Compare · Consumer Discretionary
Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean: how they make money
The same facts for both companies, in the same order, from each company's own page and filings. This is not a ranking and says nothing about which share to own.
Each company in 5 points
Carnival
1 · What it sells
Carnival had 94 ships at Nov 30, 2025, selling cruise vacations under eight brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess and AIDA, with revenue of $26.6 billion in FY2025.
Sources and detail on the Carnival page2 · Who pays it
Guests paid for cruise tickets (65.4% of FY2025 revenue) and for onboard extras such as drinks, casinos, spas and shore excursions, plus other revenue (34.6%).
Sources and detail on the Carnival page3 · What it keeps from $100
Of every $100 of FY2025 revenue, Carnival kept $16.8 as operating profit and $10.4 as net income, after $6.5 went on net interest, debt payoff costs, other items and tax.
Sources and detail on the Carnival page4 · Where the operating profit comes from
North America brands made $3.2 billion of segment operating income in FY2025 and Europe brands $1.6 billion, while Cruise Support, which includes its ports and destinations, showed a $468 million loss.
Sources and detail on the Carnival page5 · The one thing to watch
Fuel cost Carnival $615 million in Q3 FY2026, up from $451 million a year earlier, while debt stood at $23.9 billion on Aug 31, 2026.
Sources and detail on the Carnival page
Royal Caribbean
1 · What it sells
Royal Caribbean sells cruise vacations under the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea brands, with a German joint venture making 69 ships in all, and had revenue of $17.94 billion in FY2025.
Sources and detail on the Royal Caribbean page2 · Who pays it
Cruise guests pay all of it: in FY2025 fares were 69.8% of revenue and onboard spending and other items, such as drinks, casinos, shore tours and insurance, were 30.2%.
Sources and detail on the Royal Caribbean page3 · What it keeps from $100
Of every $100 that came in during FY2025, Royal Caribbean kept $23.2 as net income, which includes $414 million of joint venture profit (mainly TUI Cruises) outside operations, while operating income was $27.4 per $100 of revenue.
Sources and detail on the Royal Caribbean page4 · Where the operating profit comes from
Royal Caribbean reports one business segment and no profit by brand or region, so its $4,910 million of FY2025 operating income comes from the whole fleet, where 64.4% of revenue was from North American sailings.
Sources and detail on the Royal Caribbean page5 · The one thing to watch
At Sep 30, 2026 Royal Caribbean had $22,355 million of debt and $14,950 million of ship purchase obligations, and it has agreed to pay about $3.0 billion for half of Sandals.
Sources and detail on the Royal Caribbean page
Where each $100 went
Each company's own receipt for its latest full fiscal year, with matching lines in the same order where both have them.
Carnival
Where $100 went · FY2025
| Commissions, guest transportation and onboard costs | $23.1 |
|---|---|
| Payroll, food and other ship operating costs | $30.0 |
| Fuel | $6.8 |
| Selling and administration | $12.8 |
| Depreciation (ships wearing out) | $10.5 |
| Net interest, debt payoff costs, other and tax | $6.5 |
| Kept as net income | $10.4 |
| Total | $100 |
Cityfort calculation from the FY2025 10-K. Of every $100 of FY2025 revenue (interest income is netted in the interest line): each line = line ÷ $26,622 million × 100.
Royal Caribbean
Where $100 went · FY2025
| Running the ships: crew pay, food, fuel and other operating costs | $31.2 |
|---|---|
| Commissions, transportation and onboard costs | $18.2 |
| Marketing, selling and administration | $12.1 |
| Depreciation and amortization (wear on ships) | $9.3 |
| Interest | $5.4 |
| Income tax and partners' share of profit | $0.6 |
| Kept as net income | $23.2 |
| Total | $100 |
Cityfort calculation from the FY2025 10-K. Of every $100 that came in during FY2025 (revenue of $17,935 million plus $414 million of equity investment income, mainly TUI Cruises, $24 million of interest income and $17 million of other income): each line = line ÷ $18,390 million × 100. The last cost line is $82 million of income tax and $23 million of profit belonging to minority partners.
Line items differ because each company groups its costs its own way in its filings. Only on Carnival's receipt: Commissions, guest transportation and onboard costs; Payroll, food and other ship operating costs; Fuel; Selling and administration; Depreciation (ships wearing out); Net interest, debt payoff costs, other and tax. Only on Royal Caribbean's receipt: Running the ships: crew pay, food, fuel and other operating costs; Commissions, transportation and onboard costs; Marketing, selling and administration; Depreciation and amortization (wear on ships); Interest; Income tax and partners' share of profit.
Revenue, net income and free cash flow
Up to five fiscal years for each company, drawn on one shared scale per measure. Amounts in US$ as reported (GAAP).
