Royal Caribbean expands operations targeting Texas' growing cruise market

Home
»
Stories
»
2024
»
October

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year

LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers

Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip

WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections

Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.

American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement

Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier

American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws

Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector

American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding

Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North

Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA

United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback

Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More

Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals

5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation

JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights

Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago

White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears

Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East

Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York

Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing

Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times

American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight

Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know

Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work

Delta Adds New Route to Asia

Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025

United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours

Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership

Global Industry News

Royal Caribbean expands operations targeting Texas' growing cruise market

Research

Gene Sloan Cruise team lead | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Oct 30, 2024

Royal Caribbean is making a significant investment in the Texas cruise market, aiming to rival Florida's dominance. The company sees potential for growth in Texas, where cruise penetration is currently half that of Florida. "Texas is a similar-sized marketplace that has half the penetration [of Florida] with a very similar propensity to cruise," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

Since 2022, Royal Caribbean International has positioned some of its largest ships out of Galveston, Texas. This includes Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas. Other major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line have followed suit by basing larger ships in Galveston.

What distinguishes Royal Caribbean's strategy is its investment in infrastructure and destinations in the region. The company has built a new cruise terminal capable of accommodating Oasis and Icon Class vessels, which are among the largest cruise ships globally. Additionally, it is developing two private destinations in Mexico: Royal Beach Club Cozumel opening in 2026 and Perfect Day Mexico slated for 2027.

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

"Having assets like the Royal Beach Club at Cozumel ... will allow us to drive more and more — not only to that market but also more of the Gulf Coast," Liberty stated. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, expressed hope to attract passengers from Louisiana as well as from Florida.

The line aims to target young families seeking short sailings. It plans to offer three- and four-night voyages on its newest Oasis Class vessel from Port Canaveral near Orlando. "There's quite a few really positive things that come with Perfect Day Mexico and the Royal Beach Club Cozumel," Bayley noted during an earnings call.

The new Mexican destinations will join existing private locations such as Labadee in Haiti and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Unlike these free-access sites, entry fees will be required for both beach clubs.