Royal Caribbean Cruises Reports $14B Revenue in 2025, 51% Net Income Growth
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 23 2025
0mins
Should l Buy RCL?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Performance Recovery: Royal Caribbean achieved nearly $14 billion in revenue for the first nine months of 2025, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase, indicating a strong recovery momentum post-pandemic that is likely to enhance market share.
- Debt Management: Despite a substantial debt of $20.8 billion, the company reduced interest expenses by 45%, resulting in a net income of $3.5 billion in the first three quarters, a 51% annual increase, showcasing significant progress in financial management.
- Strong Market Demand: Bookings for 2026 have surpassed those of 2025 at the same time last year, indicating sustained consumer demand for cruise vacations, which has reduced the need for discounts and is expected to boost revenue and profits.
- Competitive Landscape: Although Royal Caribbean's P/E ratio stands at 20, lower than Viking's 34, its performance has outpaced Carnival and Norwegian, demonstrating its potential and appeal in the high-end market.
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Analyst Views on RCL
Wall Street analysts forecast RCL stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for RCL is 327.80 USD with a low forecast of 275.00 USD and a high forecast of 400.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 348.030
Low
275.00
Averages
327.80
High
400.00
Current: 348.030
Low
275.00
Averages
327.80
High
400.00
About RCL
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a cruise company, which owns and operates three global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises. It also has an interest in TUI Cruises GmbH, which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Its ships offer a selection of worldwide itineraries that call on approximately 1,000 destinations on all seven continents. Royal Caribbean offers cruises and land destinations that generally feature a casual ambiance, as well as a variety of activities and entertainment venues. Celebrity Cruises offers a range of itineraries to destinations, including Alaska, Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand, the Panama Canal and South America, with cruise lengths ranging from three to 14 nights. It also offers a range of private land destinations through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Royal Caribbean Expands Artist Discovery Program
- Artist Showcase Opportunity: Royal Caribbean's Artist Discovery Program expands on the new cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, allowing emerging artists from the Caribbean and Central America to showcase their work, expected to attract millions of vacationers and enhance the brand's cultural experience.
- Large-Scale Murals Creation: Selected artists will create large-scale murals in six prominent locations on the ship, enhancing guests' visual experience while showcasing the diversity of destinations, further strengthening Royal Caribbean's competitive edge in cultural tourism.
- Innovative Itineraries: In 2026, Legend of the Seas will launch 7-night Western Mediterranean adventures from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome, Italy, enriching tourist options and enhancing the brand's appeal in the European market.
- Caribbean Debut Plans: Legend of the Seas will make its grand debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2026, offering 6-night and 8-night Caribbean vacations, which is expected to further boost Royal Caribbean's market share in the region.
See More
Royal Caribbean Group Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Increase: The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Group declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per common share, payable on April 3, 2026, reflecting the company's strong business performance and momentum across its global vacation portfolio.
- Commitment to Shareholder Returns: CEO Jason Liberty emphasized that this dividend increase underscores the company's commitment to delivering meaningful returns to shareholders while continuing to invest in innovations and experiences that enhance customer satisfaction and market competitiveness.
- Business Expansion Plans: Royal Caribbean Group aims to expand its private destinations from three to eight by 2028, significantly enhancing its influence in the global vacation market, and plans to enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises.
- Industry Recognition: The company was named to Fortune's 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list and Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies list, highlighting its leadership position in the industry and commitment to sustainable vacation experiences.
See More
Royal Caribbean Group Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Increase: The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Group has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per common share, payable on April 3, 2026, reflecting the ongoing strength of the company's business and positive momentum across its global vacation portfolio.
- Commitment to Shareholder Returns: CEO Jason Liberty emphasized that this dividend increase underscores the company's commitment to delivering meaningful returns to shareholders while continuing to invest in innovations and experiences that enhance brand value and market competitiveness.
- Business Expansion Plans: Royal Caribbean Group aims to expand its portfolio of private destinations from three to eight by 2028 through its Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club collections, which will further enhance customer experiences and drive revenue growth.
