Latest news with #PerfectDayatCocoCay
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean Group announces upsizing and extension of revolving credit facilities
MIAMI, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) (the "Company") today announced that it has amended and upsized its two unsecured revolving credit facilities. The amendments increased commitments by $2.28 billion, equally distributed between each facility, bringing the combined revolving credit facilities commitments to $6.35 billion. The amendments also extended the maturity of the three-year facility maturing in October 2026 to October 2030. The other credit facility matures in October 2028. "The upsizing of the revolving credit facilities highlights the strength of our credit profile and the robust support from our lending partners," said Naftali Holtz, chief financial officer. "This enhanced financial flexibility, coupled with strong cash flow generation, positions us well to execute on our strategic growth initiatives and deliver long term shareholder value." About Royal Caribbean Group:Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 67 ships across its five brands traveling to all seven continents. With a mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, Royal Caribbean Group serves millions of guests each year through its portfolio of best-in-class brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea; and an expanding portfolio of land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection. The company also owns a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises, which operates the German Brands Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a rich history of innovating, Royal Caribbean Group continually delivers exciting new products and guest experiences that help shape the future of leisure travel. Learn more at or Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to, among other things, the company's credit profile, cash flow generation, strategic growth initiatives, and liquidity. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect our results include, among others, those discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as our other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at or the SEC's website at Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group
Forbes
10-04-2025
- Forbes
Are Cruise Line Private Islands Right For You?
CocoCay, owned and operated by Royal Caribbean, is one of the world's most famous cruise line private islands. getty Cruise lines have long promised a taste of paradise, complete with white-sand beaches, turquoise seas and every comfort close at hand. In recent years, that vision has become more literal, as many cruise companies now take passengers to private islands designed exclusively for their guests. These carefully curated destinations offer a resort-style experience within the comfort blanket of the cruise line. There are no crowds, no taxi negotiations, no unexpected surprises. Just sun loungers, swim-up bars and a schedule of activities tailored to suit every kind of traveler. But beneath the surface of this polished perfection lies a more complex story. Do cruise line private islands genuinely enhance the vacation experience, or are they simply another way to keep passengers and their credit cards firmly within reach? While private islands offer undeniable perks, they also raise questions about how much of an "authentic" experience they truly provide. One of the biggest advantages of visiting a private island is the hassle-free experience, especially for passengers on some of the world's largest cruise ships. There's no need to battle with thousands of others to deal with local vendors, haggle taxi fares, or cope with crowded public beaches, as everything is conveniently managed by the cruise line. Safety standards are also high, with these islands being carefully maintained and monitored to minimize risks. Passengers can expect well-maintained beaches and facilities, as cruise lines invest significantly in keeping their islands pristine and clean. Private chalets and sun loungers on the beach await cruise guests at Royal Caribbean's 'Perfect Day at CocoCay.' getty Additionally, the activities and excursions are tailored to the cruise experience, ranging from thrilling water parks to snorkeling excursions, ensuring there's something for everyone. In many cases, onboard beverage packages are valid at island bars. However, visiting a private island comes with trade-offs. One major downside is the lack of local culture and authenticity, as these islands often feel like an extension of the ship rather than a true destination. Exploration is also limited, as passengers are confined to the island with no opportunity to visit local towns or interact with residents. Pricing can be another drawback, as while access to the island is included, premium cabanas, excursions, and specialty food and drink often come with hefty price tags. Finally, despite claims of sustainability, environmental concerns linger. Constructing and maintaining resort-style private islands can have significant ecological consequences. From the white sands of the Bahamas to the palm-lined shores of the Caribbean, cruise line private islands are marketed as exclusive retreats where passengers can relax without the usual crowds of traditional ports. While all promise a seamless experience tailored to cruise guests, each island takes a slightly different approach. Some of the most well-known include: Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay features the tallest water slide in North America and a massive wave pool. On the relaxation side of things, there's overwater cabanas, balloon rides, and an adults-only beach. Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay is designed with families in mind, offering kid-friendly snorkeling lagoons, water play areas, and beachside grills. Disney characters roam the island to entertain younger guests, while adults can retreat to the adult-only space at Serenity Bay. MSC Cruises' Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is marketed as an eco-conscious retreat, emphasizing marine conservation with coral restoration programs and a stated commitment to sustainable tourism. There's plenty of beach space and other activities such as kayaking available too. Empty kayaks await guests at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a cruise line private island in the Bahamas. getty Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay is a good choice for adrenaline junkies, with activities such as zip-lining over the beach and paddleboarding in crystal-clear waters available. Guests preferring to unwind can choose a private cabana or enjoy freshly grilled seafood at beachside restaurants. Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay is one of the oldest cruise line private islands. A new pier now allows the latest Carnival cruise ships to also use the beautiful island. Guests can experience horseback riding through the surf, kayaking in a peaceful lagoon, or simply soak up the sun. While cruise lines pitch private islands as added value for passengers, they're also a lucrative business move. On a traditional port day, passengers may spend their money at local businesses such as restaurants, markets, and tour operators. But on a private island, every dollar spent stays within the cruise company's ecosystem. From renting jet skis to booking massages or buying cocktails, everything is designed to encourage additional spending. Cabanas can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars for a day. The impact of this shift is beginning to play out in places like Nassau. After the success of its private island CocoCay, Royal Caribbean is now developing an exclusive $165 million beach club just across the water on Paradise Island. Though it promises local partnerships and hundreds of jobs, many Bahamians are concerned that such developments divert tourism revenue away from local vendors. One market vendor told of his fears to the New York Times: 'The tourists will go from cruise ship to the private club back to the ship without spending a dime in the real Nassau.' With the success of cruise line private islands, investment is on the up. Royal Caribbean is expanding Perfect Day at CocoCay with additional features, while MSC Cruises has positioned Ocean Cay as a multi-day destination on some itineraries. It's not just Royal Caribbean experimenting with other land-based experiences. Other lines, including Virgin Voyages, are testing exclusive beach club experiences in ports like Bimini. With sustainability in some popular ports in focus, this raises an interesting question—will cruise line private islands and privately-owned beach clubs eventually replace traditional ports for some itineraries? Whether or not an island itinerary is worth your time depends on your travel style. If you enjoy a stress-free beach day with all the comforts of the ship, you'll likely love the experience. But if you prefer cultural immersion, authentic local food, and real exploration, you might find cruise line private islands and beach clubs too sanitized.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Satellite images show how cruise line private islands and resorts have changed the Caribbean
Cruise lines like MSC, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean own resorts and private islands throughout the Caribbean. They're increasingly upgrading their properties and expanding their real estate portfolios. Satellite imagery shows how cruise lines have changed the Caribbean landscape. A decade ago, Ocean Cay, a Bahamian island 65 miles from Miami's coastline, stood abandoned, bearing the scars of its previous life as an industrial sand mining site. These days, the 95-acre island looks less like an excavation facility and more like a slice of Caribbean paradise. Gone are the debris and floating metal fragments. Now a vacation destination, Ocean Cay is home to seven pristine beaches, waterfront cabanas, and family-fun activities — all thanks to a $500 million investment from MSC Cruises. In 2019, after three years of cleanup and development, MSC opened the island as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a private retreat exclusively for its cruise passengers. It now sees thousands of travelers virtually every day of the year, many of whom are ready to spend big on a swim with stingrays and a beachside massage. Cruise lines like MSC, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean collectively own 17 ports and resorts in the Caribbean. Some are still under development as these at-sea vacation companies increasingly build back onshore, transforming swaths of the warm-weathered landscape into unrecognizable but highly profitable exclusive vacation destinations. About 85 miles from Ocean Cay, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have claimed two private islands separated only by a mile-long stretch of the Atlantic Ocean. Norwegian was an early trendsetter, having been the first cruise line to acquire