carnival plan, Carnival plc Corporation shares on a one-for-one basis, and Carnival plc shares and ADSs would be delisted.

Josh Weinstein: Under our plan, Carnival PLC shareholders would receive Carnival Corporation shares on a one-for-one basis, and Carnival PLC shares and ADSs would be delisted. Carnival PLC would become a wholly owned UK subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. This would create a single global share price, streamline governance and reporting, and reduce administrative costs. We believe it will also increase liquidity for stock trades and increase weighting of the stock in major US stock indices. We intend to hold meetings of our shareholders in April to consider the recommendation. Subject to shareholders approving our recommendation, we intend to complete the unification in the Q2 of 2026. Now, operator, let's open the call for questions. Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you'd like to ask a question, please press Star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue.

Under our plan, Carnival PLC shareholders would receive Carnival Corporation shares on a one-for-one basis, and Carnival PLC shares and ADSs would be delisted. Carnival PLC would become a wholly owned UK subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. This would create a single global share price, streamline governance and reporting, and reduce administrative costs. We believe it will also increase liquidity for stock trades and increase weighting of the stock in major US stock indices. We intend to hold meetings of our shareholders in April to consider the recommendation. Subject to shareholders approving our recommendation, we intend to complete the unification in the Q2 of 2026. Now, operator, let's open the call for questions.

Speaker #1: PLC would become a wholly owned Carnival UK subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. This would create a single global share price, streamline governance and reporting, and reduce administrative costs.

Speaker #1: We believe it will also increase liquidity for stock trades and increase the weighting of the stock in major U.S. stock indices. We intend to hold meetings of our shareholders in recommendation.

Speaker #1: Subject to approval in April, and considering the shareholders approving our recommendation, we intend to complete the unification in the second quarter of 2026. Now, operator, let's open the call for questions.

Operator: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you'd like to ask a question, please press Star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue.

Speaker #2: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you'd like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad.

Speaker #2: In the question queue, you may press star two if you'd like to remove your question. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is using speaker equipment; it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing from the queue.

Josh Weinstein: You may press Star 2 if you'd like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the Star keys. To allow for as many questions as possible, we ask that you limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. Thank you. Our first question comes from the line of Robin Farley with UBS. Please proceed with your question. Great. Thank you very much. And that was a lot of information that covered a lot of the initial questions. Maybe just one thing, when we think about your guidance, and it sounds like if we were just taking out the accounting accrual, it would be closer to sort of 2.8% yield growth for next year.

You may press Star 2 if you'd like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the Star keys. To allow for as many questions as possible, we ask that you limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. Thank you. Our first question comes from the line of Robin Farley with UBS. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #2: The star keys. To allow for as many questions as possible, we ask that you limit yourselves to one question and one follow-up. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Our first question comes from the line of

Robin Farley: Great. Thank you very much. And that was a lot of information that covered a lot of the initial questions. Maybe just one thing, when we think about your guidance, and it sounds like if we were just taking out the accounting accrual, it would be closer to sort of 2.8% yield growth for next year.

Speaker #3: And that was a lot of information that covered a lot of the initial questions. Maybe just one thing—when we think about your

Speaker #3: If we were just taking out the accounting accrual, it would be closer to sort of an 8% yield, with 2-point growth. For next year, you mentioned that a lot of the beat in Q4—similar to what you've said during the year—was this acceleration in onboard spend for participants and better close-in.

Josh Weinstein: You mentioned that a lot of the beat in Q4, similar to what you've said during the year, was just acceleration in onboard spend and better close-in demand. Would you say that you, when you're thinking about your guidance for 2026, are you factoring in that those things will continue at that level, or are you kind of assuming that those would be at the rate that you'd originally thought? In other words, I'm just thinking about whether that acceleration and good close-in demand is in your guidance or that would really be upside to your guidance. Thanks. Hey, Robin.

You mentioned that a lot of the beat in Q4, similar to what you've said during the year, was just acceleration in onboard spend and better close-in demand. Would you say that you, when you're thinking about your guidance for 2026, are you factoring in that those things will continue at that level, or are you kind of assuming that those would be at the rate that you'd originally thought? In other words, I'm just thinking about whether that acceleration and good close-in demand is in your guidance or that would really be upside to your guidance. Thanks.

Speaker #3: When you're thinking about your demand, would you say that those things will continue, with that you factoring in level, or are you kind of assuming thought?

Speaker #3: In other words, I'm just thinking about whether that acceleration and good close-in demand is in your guidance, or if that would really be upside to your guidance.

Speaker #3: Thanks.

Josh Weinstein: Hey, Robin.

Speaker #4: Hey, Robin. So I think the fairest thing to say is, look, this is our guidance based on what we expect to happen. At this point in time, when we look into 2026, taking into account the business we've got on the books, the momentum we've got, and the fact that the world changes on a pretty daily basis, we're always going to try to continue the momentum on the onboard side.

Josh Weinstein: So I think the fair thing to say is, look, this is our guidance based on what we expect to happen at this point in time when we look into 2026, taking into account the business we've got on the books, the momentum we've got, and the fact that the world changes on a pretty daily basis. We're always going to try to continue the momentum on the onboard side. We're always going to try to make sure that the close-in bookings are going to hopefully beat our expectations. But at this point in time, it's truly our best guess. As we always do around this time of year, you could say that waves started early. It always starts early at this point, which I do believe. It's really something that takes off as we get into the latter part of November.

So I think the fair thing to say is, look, this is our guidance based on what we expect to happen at this point in time when we look into 2026, taking into account the business we've got on the books, the momentum we've got, and the fact that the world changes on a pretty daily basis. We're always going to try to continue the momentum on the onboard side. We're always going to try to make sure that the close-in bookings are going to hopefully beat our expectations. But at this point in time, it's truly our best guess. As we always do around this time of year, you could say that waves started early. It always starts early at this point, which I do believe. It's really something that takes off as we get into the latter part of November.

Speaker #4: We're always going to try to make sure that the close-in bookings are going to, hopefully, beat our expectations. But at this point in time, it's truly our best guess.

Speaker #4: And as we always do around this time of year, you could say that Waves has started early. It always starts early at this point, which I do believe.

Speaker #4: And it's really something that takes off as we get into the latter part of November, right in the mix of it, as you know. But we're still—all develops.

Josh Weinstein: But we're still right in the mix of it, as you know. So we do need some more time to see how it all develops. Okay. Great. Then you alluded to the increase in Caribbean capacity, and a lot of that really is focused on Q1. Typically, at this point, you would be over 80% booked for Q1. Or if you could just kind of remind us where that is. I know you mentioned kind of overall for the year and that you're overall for the year in line with those record highs. Would you say for Q1 that you're further ahead than typical or sort of in line with typical, just when we think about how far past the point of digesting anything in the Caribbean has already happened? Thanks. Yeah. I mean, for our Q1 sailings, there's not that much left to go.

But we're still right in the mix of it, as you know. So we do need some more time to see how it all develops.

Robin Farley: Okay. Great. Then you alluded to the increase in Caribbean capacity, and a lot of that really is focused on Q1. Typically, at this point, you would be over 80% booked for Q1. Or if you could just kind of remind us where that is. I know you mentioned kind of overall for the year and that you're overall for the year in line with those record highs. Would you say for Q1 that you're further ahead than typical or sort of in line with typical, just when we think about how far past the point of digesting anything in the Caribbean has already happened? Thanks.

Speaker #3: Okay, great. And then you alluded to the increase in Caribbean capacity, and a lot of that really is focused on Q1. Typically, at this point, you would be over 80% booked for Q1, or, if you could, just kind of remind us where that is.

Speaker #3: I know you mentioned kind of overall for the year, and that your overall for the year is in line with those record highs. Would you say for Q1 that you're further ahead than typical, or sort of in line with typical, just when we think about how far past the point of already has already happened?

Speaker #3: Digesting anything in the Caribbean is thanks.

Josh Weinstein: Yeah. I mean, for our Q1 sailings, there's not that much left to go.

Speaker #4: Yeah, Q1 sailings, there's, I mean, for our—not that much left to go. And we are, at least at this point in time, we're a little bit better positioned, a tiny bit, versus last year on the fringes.

Josh Weinstein: We are, at least at this point in time, we're a little bit better positioned a tiny bit versus last year on the fringes. Not much to say about the Q4. Okay. Great. Thank you. Okay. Thanks. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Brant Montour with Barclays. Please proceed with your question. Great. Thanks. And congratulations on the dividend and the results. So the first question is on the bookings. You guys called out the momentum, and it was clear in the release and the commentary. We had heard that there had been some slightly less robust demand. Still good, but it's just not quite what some folks had seen last year.

We are, at least at this point in time, we're a little bit better positioned a tiny bit versus last year on the fringes. Not much to say about the Q4.

Speaker #4: So, not much to say about the first.

Speaker #4: quarter.

Robin Farley: Okay. Great. Thank you. Okay.

Speaker #3: Okay. Great. Thank

Speaker #3: you. you.

Speaker #4: Okay.

Robin Farley: Thanks.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Brant Montour with Barclays. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #2: Our next question comes from the line of Brant Montour with Barclays. Please proceed with your question.

Brandt Montour: Great. Thanks. And congratulations on the dividend and the results. So the first question is on the bookings. You guys called out the momentum, and it was clear in the release and the commentary. We had heard that there had been some slightly less robust demand. Still good, but it's just not quite what some folks had seen last year.

Speaker #5: Great, thanks. And congratulations on the dividend and—

Speaker #5: The results. So, the first question.

Speaker #1: some slight , slightly Events robust . demand . but it's just not quite Still good , what you what some folks had Some seen last year .

Speaker #1: And so just wondering, from a revenue management perspective, if you guys have chosen to take higher volume at the expense of slightly less pricing growth this year—if that was a strategy at all for you guys?

