Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group is a global cruise holding company whose portfolio includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
Last updated October 15, 2026
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Overview
Royal Caribbean Group is a publicly traded cruise holding company headquartered in Miami, Florida, and incorporated in Liberia. It is one of the world's largest cruise operators and, according to the referenced company and encyclopedia material, the second-largest cruise operator after Carnival Corporation & plc. The group owns three principal cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. It also maintains a 50% interest in TUI Cruises, the German-speaking joint venture whose brands include Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The corporate group was established in 1997 under the name Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. after Royal Caribbean Cruise Line acquired Celebrity Cruises. Rather than combine the two consumer-facing brands, the company retained them as separate cruise lines and created a parent company to oversee both. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was subsequently branded Royal Caribbean International. This multi-brand structure became the foundation for the group's later expansion into contemporary, premium, luxury, and expedition cruising. Royal Caribbean's portfolio has changed repeatedly through acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestments. It created or acquired interests in brands serving particular geographic or customer segments, including Island Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Azamara, CDF Croisières de France, and SkySea Cruise Line. Several of these businesses were later sold, closed, or transferred. The group acquired a majority interest in Silversea Cruises in 2018 and purchased the remaining shares in 2020, adding an ultra-luxury and expedition platform. On July 10, 2020, the parent company adopted the name Royal Caribbean Group, reflecting its broader portfolio. Beyond cruise brands, the group participates in destination development, port infrastructure, ship maintenance, and shipbuilding relationships. Its activities include a joint venture connected with Holistica Destinations, a minority interest in Grand Bahama Shipyard, and a partnership with iCON Infrastructure involving cruise terminals and port projects. The company has also worked with Meyer Turku and the Finnish government on sustainable shipbuilding. Royal Caribbean International remains the group's large-scale contemporary cruise brand, Celebrity Cruises serves a premium market, and Silversea Cruises focuses on luxury and expedition travel. Together, these businesses give the group a broad presence across mainstream, premium, luxury, and expedition segments.
History
The business that became Royal Caribbean Group began with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, founded in Norway in 1969. Its early development established the company as a specialist in ocean cruising and laid the groundwork for a later portfolio strategy. In 1997, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line acquired Celebrity Cruises, which had been founded in 1988 by Greece-based Chandris Group. The two brands were deliberately kept separate so that each could retain a distinct market identity. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was renamed Royal Caribbean International, while Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. became the corporate parent. The group expanded through a mixture of wholly owned brands, minority investments, and geographic joint ventures. Island Cruises was formed in 2000 with First Choice Holidays to serve the British and Brazilian markets. Royal Caribbean also developed the Azamara brand within the Celebrity organization in 2007 and created CDF Croisières de France in 2008 for French-language customers. In 2006, it purchased Pullmantur Cruises, a Madrid-based operator, broadening its reach in European and Spanish-speaking markets. The company later rationalized several of these holdings: its Island Cruises interest was sold to TUI in 2008, and a majority interest in Pullmantur and CDF was sold in 2016. TUI Cruises began operations in 2009 as a joint venture between Royal Caribbean and TUI AG. The venture targeted German-speaking travelers and operated the Mein Schiff brand, while also being associated with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Royal Caribbean subsequently made other regional investments, including a 35% interest in SkySea Cruise Line between 2016 and 2018. These arrangements reflected the group's effort to adapt its cruise offerings to local languages, distribution systems, and customer preferences. A major strategic development occurred in 2018, when Royal Caribbean acquired a 66.7% interest in Silversea Cruises. Silversea brought ultra-luxury ocean cruising and expedition travel into the group, complementing the large-ship contemporary business of Royal Caribbean International and the premium positioning of Celebrity Cruises. In July 2020, Royal Caribbean acquired the remaining Silversea shares and became its sole owner. That month, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. changed its corporate name to Royal Caribbean Group and refreshed its logo. The group later sold Azamara to Sycamore Partners in 2021. Pullmantur entered insolvency proceedings during the same period and is treated as a former brand in the group history. The group has also pursued activities beyond operating cruise ships. In 2019, it formed Holistica Destinations with ITM Group to develop cruise destinations, including a proposed redevelopment associated with the Grand Lucayan Resort and Freeport Harbour in The Bahamas. Bahamian government support for the Grand Lucayan redevelopment was later withdrawn, although Holistica continued to plan other Freeport-related development and operate or participate in destination projects in Mexico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Royal Caribbean Group also holds an interest in Grand Bahama Shipyard, a maintenance facility in Freeport, alongside other maritime investors. In 2022, the group partnered with iCON Infrastructure on cruise-port infrastructure and entered a strategic relationship with Meyer Turku and the Finnish government focused on sustainable shipbuilding. It also expanded Silversea's expedition capacity through the purchase of a former Crystal Cruises vessel, renamed Silver Endeavour. In 2024, the company began construction of another headquarters building at PortMiami. Celebrity Cruises subsequently announced a river-cruise program, signaling a further extension of the group's portfolio beyond traditional ocean itineraries.
