Royal Caribbean strengthens its global strategy with innovation, new destinations and a strong focus on Spain and Latin America

What are the main new features Royal Caribbean presented at FITUR this year for the European and Spanish markets?

One of the key highlights we presented at FITUR is Legend of the Seas, which marks the next evolution of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and an important milestone for our brand. The ship brings together everything that defines our unforgettable holidays – bold design, record-breaking attractions, and a strong focus on multigenerational travel. Legend of the Seas offers a balanced mix of high-energy experiences, world-class entertainment and carefully designed spaces for relaxation and connection – allowing every guest to personalize their ideal vacation. It will debut in Barcelona this summer, the first time that an Icon Class has sailed in Europe.

Beyond our ships, we are continuing to expand our portfolio of destination experiences. We have recently opened Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, the first in our Royal Beach Club collection. Located on Nassau’s Paradise Island, it combines the natural beauty and culture of the destination with Royal Caribbean’s signature service and entertainment, further strengthening the value we deliver both onboard and ashore. Looking ahead, we have a strong pipeline of new destinations, including Royal Beach Club Cozumel later this year, Royal Beach Club Lelepa in early 2027, and Perfect Day Mexico in late 2027.

In Europe, we are particularly excited about the opening of Royal Beach Club Santorini this summer, as part of the Ultimate Santorini Day shore excursion. This experience pairs access to a curated beach club with time to explore iconic locations such as Oia and Fira. Importantly, it also reflects a new approach to destination management, helping to better distribute visitor flows while enhancing the overall guest experience.

How important are the Spanish and Latin American markets within the company's global strategy?

Spain and Latin America are important markets within Royal Caribbean’s global growth strategy, both in terms of guest demand and long-term success. These are markets where awareness of cruising continues to grow and where travelers are actively seeking innovative, high-quality holiday experiences.

Spain plays a particularly important role within Europe as a key homeporting hub. Having Legend of the Seas sailing from Barcelona this summer clearly demonstrates our commitment to the Spanish market and to bringing our most advanced products closer to local guests, making cruising more accessible and relevant. Latin America is equally important within our global strategy. We have introduced a ship sailing out of Panama and Colombia given Latin American guests the opportunity to travel with us without needing a US Visa, showcasing not only our commitment to the region but underlining both the scale of demand and the long-term growth potential we see across the region.

We work very closely with travel agents to drive sustainable growth. Initiatives such as Upper Deck, our enhanced loyalty program for agents, are designed to reward engagement, incentivize sales and support long-term collaboration. We see the trade as a key pillar of our success in Spain and are confident that, together, we can continue to grow the cruise category in the market.

Royal Caribbean is known for its onboard innovation. What new experiences or technologies are currently making a difference?

Innovation has always been core to Royal Caribbean, and Legend of the Seas takes this to a new level by combining breakthrough entertainment, immersive dining and next-generation family experiences.

From a design perspective, Legend is organized into eight distinct neighborhoods, each functioning as a destination in its own right. This allows guests – particularly families and multigenerational groups – to navigate the ship intuitively and personalize their experience, whether that’s high-adrenaline thrills, social spaces or relaxation.

On the adventure side, Legend delivers record-breaking attractions, including Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea; Crown’s Edge, a hybrid skywalk and zipline experience 154 feet above the ocean; and reimagined family zones such as Surfside, featuring a new carousel concept and redesigned playscapes for younger guests.

With 28 dining venues – the most at sea – the ship introduces immersive concepts such as Royal Railway Legend Station, where guests embark on a multi-sensory, five-course journey inspired by the ancient Silk Routes, combining storytelling, technology and cuisine. New concepts like the Hollywoodland Supper Club further elevate evening dining with live jazz, themed storytelling and premium culinary experiences.

Finally, Legend of the Seas also advances Royal Caribbean’s innovation in sustainability, becoming the company’s fourth LNG-powered ship and featuring industry-leading environmental technologies that support the Group’s long-term net-zero ambitions.

How has the cruise traveler profile evolved in recent years, and how is Royal Caribbean adapting to this change?

In recent years, we’ve seen the cruise traveler profile evolve significantly, with strong growth in multigenerational travel. Cruising has become an increasingly attractive option for families of all sizes and compositions, particularly extended families who are looking for shared experiences, ease of planning, and opportunities to create lasting memories together.

This shift aligns directly with Royal Caribbean’s core strengths. Our ships are designed to deliver distinct yet complementary experiences for every age group – ranging from high-energy, adrenaline-led attractions and immersive spaces that encourage socializing, to premium dining, world-class entertainment and Broadway-quality shows. This breadth of offering allows different generations to enjoy the holiday in their own way, while still coming together around shared moments.

Guests no longer see the ship and the destination as separate parts of their holiday; they want the experience they enjoy onboard to continue when they step ashore. That shift is driving Royal Caribbean’s investment in exclusive destinations such as Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which officially opened in December 2025. Located in the Bahamas, the beach club allows guests to extend their vacation experience off the ship – whether that’s connecting at the world’s largest swim-up bar or relaxing with family and friends in a premium, curated beach setting.

What kind of experiences are younger travelers and families looking for today, and how is Royal Caribbean responding to these expectations?

Gen Z and millennials, in particular, value experiences that are memorable, flexible and shareable – experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing and allow them to actively participate in the destination and the moment. For these travelers, holidays are about variety – they want to be active during the day and social in the evening.

This is where Royal Caribbean has a clear point of differentiation. While we continue to serve multigenerational audiences, our proposition for younger guests is distinctive. Our ships are designed around high-energy entertainment and vibrant nightlife, combined with adrenaline-driven attractions such as surf simulators and skydiving experiences that set us apart from more traditional cruise offerings.