European itineraries of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, have enjoyed their third consecutive year of double digit yield growth in 2014 despite a weak economic environment, noted Robin Farley, cruise industry analyst at UBS Securities in New York.
"Europe this year had its third year of double-digit yield increase even with Black Sea and Holy Land impact, and will end the year with European pricing 5% ahead of 2008 peak. Demand from Europeans this year and next year is higher despite economic slowing,” she said in a research note. TUI Cruises, a joint venture with TUI AG in Germany, is growing yield faster than RCCL's consolidated fleet with its new tonnage.
In Asia, China will account for 10% of the group’s 2015 summer capacity, and Asia overall will be 15% of deployments up from 12%. RCCL still pursuing conversations with C-Trip about China cruising joint venture. The Chinese company acquired celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Century earlier this autumn.