Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
The discussion under this caption “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our expectations for future periods, business and industry prospects or future results of operations or financial position, made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “considering,” “could,” “driving,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will”, "would", and similar expressions are intended to further identify any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, but they are based on judgments and are inherently uncertain. Furthermore, they are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, in particular, the risks discussed under the caption "Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A herein.
All forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K speak only as of the date of this filing. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is organized to present the following:
•a review of our critical accounting policies and estimates and of our financial presentation, including discussion of certain operational and financial metrics we utilize to assist us in managing our business;
•a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024; and
•a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including our future capital and material cash requirements and potential funding sources.
A discussion of our results of operations, and sources and uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 is included in Part II. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2025 and is incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). (Refer to Note 1. General and Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data). Certain of our accounting policies are deemed "critical," as they require management's highest degree of judgment, estimates and assumptions. We have discussed these accounting policies and estimates with the audit committee of our Board. We believe our critical accounting policies and estimates are as follows:
Ship Accounting
Ships represent our most significant assets and are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of ships is generally computed net of a 10%-15% projected residual value, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, which is generally 30-35 years. The 30-35 year useful life and 10%-15% residual value is the weighted-average of all major components of a ship. Our useful life and residual value estimates take into consideration the impact of anticipated technological changes, environmental regulations, long-term cruise and vacation market conditions and historical useful lives of similarly-built ships. In addition, we take into consideration our estimates of the weighted-average useful lives of the ships' major component systems, such as hull, superstructure, main electric, engines and cabins. We employ a cost allocation methodology at the component level, in order to support the estimated weighted-average useful lives and residual values, as well as to determine the net cost basis of assets being replaced. Given the very large and complex nature of our ships, our accounting estimates related to ships and determinations of ship improvement costs to be capitalized require considerable judgment and are inherently uncertain. We do not have cost segregation studies performed to specifically componentize our ship systems. However, we estimate the costs, useful lives and residual values of component systems based principally on general and technical information known about major ship component systems and their lives, as well as our knowledge of the cruise vacation industry. We do not identify and track depreciation by ship component systems, but instead utilize these estimates to determine the net cost basis of assets replaced or refurbished. Improvement costs that we believe add value to our ships are capitalized as additions to the ship and depreciated over the shorter of the improvements' estimated useful lives or that of the associated ship. The estimated cost and accumulated depreciation of replaced or refurbished ship components are written off and any resulting losses are recognized within Cruise operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
We periodically review estimated useful lives and residual values for ongoing reasonableness, considering long term views on our intended use of each class of ships the planned level of improvements to maintain, enhance, and to comply with environmental regulations for vessels within those classes. In the event a factor is identified that may trigger a change in the estimated useful lives and residual values of our ships, a review of the estimate is completed.
We use the deferral method to account for drydocking costs. Under the deferral method, drydocking costs incurred are deferred and charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the period to the next scheduled drydock, which we estimate to be a period of thirty to sixty months based on the vessel's age as required by Class. Deferred drydock costs consist of the costs to drydock the vessel and other costs incurred in connection with the drydock which are necessary to maintain the vessel's Class certification. Class certification is necessary in order for our cruise ships to be flagged in a specific country, obtain liability insurance and legally operate as passenger cruise ships. The activities associated with those drydocking costs cannot be performed while the vessel is in service and, as such, are done during a drydock as a planned major maintenance activity. The significant deferred drydock costs consist of hauling and wharfage services provided by the drydock facility, hull inspection and related activities (e.g., scraping, pressure cleaning, bottom painting), maintenance to steering propulsion, thruster equipment and ballast tanks, port services such as tugs, pilotage and line handling, and freight associated with these items. We perform a detailed analysis of the various activities performed for each drydock and only defer those costs that are directly related to planned major maintenance activities necessary to maintain Class. The costs deferred are related to activities not otherwise routinely periodically performed to maintain a vessel's designed and intended operating capability. Repairs and maintenance activities are charged to expense as incurred.
We use judgment when estimating the period between drydocks, which can result in adjustments to the estimated amortization of drydock costs. If the vessel is disposed of before the next drydock, the remaining balance in deferred drydock is written-off to the gain or loss on disposal of vessel in the period in which the sale takes place.
We believe we have made reasonable estimates for ship accounting purposes. However, should certain factors or circumstances cause us to revise our estimates of ship useful lives or projected residual values, depreciation expense could be materially higher or lower. If circumstances cause us to change our assumptions in making determinations as to whether ship improvements should be capitalized, the amounts we expense each year as repairs and maintenance costs could increase, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation expense. If we had reduced our estimated average ship useful life by one year,
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depreciation expense for 2025 would have increased by approximately $157 million. If our ships were estimated to have no residual value, depreciation expense for 2025 would have increased by approximately $470 million. We have evaluated our estimated ship useful lives and projected residual values in light of our current environment and determined that there are no changes to these estimates. Refer to Note 6. Property and Equipment to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information on our ships.
Valuation of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets
We review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at the reporting unit level annually or, when events or circumstances dictate, more frequently. The impairment review for goodwill consists of a qualitative assessment of whether it is more-likely than-not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value, and if necessary, a goodwill impairment test. Factors to consider when performing the qualitative assessment include general economic conditions, limitations on accessing capital, changes in forecasted operating results, changes in fuel prices, and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
The goodwill impairment analysis consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. We typically estimate the fair value of our reporting units using a probability weighted discounted cash flow model in combination with a market-based valuation approach. The estimation of fair value utilizing discounted expected future cash flows includes numerous uncertainties which require our significant judgment when making assumptions of expected revenues, operating costs, marketing, selling and administrative expenses, interest rates, and assumptions regarding the cruise vacation industry's competitive environment and general economic and business conditions, among other factors. The principal assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model for our 2025 impairment assessment consisted of:
•Forecasted revenues per available passenger cruise day;
•Occupancy rates from existing vessels;
•Vessel operating expenses;
•Terminal growth rate; and
•Weighted average cost of capital (i.e., discount rate).
The discounted cash flow model uses the most current projected operating results for the upcoming fiscal year as a base. We discount the projected cash flows using rates specific to the reporting unit based on its weighted average cost of capital.
If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no write-down of goodwill is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of its net assets, an impairment is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to such reporting unit. Refer to Note 4. Goodwill to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information on goodwill.
Similar to the impairment review for goodwill, the impairment review for indefinite-lived intangible assets can be performed using a qualitative and, if necessary, a quantitative impairment assessment. The quantitative assessment consists of a comparison of the fair value of the asset with its carrying value. We estimate the fair value of these assets using a probability weighted discounted cash flow model and various valuation methods depending on the nature of the intangible asset, such as the relief-from-royalty method, for trademarks and trade names. The principal assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model for our 2025 impairment assessment consisted of:
•Forecasted revenues per available passenger cruise day;
•Occupancy rates from existing vessels;
•Terminal growth rate;
•Royalty rate; and
•Weighted average cost of capital (i.e., discount rate).
If the carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. If the fair value exceeds its carrying value, the indefinite-life intangible asset is not considered impaired. Other intangible assets assigned finite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Refer to Note 5. Intangible Assets to
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our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information on indefinite-life and finite-life intangible assets.
