Latest news with #RoyalCaribbeanGroup
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Video: Cruise guest falls over side of infinity pool while reaching for sunglasses
A Royal Caribbean International cruise passenger went over the side of an onboard infinity pool. Video footage shared on social media appears to show the guest leaning over the pool's railing in the Icon of the Seas ship's adults-only Hideaway area on Deck 15. A clip posted on Instagram by the "Only in Florida" account on July 27 appears to show the guest's legs rise up before they flip over the edge. "A guest accidentally fell onto the pool gutter after reaching over to retrieve their sunglasses," Royal Caribbean Group, the cruise line's parent company, told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. "Our crew immediately attended to the guest and fortunately the guest did not experience any injuries." The company did not share any details about the guest's identity. The incident took place during Icon's current cruise, which departed on July 26. The round-trip sailing from Miami includes stops in Mexico, Honduras and the Bahamas, according to CruiseMapper. The incident is not the only one aboard Icon in recent weeks. A crew member was pronounced dead after allegedly jumping overboard after stabbing a fellow employee earlier this month. The victim was in stable condition as of July 25.
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Royal Caribbean Sees More Last-Minute Bookings, Plans Loyalty Changes
Royal Caribbean's passengers are definitely spending. Its plans to improve how its loyalty program and co-branded credit card reward guests may fuel future growth. Royal Caribbean Group said that booking rates have accelerated since April, driven by last-minute reservations. 'Our second quarter results exceeded expectations mainly driven by stronger-than-expected close-in demand,' said CEO Jason Liberty in an earnings call. 'Bookings have accelerated since the last earnings call, particularly for close-in sailings.' The company delivered over 2 million vacations in the quarter, a 10% increase year-over-year. Half of its customers were millennials or younger. The results let the Miami-based cruise giant raise its annual profit forecast on Tuesday, banking on resilient demand for its luxury destinations as the cruise operator reported its second quarter with the highest margins in about 20 years. 'We continue to see engaged and excited consumers with roughly 75% intending to spend the same or more on leisure travel over the next 12 months,' Liberty said. 'At the same time, more than half of consumers tell us they are booking closer to their departure date than they used to. And for the people who intend to travel over the next 12 months, the majority have not yet booked.' Loyalty News Coming Cruise lines don't do as good of a job at making their loyalty program and co-branded credit cards drive direct bookings as major hotel groups do. That said, Liberty wants Royal Caribbean to do better, after having integrated all of its brands into one rewards program last year. Liberty acknowledged the company's co-branded credit card 'is tied today to our loyalty program, but not in the way that fits our ambition.' He said passengers would see 'something very meaningful coming out of that very, very soon' as the company works with its credit card provider. 'The number of loyalty members that are sailing with us has now inched up to 40%,' Liberty said. 'Our loyalty members who spend 25% more per trip.' 'Nearly 50% of onboard purchases are now coming through the mobile app compared to one-third at the end of 2023.' 'Our guests are very focused on recognition and also being incentivized for the spend and loyalty that they provide,' the CEO said. 'Especially on the loyalty program side, we are very tuned into and have a lot of plans on what things our guests and our brands feel are a value to them that would result in them behaving even more loyal to us.' The executive framed loyalty as closing the gap with hotels and resorts in attracting guests at a comparable price point. 'If somebody goes outside our ecosystem to another cruise competitor or somebody else on land, then we should look at that as a fail,' Liberty said. 'Every one percentage point [of market share stolen from hotels] is worth a tremendous amount of money.' Cost Pressures Loom Royal Caribbean's performance comes as the industry faces pressure from rising costs. The company expects expenses to climb about 230 basis points in the third quarter, driven partly by higher fuel costs linked to escalated Middle East tensions. Higher tariffs could also impact shipbuilding and supply costs, keeping cruise operators on edge. Capacity Expansion Royal Caribbean has been investing heavily in new ships and private destinations to attract both seasoned cruisers and first-time customers. The company took delivery of Star of the Seas earlier this month and expects Celebrity Excel to launch by year's end. The cruise line anticipates capacity increases of 5.5% in 2025 and 6% in 2026 as it adds seven new ships over the next few years. The expansion includes private beach destinations like Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which opened for bookings with what Liberty described as 'incredibly strong' early demand. In late 2027, it will debut Perfect Day in Mexico, a private destination that's approximately the size of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando in footprint, though with much fewer guests. Getting Better at Upselling Royal Caribbean has proven adept at getting customers to spend beyond their initial cruise fare. Onboard and other revenue rose 9.5% to $1.3 billion in the quarter. Guest spending onboard the ships and pre-cruise purchases are still above the prior year's levels despite higher overall pricing. 