an island, now known as Great Stirrup Cay, for its guests in 1977. The company has recently upgraded its 270-acre buildout, expanding the dining and walkways in 2017 and launching a luxurious hotel-like retreat in 2019. Later this year, Great Stirrup Cay is also expected to debut a new pier that can concurrently accommodate two of Norwegian's largest ships — a $150 million investment in an attempt to rival its successful neighbor, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay. Like Ocean Cay, their locations are strategic. Perfect Day at CocoCay and Great Stirrup Cay are less than a day's sail from Florida's busy ports, allowing the companies to save on increasingly costly fuel expenses. CocoCay is as much a "perfect day" as it is a perfect investment, having opened in 2019 as a resort-like extension of Royal Caribbean's splashy ships. The more than 130-acre island has since become a massive hit, accommodating almost all of the company's Caribbean cruise guests with its waterpark, lounge-lined beaches, and, as of last year, an adult-only beach club. The cruise line has poured a cool $350 million into developing the property. Yet, amid strong guest demand, financial returns have been "exceptionally high and significantly above its target," Naftali Holtz, the CFO of Royal Caribbean Group, told analysts in 2023. It's now hoping to replicate CocoCay's success with a private resort 63 miles away on Paradise Island, located just offshore from Nassau, Bahamas, and near Atlantis' sprawling resort. Royal Caribbean began purchasing land on Paradise Island in early 2017. Seven years later, it started developing the 17-acre property into what would soon become its first Royal Beach Club, a sprawling exclusive resort. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is scheduled to open in December 2025. Guests will have to pay to enter the all-inclusive property. Once inside, they can expect access to 10 bars, shopping, cabanas, and several pools and beaches, including some for families. In addition to expanding its island — RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay — Carnival Corp is also following the private resort strategy with a mile-long getaway on Grand Bahama Island. Celebration Key, as it's been dubbed, is scheduled to begin welcoming Carnival cruisers in July. The land is expected to be transformed into a vacation hub with beach clubs, a family lagoon, and plenty of dining options — "clearly following Royal Caribbean's footsteps," Patrick Scholes, lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told Business Insider in 2024. The resort is expected to accommodate 4 million visitors annually when Carnival builds two additional berths in 2028. The $600 million project is set to be the company's largest. Yet, Carnival Corp's CFO, David Bernstein, told analysts in 2024 that Celebration Key is already expected to be a "smash hit and provide an excellent return on investment. " Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. issues new, serious travel advisory for the Bahamas
Pretty much every cruise ship that leaves Florida stops in the Bahamas. Most Americans think of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, as being the Bahamas. In reality, it's one city that's part of a much larger nation."The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands. Around 30 of the islands are inhabited. The Bahamas sits in the West Atlantic Ocean, 100 kilometres southeast of Florida in the United States and 80 kilometres northeast of Cuba. The islands are generally flat and low-lying," the country shared on its website. Every major cruise line stops at multiple destinations in the Bahamas. Nassau can accommodate seven ships at a time, so it's a very popular cruise ship destination, but it's certainly not the only stop in the region. Freeport is also a popular cruise port, and Carnival is building its new Celebration Key private destination about 20 miles east of the city on the Grand Bahama island. Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay and Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay private islands are also in the Bahamas as are multiple other cruise line private islands. The entire country, however, is under a serious warning from the U.S. State Department. . The Bahamas has been under a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" warning from the United States State Department for months. That warning has been updated to "reflect crime, swimming-related risks, and information on traveling with firearms and ammunition," according to the State Department's website. It's a broad warning that cruise ship passengers should be aware of. "Violent crime—like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults—can occur anywhere in The Bahamas. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Stay alert in the 'Over the Hill' area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents," according to the warning. The State Department also provides specific warnings for people renting certain watercraft (a popular activity for cruisers). Jet skis and boating: Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred. Sexual assaults by jet ski operators have also been reported. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees are prohibited from using jet skis and personal watercraft rented from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise islands. Watercraft may not be safe, and some operators are not licensed or insured. Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and marine addition to renting boats and jet skis, many cruisers plan to spend the day at the beach in the Bahamas. They should be cautious when doing that: Beach safety: Never swim alone, and beware of jet skis or other watercraft operating close to shore. Sexual assaults have occurred on and near downtown Nassau beaches. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms. Be aware of your own fitness and swimming capabilities. If you are new to snorkeling, understand the risks. Swimmers and snorkelers have died after overestimating their physical fitness or health. Stay alert for sharks. Shark attacks have led to serious injuries and death. Be aware of weather and water conditions and follow local warnings. Some of those warnings would apply to swimming anywhere and not just the Bahamas. Cruise line passengers should be aware of their surroundings but not fear visiting the Bahamas. Cruise line-sponsored excursions are your safest bet, but it's possible to explore these destinations on your own. If you do that, beware of your surroundings and stick to areas that are well-visited by other cruise passengers. Travelling in a group is your best bet, and try to stay on main roads. At the beach, mind your valuables and consider getting a waterproof phone holder where you can also keep your identification, cash, and credit cards on your body. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean passengers compare private cruise destinations
In the months since Royal Caribbean reopened Labadee, its private cruise destination on Haiti's northern coast, many passengers have expressed concerns about the cruise port's safety. Out of an abundance of caution, the cruise line suspended calls to Labadee for several months in 2024 due to safety concerns related to Haiti's political October, Royal Caribbean decided it was time to return to its fenced-off, exclusive beach area, which is far removed from the conflict in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. However, Haiti remains under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. Naturally, this has made some cruise passengers wary about Labadee's safety. But as more Royal Caribbean passengers share their positive cruise experiences in Labadee, safety in this private destination is becoming less of a concern. Instead, passengers are becoming more curious about the destination and what it offers. This is evident in a recent discussion on Reddit in the Royal Caribbean community.'We are about to book a cruise that stops in Labadee. I did search the sub but everything about Labadee is people asking if it is safe. That is not my question as I can read the other posts,' Reddit user joelala1 explained. 'My question is around things to do. I understand it's a compound and private area, would you say the setting is similar to CocoCay but on a smaller scale?' joelala1 asked. 'Or do you need to pay for everything and pay to go to the pools or beaches? Just looking to see if this is the right stop to have on our cruise from a 'fun' standpoint for the kids.' Some passengers who commented in the Reddit thread explained that Labadee is much like CocoCay used to be before the cruise line developed its private island in The Bahamas into Perfect Day at CocoCay, which features pools, a beach club, a water park, and other has some attractions but is set in a more natural mountainside environment. The private destination doesn't have pools, but it does have a splash pad for kids and plenty of family-friendly beach activities. E xtra-charge attractions include a floating aqua park, a zip line that descends from a mountain to soar over the beach, and an alpine coaster ride called Dragon's Tail. 'Everything is included except extracurricular activities like zip line, alpine coaster, booze,' jbollam explained. 'It's exactly like CocoCay in terms of free beach activities, transportation, and food. A little smaller, a bit different geographically but it has its charms.' 'Although if you have the drink package, it will work on Labadee,' fuzzyshadow28 passengers who commented in the Reddit thread said that they loved the more natural beach setting and laidback vibe at Labadee. To them it's just as good for a beach day as CocoCay, if not better. 'Better than CocoCay— just for the mountains and views alone. Go to Columbus beach, the last stop on the tram. Haitians special place,' Firm_Communication99 shared. Other passengers agreed. One cruiser noted that Columbus Cove is a great beach for families with kids because of its calm, shallow passenger explained that the layout and less-crowded atmosphere are additional perks of Labadee. 'In my opinion Labadee is so much better than CocoCay; less crowded generally and way closer to the ship,' LewManChew said. 'I like that I can pop back to the ship from the beach much quicker.' Labadee quickly won the hearts of some passengers who were initially unsure about visiting Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti. 'I have to say, all of my family was iffy on going to Labadee— it turned out to be all of our favorites! So beautiful, the water was so blue and it was much more tame than CocoCay because only one ship was docked,' Adventurous-Tank9421 explained. 'I feel like there is so much to do; we even did an excursion taking us to the actual village of Labadie (yes there is a difference haha). You guys will have so much fun! The locals are awesome.' (There are currently no excursions being offered outside of Royal Caribbean's private area). (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