We review our ships and other long-lived assets, including right-of-use assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, based on recent and projected cash flow performance and remaining useful lives, that the carrying value of these assets may not be fully recoverable. We evaluate asset impairment at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The lowest level for which we maintain identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities is at the ship level for our ships. If estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of an asset, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent its carrying value exceeds fair value. Refer to Note 6. Property and Equipment to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information on determination of fair value for long-lived assets.
We estimate fair value based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If active markets are not available, we base fair value on independent appraisals, sales price negotiations and projected future cash flows discounted at a rate estimated by management to be commensurate with the business risk. Quoted market prices are often not available for individual reporting units and for indefinite-life intangible assets. Accordingly, we estimate the fair value of a reporting unit and an indefinite-life intangible asset using an expected present value technique.
Royal Caribbean Reporting Unit
During the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2024, we performed a qualitative analysis as part of our annual impairment review of the Royal Caribbean reporting unit. Based on our qualitative assessment, we concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that the estimated fair value of the Royal Caribbean reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and thus, we did not proceed to the quantitative analysis. No indicators of impairment exist primarily because the reporting unit's fair value has consistently exceeded its carrying value by a significant margin and forecasts of operating results expected to be generated by the reporting unit appear sufficient to support its carrying value. As a result, we determined no impairment to Royal Caribbean's goodwill.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to our Royal Caribbean reporting unit was $296 million.
We did not perform interim impairment evaluations of Royal Caribbean's goodwill during 2025 and 2024, as no triggering events were identified.
Silversea Reporting Unit
During the fourth quarters of 2025 and 2024, we performed a quantitative analysis as part of our annual impairment review of the Silversea reporting unit. As of November 30, 2025 and 2024, the fair value of the Silversea reporting unit was determined using a probability weighted discounted cash flow model in combination with a market-based valuation approach. As a result of the tests, we determined the fair value of the Silversea reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 98% and 63%, as of November 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, resulting in no impairment to Silversea's goodwill. The carrying value of goodwill attributable to our Silversea reporting unit was $509 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
During the fourth quarters of 2025 and 2024, we performed our annual impairment reviews of the Silversea trade name. As a result of the quantitative tests, we determined that the fair value of the Silversea's trade name exceeded its carrying value by approximately 90% and 66%, as of November 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, resulting in no impairment to Silversea's trade name.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the carrying value of indefinite-life intangible assets was $321 million, which primarily relates to the Silversea trade name.
We did not perform interim impairment evaluations of Silversea's goodwill or trade names during 2025 and 2024, as no triggering events were identified.
Derivative Instruments
We enter into various forward, swap and option contracts to manage our interest rate exposure and to limit our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and fuel prices. These instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value and the vast majority are designated as hedges. We also use non-derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of our net investment in our foreign operations and investments. Although some of our derivative financial instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not accounted for under hedge accounting, we do not hold or issue derivative financial
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instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. We account for derivative financial instruments in accordance with authoritative guidance. Refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 16. Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for more information on related authoritative guidance, the Company's hedging programs and derivative financial instruments.
On a regular basis, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, fuel swaps and options with third-party institutions in over-the-counter markets. We estimate the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps using expected future cash flows based on the instruments' contract terms and published forward prices for foreign currency exchange and interest rates. We value floors which are embedded within our interest rate swaps using standard option pricing models with inputs based on the options’ contract terms, such as exercise price and maturity, and readily available market data, such as forward interest rates and interest rate volatility. We apply present value techniques to convert the expected future cash flows to the current fair value of the instruments.
We estimate the fair value of our fuel swaps using expected future cash flows based on the swaps' contract terms and forward prices. We derive forward prices from published forward fuel curves which in turn are based on actual market transactions and published price quotes for similar assets. We apply present value techniques to convert the expected future cash flows to the current fair value of the instruments. We also corroborate our fair value estimates using valuations provided by our counterparties.
We adjust the valuation of our derivative financial instruments to incorporate credit risk.
We believe it is unlikely that materially different estimates for the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, fuel swaps and options would be derived from other appropriate valuation models using similar assumptions, inputs or conditions suggested by actual historical experience.
Seasonality
Our revenues are seasonal based on demand for cruises. Demand has historically been strongest for cruises during the Northern Hemisphere's summer months and holidays. In order to mitigate the impact of the winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere and to capitalize on the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, our brands have historically focused on deployment to the Caribbean, Asia and Australia during that period.
Financial Presentation
Description of Certain Line Items
Revenues
Our revenues are comprised of the following:
•Passenger ticket revenues, which consist of revenue recognized from the sale of passenger tickets and the sale of air transportation to and from our ships; and
•Onboard and other revenues, which consist primarily of revenues from the sale of goods and/or services onboard our ships not included in passenger ticket prices, casino operations, cancellation fees, sales of vacation protection insurance, pre- and post-cruise tours and fees for operating certain port facilities. Onboard and other revenues also include revenues we receive from independent third party concessionaires that pay us a percentage of their revenues in exchange for the right to provide selected goods and/or services onboard our ships, as well as revenues received for procurement and management related services we perform on behalf of our unconsolidated affiliates.
Cruise Operating Expenses
Our cruise operating expenses are comprised of the following:
•Commissions, transportation and other expenses, which consist of those costs directly associated with passenger ticket revenues, including travel advisor commissions, air and other transportation expenses, port costs that vary with passenger head counts and related credit card fees;
•Onboard and other expenses, which consist of the direct costs associated with onboard and other revenues, including the costs of products sold onboard our ships, vacation protection insurance premiums, costs associated with pre- and post-cruise tours and related credit card fees, as well as the minimal costs associated with
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concession revenues, as the costs are mostly incurred by third-party concessionaires and costs incurred for the procurement and management related services we perform on behalf of our unconsolidated affiliates;
•Payroll and related expenses, which consist of costs for shipboard personnel (costs associated with our shoreside personnel are included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses);
•Food expenses, which include food costs for both guests and crew;
•Fuel expenses, which include fuel and related delivery, storage and emission consumable costs and the financial impact of fuel swap agreements; and
•Other operating expenses, which consist primarily of operating costs such as repairs and maintenance, port costs that do not vary with passenger head counts, vessel related insurance, entertainment and gains and/or losses related to the sale of our ships, if any.
We do not allocate payroll and related expenses, food expenses, fuel expenses or other operating expenses to the expense categories attributable to passenger ticket revenues or onboard and other revenues since they are incurred to provide the total cruise vacation experience.
Selected Operational and Financial Metrics
We utilize a variety of operational and financial metrics which are defined below to evaluate our performance and financial condition. As discussed in more detail herein, certain of these metrics are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided along with the related GAAP financial measures as we believe they provide useful information to investors as a supplement to our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted Earnings per Share ("Adjusted EPS") is a non-GAAP measure thatrepresents Adjusted Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (as defined below) divided by weighted average shares outstanding or by diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as applicable. We believe that this non-GAAP measure is meaningful when assessing our performance on a comparative basis.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents EBITDA (as defined below) excluding certain items that we believe adjusting for is meaningful when assessing our profitability on a comparative basis. For the periods presented, these items included (i) other (income) expense, (ii) equity investment impairment, (recovery) of losses, and other, (iii) restructuring charges and other initiative expenses, and (iv) impairment and credit losses, and (v) gain on sale of noncontrolling interest. A reconciliation of Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to Adjusted EBITDA is provided below under Results of Operations.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin is a non-GAAP measure that represents Adjusted EBITDA (as defined above) divided by total revenues.