- 2024
New PortMiami headquarters construction begins
[1]The group breaks ground on an additional headquarters building between its existing PortMiami facilities.
- 2022
The group expands port and shipbuilding partnerships
[1]Royal Caribbean Group announces an iCON Infrastructure partnership and a strategic sustainable-shipbuilding relationship involving Meyer Turku and Finland.
- 2021
Azamara is sold
[1]Sycamore Partners acquires Azamara from Royal Caribbean Group.
- 2020
The company adopts the Royal Caribbean Group name
[1]Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. purchases the remaining Silversea shares and changes its corporate name to Royal Caribbean Group.
- 2019
Holistica Destinations is formed
[1]Royal Caribbean and ITM Group establish Holistica Destinations to develop cruise destinations and related infrastructure.
- 2018
Royal Caribbean acquires a majority stake in Silversea
[1]The group acquires 66.7% of Silversea Cruises, adding luxury and expedition cruising to its brand portfolio.
- 2009
TUI Cruises begins operations
[1]The Royal Caribbean and TUI joint venture begins operating for German-speaking cruise customers.
- 2007
Azamara is formed
[1]The group creates Azamara as a subsidiary associated with Celebrity Cruises and its boutique-cruise strategy.
- 2006
Pullmantur Cruises is acquired
[1]Royal Caribbean purchases the Madrid-based Pullmantur Cruises, extending the portfolio into additional European and Spanish-speaking markets.
- 2000
Island Cruises is created
[1]Royal Caribbean forms Island Cruises as a joint venture with First Choice Holidays for the British and Brazilian markets.
Products and positioning
A multi-brand global cruise group spanning large-scale contemporary cruising, premium travel, luxury cruising, and expedition experiences.
Contemporary ocean cruises · 1969
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International is the group's large-scale contemporary cruise brand and its historical flagship. It operates ocean-going vacations built around broad itineraries, large ships, accommodation, restaurants, entertainment, family activities, and onboard attractions. The brand was formerly Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and became a wholly owned subsidiary when the parent company was created in 1997.
Premium ocean cruises · 1988
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line founded by Chandris Group in 1988 and acquired by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1997. It operates as a distinct wholly owned brand, offering upscale ocean itineraries, hospitality, dining, and design-oriented experiences. In 2025 it announced an expansion into river cruising under the Celebrity River Cruises name.
Luxury and expedition cruises · 1994
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is a Monaco-headquartered luxury cruise line founded in 1994 by Antonio Lefebvre d'Ovidio and V-Ships. Royal Caribbean Group acquired a majority stake in 2018 and purchased the remaining shares in 2020. Silversea extends the group into ultra-luxury ocean travel and expedition cruising, including voyages on smaller specialized vessels.
