Should I buy Royal Caribbean Group stock in 2025?

What is Royal Caribbean Group?

How much is the Royal Caribbean Group stock?

The price of Royal Caribbean Group stock is rising this week. As of now, RCL trades at $254.44 USD, up 1.45% over the last 24 hours but down 5.96% for the week.

The company has a current market capitalization of $68.11 billion USD and sees an average daily trading volume of 2.66 million shares over the past three months.

The stock exhibits a P/E ratio of 20.40, a dividend yield of 1.20%, and a high beta of 2.12, indicating notable volatility.

Investors in New Zealand should note that while the outlook is strong, RCL’s high volatility may lead to larger price swings in this dynamic sector.

Our full analysis on the Royal Caribbean Group stock

Having carefully reviewed Royal Caribbean Group’s latest quarterly earnings and analyzed the stock’s impressive evolution over the past three years, we applied our proprietary multi-factor algorithms—including detailed financial ratio analysis, technical charting, and advanced sector benchmarking—to assess RCL’s standing in the global travel and consumer sectors. The data points to a company that has not only rebounded from pandemic disruptions but may be entering a new phase of sustained growth and value creation, underpinned by robust fundamentals and positive sentiment. So, why might Royal Caribbean Group stock once again become a strategic entry point into the premium leisure and travel sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) currently trades at $254.44 USD, delivering a remarkable 71.97% gain over the past twelve months—a clear testament to the market’s confidence in its recovery and future prospects. While the stock experienced mild short-term volatility (down 5.96% over the week), its six-month performance (+4.25%) and the strong momentum dating back to 2024 suggest this is a normal consolidation phase in a robust uptrend. The share price’s positive response to Q1 2025 earnings—where net income reached $0.7 billion and adjusted EPS soared 94% year-over-year to $2.71, notably ahead of analyst expectations—reaffirms investor enthusiasm.

From a sector perspective, RCL stands out amid a global cruise industry experiencing resurgent consumer demand, especially in premium and experiential travel offerings. Macro tailwinds, such as rising discretionary spending among affluent consumers in North America, Europe, and APAC, are translating directly into higher bookings and pricing power for leading cruise operators. For New Zealand investors, international travel appetite remains high, and the NZD/USD exchange rate stability further supports participation in U.S. equities without excessive currency risk.

Recent company-specific developments—such as the $250 million fleet modernization for Celebrity Cruises and a highly successful annual shareholder meeting—underscore Royal Caribbean’s proactive management and its commitment to operational excellence and sustained brand equity.

Technical Analysis

Technically, RCL stock presents a favourable structure for bullish positioning. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) reads 57.65—well clear of overbought territory, but with upward momentum. The MACD stands at 8.82, flashing a positive signal; recent crossovers underline medium-term strength.

Crucially, the stock trades well above both its 50-day ($211.35) and 200-day ($209.01) moving averages—an unequivocal sign of strong trend confirmation. Near-term support is established at $240.11, providing a firm base following the recent pullback, while resistance sits around $254.11 to $260. The consolidation just beneath resistance typically signals potential for a breakout, especially given the underlying bullish signals and volume confirmation.

RCL’s recent “higher lows” and successful retests of long-term moving averages point to a market structure that is not only supportive of renewed upside but could attract additional institutional flows as technical thresholds are surpassed.

Fundamental Analysis

Fundamentals continue to drive Royal Caribbean’s compelling investment narrative. Q1 2025 revenue reached $4.0 billion, marking 7.3% annualized growth amid a recovering but still uneven macro environment. Management’s ability to consistently deliver above-consensus results (Q1 EPS beat by 9%) highlights its operational agility and pricing discipline.

Forward guidance remains robust: the company now expects adjusted 2025 EPS of $14.55–$15.55, representing ~28% anticipated year-on-year growth. This strong projected earnings trajectory is supported by:

• Industry Leadership: Dominant positioning through Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea brands.
• Strategic Modernisation: $250 million capex for Celebrity’s Solstice Series upgrades, further cementing premium market share.
• Fleet and Route Expansion: 67 modern ships and new destinations slated for 2026, driving capacity and innovation.

Despite a P/E ratio of 20.4, valuation appears justified when contextualised against high double-digit growth rates and a 1.20% dividend yield—both attractive in a sector traditionally valued for margins and cash flow. The PEG ratio, factoring in elevated earnings projections, remains supportive of premium pricing.

