Carnival Contracts for Two New Cruise Ships

Princess Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), announced that contracts to build two 3,600-passenger ships have been finalized with Italy's Fincantieri shipyard. The new ships are scheduled to enter service in spring 2013 and spring 2014. At an estimated 141,000 tons, the as-yet-unnamed ships will be the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet. All outside cabins will feature balconies, bringing the percentage of balconies on the ships to 80 percent of all staterooms. The ship's central atrium featuring dining, entertainment and retail, will be expanded, as will the Sanctuary, spa, and restaurants.