Costs cruise

Cruise ship operator Carnival yesterday said its fuel costs spiralled 78 per cent to $392 million (£198m) during the first quarter to the end of February.

The leap triggered a 12 per cent slump in operating income to some $312m for the period, despite revenues rising 17 per cent to $3.15 billion. Carnival said advance bookings for the rest of the year were ahead of 2007 in occupancy and pricing.