Looking ahead to 2017, the company said its booked position was better than the same time last year on both volume and rate.

Net yields were up 2.9% on a constant currency basis (up 0.4% as reported) driven mainly by strong demand for North American itineraries).

US net income was $693.3 million or $3.21 per share, versus $228.8 million, or $1.03 per share in 2015.

In its full-year forecast the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises parent company said net yields were expected to be up 4% or better on a constant currency basis.

It said strong close-in demand for the North American products in the third quarter was helping offset the impact from the delay in opening Empress of the Seas sailings in the fourth quarter.

Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer, said: "Our business continues to progress solidly to the double-double, and our recent dividend increase is evidence of our confidence in that trajectory.

"It is gratifying to again be headed towards record earnings for the year, above our initial guidance."

The company maintains full year adjusted earnings per share guidance of $6 to $6.10 per share.

Jason Liberty, chief financial officer, added: "Minor operational variations are causing some timing shifts between quarters, but the overall market and our overall results remain unchanged from our last guidance."

Taking into account current fuel pricing, interest rates, currency exchange rates and the factors detailed above, the company expects 2016 Adjusted EPS in the range of $6.00 to $6.10 per share.

Next year’s itineraries are booked ahead of last year in both rate and volume.

New ships including Harmony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas were seeing strong trends, supporting a solid outlook for 2017.