Carnival Rose 8% on “Wave Season”: Here’s How Much Upside the Stock Could Have in 2026

Wiltone Asuncion4 minute read
Reviewed by: Thomas Richmond
Last updated Feb 12, 2026

Key Stats for Carnival Corporation Stock

  • Price Change: +8.1%
  • Current Price: ~$34
  • Advanced Model Target: $53

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What Happened?

Carnival Corporation (CCL) surged 8.08% to close near $34 on Friday.

This rally was sparked by incredibly strong data from the start of “Wave Season,” the industry’s peak booking period.

Investors are piling back into the stock as it becomes clear that consumer demand for cruises remains robust despite broader economic concerns.

Analysts have noted that 2026 bookings are pacing ahead of 2025 levels, with pricing holding up well even as capacity increases.

The move mirrors the strength seen in airline stocks like Delta and United, confirming a sector-wide “Travel Renaissance” as consumers continue to prioritize experiences.

With the stock breaking out of its recent range, the TIKR Valuation Model suggests there is still significant room for multiple expansion.

The model maintains a Target Price of $53, implying that the market is still undervaluing the company’s earnings power as it deleverages.

Carnival Corporation Stock Price Target (TIKR)

See analysts’ growth forecasts and price targets for Carnival Corporation stock (It’s free!) >>>

Is Carnival Corporation Undervalued Today?

During the earnings call, CEO Josh Weinstein confirmed the record-breaking demand environment.

He stated: “We are already about 2/3 booked in line with where we were a year ago at this time and at historical high prices for both North America and Europe.”

Weinstein emphasized the resilience of the consumer, noting: “Demand for our cruise lines is proving far more resilient than traditional macro indicators would suggest.”

CFO David Bernstein highlighted the financial impact of this demand on the upcoming year.

He said: “Our net income guidance for full year 2026 is over $3.45 billion… In addition, this will result in $7.6 billion of EBITDA.”

Read the full Carnival Transcript on TIKR to see the 2026 Outlook >>>

According to TIKR’s Advanced Valuation Model, the stock is trading at a steep discount to its intrinsic value.

  • Target Price: $53
  • Current Price: ~$34
  • Potential Upside: +56.3%

Valuation Deep Dive

The investment case for Carnival is a “deleveraging equity stub” play.

With the stock trading at ~$34, the market is pricing in a permanent discount due to its debt load.

However, the $53 target assumes a return to historical valuation multiples as that debt is paid down.

  • The Pricing Power: As occupancy rates hold steady, Carnival can drive ticket prices higher, boosting Net Income Margins toward 13.4% long-term.
  • The Cash Flow Engine: The model forecasts robust Free Cash Flow generation, which will be used almost exclusively to pay down debt.
  • The Value Gap: The $53 target implies that as Carnival proves its resilience, its P/E multiple will re-rate to align with other leisure peers.

If Carnival can continue to beat expectations on yield and cost control, the path to $53 is paved by rapid earnings growth and balance sheet repair.

Conclusion: Full steam ahead. With a 56.3% upside potential to $53, Carnival Corporation offers a high-beta recovery play for investors who believe the cruise industry’s best days are still ahead.

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How Much Upside Does Carnival Corporation Stock Have From Here?

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  2. Operating Margins
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Disclaimer:

Please note that the articles on TIKR are not intended to serve as investment or financial advice from TIKR or our content team, nor are they recommendations to buy or sell any stocks. We create our content based on TIKR Terminal’s investment data and analysts’ estimates. Our analysis might not include recent company news or important updates. TIKR has no position in any stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading, and happy investing!

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