Cruise Stocks Soar On Strong Demand Despite Cost Swells - Viking Holdings (NYSE:VIK), Royal Caribbean Gr (NYSE:RCL), Carnival (NYSE:CCL)

Core Insights - The cruise industry is entering the third-quarter reporting season with strong demand but rising cost concerns, particularly for 2026 [1] - Bank of America Securities analyst Andrew G. Didora anticipates a robust 2025 for cruise lines, while cost pressures are expected to dominate discussions for 2026 [1] Group 1: Demand and Revenue Trends - Cruise spending has shown a significant increase, with a 10% rise in the third quarter of 2025 compared to a 3% increase in the second quarter [2] - Carnival Corporation reported strong onboard spending and resilient late bookings, indicating positive consumer behavior [2] - Airlines are also experiencing robust premium revenue trends, which are expected to support revenue growth for Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Viking in the upcoming quarters [3] Group 2: Company-Specific Forecasts - Royal Caribbean Cruises is projected to report earnings on October 29, with an expected EPS of $5.65, slightly below the Street's estimate of $5.68 [4] - Norwegian Cruise Line's third-quarter EPS is forecasted at $1.16, with net yields and non-fuel unit costs aligning with guidance [5] - Carnival Corporation's EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been raised to $2.37 and $2.61, respectively, due to lower interest costs following a recent debt issuance [6] Group 3: Viking Holdings - Viking's third- and fourth-quarter EPS estimates are maintained at $1.19 and $0.56, slightly above market expectations [8]