Josh Weinstein: And so just wondering from a revenue management perspective, if you guys had chosen to take any volume at the expense of slightly less pricing growth this year, if that was a strategy at all for you guys? Yeah. Hey, thank you for the question. As you said, our revenue managers, brand by brand, voyage by voyage, are doing the right things to maximize, ultimately, the amount of revenue we have in the bank by the time the ship comes back to port. And so the momentum has been good. We're doing things that we think are going to continue to help support the guidance and support the business, not only for 2026, but for 2027, and even some that we're getting into 2028. So we feel good about the way our teams are going about managing the curve. Okay. That's great. Thanks for that, Josh.

And so just wondering from a revenue management perspective, if you guys had chosen to take any volume at the expense of slightly less pricing growth this year, if that was a strategy at all for you guys?

Speaker #2: Hey , thank you Yeah . for the for the question . You know , we're you know , as you said , we our revenue managers brand by brand , voyage by voyage are doing the right things to maximize ultimately the amount of revenue we we have in the bank .

Josh Weinstein: Yeah. Hey, thank you for the question. As you said, our revenue managers, brand by brand, voyage by voyage, are doing the right things to maximize, ultimately, the amount of revenue we have in the bank by the time the ship comes back to port. And so the momentum has been good. We're doing things that we think are going to continue to help support the guidance and support the business, not only for 2026, but for 2027, and even some that we're getting into 2028. So we feel good about the way our teams are going about managing the curve.

Speaker #2: By the time the ship comes back to port, the momentum has been built. We're doing things that we think are going to continue to help support good results.

Speaker #2: and support the business , not only for 2026 , but for 2027 and even some that we're getting into 2028 . So we feel we feel good about the way our teams are going about managing curve .

Speaker #1: Okay, that's great. Thanks for that, Josh. And then

Speaker #1: on the Caribbean commentary , you know , you know , we hear about that capacity lift a lot of it is in the the close in market Three and four day itineraries .

Brandt Montour: Okay. That's great. Thanks for that, Josh.

Josh Weinstein: Then on the Caribbean commentary, we hear about that capacity lift. A lot of it is in the close-in market, three- and four-day itineraries. I don't know if you want to comment in terms of your exposure to that market specifically, or if you could get in the weeds and kind of help us understand if you have a little bit of a different mix versus what you guys see coming into that market for this Q1 specifically. I actually don't have it offhand with respect to the Q1. Clearly, there's all sorts coming into the Caribbean, right? You've got the seven-nighters. You've got the shorts from others. When it comes to us, Carnival's been America's cruise line operating in the Caribbean on shorts for, I don't know, five decades. They'll continue to do that and do that thoughtfully.

Then on the Caribbean commentary, we hear about that capacity lift. A lot of it is in the close-in market, three- and four-day itineraries. I don't know if you want to comment in terms of your exposure to that market specifically, or if you could get in the weeds and kind of help us understand if you have a little bit of a different mix versus what you guys see coming into that market for this Q1 specifically.

Speaker #1: You know I don't know if you want to comment . in terms of your exposure to that market specifically or if you could get weeds in the of help us understand if and kind you have , know , a little bit you of different mix versus what you guys see coming into that market for this first quarter , specifically

Speaker #1: .

Speaker #2: actually I don't have it offhand with respect to the first quarter , clearly there is but but , you know , there's all into the sorts coming Caribbean , right ?

Josh Weinstein: I actually don't have it offhand with respect to the Q1. Clearly, there's all sorts coming into the Caribbean, right? You've got the seven-nighters. You've got the shorts from others. When it comes to us, Carnival's been America's cruise line operating in the Caribbean on shorts for, I don't know, five decades. They'll continue to do that and do that thoughtfully.

Speaker #2: You've got you got the seven nighters , you've got the shorts from from others , you know , when it comes to us , you know , Carnival's been , you know , cruise line America's operating in the Caribbean on shorts for , I don't know , And they'll continue to do that five decades .

Speaker #2: and do that thoughtfully . You know , we like the portfolio approach . We're taking even into the Caribbean , because when you think about our our mix , our , and you look at the first quarter , 20% of our Caribbean capacity is actually from our European brands that have flight crew programs going into places like Barbados and and , and it works very well for us .

Josh Weinstein: We like the portfolio approach we're taking even into the Caribbean because when you think about our mix and you look at the Q1, 20% of our Caribbean capacity is actually from our European brands that have flight-cruise programs going into places like Barbados and Dominica. And it works very well for us. So probably in a roundabout way to answer your question, there is shorts, there is seven-nighters, and there's things that are even longer. And we play in all of it. Okay. That's helpful. Thanks. Nice results. Thank you. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Matthew Boss with JPMorgan. Please proceed with your question. Great. Thanks. And congrats on another nice Q1. Thank you.

We like the portfolio approach we're taking even into the Caribbean because when you think about our mix and you look at the Q1, 20% of our Caribbean capacity is actually from our European brands that have flight-cruise programs going into places like Barbados and Dominica. And it works very well for us. So probably in a roundabout way to answer your question, there is shorts, there is seven-nighters, and there's things that are even longer. And we play in all of it.

Speaker #2: Dominica So a roundabout way , to probably in answer your question , there's shorts . There is seven nighters there's things that are even longer .

Speaker #2: And we play in all of it.

Speaker #2: . Thank you .

Speaker #1: Okay . That's

Speaker #1: Helpful. Thanks. Nice results.

Brandt Montour: Okay. That's helpful. Thanks. Nice results.

Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Matthew Boss with JP Morgan. Please proceed with your question.

Josh Weinstein: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Matthew Boss with JPMorgan. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #4: Great . question Thanks and congrats on another nice quarter . Thank you . So , so , Josh , could you elaborate on on the momentum carrying into 26 that you cited specifically ?

Matthew Boss: Great. Thanks. And congrats on another nice Q1. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Maybe the cadence of booking volumes up through holiday prices in North America and Europe, which I think you cited at highs, and you've seen—maybe even to say it a different way—historically, have you seen anything irrational? And does your guidance for all...?

Josh Weinstein: So Josh, could you elaborate on the momentum carrying into 2026 that you cited, specifically maybe the cadence of booking volumes that you've seen up through holiday, prices in North America, and Europe, which I think you cited at historical highs? And maybe even to say it a different way, have you seen anything irrational at all? And does your guidance for the 3% normalized yields for the year, does that require today's level of momentum to sustain? Did you bake in benefit for Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay? Is there anything in there for lapping up against the tariff volatility from a year ago that you saw in bookings? And did you put anything in at all for stimulus in terms of potential benefit? Yep. Hey, thanks for the questions, Matt. Let me see if I can answer it holistically.

So Josh, could you elaborate on the momentum carrying into 2026 that you cited, specifically maybe the cadence of booking volumes that you've seen up through holiday, prices in North America, and Europe, which I think you cited at historical highs? And maybe even to say it a different way, have you seen anything irrational at all? And does your guidance for the 3% normalized yields for the year, does that require today's level of momentum to sustain? Did you bake in benefit for Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay? Is there anything in there for lapping up against the tariff volatility from a year ago that you saw in bookings? And did you put anything in at all for stimulus in terms of potential benefit?

Speaker #4: The 3% normalized yields for the year—does that require today’s seen and level of momentum to sustain? Did you bake in any benefit for Celebration Half Moon?

Speaker #4: Is there anything in there for lapping up against the tariff volatility from a year ago that you saw in bookings, and did you put anything in at all for stimulus in terms of potential benefit?

Speaker #2: Yep . Hey , thanks for the questions , . Let me see Matt if I can answer it holistically . So as a starting point , like I said in an earlier call , we are very happy with the that's taken us through the end of the you know , first quarter and momentum last few weeks , and volume is up nicely , and we're doing that the way that we always do that , which is , you know , managing the curve and putting out putting out our , product and our experiences to our guests our who are , you looking for value .

Josh Weinstein: Yep. Hey, thanks for the questions, Matt. Let me see if I can answer it holistically.

Josh Weinstein: So as a starting point, like I said in an earlier call, we are very happy with the momentum that's taken us through the end of the Q1 and into the last few weeks. And volume is up nicely. And we're doing that the way that we always do that, which is managing the curve and putting out our product and our experiences to our guests who are looking for value. And that's what we do. And that's what we've done over the last couple of years as our yields have gone up 17%. And we'll continue to do that. With respect to all of the ins and outs of what's been baked in, like I said before, every forecast to some extent is a guess, and it's based on some assumption. So as far as stimulus specifically, we didn't really bake anything into that.

So as a starting point, like I said in an earlier call, we are very happy with the momentum that's taken us through the end of the Q1 and into the last few weeks. And volume is up nicely. And we're doing that the way that we always do that, which is managing the curve and putting out our product and our experiences to our guests who are looking for value. And that's what we do. And that's what we've done over the last couple of years as our yields have gone up 17%. And we'll continue to do that. With respect to all of the ins and outs of what's been baked in, like I said before, every forecast to some extent is a guess, and it's based on some assumption. So as far as stimulus specifically, we didn't really bake anything into that.

Speaker #2: that's what And we do . And that's over the last couple what we've done of years . As our yields have gone up 17% and we'll continue to do that with respect to all of the the ins and outs of , you know , what's been baked in , you know , like I said before , know , every forecast to some extent is And it's a guess .

Speaker #2: based on some you assumptions . So far as stimulus as specifically , we didn't we didn't really bake anything into as that far as , you know , the the macro economic impacts that we saw this year .

Speaker #2: Yeah , that did play into it that to some extent . I mean , we know that we're going to lap some of the volatility in the .

Josh Weinstein: As far as the macroeconomic impacts that we saw this year, yeah, that did play into it to some extent. I mean, we know that we're going to lap some of the volatility in the spring. And we also know we didn't have the volatility of the spring on our radar screen this time last year. Things do happen all the time all around the world. And so we just got to be prepared to deliver in light of that. I just keep going back to the well. The one thing I reiterate to everybody is the fact that things happen in cycles. Things happen differently in different geographies. And the diversity that we've got sets us up very well to be able to withstand volatility. And the fact that we're guiding to a normalized yield increase of 3%, I think, is very good.

