Royal Caribbean Group CEO talks how Delta variant is impacting the cruise industry

Editorial Summary

The CEO of Royal Caribbean Group discusses the impact of the Delta variant on the cruise industry and the broader fight against COVID-19. He acknowledges that the highly contagious variant has caused a spike in cases and impacted bookings for the current and upcoming year. However, he maintains that the underlying trajectory of the industry remains positive. To illustrate his point, he draws a historical parallel between the current pandemic and the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He argues that while the variant represents a significant challenge, much like the German attack, it has not changed the inevitable outcome of containing the disease. The CEO emphasizes the importance of collective action and vaccination to protect the community and return to normalcy. He notes that despite recent setbacks, domestic travel is resuming and forward booking demand remains strong. He concludes by expressing confidence in the industry's recovery, noting that more ships are opening and vaccines are becoming more widely available, while urging travel advisors to remain confident and encourage vaccination among their clients.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.