We are the world’s second largest cruise company. We own Royal Caribbean
International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisières
de France and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises. Together, these six
brands operate a combined 43 ships in the cruise vacation industry with an aggregate
capacity of approximately 105,750 berths.
Our ships operate on a selection of worldwide itineraries that call on approximately
480 destinations on all seven continents. In addition to our headquarters in
Miami, Florida, we have offices and a network of international representatives
around the world which primarily focus on our global guest sourcing.
We compete principally on the basis of exceptional service provided by our
crew, innovation and quality of ships, variety of itineraries, choice of destinations
and price. We believe that our commitment to build state-of-the-art ships and
to invest in the maintenance and upgrade of our fleet to, among other things,
incorporate our latest signature innovations, allows us to continue to attract
new and loyal repeat guests.
We believe cruising continues to be a popular vacation choice due to its inherent
value, extensive itineraries and variety of shipboard and shoreside activities.
In addition, we believe that our products appeal to a large consumer base and
are not dependent on a single market or demographic.
Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968 as a partnership. Its corporate structure
evolved over the years and the current parent corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises
Ltd., was incorporated on July 23, 1985 in the Republic of Liberia under the
Business Corporation Act of Liberia.
Our global brands include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises,
and Azamara Club Cruises. These brands are complemented by our Pullmantur brand,
which has been tailored to serve the cruise markets in Spain, Portugal and Latin
America; our CDF Croisières de France brand, which provides us with a
tailored product targeted at the French market; and our 50% joint venture, TUI
Cruises, which is specifically tailored for the German market.
The operating results of all of our brands are included in our consolidated
results of operations, except for TUI Cruises, which is accounted for under
the equity method of accounting.
We believe our global brands possess the versatility to enter multiple cruise
market segments within the cruise vacation industry. Although each of our brands
has its own marketing style as well as ships and crews of various sizes, the
nature of the products sold and services delivered by our brands share a common
base (i.e., the sale and provision of cruise vacations). Our brands also have
similar itineraries as well as similar cost and revenue components. In addition,
our brands source passengers from similar markets around the world and operate
in similar economic environments with a significant degree of commercial overlap.
As a result, we strategically manage our brands as a single business with the
ultimate objective of maximizing long-term shareholder value.
Cruising is considered a well-established vacation sector in the North American
market, a growing sector over the long-term in the European market and a developing
but promising sector in several other emerging markets. Industry data indicates
that market penetration rates are still low and that a significant portion of
cruise guests carried are first-time cruisers. We believe this presents an opportunity
for long-term growth and a potential for increased profitability.
We offer to handle virtually all travel aspects related to guest reservations
and transportation, including arranging guest pre- and post-hotel stay arrangements
and air transportation.
Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises offer
rewards to their guests through their loyalty programs, Crown & Anchor Society,
Captain’s Club and Le Club Voyage, respectively, to encourage repeat business.
Crown & Anchor Society has approximately 8.4 million members worldwide.
Captain’s Club and Le Club Voyage have 2.9 million members combined worldwide.
Members earn increasing membership status by accumulating cruise points or credits,
depending on the brand, which may be redeemed on future sailings. Members are
awarded points or credits in proportion to the number of cruise days and stateroom
category. The loyalty programs provide certain tiers of membership benefits
which can be redeemed by guests after accumulating the number of cruise points
or credits specified for each tier. In addition, upon achieving a certain level
of cruise points or credits, members benefit from reciprocal membership benefits
across all of our loyalty programs. Examples of the rewards available under
our loyalty programs include, but are not limited to, priority ship embarkation,
priority waitlist for shore excursions, complimentary laundry service, complimentary
internet, booklets with onboard discount offers, upgraded bathroom amenities,
private seating on the pool deck, ship tours and, in the case of our most loyal
guests who have achieved the highest levels of cruise points or credits, complimentary
cruise days. We regularly work to enhance each of our loyalty programs by adding
new features and amenities in order to reward our repeat guests.
