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10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2016

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2016

Filed October 28, 2016For Securities:RCL

Summary

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) reported a significant increase in net income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 compared to the prior year. Total revenues saw a modest increase of 1.6% for the quarter and 3.0% for the nine-month period, driven by higher capacity and increased passenger spending, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. The company successfully managed operating expenses, with total cruise operating expenses decreasing by 3.4% for the quarter, largely due to lower fuel costs and favorable currency impacts, though expenses increased slightly for the nine-month period due to capacity expansion. Financially, RCL delivered strong bottom-line results, with diluted earnings per share rising to $3.21 in Q3 2016 from $1.03 in Q3 2015, and $4.72 for the nine months compared to $2.08 in the prior year. This improved profitability was partly due to the absence of a significant impairment charge recorded in the prior year related to Pullmantur assets. The company also continued to invest in fleet expansion, taking delivery of two new ships, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, and has a robust pipeline of future ship orders, signaling continued growth potential.

Financial Statements
Beta

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for the third quarter of 2016 was $693.3 million, a substantial increase from $228.8 million in the same period of 2015.
  • 2Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) for Q3 2016 was $3.21, significantly up from $1.03 in Q3 2015.
  • 3Total revenues for Q3 2016 increased by 1.6% to $2.56 billion, driven by higher passenger ticket and onboard revenues.
  • 4Total cruise operating expenses decreased by 3.4% to $1.34 billion in Q3 2016, primarily due to lower fuel costs and favorable foreign currency impacts.
  • 5The company took delivery of two new ships, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, in 2016, supporting fleet expansion.
  • 6Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $0.4 billion to $2.0 billion for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
  • 7RCL maintained strong occupancy rates, with Q3 2016 occupancy at 109.8%.

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