Adjusted Gross Margin represents Gross Margin, adjusted for payroll and related, food, fuel, other operating, and depreciation and amortization expenses. Gross Margin is calculated pursuant to GAAP as total revenues less total cruise operating expenses, and depreciation and amortization.
Adjusted Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.is a non-GAAP measure that represents Net Income attributable Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., excluding certain items that we believe adjusting for is meaningful when assessing our performance on a comparative basis. For the periods presented, these items included (i) loss on extinguishment of debt and inducement expense; (ii) restructuring charges and other initiatives expenses; (iii) the amortization of the Silversea intangible assets resulting from the Silversea acquisition; (iv) gain on sale of noncontrolling interest; (v) equity investment impairment, (recovery) of losses and other; (vi) litigation loss contingency, which includes the 2024 release of the loss contingency recorded in 2022 in connection with the Havana Docks litigation; (vii) impairment and credit losses; (viii) tax on the sale of PortMiami noncontrolling interest; (ix) gain on sale of controlling interest; and (x) Silver Whisper deferred tax liability release. A reconciliation of Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to Adjusted Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is provided below under Results of Operations.
Adjusted Operating Income is a Non-GAAP measure that represents operating income including income from equity investments and provision for income taxes but excluding certain items for which we believe adjusting for is meaningful when
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assessing our operating performance on a comparative basis. We use this non-GAAP measure to calculate ROIC (as defined below). A reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income is provided below under Results of Operations.
Available Passenger Cruise Days ("APCD") is our measurement of capacity and represents double occupancy per cabin multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period, which excludes canceled cruise days and cabins not available for sale. We use this measure to perform capacity and rate analysis to identify our main non-capacity drivers that cause our cruise revenue and expenses to vary.
Constant Currency is a significant measure for our revenues and expenses, which are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Because our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar, the value of these revenues and expenses in U.S. Dollar will be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. Although such changes in local currency prices are just one of many elements impacting our revenues and expenses, it can be an important element. For this reason, we also monitor our revenues and expenses in "Constant Currency" - i.e., as if the current period's currency exchange rates had remained constant with the comparable prior period's rates. For the 2025 period presented, we calculate "Constant Currency" by applying the average for 2024 period exchange rates for each of the corresponding months, so as to calculate what the results would have been had exchange rates been the same throughout both periods. We do not make predictions about future exchange rates and use current exchange rates for calculations of future periods. It should be emphasized that the use of Constant Currency is primarily used by us for comparing short-term changes and/or projections. Over the longer term, changes in guest sourcing and shifting the amount of purchases between currencies can significantly change the impact of the purely currency-based fluctuations.
EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that represents Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. excluding (i) interest income; (ii) interest expense, net of interest capitalized; (iii) depreciation and amortization expenses; and (iv) provision for income taxes. We believe that this non-GAAP measure is meaningful when assessing our operating performance on a comparative basis. A reconciliation of Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to EBITDA is provided below under Results of Operations.
Gross Cruise Costs represent the sum of total cruise operating expenses plus marketing, selling and administrative expenses.
Gross Margin Yield represent Gross Margin per APCD.
Invested Capital represents the most recent five-quarter average of total debt (i.e., Current portion of long-term debt plus Long-term debt) plus the most recent five-quarter average of Total shareholders' equity. We use this measure to calculate ROIC (as defined below).
Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel are non-GAAP measures that represent Gross Cruise Costs excluding commissions, transportation and other expenses, and onboard and other expenses and, in the case of Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel, fuel expenses (each of which is described above under the Description of Certain Line Items heading). In measuring our ability to control costs in a manner that positively impacts net income, we believe changes in Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel to be the most relevant indicators of our cost performance. A reconciliation of Gross Cruise Costs to Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel is provided below under Results of Operations. For the periods presented, Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel excludes (i) restructuring charges and other initiatives expenses; (ii) impairment and credit losses; and (iii) gain on sale of controlling interest.
Net Yields represent Adjusted Gross Margin per APCD. We utilize Adjusted Gross Margin and Net Yields to manage our business on a day-to-day basis as we believe that they are the most relevant measures of our pricing performance because they reflect the cruise revenues earned by us net of our most significant variable costs, which are commissions, transportation and other expenses, and onboard and other expenses.
Occupancy ("Load factor"), in accordance with cruise vacation industry practice, is calculated by dividing Passenger Cruise Days (as defined below) by APCD. A percentage in excess of 100% indicates that three or more passengers occupied some cabins.
Passenger Cruise Days ("PCD") represent the number of passengers carried for the period multiplied by the number of days of their respective cruises.
Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") represents Adjusted Operating Income divided by Invested Capital. We believe ROIC is a meaningful measure because it quantifies how efficiently we generated operating income relative to the capital we have invested in the business.
The use of certain significant non-GAAP measures, such as Net Yields, Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel, allows us to perform capacity and rate analysis to separate the impact of known capacity changes from other less
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predictable changes which affect our business. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide expanded insight to measure revenue and cost performance in addition to the standard GAAP based financial measures. There are no specific rules or regulations for determining non-GAAP measures, and as such, they may not be comparable to other companies within the industry.
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Executive Overview
2025 performance was exceptionally strong. We took delivery of two ships (Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel) and continued to expand our vacation ecosystem with the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, closing on the acquisition of the port of Costa Maya in 2025, and the announcements of Celebrity River Cruises, launching in 2027, and the expansion of our private destination portfolio with Royal Beach Club Santorini. We achieved strong financial performance, including 8.5% Gross Margin Yield growth as-reported, Net Yields increased 3.8% as-reported (3.7% in Constant-Currency), Net Income of $4.3 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of $7.0 billion, Operating Income of $4.9 billion, and ROIC of 18.0%. We maintained a strong balance sheet and achieved investment-grade ratings across all three major credit rating agencies.
Our 2025 Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. was $4.3 billion, or $15.61 per diluted share, compared to the 2024 Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. of $2.9 billion, or $10.94 per diluted share. Adjusted Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. for 2025 was $4.3 billion, or $15.64 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. of $3.2 billion, or $11.80 per diluted share in 2024.
Total revenues in 2025 increased by $1.5 billion and were $17.9 billion, exceeding the previous record of $16.5 billion in 2024, driven by strong ticket revenue and growth of onboard performance, inclusive of capacity growth. As a result, Gross Margin Yields increased 8.5% as-reported, and Net Yields increased 3.8% as-reported (3.7% in Constant-Currency), both compared to 2024. In 2025 we generated $6.5 billion in operating cash flow, maintained an unsecured balance sheet, managed debt maturities, and returned $2.0 billion in capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Cruise operating expenses increased by $0.4 billion from $8.7 billion in 2024 to $9.1 billion in 2025. The increase was primarily due to an increase in capacity in 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Gross Cruise Costs per APCD decreased 0.6% as-reported and 0.8% in Constant Currency, compared to 2024. Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel, per APCD decreased 0.1% as-reported and 0.1% in Constant Currency, compared to 2024, primarily driven by efficiencies on newer hardware and group scale driving efficiencies.
