<div class="ar">NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of cruise operators declined Tuesday as an analyst said a recent survey shows both a slowdown in demand and pricing softness. <p>The cruise sector, along with many other groups, has been pressured as consumers tighten discretionary spending due to the continued housing slowdown, diminishing credit, increased food and gas costs and recession fears. </p><p>Joseph D. Hovorka of Raymond James &amp; Associates Inc. said a recent poll of 42 travel agents indicated that pricing is starting to weaken, particularly for Caribbean cruises. The Caribbean results are similar to those of a June 2006 survey, according to the analyst, which was followed by a year of falling prices for the Caribbean market. </p><p>Hovorka cautioned that if revenue starts to slip as costs continue to increase, earnings for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Carnival Corp. will suffer. </p><p>The cruise industry has continued to battle rising fuel costs, with both Royal and Carnival implementing fuel surcharges to help offset the increases. </p><p>Royal Caribbean's stock slid $1.15, or 3.8 percent, to $29.26 in afternoon trading. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $26.88 to $45.17. </p><p>Shares of Carnival fell 82 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $38.46. Over the past year, the stock has traded between $36.10 and $52.10.</p></div>