Royal Caribbean Cruises Swot Analysis

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES SWOT Analysis

SWOT ANALYSIS RCC is the second largest global operator of cruise ships and holds a market share of about 35% in the oligopolistic North American cruise market. The company may face a considerable decline in its earnings due to increasing fuel prices.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Dominant business position

Increasing expenses

Strong brand recognition

Low efficiency

Consistent increase in revenues

Inadequate presence in high growth European market

Opportunities

Threats

Favorable demographic trends

Weather conditions

Marketing alliances

Severe competition

Improved cruise passenger traffic

High fuel prices

Strengths Dominant business position RCC is the second largest global operator of cruise ships measured by capacity and market capitalization. The company controls 35% of North American capacity. It has 29 cruise ships with about 60,000 berths. The company has a market capitalization of $9.6 billion. The strong business position provides the company with a competitive edge over its peers. Strong brand recognition The company enjoys strong brand recognition in the industry. Royal Caribbean International was named Best Overall Cruise Line (by Travel Weekly), Best Large Ship Design, Best Caribbean Itinerary, and Best Family Cruise in 2003. In the 2003 Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards, Celebrity Cruises was selected as the Best Premium Brand in Industry. The company’s seven celebrity ships ranked among the top nine in Best Large Ships category of Condé Nast Traveler awards. The company owns strong brands and has cultivated a positive reputation among customers. Consistent increase in revenues

Royal Caribbean Cruises © Datamonitor

Page 5

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES SWOT Analysis

The company has witnessed a continuous increase in its revenues since 2000. Its revenues increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% over the period 2000-2003. Furthermore, RCC is expected to increase its revenues by 20.6% in 2004. The company has consistently increased its revenues over the years amid changing market conditions.

Weaknesses Increasing expenses The company has been experiencing an increase in expenses for the last three years. Its total operating expenses increased at a CAGR of 10.9% over the period 20012003. Its marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased 19.3% in 2003 as compared to 2002. RCC experienced a CAGR of 10% in its total operating expenses over the period 2001-2003. The disproportionate increase in expenses as compared to revenues has reduced the company’s earnings. Low efficiency Efficiency, as measured by revenues per employee, is low for RCC ($125,177) as compared to industry average ($191,956). Furthermore, the company’s net income per employee was $13,457 as compared to industry average of $38,654. The company lags behind its competitors in terms of efficiency. Inadequate presence in high growth European market Despite its strong market position, RCC does not have significant presence in highergrowth European markets where its peers operate. The company lost its bid to buy P&O Princess Cruises to its competitor Carnival Corporation in 2002. P&O Princess Cruises has a significant market share in Europe. The company is at a disadvantage to its competitors in terms of market share in the high growth European cruise market.

Opportunities Favorable demographic trends Leisure travel (and cruising in particular) is well positioned to benefit from favorable demographic shifts. The overall population is estimated to increase by 23 million through 2010 in the US (representing a 0.9% CAGR over the period 2004-2010). In addition, the 82 million baby boomers are believed to generate higher levels of income and spend more on recreation and leisure than any other population segment. Consumers in the 45-64 years age category represent the fastest-growing segment of

Royal Caribbean Cruises © Datamonitor

Page 6

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES SWOT Analysis

the population through 2010 with a CAGR of 2.7%. This segment’s personal consumption patterns also show a bias toward recreation and leisure. Demographic trends favor the company’s growth in the coming years. Marketing alliances As the cruise ship industry continues to grow, there are increasing demands on cruise lines to provide more varied onboard services and visit more exotic harbors. Remodeled interiors and increased deck space are also required to keep ships competitive. The company has several brand partnerships that enhance the quality of its onboard services in terms of attracting customers. These brands include Johnny Rockets, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Cova Cafe Milano. There is an immense potential for the company to grow its revenues from onboard services through such marketing alliances. Improved cruise passenger traffic There has been a recovery in passenger traffic on cruise lines since 2003. Cruise lines carried 2.3 million passengers on North American cruises in the first quarter of 2004, reflecting a 13.6% increase compared to the same period in 2003. Increased consumer spending due to the economic recovery in the US is the main reason for improved traffic on cruise ships. The company is well poised to benefit from these favorable trends.

Threats Weather conditions The company operates in an industry which inherits risk of unfavorable weather conditions. For instance, Florida experienced four major hurricanes in 2004 successively. Such unfavorable events could force the company to delay or change its schedules or sometimes cancel its journeys. The company’s business is considerably exposed to weather conditions. Severe competition RCC operates in the vacation market and cruising is one of the many alternatives for people choosing a vacation. The company competes not only with other cruise lines, but also other vacation operators which provide leisure options including hotels, resorts and package holidays and tours. RCC faces significant competition from players with greater resources. The 2003 merger of RCC’s close competitors, Carnival Corporation and P&O Princess Cruises created a formidible opponent. The

Royal Caribbean Cruises © Datamonitor

Page 7

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES SWOT Analysis

combined companies have a wide portfolio of cruise brands and stronger financial flexibility and greater access to capital markets than each previously had individualy. Such factors further intensify competition for the company within the cruise vacation market. High fuel prices Global oil prices are at high levels (more than $55 per barrel in October 2004) and are expected to rise further. Oil prices have increased by about 60% since the beginning of 2004. RCC uses approximately 7.5 million barrels of oil each year, which implies $50-60 million (estimated) of extra costs to the company if oil prices stay at such high levels. Increasing fuel prices pose a significant threat to the company’s margins if the company is not able to pass on these higher costs to its consumers due to intense competition in the industry.

Royal Caribbean Cruises © Datamonitor

Page 8