Royal Caribbean Group is riding a wave of strong demand heading into the summer after reporting a net profit of $736 million for Q1.
On Tuesday morning’s quarterly earnings call, executives discussed the company’s three brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
In the first three months of 2025, the three brands welcomed 2.2 million guests, up 9% from last year, and said that onboard spending and pre-cruise purchases exceeded previous years.
People want to cruise
Company CEO Jason Liberty said consumers are prioritizing travel experiences even as the economy faces uncertainty.
Passengers are booking more sailings and spending more on extras such as dining, excursions, and spa treatments.
“People are still choosing to cruise—and spending more when they do,” he said during an earnings call. In fact, seven out of ten consumers surveyed by the company said they plan to spend the same or more on vacations over the next year.
Bookings during the recent WAVE season, a key selling period for the cruise industry in Q1, set a record for the company. Strong demand for upcoming sailings this summer and into 2026 also contributed to this record.
Liberty pointed out that loyalty program members now account for nearly 40% of bookings and tend to spend about 25% more per trip than other guests.
Looking ahead
Royal Caribbean’s new ships, including Star of the Seas this summer and Celebrity Xcel this fall, are attracting strong interest ahead of their debuts.
The company is also gearing up to open its Royal Beach Club in Nassau by the end of 2025. With cruises sailing from nine U.S. homeports and offering trips from three to ten nights, Royal Caribbean says it’s positioned to serve cruise passengers looking for convenience and value.
“Travel remains a top priority, and cruising continues to offer a unique blend of destinations, entertainment, and value that land vacations often can’t match,” Liberty said.
