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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 1, 2002
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Republic of Panama 1-9610 59-1562976
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
3655 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33178-2428
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (305) 599-2600
Item 5. Other Events.
As described in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report,
on December 1, 2002, Carnival Corporation's subsidiary, Windstar Cruises,
experienced a fire onboard its vessel, Wind Song, ten miles off the coast
of Tahaa, French Polynesia. There were no injuries and all 127 passengers
and 92 crew members were safely disembarked. The extent of the damage to
the ship is significant and, based on initial observations, it appears to
be a total loss. The vessel is fully insured. Management believes that
there will be no material impact on Carnival Corporation's fiscal 2003
earnings.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
The press release of Windstar Cruises is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this
report.
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
Certain statements in this report constitute "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by
using words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "forecast,"
"future," "intend," and words and terms of similar substance in connection
with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These
forward-looking statements, including those which may impact the
forecasting of our net revenue yields, booking levels, pricing, occupancy
or business prospects, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors, which may cause our actual results, performances or
achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performances or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements.
Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and
business conditions which may impact levels of disposable income of
consumers and the net revenue yields for our cruise products; consumer
demand for cruises and other vacation options; other vacation industry
competition; effects on consumer demand of armed conflicts, political
instability, terrorism, adverse media publicity and the availability of air
service; shifts in consumer booking patterns; increases in vacation
industry capacity, including cruise capacity; continued availability of
attractive port destinations; changes in tax laws and regulations; changes
and disruptions in equity, financial and insurance markets; our financial
and contractual counterparties' ability to perform; our ability to
implement our brand strategy; our ability to implement our shipbuilding
program and to continue to expand our business worldwide; our ability to
attract and retain shipboard crew; changes in foreign currency and interest
rates and increases in security, food, fuel and insurance costs; delivery
of new ships on schedule and at the contracted prices; weather patterns and
natural disasters; unscheduled ship repairs and drydocking; incidents
involving cruise ships; impact of pending or threatened litigation; our
ability to successfully implement cost improvement plans; the continuing
financial viability and/or consolidation of our travel agent distribution
system; our ability to successfully integrate business acquisitions; and
changes in laws and regulations applicable to us.
These risks may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing
business environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. We cannot
predict such risks nor can we assess the impact, if any, of such risks on
our business or the extent to which any risk, or combination of risks may
cause actual results to differ from those projected in any forward-looking
statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied
upon as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: December 2, 2002
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Gerald R. Cahill
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Name: Gerald R. Cahill
Title: Senior Vice President-Finance
and Chief Financial and
Accounting Officer
Exhibit List
Exhibit Description
99.1 Press Release dated December 1, 2002
Exhibit 99.1
Windstar Cruises to Redeploy msy Wind Star to Tahiti in Jan. 2003
msy Wind Star's Winter Costa Rica/Panama Canal/Belize Season Canceled
SEATTLE, WA, Dec. 1, 2002 - Windstar Cruises announces that the 148-
passenger msy Wind Star will be redeployed to Tahiti for cruises beginning
Jan. 24, 2003, due to a recent fire aboard her sister ship the msy Wind
Song. The msy Wind Star's winter season of Costa Rica, Panama Canal and
Belize cruises has been canceled. The msy Wind Song's 7-day Tahiti sailings
have been canceled through Jan. 17, 2003.
"We decided that we would minimize the impact on our cruise program in
Tahiti. It is one of our most popular cruise destinations," remarked A.
Kirk Lanterman, Chairman and CEO of Windstar Cruises.
The redeployment means that only seven Tahiti cruises will need to be
canceled. The msy Wind Star, will begin regular Tahiti operations on Jan.
24, 2003. The schedules and itineraries for the msy Wind Star will be
identical to those that were to have been operated by the msy Wind Song.
The Jan. 4, 2003, and subsequent Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Belize
cruises previously planned for the msy Wind Star will all be canceled.
"We will make sure that the needs of our passengers who were booked on
canceled sailings are fairly addressed. This is obviously a very difficult
situation. We will not let our passengers down," commented Lanterman.
All passengers booked on canceled sailings will be given generous rebooking
options:
- Reserve space on one of dozens of attractive alternative sailings
offered by both Windstar Cruises and Holland America Line. Cruise
options will be communicated to those affected through their travel
agent,
- Receive a $250 per person shipboard credit,
- All travel agents will receive $100 additional rebooking commission.
Passengers who choose not to rebook will receive a 100% refund plus a 10%
future cruise credit certificate. Travel agent commissions will be
protected.
This redeployment was necessary due to a fire in the msy Wind Song's engine
room on Dec. 1, 2002. All 127 passengers were safely disembarked from the
ship with no injuries reported.
Windstar Cruises is currently working with the French Navy to arrange for
the ship to be towed to Papeete. After arrival in Papeete damages will be
assessed and a determination made as to the expected time required for
repairs.
"We want to especially thank the Government of French Polynesia and the
French Navy for all of their assistance and support in helping our
passengers and the ship's crew. Their professionalism has been exemplary,"
said Lanterman.
Passengers currently booked on any of the affected cruises should contact
their travel agent.
For more information call Windstar at 1-800-577-1728, or visit
www.windstarcruises.com.