Royal Caribbean announced the launch of Caribbean cruises on sale for the 2012-2013 season. 13 of the 22-ships, including the flagship Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, will offer tourists cruise the islands of the Caribbean. During the winter season of 2012-2013 cruises will depart on voyages lasting from 4 to 12 nights. Part of cruises now available for booking, the remaining will be available starting next week.

According to Royal Caribbean's Vice President for marketing Betsya O'Rourke, travel on Royal Caribbean ships are ideal for families and couples of all ages, leaving a lifelong pleasant memories. "The experienced staff of our modern ships ready to provide passenger service of the highest class, and entertainment will leave the impression of a bright holiday during the entire trip."

In 2012, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will continue their routes in Western and Eastern Caribbean of 7 nights. Every weekend, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will depart from Fort Lauderdale (Florida), while Freedom of the Seas will begin its voyage from Port Canaveral. Also from Port Canaveral to begin its voyage Monarch of the Seas. Her path will run through the Bahamas on a private island of Royal Caribbean CocoCay. The same route will go Majesty of the Seas, but only from Miami. Both cruises have a duration of 4 nights.

During Winter 2012-2013, Brilliance of the Seas will offer 8-day cruises to the southern Caribbean from San Juan (Puerto Rico). Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas also will be sent round from Bayonne (NJ) and Baltimore in a Caribbean cruise. Explorer of the Seas in the coming season will offer a trip to the Bahamas for 7 nights, as well as 9 and 11-night cruises in the eastern and southern Caribbean. Additionally, in mid-April 2013 it will be possible to take the opportunity to spend 5 or 6 nights in a voyage to Bermuda. The schedule of ship Enchantment of the Seas - Cruise on 9 nights in the eastern part of the sea and 12 nights on the islands of the southern basin.

Routes for the Mariner of the Seas will serve the Gulf of Mexico starting from the port of Galveston. Jewel of the Seas will continue to cruise out of Tampa (Florida), who will alternate routes to the Mexican island of Cozumel and Grand Cayman with a visit to Key West and Cozumel. Both cruises are designed for 5 nights. Finally, Liberty of the Seas from Port Everglades will offer crises in the western Caribbean Sea on 4 and 5 nights.

Royal Caribbean sent an email to its Crown and Anchor Society Members alerting them to the next WOW Sale that will occur on May 3 and 4, 2011.

The sale is good on any Royal Caribbean sale and includes

• Receive up to $200 to spend onboard
• Get 50% reduced deposit
• Good on any itinerary departing on or after August 1, 2011
• Includes our newest and most innovative ships, Allure of the Seas® and Oasis of the Seas®

Royal Caribbean has announced better than expected first quarter results and updated guidance for the remainder of 2011.  Net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $91.6 million, or $0.42 per share, which is an increase from the first quarter of 2010 when  net income was $87.4 million, or $0.40 per share.

In addition, Royal Caribbean reported revenues improved to $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2010 as a result of capacity increases and yield improvements.

Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain was happy with the results, but mentions world events reduced the possible money that could have been made, "The year started off with a roar — strong bookings, low costs and solid profits — and in the first quarter every one of our brands exceeded its forecast.  Unfortunately, the events in Northern Africa and Japan have turned what was shaping up as a spectacular year into merely a very good one. Nonetheless, other than adjustments for fuel pricing, our earnings guidance for the year is essentially intact despite these dramatic geopolitical events. The demand for the majority of our products has remained quite strong and even the impacted itineraries have begun to improve."

Of particular interest are these results from quarter one

• Net income was $91.6 million, or $0.42 per share versus, $87.4 million, or $0.40 per share in 2010. Included in the 2010 results was a one-time gain of $85.6 million, or $0.39 per share related to a legal settlement;
• Net Yields increased 4.0% (2.8% on a Constant-Currency basis);
• Net Cruise Costs per APCD (“NCC”) were up 0.2% (down 0.1% on a Constant-Currency basis);
• Included in Other Income/(Expense) was an $0.11 per share marked-to-market gain on the company’s fuel option portfolio.  

You can read the full results here

For those interested, a quick reminder that Royal Caribbean will announce their first quarter 2011 financial earnings report Thursday, April 28 at 10am Eastern time.  On average, analysts predict that Royal Caribbean will post $0.57 EPS next quarter.

