Royal Caribbean Group Announces Inaugural Class of Port Partners Business Accelerator Program in Seward, Alaska

Rhea-AI Summary

Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) announced the inaugural Port Partners business accelerator in Seward, Alaska on Jan. 22, 2026. Fifteen local entrepreneurs were selected for a comprehensive 10-week college-level course at Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) taught by Greg Haas.

Participants will receive mentorship from Seward business leaders, be eligible for three University of Alaska college credits, and will pitch to a local panel for a chance to win $20,000 to launch their business. Program partners include AVTEC, University of Alaska system, Seward Small Business Development Center, and the City of Seward.

News Market Reaction

+2.80%

1 alert

+2.80% News Effect

On the day this news was published, RCL gained 2.80%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Cohort size: 15 entrepreneurs Program length: 10-week course College credits: 3 credits +2 more

5 metrics

Cohort size 15 entrepreneurs Inaugural Port Partners accelerator cohort in Seward, Alaska

Program length 10-week course College-level curriculum at Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC)

College credits 3 credits Eligible University of Alaska system credits upon course completion

Seed award $20,000 Prize to the standout winner to kickstart their business

Program location Seward, Alaska First Port Partners business accelerator destination

Market Reality Check

Price: $348.00 Vol: Volume 2,266,355 is 1.22x...

normal vol

$348.00 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,266,355 is 1.22x the 20-day average of 1,856,640 shares. normal

Technical Price $277.77 is trading below the 200-day MA at $286.85 and 24.21% under the 52-week high of $366.50.

Peers on Argus

RCL is up 2.87% with mixed peer moves: travel peers like ABNB (+2.19%) and BKNG ...

RCL is up 2.87% with mixed peer moves: travel peers like ABNB (+2.19%) and BKNG (+3.07%) are positive, while cruise and travel names CCL (-0.28%), CUK (-0.04%), and TCOM (-0.59%) are slightly negative, suggesting a company-specific rather than broad sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 16 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 16	Earnings call notice	Neutral	-0.8%	Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings conference call schedule.
Jan 15	Loyalty program launch	Positive	-0.4%	Launch of cross-brand Points Choice loyalty option across cruise brands.
Jan 08	Port development project	Positive	+2.4%	Groundbreaking for new Cruise Terminal G at PortMiami with large investment.
Jan 07	Destination opening	Positive	+1.6%	Opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island all-inclusive day destination.
Dec 18	Redevelopment agreement	Positive	+0.7%	Agreement to redevelop Crown Bay District into mixed-use tourism destination.

Pattern Detected

Recent news skewed positive on destinations and infrastructure, with share price generally rising on such announcements; one loyalty-focused release saw a small negative reaction.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Royal Caribbean Group has highlighted several destination and infrastructure milestones. These include the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opening, a $345 million Cruise Terminal G project at PortMiami, and a Crown Bay District redevelopment agreement in St. Thomas. It also launched the cross-brand Points Choice loyalty option and scheduled a Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call. Today’s Seward-focused Port Partners initiative fits the broader theme of destination investment and community engagement.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Royal Caribbean Group’s Port Partners accelerator as a community invest...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Royal Caribbean Group’s Port Partners accelerator as a community investment initiative in Seward, Alaska, supporting 15 entrepreneurs via a 10-week course, mentorship, and a $20,000 seed award. It complements recent destination and port development projects, reinforcing a broader strategy of strengthening local ecosystems. Investors may watch how such programs translate into long-term brand value, destination partnerships, and guest experience differentiation alongside core financial metrics.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Local entrepreneurs selected for program designed to strengthen Seward's small-business ecosystem

SEWARD, Alaska, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), a global vacation leader that is redefining the future of vacations, has chosen 15 final candidates for its inaugural 'Port Partners' business accelerator program in Seward, Alaska. The new cohort will complete a comprehensive 10-week college-level course at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) and engage with local entrepreneurial leaders and mentors to grow their knowledge, skill set, and work toward a successful business launch.

Taught by Greg Haas, a current maritime instructor at Alaska Vocational Technical Center, and owner of Stoney Creek Brewery, the educational curriculum will strengthen the candidates understanding of small business creation and development, with a focus on supply chain, management, legal processes, marketing campaigns, and more, to set individuals up for their new role: business owner. Seward's accomplished local entrepreneurs will also impart advice, guidance, and career lessons during one-on-one mentorship sessions, providing students with tangible examples to learn from. Upon successful course completion, each participant will be eligible to receive three college credits from the University of Alaska system.

