Carnival Corporation has announced non-GAAP net income of $1.9 billion, or $2.42 diluted EPS, for 2011, compared to net income of $2.0 billion, or $2.47 diluted EPS, for the prior year. The fall in earnings comes despite revenues for the full year increasing to $15.8 billion from to $14.5 billion in 2010.

Today, Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, arrived at its year-round homeport of Galveston, Texas, after completing its transatlantic voyage.

Carnival has teamed up with three-time GRAMMY Award-winning band Maroon 5 to perform an exclusive concert to welcome the line’s newest “Fun Ship” to its year-round homeport of Galveston, Texas. On Sunday, November, 13, 2011, set to the backdrop of the spectacular new Carnival Magic from Pier 21, thousands of fans of Maroon 5 and Carnival will be treated to a free, ticketed concert by the multi-platinum group the day before the new vessel sets sail on its inaugural U.S. voyage.

Carnival Cruise Lines is rolling out ‘the most ambitious initiative the company has ever undertaken’  with the launch of Fun Ship 2.0 to enhance the guest experience with new dining choices, bars and lounges and better entertainment options. The first phase – which extends through until the end of 2015 – will cost $500 million.

Major cruise lines operating in the Caribbean have been forced to alter their itineraries as Hurricane Irene sweeps through the region. Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International have both modified plans as the storm heads toward the cruise hub of Puerto Rico.

Carnival Spirit, Carnival Cruise Lines’ first ship to be based outside the United States, will be transformed to create a new, unique cruise product for New Zealand families and couples that will be home-ported in Sydney, and undertake year-round cruises from October 2012.