Royal Caribbean (RCL, Financial) is riding a wave of strong demand, reporting record-breaking bookings in 2024. The cruise line's earnings per share (EPS) came in at $10.94, far exceeding its earlier guidance of $6.31. Full-year revenue jumped to $16.4 billion, up from $13.9 billion in 2023, fueled by higher passenger spending on food, drinks, and experiences.
The company said it just had its best five weeks of bookings ever, highlighting the growing appetite for cruises. Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean is launching “Celebrity River Cruises”, a luxury river cruise brand focused on European destinations. The company has ordered 10 ships, with sailings set to begin in 2027.
For 2025, the cruise giant expects adjusted EPS between $14.35 and $14.65, despite a $0.65 impact from currency and fuel costs. That's still ahead of analyst estimates of $14.41, pointing to another strong year ahead.
