Core Insights - Royal Caribbean Group has announced agreements with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for the construction of its new Discovery Class ships, including two firm orders and options for four additional ships, with the first ship set to debut in 2029 and the second in 2032 [1][2] Group 1: Company Strategy and Vision - The Discovery Class ships are designed to enhance guest experiences through innovative design and immersive moments, showcasing the future of vacations [2][3] - Royal Caribbean Group aims to disrupt the vacation industry with bold offerings and innovative shipbuilding, leveraging a partnership with Chantiers de l'Atlantique [5] Group 2: Shipbuilding and Technology - Chantiers de l'Atlantique has a long-standing relationship with Royal Caribbean, having built 21 ships over the past four decades, and is currently constructing two additional ships [4] - The collaboration emphasizes sustainability and cutting-edge technology in shipbuilding, reinforcing Royal Caribbean's global shipbuilding network [7] Group 3: Future Developments - Royal Caribbean Group is expanding its vacation offerings, including a pipeline of ocean and river ships over the next three years and increasing its private destinations from three to eight by 2028 [6][9] - The company plans to enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises, further diversifying its portfolio [9]

The cruise operator may face choppy waters ahead. ...

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is among the stocks under $50 to buy now. On January 13, TD Cowen lifted the price target on Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) to $38 from $35 and maintained a Buy rating. Matching the consensus 1-year median price target, the new price target reflects an upside potential of 35.42%. Although Caribbean yield pressures will make a “tough” earnings season for Royal and Norwegian, underlying demand for cruise remains strong, and capacity dynamics are positive through ...

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean Group has been recognized in the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list, highlighting its evolution into a global vacation leader [1][3] Group Performance and Recognition - The annual ranking evaluates companies based on nine key reputation attributes, including innovation, quality of management, products and services, social responsibility, and long-term investment value [2] - Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, attributes this recognition to the commitment and passion of the company's teams across various locations [4] Strategic Developments - The company has accelerated the development of a fully connected vacation ecosystem, integrating three leading brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea [4] - Royal Caribbean Group is expanding its portfolio of private destinations from three to eight by 2028, with recent openings like Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and upcoming Perfect Day Mexico in 2027 [8][9] Innovations and Guest Experiences - Key innovations include the introduction of Icon Class ships, the expansion into premium river cruising with Celebrity River Cruises launching in 2027, and enhancements to the loyalty program [8][9] - The company emphasizes that long-term success is built through intentional growth and leadership, motivating continuous improvement [5]

Core Viewpoint - Carnival Corp. has shown significant recovery and growth in the cruise industry, with a share price increase of 180% over the past 36 months, indicating strong financial performance and investor confidence [1][3]. Financial Performance - In fiscal 2021, Carnival experienced a 66% year-over-year revenue decrease and a net loss of $9.5 billion, but has since rebounded with record revenue of $26.6 billion and adjusted net income of $3.1 billion in the last fiscal year ending November 30, 2025 [5]. - The company has improved its balance sheet, reducing its debt burden from a peak of $36.6 billion to $26.6 billion, which is 69% of its total market cap [9][10]. Market Position and Valuation - Carnival shares are currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.7, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 25.7, suggesting potential for a 37% upside if the valuation gap narrows [4]. - The stock is currently priced around $29, with a target of $40 by 2026 requiring a 38% increase [2][3]. Demand and Consumer Trends - Carnival ended the fourth quarter with $7.2 billion in customer deposits, indicating strong demand and visibility into future trends [7]. - The company is expanding its offerings, including new private destinations like Celebration Key in Grand Bahama and Ensenada Bay Village in Mexico, enhancing customer experience [8]. Economic Outlook - The macroeconomic environment appears favorable for travel spending, with the Federal Reserve reducing interest rates and implementing quantitative easing, which could support Carnival's stock performance [12].

Core Insights - Viking Holdings Ltd. is identified as a promising stock for long-term investment, with recent price target upgrades from multiple financial institutions indicating strong market confidence [1][2][3] Group 1: Price Target Upgrades - Bank of America raised its price target for Viking Holdings to $80 from $70, maintaining a Buy rating, citing a 10.5% year-over-year increase in monthly cruise spending in December [1] - Jefferies upgraded Viking Holdings from Hold to Buy, increasing the price target to $80 from $60, based on the company's consistent growth and strong position in the luxury travel market [2] - Citi also raised its price target for Viking Holdings to $85 from $74 while maintaining a Buy rating, although it noted potential concerns regarding consumer demand and market saturation in the Caribbean [3] Group 2: Industry Performance - The cruise sector is highlighted as a significant outlier within the travel industry, with cruise demand remaining robust despite a 1.9% decline in broader travel spending [1] - Airlines and hotels experienced declines of 4.1% and 2.4%, respectively, indicating a challenging environment for other segments of the travel industry [1] Group 3: Company Overview - Viking Holdings operates in the passenger shipping and transport sector, with activities in North America, the UK, and internationally, divided into River and Ocean segments [4]

Core Insights - Viking earned top honors in the USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, ranking 1 in multiple categories including Best River Cruise Line, Best Ocean Cruise Line, Best Alaska Cruise, and Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions [1] - Viking's ocean ships, the Viking Mars® and the Viking Star®, received individual accolades for Best Adults-Only Cruise and Best Cruise Ship for Dining, respectively [1] Awards and Recognition - Viking has been recognized as 1 for Oceans and 1 for Rivers by Condé Nast Traveler for five consecutive years in the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards [2] - The company is also rated a "World's Best" by Travel + Leisure, achieving simultaneous honors from both publications, which is unique in the travel industry [2] - Additional accolades include eight awards in Cruise Critic's 2025 Best in Cruise Awards and top rankings from U.S. News & World Report as "Best Luxury Line," "Best Line for Couples," and "Best Line in the Mediterranean" for five years in a row [2] Company Overview - Viking operates a fleet of over 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans, and all seven continents, focusing on experiential travel for curious travelers interested in science, history, culture, and cuisine [4] - The company has received more than 450 awards, reinforcing its reputation in the cruise industry [4]

Booking Position - 51% of 2026 capacity is booked, which is approximately 10% ahead of the same time last year, with a target of 10–15% ACR growth across cabin categories for 2026 [2] - 8% of 2027 capacity is booked, about 4 percentage points ahead of the same time last year [3] Operational Performance - Occupancy reached 71% in December, leading to a full-year occupancy of 72% for 2025 [4] - Average Cabin Revenue (ACR) increased by 10% compared to December 2024, resulting in a 20% increase for the full year 2025 versus 2024 [4] - Total ticket revenue for December was 15% higher than December 2024, with a total increase for 2025 versus 2024 of 22% [4]

Leonard Fluxman, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OneSpaWorld, commented: "Our powerful operating platform and strategic execution delivered an excellent year of growth and shareholder value creation with 2025, representing another landmark year for our Company. The year saw us achieve best-ever total revenue and Adjusted EBITDA; return $92.9 million to shareholders through share repurchases ($75.4 million) and dividends ($17.5 million); and invest $15.0 million in debt reduction while main ...

Core Insights - Viking announced The Viking Savings Event, offering new booking incentives for North American travelers [1] - The promotion includes discounts of up to 35 percent on all-inclusive voyages, free international airfare, and a $25 deposit for all itineraries [1] - Additional savings are available for returning guests on select river, ocean, and expedition itineraries for 2026-2028 [1]