(Reuters) -Carnival Corp ( CCL ) raised its annual forecast for profit, betting on strong demand and higher onboard spending as well as ticket pricing for its cruise vacations.

Cruise operators, including Carnival Corp ( CCL ) and rival Royal Caribbean Group, have been racing to offer unique and private experiences by expanding their portfolio to meet strong demand for exclusive destinations.

Carnival has invested $600 million in Celebration Key, an ambitious private resort destination on Grand Bahama, to help maintain its competitive edge.

Bundled packages offering perks such as drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions have encouraged guests to spend more onboard, further boosting revenue for the cruise lines. 

The company forecast fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings per share of about $2.14, up from its prior expectations of about $1.97.  

The cruise operator reported adjusted profit per share of $1.43 for the quarter ended August 31, beating analysts' estimates of $1.32 according to data compiled by LSEG.  

The company also logged quarterly sales of $8.15 billion, compared with analysts' estimates of $8.10 billion.