The Wall Street Journal reported today that Royal Caribbean Cruises’ third-quarter earnings fell 44% as ticket prices remained soft and the travel industry continued to slump.  Royal Caribbean reported a third-quarter profit of a little over $230 million, down from around $412 million a year earlier.

In an article entitled "Royally Grounded," the Motley Fool put things in simpler terms, reporting that the cruise line’s third quarter "was a dud."  Revenue fell 15% to $1.8 billion, as "the crummy economy and (swine flu) fears kept bookings low and cheap."

And things will only get worse for Royal Caribbean. 

The Wall Street Journal reports that Royal Caribbean also projected a loss for the current quarter, notwithstanding the arrival of its mega cruise ship Oasis of the Seas.  The Motley Fool warns that when "Royal Caribbean is telling investors to expect a loss during the quarter in which Oasis of the Seas makes its debut, it’s time to worry."

Royal Caribbean will be an interesting stock to watch as they try and sell tickets for the Oasis of the Seas and, next year, the Allure of the Seas.