The report should take about an hour and you can listen to it live on the Royal Caribbean Investor web site or by phone, please dial (877) 663-9606 in the US and Canada. International phone calls should be made to (706) 758-4628. There is no passcode or meeting number. 

Equities research group Barclays Capital is lowering their target price for Royal Caribbean from $55.00 to $53.00 ahead of Royal Caribbean's quarterly financial report that is due on Thursday.  Barclay analysts currently have an “overweight” rating on the stock.

Another group, Credit Suisse, upgraded Royal Caribbean shares from "neutral" to "outperform" in a note to investors back on April 6th. They now have a $55.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $44.70

UBS AG analysts had already cut their price target on Royal Caribbean shares from $45 to 42 on March  23rd.

None of these opinions mattered to investors yesterday as Royal Caribbean stock traded up 1.56% during mid-day trading on Tuesday.  Royal Caribbean last announced its quarterly results on January 27th when it reported a $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the previous quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $0.13 EPS by $0.07. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.02 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Royal Caribbean will post $0.57 EPS next quarter.

Royal Caribbean is planning on offering direct cruise connection from London's Stansted airport in June by utilizing British Airways charter flights to make a connection to Venice, Italy.

These flights will connect to a seven-night Adriatic sailing on Voyager of the Seas.

Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean's United Kingdom and Ireland general manger, says the move comes in response to guest demand, “Feedback from cruise travellers tells us that convenient flight connections are a factor when selecting their next cruise experience.

“Around 6.7 million people live in Stansted’s main catchment area, putting our cruise connections onto the doorstep of millions of potential customers.  

“The new service will deliver an efficient route for thousands of UK cruisers to begin their holiday immediately on the day of departure”.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. received recognition for its shipboard "Building On Talent" leadership development program during this year's Seatrade Awards Ceremonial Dinner. The ceremony, which took place at the Guildhall in London on April 14, 2011, included over 350 of the maritime industry's key players, and celebrated the outstanding contributions made over the last year for safe, efficient and environmentally friendly shipping. During the awards gala, the Royal Caribbean was presented the "Investment in People" award.

"This special recognition is truly a testament to Royal Caribbean's continued dedication to nurturing our company's talent and creating our leaders of tomorrow," said Maria Del Busto, vice president, global chief and human resources officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "By strategically managing our talent, and thoughtfully planning the successors of our key leadership roles, Royal Caribbean will be better positioned for the future."

Created in partnership between Royal Caribbean executives and Human Resources, "Building on Talent" is a multi-dimensional leadership development initiative. "Building on Talent" identifies high-potential leaders and develops bench strength so leaders can potentially assume multiple roles throughout the organization. The program's reach is global, both shipboard and shoreside, and cascades from senior executive to professional levels.

"The fleet 'Building on Talent' program has allowed us to identify high potential Marine and Hotel officers, and help them develop their leadership skills and position them for more senior positions," said Svein Taklo, vice president, Marine Operations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We are honored that Seatrade has recognized our investment in our employees, as well as our commitment to developing our officers' skills and talents."

The Seatrade Awards were presented by Guest of Honor HRH The Princess Royal. The awards program rewards new ideas and concepts that have proved themselves in early operational use and awarding those at the forefront of new thinking. The independent judging panel chaired by Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the IMO, selected the winners of the 2011 awards.  

Royal Caribbean will offer showings of Dreamwork Animations newest film "Kung Fu Panda 2" on some of their newest ships.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will have the new film playing onboard from June through August 2011. In addition, there will be  a series of red-carpet premieres aboard each ship, which will be celebrated onboard Oasis of the Seas on June 4, Freedom of the Seas and Allure of the Seas on June 5, and Liberty of the Seas on June 18.

In coordination with the new film, Royal Caribbean is rolling out a new promotion called “Pandamonium,” which is a cruise promotion aimed at families who are looking to cruise this summer.  The package is available onboard the four Royal Caribbean ships that feature the DreamWorks Experience, and includes VIP seating at one of the onboard “Kung Fu Panda 2” premieres, exclusive meet and greets with DreamWorks Animation characters, two soft drink packages, two cupcakes from the Cupcake Cupboard, a complimentary family photo and a chance for guests to build their own Pets at Sea plush animal. The Pandamonium package can be booked using the promotional code YNOTxxPO.