Carnival Reports Record Performance and Debt Management Success
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 01 2026
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Should l Buy CUK?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Carnival PLC's stock rose by 5.00% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting strong market performance.
The company reported record revenue and adjusted EBITDA in 2025, driven by robust market demand, despite ongoing concerns about high debt levels. Carnival successfully refinanced $19 billion in debt, reducing it significantly and restarting dividend payments, which indicates management's confidence in future profitability. This strong financial performance has positioned Carnival favorably in the luxury cruise market, attracting more high-end clientele.
The implications of these results suggest that Carnival is on a solid path to recovery and growth, potentially leading to sustained stock performance as it capitalizes on its market position and financial strategies.
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Analyst Views on CUK
About CUK
Carnival PLC is a global cruise company. The Company’s segments include North America and Australia (NAA) cruise operations, Europe and Asia (EA) cruise operations, Cruise Support, and Tour and Other. NAA cruise operations include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), and Seabourn. The EA segment includes Costa Cruises (Costa), AIDA Cruises (AIDA), P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard. Cruise Support segment includes its portfolio of port destinations and other services, all of which are operated for the benefit of its cruise brands. Tour and Other segment represent the hotel and transportation operations of Holland America Princess Alaska Tours and other operations. Holland America Princess Alaska Tours is a tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, which complements its Alaska cruise operations. The Company’s cruising offers a broad range of products and services to suit vacationing guests.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Carnival's Impressive Recovery and Growth Story
- Financial Recovery: Carnival achieved record full-year revenue exceeding $26 billion and adjusted net income of $3.1 billion in 2023, demonstrating strong post-pandemic recovery and improved profitability.
- Effective Debt Management: The company has aggressively paid down debt and successfully returned to an investment-grade credit rating, reducing vulnerability to interest rate increases and enhancing financial stability and growth potential.
- Operational Efficiency: By replacing older ships with more fuel-efficient vessels, Carnival has not only improved operational efficiency but also boosted profitability through increased onboard spending by travelers.
- Reasonable Market Valuation: Currently trading at 12x forward earnings estimates, down from over 16x a year ago, this reasonable valuation provides investors with ample room for further gains, potentially attracting more buyers into the stock.
See More
Carnival's Remarkable Recovery and Profitability Improvement
- Debt Management Success: Carnival has effectively managed its debt during the pandemic by aggressively paying it down, resulting in an upgrade to investment-grade credit status, which enhances financial stability and investor confidence.
- Record Financial Performance: The company reported full-year revenue exceeding $26 billion and adjusted net income of $3.1 billion in 2023, surpassing financial goals by 18 months, indicating strong market demand and improving profitability.
- Sustainability Strategy: Carnival's SEA Change plan aims to enhance sustainability and return on invested capital, further driving the company's dual goals of environmental responsibility and profitability, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the market.
- Attractive Valuation for Investors: With a current P/E ratio of 12, down from over 16 a year ago, combined with its impressive recovery narrative, Carnival may attract more investors, potentially leading to further stock price gains.
See More
Carnival (CUK.US) Officer Plans to Sell $11.56 Million in Common Stock via Form 144
Stock Sale Announcement: Carnival PLC plans to sell 361.79K shares of its common stock on February 10.
Market Value: The total market value of the shares being sold is approximately $11.56 million.
See More
Queen Mary 2 Reunites with Legendary Namesake After 20 Years
- Historic Reunion: The world's only ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, reunited with her legendary namesake, the original Queen Mary, off the coast of Long Beach for the first time in 20 years, highlighting Cunard's maritime legacy and historical significance.
- Cultural Icon: Celebrating her 90th anniversary, the Queen Mary, an Art Deco icon since her debut in 1936, now serves as a vibrant cultural destination in Long Beach, offering acclaimed dining, immersive tours, and overnight accommodations that attract visitors worldwide.
- Milestone Voyage: This reunion coincides with Queen Mary 2's first-ever transit of the Panama Canal, further solidifying her importance in ocean travel and laying the groundwork for her upcoming 108-night World Voyage, which includes over 30 ports of call.
- Strategic Implications: Cunard's reunion event not only pays tribute to the past but also looks toward the future, showcasing the company's ongoing innovation and leadership in the luxury cruise market, thereby attracting more high-end clientele.
See More
Carnival Reports Record Performance in 2025
- Record Performance: Carnival achieved record revenue, net yields, and adjusted EBITDA in 2025, reflecting strong market demand and profitability, although high debt remains a challenge.
- Debt Management: The company successfully refinanced $19 billion in debt in 2025, reducing it by $10 billion from its 2023 peak, with lower interest rates aiding faster debt repayment and enhancing future financial flexibility.
- Market Performance: Carnival's stock outperformed the S&P 500 with a 23% increase over the past year, although investors remain cautious due to its high debt, raising questions about its ability to sustain market outperformance.
- Dividend Restart: The company has restarted its dividend payments, indicating management's confidence in future profitability, and with a low forward P/E ratio of less than 11, it presents an attractive opportunity in a diversified portfolio.
See More
Carnival Corp. Achieves Record Performance in 2025
- Record Performance: Carnival Corp. set new records in 2025, achieving historical highs in revenue, net yields, operating income, customer deposits, and adjusted EBITDA, indicating strong market performance and future growth potential.
