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Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL)
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Royal Caribbean (RCL) AI Stock Analysis

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RCL

Royal Caribbean

(NYSE:RCL)

Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$362.00
▲(15.50% Upside)
Royal Caribbean's overall score reflects strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment. The company's strategic moves, such as the expansion of credit facilities, bolster its growth prospects. Technical analysis indicates mixed signals, but the long-term trend appears positive.
Positive Factors
Booking Trends
Close-in bookings have accelerated, providing some positive momentum.
Customer Sentiment
Royal’s customers continue to report positive sentiment, with 75% feeling financially secure, and an ongoing prioritization of experiences including leisure travel contributes to Royal’s resiliency.
Yield Performance
RCL has consistently exceeded the high end of yield expectations by 35-40 bps over the past two quarters.
Negative Factors
Earnings Miss
3Q25 EPS guidance of $5.55-5.65 missed Street estimates of $5.72/$5.83.
Operational Headwinds
There are headwinds expected due to the timing of new ship deliveries and drydocks, impacting upcoming quarters.
Yield Guidance
Management lowered the 25E yield high end by 60 bps due to the prior guide reflecting a greater range of outcomes.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Royal Caribbean Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionRoyal Caribbean Group (RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that operates several cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The company is known for its innovative ships and diverse itineraries, offering travelers unique experiences across various destinations worldwide. Royal Caribbean focuses on providing premium travel experiences and entertainment for families and travelers of all ages, featuring onboard amenities such as dining, entertainment, and recreational activities.
How the Company Makes MoneyRoyal Caribbean makes money primarily through ticket sales for cruise vacations, which represent a significant portion of its revenue. The company also generates income from onboard spending by passengers, which includes purchases such as specialty dining, shore excursions, spa services, and retail shopping. Additionally, Royal Caribbean earns revenue from beverage packages, Wi-Fi access, and other ancillary services offered during the cruise experience. The company has established partnerships with various travel agencies and online travel platforms to enhance its distribution channels, and it may also engage in promotional partnerships with brands that align with its target markets. Seasonal promotions and loyalty programs further enhance customer retention and drive repeat business, contributing to the company's overall financial success.

Royal Caribbean Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 29, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -10.96%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented a strong performance with substantial growth in revenue and earnings, driven by high demand, successful new offerings, and increased customer engagement. Though there were some challenges related to timing and cost increases, the overall outlook remains positive with strategic investments paving the way for future growth.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue and Profit Growth
Adjusted earnings per share grew 36% year-over-year to $4.38, exceeding guidance by $0.33. Full-year adjusted earnings per share is expected to grow 31%.
Increased Capacity and High Demand
Capacity increased by 6% with over 2 million vacations delivered, a 10% increase year-over-year, with load factor at 110%. Bookings accelerated since the last earnings call, especially for close-in sailings.
Successful Launches and New Offerings
Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel are performing strongly in both pricing and load factor. The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opened for sale with strong early demand.
Innovation and Customer Engagement
Digital channels are driving strong onboard spend, with 50% of purchases occurring pre-cruise. App downloads have surpassed 30 million.
Loyalty and Customer Satisfaction
40% of bookings from loyalty members who spend 25% more per trip. High guest satisfaction scores with strong repeat customer behavior.
Negative Updates
Timing and Ramp-up Challenges
Operational ramp-up period for Star of the Seas impacts yield growth for Q3 by approximately 150 basis points.
Cost Increases and Timing Shifts
Net cruise costs, excluding fuel, increased by 2.1%, with some costs shifting from Q2 to the second half of the year.
Company Guidance
During the Royal Caribbean Group's second quarter 2025 earnings call, the company announced that it exceeded expectations due to stronger-than-expected close-in demand, a shift in expense timing, and favorability below the line from the outperformance of its TUI Cruises joint venture and lower interest costs. The company increased its full-year earnings guidance, now expecting adjusted earnings per share to grow by 31% year-over-year, reaching a range of $15.41 to $15.55. Net yield grew by 5.2%, surpassing guidance by 70 basis points, and the load factor was 110%, driven by the introduction of new ships and improvements across itineraries. Royal Caribbean also highlighted strong demand for onboard spend, with pre-cruise purchases accounting for approximately half of the onboard revenue. The company remains on track to achieve its Perfecta financial targets by 2027, with a 20% compound annual growth rate in adjusted earnings per share and a return on invested capital in the high teens. For the third quarter, Royal Caribbean expects to grow yields by 2% to 2.5%, driven by like-for-like hardware, and anticipates adjusted earnings per share between $5.55 and $5.65.