Joint-venture cruise platform · 2009
TUI Cruises
TUI Cruises is a 50%-owned joint venture with TUI AG that began operations in 2009. It targets German-speaking customers and operates the Mein Schiff brand, with associated activity involving Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
River cruises · 2025
Celebrity River Cruises
Celebrity River Cruises is a planned river-cruise expansion announced by Celebrity Cruises. The initial announcement described an order for ten river ships, with the first named vessels, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, scheduled to begin European operations on the Rhine and Danube.
Cruise destinations and infrastructure · 2019
Holistica Destinations
Holistica Destinations is a joint venture with ITM Group formed to develop cruise destinations and related infrastructure. Its activities and plans have included Freeport in The Bahamas and destination operations or projects associated with Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
Controversies
2026
Cruise guest sues Royal Caribbean over falling bathroom panel on Harmony of the Seas
A passenger from Texas sued Royal Caribbean in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on August 11, 2026, alleging three counts of negligence after an access panel behind a toilet allegedly dislodged and struck her head in a Harmony of the Seas bathroom on May 14, 2025. She seeks more than $75,000 in damages and a jury trial. Royal Caribbean has not publicly commented.
2021
Royal Caribbean faces boycott calls over vaccination requirement
Several social media users called for a boycott of Royal Caribbean after the company announced that adult guests on upcoming sailings from the Bahamas and St. Maarten would need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Brand decisions
2025
Enter river cruising through Celebrity River CruisesProduct launchBackground
Celebrity Cruises sought to extend its premium travel proposition from ocean voyages into European river itineraries.
Action taken
Celebrity Cruises announced Celebrity River Cruises and an initial order for ten river ships.
Aftermath
The first announced vessels were Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, with planned Rhine and Danube sailings from 2027.
2022
Acquire and rename a former Crystal Cruises expedition shipM&ABackground
The group sought to expand Silversea's expedition capacity.
Action taken
Following court approval, Royal Caribbean Group purchased a former Crystal Cruises ship and renamed it Silver Endeavour.
Aftermath
The vessel joined Silversea's expedition fleet.
Purchase price. $275 million (2022)
2021
Sell Azamara CruisesM&ABackground
The group reviewed its brand portfolio and divested the boutique cruise business.
Action taken
Azamara was sold to Sycamore Partners.
Aftermath
Azamara ceased to be part of Royal Caribbean Group's operating portfolio.
Reported sale price. $201 million (2021)
2020
Rebrand the corporate parent as Royal Caribbean GroupStrategyBackground
The company had developed beyond its original Royal Caribbean Cruise Line identity through multiple brands and the full acquisition of Silversea.
Action taken
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. changed its name to Royal Caribbean Group and adjusted its logo.
Aftermath
The new name emphasized the group's portfolio structure rather than a single cruise-line brand.
2018
Acquire a majority stake in Silversea CruisesM&ABackground
Royal Caribbean sought to add ultra-luxury and expedition cruising to its established contemporary and premium portfolio.
Action taken
The group acquired a 66.7% interest in Silversea Cruises.
Aftermath
Silversea became the group's luxury and expedition platform, and the group later acquired the remaining shares.
1997
Create a parent company after acquiring Celebrity CruisesM&ABackground
The acquisition brought Celebrity Cruises into the Royal Caribbean portfolio while the businesses served different market positions.
Action taken
Royal Caribbean established Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. as the parent and retained Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises as separate consumer brands.
Aftermath
The multi-brand structure became the basis for later expansion into regional, premium, luxury, and expedition cruise segments.
Recent events
Royal Caribbean launches up to $800 off selected cruises[8]
Reported:
Royal Caribbean launched a four-day sale offering instant savings of up to $800 per stateroom on selected voyages booked from October 23 through October 26, 2026. The offer is available to eligible customers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and selected Caribbean markets.
- Unconfirmed
Royal Caribbean acquires stake in resort operator Sandals for $3 billion[9]
Reported:
Royal Caribbean acquired a stake in resort operator Sandals in a $3 billion transaction, per a Reuters report.