As far as the macroeconomic impacts that we saw this year, yeah, that did play into it to some extent. I mean, we know that we're going to lap some of the volatility in the spring. And we also know we didn't have the volatility of the spring on our radar screen this time last year. Things do happen all the time all around the world. And so we just got to be prepared to deliver in light of that. I just keep going back to the well. The one thing I reiterate to everybody is the fact that things happen in cycles. Things happen differently in different geographies. And the diversity that we've got sets us up very well to be able to withstand volatility. And the fact that we're guiding to a normalized yield increase of 3%, I think, is very good.

Speaker #2: spring also know And we we didn't have the volatility of the spring on our radar screen this time last year . You know , things do happen all the time all around the world .

Speaker #2: And so we just got to be prepared to deliver in light of that. I just keep going back to the well, you know, the one thing I reiterate to everybody is the fact that things happen in cycles.

Speaker #2: Things happen in different geographies, and the diversity that we've got sets us up very well to be able to withstand volatility.

Speaker #2: And the fact that we're a guiding to normalized yield increase 3% , I of think is very good . And I'd just remind you that if you remember what we've talked about with respect to the volatility spring , it was really last having an impact on the second half of 25 into the first half of 26 , which is which is what's been built in exactly to our to our forecast .

Josh Weinstein: I just remind you that if you remember what we've talked about with respect to the volatility last spring, it was really having an impact on the second half of 2025 into the first half of 2026, which has been built in exactly to our forecast. So as always, we're going to try to exceed everything. That's always the goal. But this is our guess at this time. Best guess. Great. It's great color. Then, David, just relative to your 3.25 net cruise cost outlook for the full year, what have you embedded, if anything, as it relates to cost management? Last two quarters, you've shown really nice results on the cost side. I think you cited hundreds of items that you found to leverage scale as potential offsets to the transitory cost headwinds.

I just remind you that if you remember what we've talked about with respect to the volatility last spring, it was really having an impact on the second half of 2025 into the first half of 2026, which has been built in exactly to our forecast. So as always, we're going to try to exceed everything. That's always the goal. But this is our guess at this time. Best guess.

Speaker #2: as So always , we're going to try to , know , we're going you to try to exceed everything . That's that's the goal .

Speaker #2: Always, but this is our guess at this time—guess. Best. Great.

Speaker #5: Thanks. Great. It's great.

Speaker #4: Color . And then David , just relative to your 3.25 net cruise cost outlook for the full year , what have you embedded if anything , as it relates to cost management ?

Matthew Boss: Great. It's great color. Then, David, just relative to your 3.25 net cruise cost outlook for the full year, what have you embedded, if anything, as it relates to cost management? Last two quarters, you've shown really nice results on the cost side. I think you cited hundreds of items that you found to leverage scale as potential offsets to the transitory cost headwinds.

Speaker #4: Last two quarters, you've shown results on the really nice side. You cited, I think, hundreds of items that you found to leverage scale as potential offsets to the transitory cost headwinds.

Speaker #4: Have you embedded what on the cost side that management could be, potential offsets to the cost headwinds that are in your forecast?

Speaker #4: If anything ?

Josh Weinstein: What have you embedded on the cost management side that could be potential offsets to the cost headwinds that are in your forecast, if anything? Yeah. So now, as I mentioned in my prepared remarks, we did put in about 1.1% of cost mitigation from efficiencies, other initiatives, and sourcing, which leverage our scale, etc. So we put in a substantial amount, which offset inflation. Great. Best of luck. Thank you. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Steve Wieczynski with Stifel. Please proceed with your question. Hey, guys. Good morning. Happy holidays to all you guys. So Josh, I want to dig into the Caribbean a little bit more. And I know it's a topic you probably haven't been asked about a lot recently.

What have you embedded on the cost management side that could be potential offsets to the cost headwinds that are in your forecast, if anything?

Speaker #6: Yeah . So now , as I mentioned in my prepared remarks , we did in put about 1.1% of cost mitigation from efficiencies and other initiatives .

Josh Weinstein: Yeah. So now, as I mentioned in my prepared remarks, we did put in about 1.1% of cost mitigation from efficiencies, other initiatives, and sourcing, which leverage our scale, etc. So we put in a substantial amount, which offset inflation.

Speaker #6: know , You sourcing , which leverage our scale , etc. . So we put in a substantial amount , which offset inflation .

Speaker #5: Great. Best of luck.

Speaker #2: Thank you .

Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Steve Rosinski with Stifel. Please proceed with your question.

Matthew Boss: Great. Best of luck.

Josh Weinstein: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Steve Wieczynski with Stifel. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #7: Guys, good. Yeah. Hey, happy holidays to all you guys this morning, and, uh, to... So, so, so Josh, I want to dig into the Caribbean a little bit more.

Speaker #7: And I it's it's a topic probably haven't been asked you about a recently lot . You know know . But but if we if we think about 20 , 26 , can you maybe give us some color on what you're seeing ?

Steve Wieczynski: Hey, guys. Good morning. Happy holidays to all you guys. So Josh, I want to dig into the Caribbean a little bit more. And I know it's a topic you probably haven't been asked about a lot recently.

Speaker #7: You know, right now, in terms of your demand for Caribbean products? And maybe that's not the right way to ask it.

Josh Weinstein: But if we think about 2026, can you maybe give us some color on what you're seeing right now in terms of demand for your Caribbean products? And maybe that's not the right way to ask it. Maybe a better way to ask that is your ability to take pricing action right now in the Caribbean, and then maybe how you're thinking about pure Caribbean yields in 2026 relative to your overall 2.5% yield guidance. Yeah. I mean, I guess I'm going to broken record myself, right? I mean, we're managing the business as we think is appropriate. I'm not going to comment on our competitors on any type of individual basis. I can just tell you our profile is 4% growth over the last two years between 2025 and 2026.

But if we think about 2026, can you maybe give us some color on what you're seeing right now in terms of demand for your Caribbean products? And maybe that's not the right way to ask it. Maybe a better way to ask that is your ability to take pricing action right now in the Caribbean, and then maybe how you're thinking about pure Caribbean yields in 2026 relative to your overall 2.5% yield guidance.

Speaker #7: to ask that is , you know , Maybe a ability to better way to take pricing action right now in the Caribbean and then maybe thinking your about pure Caribbean yields in to your your how you're 26 relative overall 2.5% yield guidance

Speaker #7: .

Speaker #2: mean I just I guess I'm going to Yeah , I record myself right . I mean , you know we're we're managing the business as we think is I'm not going appropriate .

Josh Weinstein: Yeah. I mean, I guess I'm going to broken record myself, right? I mean, we're managing the business as we think is appropriate. I'm not going to comment on our competitors on any type of individual basis. I can just tell you our profile is 4% growth over the last two years between 2025 and 2026.

Speaker #2: to comment on our , our competitors any type of individual on on basis . I can just tell you our profile is , you know , 4% growth over the last two years , between 25 and 2026 .

Speaker #2: I will tell you that , you know , when the industry when you back us out is growing you when as much as it has , you know , it's it's , you know , that's just the backdrop .

Josh Weinstein: I will tell you that when the industry, when you back us out, is growing as much as it has, it's, yeah, that's just the backdrop. But we feel good about what we've been able to accomplish and how we've put it into the forecast. So I'm not sure if you want to try to take it from a different angle, but we feel good about the way we've been tackling our business. Let me ask it this way then. Caribbean yields will be positive in 2026? Caribbean yields will absolutely help support the momentum of this business. And we look forward to talking at the end of the year when we find out what happened. Okay. I thought I'd try to ask it that way. Okay. Second question. Second question is probably going to be a David question. Obviously, we have the Q1 guidance.

I will tell you that when the industry, when you back us out, is growing as much as it has, it's, yeah, that's just the backdrop. But we feel good about what we've been able to accomplish and how we've put it into the forecast. So I'm not sure if you want to try to take it from a different angle, but we feel good about the way we've been tackling our business. Let me ask it this way then. Caribbean yields will be positive in 2026?

Speaker #2: But we feel good about what we've been able to accomplish. And, feel good putting it into the forecast. So I'm not sure if you want to try to take it from a different angle, but we feel good about the way we've been tackling our business.

Speaker #7: Let me ask it this way, then. Caribbean yields will be positive in 2026.

Speaker #2: Caribbean yields will absolutely help support the momentum of this business, and we look forward to talking at the end of the year when we find out what.

Caribbean yields will absolutely help support the momentum of this business. And we look forward to talking at the end of the year when we find out what happened. Okay. I thought I'd try to ask it that way. Okay. Second question. Second question is probably going to be a David question. Obviously, we have the Q1 guidance.

Speaker #7: Happens . Okay , I thought I thought I'd try it that way to ask . Okay . Second question . Second question is probably going to be a question .

Speaker #7: You know , obviously we have the first quarter guidance . Wondering , David , if you could help us think , you know , a little bit more about the cadence over the last three quarters in terms of both yields and costs ?

Speaker #7: And I think we should think about, in terms of timing, you know, both of those metrics, as well as your models.

Josh Weinstein: Wondering, David, if you could help us think a little bit more about the cadence over the last three quarters in terms of both yields and costs and anything we should think about in terms of timing of both of those metrics as we update our models. Thanks. Yeah. So as far as cost is concerned, the Q1 was, as you saw, higher than the full year. So when you start thinking about Q2, Q3, and Q4, I do believe that there'll probably be all three quarters less than the full year. However, keep in mind, there's a lot of decisions left to be made on particular items and exact spending and advertising, repair, and maintenance, and other things. So the seasonalization between the quarters, as I've said before, it's a tough thing to forecast.

Wondering, David, if you could help us think a little bit more about the cadence over the last three quarters in terms of both yields and costs and anything we should think about in terms of timing of both of those metrics as we update our models. Thanks.

Speaker #7: we update Thanks .

Speaker #6: Yeah . So as far as cost is concerned , you know , the was first quarter as you saw , higher than the full year .