In 2026, we expect our capacity to increase by 6.7% compared to 2025, with a full year of Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel, and delivery of Legend of the Seas in the summer. In addition, our portfolio of exclusive land-based destinations is expected to reach 8 by 2028, with additions of Silversea’s Cormorant at 55 South, Royal Beach Club Santorini, and Royal Beach Club Cozumel on the horizon. In addition, we will continue development of Perfect Day Mexico and Royal Beach Club Lelepa. Our new ships, deployment, enhanced product offerings are expected to drive growth in Net Yields, total revenues, and earnings.
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Results of Operations
In addition to the items discussed above under "Executive Overview," significant items for 2025 include:
•In February 2025, TUI Cruises, our 50% joint venture, took delivery of the Mein Schiff Relax.
•In March 2025, we completed a privately negotiated exchange with certain holders of 6.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025. The holders exchanged approximately $213 million in aggregate principal amount for approximately 3 million shares of common stock and $214 million in cash, including accrued interest.
•In May 2025, we amended our two revolving credit facilities, bringing our aggregate revolving credit capacity to $6.4 billion, and extended the termination date of one of the revolving credit facilities from October 2026 to October 2030.
•In July 2025, we took delivery of Star of the Seas. Refer to Note 8. Debt to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information on the financing of the ship.
•In July 2025, we closed on our acquisition of the Port of Costa Maya and adjacent land in Mahahual, Mexico. The final purchase price was $294 million. Refer to Note 6. Property and Equipment to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information.
•In August 2025, the remaining $106 million of our 6.0% Convertible Senior Notes matured. The notes and accrued interest were settled using a combination of $109 million in cash, and the issuance of approximately 1.8 million shares of common stock..
•In October 2025, we took delivery of Celebrity Xcel. Refer to Note 8. Debt to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information on the financing of the ship.
•In October 2025, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due 2036. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to primarily finance the delivery of Celebrity Xcel at a lower cost compared to utilizing its existing committed export credit agency facility.
For further information regarding the debt transactions discussed above, refer to Note 8. Debt, to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information.
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Adjusted Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Adjusted Earnings per Share are calculated as follows (in millions, except per share data. Certain amounts may not add or calculate due to the use of rounded numbers):
Year Ended December 31,
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. $ 4,268 $ 2,877 $ 1,697
Loss on extinguishment of debt and inducement expense (1) 16 463 121
Restructuring charges and other initiatives expenses (2) 8 10 5
Gain on sale of noncontrolling interest (4) (11) — —
Equity investment impairment, (recovery) of losses and other (1) (1) 12
Litigation loss contingency (5) — (124) —
Impairment and credit losses (6) — 9 8
PortMiami tax on sale of noncontrolling interest (7) — (3) 7
Gain on sale of controlling interest (8) — — (3)
Silver Whisper deferred tax liability release (9) — — (26)
Basic:
Diluted:
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
(1)For 2025 and 2024, includes $10 million and $119 million, respectively, of inducement expense related to the settlements of our 6.00% convertible notes due 2025. These amounts are included in Interest expense, net of interest capitalized within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Refer to Note 8. Debt to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information.
(2)These amounts are included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(3) Represents the amortization of the Silversea intangible assets resulting from the 2018 Silversea acquisition.
(4) For 2025, represents gain on sale of noncontrolling interest of Floating Docks and Grand Bahama Shipyard. These amounts are included in Other income within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Refer to Note 7. Investments and Other Assets to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information.
(5) For 2024, represents the release of the loss contingency recorded in 2022, in connection with the Havana Docks litigation inclusive of related legal fees and costs. These amounts are included in Other income within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Refer to Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information.
(6) For 2024, represents property and equipment impairment charges related to certain construction in progress assets. For 2023, represents asset impairments and credit losses recoveries for notes receivables for which credit losses were previously recorded. These amounts are included in Other operating within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Additionally, for 2023, includes an $11 million impairment related to ceasing the use of certain real estate assets in our shoreside operations.
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This amount is included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(7) For 2024, represents adjustments to tax impacts on the 2023 PortMiami sale of noncontrolling interest. For 2023, represents tax on the PortMiami sale of noncontrolling interest. These amounts are included in Other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(8) For 2023, represents gain on sale of controlling interest in cruise terminal facilities in Italy. These amounts are included in Other operating within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(9) Represents the release of the deferred tax liability subsequent to the execution of the bargain purchase option for the Silver Whisper. These amounts are included in Other income (expense) within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(10) Diluted EPS includes the add-back of $16 million, $175 million and $88 million of dilutive inducement and interest expense related to our convertible notes for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Refer to Note 12. Earnings Per Share to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information.
(11) Adjusted Diluted EPS includes the add-back of dilutive interest expense related to our convertible notes of $6 million, $56 million and $88 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The following table presents operating results as a percentage of total revenues for the last three years:
Year Ended December 31,
Passenger ticket revenues 69.8 % 69.8 % 68.8 %
Onboard and other revenues 30.2 % 30.2 % 31.2 %
Cruise operating expenses:
Commissions, transportation and other 13.2 % 13.6 % 14.4 %
Onboard and other 5.5 % 5.5 % 5.8 %
Payroll and related 7.6 % 7.9 % 8.6 %
Total cruise operating expenses 50.6 % 52.5 % 55.9 %
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses 12.4 % 12.9 % 12.9 %
Depreciation and amortization expenses 9.6 % 9.7 % 10.5 %
Other income (expense):
Interest income 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.3 %
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized (5.5) % (9.6) % (10.1) %
Equity investment income 2.3 % 1.6 % 1.4 %
Other income (expense) 0.1 % 0.9 % — %
Income before income taxes 24.4 % 17.8 % 12.3 %
Provision for income taxes (0.5) % (0.3) % — %
Less: Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 %
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 23.8 % 17.5 % 12.2 %
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Selected statistical information is shown in the following table:
Year Ended December 31,
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are calculated as follows (in millions, except APCD and per APCD data. Certain amounts may not add or calculate due to the use of rounded numbers):
Year Ended December 31,
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. $ 4,268 $ 2,877 $ 1,697
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized 992 1,590 1,402
Provision for income taxes 82 46 6
Other (income) expense (17) (149) 2
Equity investment impairment, (recovery) of losses and other (1) 4 8
Restructuring charges and other initiative expenses (1) 8 10 5
Impairment and credit losses (2) — 9 8
Gain on sale of controlling interest (3) — — (3)
(1) These amounts are included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(2) For 2024, represents property and equipment impairment charges related to certain construction in progress assets. For 2023, represents asset impairments and credit losses recoveries for notes receivables for which credit losses were previously recorded. These amounts are included in Other operating within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Additionally, for 2023, includes an $11 million impairment related to ceasing the use of certain real estate assets in our shoreside operations. This amount is included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(3) For 2023, represents gain on sale of controlling interest in cruise terminal facilities in Italy. These amounts are included in Other operating within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
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Gross Margin Yields and Net Yields are calculated as follows (in millions, except APCD and Yields. Certain amounts may not add or calculate due to the use of rounded numbers):
Year Ended December 31,
Less:
Add:
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Gross Cruise Costs, Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs excluding Fuel are calculated as follows (in millions, except APCD and costs per APCD. Certain amounts may not add or calculate due to the use of rounded numbers):
Year Ended December 31,
Less:
Less:
Restructuring charges and other initiatives expenses (1) 8 8 10 5
Impairment and credit losses (2) — — 9 8
Gain on sale of controlling interests (3) — — — (3)
Less:
(1) These amounts are included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(2) For 2024, represents property and equipment impairment charges related to certain construction in progress assets. For 2023, represents asset impairments and credit losses recoveries for notes receivables for which credit losses were previously recorded. These amounts are included in Other operating within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Additionally, for 2023, includes an $11 million impairment related to ceasing the use of certain real estate assets in our shoreside operations. This amount is included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(3) For 2023, represents gain on sale of controlling interest in cruise terminal facilities in Italy. These amounts are included in Other operating within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
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Adjusted Operating Income and ROIC, are calculated as follows: (in millions, except ROIC. Certain amounts may not add or calculate due to the use of rounded numbers):
For the Twelve Months Ended
Operating Income $ 4,910
Including:
Equity investment income 414
Provision for income taxes (82)
Adjustments:
Restructuring charges and other initiatives expenses (1) 8
Equity investment impairment, (recovery) of losses and other (1)
Adjusted Operating Income $ 5,254
(1)These amounts are included in Marketing, selling and administrative expenses within our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
(2) Represents the amortization of the Silversea intangible assets resulting from the 2018 Silversea acquisition.