- Strong Quarterly Results: In the fourth fiscal quarter ending November 30, Carnival exceeded guidance across metrics, suggesting continued strong profitability in 2026, with bookings and occupancy at historical highs, reflecting sustained consumer demand.
- Debt Management Strategy: Despite incurring significant debt during the pandemic, Carnival successfully refinanced $19 billion in 2025, reducing its debt by $10 billion from its 2023 peak, which lowers financial risk and enhances future repayment capacity.
- Attractive Stock Valuation: With a forward P/E ratio below 11, Carnival's stock appears undervalued, and the management's decision to restart dividends signals confidence in future prospects; if interest rates continue to decline, Carnival is poised to outperform the market again.
See More
Carnival's Impressive Recovery and Growth Story
- Financial Recovery: Carnival achieved record full-year revenue exceeding $26 billion and adjusted net income of $3.1 billion in 2023, demonstrating strong post-pandemic recovery and improved profitability.
- Effective Debt Management: The company has aggressively paid down debt and successfully returned to an investment-grade credit rating, reducing vulnerability to interest rate increases and enhancing financial stability and growth potential.
- Operational Efficiency: By replacing older ships with more fuel-efficient vessels, Carnival has not only improved operational efficiency but also boosted profitability through increased onboard spending by travelers.
- Reasonable Market Valuation: Currently trading at 12x forward earnings estimates, down from over 16x a year ago, this reasonable valuation provides investors with ample room for further gains, potentially attracting more buyers into the stock.
See More
Carnival's Remarkable Recovery and Profitability Improvement
- Debt Management Success: Carnival has effectively managed its debt during the pandemic by aggressively paying it down, resulting in an upgrade to investment-grade credit status, which enhances financial stability and investor confidence.
- Record Financial Performance: The company reported full-year revenue exceeding $26 billion and adjusted net income of $3.1 billion in 2023, surpassing financial goals by 18 months, indicating strong market demand and improving profitability.
- Sustainability Strategy: Carnival's SEA Change plan aims to enhance sustainability and return on invested capital, further driving the company's dual goals of environmental responsibility and profitability, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the market.
- Attractive Valuation for Investors: With a current P/E ratio of 12, down from over 16 a year ago, combined with its impressive recovery narrative, Carnival may attract more investors, potentially leading to further stock price gains.
See More
Carnival (CUK.US) Officer Plans to Sell $11.56 Million in Common Stock via Form 144
Stock Sale Announcement: Carnival PLC plans to sell 361.79K shares of its common stock on February 10.
Market Value: The total market value of the shares being sold is approximately $11.56 million.
See More
Queen Mary 2 Reunites with Legendary Namesake After 20 Years
- Historic Reunion: The world's only ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, reunited with her legendary namesake, the original Queen Mary, off the coast of Long Beach for the first time in 20 years, highlighting Cunard's maritime legacy and historical significance.
- Cultural Icon: Celebrating her 90th anniversary, the Queen Mary, an Art Deco icon since her debut in 1936, now serves as a vibrant cultural destination in Long Beach, offering acclaimed dining, immersive tours, and overnight accommodations that attract visitors worldwide.
- Milestone Voyage: This reunion coincides with Queen Mary 2's first-ever transit of the Panama Canal, further solidifying her importance in ocean travel and laying the groundwork for her upcoming 108-night World Voyage, which includes over 30 ports of call.
- Strategic Implications: Cunard's reunion event not only pays tribute to the past but also looks toward the future, showcasing the company's ongoing innovation and leadership in the luxury cruise market, thereby attracting more high-end clientele.
See More
Carnival Reports Record Performance in 2025
- Record Performance: Carnival achieved record revenue, net yields, and adjusted EBITDA in 2025, reflecting strong market demand and profitability, although high debt remains a challenge.
- Debt Management: The company successfully refinanced $19 billion in debt in 2025, reducing it by $10 billion from its 2023 peak, with lower interest rates aiding faster debt repayment and enhancing future financial flexibility.
- Market Performance: Carnival's stock outperformed the S&P 500 with a 23% increase over the past year, although investors remain cautious due to its high debt, raising questions about its ability to sustain market outperformance.
- Dividend Restart: The company has restarted its dividend payments, indicating management's confidence in future profitability, and with a low forward P/E ratio of less than 11, it presents an attractive opportunity in a diversified portfolio.
See More
Carnival Corp. Achieves Record Performance in 2025
- Record Performance: Carnival Corp. set new records in 2025, achieving historical highs in revenue, net yields, operating income, customer deposits, and adjusted EBITDA, indicating strong market performance and future growth potential.
- Strong Quarterly Results: In the fourth fiscal quarter ending November 30, Carnival exceeded guidance across metrics, suggesting continued strong profitability in 2026, with bookings and occupancy at historical highs, reflecting sustained consumer demand.
- Debt Management Strategy: Despite incurring significant debt during the pandemic, Carnival successfully refinanced $19 billion in 2025, reducing its debt by $10 billion from its 2023 peak, which lowers financial risk and enhances future repayment capacity.
- Attractive Stock Valuation: With a forward P/E ratio below 11, Carnival's stock appears undervalued, and the management's decision to restart dividends signals confidence in future prospects; if interest rates continue to decline, Carnival is poised to outperform the market again.
See More
