Core Insights - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) has entered 2026 with strong momentum, achieving the best seven booking weeks in its history, indicating sustained cruise demand for the upcoming year [1][5] Booking Performance - Approximately two-thirds of RCL's 2026 capacity is already booked, with load factors consistent with historical norms but at record pricing levels, suggesting robust demand that can absorb capacity while maintaining pricing power [2][11] - RCL's record booking streak is seen as a confirmation of structural demand strength rather than a temporary post-pandemic rebound, supported by solid visibility and disciplined capacity growth [5] New Hardware Impact - New ships like Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel are exceeding expectations, while the debut of Legend of the Seas in Europe is generating strong bookings, enhancing the overall experience and attracting additional demand [3][11] Consumer Behavior - Travelers are prioritizing experiences, with many planning to increase leisure spending, making cruises an attractive value proposition compared to land-based vacations [4] Competitive Landscape - RCL's booking performance is notably stronger than its competitors, such as Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which face challenges in pricing discipline and scale [6][8] - Carnival has reported solid booking volumes but is more sensitive to capacity additions, while Norwegian benefits from premium positioning but has a narrower fleet mix compared to RCL [7][8] Financial Performance - RCL shares have increased by 16.9% over the past three months, outperforming the industry growth of 4.5% [9] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for RCL is 18.08X, above the industry average of 17.18X, indicating a premium valuation [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RCL's 2026 earnings and sales suggests a year-over-year increase of 13.3% and 9.1%, respectively [14]

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean Cruises has demonstrated exemplary returns for shareholders over the past five years, distinguishing itself in a challenging industry [1] - The company has ambitious plans to sustain its growth momentum and has been selected as the first stock in a new investment portfolio for 2026 [2] Strategy and Financial Goals - Royal Caribbean's strategy focuses on moderate capacity growth, yield growth, and disciplined cost control to enhance shareholder value [4] - The company aims for an average annual growth rate of 20% in earnings per share from now until 2027, while maintaining a high investment-grade bond rating to control financing costs [5] Fleet Expansion and New Destinations - The company is launching an ambitious schedule of new cruise ships, including the Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel in 2025, and several others through 2028, catering to a diverse range of travelers [6][8] - Royal Caribbean plans to expand its exclusive destination resorts, adding new locations such as Royal Beach Club resorts in the Bahamas and Mexico, and properties in Chile for expeditions to Antarctica [8] Investment Appeal - The strong business execution of Royal Caribbean, particularly its successful strategy prior to the pandemic, positions the company favorably for future growth [11]

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean has announced its 2027-28 lineup, featuring tropical getaways across 13 ships, including Legend of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, with departures from various locations including Florida, New Orleans, and the Caribbean [1][2][3] Seasonal Offerings - The 2027-28 adventures will include 3- to 9-night itineraries to popular destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and new locations like Port Samaná in the Dominican Republic [3][5] - The Legend of the Seas will debut in Europe in summer 2026 before its Caribbean launch in November 2026, offering 28 dining options and new entertainment [2][7] Year-Round and Seasonal Adventures - Grandeur of the Seas will operate 7-night Southern Caribbean vacations from San Juan starting May 2027, visiting destinations like Tortola and St. Lucia [5][6] - Freedom of the Seas will offer 4- to 9-night Caribbean adventures from Miami starting April 2027, including stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau [5] - Adventure of the Seas will provide 4- to 9-night vacations from Port Canaveral starting April 2027, focusing on beach destinations [5] Winter Escapes - Legend of the Seas will return to Fort Lauderdale in winter 2027, offering 6- and 8-night getaways to Southern and Western Caribbean destinations [7] - Oasis of the Seas will also operate from Fort Lauderdale in winter 2027, providing short vacations to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau [7] Summer Adventures - Jewel of the Seas will offer weekend getaways from Fort Lauderdale starting April 2027, focusing on Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau [8] - Explorer of the Seas will provide 6- to 8-night winter adventures from Fort Lauderdale starting November 2027, visiting top-rated destinations [9] Company Overview - Royal Caribbean has been a leader in the cruise industry for over 50 years, known for its innovative ships and exclusive destinations, and has been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 22 consecutive years [11]

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean has announced its new lineup of European holidays for the 2027 season, featuring the Royal Beach Club Santorini and the return of Legend of the Seas for 7-night Mediterranean adventures [1][3][10] European Holiday Highlights - The Royal Beach Club Santorini will offer a unique experience combining the island's volcanic beaches with Royal Caribbean's signature offerings, including local cuisine and cultural exploration [2][4] - Legend of the Seas will provide 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome, featuring 28 dining options and new entertainment, including Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" [6][10] - Mariner of the Seas will debut in Southampton, offering 2- to 9-night getaways, including first-time visits to Porto, Portugal [4][7] Onboard Experiences - Royal Caribbean ships will feature a variety of dining options, entertainment, and activities, including the largest waterpark at sea, adrenaline-pumping attractions, and serene adults-only spaces [5][6] - Families can enjoy diverse dining experiences, live music, and thrilling activities such as the FlowRider surf simulator and rock-climbing walls [5][10] Additional Destinations and Itineraries - Rhapsody of the Seas will return to the Mediterranean with 7-night holidays to destinations like Tangier, Morocco, and Istanbul, Turkey, including visits to the Royal Beach Club Santorini [10] - Explorer of the Seas will offer 7-night journeys across Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, and the Greek Isles, featuring various onboard activities and dining options [10][11] - Odyssey of the Seas will provide 7-night Greek Isles vacations, including stops at Mykonos and Santorini, with a focus on high-tech entertainment and diverse dining [10]

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed the new ship, Star of the Seas, which is set to debut in August 2025 in Port Canaveral, Florida, marking a significant milestone in family vacation experiences [1][2][3] Group 1: Ship Details and Features - Star of the Seas is part of the Icon Class and represents a new era of family vacations, featuring innovative designs and engineering feats such as the AquaDome and record-breaking waterslides [3][4][6] - The ship will offer over 40 dining, drinking, and entertainment options across eight distinct neighborhoods, enhancing the vacation experience for families [4][5] - Star will be the third ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), contributing to the company's environmental initiatives aimed at achieving a net-zero cruise ship by 2035 [6] Group 2: Upcoming Developments - Royal Caribbean is expanding its vacation offerings with new destinations, including the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in December 2025 and additional locations in Cozumel and Mexico by 2027 [7] - The company continues to innovate in the cruise industry, focusing on creating unforgettable experiences for families and vacationers [3][9]