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Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024
In this section, references to 2025 refer to the year ended December 31, 2025 and references to 2024 refer to the year ended December 31, 2024.
Revenues
Total revenues increased $1.5 billion, or 8.8%, to $17.9 billion in 2025 from $16.5 billion in 2024.
Passenger ticket revenues comprised 69.8% of our 2025 total revenues. Passenger ticket revenues increasedby $1.0 billion, or 8.8% to $12.5 billion in 2025 from $11.5 billion in 2024. The increase was primarily due to:
•$631 million driven by 5.5% capacity growth as a result of the addition of our newest ships Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel, as well as a full year of operations from Utopia of the Seas and Silver Ray compared to 2024; and
•$386 million driven by yield growth as result of higher load factors and higher ticket pricing on both existing ships and new ships in 2025, compared to 2024.
The remaining 30.2% of 2025 total revenues was comprised of Onboard and other revenues, which increased $0.4 billion, or 8.7% to $5.4 billion in 2025 from $5.0 billion in 2024. The increase was primarily due to:
•$273 million increase driven by 5.5% capacity growth as a result of the addition of our newest ships and a full year of operations of ships noted above in 2025 compared to 2024; and
•$160 million driven by yield growth as result of higher load factors and improved pricing on both existing ships and new ships in 2025 compared to 2024.
Cruise operating expenses
Total Cruise operating expenses increased by $0.4 billion, or 5.0%, to $9.1 billion in 2025 from $8.7 billion in 2024. The increase was primarily due to:
•a 5.5% increase in capacity noted above which increased cruise operating expenses by $475 million, partially offset by a decrease in drydocks and maintenance related expenses in 2025 compared to 2024.
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased $98 million, or 4.6% to $2.2 billion in 2025 from $2.1 billion in 2024. The increase was primarily due to the additions of Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel.
Depreciation and amortization expenses
Depreciation and amortization expenses for 2025 increased $118 million, or 7.4%, to $1.7 billion from $1.6 billion in 2024. The increase was primarily due to the additions of Star of the Seas, Celebrity Xcel, and a full year of operations of Utopia of the Seas and Silver Ray in 2025compared to the same period in2024.
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized for 2025decreased$0.6 billion, to $(1.0) billion from $(1.6) billion in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to loss on extinguishment of debt of $344 million associated with the full redemption of several Senior Notes, and $119 million inducement expense on the partial settlement of our 2025 Convertible Notes in 2024 compared to an immaterial loss on extinguishment during the same period in 2025. The remaining decrease was due to the effect of refinancings of certain indebtedness at lower rates compared to 2024.
Equity investment income for 2025 increased $154 million to $414 million from $260 million in 2024. The increase in income was primarily due to the increase in income from TUI Cruises, one of our equity investments, in 2025 compared to 2024.
Other income (expense) for 2025 decreased $132 million, to other income of $17 million from $149 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the release of the loss contingency of $124 million, in connection with the Havana Docks litigation, during 2024, which did not recur in 2025.
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Other comprehensive income (loss)
Other comprehensive income was$198 millionin 2025 compared to Other comprehensive loss of $(128) million for the same period in 2024. The increase of $326 million in income was primarily due to a gain on cash flow derivative hedges of $228 million in 2025 compared to a loss on cash flow derivative hedges of $(157) million in 2024, mostly as a result of a significant increase in the fair value of our FX forward swaps in 2025 compared to 2024.
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Future Application of Accounting Standards
Refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information on Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Cash
Cash flow generated from operations provides us with a significant source of liquidity. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $1.2 billion to $6.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $5.3 billion in 2024. The change was primarily driven by higher operating income in 2025 compared to 2024.
Net cash used in investing activities increased by$1.6 billion to $5.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $3.4 billion in 2024. The change of $1.6 billion was primarily attributable to increased capital expenditures associated with taking delivery of Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel and the acquisition of the Port of Costa Mayain 2025 compared to the delivery of Utopia of the Seas and Silver Ray in 2024.
Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $0.9 billionto $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $1.9 billion in 2024. The change of $0.9 billion was primarily attributable to a net decrease in debt repayments of $2.5 billion, a decrease of $290 million of premiums on repayments of debt, partially offset by $1.2 billion in repurchases of common stock and $824 million in dividend payments in 2025 compared to $107 million in 2024.
Future Capital Commitments
Capital Expenditures
Our future capital commitments consist primarily of new ship orders. As of December 31, 2025, we have three Icon-class ships and one Oasis-class ship on order for our Royal Caribbean brand with an aggregate capacity of approximately 22,500 berths. In addition, as of December 31, 2025, we have one Edge-class ship and four river cruise ships on order for our Celebrity Cruises brand, with a capacity of approximately 3,930 berths. Refer to Item 1. Business-Operations for further information on our ships on order. We have committed financing arrangements in place covering approximately 80% of the cost of the ship for the five ships on order for our Global Brands, all of which include sovereign financing guarantees, excluding ships on order for Celebrity River Cruises.
As of December 31, 2025, the aggregate cost of our ships on order, excluding any ships on order by our Partner Brands, was approximately $11.3 billion, of which we had deposited $1.0 billion. Approximately 64.1% of the aggregate cost is exposed to fluctuations in the Euro exchange rate at December 31, 2025. Refer to Note 16. Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments and Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
As of December 31, 2025, we anticipate overall full year capital expenditures, based on our existing ships on order, will be approximately $5 billion for 2026. This amount does not include any ships on order by our Partner Brands.