'Customers who purchase onboard experiences before their cruise spend about 2.5 times more than those who do not buy pre-cruise,' Liberty said. Results Net income was $1.2 billion, up from $854 million. Total revenue grew 10.4% from the same period a year ago to $4.54 billion. Net yield grew 5.2%, outpacing the company's projections by 70 basis points. For 2025, the company expects net yield growth between 3.5% and 4%, supported by new ships and continued success at its private destinations. 'Looking back on the 1H, our data indicates that cruise operators held prices throughout March/April and moderated pricing only marginally for the 4Q/1Q during May/June,' wrote Brandt Montour in a report for Barclays. 'Nothing wrong with cruising, for right now. But the key is: for right now. Royal Caribbean seems to be a bit more cautious about Q3, said Tracey Ryniec, stock strategist at Zacks Investment Research. 'They are not allotting for further yield growth, even though it may happen.' Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty will speak on stage at Skift Global Forum in New York City in September. Royal Caribbean CEO's Premium Push: Better Pricing, Shorter Cruises, Younger Passengers Royal Caribbean Group's CEO Jason Liberty has a strategy to push his customer base upmarket. Liberty believes there's more willingness among consumers to pay more for premium leisure travel than previously assumed. Read More What am I looking at? The performance of cruise and tours sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including both cruise lines and tour operators. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more cruise and tours sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean stock drop as revenue misses expectations
-- Royal Caribbean Group reported second-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates, but shares fell over 4% as revenue came in slightly below expectations despite strong demand across its cruise portfolio. The cruise operator posted adjusted earnings per share of $4.38 for the second quarter, exceeding the analyst estimate of $4.08. However, revenue of $4.54 billion missed the consensus estimate of $4.55 billion, despite representing significant growth from the same period last year. The company delivered vacations to 2.3 million guests during the quarter, a 10% increase YoY, with load factors reaching 110%. "Demand for our portfolio of brands and our industry-leading experiences continues to accelerate," said Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) Group President and CEO Jason Liberty. "We remain keenly focused on delivering exceptional value for our guests and shareholders - not just by executing today, but by staying ahead of where demand is going." The company raised its full-year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $15.41 to $15.55, compared to the analyst consensus of $15.45. The improved outlook stems from stronger-than-expected second-quarter performance, lower spending, and continued favorability below the line for the remainder of the year. Net yields increased 5.3% as-reported compared to the second quarter of 2024, driven equally by new and existing ships, with growth in both ticket pricing and onboard spending. The company's capacity increased 5.8% YoY during the quarter. Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean expects third quarter adjusted EPS between $5.55 and $5.65, with net yields projected to increase 2.3% to 2.8% as-reported compared to the same period last year. Related articles Royal Caribbean stock drop as revenue misses expectations Risks Rising? Smart Money Dodged 46%+ Drawdowns on These High-Flying Names Apollo economist warns: AI bubble now bigger than 1990s tech mania Sign in to access your portfolio
Newsweek
18-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
World's Largest Cruise Ship to Make Maiden Voyage From Florida
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The largest cruise ship in the world is set to make its maiden voyage in August. Royal Caribbean welcomed its newest Icon-class vessel, the Star of the Seas, ahead of its inaugural journey from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31. Newsweek reached out to Royal Caribbean via email for comment. The Context The Star of the Seas will become the sister ship to the Icon of the Seas, which launched in January last year. They are the same size, at 248,633 gross tonnage, and will share the mantle of the largest cruise ship in the world. Construction on the Star of the Seas began in 2023 and was finished on September 25, 2024. A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year. A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year. Royal Caribbean What To Know The 5,610-passenger ship, constructed over nearly two years at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, completed sea trials involving more than 2,000 maritime experts. The ship will commence weeklong eastern and western