Royal Caribbean's (RCL) stock has been sailing full steam ahead with whopping gains of 75% in the past year. That's great news for the cruise industry, which took an image beating in recent years over some high profile incidents of passenger stomach flus.
While demand for cruises to the Caribbean has waned, the company said in its second quarter earnings report that bookings to China and Europe are up on the upswing.
Royal Caribbean is also adding newer, more advanced ships, which will make its overall fleet more fuel efficient. At the end of this year, it will roll out its "Quantum of the Seas" vessel, marking the company's first new ship delivery since 2010.
Analysts who cover the stock are on board -- 76% rate the stock as "buy" or "overweight," according to Factset.
