$RCL

Royal Caribbean warned passengers of potential 90-minute boarding delays for two transatlantic cruises due to the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). The delays apply to all guests, regardless of citizenship, and are caused by additional immigration checks. Affected sailings include Odyssey of the Seas from Rome and Explorer of the Seas from Barcelona. Other cruise lines may also face similar delays.

US High Relative Profitability ETF (DUHP) traded $496.2M on Oct. 14, net selling $294.0M. Top buys: Micron (MU, $28.9M), Broadcom (AVGO, $17.2M), SanDisk (SNDK, $11.5M). Top sells: Microsoft (MSFT, $138.3M), Royal Caribbean (RCL, $65.5M), Meta (META, $50.8M).

Melius analyst Conor Cunningham expects cruise lines to show improved performance in 3Q26 earnings, citing easier comparisons and strong demand. Key companies like Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH), Royal Caribbean (RCL), and Viking Holdings (VIK) are highlighted for their growth potential and attractive valuations. The analyst anticipates modest earnings beats and stable outlooks despite higher fuel costs.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Norwegian Cruise Line are investing in private destinations to boost passenger spending and profitability. Carnival expects 3.5 million passengers at its Caribbean destinations next year. Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay has driven demand for shorter itineraries. Disney Cruise Line expanded with Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. These investments aim to enhance the cruise experience and generate additional revenue.

Zhonggu Logistics ordered two 14,000TEU vessels from Hudong-Zhonghua for $1.37B. Matson christened Makua, first of three $1B ships for Hawaii/China services. Elbdeich ordered two undisclosed TEU vessels. Global Ship Lease added two ships for $163M. RCL ordered four 3,100TEU ships, part of a $1.45B program.

Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) spent $7.2B on ships and equipment in the year to June 2026, up from $1.4B three years prior, equating to 39% of sales. Spending outpaced cash inflows, with negative cash left over in two of the last four quarters. The company has $0.9B in cash and $23.5B in debt. Management expects $4.7B in spending for 2026, with bookings and pricing strong but consumer spending cautious.

Stifel reiterated a Buy rating and $415 price target for Royal Caribbean (RCL) ahead of its Q3 2026 earnings, citing strong demand and valuation metrics. Analysts expect earnings beats and potential guidance updates. Recent upgrades from Jefferies, Deutsche Bank, and others reflect positive sentiment. RCL trades at a P/E of 17.3 and PEG of 0.84, with 6 analysts revising earnings upwards.

Royal Caribbean updated its cancellation policy, increasing penalties for early cancellations on cruises 5-15 nights long, effective for bookings made on or after Oct. 11, 2026. The changes include higher fees for cancellations 75-119 days before departure, depending on cruise length. Existing reservations are not automatically switched to the new policy. Travel advisors note the changes reflect growing cruise demand. Travel insurance options are available but vary in coverage and cost.

Wells Fargo lowered its price target on Royal Caribbean Group to $358 from $388. The stock has seen a 1.63% increase over the past year. Jefferies upgraded the company to 'Buy' with a $330 price target.

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Aura and RCI-Royal Caribbean's Hero of the Seas will launch 19 and 10 days early, respectively, in 2027. NCL added two Mediterranean sailings for Norwegian Aura, while RCI introduced two departures for Hero of the Seas. Both ships are part of their respective Prima Plus and Icon classes.