Caribbean sailings, including stops at Royal Caribbean's private Bahamas resort, Perfect Day at CocoCay. For testing, the ship underwent rigorous 11-day sea trials in Finland, reaching speeds of up to 25 knots while engineers measured propulsion, pressure, and maneuverability. A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year. A rendering of the Star of the Seas, which begins its maiden voyage in August this year. Royal Caribbean As part of its environmental strategy, Star of the Seas uses LNG fuel, widely regarded as a cleaner maritime alternative. It incorporates systems that recover waste heat and enable shore power connections, reducing emissions while docked. The maiden voyage will depart from Port Canaveral on August 31, 2025, for a seven-night cruise around the western Caribbean. Fares for this sailing start at about $1,731 per person, according to The Independent. In advance, shorter showcase journeys include a three-night round-trip to Perfect Day at CocoCay, beginning August 20, with tickets from about $1,069 per person, the outlet reported. What People Are Saying Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said in a July 2025 statement: "The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group's journey to reimagine the future of vacations. "Star and the Icon class are a symbol of what's possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers. "We're proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku." Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said in July 2025: "We're incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionize how families and adventurers vacation. "It's a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon class vacation a reality, and we're excited to debut this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August." What Happens Next Following final preparations in Cadiz, Spain, Star of the Seas is scheduled to begin regular seven-night cruises from Port Canaveral in August 2025, with additional short showcase cruises planned. Royal Caribbean aims to debut its next Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, in 2026.
Cision Canada
10-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
STAR OF THE SEAS OFFICIALLY JOINS ROYAL CARIBBEAN AS THE NEXT ICONIC VACATION
The ultimate family vacation has completed construction and is one step closer to its August debut in Port Canaveral ( Orlando ), Florida MIAMI , July 10, 2025 /CNW/ -- Royal Caribbean kicked off the countdown to a new era of family vacations, officially welcoming Star of the Seas* into the family. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland , the keys to the next revolutionary Icon Class ship were officially handed over to Royal Caribbean just a few weeks ahead of its August debut in Port Canaveral ( Orlando ), Florida . Continue Reading Royal Caribbean welcomed the ultimate family vacation, Star of the Seas, with a star-worthy celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Alongside more than 1,250 crew members and partners, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm and Meyer Turku Chairman Jaakko Eskola marked the moment just a few weeks ahead of Star's August debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. Credit: sbw-photo Royal Caribbean welcomed the ultimate family vacation, Star of the Seas, with a star-worthy celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Alongside more than 1,250 crew members and partners, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm and Meyer Turku Chairman Jaakko Eskola marked the moment just a few weeks ahead of Star's August debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. Credit: sbw-photo In a ceremony truly fit for a star, 1,250-plus crew members and partners gathered to mark the milestone in the ship's next-level AquaTheater. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley , along with Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm , hosted the event, recognizing the hard work and innovation that brought Star to life and celebrating the team of engineers, designers and architects who made it all possible. From the first steel cut to the final delivery, the highlights of how it all came together can be seen here. "The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group's journey to reimagine the future of vacations. Star and the Icon Class are a symbol of what's possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers," said Jason Liberty , president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "We're proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku." The delivery of the new ship marked the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku and celebrated the incredible feats of engineering accomplished during construction, like the installation of the glass-and-steel AquaDome, the development of six record-breaking waterslides and more. Soon, Star will make its way from Turku to Cadiz, Spain , where Royal Caribbean will put the finishing touches before Star sets sail on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventures to top-rated destinations, including the vacation brand's fan-favorite Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas . "We're incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionize how families and adventurers vacation," said Michael Bayley , president and CEO, Royal Caribbean . "It's