FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Florida Business Newsdesk Date: April 15, 2026 Location: Miami, Florida
Royal Caribbean Group Enters 2026 at Full Speed: Record Earnings, $345 Million Miami Investment, New Ship Class, and Expanding Florida Footprint Signal Era of Unprecedented Growth
Miami-based cruise giant posts 30% earnings growth in 2025, breaks ground on landmark PortMiami terminal, confirms all-new Discovery Class vessels, and positions Florida as the global epicenter of ocean vacation travel
Overview
MIAMI, FL — Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), headquartered in Miami, Florida, is charting one of the most ambitious expansion courses in the company’s 58-year history. Entering 2026 on the back of a record-breaking financial year, a landmark infrastructure investment at PortMiami, a next-generation ship class announcement, and a growing fleet of Florida-based vessels, the company has firmly established South Florida not just as its corporate home — but as the command center of the world’s most dynamic cruise operation.
From the Port of Miami to Port Canaveral to Fort Lauderdale, Royal Caribbean’s Florida presence touches tens of thousands of jobs, billions in economic output, and millions of passengers who begin and end their vacations right here in Florida.
Record Financial Performance — 2025 Results and 2026 Outlook
Earnings Growth Exceeds 30% as Demand Hits Historic Highs
Royal Caribbean Group reported 2025 Earnings per Share of $15.61 and Adjusted EPS of $15.64, with results better than the company’s guidance primarily due to more favorable revenue and better performance from joint ventures.
“2025 was an outstanding year, and the momentum is further accelerating into 2026,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “WAVE is off to a great start and we continue to see strong and growing preference for our leading brands and differentiated vacation experiences. We expect another strong year of financial performance with both revenue and earnings growing double digits, and we remain on track to achieve our Perfecta goals by 2027.”
Bookings at All-Time Records
Since the last earnings call, Cyber Sales and the onset of WAVE season resulted in the highest seven booking weeks in the company’s history. The company has approximately two-thirds of 2026 capacity booked, which is within historical ranges and at record rates, and the company continues to see elevated close-in bookings.
Nearly 50% of onboard revenue in 2025 was booked pre-cruise, with 90% of pre-cruise purchases being made through digital channels.
Looking ahead, the company expects Adjusted EPS to be in the range of $17.70 to $18.10 per share in 2026, with double-digit revenue and earnings growth driven by 6.7% higher capacity as well as anticipated yield growth.
Named to Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies List
Royal Caribbean Group was named to the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list for the first time, cementing its reputation as one of the most respected enterprises operating out of Florida. The recognition reflects the company’s leadership in innovation, sustainability, financial performance, and employee development — all driven from its Miami headquarters.
This level of recognition mirrors a broader wave of Florida-based brands posting landmark financial results, including Florida’s grocery giant. Readers curious about how Florida’s largest employers are driving record revenue can explore our deep dive on Publix record-breaking Florida sales performance for a side-by-side look at the state’s retail and tourism economic engines.
$345 Million Investment in Miami — Terminal G Groundbreaking
A New Gateway Rising at PortMiami
In one of the most significant infrastructure investments in South Florida’s recent history, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, PortMiami Director and CEO Hydi Webb, and Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty led a groundbreaking ceremony for the future new Cruise Terminal G at PortMiami on January 8, 2026.
The $345 million Terminal G, to be built by Lemartec and NV2A in partnership with Perez & Perez Architects & Planners, involves the design-build delivery of a single-berth terminal to accommodate up to 7,000 passengers.
Built for Florida’s Future
Funded by a partnership between Miami-Dade County and Royal Caribbean Group, the scope includes a multi-level parking garage, an intermodal facility, and other infrastructure to support large cruise ships such as the Icon Class. The terminal is designed to meet LEED certification standards, aligning with Royal Caribbean’s broader sustainability and environmental responsibility commitments.
The future Cruise Terminal G is slated for completion in late 2027. “Cruise Terminal G represents a major investment in Miami’s future. Built with advanced technology and sustainable design, this new facility will deliver a smarter, faster, more seamless experience for guests sailing with our industry-leading brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea,” said Jason Liberty.
Economic Impact for Miami-Dade
PortMiami, which already contributes $61 billion annually to the local economy, will continue to be one of the largest economic engines in Miami-Dade County thanks to these upgrades. The development is estimated to generate thousands of jobs during and after construction, including construction roles, hospitality jobs, and positions within the transportation sector.
PortMiami set a passenger record for fiscal year 2025, welcoming 8,564,225 cruise passengers — a 4.02% increase compared to the 2024 record of 8,233,056. Terminal G is designed to sustain that record-setting pace well into the next decade.
Florida’s surging economic momentum is not limited to PortMiami; the state’s legal, professional, and service sectors are also earning national accolades. Click through to see how McArdle Franco PLLC earned national Best Law Firms recognition and learn what that award-winning legal expertise means for Florida businesses scaling alongside companies like Royal Caribbean.
Legend of the Seas — Florida’s Newest Icon Arrives in November 2026
The Third Icon-Class Ship Calls Fort Lauderdale Home
Florida will welcome the newest jewel in Royal Caribbean’s fleet this autumn. Legend of the Seas will debut in the Mediterranean in July 2026, before relocating to Florida, where it will offer 3 to 8-night cruises of the Western and Southern Caribbean sailing out of Fort Lauderdale.
What Florida Passengers Can Expect
Legend of the Seas builds on the spectacular success of Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas while introducing compelling new features exclusive to this vessel:
- A two-story casino — the first Royal Caribbean ship with this feature
- Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” Broadway musical, bringing the story of Willy Wonka to life at sea
- The Royal Railway — an immersive dining experience set in a full-size rail car with screens built into window panes that simulate travel through stunning destinations
- The largest waterpark at sea, seven sparkling pools, and over 40 bars and places to eat
Legend of the Seas will measure 250,800 gross tonnage and have a capacity of approximately 5,610 passengers at double occupancy. As part of Royal Caribbean’s journey toward a net-zero cruise ship by 2035, Legend of the Seas will be powered by liquefied natural gas, joining Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, and Star of the Seas.
Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades will serve as the ship’s primary home port for Caribbean sailings beginning in November 2026, adding significantly to Broward County’s cruise economy.
As Florida’s tourism, cruise, and hospitality brands continue breaking records, the marketing stories behind their visibility are breaking records too. Visit our feature on the Florida Authority Network 1,500-article milestone to discover how Florida-focused digital publishing is amplifying major announcements like Legend of the Seas to a statewide audience.
The Discovery Class — Royal Caribbean’s Next Chapter Announced
A Bold New Vision for Exploration Confirmed
Royal Caribbean confirmed it will build a new class of cruise ship called the Discovery Class. Two Discovery Class ships will be built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, with the first debuting in 2029 and the second in 2032. Additional details on itineraries and home port assignments will be shared as the Discovery Class program advances.
Looking ahead, the way Florida consumers discover brand-defining announcements like the Discovery Class is being reshaped by AI-driven search behavior. Read our explainer on Answer Engine Optimization for Florida business marketing to understand how modern brands are positioning their news for visibility in the next generation of search.
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