David Bernstein: Yeah. So as far as cost is concerned, the Q1 was, as you saw, higher than the full year. So when you start thinking about Q2, Q3, and Q4, I do believe that there'll probably be all three quarters less than the full year. However, keep in mind, there's a lot of decisions left to be made on particular items and exact spending and advertising, repair, and maintenance, and other things. So the seasonalization between the quarters, as I've said before, it's a tough thing to forecast.

Speaker #6: So, when you're thinking second, third, and fourth quarter, I do believe that they'll probably be all three quarters less than the full year.

Speaker #6: However , keep in mind , about the you know , there's a lot of decisions left to be made on particular items . And exact spending and advertising , repair and maintenance and other things .

Speaker #6: So the seasonal between the quarters , as before , I've said is , a it's a tough thing to forecast judges on the full year and not the quarters .

Speaker #6: I but think it'll be probably less than the full year as far as the revenues are concerned. You know, you saw the first quarter.

Josh Weinstein: Judge us on the full year and not the quarters, but I think it'll be probably less than the full year. As far as the revenue is concerned, you saw the Q1. I mean, the prior year first half has much more difficult comparisons, higher yield increases than the back half. So relatively speaking, I would expect to see on a year-over-year basis higher yield increases in the back half of this year than the first half. Okay. Gotcha. Thanks, guys. Have a good holiday. Thanks, Steve. Happy holidays. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Ben Chaiken with Mizuho Securities. Please proceed with your question. Hey, thanks. For 2026 on the cost side, it sounds like the 2.5 normalized cost has 0.6 of a point for dry docks in it with more OPEX versus CAPEX.

Speaker #6: I mean , the prior year , first half has much more difficult comparisons , higher yield increases than the back half . So relatively , I would speaking to see year over on a year basis higher yield increases in the expect back half of this year than the first half .

Speaker #7: Okay . Gotcha . Thanks , guys . Have a good holiday .

Speaker #2: Thank you. Happy holidays.

Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Ben Chaikin with Mizuho Securities. Please proceed with your question.

Josh Weinstein: Okay. Gotcha. Thanks, guys. Have a good holiday.

Josh Weinstein: Thanks, Steve. Happy holidays.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Ben Chaiken with Mizuho Securities. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #8: Hey, thanks for 26. On the cost side, it sounds like the two and a half normalized cost has six-tenths of a point for dry docks in it, with more opex versus capex.

Ben Chaiken: Hey, thanks. For 2026 on the cost side, it sounds like the 2.5 normalized cost has 0.6 of a point for dry docks in it with more OPEX versus CAPEX.

Speaker #8: To your point , David , I guess what's the more typical allocation as we think about the future , as the 25 version or the 26 version , if that makes sense .

Speaker #8: Assuming I understood you properly .

Josh Weinstein: To your point, David, I guess what's the more typical allocation as we think about the future? Is it the 2025 version or the 2026 version, if that makes sense, assuming I understood you properly? Yeah. It's really difficult to pick here because remember, we're talking about a very small movement on a large number, maybe 4% or 5% on over $1 billion. So as a result of that, it is very difficult to project what will happen in 2027. This has been going on for a long time. One of the—and it has swung both ways. I mean, one of the things that I used to—that I've always said many times is the fact that not every dry dock day is created equal. And this is what I was referring to.

To your point, David, I guess what's the more typical allocation as we think about the future? Is it the 2025 version or the 2026 version, if that makes sense, assuming I understood you properly?

Speaker #6: Yeah , it's difficult to to depict here really remember , we're talking because about a very small movement on a large number , maybe 4 or 5% on over $1 billion .

David Bernstein: Yeah. It's really difficult to pick here because remember, we're talking about a very small movement on a large number, maybe 4% or 5% on over $1 billion. So as a result of that, it is very difficult to project what will happen in 2027. This has been going on for a long time. One of the—and it has swung both ways. I mean, one of the things that I used to—that I've always said many times is the fact that not every dry dock day is created equal. And this is what I was referring to.

Speaker #6: So as a result of that, it is very difficult to project what will happen in 2027. You know, this has been going on for a long time.

Speaker #6: One of the and it has swung both ways . I mean , one of the things that I used to that I've always said many times is the fact that not every dock dry day is created equal .

Speaker #6: And this is what I was referring to. Now, I'm just getting into a little bit more detail of the split between CapEx and OpEx, but we're really talking about a small movement.

Speaker #6: And as we plan through 2027 , we'll get better visibility that into . But on the margin , it's kind of small . It's it's a handful of percent difference between the two pieces .

Josh Weinstein: Now I'm just getting to a little bit more detail of the split between CAPEX and OPEX. But we're really talking about a small movement. And as we plan through 2027, we'll get better visibility into that. But on the margin, it's kind of small. It's a handful of percent difference between the two pieces. Okay. Got it. And then on the fuel side, there's some rounding, so it's not perfect math. But it seems like there was quite a step up in the emission allowance tax. I could be mistaken, but I think it's around $160 million for you in 2026. Is there any way to, the increase was about $0.06 a share or about, call it roughly $80 million. Remember, in 2026, we went to the full 100% versus 2025, where we were at, it was 70% of the emissions allowances.

Speaker #8: Okay . Got it . And then and then on the on the fuel side there was you know it's there's some rounding . So it's not like perfect math , but it seems like there was quite a step up in the emission allowance tax .

Ben Chaiken: Okay. Got it. And then on the fuel side, there's some rounding, so it's not perfect math. But it seems like there was quite a step up in the emission allowance tax. I could be mistaken, but I think it's around $160 million for you in 2026. Is there any way to,

Speaker #8: I could be mistaken, but I think it's $160 million for you around in '26. Is there any way to...

Speaker #6: The the increase was about $0.06 a share or about , let's call it roughly $80 million . Remember , in 26 we went from we went to the full 100% versus 25 where we were at .

David Bernstein: the increase was about $0.06 a share or about, call it roughly $80 million. Remember, in 2026, we went to the full 100% versus 2025, where we were at, it was 70% of the emissions allowances.

Speaker #6: It was 70% of the emissions allowances. So, because of the step up, there was an increase. Plus, there was a slight increase in the projected cost of the allowances as well.

Josh Weinstein: So because of the step up, there was an increase. Plus, there was a slight increase in the projected cost of the EU allowances as well. Totally. No, I gotcha. I was just saying, is there a smart way to think about the out years? Clearly, is that step function over, or now it just grows by whatever you guys do on a, yeah, the step function's over because we're at 100%. Okay. Thanks. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of James Hardiman with Citi. Please proceed with your question. Hey, good morning. So circling back to the Caribbean conversation, as we think about, obviously, there's some one-timers in the first quarter, the Arabian Gulf deployment changes. But sort of your like-for-like numbers that you've given us, right? 2.4% for Q1 relative to 3% for the year.

So because of the step up, there was an increase. Plus, there was a slight increase in the projected cost of the EU allowances as well.

Speaker #8: Totally . No , I got you . I was just saying , is there a smart way to think about years ? the out Like are we is clearly .

Speaker #8: Is that function over, and now it just grows by, you know, whatever you guys do on a—

Ben Chaiken: Totally. No, I gotcha. I was just saying, is there a smart way to think about the out years? Clearly, is that step function over, or now it just grows by whatever you guys do on a,

Speaker #6: Yeah, just step functions over because we're at 100%.

Speaker #8: Thanks Okay . .

David Bernstein: yeah, the step function's over because we're at 100%.

Speaker #3: Thank you. Next question comes from the line of James Hardiman with Citi. Please proceed with your question.

Ben Chaiken: Okay. Thanks.

David Bernstein: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of James Hardiman with Citi. Please proceed with your question. Hey, good morning. So circling back to the Caribbean conversation, as we think about, obviously, there's some one-timers in the first quarter, the Arabian Gulf deployment changes. But sort of your like-for-like numbers that you've given us, right? 2.4% for Q1 relative to 3% for the year.

Speaker #9: morning Hey . Good . , circling So back to the Caribbean conversation as we think about obviously there's some , you know , some one timers in the in the first quarter , you know , the Arabian Gulf deployment changes , but sort of your like for like numbers that you've given us .

Speaker #9: Right. 2.4% for Q1 relative to 3% for the year. Is that delta primarily just the outsized mix of the Caribbean in?

Speaker #9: Q1 then , you know , And to Steve's question , as we think about the shape of the year , do you ultimately feel better as we move into the year about that Caribbean I think piece ?

Josh Weinstein: Is that delta primarily just the outsized mix of the Caribbean in Q1? And then to Steve's question, as we think about the shape of the year, do you ultimately feel better as we move into the year about that Caribbean piece? I think the Caribbean is a much larger chunk of Q4 as well. But it seems like, based on the answer to the previous question, that you feel pretty good. The Q4 yields, if anything, are probably going to be better than the full year. So just trying to understand the Caribbean dynamic in the context of all that. Thanks. Yep. Hey, James. So I think you've heard pieces of this throughout. So first of all, if you look at the first quarter versus the first half versus the second half, the comps are a lot different when it comes to the yields that we're lapping.

Speaker #9: Caribbean is a much larger chunk of Q4 as well, but it seems like, based on the answer to the previous question, that you feel good.

Speaker #9: know , You that Q4 yields , if anything , are probably going to be better than the full year . So just trying to understand the Caribbean dynamic in the all that .

Speaker #9: context of Thanks .

Speaker #2: Yeah . Hey , James . So I think you've heard pieces of this throughout . So , you know , first of all , at the if you look first quarter versus the first half versus the second half , the comps are a lot different when it comes to the yields we're we're that lapping .

Speaker #2: the impact We have of the volatility in the spring , which is having , you know , the outsized impact now , not not for the second half of 2026 .

