Carnival Corporation has announced a record 23 per cent increase in second quarter net income, despite high fuel prices.

The group – which operates 78 ships through brands such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises – reported net income of US$409m (£225m, n340m) on revenues of US$2.52bn (£1.4bn, n2bn) for the three months ending 31 May.

Carnival is scheduled to add 12 new ships to its portfolio by 2009, including the 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty, which will launch the line’s first-ever Mediterranean route on 20 July. Details: www.carnival.com