Carnival Corp's top echelon is showing faith in the reeling company's future, buying nearly $3m in total equity.

Chief executive Arnold Donald, chief financial officer David Bernstein and Holland America Group chief executive Stein Kruse have together acquired 56,893 common shares at $12.92 each for a combined stake worth $735,058, according to regulatory filings.

Nine board members together invested a further $1.84m