Royal Caribbean also demonstrates resilient brand equity and operational adaptation, having emerged stronger from COVID-era disruption and now capitalising on pent-up demand. In global competitive benchmarking, RCL’s pricing power and load factors consistently outperform peers, highlighting durable competitive advantages.

Volume and Liquidity

Consistently robust trading volume—averaging 2.66 million shares daily—signals sustained market interest and deep liquidity. This liquidity, combined with a sizeable public float of 246.88 million shares, allows for nimble position sizing and dynamic valuation discovery, limiting slippage risk even for larger institutional transactions.

In the context of recent price appreciation and trading activity, the current volume profile reinforces investor conviction and suggests a healthy equilibrium between buyers and sellers. For the NZ market, this level of liquidity in a top-tier U.S. stock offers attractive ease of entry and exit without substantial bid-ask spreads.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several clear bullish catalysts underpin RCL’s medium- and long-term story:

• Upgraded Guidance: Management’s upward revision to 2025 EPS signals high visibility on both demand and cost structures.
• Asset Investments: Celebrity Cruises’ $250m modernisation consolidates premium market positioning and pricing power.
• Product Pipeline: Multiple new vessels, innovative onboard experiences, and expanded itineraries into 2026.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Continued investments in ESG—modernising fleet efficiency, reducing emissions, and pioneering responsible tourism—resonate with younger demographics and institutional mandates.
• Sector Tailwinds: Strong macro trends—rising global wealth, expanded vacation expectations, and tight supply in premium leisure—are driving pricing and occupancy higher.
• Favourable Market Dynamics: Consensus remains bullish, with 28 analysts covering RCL and the mean price target at $265.09 (implying ~4.2% upside from current levels, and some targets as high as $330).

Potential regulatory easing in global travel and acceleration of forward bookings both act as latent tailwinds, likely to be reflected in upcoming quarters.

Investment Strategies

For investors considering entry points across various horizons, Royal Caribbean Group offers noteworthy opportunities:

• Short-term: With the stock consolidating near technical resistance and clear support at $240.11, a breakout through the $260 level could catalyse momentum-driven trades. The bullish MACD and RSI momentum indicate high probability of renewed short-term upside, especially if next quarter earnings or booking updates beat forecasts.
• Medium-term: Approaching the second half of 2025, investors might favour an accumulation strategy during any mild retracements, using the $240 support as a reference for risk control. The upcoming new ship launches and continued fleet upgrades are likely to support valuation as 2026 approaches.
• Long-term: For those with a multi-year horizon, Royal Caribbean’s structural strengths—brand, operational scale, and innovation pipeline—suggest considerable compounding potential. The company’s leadership, ongoing operational excellence, and resurgence in cruise demand create an attractive environment for sustained earnings growth and capital appreciation, with the added bonus of a moderate, growing dividend.

Ideal positioning may involve staged allocation near current levels, especially ahead of key catalysts such as quarterly earnings, new route announcements, or sector-wide upgrades. Technical pullbacks to the $240–$245 zone represent compelling risk/reward setups for both traders and patient investors.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Royal Caribbean Group?

Royal Caribbean Group sits at an attractive inflection point: impressive post-pandemic financial performance, clear sectoral tailwinds, and a strong pipeline of innovations collectively lay the groundwork for further upside. The combination of structural profitability, upgraded forward guidance, healthy dividend yield, and deep liquidity justifies renewed investor attention.

While market volatility and above-average leverage warrant disciplined risk management, the evidence suggests RCL is entering a new bullish phase—supported by technical indicators, robust fundamentals, and a favourable sectoral outlook. For New Zealand investors considering international diversification, exposure to a premium global travel leader like Royal Caribbean seems to represent an excellent opportunity to participate in the next leg of growth in consumer leisure and experiences.

In summary, Royal Caribbean Group’s strengths—resilient earnings growth, rising demand, operational leadership, strategic investments, and clear technical momentum—firmly position the stock as one of the most compelling stories in global leisure for 2025. For those seeking to capitalise on secular trends in travel while benefiting from robust company-specific catalysts, RCL certainly deserves a prominent place on any buy-side watchlist. The next quarterly update and sector developments could well underscore Royal Caribbean’s powerful momentum and its potential to create significant value in the months and years ahead.

How to buy Royal Caribbean Group stock in NZ?

Buying Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) stock online is now simple and secure for New Zealand investors, thanks to reliable regulated brokers. You can choose between two main approaches: direct spot buying, where you own the shares outright, or trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which lets you speculate on price movements with leverage. Both methods are accessible from NZ and allow efficient access to global markets. Not sure which broker to use? Find a side-by-side comparison of leading platforms further down this page to help you make the right choice.