- Industry Recognition: The company has been named to Fortune's 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list and Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies list, highlighting its leadership position and commitment to social responsibility in the global vacation industry.
See More
Royal Caribbean Group Sees Surge in Options Trading Volume
- Surge in Options Volume: Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) recorded an options trading volume of 26,286 contracts today, equivalent to approximately 2.6 million shares, which exceeds 100.9% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its stock.
- High Demand for Call Options: Among RCL's options, the $360 strike call option has seen significant activity, with 8,096 contracts traded today, representing about 809,600 shares, suggesting investor expectations for future price increases.
- Schwab's Options Trading Activity: In parallel, Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) has an options trading volume of 53,706 contracts today, translating to approximately 5.4 million shares, which accounts for 53.3% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, reflecting ongoing market interest in its stock.
- Interest in Put Options: The $97 strike put option for SCHW has also garnered attention, with 6,238 contracts traded today, representing around 623,800 shares, indicating investor caution regarding potential downside risks.
See More
Royal Caribbean Expands Artist Discovery Program
- Increased Artist Opportunities: Royal Caribbean's Artist Discovery Program is expanding to include Central American artists, allowing them to showcase their work, which is expected to attract more tourist attention and participation, thereby enhancing brand image and cultural experiences.
- Large-Scale Mural Creation: The program will add six large mural locations on Legend of the Seas, where selected artists will be commissioned to create works that aim to enhance passengers' visual experiences and enrich the onboard cultural atmosphere, further attracting art enthusiasts.
- New Route Launch: Legend of the Seas will debut in the Caribbean in 2026, offering six and eight-night itineraries, which is expected to draw a significant number of tourists and drive market share growth for the company in the region.
- Cultural Immersion Experience: By collaborating with local artists, Royal Caribbean not only enhances passengers' cultural experiences but also showcases the creative spirit of the Caribbean and Central America, further solidifying its leadership position in the global tourism market.
See More
Royal Caribbean Expands Artist Discovery Program
- Artist Showcase Opportunity: Royal Caribbean's Artist Discovery Program will expand in summer 2026 on the new ship Legend of the Seas, inviting emerging artists from the Caribbean and Central America to showcase their work, which is expected to attract millions of vacationers and enhance the brand's cultural impact.
- Large-Scale Mural Creation: Selected artists will create large-scale murals in six prominent locations on Legend, increasing the display sites from four to six, which not only enriches the artistic atmosphere on board but also provides artists with more opportunities to showcase their culture.
- Cultural Immersion Experience: The program aims to connect vacationers of all ages with the cultural heritage of the destinations through art, with the CEO of Royal Caribbean stating that this expansion will further enhance guests' cultural experiences and strengthen the brand's market competitiveness.
- Global Route Layout: Legend of the Seas will make its Caribbean debut in November 2026, offering various itineraries including Western and Southern Caribbean routes, combining art displays with travel experiences, which is expected to attract more family travelers.
See More
Royal Caribbean Expands Artist Discovery Program
- Artist Showcase Opportunity: Royal Caribbean's Artist Discovery Program expands on the new cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, allowing emerging artists from the Caribbean and Central America to showcase their work, expected to attract millions of vacationers and enhance the brand's cultural experience.
- Large-Scale Murals Creation: Selected artists will create large-scale murals in six prominent locations on the ship, enhancing guests' visual experience while showcasing the diversity of destinations, further strengthening Royal Caribbean's competitive edge in cultural tourism.
- Innovative Itineraries: In 2026, Legend of the Seas will launch 7-night Western Mediterranean adventures from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome, Italy, enriching tourist options and enhancing the brand's appeal in the European market.
- Caribbean Debut Plans: Legend of the Seas will make its grand debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2026, offering 6-night and 8-night Caribbean vacations, which is expected to further boost Royal Caribbean's market share in the region.
See More
Royal Caribbean Group Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Increase: The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Group declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per common share, payable on April 3, 2026, reflecting the company's strong business performance and momentum across its global vacation portfolio.
