Carnival shares surge 9.17% after-hours on strong cruise demand and upbeat guidance.

Carnival Corporation (CCL) jumped 9.17% in after-hours trading following Royal Caribbean’s strong earnings report and upbeat 2026 profit forecast, which signaled robust industry-wide demand. Royal Caribbean noted record booking rates and capacity utilization, boosting optimism for cruise sector fundamentals. This reinforced investor confidence in Carnival, which had previously exceeded Q4 2025 earnings and EBITDA expectations while raising 2026 guidance. The rally aligns with broader pricing power and sustained consumer demand, as highlighted by a seven-day winning streak in the stock. While the immediate catalyst was a competitor’s performance, Carnival’s own financial strength and optimistic outlook further justified the surge, indicating sector-wide momentum rather than isolated news.