The year 2020 was unforgiving for cruise lines but 2021 seems to have started off on a slightly higher note. For the top three industry players, surviving the year took its toll resulting in a high level of cash burn and massive debt burdens.

According to the research data analyzed and published by ComprarAcciones.com, the top three cruise lines have accrued more than $60 billion in debt during the pandemic period. Norwegian Cruise Lines’ debt burden was over $12.15 billion. For Carnival Corporation, it was around $30 billion while for Royal Caribbean, it was over $18.95 billion.

Carnival Corporation Revenue to Shoot Up by 13.6% in FY21, 227.4% FY22

Deutsche Bank raised its price target on Royal Caribbean stock from $62 to $79. On the other hand, JP Morgan went from $91 to $100. As a result of this positive sentiment, the cruise company’s share price soared.

According to Marketwatch data, Royal Caribbean’s share price as of March 24, 2021 was $82.45, up by 92.36% over the one-year period. Comparatively, in 2020, its share price fell by 44%.

Similarly, Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Lines are on an uptrend since the start of 2021. Trading at $25.79, Carnival is up by 59.8% over the one-year period, while Norwegian is up 61.1% at a share price of $25.40.

In Q4 2020, Royal Caribbean posted a net loss of $1.37 billion, sending its annual loss to $5.8 billion. Revenue for the period amounted to $34.1 million, a far cry from its Q4 2019 figure of $2.52 billion. For the full year 2020, its revenue totaled $2.2 billion.

Carnival Corporation posted a loss of $2.2 billion for its fiscal Q4 which ended in November 2020.

Analysts have, however, expressed optimism, projecting an increase of 13.6% for Carnival’s fiscal year 2021 revenue. In fiscal year 2020, the increase will be a stunning 227.4%.