- Commitment to Shareholder Returns: CEO Jason Liberty emphasized that this dividend increase underscores the company's commitment to delivering meaningful returns to shareholders while continuing to invest in innovations and experiences that enhance customer satisfaction and market competitiveness.
- Business Expansion Plans: Royal Caribbean Group aims to expand its private destinations from three to eight by 2028, significantly enhancing its influence in the global vacation market, and plans to enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises.
- Industry Recognition: The company was named to Fortune's 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list and Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies list, highlighting its leadership position in the industry and commitment to sustainable vacation experiences.
See More
Royal Caribbean Group Declares Quarterly Dividend
- Quarterly Dividend Increase: The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Group has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per common share, payable on April 3, 2026, reflecting the ongoing strength of the company's business and positive momentum across its global vacation portfolio.
- Commitment to Shareholder Returns: CEO Jason Liberty emphasized that this dividend increase underscores the company's commitment to delivering meaningful returns to shareholders while continuing to invest in innovations and experiences that enhance brand value and market competitiveness.
- Business Expansion Plans: Royal Caribbean Group aims to expand its portfolio of private destinations from three to eight by 2028 through its Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club collections, which will further enhance customer experiences and drive revenue growth.
- Industry Recognition: The company has been named to Fortune's 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list and Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies list, highlighting its leadership position and commitment to social responsibility in the global vacation industry.
See More
Royal Caribbean Group Sees Surge in Options Trading Volume
- Surge in Options Volume: Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) recorded an options trading volume of 26,286 contracts today, equivalent to approximately 2.6 million shares, which exceeds 100.9% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its stock.
- High Demand for Call Options: Among RCL's options, the $360 strike call option has seen significant activity, with 8,096 contracts traded today, representing about 809,600 shares, suggesting investor expectations for future price increases.
- Schwab's Options Trading Activity: In parallel, Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) has an options trading volume of 53,706 contracts today, translating to approximately 5.4 million shares, which accounts for 53.3% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, reflecting ongoing market interest in its stock.
- Interest in Put Options: The $97 strike put option for SCHW has also garnered attention, with 6,238 contracts traded today, representing around 623,800 shares, indicating investor caution regarding potential downside risks.
See More
Royal Caribbean Expands Artist Discovery Program
- Increased Artist Opportunities: Royal Caribbean's Artist Discovery Program is expanding to include Central American artists, allowing them to showcase their work, which is expected to attract more tourist attention and participation, thereby enhancing brand image and cultural experiences.
- Large-Scale Mural Creation: The program will add six large mural locations on Legend of the Seas, where selected artists will be commissioned to create works that aim to enhance passengers' visual experiences and enrich the onboard cultural atmosphere, further attracting art enthusiasts.
- New Route Launch: Legend of the Seas will debut in the Caribbean in 2026, offering six and eight-night itineraries, which is expected to draw a significant number of tourists and drive market share growth for the company in the region.
- Cultural Immersion Experience: By collaborating with local artists, Royal Caribbean not only enhances passengers' cultural experiences but also showcases the creative spirit of the Caribbean and Central America, further solidifying its leadership position in the global tourism market.
See More
Royal Caribbean Expands Artist Discovery Program
- Artist Showcase Opportunity: Royal Caribbean's Artist Discovery Program will expand in summer 2026 on the new ship Legend of the Seas, inviting emerging artists from the Caribbean and Central America to showcase their work, which is expected to attract millions of vacationers and enhance the brand's cultural impact.
- Large-Scale Mural Creation: Selected artists will create large-scale murals in six prominent locations on Legend, increasing the display sites from four to six, which not only enriches the artistic atmosphere on board but also provides artists with more opportunities to showcase their culture.
- Cultural Immersion Experience: The program aims to connect vacationers of all ages with the cultural heritage of the destinations through art, with the CEO of Royal Caribbean stating that this expansion will further enhance guests' cultural experiences and strengthen the brand's market competitiveness.
- Global Route Layout: Legend of the Seas will make its Caribbean debut in November 2026, offering various itineraries including Western and Southern Caribbean routes, combining art displays with travel experiences, which is expected to attract more family travelers.
See More
