At first glance, it may seem like Perfect Day at CocoCay has something for everyone. Royal Caribbean's 125-acre private island in the Bahamas is filled with thrilling adventures and relaxing beaches for vacationers. You'll find overwater cabanas, quiet places to chill, and shorelines bumping party music. Adrenaline seekers can also experience gigantic waterslides, zip lines, and hot air balloon rides.
Cruise company Royal Caribbean ( NYSE: RCL) beat earnings by six cents last night, reporting a huge $5.75 per share profit despite sales coming in just a bit light at $5.1 billion. It's a bit concerning that Royal Caribbean said earnings for the full year will fall short of expectations, however, with a forecast between $15.58 and $15.63 per share, and this forecast is costing the stock 8% in early trading.
Shares are down 13% in the last month, with the majority of that coming in the last two days after the company reported weak earnings that missed expectations. Though, Royal Caribbean revenue was up to $5.14 billion, a 5.2% increase over the prior period, this fell short of the $5.17 billion retail investors and Wall St were expecting. And things look worse the deeper you dig.
The destination, located on the country's northern coast, is a private beach resort owned and operated exclusively by Royal Caribbean. Labadee has historically been a popular stop on Royal Caribbean's Western Caribbean itineraries, serving as a way for travelers to experience Haiti's coastal beaches and partake in adventurous activities like zip lining. Since it operates separately from the rest of the country's tourism infrastructure, it is isolated from much of the unrest elsewhere in Haiti. In a statement provided to Travel + Leisure, Royal Caribbean said: "Out of an abundance of caution, we have paused our upcoming visits through April 2026. We are communicating with our guests directly."
It feels like no one talks about how overwhelming a cruise can be if you've never taken one before. First-time cruisers experience an entirely new form of transportation. When you're traveling on a large ship with so many places to eat and so many activities and excursions, it can be hard to figure out how to spend your time. It may help to hear how to make the most of your cruise from those who have done it before.
Ovation of the Seas offers diverse attractions such as roller skating, indoor skydiving, and rock climbing, making it an ideal ship for family vacations and group trips.
