SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 21, 2003
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Republic of Panama 1-9610 59-1562976
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
3655 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33178-2428
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (305) 599-2600
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Item 5. Other Events
On March 21, 2003, Carnival Corporation issued a press release entitled
"Carnival Corporation Reports First Quarter Earnings" attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.1. The press release in incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
The Exhibit 99.1 press release entitled "Carnival Corporation Reports
First Quarter Earnings" dated March 21, 2003 is hereby incorporated by
reference.
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 21, 2003
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Gerald R. Cahill
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Name: Gerald R. Cahill
Title: Senior Vice President-Finance
and Chief Financial and
Accounting Officer
Exhibit List
99.1 Press release of Carnival Corporation dated March 21, 2003.
Exhibit 99.1
CONTACT: Tim Gallagher FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARNIVAL CORPORATION REPORTS FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
MIAMI (03/21/03) - Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) reported net income of
$126.9 million ($0.22 diluted EPS) on revenues of $1.03 billion for its first
quarter ended February 28, 2003, compared to net income of $129.6 million
($0.22 diluted EPS) on revenues of $906.5 million for the same quarter in 2002.
Earnings for the first quarter of 2003 included nonoperating income of $14.7
million, resulting from net insurance proceeds of $19 million, less certain
other nonoperating expenses. Earnings for the first quarter of 2002 included
$5 million of nonoperating income.
Cruise revenues for the first quarter of 2003 were up 14 percent compared
to the same quarter in 2002 due to an increase in capacity of 14.7 percent,
partially offset by a decline in the number of guests purchasing air
transportation from the company. Net revenue yields (net revenue per available
lower berth day after deducting the cost of air transportation and travel agent
commissions) for the quarter were approximately equal to the first quarter of
last year. However, excluding the impact of an increase in capacity weighted
toward the lower priced contemporary cruise products, net revenue yields for
the 2003 quarter were 2 percent higher.
Cruise costs per available lower berth day were 6.3 percent higher
compared to the same quarter in 2002 due primarily to increased fuel costs, the
front-loading of advertising expenses into the first half of 2003 and increased
insurance, environmental and security expenses. Higher fuel costs accounted
for 60 percent of the increase in cost per available lower berth day.
"Our first quarter 2003 results were impacted by concerns about a war with
Iraq, an uncertain worldwide economy and historically high fuel costs," said
Carnival Corporation Chairman and CEO Micky Arison. "These factors created an
extremely challenging environment for leisure travel businesses around the
world. Despite these adversities, we had a reasonably satisfactory quarter,
again demonstrating the resiliency of our cruise business," Arison noted.
During the first quarter of 2003, Holland America Line launched the new
1,848-passenger Zuiderdam from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the first ship in its new
Vista-class series, which offers about 85 percent of its cabins with ocean
views, of which approximately 80 percent have balconies. Arison noted that the
ship has been receiving rave reviews from consumers and travel agents alike,
as well as receiving a premium price compared to the other Holland America
ships.
Looking to the remainder of 2003, the factors which affected the first
quarter are also impacting the balance of the year, particularly the second
quarter. Bookings for the second quarter slowed as concerns over the war with
Iraq heightened, causing a close-in booking curve and resulting in a reduction
in cruise prices. Because of the Iraqi war and its impact on consumer travel,
the company is not able to give specific guidance for second quarter net
revenue yields, other than they are expected to be less than last year. Costs
per available lower berth day are expected to rise approximately 10 to 12
percent in the second quarter compared to last year's levels due primarily to
the same cost areas, which affected the first quarter of 2003.
Booking volumes for the second half of 2003 remain slightly ahead of last
year's levels but not commensurate with the increase in capacity expected for
the second half of the year. Pricing remains slightly below last year's
levels. Because of the close-in booking pattern and the uncertain geopolitical
environment, it is too early to give net revenue yield guidance for the second
half of 2003. Excluding the impact of higher fuel costs, operating costs per
available lower berth day in the second half of 2003 are expected to be down
slightly as compared to the second half of 2002.