a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we're excited to debut this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August." Star will double the world's best vacation count with record-breaking thrills, unrivalled ways to chill, and more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves, including: Thrill Island – Adrenaline lovers can find thrills of all kinds at Category 6 , the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking waterslides including family raft slides, a drop slide and dueling mat racers; Crown's Edge , the part skywalk, part thrill ride 154 feet above the ocean; and fan favorites, such as the FlowRider surf simulator and rock-climbing wall. – Adrenaline lovers can find thrills of all kinds at , the largest waterpark at sea with including family raft slides, a drop slide and dueling mat racers; , the and fan favorites, such as the FlowRider surf simulator and rock-climbing wall. Chill Island – The three-deck slice of paradise is the ultimate spot for vacationers to kick back at four pools, including Royal Bay , the largest pool at sea. Vacationers can enjoy live bands and DJs while they party poolside and sip on tropical drinks from the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar or at The Lime & Coconut just steps away. – The three-deck slice of paradise is the ultimate spot for vacationers to kick back at four pools, including , the largest pool at sea. Vacationers can enjoy live bands and DJs while they party poolside and sip on tropical drinks from the swim-up bar or at just steps away. Surfside – Designed for young families, Surfside is the place to stay and play all day together. Kids and tots have more ways to splash at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay , while adults relax at the nearby Water's Edge . When it's time for a bite, Surfside Eatery and Pier 7 have menu options for all ages. – Designed for young families, is the place to stay and play all day together. Kids and tots have more ways to splash at and while adults relax at the nearby . When it's time for a bite, and have menu options for all ages. AquaDome – With wraparound ocean views , the tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot at night features deck-defying shows at the marquee AquaTheater with high divers, aerialists, robots and more. AquaDome is also home to a variety of food and drink spots including the AquaDome Market food hall, the Rye & Bean bar, Hooked Seafood and The Overlook bar for unparalleled views. – With , the tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot at night features at the marquee with high divers, aerialists, robots and more. AquaDome is also home to a variety of food and drink spots including the food hall, the bar, and bar for unparalleled views. The Hideaway – Tucked away at 135 feet above the ocean, the adults-only spot features a suspended infinity pool – the only other pool of its kind having been first introduced on Icon – a DJ, bar, a terrace with whirlpools and vast ocean views. Fleet favorites reimagined for the Icon Class round out vacationers' experience, including the Royal Promenade complete with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and the Pearl, the world's largest kinetic art sculpture; the open-air Central Park with more than 30,500 real plants; the new 1930's Chicago -inspired Lincoln Park Supper Club; convenient pick-up windows for sushi, champagne, sparkling wine and more. Plus, vacationers have more ways to stay across four decks at the Suite Neighborhood and amenities at the Grove Suite Sun Deck and two-level Coastal Kitchen. Star will also be the vacation company's third ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programs. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection, Star will advance Royal Caribbean Group's journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035. The vacation brand is also set to deliver their fourth ship powered by LNG with Legend of the Seas, the third Icon Class vacation set to debut in 2026. In addition to Star, Royal Caribbean continues to expand upon its lineup of vacation experiences across the ultimate destinations with the December 2025 debut of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas , delivering the ultimate beach day. The adventures continue with Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027 and an exclusive beach destination in Lelepa in the South Pacific in 2027. Vacations on Star are available to book on Royal Caribbean's website. *NOTE TO EDITOR: Media can find assets and more information on Star at About Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line's game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 22 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the line's top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release relating to, among other things, expectations on onboard offerings on Star of the Seas, the Company's progress on LNG and net-zero initiatives, and future development of private destinations, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "will," and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which 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. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, 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. SOURCE Royal Caribbean International Lyan Sierra-Caro, [email protected]; Brittney Smith, [email protected]
