Carnival Eyes More Fleet Upgrades After AIDA Success

Carnival Corporation is planning to expand its ship refurbishment efforts across additional cruise brands following the strong results of AIDA Cruises’ AIDA Evolution modernization program.

Speaking during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, President and CEO Josh Weinstein confirmed that a similar drydock initiative has already been approved for Holland America Line, with other brands expected to introduce upgrade programs in the future.

While Weinstein did not reveal which cruise lines would be next, he emphasized that these refurbishment projects not only improve the guest experience but also create new revenue opportunities and enhance operational efficiency.

Carnival Corporation’s portfolio includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, and Holland America Line. Among these, Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises represent the largest share of passenger capacity.

Under the AIDA Evolution program, seven AIDA vessels will undergo extensive mid-life renovations. Holland America Line is set to begin its own upgrade program next year, starting with the Oosterdam. The initiative will eventually cover six ships as part of a $500 million investment.

Weinstein said the company is considering a range of improvements, including technical enhancements, upgrades to public spaces, the addition of new dining and beverage venues, and the possibility of increasing accommodation capacity by adding more cabins.

“We also anticipate moderate capacity growth for Holland America as we leverage ways to add cabins to these ships,” Weinstein said. “The cabins are easy, and they pay for themselves in a couple of years,” he added. “For Holland America and other brands, those will be part of the equation.”

According to Weinstein, refurbishing existing ships can deliver many of the benefits associated with a newbuild at a fraction of the cost. “When we look at the guest refurbishment side, we think about it like a newbuild, but with much lower costs involved,” Weinstein explained.