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Material Cash Requirements
As of December 31, 2025, our material cash requirements were as follows (in millions):
Payments due by period
Operating Activities:
Investing Activities:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Long-term debt obligations mature at various dates through fiscal year 2042 and bear interest at fixed and variable rates. Interest on variable-rate debt is calculated based on forecasted debt balances, including the impact of interest rate swap agreements, using the applicable rate at December 31, 2025. Debt denominated in other currencies is calculated based on the applicable exchange rate at December 31, 2025.
(2) Amounts primarily represent future commitments with remaining terms in excess of one year to pay for our usage of certain port facilities, marine consumables, services and maintenance contracts.
(3) Amounts are based on contractual installment and delivery dates for our ships on order. Included in these figures are $7.8 billion in final contractual installments, which have committed financing covering approximately 80% of the cost of the ships on order for our Global Brands, all of which include sovereign financing guarantees, excluding ships on order for Celebrity River Cruises. Amounts do not include potential obligations which remain subject to cancellation at our sole discretion or any agreements entered for ships on order that remain contingent upon completion of conditions precedent.
Refer to Note 8. Debt to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for maturities related to debt.
Refer to Note 9. Leases to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for maturities related to lease liabilities.
Refer to Funding Needs and Sources below for discussion on the planned funding of the above material contractual obligations.
As a normal part of our business, depending on market conditions, pricing and our overall growth strategy, we continuously consider opportunities to enter into contracts for the building of additional ships. We may also consider the sale of ships or the purchase of existing ships. We continuously consider potential acquisitions and strategic alliances. If any of these were to occur, they would be financed through the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the issuance of additional shares of equity securities or through cash flows from operations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.
Refer to Note 8. Debt to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for export credit agency guarantees.
Refer to Note 7. Investments and Other Assets to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for ownership restrictions related to TUI Cruises.
Refer to Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for other agreements.
As of December 31, 2025, other than the items described above, we are not party to any other off-balance sheet arrangements, including guarantee contracts, retained or contingent interest, certain derivative instruments and variable interest entities, that either have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial position.
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Funding Needs and Sources
We have significant contractual obligations of which our debt service obligations and the capital expenditures associated with our ship purchases represent our largest funding needs. As of December 31, 2025, we had approximately $10.4 billion of committed financing for our ships on order, which excludes ships on order for Celebrity River Cruises. As of December 31, 2025, our obligations due through December 31, 2026 primarily consisted of $3.2 billion related to debt maturities, $1.0 billion related to interest on debt and $2.4 billion related to progress payments on our ship orders, including the final installments payable due upon the delivery of Legend of the Sea given the expected delivery date in 2026. We have historically relied on a combination of cash flows provided by operations, draw-downs under our available credit facilities, the incurrence of additional debt and/or the refinancing of our existing debt and the issuance of additional shares of equity securities to fund our obligations.
As of December 31, 2025, we had liquidity of $7.2 billion, including cash and cash equivalents of $0.8 billion and $6.4 billion of undrawn revolving credit facility capacity. Refer to Note 8. Debt to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information.
We may be obligated to prepay indebtedness outstanding under our credit facilities if any person acquires ownership of more than 50% of our common stock or, subject to certain exceptions, if during any 24-month period, a majority of our Board is made up of persons who were not (i) members of the Board on the first day of such period, (ii) nominated by persons who were members of the Board on the first day of such period, or (iii) nominated by directors who themselves were nominated under clauses (i) or (ii) above. If prepayment is triggered, we may be unable to replace our credit facilities on similar terms. Our public debt securities also contain change of control provisions that would be triggered by a third-party acquisition of greater than 50% of our common stock coupled with a ratings downgrade. If this were to occur, it would have an adverse impact on our liquidity and operations.
Based on our assumptions and estimates and our financial condition, we believe that we have sufficient financial resources to fund our obligations for at least the next twelve months from the issuance of these financial statements. However, there is no assurance that our assumptions and estimates are accurate as there is inherent uncertainty in our ability to predict future liquidity requirements.
Debt Covenants
Our export credit facilities and our non-export credit facilities, and certain of our credit card processing agreements contain covenants that require us, among other things, to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio, and limit our net debt-to-capital ratio. In July 2024, we amended all of our export credit facilities to eliminate the contractual requirement for us to maintain a minimum level of stockholders' equity. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with our financial covenants and we estimate that we will be in compliance for at least the next twelve months.
Dividends
The declaration of dividends shall at all times be subject to the final determination of our Board that a dividend is prudent at that time in consideration of the needs of the business.
During the fourth and third quarters of 2025, our Board declared dividends of $1.00 per share, which were paid in January 2026 and October 2025, respectively. During the second and first quarters of 2025 the Board declared dividends of $0.75 per share which were paid in July 2025 and April 2025, respectively.
In February 2026, our Board declared a dividend of $1.50 per share, payable in April 2026.
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Instruments and Other
General
We are exposed to market risk attributable to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, fuel prices, and carbon emission allowances. We try to mitigate these risks through a combination of our normal operating and financing activities and through the use of derivative financial instruments pursuant to our hedging practices and policies. The financial impact of these hedging instruments is primarily offset by corresponding changes in the underlying exposures being hedged. We achieve this by closely matching the amount, term and conditions of the derivative instrument with the underlying risk being hedged. Although certain of our derivative financial instruments do not qualify or are not accounted for under hedge accounting, our objective is not to hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Refer to Note 16. Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates primarily relates to our debt obligations including future interest payments. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, approximately 93% and 92%, respectively, of our debt was effectively fixed-rate debt, which is net of our interest rate swap agreements. We use interest rate swap agreements to modify our exposure to interest rate movements and to manage our interest expense.
The estimated fair value of our fixed-rate debt at December 31, 2025 was $19.9 billion, using quoted market prices, where available, or using the present value of expected future cash flows which incorporates risk profile. A hypothetical one percentage point decrease in interest rates at December 31, 2025 would increase the fair value of our hedged and unhedged fixed-rate debt by approximately $703 million.
Market risk associated with our floating-rate debt is the potential increase in interest expense from an increase in interest rates. We use interest rate swap agreements that effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis to manage this risk. A hypothetical one percentage point increase in interest rates would increase our forecasted 2026 interest expense by approximately $12 million, assuming no change in foreign currency exchange rates.
At December 31, 2025, we maintained interest rate swap agreements on the following floating-rate debt instruments:
Quantum of the Seas term loan 61 October 2026 Term SOFR plus 1.30% 3.78%
Anthem of the Seas term loan 91 April 2027 Term SOFR plus 1.30% 3.9%
Ovation of the Seas term loan 173 April 2028 Term SOFR plus 1.00% 3.2%
Harmony of the Seas term loan (1) 170 May 2028 EURIBOR plus 1.15% 2.26%
Odyssey of the Seas term loan(2) 268 October 2032 Term SOFR plus 0.96% 3.28%
Odyssey of the Seas term loan (2) 134 October 2032 Term SOFR plus 0.96% 2.91%
___________________________________________________________________
(1) Interest rate swap agreements hedging the Euro-denominated term loan for Harmony of the Seas include EURIBOR zero-floors matching the hedged debt EURIBOR zero-floor. Amount presented is based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2025.
(2) Interest rate swap agreements hedging the term loan of Odyssey of the Seas include Term SOFR zero-floors, Term SOFR with no floors, and Overnight SOFR.
These interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
The fair value of our floating to fixed interest rate swap agreements was estimated to be an asset of $32 million as of December 31, 2025 based on the present value of expected future cash flows. These interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
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Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Our primary exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk relates to our ship construction contracts denominated in Euros, our foreign currency denominated debt and our international business operations. On a regular basis, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts and, from time to time, we utilize cross-currency swap agreements and collar options to manage portions of the exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
The estimated fair value, as of December 31, 2025, of our Euro-denominated forward contracts associated with our ship construction contracts was an asset of $114 million, based on the present value of expected future cash flows. As of December 31, 2025, the aggregate cost of our ships on order, not including ships on order by our Partner Brands, was approximately $11.3 billion, of which we had deposited $1.0 billion as of such date. Approximately 64.1% and 43.4% of the aggregate cost of the ships under construction was exposed to fluctuations in the Euro exchange rate at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. A hypothetical 10% strengthening of the Euro as of December 31, 2025, assuming no changes in comparative interest rates, would result in a $727 million increase in the United States dollar cost of the foreign currency denominated ship construction contracts exposed to fluctuations in the Euro exchange rate. Our foreign currency forward contract agreements are accounted for as cash flow or net investment hedges depending on the designation of the related hedge.
Our international business operations subject us to foreign currency exchange risk. We transact business in many different foreign currencies and maintain investments in foreign operations which may expose us to financial market risk resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Movements in foreign currency exchange rates may affect the value of our earnings in foreign currencies and cash flows. We manage most of this exposure on a consolidated basis, which allows us to take advantage of any natural offsets. Therefore, weakness in one particular currency might be offset by strengths in other currencies over time. The extent to which one currency is effective as a natural offset of another currency fluctuates over time. In addition, some foreign currency exposures have little to no mitigating natural offsets available.
We consider our investments in our foreign operations to be denominated in relatively stable currencies and of a long-term nature. We address the exposure of our investments in foreign operations by denominating a portion of our debt in our subsidiaries' and investments' functional currencies and designating it as a hedge of these subsidiaries and investments. We had designated debt as a hedge of our net investments primarily in TUI Cruises of approximately €631 million, or approximately $740 million, through December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, we had designated debt as a hedge of our net investments primarily in TUI Cruises of approximately €889 million, or approximately $921 million.
We have included net gains of approximately $24 million and $96 million of foreign-currency transaction remeasurement and changes in the fair value of derivatives in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
On a regular basis, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts and, from time to time, we utilize cross-currency swap agreements and collar options to minimize the volatility resulting from the remeasurement of net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than our functional currency or the functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries. During 2025, we maintained an average of approximately $1.2 billion of these foreign currency forward contracts. These instruments are not designated as hedging instruments. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 changes in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts resulted in gain (losses) of approximately $49 million, (77) million, and $19 million, respectively, which offset (losses) gains arising from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies in those same years of $(63) million, $65 million and $(43) million, respectively. These changes were recognized in earnings within Other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Fuel Price Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in fuel prices relates primarily to the consumption of fuel on our ships. Fuel cost, net of the financial impact of fuel swap agreements, as a percentage of our total revenues, was approximately 6.4% in 2025, 7.0% in 2024 and 8.3% in 2023. We use fuel swap agreements to mitigate the financial impact of fluctuations in fuel prices.
As of December 31, 2025, we had fuel swap agreements to pay fixed prices for fuel with an aggregate notional amount of approximately $1.0 billion, maturing through 2028. These fuel swap agreements are generally accounted for as cash flow hedges. The fuel swap agreements designated as hedges of projected fuel purchases represented 60% of our projected 2026 fuel requirements. The estimated fair value of our fuel swap agreements at December 31, 2025 was estimated to be a liability of $123 million. We estimate that a hypothetical 10% increase in our weighted-average fuel price from that experienced during the year ended December 31, 2025 would increase our forecasted 2026 fuel cost by approximately $55 million, net of the impact of fuel swap agreements.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are included beginning on page F-1 of this report.
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
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Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based upon such evaluation, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that those controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our management, with the participation of our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2025.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as stated in its report, which is included herein on page F-2.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d) during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions.
Item 9B. Other Information
During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" (as those terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
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PART III
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance; Executive Compensation; Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters; Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence; and Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Except for information concerning executive officers (called for by Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K), which is included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 is incorporated herein by reference to certain sections of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Proxy Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year. Please refer to the following sections in the Proxy Statement for more information: "Corporate Governance"; "Proposal 1—Election of Directors"; "Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions"; "Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports"; "Executive Compensation"; "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management"; and "Proposal 3—Ratification of Principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm." Copies of the Proxy Statement will become available when filed through our Investor Relations website at www.rclcorporate.com (please see "Financial Reports" under "Financial Information"); by contacting our Investor Relations department at 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, Florida 33132—telephone (305) 982-2625; or by visiting the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our executive officers, and our directors. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted in the corporate governance section of our website at www.rclcorporate.com and is available in print, without charge, to shareholders upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, Florida 33132. Any amendments to the code or any waivers from any provisions of the code granted to executive officers or directors will be promptly disclosed to investors by posting on our website at www.rclcorporate.com. None of the websites referenced in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or the information contained therein is incorporated herein by reference.
We have adopted a Securities Trading Policy governing the purchase, sale and other dispositions of our securities by our directors, officers, and employees. We believe that the Securities Trading Policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, as well as applicable listing standards. A copy of the Securities Trading Policy is filed as Exhibit 19 to this report. From time to time, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd may engage in transactions in its own securities. It is Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations (including appropriate approvals by the Board or appropriate committee, if required) when engaging in transactions of its securities.
55
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and are included beginning on page F-1 of this report.
(1)Financial Statement Schedules
None.
(1)Exhibits
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit Number Form Exhibit Filing Date/ Period End Date
3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, as amended 8-K 3.1 2/11/2022
56
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit Number Form Exhibit Filing Date/ Period End Date
57
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit Number Form Exhibit Filing Date/ Period End Date
58
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit Number Form Exhibit Filing Date/ Period End Date
59
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit Number Form Exhibit Filing Date/ Period End Date
60
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit Number Form Exhibit Filing Date/ Period End Date
61
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit Number Form Exhibit Filing Date/ Period End Date
19 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Securities Trading Policy 10-K 19 12/31/2024
21.1 List of Subsidiaries*
23.2 Opinion and Consent of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP*
24.1 Power of Attorney*
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
†Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Interactive Data File
(ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2025, and 2024;
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
62
63
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.(Registrant)
By: /s/ NAFTALI HOLTZ
February 11, 2026
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 11, 2026.
