Royal Caribbean to Sell Legend of the Seas to Support Double-Double

Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises has entered into a sale agreement for its cruise ship Legend of the Seas to Thomson Cruises in the spring of 2017. 

According to Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean’s CEO, the sale supports the company’s Double-Double program – double the company’s 2014 earnings per share by 2017 and increase return on invested capital to double digits – as well as its objective of moderate capacity growth.

Royal Caribbean Cruises said that the cruise ship’s final sailing will commence on March 13, 2017. All Legend of the Seas’ officers and crew will remain with the company and will be transferred to other vessels.

Legend of the Seas joined the Royal Caribbean International fleet in 1995, and was built by Chantier’s de L’Atlantique, now STX France, in St. Nazaire, France.

With its gross tonnage of 69,130, the ship can carry 1,832 guests and 726 crew. It features a length of 867 feet and a width of 105 feet.

In April this year, the company reported adjusted first quarter earnings worth USD 124 million or USD 0.57 per share –  nearly tripling last year’s results that stood at USD 45.2 million and almost doubling previously provided guidance.

Royal Caribbean Cruises’ six brands operate a combined total of 47 ships with an additional twelve on order. The most recent addition to its fleet was Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship.