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‘Upside Ahead’: Wells Fargo Says These 2 Cruise Stocks Are Set to Sail North
Yahoo Finance·2025-11-20 10:59

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean Group is the leader in the global cruise industry with a market cap of $67.3 billion and operates a modern fleet of 68 ships under five brand names [2] - The cruise sector is viewed as compelling due to improving returns on invested capital and an expanding total addressable market [4] - The global cruise industry is projected to grow from $7.67 billion in 2022 to $18.3 billion by 2030, reflecting an estimated 11.5% CAGR [5] Company Overview - Royal Caribbean operates its largest brand, Royal Caribbean, with 34 ships, accounting for half of the Group's total fleet [1] - Celebrity Cruises is the second-largest brand with 14 ocean-going ships and 2 river cruise ships [1] - The company also owns a 50% stake in TUI, which controls the German brands Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd [2] Financial Performance - Royal Caribbean reported $5.1 billion in total revenue for Q3, a 4.3% year-over-year increase, but missed forecasts by $29.34 million [7] - The non-GAAP earnings per share were $5.75, exceeding expectations by 7 cents [7] - Norwegian Cruise Line reported a record quarterly revenue of $2.9 billion, up 5% year-over-year, but missed revenue estimates by $88.5 million [11] Market Outlook - Approximately 58% of international cruise passengers are first-time travelers, indicating a growing customer base [4] - Royal Caribbean is expanding its private destination offerings, including the Royal Beach Club Santorini, set to open next year [6] - Norwegian Cruise Line expects an occupancy rate of 101.9% in Q4 and load factors of 105% next year [12] Analyst Ratings - Wells Fargo analyst Trey Bowers has an Overweight rating on Royal Caribbean with a price target of $320, indicating a potential 27% gain [9] - Norwegian Cruise Line also holds an Overweight rating with a price target of $30, suggesting a 68% upside potential [12] - The consensus rating for Royal Caribbean is Strong Buy, while Norwegian Cruise Line has a Moderate Buy rating [9][13]