Josh Weinstein: We have the impact of the volatility in the spring, which is having the outsized impact now, not for the second half of 2026. Overall, we feel good about the business. There are some specific drivers for Q1 that we've talked about. And we'll hopefully continue to, like I said, ride the momentum and keep improving the business. Got it. And then I guess moving to the other side of the pond, obviously, as we think about global capacity growth for 2026, it's in a very good spot, right? The issue is that a lot of that capacity is moving from Europe into the Caribbean. I would think that given your relative exposure to some of your peers in Europe, that maybe that's a net benefit to you guys. Maybe speak to that dynamic and whether or not you feel like you're sort of uniquely positioned there. Thanks. Yeah.

Speaker #2: You know , overall , we feel good about the business . You know , there are some specific drivers for Q1 we've that we talked about .

Speaker #2: And , you know , we'll hopefully continue I said , to like ride the keep improving the business .

Speaker #9: it . Got then I guess , you know , moving to the other side of the pond , obviously , as we think about global capacity growth for 2026 , it's in a very good spot .

David Bernstein: Got it. And then I guess moving to the other side of the pond, obviously, as we think about global capacity growth for 2026, it's in a very good spot, right? The issue is that a lot of that capacity is moving from Europe into the Caribbean. I would think that given your relative exposure to some of your peers in Europe, that maybe that's a net benefit to you guys. Maybe speak to that dynamic and whether or not you feel like you're sort of uniquely positioned there. Thanks.

Speaker #9: Right . issue is that The a lot of that capacity is moving from from Europe into the Caribbean . I would think that given your relative exposure to some of your peers in in Europe , that maybe that's a net benefit to you guys , maybe speak to to that dynamic and whether or not you feel like you're sort of uniquely positioned there .

Speaker #9: Thanks

Speaker #2: So . I'd Yeah . say , yeah , You know , keep clearing out of Europe . That'll be love it . us fine with .

Speaker #2: know , You at the end of the day , our with our strategy and our approach when you have P&O cruises , which is the , the biggest and best in the UK , and Aida , which is the biggest and the best in Germany .

Josh Weinstein: Yeah.

Josh Weinstein: So I'd say, yeah, love it. Keep clearing out of Europe. That'll be fine with us. At the end of the day, with our strategy and our approach, when you have P&O Cruises, which is the biggest and best in the UK, and AIDA, which is the biggest and the best in Germany, and then we've got Costa that's really servicing the southern European countries, our European strategy, we think, is very, very effective over the long term, as we've been saying for a long time. And we also, frankly, see strength in our North American brand's European program. So we're very happy with, A, where we're sourcing, and B, where we're deploying. And so we'll continue to stick to our strategy. Got it. Appreciate it. Thanks, Josh. And happy holidays. Happy holidays. Thanks, James. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Lizzie Dove with Goldman Sachs.

So I'd say, yeah, love it. Keep clearing out of Europe. That'll be fine with us. At the end of the day, with our strategy and our approach, when you have P&O Cruises, which is the biggest and best in the UK, and AIDA, which is the biggest and the best in Germany, and then we've got Costa that's really servicing the southern European countries, our European strategy, we think, is very, very effective over the long term, as we've been saying for a long time. And we also, frankly, see strength in our North American brand's European program. So we're very happy with, A, where we're sourcing, and B, where we're deploying. And so we'll continue to stick to our strategy.

Speaker #2: we've got And then Costa that's really servicing , Southern European our , our know European strategy . We countries , you think is is very , very effective over the long term .

Speaker #2: As we've been saying for a long time, also, frankly, see—and we see strength in our North American brands, European programs. So we're very happy with (a) where we're sourcing and (b) where we're deploying.

Speaker #2: And so we'll , we'll continue to , to stick to our strategy .

Speaker #9: Appreciate it . Thanks , Josh and happy Got it . holidays .

Speaker #2: James: Happy holidays. Thanks.

Ben Chaiken: Got it. Appreciate it. Thanks, Josh. And happy holidays.

Speaker #3: Our thank you. Question comes next from the line of Lizzie Duff with Goldman Sachs. Please proceed with your question.

Josh Weinstein: Happy holidays. Thanks, James.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Lizzie Dove with Goldman Sachs.

Speaker #10: Good Hi . morning . Thanks for taking the question . I wanted to go higher level and just on the strategy that you've taken , you have fewer ships launching than some of your peers , yet you're seeing clearly .

Josh Weinstein: Please proceed with your question. Hi. Good morning. Thanks for taking the question. I wanted to go higher level and just on the strategy that you've taken. You have fewer ships launching than some of your peers, yet you're seeing, clearly, congrats today, great yield growth. Could you maybe talk more about what you think's driving that same ship yield growth from here? How much of that is maybe brand improvements and some of the brands that have been lagging, maybe more exposure to new cruises? Anything you could share there would be helpful. Yeah. Hey, Lizzie. So I think it is our brands getting better and better at their commercial execution, up and down that silo, right? It is everything from how we do the revenue management and the tools we use and the capabilities that we have. It's the performance marketing.

Please proceed with your question.

Lizzie Dove: Hi. Good morning. Thanks for taking the question. I wanted to go higher level and just on the strategy that you've taken. You have fewer ships launching than some of your peers, yet you're seeing, clearly, congrats today, great yield growth. Could you maybe talk more about what you think's driving that same ship yield growth from here? How much of that is maybe brand improvements and some of the brands that have been lagging, maybe more exposure to new cruises? Anything you could share there would be helpful.

Speaker #10: Today. Congrats, great yield growth. Could you maybe talk more about what you think is driving that same, yield growth here?

Speaker #10: How much of that is maybe ship improvements in some of the brands that have been lagging, maybe more exposure to cruise—just anything you could share that would be helpful, new to—

Speaker #2: Yeah. Hey, Lizzie. So, I

Speaker #2: I think it is our brands getting better and better at their commercial execution up and down that silo. Right, it's everything from how we do the management and the tools we use and the capabilities that we have.

Lizzie Dove: Yeah. Hey, Lizzie. So I think it is our brands getting better and better at their commercial execution, up and down that silo, right? It is everything from how we do the revenue management and the tools we use and the capabilities that we have. It's the performance marketing.

Speaker #2: It's the performance revenue marketing. It's the better and brand clearer messaging that's really speaking to why you shouldn't just want to take a vacation with us or a cruise with us, but you want to take a cruise with that brand.

Josh Weinstein: It's the better and clearer brand messaging that's really speaking to why you shouldn't just want to take a vacation with us or a cruise with us, but you want to take a cruise with that brand. That's when we know we're doing it right. That's what we've been focused on. Of course, I always say I talk about this the least only because we're really so good at it. We're always trying to figure out how do we make the experience on board meet and exceed expectations of our guests. As you've heard me say, we have a tremendously ridiculous price-to-experience ratio gap between what we give to our guests and what you can get in land-based alternatives. That value proposition, I think, is getting clearer and clearer when it comes to how we can market and talk about this.

It's the better and clearer brand messaging that's really speaking to why you shouldn't just want to take a vacation with us or a cruise with us, but you want to take a cruise with that brand. That's when we know we're doing it right. That's what we've been focused on. Of course, I always say I talk about this the least only because we're really so good at it. We're always trying to figure out how do we make the experience on board meet and exceed expectations of our guests. As you've heard me say, we have a tremendously ridiculous price-to-experience ratio gap between what we give to our guests and what you can get in land-based alternatives. That value proposition, I think, is getting clearer and clearer when it comes to how we can market and talk about this.

Speaker #2: That's when we know we're doing it we're we're right . And been that's what we've focused on . And of course , I always say , I talk about this the least only because we're really so good at it .

Speaker #2: We're always trying to figure out how do we make the experience on board meet and exceed expectations of guests . And as you've heard me say have a , we tremendously our ridiculous price to experience ratio gap between what we give to our guests you can get in land based and what alternatives , and that value proposition , I getting think , is clearer and clearer when , when it comes to how we can market and talk about this now , because we don't have capacity growth in the next couple of speak of , years to of any any of of any real size , we don't have the we're trying to figure situation where get more people onto our ships .

Josh Weinstein: Now, because we don't have capacity growth in the next couple of years to speak of any real size, we don't have this situation where we're trying to figure out how do we get more people onto our ships. We have actually got pretty maximum capacity on our ships. So newcomers are welcome, as are our loyal guests who we love, as are folks who have cruised on others and want to try one of ours. And so we're trying to appeal to as broad an audience as we can for the limited space that we have, which is a good recipe for being able to improve our revenue. Great. And then I know you get asked this every quarter, but I'll ask it again, especially in the context of contribution to your net yield guidance this year. Celebration Key has been open a number of months now.

Now, because we don't have capacity growth in the next couple of years to speak of any real size, we don't have this situation where we're trying to figure out how do we get more people onto our ships. We have actually got pretty maximum capacity on our ships. So newcomers are welcome, as are our loyal guests who we love, as are folks who have cruised on others and want to try one of ours. And so we're trying to appeal to as broad an audience as we can for the limited space that we have, which is a good recipe for being able to improve our revenue.

Speaker #2: We actually got pretty maximum capacity on our ships. So newcomers are welcome, as are our loyal guests, who we love, as are folks who have cruised on others and want to try one of ours.

Speaker #2: And so we're trying to appeal to as broad an audience as we can for the limited space that we have , which is a good recipe for for being able to improve our , our revenue .

Speaker #10: And Great . then I know you get asked this every quarter , but I'll ask it again , especially in the in the context of contribution to your net yield guidance this year , celebration key has been open a number of months now , I think you've had a million guests .

Lizzie Dove: Great. And then I know you get asked this every quarter, but I'll ask it again, especially in the context of contribution to your net yield guidance this year. Celebration Key has been open a number of months now.

Speaker #10: You said, 'go, we all there.' I think our own estimates of ticket yield make our contribution on anything you board. Can you share just participation rates, spend rate, what you are seeing on uplift, and what you're expecting?

