Jun 24, 2021 - Economy

Carnival cruise bookings for 2022 outpace pre pandemic

The pandemic hasn't scared away die-hard cruise fans: Carnival bookings for next year already outpace those in 2019.

Half of its ships will sail by or before the end of November, executives said today alongside a quarterly report.

But the largest U.S. cruise operator's full fleet won't sail until next spring — later than previously expected, Bloomberg notes.

Why it matters: The cruise industry is just beginning to recover from its worst year on record.

The Centers for Disease Control has given the green light for a gradual restart, conditional on a number of COVID-19 protocols, including proof of vaccination — though Florida has blocked that requirement.
Some trips have resumed overseas.

By the numbers: Carnival lost $2 billion last quarter — executives wouldn't say when it would return to profitability.