Yahoo Finance·2026-03-07 12:05Industry Overview - The cruise line industry is attracting investor interest despite economic concerns, with travelers continuing to fill cabins and prompting companies to build more ships [1] - The industry's dynamics highlight the differences between Royal Caribbean and Viking Holdings, with Royal Caribbean being the second-largest cruise line by passenger volume [1] Royal Caribbean - Royal Caribbean is the largest cruise line stock by market capitalization, offering a more upscale experience compared to competitors like Carnival [4] - The company achieved an occupancy rate of almost 110% in 2025, leading to strong demand and the addition of new ships, with four more expected by 2029 [4] - Royal Caribbean reported $18 billion in revenue for 2025, an 8% increase year-over-year, and its stock rose approximately 20% over the last year, with a P/E ratio of 19 [5] Viking Holdings - Viking has found success with smaller ships that cater to upscale travelers, focusing on child-free experiences and longer port stays, capturing over 4% of industry revenue while carrying less than 1% of passengers [6] - The company achieved a 96% occupancy rate in 2025, with plans to launch 27 river ships by 2028 and 10 ocean ships by 2031, expanding from its current fleet of approximately 90 river ships and 12 ocean ships [7] - Viking generated over $6.5 billion in revenue in 2025, a 22% increase from the previous year, and its stock has risen nearly 55% since it began trading in spring 2024 [8]