Revenue
Carnival
Royal Caribbean
See the numbers
Net income
Carnival
Royal Caribbean
See the numbers
Free cash flow
Carnival
Royal Caribbean
See the numbers
Who pays each company
Carnival
- Guests buying cruise tickets · 65.4% of revenueThe fare for the cabin, most meals, entertainment and port visits: $17.4 billion in FY2025.
- Guests spending onboard, and other revenue · 34.6% of revenueDrinks, casino, spa, shore excursions, internet, specialty dining and other revenue: $9.2 billion in FY2025.
Royal Caribbean
- Guests: cruise fares · 69.8% of revenuePassenger ticket revenues of $12,515 million in FY2025, including $1.3 billion of port costs charged to guests. Guests who booked in the U.S. paid 74% of ticket revenue.
- Guests: onboard spending and other · 30.2% of revenueOnboard and other revenues of $5,419 million: goods and services on board, casinos, cancellation fees, vacation protection insurance, pre- and post-cruise tours and port operations.
Revenue by segment
Carnival
FY2025
| Segment | Revenue | Share |
|---|---|---|
| North America | $17.6B | 66.1% |
| Europe | $8.5B | 31.8% |
| Cruise Support | $309M | 1.2% |
| Tour and Other | $241M | 0.9% |
Royal Caribbean
FY2025
| Segment | Revenue | Share |
|---|---|---|
| North America | $11.5B | 64.4% |
| Europe | $3.0B | 16.5% |
| Asia/Pacific | $1.7B | 9.6% |
| Other regions | $862M | 4.8% |
| Other revenues | $864M | 4.8% |
Debt and cash
Carnival
- Debt
- $23.9B
- Cash and investments
- $1.2B
On Aug 31, 2026.
At Aug 31, 2026 Carnival's debt exceeded its cash by $22.7 billion, about 3.6 times its FY2025 cash from operations of $6.2 billion.
Royal Caribbean
- Debt
- $22.4B
- Cash and investments
- $851M
On Sep 30, 2026.
At Sep 30, 2026 Royal Caribbean owed $22.4 billion and held $851 million of cash; net debt was about 3.3 times its FY2025 cash from operations.
Sources: Carnival S4, S3, S1, S19 · Royal Caribbean S1, S3, S6
Who owns each company
Carnival
- One class of shares.
- Officers and directors as a group: 7.9% of shares (as of Jan 13, 2026).
- Arison Group (including Chair Micky Arison): 8.1% (as of Nov 26, 2025).
- Vanguard Capital Management: 6.9% (as of Apr 29, 2026).
- BlackRock, Inc.: 6.8% (as of Jul 27, 2026).
Royal Caribbean
- One class of shares.
- Officers and directors as a group: 6.4% of shares (as of Apr 9, 2026).
- Capital International Investors: 9.5% (as of May 14, 2026).
- Capital World Investors: 7.6% (as of May 14, 2026).
- BlackRock, Inc.: 7.5% (as of Apr 17, 2026).
- 3 more holders on the Royal Caribbean page.
Sources: Carnival S15, S23, S16, S20, S4, S22, S21 · Royal Caribbean S10, S3, S20, S17, S18
Risks only one page tracks
Risks whose type the other company's page does not list. Both pages track risks of these types: debt, commodity costs, demand, legal cases. Every risk is on each company's page.
Carnival
- Emissions rules (regulation)The EU Emissions Trading System cost Carnival $91 million in 2025, with 70% of emissions in scope. The company expects about $160 million in 2026, when 100% is in scope.
- Currency moves (currency)The Europe segment was 31.8% of FY2025 revenue, and at Aug 31, 2026 euro fixed-rate debt was 33% of debt and euro floating-rate debt 10%. The 10-K names the euro, pound and Australian dollar as currency risks.
Royal Caribbean
- Disease outbreaks (other)Cruising was suspended in 2020 and restarted slowly through mid-2022. Occupancy was 49.3% in FY2021, and the company lost $5,260 million that year.
- More cruise ships across the industry (competition)At Dec 31, 2025, 47 new ships with about 113,000 berths were on order across the cruise industry for delivery through 2029, the 10-K said. Royal Caribbean's brands and TUI Cruises had twelve ships on order, for delivery from 2026 to 2032. The 10-K says extra capacity without more demand could push prices down.
- New ventures and permits (execution)The company plans to grow private destinations from 3 to 8 by 2028, but said in May 2026 that Mexico would deny its first permit application for Perfect Day Mexico. The $3.0 billion Sandals stake still needs approvals.
Key facts
- How does Carnival make money compared with Royal Caribbean?
- Carnival's revenue by segment in FY2025: North America 66.1%, Europe 31.8%, Cruise Support 1.2%, Tour and Other 0.9%. Royal Caribbean's revenue by segment in FY2025: North America 64.4%, Europe 16.5%, Asia/Pacific 9.6%, Other regions 4.8%, Other revenues 4.8%.
