Royal Caribbean Shares Drop 1.64% with $0.49B Turnover Ranking 208th as Haitian Security Fears Spur New Drink Packages and Island Strategy Shift

On September 9, 2025, , ranking 208th in daily turnover. The cruise line announced it will suspend all visits to its private Haitian destination Labadee until April 2026 due to escalating gang violence in the region. This follows earlier cancellations through October 2025, with affected sailings replaced by alternative ports like Grand Turk and Nassau. The decision aligns with U.S. State Department travel advisories and reflects ongoing security risks in Haiti, . Royal Caribbean emphasized "abundance of caution" in its communications, offering refunds for Labadee shore excursions.

The operational shift could impact short-term revenue from Labadee-related excursions but may mitigate reputational risks tied to safety concerns. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean introduced a new "Refreshment + 10 Drinks" package for long cruises, blending non-alcoholic beverages with 10 alcoholic drinks. This targets evolving consumer preferences, particularly among younger demographics, and complements recent menu expansions emphasizing mocktails. Analysts note the strategy aims to boost ancillary revenue while addressing "drink package fatigue" on extended voyages.

Strategically, Royal Caribbean is pivoting toward land-based experiences, including its Perfect Day at CocoCay and planned Perfect Day Mexico (2027). These private destinations are expected to drive Caribbean itinerary diversification, . The company also announced a "total travel company" vision, leveraging its private island footprint to compete with traditional vacation models. However, near-term challenges persist, including political instability in Haiti and the need to balance operational adjustments with customer satisfaction.

Back-test parameters for a "top 500 by daily volume" strategy require clarification on stock universe (full U.S. market or S&P 500), position weighting (equal or volume-weighted), transaction cost assumptions, and cash management (fully invested or 0% yield). Default settings assume full U.S. coverage, equal weighting, zero costs, and full investment. Adjustments can be made based on user preferences prior to data retrieval.