Cruise guest sues Royal Caribbean over falling bathroom panel on Harmony of the Seas[3]
Reported:
LeAnn Carpenter, a passenger from Texas, sued Royal Caribbean in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on August 11, 2026, alleging three counts of negligence after an access panel behind a toilet allegedly dislodged and struck her head in a Harmony of the Seas bathroom on May 14, 2025. She seeks more than $75,000 in damages and a jury trial; Royal Caribbean has not publicly commented.
Royal Caribbean Group pledges support for Shop Local Alaska[10]
Reported:
Royal Caribbean Group pledged support for the Shop Local Alaska Program and said it would market the program to guests of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.
Royal Caribbean Group supports Shop Local Alaska[11]
Reported:
Royal Caribbean Group pledged support for the Shop Local Alaska Program, with the initiative to be marketed to guests of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises so they can browse and purchase from Alaskan businesses.
Royal Caribbean Group prices $1.5 billion notes offering[12]
Reported:
Royal Caribbean Group announced that it had priced a private offering of $1.5 billion in senior unsecured notes due 2028; the offering size was increased from $1.25 billion following strong investor demand.
Royal Caribbean faces boycott calls over vaccination requirement[7]
Reported:
Several social media users called for a boycott of Royal Caribbean after the company announced that adult guests on upcoming sailings from the Bahamas and St. Maarten would need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Royal Caribbean Group appoints Amy C. McPherson to its board[13]
Reported:
Royal Caribbean Group appointed Amy C. McPherson to its Board of Directors, effective December 21, 2020.
- Unconfirmed
Royal Caribbean Group acquires remaining interest in Silversea[14]
Royal Caribbean Group announced that it had purchased the remaining shares of Silversea Cruises, completing its move to full ownership. The remaining one-third stake held by Heritage Cruise Holding Ltd. was paid for with Royal Caribbean Group common stock.
- Unconfirmed
Cruise companies sued over COVID-19 outbreak response[4]
Reported:
Passengers, crew members and investors recently sued Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The report says the suits followed COVID-19 outbreaks on their ships and alleges that the companies failed to respond appropriately.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources18 sources
- 1Royal Caribbean Groupen.wikipedia.org
- 2Royal Caribbean Group official websiteroyalcaribbeangroup.com
- 3Cruise guest sues Royal Caribbean over falling bathroom panel on Harmony of the Seascruisehive.com
- 4Cruise guest sues Royal Caribbean over falling bathroom panel on Harmony of the Seasfinance.sina.com.cn
- 5Cruise guest sues Royal Caribbean over falling bathroom panel on Harmony of the Seasabc13.com
- 6Cruise guest sues Royal Caribbean over falling bathroom panel on Harmony of the Seaswsbtv.com
- 7Royal Caribbean faces boycott calls over vaccination requirementnewsweek.com
- 8皇家加勒比推出指定航次最高800美元优惠rustourismnews.com
- 9皇家加勒比以30亿美元收购度假村运营商Sandals的股份news.google.com
- 10皇家加勒比集团承诺支持 Shop Local Alaska 项目travelagentcentral.com
- 11皇家加勒比集团支持Shop Local Alaska计划akbizmag.com
- 12皇家加勒比集团为15亿美元票据发行定价prnewswire.com
- 13皇家加勒比集团任命艾米·麦克弗森为董事prnewswire.com
- 14皇家加勒比集团收购银海邮轮剩余股权cruiseindustrynews.com
- 15'It was just like a nightmare': Baby sick on Royal Caribbean ship had to get multiple amputations, lawsuit saysnwfdailynews.com
- 16'It was just like a nightmare': Baby sick on Royal Caribbean ship had to get multiple amputations, lawsuit saysusatoday.com
- 17Family sues Royal Caribbean after toddler falls to death from cruise ship's window6abc.com
- 18Royal Caribbean Group announces pricing of $650 million senior unsecured notesprnewswire.com
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