- Which is bigger by revenue, Carnival or Royal Caribbean?
- Carnival reported $26.6B of revenue in FY2025, and Royal Caribbean reported $17.9B in FY2025. The two fiscal years end in different months.
- How much net income did Carnival and Royal Caribbean report?
- Carnival reported net income of $2.8B in FY2025, and Royal Caribbean reported $4.3B in FY2025.
- How much of every $100 did Carnival and Royal Caribbean keep as net income?
- Carnival kept $10.4 of every $100 that came in during FY2025, and Royal Caribbean kept $23.2 in FY2025 (Cityfort calculation from each company's annual report).
- How much debt and cash do Carnival and Royal Caribbean have?
- Carnival had $23.9B of debt and $1.2B of cash and investments on Aug 31, 2026. Royal Caribbean had $22.4B of debt and $851M of cash and investments on Sep 30, 2026.
- When do Carnival's and Royal Caribbean's fiscal years end?
- Carnival: November 30. Royal Caribbean: Calendar year (Dec 31).
Sources: Carnival S3, S24, S1, S2, S4, S19 · Royal Caribbean S2, S1, S3, S6
Built from each company's page. Carnival updated Nov 6, 2026; Royal Caribbean updated Nov 7, 2026.
Sources
Carnival
- S1Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025 (ended Nov 30, 2025), Carnival Corporation & plc joint filing, Carnival Corporation (SEC EDGAR), Jan 27, 2026
- S2Form 10-K for fiscal year 2024 (ended Nov 30, 2024), Carnival Corporation (SEC EDGAR), Jan 27, 2025
- S3Form 10-K for fiscal year 2023 (ended Nov 30, 2023), Carnival Corporation (SEC EDGAR), Jan 26, 2024
- S4Form 10-Q for Q3 fiscal 2026 (three months ended Aug 31, 2026), Carnival Corporation Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Sep 29, 2026
- S152026 proxy statement (DEF 14A), Carnival Corporation & plc, Carnival Corporation (SEC EDGAR), Feb 27, 2026
- S168-K filed May 7, 2026: completion of DLC unification and redomiciliation to Bermuda, Carnival Corporation Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), May 7, 2026
- S198-K filed Nov 4, 2026: $2.0 billion commercial paper program, Carnival Corporation Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Nov 4, 2026
- S20Schedule 13D/A (Amendment No. 28) by the Arison Group (MA 1994 B Shares, Micky Arison, Richard L. Kohan, KLR, Nickel 2015-94 B Trust), SEC EDGAR, Nov 26, 2025
- S21Schedule 13G by BlackRock, Inc. (event date Jun 30, 2026), SEC EDGAR, Jul 27, 2026
- S22Schedule 13G by Vanguard Capital Management (event date Mar 31, 2026), SEC EDGAR, Apr 29, 2026
- S23Schedule 13G/A by The Vanguard Group reporting 0 shares (event date Mar 13, 2026), SEC EDGAR, Mar 26, 2026
- S24SEC XBRL company facts for Carnival (CIK 0000815097): FY2021 balance sheet, diluted shares, historical dividends, SEC (data.sec.gov), Nov 6, 2026
Royal Caribbean
- S1Form 10-K, fiscal year 2025 (ended Dec 31, 2025), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Feb 11, 2026
- S2Form 10-K, fiscal year 2023 (ended Dec 31, 2023), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Feb 21, 2024
- S3Form 10-Q, Q3 2026 (quarter ended Sep 30, 2026), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Oct 27, 2026
- S6Q3 2026 earnings release (8-K Exhibit 99.1, Oct 27, 2026), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Oct 27, 2026
- S102026 proxy statement (DEF 14A), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Apr 17, 2026
- S118-K filed Sep 23, 2026: agreement to acquire 50% of Sandals and Beaches Resorts (Item 8.01, Exhibit 99.1), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), Sep 23, 2026
- S128-K filed May 20, 2026: statement on SEMARNAT and Perfect Day Mexico permits (Item 7.01), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (SEC EDGAR), May 20, 2026
- S17Schedule 13G/A (Amendment 6), Capital International Investors: 25,763,011 shares, 9.5%, as of Mar 31, 2026, Capital International Investors (SEC EDGAR), May 14, 2026
- S18Schedule 13G/A (Amendment 2), Capital World Investors: 20,614,423 shares, 7.6%, as of Mar 31, 2026, Capital World Investors (SEC EDGAR), May 14, 2026
- S20Schedule 13G/A (Amendment 12), The Vanguard Group: 0 shares reported after its Jan 12, 2026 internal realignment, The Vanguard Group (SEC EDGAR), Mar 27, 2026
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