The Carnival Panorama cruise ship in the Pacific Ocean off Los Cabos, Mexico, in June.

Carnival Corp. CCL-N raised its annual profit forecast on Monday, leaning on strong demand and higher ticket prices for its cruise vacations to offset mounting costs.

The cruise operator has been investing heavily to offer more unique and private experiences by expanding its portfolio to meet strong demand for exclusive destinations. These included a US$600-million investment in Celebration Key, an ambitious private resort destination on Grand Bahama, to help maintain its competitive edge.

Bundled packages, perks such as drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions have encouraged guests to spend more onboard, further boosting the company’s revenue.

However, cruise operators are grappling with higher fuel costs a

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