• Net Yield Growth: 11.6% for the full year 2024.
• Operating Cash Flow: Over $5 billion in 2024.
• Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): $1.63 for Q4 2024.
• Net Yield Growth for Q4: 7.3%.
• Adjusted EBITDA: $1.1 billion for Q4 2024.
• Operating Cash Flow for Q4: $1.5 billion.
• Capacity Growth for 2025: Expected to increase by 5.4% year-over-year.
• Expected Yield Growth for 2025: 2.5% to 4.5%.
• Adjusted EPS Guidance for 2025: $14.35 to $14.65.
• Fuel Expense for 2025: Anticipated at $1.17 billion.
• Liquidity at Year-End 2024: $4.1 billion.
• Leverage at Year-End 2024: Low 3 times.

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with NBTB.

Release Date: January 28, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE:RCL) delivered a record 8.6 million vacations in 2024 with high customer satisfaction scores.
• The company achieved an 11.6% net yield growth and generated over $5 billion in operating cash flow.
• RCL met its double-digit carbon intensity reduction target a year ahead of schedule.
• The introduction of Celebrity River Cruises in 2027 is expected to unlock new growth opportunities.
• Bookings for 2025 have accelerated, resulting in the best five booking weeks in the company's history.

Negative Points

• Net cruise costs excluding fuel increased by 13.5% in constant currency, driven by higher stock-based compensation.
• The company faces headwinds from foreign exchange and fuel rates, impacting earnings guidance.
• RCL's yield growth guidance for 2025 is lower compared to the high single-digit per diems reported in 2024.
• The river cruise market is fragmented, presenting challenges in capturing market share.
• The new river cruise ships will not operate year-round, potentially affecting overall productivity.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain the yield guidance for 2025, considering the strong performance in 2024? A: Jason Liberty, President and CEO, explained that the strong demand in the fourth quarter of 2024 elevated the base comparable, making it a more challenging comp. Despite this, the company is encouraged by the incredible booking activity and expects yield growth of 2.5% to 4.5% based on current bookings and trends.

Q: How does Royal Caribbean plan to position itself in the river cruise market compared to competitors like Viking? A: Jason Liberty stated that while Viking is a strong competitor, Royal Caribbean sees an opportunity to elevate the river cruise experience by leveraging its existing customer base and brand trust. The company plans to offer a premium product with enhanced design, culinary, and entertainment experiences, aligning with Celebrity's brand.

Q: What is the expected ramp-up for the new river cruise ships, and what demographic is targeted? A: Jason Liberty mentioned that the initial order is for 10 ships, with a couple launching in 2027 and four per year thereafter. The target demographic is similar to Celebrity's current clientele, focusing on immersive experiences and leveraging the company's global sourcing capabilities.

Q: Can you provide more details on the capital expenditure plans for 2025 and beyond? A: Naftali Holtz, CFO, explained that the $5 billion CapEx for 2025 includes new ship deliveries and investments in private destinations like Costa Maya and Nassau. The company plans to continue its modernization program and expects to generate significant cash flow to support these investments.

Q: How is Royal Caribbean optimizing pricing and capacity for 2025, and what is the market share opportunity in the vacation market? A: Jason Liberty highlighted strong demand across all products and regions, with a focus on sourcing high-yielding guests. The company is leveraging technology and AI to enhance guest experiences and pricing strategies. He believes Royal Caribbean is in the early innings of capturing a larger share of the $2 trillion global vacation market.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.