PHOTO: Royal Caribbean says first-quarter profits fell due to ship disruptions, such as a norovirus outbreak on Explorer of the Seas in late January. (Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) reported a sharp drop in profits in the first quarter, primarily due to six ship disruptions — cancelled or shortened cruises caused by an oil spill near Galveston, a damaged ship propeller in Japan and a norovirus outbreak on the Explorer of the Seas.

The company reported GAAP net income of $26.5 million, or 12 cents per share, versus $76.2 million, or 35 cents, in the same period in 2013. Adjusted net income was $46.1 million, or 21 cents per share, versus adjusted net income of $78.2 million and 35 cents in 2013.

Still, the company expects the rest of the year to shape up, especially since booking volumes were up 16 percent year-over-year for the past three months and spiked more than 20 percent over the last eight weeks. In fact, Royal Caribbean had a record booking week in late February, which it said is “an unusual time for so much activity. … Overall, the year is developing along the course the company previously anticipated. First-quarter results were at the lower end of the company’s guidance due to some minor voyage disruptions but this impact is expected to be offset during the rest of the year.”

Some of the increased booking activity is due to the many promotions in the Caribbean market, which experienced a big increase in capacity this winter. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain expressed surprise that post-Wave Season bookings are as strong as they are. “The volume has been unprecedented,” he said.

He credited some of that to Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises promotions that have offered value-added extras — such as “pick your own perk” or kids sail free — instead of discounted fares. “They’ve been surprisingly effective,” he said.