Josh Weinstein: I think you've had a million guests, you said, go there. I think we all make our own estimates of ticket yield contribution on board. Anything you can share of just participation rate, spend rate, what you are seeing on uplift, and what you're expecting on the go-forward and as you kind of develop, relax away more? Oh, thanks for asking again. So I'd say we celebrated just yesterday the one millionth guest coming to Celebration Key, which we were ecstatic to be able to celebrate. And it'll give you the same answer, which is we're getting the ticket premium that we anticipated. The output from the onboard shore operations is in line, and the fuel consumption is too. So it's proceeding pretty much as we had planned. We'll continue to learn and adopt over time, as we should.

I think you've had a million guests, you said, go there. I think we all make our own estimates of ticket yield contribution on board. Anything you can share of just participation rate, spend rate, what you are seeing on uplift, and what you're expecting on the go-forward and as you kind of develop, relax away more?

Speaker #10: The go, you know, on forward. And as you kind of develop, relax away more.

Speaker #2: Well , thanks for asking again . So I'd say we celebrated just yesterday the one millionth guest coming to Celebration Key , which we were ecstatic to to be able to celebrate .

Josh Weinstein: Oh, thanks for asking again. So I'd say we celebrated just yesterday the one millionth guest coming to Celebration Key, which we were ecstatic to be able to celebrate. And it'll give you the same answer, which is we're getting the ticket premium that we anticipated. The output from the onboard shore operations is in line, and the fuel consumption is too. So it's proceeding pretty much as we had planned. We'll continue to learn and adopt over time, as we should.

Speaker #2: it'll give And you the same answer , which is , you know , we're getting the ticket premium that we anticipated the output from the onboard You .

Speaker #2: know Sure . , operations is is in line and the fuel consumption is too . So it's proceeding pretty much as we had planned .

Speaker #2: continue to We'll learn and adapt over time we should . And as certainly we'll factoring in , as you said , you know , what are some lessons learned that could be translatable to Half moon relax away .

Speaker #2: But I would say we're trying to make them very distinct and different experiences. I think our guests are going to be delighted with that. We can't wait for that.

Josh Weinstein: And we'll certainly factor in, as you said, what are some lessons learned that could be translatable to Half Moon Cay, relax away. But I would say we're trying to make them very distinct and different experiences. And I think our guests are going to be delighted with that. And we can't wait to show them both for much of our capacity on the same itinerary. So we're looking forward to that. Thank you. Thanks, Lizzie. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of David Katz with Jefferies. Please proceed with your question. Good morning. And thanks for taking my question. David, could you just help us a bit with fixed versus variable costs within where you're at today?

And we'll certainly factor in, as you said, what are some lessons learned that could be translatable to Half Moon Cay, relax away. But I would say we're trying to make them very distinct and different experiences. And I think our guests are going to be delighted with that. And we can't wait to show them both for much of our capacity on the same itinerary. So we're looking forward to that.

Speaker #2: And show them, wait to both for much of our capacity on the same itinerary. So we're looking forward to that.

Speaker #10: Thank you .

Speaker #2: Thanks , Lizzie .

Speaker #3: you . Our Thank next question comes from the line David of Katz with Jefferies . Please proceed with your question .

Thank you.

Josh Weinstein: Thanks, Lizzie.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of David Katz with Jefferies. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #11: Good morning, and thanks for taking my question. David, could you just help us a bit with fixed versus variable costs within where you're at today?

David Katz: Good morning. And thanks for taking my question. David, could you just help us a bit with fixed versus variable costs within where you're at today?

Speaker #11: You know , I know we're not going to be able to predict the future we'd love to get a sense for how we might necessarily , but find leverage in the model , should it turn out to be a better year than anticipated .

Josh Weinstein: I know we're not going to be able to predict the future necessarily, but we'd love to get a sense for how we might find leverage in the model should it turn out to be a better year than anticipated. So it's a difficult question to answer because we do operate at full capacity and essentially sell every cabin. So once you have that basic premise in the business, what you're basically saying is a ship size. Most of your costs are fixed. However, that doesn't mean that you can't find better ways and optimize the business by doing things differently, which is whether it's using AI or other things in order to improve your cost structure. We're doing that shore side as well. Shore side, you find that obviously somebody could say your advertising expense is variable. But in the long run, it really isn't.

I know we're not going to be able to predict the future necessarily, but we'd love to get a sense for how we might find leverage in the model should it turn out to be a better year than anticipated.

Speaker #6: So , you know , that's a question difficult to answer because , you know , we do operate at full capacity and essentially sell every cabin .

Josh Weinstein: So it's a difficult question to answer because we do operate at full capacity and essentially sell every cabin. So once you have that basic premise in the business, what you're basically saying is a ship size. Most of your costs are fixed. However, that doesn't mean that you can't find better ways and optimize the business by doing things differently, which is whether it's using AI or other things in order to improve your cost structure. We're doing that shore side as well. Shore side, you find that obviously somebody could say your advertising expense is variable. But in the long run, it really isn't.

Speaker #6: once you have So basic premise in the business , you know what you're basically saying a ship , ship size is , most of your costs are fixed .

Speaker #6: However , that doesn't mean that you can't find better and optimize the business by doing things differently , which is whether it's ways AI or other things in order using to improve your cost structure .

Speaker #6: doing We're that shoreside as well . You know , shoreside , you find that obviously , you know , somebody could say you're advertising expense is variable , but in the long run , it really isn't .

Speaker #6: So what we have to do, and what we focus on continually, is being efficient with every single dollar we spend and finding ways to do more with less.

Josh Weinstein: So what we have to do, and what we focus on continually, is being most efficient with every single dollar we spend and find ways to do more with less. Understood. And as my follow-up, one more for you, David. Sorry, Josh. On the listing, presume that there could be a couple of bucks of cost savings upfront and ongoing. Thinking a few million dollars upfront and maybe a few million as an ongoing, every little bit helps. Is that the neighborhood, David? Yeah, that's the neighborhood. And the payback on this is very quick. It's just less than two years. And so we feel very good about the situation. And it also streamlines reporting and simplifies governance and other things for us. So we feel very good about the decision, and we finally got to it. Me too. Thanks. Thanks, David. Thank you.

So what we have to do, and what we focus on continually, is being most efficient with every single dollar we spend and find ways to do more with less.

Speaker #11: Understood . And as my follow up , One more for you , David . Sorry , Josh , on the thank . On the listing you , you know , presume that there could be a couple of bucks of cost savings .

David Katz: Understood. And as my follow-up, one more for you, David. Sorry, Josh. On the listing, presume that there could be a couple of bucks of cost savings upfront and ongoing. Thinking a few million dollars upfront and maybe a few million as an ongoing, every little bit helps. Is that the neighborhood, David?

Speaker #11: know You , upfront and ongoing . You know , thinking , you know , a few million dollars , you know , upfront and maybe a few million as an ongoing .

Speaker #11: Every little bit helps. Is that the neighborhood? David?

Speaker #6: that that's the Yeah , neighborhood . You know , and and the payback on this is very quick . It's just less than two years .

Speaker #6: so so And we feel very good about the situation . And it also streamlines reporting and , and simplifies governance and other things for us .

David Bernstein: Yeah, that's the neighborhood. And the payback on this is very quick. It's just less than two years. And so we feel very good about the situation. And it also streamlines reporting and simplifies governance and other things for us. So we feel very good about the decision, and we finally got to it.

Speaker #6: We feel very good about the final decision. And it got to where we wanted it to be.

Speaker #11: Thanks You too . .

Speaker #2: David Thanks , .

Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next from the line is Jaime Katz with a question. Please proceed with your question.

David Katz: Me too. Thanks.

David Bernstein: Thanks, David.

Speaker #12: Hey , good morning . Nice quarter guys , can little bit about consumer demand ? I I ask a a nice job . Disecting demand by geography , but maybe can you talk a little bit about the behavior of consumers between income levels ?

Josh Weinstein: Thank you.

Josh Weinstein: Our next question comes from the line of Jamie Katz with Morningstar. Please proceed with your question. Hey, good morning. Nice quarter, guys. Can I ask a little bit about consumer demand? I think you guys did a nice job dissecting demand by geography. But maybe can you talk a little bit about the behavior of consumers between income levels? Because we've been hearing a lot about these K-shaped demand patterns and how they've differentiated. Are we seeing things like Seabourn consumers being more resilient than Carnival consumers or vice versa? Is there any way to parse that out to a better degree for us? Yeah, sure. So when you look at the segments, you've got contemporary, premium, and luxury. We're not seeing any meaningful difference across the segments.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Jamie Katz with Morningstar. Please proceed with your question.

Jamie Katz: Hey, good morning. Nice quarter, guys. Can I ask a little bit about consumer demand? I think you guys did a nice job dissecting demand by geography. But maybe can you talk a little bit about the behavior of consumers between income levels? Because we've been hearing a lot about these K-shaped demand patterns and how they've differentiated. Are we seeing things like Seabourn consumers being more resilient than Carnival consumers or vice versa? Is there any way to parse that out to a better degree for us?

Speaker #12: Because we've been hearing a lot about this K-shaped demand pattern and how they've differentiated, you know, are we seeing things like seaborne being more resilient consumers, being Carnival consumers, or vice versa?

Speaker #12: Is there any way to parse that out to a better degree for us?

Speaker #2: Yeah , sure . you know , when you look at the got contemporary , segments , you premium and luxury . You know , we're not seeing any difference meaningful across the segments .

Josh Weinstein: Yeah, sure. So when you look at the segments, you've got contemporary, premium, and luxury. We're not seeing any meaningful difference across the segments.

Speaker #2: I would say . And been asked before , when you think about our this has US consumer across , you know , the big brands that we've got in the US , excluding seaborne , you know , the , the range of our , of our , of our household income is something the 100 to $150,000 range .

Josh Weinstein: I would say, and this has been asked before, when you think about our US consumer across the big brands that we've got in the US, excluding Seabourn, the range of our household income is something in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. So it's certainly in the middle class and up. Now, having said that, our guests don't live in a vacuum. They live in the same world as every other consumer does. And they see the headlines. And they're looking, I think, in a lot of cases, to figure out how do they get more value for what they're spending. That's been a pretty constant theme for a long time.

