Royal Caribbean Group vs Hilton

Royal Caribbean Group vs Hilton compares two leaders in travel and hospitality. This page examines their business models, financial performance, and the market context in which they operate, highlighting strategic approaches, revenue streams, and competitive dynamics. The aim is clear, balanced information for readers seeking understanding. Educational content, not financial advice.

Royal Caribbean Group vs Hilton compares two leaders in travel and hospitality. This page examines their business models, financial performance, and the market context in which they operate, highlight...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

RCL

Metric

HLT

$79.95B

Market Cap

$69.06B

13.34%

Potential Profit

-2.69%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

Royal Caribbean Cruises Emerges as Undervalued Gem Amid Short-Term Dips and Cruise Sector Buzz.

DCF model estimates intrinsic value at $441 per share, implying 37% upside from current levels around $278.
Recent 8.6% weekly decline contrasts with 20.7% annual gains and massive 289.5% five-year returns, highlighting short-term swings.
Cruise sector spotlight on fleet deployments, route growth, and booking patterns supports RCL's 5/6 valuation score and trading below fair P/E ratio.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Hilton Worldwide Hits New 52-Week High Amid Strong Analyst Upgrades and Positive Sector Momentum

Goldman Sachs upgraded HLT to Buy with a $317 target, signaling expectations for continued growth in travel demand.
Q3 results showed EPS of $2.11 beating estimates by $0.06, with revenue up 8.8% YoY to $1.30B, underscoring resilient booking trends.
FY2025 EPS guidance of $7.97–$8.06 reinforces Hilton's strong positioning as leisure and business travel rebounds.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Royal Caribbean Cruises Emerges as Undervalued Gem Amid Short-Term Dips and Cruise Sector Buzz.

DCF model estimates intrinsic value at $441 per share, implying 37% upside from current levels around $278.
Recent 8.6% weekly decline contrasts with 20.7% annual gains and massive 289.5% five-year returns, highlighting short-term swings.
Cruise sector spotlight on fleet deployments, route growth, and booking patterns supports RCL's 5/6 valuation score and trading below fair P/E ratio.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Hilton Worldwide Hits New 52-Week High Amid Strong Analyst Upgrades and Positive Sector Momentum

Goldman Sachs upgraded HLT to Buy with a $317 target, signaling expectations for continued growth in travel demand.
Q3 results showed EPS of $2.11 beating estimates by $0.06, with revenue up 8.8% YoY to $1.30B, underscoring resilient booking trends.
FY2025 EPS guidance of $7.97–$8.06 reinforces Hilton's strong positioning as leisure and business travel rebounds.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

Royal Caribbean Group

RCL

Pros

Royal Caribbean is forecast to report record pricing in 2025, supported by strong demand for premium cruise experiences.
The company maintains a robust fleet expansion pipeline, with 15 new ships on order to drive future capacity growth.
Recent valuation metrics suggest Royal Caribbean may be undervalued relative to its historical averages and peers.

Considerations

Royal Caribbean's stock has shown significant volatility, with a sharp 19% decline over the past month amid sector-wide concerns.
The cruise industry remains sensitive to macroeconomic factors such as rising interest rates and fluctuating consumer sentiment.
Higher operating costs and fuel prices pose ongoing margin pressures for the company in the near term.

Hilton

HLT

Pros

Hilton benefits from a globally recognised brand and a diversified portfolio of hotel properties across multiple segments.
The company has demonstrated consistent revenue growth driven by strong global travel demand and occupancy rates.
Hilton maintains a solid balance sheet with manageable debt levels and strong cash flow generation.

Considerations

Hilton's growth is exposed to cyclical trends in the travel and hospitality sector, which can impact profitability during downturns.
Intense competition from alternative accommodation providers continues to challenge traditional hotel operators.
The company faces risks from regulatory changes and rising labour costs in key markets.

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About The Companies

Royal Caribbean Group (RCL)

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) runs one of the world’s largest cruise-ship fleets, operating a portfolio of brands and routes aimed at leisure travellers. Investors should know its revenue combines ticket sales, onboard spending (food, beverages, activities) and ancillary services such as shore excursions; earnings are cyclical and closely tied to discretionary travel demand. The business is capital intensive — new ships require large up-front investment and generate returns over many years — and performance is sensitive to fuel costs, labour, geopolitics and public-health events. The company has significant leverage from fleet financing, so liquidity, debt levels and cash flow trends matter as much as bookings and yields. Competitive positioning, pricing power and itinerary diversification can help, but volatility is common. This information is educational and not personal advice; potential investors should assess risk tolerance, time horizon and consult a financial adviser before deciding.

Hilton (HLT)

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) is a global hospitality company operating a portfolio of hotel brands across price points, from full-service to extended-stay and luxury. Investors should know Hilton primarily grows through franchising and management contracts, which gives it scalable fee-based revenue and higher margins than owning large amounts of property. The business is sensitive to travel demand, economic cycles and corporate travel budgets; occupancy and average daily rates drive near-term earnings. Hilton’s loyalty programme, strong brand recognition and global footprint support steady demand, while capital allocation and balance-sheet management matter for long-term returns. Market cap is about $62.6bn. Risks include competition, geopolitical or health shocks that dent travel, rising interest rates and currency swings. This content is educational only and not personal financial advice; values can fall as well as rise, and past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Consider suitability and seek professional advice for your circumstances.

Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) Next Earnings Date

Royal Caribbean (RCL) is estimated to report its next earnings on January 29, 2026, before market open. This release will cover the fiscal quarter ending December 2025. While not yet officially confirmed, this date aligns with analyst consensus and the company's historical late-January pattern for Q4 results.

Hilton (HLT) Next Earnings Date

Hilton Worldwide (HLT) is scheduled to report its next earnings on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, before the market opens. This release will cover the fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results, followed by a conference call at 9 a.m. EST. Investors should note this aligns with the company's confirmed announcement.

Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) Next Earnings Date

Royal Caribbean (RCL) is estimated to report its next earnings on January 29, 2026, before market open. This release will cover the fiscal quarter ending December 2025. While not yet officially confirmed, this date aligns with analyst consensus and the company's historical late-January pattern for Q4 results.

Hilton (HLT) Next Earnings Date

Hilton Worldwide (HLT) is scheduled to report its next earnings on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, before the market opens. This release will cover the fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results, followed by a conference call at 9 a.m. EST. Investors should note this aligns with the company's confirmed announcement.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Travel

Investment opportunities already packed for you. This carefully curated collection of travel stocks represents companies poised to capitalize on the industry's post-pandemic revival. Selected by professional analysts for their recovery potential and growth opportunities.

Published: May 23, 2025

Explore Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Travel

Investment opportunities already packed for you. This carefully curated collection of travel stocks represents companies poised to capitalize on the industry's post-pandemic revival. Selected by professional analysts for their recovery potential and growth opportunities.

Published: May 23, 2025

Explore Basket

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Comparison Snapshot

Why It's Moving

Royal Caribbean Cruises Emerges as Undervalued Gem Amid Short-Term Dips and Cruise Sector Buzz.

Hilton Worldwide Hits New 52-Week High Amid Strong Analyst Upgrades and Positive Sector Momentum

Royal Caribbean Cruises Emerges as Undervalued Gem Amid Short-Term Dips and Cruise Sector Buzz.

Hilton Worldwide Hits New 52-Week High Amid Strong Analyst Upgrades and Positive Sector Momentum