Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) isn't going to rock the boat. All eyes were on the country's second largest cruise line with Carnival (NYSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH) canceling upcoming voyages earlier this month. Would Royal Caribbean stick to its November sailings, cutting it close with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) No Sail Order that was recently extended until Halloween?
If Royal Caribbean did nix voyages, would it follow Norwegian Cruise Line into just calling everything off until December? Would it be better served by walking in the footsteps of Carnival with its clever hiking trail of pushing out all but a few sailings that it will test out next month? Carnival has six ships expected to sail come November on limited itineraries out of ports in Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida.
In the end, Royal Caribbean decided to play it safe. It followed Norwegian Cruise Line's path, deciding to wait until December to resume operations at its four cruise brands. Some of its Hong Kong-tethered sailings will get going next month, but that won't move the needle. Some of its brands are canceling entire winter schedules in certain international markets. In short, it's more pain for Royal Caribbean. It's another kick of the can instead of aiming for the field goal posts.
For further details see:
The CDC Is Playing a Game of Chicken With Cruise Lines