Bookings for Royal Caribbean Cruises brands for the remainder of 2016 remain strong and similar to last year’s record levels.
Booking levels for the next 12 months are also described as strong, up on both rate and volume, against this time last year.
“Continued strength for North American products are helping offset weakness in the eastern Mediterranean and in Shanghai,” the owner of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises said.
Chief financial officer Jason Liberty said: “While there are always puts and takes in our key markets, our portfolio is performing as expected, our booked position remains strong, and our newbuilds are entering their markets to great fanfare.
“These factors are driving another year of record earnings.”
His comments came as the world’s second largest cruise group reported adjusted net income for the second quarter of the year up to $235.2 million from $185 million in the same period.
Lower than expected fuel expense in the second quarter partially offset the full year impact of weaker foreign currencies and rise in fuel prices.
The sale of 51% of the Spanish Pullmantur Group announced in May was completed at the end of July.
“Since Pullmantur’s yields and costs are lower than the fleet average, this change has the effect of increasing the company’s yields and costs metrics for 2016,” the company said.