Royal Caribbean International is owned and operated by the Royal Caribbean Group (formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.), a massive global cruise corporation based in Miami, Florida. As the second-largest cruise operator in the world in 2026, the Royal Caribbean Group is a publicly traded company (NYSE: RCL), meaning it is owned by thousands of individual and institutional shareholders. The largest institutional owners include firms like Capital Research & Management, JPMorgan, and The Vanguard Group. Beyond the main "Royal" brand, the group also fully owns Celebrity Cruises and the ultra-luxury line Silversea Cruises, and it holds a 50% stake in the German cruise brand TUI Cruises. A grounded reality check: while many people assume it might be owned by Carnival, they are actually fierce competitors. The company is currently led by President and CEO Jason Liberty, who has overseen the launch of record-breaking "Icon Class" ships. It is a supportive fact for travelers that the group is officially incorporated in Liberia for maritime purposes, but its operational and financial heart is firmly rooted in the United States.