"Although in the short term bookings have been impacted by the external
factors discussed above, we believe that the fundamental long-term drivers of
the cruise industry's growth, such as favorable demographics and low
penetration of the vacation market, remain intact," Arison said. "It is
primarily because of these factors that we have entered into our proposed
combination with P&O Princess Cruises plc," Arison noted. "Now that we are
within sight of the completion of this transaction, we are particularly excited
about the future prospects for the combined group and believe that our 16-month
effort to combine with P&O Princess will bring enhanced value and opportunity
to the shareholders and employees of both companies."
Documents regarding Carnival's dual listed company ("DLC") combination
with P&O Princess were mailed to Carnival and P&O Princess shareholders this
week. Extraordinary General Meetings for shareholder approval of the DLC
proposal are scheduled for April 14, 2003 for Carnival shareholders and April
16, 2003 for P&O Princess shareholders. Subject to shareholder approval,
Carnival expects closing of the transaction to occur shortly thereafter.
Assuming the transaction closes in April, Carnival would include P&O Princess'
operations in its consolidated operating results commencing with Carnival's
2003 second quarter. The guidance provided above does not take into account
the consolidation of P&O Princess.
Carnival has four new ships scheduled for delivery this year. Costa
Cruises' 2,114-passenger Costa Mediterranea is expected to be delivered in May
2003, Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory and Holland
America's 1,848-passenger Oosterdam in June 2003, and Costa's 2,720-passenger
Costa Fortuna in November 2003.
Carnival has scheduled a conference call with analysts at 10 a.m. EST
(15.00 London time) today to discuss its 2003 first quarter earnings. This
call can be listened to live, and additional information can be obtained, at
the company's web site at www.carnivalcorp.com.
Carnival Corporation is comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's
largest cruise line based on passengers carried, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line,
Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises. Carnival
Corporation's six brands operate 45 ships in the Bahamas, the Caribbean,
Alaska, Europe, Mexico, South America and other worldwide destinations, and
have 13 new ships scheduled for delivery between now and mid-2006.
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Cautionary note concerning factors that may affect future results
Certain statements in this announcement are "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Carnival Corporation has tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements
by using words such as "will," "may," "anticipate," "estimates," "assume,"
"believe," "expect," "forecast," "future," "intend," "plans" and words and
terms of similar substance in connection with any discussion of future
operating or financial performance. Because forward-looking statements,
including those which may impact the forecasting of Carnival's net revenue
yields, booking levels, pricing, occupancy, operating, financing and tax costs,
estimates of ship depreciable lives and residual values, or business prospects,
involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause
Carnival's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business
conditions, which may impact levels of disposable income of consumers and the
net revenue yields for Carnival's cruise brands; conditions in the cruise and
land-based vacation industries, including vacation industry competition and
increases in capacity offered by cruise ship and land-based vacation
alternatives; effects on consumer demand of the international political and
economic climate, and armed conflict, terrorist attacks, adverse publicity and
the availability of air service; continued availability of attractive port
destinations; changes in environmental, health, safety, security and other
regulatory regimes under which Carnival operates; Carnival's ability to obtain
financing on terms that are favorable or consistent with its expectations;
Carnival's financial and contractual counterparties' ability to perform;
Carnival's ability to implement its shipbuilding programs and brand strategies
and to continue to expand its businesses worldwide; Carnival's ability to
attract and retain shipboard crew and maintain good relations with employee
unions; the impact of changes in operating and financing costs, including
changes in foreign currency and interest rates and increases in food, fuel,
insurance and security costs; weather patterns and natural disasters;
accidents and other incidents at sea affecting the health, safety, security and
vacation satisfaction of passengers; Carnival's ability to successfully
implement cost improvement plans and to integrate business acquisitions; the
continuing financial viability of Carnival's travel agent distribution system;
and the ability of a small group of shareholders effectively to control the
outcome of shareholder voting. Forward-looking statements should not be relied
upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations
under applicable laws, Carnival expressly disclaims any obligation to
disseminate any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to
reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on
which any such statements are based.