Spot Buying

A spot (or cash) purchase means you’re buying Royal Caribbean Group shares directly and becoming a shareholder. Through reputable NZ or global brokers, you simply deposit NZD, convert to USD, and buy shares at the current market price. Typical fees include a small fixed commission per order—usually around NZ$5–NZ$15 depending on the broker.

Example

Example: Suppose the Royal Caribbean Group share price is USD $254.44 (approx. NZ$422 at current rates). With NZ$1,000 (about USD $602) and a $7 brokerage fee, you could buy about 2 shares.

✔️ Gain Scenario:
If the share price rises by 10%, your investment is now worth NZ$1,100.
Result: +NZ$100 gross gain, representing a 10% return on your investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD trading lets you speculate on Royal Caribbean Group’s share price movements without owning the actual shares. You can amplify your exposure using leverage (e.g., 5x), but be aware of additional risks and costs, including the spread (difference between buy/sell prices) and overnight financing fees if you hold positions for more than a day.

Example

Example: You open a CFD position with NZ$1,000 and 5x leverage, giving you exposure to NZ$5,000 in Royal Caribbean Group shares.

✔️ Gain Scenario:
If the stock price rises by 8%, your position returns 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: That’s a NZ$400 gain on your NZ$1,000 stake (excluding fees).

Final Advice

Always compare brokers’ fees, trading conditions, and regulatory protections before investing. Your ideal method will depend on your risk profile and investment goals—spot buying for long-term ownership, or CFDs for short-term speculation with leverage. Check our in-depth broker comparison below to find the platform best suited to your needs and start investing in Royal Caribbean Group with confidence.

Our 7 tips for buying Royal Caribbean Group stock

The latest news about the Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group reported Q1 2025 results significantly above expectations with adjusted EPS up 94% year-over-year. The company delivered $2.71 in adjusted earnings per share compared to $1.40 in the same period last year, decisively beating analyst expectations by 9%. This performance was supported by record revenues of $4.0 billion (+7.3% year-over-year) and a net profit of $0.7 billion in the quarter. The robust expansion in profitability highlights sustained global demand for premium cruise experiences and Royal Caribbean’s operational efficiency, both key factors which can resonate with New Zealand-based travel agencies and consumers booking outbound voyages.

The consensus of 28 analysts remains strongly positive, with a mean target price 4.2% above current levels. Despite the stock’s recent intraweek correction (-5.96%), the analyst community continues to reinforce a “Strong Buy” recommendation on Royal Caribbean Group. The mean target price stands at $265.09 versus the $254.44 closing, indicating a potential upside and providing confidence for institutional investors in New Zealand seeking exposure to international leisure travel as the sector continues to rebound. The ongoing analyst optimism is underpinned by upwardly revised 2025 guidance and strengthening global booking trends.

Royal Caribbean Group has announced a $250 million upgrade for its Celebrity Cruises Solstice series as part of its premium strategy. This major fleet investment, disclosed in late May 2025, is aimed at modernising key vessels—including those that frequently operate Asia-Pacific itineraries with appeal in the Australasian market. Such investments ensure that Kiwi cruisers and local tour operators have access to the latest amenities and experiences, strengthening Royal Caribbean’s premium brand and supporting its growth trajectory in regions with high outbound traffic like New Zealand.

Technical signals indicate a structurally bullish trend as shares trade above key moving averages with positive momentum indicators. The stock’s 50-day and 200-day moving averages are both significantly below the current share price, demonstrating sustained upward momentum on a medium- to long-term basis. The Relative Strength Index (57.65) remains in a neutral to bullish zone and the MACD continues to print positive readings, indicating favourable technical sentiment. This is especially relevant for New Zealand investors who prioritise technical robustness in foreign holdings and wish to mitigate volatility typical of the sector.

Royal Caribbean’s outlook for 2025 remains aggressive, targeting adjusted EPS growth of about 28%, buoyed by persistent premium market demand. Management has recently raised full-year earnings guidance to $14.55–$15.55 per share, reflecting strong forward bookings, pricing power, and new destination launches anticipated for 2026. For New Zealand investors and travel distributors, this sustained growth outlook suggests Royal Caribbean is well-positioned to capture heightened travel demand, encourage commission revenues, and provide diversification from local tourism exposures, particularly as Kiwis trend toward higher-value cruise holidays.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.