/s/ JASON T. LIBERTY
/s/ NAFTALI HOLTZ
Naftali HoltzChief Financial Officer(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ HENRY L. PUJOL
*
Richard D. FainDirector
*
John F. Brock Director
*
Stephen R. Howe Jr. Director
*
Michael O. Leavitt Director
*
Maritza G. Montiel Director
*
Ann S. Moore Director
*
Eyal M. Ofer Director
*
Vagn O. Sørensen Director
*
Donald Thompson Director
*
Arne Alexander WilhelmsenDirector
*
Amy C. McPhersonDirector
*
Rebecca Yeung Director
*By: /s/ NAFTALI HOLTZ
Naftali Holtz, as Attorney-in-Fact
64
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 238) F-2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-6
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity F-8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-9
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), of shareholders' equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
F-2
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Impairment Assessments – Silversea Reporting Unit Goodwill and Trade Name
As described in Notes 2, 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, as of December 31, 2025 the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $808 million and the goodwill associated with the Silversea reporting unit was $509 million. The Company’s consolidated indefinite-life intangible assets balance was $321 million, of which $319 million relates to the Silversea trade name. Management reviews goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets for impairment annually or, when events or circumstances dictate, more frequently. The quantitative impairment assessment consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit or asset with it’s carrying value. Fair value is estimated by management using a probability weighted discounted cash flow model in combination with market-based valuation approaches for reporting units and a relief-from-royalty method for trade name. Management’s principal assumptions for the impairment assessments consisted of forecasted revenues per available passenger cruise day, occupancy rates from existing vessels, vessel operating expenses, terminal growth rate, royalty rate, and weighted average cost of capital (i.e., discount rate).
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the impairment assessments of the Silversea reporting unit goodwill and trade name is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimates of the Silversea reporting unit and trade name; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to forecasted revenues per available passenger cruise day and occupancy rates from existing vessels; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill and indefinite -life intangible asset impairment assessments, including controls over the valuation of the Silversea reporting unit and trade name. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimates; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the probability weighted discounted cash flow model and relief-from-royalty methods used by management; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the probability weighted discounted cash flow model and relief-from-royalty methods; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to forecasted revenues per available passenger cruise day and occupancy rates from existing vessels. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to forecasted revenues per available passenger cruise day and occupancy rates from existing vessels involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting unit and the Silversea brand; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the appropriateness of the probability weighted discounted cash flow model and the relief-from-royalty methods.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Miami, Florida
February 11, 2026
We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1989, which includes periods before the Company became subject to SEC reporting requirements. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor of the Company.
F-3
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
Cruise operating expenses:
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses 2,223 2,125 1,792
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized (992) (1,590) (1,402)
Other income (expense) 17 149 (2)
Provision for income taxes (82) (46) (6)
Less: Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interest 23 18 7
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. $ 4,268 $ 2,877 $ 1,697
Earnings per Share:
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments (26) 17 (9)
Change in defined benefit plans (4) 12 6
Gain (loss) on cash flow derivative hedges 228 (157) (27)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) 198 (128) (30)
Less: Comprehensive Income attributable to noncontrolling interest 23 18 7
____________________________________________________________
Certain amounts may not add or calculate due to use of rounded numbers.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)
As of December 31,
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 825 $ 388
Trade and other receivables, net 317 371
Prepaid expenses and other assets 690 670
Derivative financial instruments 115 11
Operating lease right-of-use assets 620 677
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $ 3,180 $ 1,603
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 90 74
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 2,026 1,635
Derivative financial instruments 67 90
Long-term operating lease liabilities 600 670
Other long-term liabilities 554 375
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 17)
Shareholders' equity
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (604) (802)
Noncontrolling Interest 208 172
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 41,619 $ 37,070
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)
Operating Activities
Adjustments:
Net deferred income tax expense (benefit) 18 — (8)
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments not designated as hedges (49) 77 (19)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums 97 98 109
Loss on extinguishment of debt and inducement expense 16 463 121
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables (3) 52 99
Increase in inventories, net — (17) (24)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets (100) (137) (184)
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities 216 — 13
Dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates 264 29 11
Investing Activities
Cash received on settlement of derivative financial instruments 200 14 35
Cash paid on settlement of derivative financial instruments (24) (130) (86)
Investments in and loans to unconsolidated affiliates (106) (67) (31)
Cash received on loans to unconsolidated affiliates 126 18 40
Net cash used in investing activities (5,012) (3,446) (3,923)
Financing Activities
Premium on repayment of debt (2) (292) (80)
Repurchase of common stock (1,159) — —
Proceeds from sale of noncontrolling interest — — 209
Net cash used in financing activities (1,018) (1,922) (1,993)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 2 (6) 1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 437 (109) (1,438)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 388 497 1,935
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 825 $ 388 $ 497
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - CONTINUED
Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)
Supplemental Disclosures
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of amount capitalized $ 864 $ 1,210 $ 1,442
Non-Cash Investing Activities
Non-Cash Financing Activities
Non-cash inducement on convertible notes exchange $ 7 $ 104 $ —
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
Table of Contents
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in millions, except share data)
Activity related to employee stock plans — 130 — — — — 130
Convertible notes settlements — 13 — — — — 13
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges — — — (27) — — (27)
Change in defined benefit plans — — — 6 — — 6
Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — (9) — — (9)
Repurchase of common stock — — — — (1) — (1)
Sale of noncontrolling interests — 46 — — — 174 220
Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling interests — — — — — 7 7
Dividends from noncontrolling interests — — — — — (6) (6)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. — — 1,697 — — — 1,697
Activity related to employee stock plans — 253 — — — — 253
Common stock dividends, $0.95 per share — — (255) — — — (255)
Convertible notes settlements — 104 — — — — 104
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges — — — (157) — — (157)
Change in defined benefit plans — — — 12 — — 12
Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — 17 — — 17
Repurchase of common stock — — — — (12) — (12)
Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling interests — — — — — 18 18
Other activity attributable tononcontrolling interest — — — — — (21) (21)
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. — — 2,877 — — — 2,877
Activity related to employee stock plans — 139 — — — — 139
Common stock dividends, $3.50 per share — — (955) — — — (955)
Convertible notes settlements — (6) — — — — (6)
Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges — — — 228 — — 228
Change in defined benefit plans — — — (4) — — (4)
Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — (26) — — (26)
Repurchase of common stock — — — — (1,170) — (1,170)
Net Income attributable to Noncontrolling interests — — — — — 23 23
Other activity attributable tononcontrolling interest — — — — — 13 13
Net Income attributable to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. — — 4,268 — — — 4,268
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
Table of Contents
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. General
Description of Business
We are a global cruise company. We own and operate three global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea (collectively, our "Global Brands"). We also own a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises GmbH ("TUIC"), which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (collectively, our "Partner Brands"). We account for our investments in our Partner Brands under the equity method of accounting. Together, our Global Brands and our Partner Brands operated a combined fleet of 69 ships as of December 31, 2025. Our ships offer a selection of worldwide itineraries that call on more than 1,000 destinations in over 120 countries on all seven continents.
Basis for Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Estimates are required for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with these principles. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate entities over which we have control, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest of greater than 50%, and variable interest entities where we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. Refer to Note 7. Investments and Other Assets for further information regarding our variable interest entities. For affiliates we do not control but over which we have significant influence on financial and operating policies, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest from 20% to 50%, the investment is accounted for using the equity method.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Revenues and Expenses
Deposits received on sales of passenger cruises are initially recorded as customer deposit liabilities on our balance sheet. Customer deposits are subsequently recognized as passenger ticket revenues, together with revenues from onboard and other goods and services and all associated cruise operating expenses of a voyage. For further information on revenue recognition, refer to Note 3. Revenue.
Cash and Cash Equivalents