I would say, and this has been asked before, when you think about our US consumer across the big brands that we've got in the US, excluding Seabourn, the range of our household income is something in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. So it's certainly in the middle class and up. Now, having said that, our guests don't live in a vacuum. They live in the same world as every other consumer does. And they see the headlines. And they're looking, I think, in a lot of cases, to figure out how do they get more value for what they're spending. That's been a pretty constant theme for a long time.

Speaker #2: So it's certainly in , in in the middle class and up . Now having said that , you know , our guests don't live in a vacuum .

Speaker #2: They live in the world the same as every other consumer does, and they see the headlines, and they're looking, I think in a lot of cases, to figure out how do they get more value for what they're spending.

Speaker #2: It's been a pretty constant theme for a long time , and it certainly was in the fall , as you heard , not only us and people in the cruise space talk , but I think as you hear retailers talk and as we've been getting into the holiday season , some people are looking to make sure that they they are getting the most they can get for the money that they spend .

Josh Weinstein: It certainly was in the fall, as you heard not only us and people in the cruise space talk, but I think as you hear retailers talk and as we've been getting into the holiday season, some people are looking to make sure that they are getting the most they can get for the money that they spend. They're specifically looking to preserve and protect things that are dearly important to them, like spending time with their friends and family on holidays. When you put all of that together, that is a very nice tailwind for what we have to offer because we are an amazing value. We give an amazing experience. We can help you make your money go farther than what the land-based alternatives are. So we feel good about the positioning.

It certainly was in the fall, as you heard not only us and people in the cruise space talk, but I think as you hear retailers talk and as we've been getting into the holiday season, some people are looking to make sure that they are getting the most they can get for the money that they spend. They're specifically looking to preserve and protect things that are dearly important to them, like spending time with their friends and family on holidays. When you put all of that together, that is a very nice tailwind for what we have to offer because we are an amazing value. We give an amazing experience. We can help you make your money go farther than what the land-based alternatives are. So we feel good about the positioning.

Speaker #2: And they're specifically looking to preserve and protect things that are important to them, like spending time with their friends and family on holidays.

Speaker #2: And when you put all of that together, that is a very nice tailwind for what we have to offer, because we are an amazing value.

Speaker #2: We give an amazing experience, and we can help you make your money go farther than what the land-based alternatives are. And so, we feel good about the positioning.

Speaker #2: I'm happy to always have a gap to land and always be value and close the of time, and always have a gap and be of think that's a.

Josh Weinstein: I'm happy to always have a gap to land and always be a value and close the gap over time and always have a gap and be a value. I think that's a great thing that we can provide to our guests. Okay. Then I think there was a comment on always sailing full. Can you talk a little bit about how you guys are thinking about managing occupancy in 2026, just relative to the past, given that prices are at an all-time high and maybe the experience improves with fewer people on the ship? Maybe how is occupancy being optimized in the year ahead? Thanks. Sure. I think that's a fair call out. We are not mandating. I am not mandating to my teams, "You better sail full to the last decimal point going three places over," right?

I'm happy to always have a gap to land and always be a value and close the gap over time and always have a gap and be a value. I think that's a great thing that we can provide to our guests.

Speaker #2: A great thing that we can provide to our guests, I—

Speaker #12: Okay. And then I think there was a comment on always sailing full, but can you talk a little bit about how you guys are thinking about managing occupancy in 2026?

Jamie Katz: Okay. Then I think there was a comment on always sailing full. Can you talk a little bit about how you guys are thinking about managing occupancy in 2026, just relative to the past, given that prices are at an all-time high and maybe the experience improves with fewer people on the ship? Maybe how is occupancy being optimized in the year ahead? Thanks. Sure. I think that's a fair call out. We are not mandating. I am not mandating to my teams, "You better sail full to the last decimal point going three places over," right?

Speaker #12: Just relative to the past , given that prices are at an all time high and maybe the experience improves with fewer people on the ship , so maybe how is that occupancy optimized in ahead ?

Speaker #12: being Thanks . the year

Speaker #2: Sure . And I think I think that's a fair out . We are call not mandating I am not mandating to my teams .

Speaker #2: You better sail full to the , you know , to last the decimal point . You know , going three places over right at the end of the day , we want people to maximize revenue .

Speaker #2: And that's why , you know , we could we could miss an occupancy by a little bit . And we still end up with more revenue than what our forecast because managing and our teams are managing that , that balance .

Josh Weinstein: At the end of the day, we want people to maximize revenue. And that's why we could miss an occupancy by a little bit, and we still end up with more revenue than what our forecast was because we're managing, and our teams are managing that balance, and I think doing it the right way. And so there's always going to be opportunity to figure out on the fringes whether it's worth getting the last few people on board or it's not and keep a little bit more price integrity overall and generate more in the long run. So we give our brands, rightly so, the leeway to do that. And they have been doing it. And I expect that that will continue. Happy holidays. Thank you. You too. Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Conor Cunningham with Melius Research. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #2: doing it the think right way And I so , . you know , And opportunity to to figure out on the fringes whether it's worth , you know , getting the last few people on board or it's not .

Speaker #2: keep And a little bit more price integrity overall . And and generate more in the long run . So , so we we give our brands rightly so the , the leeway to do that .

Speaker #2: And they have been doing it. And I expect that will continue.

Speaker #12: Happy Thanks . holidays .

Speaker #2: Thank you .

Speaker #13: too You .

Speaker #3: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Conor Cunningham with Melius Research. Please proceed with your question.

Jamie Katz: Happy holidays.

Josh Weinstein: Thank you. You too.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Conor Cunningham with Melius Research. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #14: everyone . Thank you . Just Hi , on the balance sheet , you've obviously done a tremendous amount of work . I think you're targeting .

Speaker #14: Thank you. I said sub three. David, just why is that the right level? And is there a desire to go above and beyond the $2.6 billion?

Josh Weinstein: Hi, everyone. Thank you. Just on the balance sheet, you've obviously done a tremendous amount of work. I think you're targeting, I think you said, sub-three, David. Just why is that the right level? And is there a desire to go above and beyond the $2.6 billion, I think, that you have naturally come and do this year in general? Thanks. Sure. So overall, if you calculate using our guidance, where we'll wind up the year, we will wind up less than three. We wind up at about 2.8x. So we are moving in the right direction and feel very good about that. I would say we had said sub-three, but overall, we're probably targeting something in the range of 2.75x. That should get us around a triple B rating. And we feel that that is strong at this point in time for a company like ours. Okay.

Conor Cunningham: Hi, everyone. Thank you. Just on the balance sheet, you've obviously done a tremendous amount of work. I think you're targeting, I think you said, sub-three, David. Just why is that the right level? And is there a desire to go above and beyond the $2.6 billion, I think, that you have naturally come and do this year in general? Thanks.

Speaker #14: I think that you have naturally come and do this year in general. Thanks.

Speaker #6: Sure . , you So overall , know , if you calculate using our guidance where we'll wind up the we will wind up less than three .

David Bernstein: Sure. So overall, if you calculate using our guidance, where we'll wind up the year, we will wind up less than three. We wind up at about 2.8x. So we are moving in the right direction and feel very good about that. I would say we had said sub-three, but overall, we're probably targeting something in the range of 2.75x. That should get us around a triple B rating. And we feel that that is strong at this point in time for a company like ours. Okay.

Speaker #6: We at about 2.8 times . So we are wind up moving in the right direction and feel very good about that . I would say we had said sub three , but overall we're probably targeting something in the range of 2.75 .

Speaker #6: You should know , that us around a get triple . B rating . And we feel that that is strong at this point in time for for a company like ours .

Speaker #14: And okay, then. I know there's been a lot of talk about the Caribbean, but, like, it's pretty normal in this industry to have big swings in supply from time to time.

Josh Weinstein: And then I know there's been a lot of talk about the Caribbean, but it's pretty normal in this industry to have big swings in supply from time to time. I think one of, I mean, not too long ago, I think we were talking about Alaska as having too much supply at one point, but it normalized pretty quickly. So can you just, I know you talked a little bit about this, Josh, but just on core pricing versus occupancy, the biggest change to me seems to be that Carnival is less willing to discount to fill. So I mean, I know you've talked about maximizing revenue, but if you could just talk holistically how that's changed versus history, I think would be helpful, just given I think that's a big deal here. Thanks. Sure. And I think that's a great intro.

Speaker #14: I think, one of—I mean, not too long ago, I think we were talking about Alaska as having too much supply at one point, but it normalized pretty quickly.

Speaker #14: So can you just . I know you talked a little bit about this , but just core pricing versus on occupancy , like what the biggest change to me seems to be Carnival is less that willing to discount to fill .

Speaker #14: So , I mean , I know you've talked about maximizing if you could just talk like revenue , but , holistically or , you know , how that's changed versus versus history , I think would be helpful just given I think that's a big , big deal here .

Speaker #14: Thanks .

Speaker #2: I think that's a great Sure . And intro . I mean , you know , the first of all , let me just say real clearly , the Caribbean is and it always will be a fantastic market for us .

Josh Weinstein: I mean, first of all, let me just say real clearly, the Caribbean is, and it always will be, a fantastic market for us. Yeah. We have successfully absorbed elevated supply in the Caribbean before, and in Europe, and in Alaska many times over the last many decades. It comes and it goes, and it gets absorbed, and we move along. I don't feel any different about the long term in light of what this particular instance is because we do that very well. With respect to the philosophy, look, I think it is fair to say that we are thinking and acting, I think, on a rational basis in a way that we want to maintain price integrity in the market for us.

I mean, first of all, let me just say real clearly, the Caribbean is, and it always will be, a fantastic market for us. Yeah. We have successfully absorbed elevated supply in the Caribbean before, and in Europe, and in Alaska many times over the last many decades. It comes and it goes, and it gets absorbed, and we move along. I don't feel any different about the long term in light of what this particular instance is because we do that very well. With respect to the philosophy, look, I think it is fair to say that we are thinking and acting, I think, on a rational basis in a way that we want to maintain price integrity in the market for us.