Royal Caribbean Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Royal Caribbean's financial performance indicates a strong recovery with significant improvements in profitability and cash flow metrics. The income statement is particularly robust with high gross and net profit margins, while the balance sheet shows reduced leverage. However, the relatively high level of liabilities compared to assets poses a potential risk.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Royal Caribbean's income statement shows a strong recovery with a notable improvement in profitability metrics. The TTM gross profit margin stands at 48.23%, indicating robust cost management. Net profit margin has increased to 19.38% in TTM, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency. Revenue growth rate is impressive at 20.57% from 2023 to 2024, demonstrating strong demand recovery post-pandemic. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also strong at 25.67% and 37.43% respectively, highlighting effective cost control and operational leverage.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows improvement in equity with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, reflecting a significant decrease in leverage compared to previous years. Return on equity has improved to 40.79% in TTM, indicating efficient use of shareholder funds. However, the equity ratio remains low at 21.26%, suggesting a relatively high level of liabilities compared to assets, which could pose risks if not managed properly.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash flow metrics indicate solid performance with a strong free cash flow growth rate of 5.66% in TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.71, suggesting healthy cash generation relative to net income. Free cash flow to net income ratio stands at 0.65, showing positive cash flow after capital expenditures. This reflects effective cash management and supports ongoing investments and debt reduction.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue17.18B16.48B13.90B8.84B1.53B2.21B
Gross Profit8.38B7.83B6.13B2.22B-1.21B-556.30M
EBITDA6.62B6.09B4.56B615.00M-2.67B-3.65B
Net Income3.60B2.88B1.70B-2.16B-5.26B-5.80B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets38.54B37.07B35.13B33.78B32.26B32.47B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments735.00M388.00M497.00M1.94B2.70B3.68B
Total Debt19.74B20.82B22.13B23.99B21.69B20.00B
Total Liabilities29.18B29.34B30.23B30.91B27.17B23.70B
Stockholders Equity9.17B7.56B4.72B2.87B5.09B8.76B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow3.59B2.00B580.00M-2.23B-4.11B-5.70B
Operating Cash Flow5.74B5.26B4.48B481.00M-1.88B-3.73B
Investing Cash Flow-2.10B-3.45B-3.92B-2.99B-2.15B-2.18B
Financing Cash Flow-3.30B-1.92B-1.99B1.74B3.04B9.35B

Royal Caribbean Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price313.42
Price Trends
50DMA
309.80
Positive
100DMA
264.98
Positive
200DMA
249.50
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.55
Positive
RSI
45.93
Neutral
STOCH
41.32
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For RCL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 313.42 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 329.00, above the 50-day MA of 309.80, and above the 200-day MA of 249.50, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -2.55 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 45.93 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 41.32 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for RCL.

Royal Caribbean Risk Analysis

Royal Caribbean disclosed 36 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Royal Caribbean reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Royal Caribbean Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$85.04B23.6047.48%0.78%12.10%37.89%
74
Outperform
$10.95B17.4563.57%5.23%66.94%
73
Outperform
$39.67B17.3412.49%0.45%16.23%56.05%
65
Neutral
$8.99B107.2422.38%18.13%-55.21%
64
Neutral
$26.46B48.4734.73%14.86%
63
Neutral
$25.14B24.86129.04%0.38%5.69%47.33%
61
Neutral
$17.22B11.53-5.99%3.08%1.40%-15.51%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
RCL
Royal Caribbean
313.42
162.37
107.49%
TCOM
Trip.com Group Ltd. Sponsored ADR
61.86
20.64
50.07%
EXPE
Expedia
209.68
81.23
63.24%
MMYT
Makemytrip
95.60
0.66
0.70%
NCLH
Norwegian Cruise Line
24.76
9.33
60.47%
VIK
Viking Holdings Ltd
59.99
25.78
75.36%

Royal Caribbean Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Royal Caribbean Secures Financing for New Edge-Class Ship
Neutral
Jun 27, 2025

On June 25, 2025, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. entered into a credit agreement to finance its sixth Edge-class ship, set for delivery in late 2028. The agreement involves a US dollar-denominated term loan, fully guaranteed by BpiFrance Assurance Export, with a floating interest rate and a twelve-year maturity, impacting the company’s financial strategy and stakeholder relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (RCL) stock is a Hold with a $140.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Royal Caribbean stock, see the RCL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Royal Caribbean Announces Leadership Transition for Board
Neutral
Jun 6, 2025

On June 6, 2025, Royal Caribbean Group announced a leadership transition for its Board of Directors. Richard Fain, who has been the Chair since 1988, will step down in Q4 2025, with Jason Liberty, the current President and CEO, succeeding him as Chairman and CEO. John Brock will take on the role of Independent Lead Director, bringing his extensive experience to support the company’s growth and governance. This transition marks a significant shift in leadership aimed at continuing the company’s trajectory of delivering exceptional vacation experiences and long-term value for shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (RCL) stock is a Buy with a $204.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Royal Caribbean stock, see the RCL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Royal Caribbean Elects Board at Annual Meeting
Neutral
May 28, 2025

At the Annual Meeting on May 28, 2025, Royal Caribbean‘s shareholders elected thirteen nominees to the Board of Directors, each receiving a majority of affirmative votes. Additionally, the compensation for the company’s named executive officers was approved on an advisory basis, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (RCL) stock is a Hold with a $140.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Royal Caribbean stock, see the RCL Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Royal Caribbean Expands Credit Facilities by $2.28 Billion
Positive
May 15, 2025

On May 14, 2025, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced amendments to its unsecured revolving credit facilities, increasing commitments by $2.28 billion and extending the maturity of one facility to October 2030. This move enhances the company’s financial flexibility and supports its strategic growth initiatives, reflecting strong support from lending partners and a robust credit profile.

The most recent analyst rating on (RCL) stock is a Hold with a $140.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Royal Caribbean stock, see the RCL Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 01, 2025