Summary
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) reported a strong first quarter for 2026, with total revenues increasing by 11.3% year-over-year to $4.5 billion. This growth was driven by a combination of increased capacity and higher pricing, leading to a significant rise in both passenger ticket revenues and onboard and other revenues. Net income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. surged to $941 million, up from $730 million in the prior year, with diluted earnings per share rising to $3.48 from $2.70. The company also successfully managed its expenses, with total cruise operating expenses increasing at a slower pace than revenues, contributing to improved operating income and a higher operating margin. The company's balance sheet remains robust, with total assets increasing to $41.99 billion. While long-term debt saw an increase to $19.67 billion (from $18.17 billion), this was primarily due to strategic debt issuances for refinancing and expansion. Customer deposits also saw a substantial increase to $6.55 billion, indicating strong future booking demand. RCL continues to invest in its fleet, with significant capital expenditures planned for new ship deliveries, underscoring its commitment to long-term growth and capacity expansion.
Financial Highlights
49 data points| Revenue | $4.45B |
| Cost of Revenue | $2.25B |
| Gross Profit | $2.21B |
| SG&A Expenses | $582.00M |
| Operating Income | $1.16B |
| Net Income | $941.00M |
| EPS (Basic) | $3.49 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $3.48 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 270.00M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 271.00M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total revenues increased by 11.3% to $4.5 billion in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025, driven by capacity growth and higher pricing.
- 2Net income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. rose significantly to $941 million, a substantial increase from $730 million in the prior year.
- 3Diluted earnings per share (EPS) improved to $3.48, up from $2.70 in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting strong profitability.
- 4The company experienced a significant increase in customer deposits, reaching $6.55 billion, indicating robust forward bookings.
- 5RCL's fleet expansion continues with several new ships on order, with aggregate expected costs of approximately $16.2 billion.
- 6The company reported strong operational performance with an 8.3% capacity growth and improved net yields.
- 7Cash flow from operations remained strong, providing $1.8 billion in net cash for the first quarter of 2026.