Speaker #2: We have successfully absorbed elevated supply in the Caribbean before, and in Europe, and in Alaska, many times over the last many decades.

Speaker #2: And it comes and it goes and gets it absorbed . And we and we move along and and I don't feel any different about the long term in light of what this instance is , because we do that very well with respect particular to , you know , the philosophy , you know , look , I think , I think it is fair to that we say are we are thinking and acting .

Speaker #2: I think in a , in a rational basis , in a way that we want to maintain price integrity in the market for us .

Speaker #2: And at the same time , you know , making sure we get folks on board that are happy and spending money not only on the ticket , but the onboard and because we have evolved over the last several years and will continue to with bundled pricing and packages , you know , it does .

Josh Weinstein: At the same time, making sure we get folks on board that are happy and spending money not only on the ticket but the onboard. Because we have evolved over the last several years and will continue to with bundled pricing and packages, it does change the dynamic about how we can position ourselves in the market and do things and make folks think that and understand that it's a great value. We have been, like I said before, we've been doing this over the last couple of years, and our yields are up 17%. It's part of the arsenal to put out promotions, to make people interested in what we have to offer, and to get our base of business and hopefully generate as much revenue as we can and as much happy guests as we can.

At the same time, making sure we get folks on board that are happy and spending money not only on the ticket but the onboard. Because we have evolved over the last several years and will continue to with bundled pricing and packages, it does change the dynamic about how we can position ourselves in the market and do things and make folks think that and understand that it's a great value. We have been, like I said before, we've been doing this over the last couple of years, and our yields are up 17%. It's part of the arsenal to put out promotions, to make people interested in what we have to offer, and to get our base of business and hopefully generate as much revenue as we can and as much happy guests as we can.

Speaker #2: It does change the dynamic about how we can, you know, position ourselves in the market and do things, and make folks think that, and understand that it's a great value.

Speaker #2: have We said been , like I before , you know , we've been doing this over the last of years . couple And our yields are up 17% .

Speaker #2: It's part of the arsenal to put out promotions to make people interested in what we have to offer and get our base of of business and , hopefully generate , as and as much revenue as we can on as much guests as we can .

Speaker #2: So, no specific formula to give you, but I think it's fair to say that that's the happy approach.

Josh Weinstein: So no specific formula to give you, but I think it's fair to say that that's the approach. Good stuff. Thanks. Thank you. Operator, I think we've got time for one more. Thank you. Our final question will come from the line of Sharon Zackfia with William Blair. Please proceed with your question. Hi. Thanks for keeping it in alphabetical order with the Z coming last. I wanted to ask you about marketing. I hear you. At school, I was always in the back row. I wanted to ask about marketing because clearly you've had a lot of success with increasing your marketing spend. And I think that was called out as something you will increase more in 2026. Can you talk about where you ended with marketing as a percent of sales in 2025, how you think about that for 2026?

Josh Weinstein: So no specific formula to give you, but I think it's fair to say that that's the approach.

Speaker #14: stuff . Good Thanks .

Speaker #2: Thank you. I think we've got time for one more.

Speaker #3: Our final question, thank you, will come from the line of Sharon Zackfia with William Blair. Sharon, your question?

Conor Cunningham: Good stuff. Thanks.

Josh Weinstein: Thank you. Operator, I think we've got time for one more.

Operator: Thank you. Our final question will come from the line of Sharon Zackfia with William Blair. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker #15: Alphabetical order. With the coming Z last, wanted to ask you about Mark.

Speaker #2: I hear .

Speaker #15: You

Speaker #15: You , I school , I . always , always in the back row . I Was ask about wanted to marketing because clearly you've had a lot of success with increasing your marketing spend .

Sharon Zackfia: Hi. Thanks for keeping it in alphabetical order with the Z coming last. I wanted to ask you about marketing. I hear you. At school, I was always in the back row. I wanted to ask about marketing because clearly you've had a lot of success with increasing your marketing spend. And I think that was called out as something you will increase more in 2026. Can you talk about where you ended with marketing as a percent of sales in 2025, how you think about that for 2026?

Speaker #15: And I think that was called as out something you will increase more in '26. Can you talk about where you ended up with marketing as a percent of sales in '25, how you think about that for '26, and then, you know, there's a lot of talk about the way to get to consumers kind of changing with maybe SEO and things like that being less effective. How do you—

Josh Weinstein: Then there's a lot of talk about the way to get to consumers kind of changing with maybe SEO and things like that being less effective. I mean, how do you think about targeting consumers as the way to get to them, maybe shifting particularly in the digital landscape? Yeah. Well, so I'll talk about the last part first. I mean, you're 100% correct. It is one of the fastest changing areas of our business when it comes to technology, use of AI tools, not only by us but by the consumer, and how we are marrying all of that up.

Then there's a lot of talk about the way to get to consumers kind of changing with maybe SEO and things like that being less effective. I mean, how do you think about targeting consumers as the way to get to them, maybe shifting particularly in the digital landscape?

Speaker #15: I think I mean, targeting consumers is about the way to get to them—maybe shifting, particularly in the digital landscape?

Speaker #2: Yeah . Well , so I'll talk about the last part first , and you're It is one of the fastest 100% correct . areas of our business when it comes to technology use of AI tools , not only by us but by the And how are marrying all we of that up ?

Josh Weinstein: Yeah. Well, so I'll talk about the last part first. I mean, you're 100% correct. It is one of the fastest changing areas of our business when it comes to technology, use of AI tools, not only by us but by the consumer, and how we are marrying all of that up.

Speaker #2: And consumer . there are lots of things that are already in place because not surprisingly , there are third , third party companies that tools already available that we're taking advantage of to make have sure that we're keeping pace with the way that consumers are changing how go they about looking for not just a vacation , but frankly , anything nowadays .

Josh Weinstein: So there are lots of things that are already in place because, not surprisingly, there are third-party companies that have tools already available that we're taking advantage of to make sure that we're keeping pace with the way that consumers are changing how they go about looking for not just a vacation, but frankly, anything nowadays. So I think that's just going to be a common theme as we move ahead over the next several years. We've got to be, we have to be nimble. We have to be really thoughtful about the fact that the world is going to change dramatically, I think, over the next five years. We need to make sure we're keeping pace so that we are reallocating dollars as we talk with our operators about how they need to spend differently to adjust to that.

So there are lots of things that are already in place because, not surprisingly, there are third-party companies that have tools already available that we're taking advantage of to make sure that we're keeping pace with the way that consumers are changing how they go about looking for not just a vacation, but frankly, anything nowadays. So I think that's just going to be a common theme as we move ahead over the next several years. We've got to be, we have to be nimble. We have to be really thoughtful about the fact that the world is going to change dramatically, I think, over the next five years. We need to make sure we're keeping pace so that we are reallocating dollars as we talk with our operators about how they need to spend differently to adjust to that.

Speaker #2: that's that So is I think that's just going to be a common theme as we move next ahead over the several years . And we've got to be to be nimble and we have to be really thoughtful about the fact that the world is going to we have change dramatically .

Speaker #2: I think , over the next five years , and we just we need to make sure we're keeping pace . So that so we are reallocating dollars as we as we talk with our , our our operators about how they need to spend differently to to adjust to , to that , I think I think it's fair to say , though , there will still be top of funnel things that we're always going to want to do to get into the consideration set .

Speaker #2: And we're talking about how do we optimize . Once you get below that to make sure that we're being put the right way in front of the right potential guests to to close guest or the booking as far as , as , as far as how we're seeing the advertising , you know , it's not it's not like it's spiking dramatically over as a , as a percentage of , of of revenue .

Josh Weinstein: I think it's fair to say, though, there will still be top-of-funnel things that we are always going to want to do to get into the consideration set. And we're talking about how do we optimize once you get below that to make sure that we're being put the right way in front of the right guest or potential guest to close the booking. As far as how we're seeing the advertising, it's not like it's spiking dramatically over as a percentage of revenue. We're just trying to do what we think is the right thing, is the right thing for our brands and our business. It's about 3.5%, give or take.

Speaker #2: We're just trying to do what we think is , is the right thing , is the for our brands and our business . It's about , you right thing know , 3.5% , give or take .

Speaker #2: That's a metric we look at. But it's not a metric that ends the discussion about how—it's not the only one that advertising should be measured on.

Speaker #2: Because much people, as you can probably appreciate, there's a lot behind it. As we develop and change those plans, real.

Josh Weinstein: It's a metric we look at, but it's not the metric that ends the discussion about how much people should be spending on advertising because, as you can probably appreciate, there's a lot behind it as we develop and change those plans real-time. Okay. Thank you. Have a good holiday. Thank you very much. So for everybody, I would just say thank you. Happy holidays. And thank you again for all the support that we have had as a corporation and for all of our guests, and all of our trade partners. Thank you very much for everything you do for us and for the team. Well-deserved break next week. So thanks very much and happy holidays. Thank you. This concludes today's conference call. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.

It's a metric we look at, but it's not the metric that ends the discussion about how much people should be spending on advertising because, as you can probably appreciate, there's a lot behind it as we develop and change those plans real-time.

Speaker #13: Time .

Speaker #15: Thank you. Have an okay, good holiday.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much. So for everybody, I would just say thank you. Happy holidays. And thank you again for all the support that we have had as a company, and for all of our guests and all the cooperation of our trade partners.

Sharon Zackfia: Okay.

Thank you. Have a good holiday.

Josh Weinstein: Thank you very much. So for everybody, I would just say thank you. Happy holidays. And thank you again for all the support that we have had as a corporation and for all of our guests, and all of our trade partners. Thank you very much for everything you do for us and for the team. Well-deserved break next week. So thanks very much and happy holidays.

Speaker #2: Thank you very much for everything you do for us and for the team. Well deserved, well deserved. Break next week.

Speaker #2: So, thanks very much, and happy holidays.

Operator: Thank you. This concludes today's conference call. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.

Q4 2025 Carnival PLC Earnings Call

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