Following graduation, each entrepreneur will pitch their idea to a panel of Seward business owners and leaders, seeking the opportunity to be the standout winner to earn $20,000 to kickstart their business.

"Through Port Partners, it's been a privilege to see first-hand Seward residents' creativity and bold business ideas dedicated to seeing their community thrive," said Preston Carnahan, vice president, Destination Development, West Coast and Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean Group. "We are thrilled to collaborate with AVTEC, University of Alaska system, Seward Small Business Development Center, and Seward Chamber of Commerce, to bring these resources to a town whose heartbeat lies at the center of entrepreneurship and ingenuity."

"Port Partners is built on trust, time, and real opportunity—values that matter deeply in Seward," said Greg Haas, instructor, Alaska Vocational Technical Center. "I'm excited to bring entrepreneurs together, challenge how we think about business ownership, and help strengthen our community through shared learning and long-term success.

The cohort consists of 15 individuals with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and goals, but alike in their commitment to Seward. This bespoke initiative is dedicated to serving destinations the company visits around the world, collaboratively partnering with on-the-ground stakeholders to invest in economic development, community impact, and environmental protection. Embodying the 'Energizing Communities' pillar of its SEA the Future program, this first Port Partners effort offers an exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience that will uplift future entrepreneurs in Seward.

Meet the cohort:

• Brendan Ryan
• Calley Davenport
• Clay Lambert
• Elizabeth Dunn
• Emerson Cross
• Genevieve DeRoos
• Heather Bardarson
• James Natale
• Josiah Bonner
• Katherine Georgia
• Morgan Shepard
• Otto Nipp
• Sydney Singer
• Taylor Wilson
• Victoria Provenza

Port Partners is brought to the community of Seward in collaboration with including AVTEC, the University of Alaska System, the Seward Small Business Development Center, and the City of Seward. Together, these organizations are creating pathways that connect education, mentorship, and real-world support to strengthen Seward's entrepreneurial pipeline.

Embodying the 'Energizing Communities' pillar of its SEA the Future program, this first Port Partners effort offers an exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience that will uplift future entrepreneurs in Seward.

For information on the program, visit PortPartners.com.

To learn more about how Royal Caribbean Group is supporting communities around the world through its SEA The Future program Visit RoyalCaribbeanGroup.com.

Follow our Port Partners journey and future community initiatives around the world on Royal Caribbean Group's social channels:

LinkedIn: Royal Caribbean Group
Facebook: Royal Caribbean Group
X/Twitter: @RoyalCaribbeanGroup

About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group is a leading global vacation company spanning cruise, exclusive destinations, and land-based vacation experiences. The company operates 69 ships sailing to 1000 destinations across all seven continents through its three wholly owned brands - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea - and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises, which operates the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd brands.

The Group is expanding its portfolio of private destinations from three to eight by 2028 through its Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club collections and the company will enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises. Powered by innovative brands, advanced technology, and an industry-leading loyalty program, the company has built a connected vacation ecosystem, turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.

Named to Fortune's 2026 World's Most Admired Companies and Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies lists, Royal Caribbean Group is guided by its mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly. For more information, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-caribbean-group-announces-inaugural-class-of-port-partners-business-accelerator-program-in-seward-alaska-302668304.html

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group

FAQ

What is Royal Caribbean Group's Port Partners program in Seward (RCL)?

Port Partners is a 10-week business accelerator in Seward for 15 local entrepreneurs, funded and supported by Royal Caribbean Group.

When did Royal Caribbean announce the Seward Port Partners cohort (RCL)?

Royal Caribbean announced the inaugural Seward cohort on January 22, 2026.

What educational credits do Port Partners Seward participants receive?

Each participant is eligible to receive three college credits from the University of Alaska system upon course completion.

How long is the Port Partners Seward course and who teaches it?

The program is a 10-week college-level course taught by Greg Haas at AVTEC.

What prize can Seward Port Partners finalists win to start their business?

Graduating entrepreneurs will pitch to a local panel and one standout winner can earn $20,000 to kickstart their business.

Who are the local partners working with Royal Caribbean on Port Partners Seward?

Program partners include AVTEC, the University of Alaska system, Seward Small Business Development Center, and the City of Seward.