Carnival filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with its dual listed company proposal (which includes a partial share offer to
P&O Princess shareholders) a registration statement on Form S-4/proxy statement
on Schedule 14A, as well as a registration statement on Form S-4/statement on
Schedule TO. Both registration statements contain a prospectus and other
documents relating to the dual listed company proposal. Carnival has mailed
to shareholders of P&O Princess the prospectus contained in the registration
statement/Schedule TO declared effective by the SEC. Carnival has also mailed
the proxy statement and the prospectus contained in the registration
statement/proxy statement to its shareholders. These registration statements,
the prospectuses, the proxy statement and the Schedule TO contain important
information about Carnival, P&O Princess, the dual listed company proposal and
related matters. Stockholders should read the registration statements, the
prospectuses, the proxy statement, the Schedule TO and the other documents
filed with the SEC in connection with the dual listed company proposal
carefully before they make any decision with respect to the proposal. The
registration statements, the prospectuses, the proxy statement, the Schedule
TO and all other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the dual
listed company proposal and prior pre-conditional offer are available free of
charge at the SEC's web site, at www.sec.gov. In addition, these documents are
available to shareholders free of charge by writing to Tim Gallagher at
Carnival Corporation, Carnival Place, 3655 N.W. 87 Avenue, Miami, Florida,
33178-2428.
In addition to the registration statements, the prospectuses, the proxy
statement, the Schedule TO and the other documents filed with the SEC in
connection with the dual listed company proposal, Carnival is obligated to file
annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. Persons may read and copy any reports, statements and other
information filed with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330
for further information on the public reference room. Filings with the SEC
also are available to the public from commercial document-retrieval services
and at the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
The identities of the participants in the solicitation of Carnival shareholders
for purposes of Rule 14a-12(a)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
their interests in the offer and transactions related to it are set forth in
Appendix VI to Carnival's filing under rule 423 dated October 25, 2002.
Implementation of the dual listed company proposal is subject to various
conditions, including the approvals of Carnival and P&O Princess shareholders.
Contact information:
For investor relations, please contact Beth Roberts, Tel: 1-305-599-2600, ext.
19066, and for media inquiries, please contact Tim Gallagher, Tel: 1-305-599-
2600, ext. 16000, Carnival Corporation, Carnival Place, 3655 N.W. 87 Avenue,
Miami, Florida 33178-2428.
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED
FEBRUARY 28,
2003 2002 (a)
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
Revenues $1,031,105 $ 906,531
Costs and Expenses
Operating 615,194 519,562
Selling and administrative 177,118 151,403
Depreciation and amortization 106,483 89,754
898,795 760,719
Operating Income 132,310 145,812
Nonoperating (Expense) Income
Interest income 4,229 6,663
Interest expense,
net of capitalized interest (29,392) (29,455)
Other income, net 14,729(b) 4,959
(10,434) (17,833)
Income Before Income Taxes 121,876 127,979
Income Tax Benefit, Net 5,003 1,661
Net Income $ 126,879 $ 129,640
Earnings Per Share
Basic $0.22 $0.22
Diluted $0.22 $0.22
Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding - Basic 586,895 586,268
Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding - Diluted 587,780 587,739
(a) Certain amounts in 2002 have been reclassified to conform to the
2003 presentation.
(b) Includes $19 million from net insurance proceeds, less certain
other nonoperating expenses.
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
SELECTED INFORMATION
THREE MONTHS ENDED
FEBRUARY 28,
2003 2002 (a)
(in thousands, except percentages)
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Revenues
Cruise $1,027,475 $ 901,263
Tour 5,519 5,706
Intersegment elimination (1,889) (438)
$1,031,105 $ 906,531
Operating expenses
Cruise $ 609,410 $ 512,236
Tour 7,673 7,764
Intersegment elimination (1,889) (438)
$ 615,194 $ 519,562
Selling and administrative expenses
Cruise $ 169,501 $ 143,777
Tour 7,617 7,626
$ 177,118 $ 151,403
Operating income (loss)
Cruise $ 143,557 $ 156,983
Tour (11,247) (11,171)
$ 132,310 $ 145,812
STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Passengers carried 923 772
Available lower berth days 5,805 5,060
Occupancy percentage 102.8% 102.8%
(a) Certain amounts in 2002 have been reclassified to conform to the
2003 presentation. In addition, in 2003 the company commenced
allocating all corporate expenses to its cruise segment and,
accordingly, the 2002 presentation has been restated to conform to
the 2003 presentation.