Jim Cramer Declares Royal Caribbean the Top Choice Over Carnival

On CNBC's 'Mad Money Lightning Round,' Jim Cramer expressed a strong preference for Royal Caribbean over Carnival Corporation, citing Royal Caribbean's superior systems and performance metrics. Cramer emphasized that Royal Caribbean is currently the best choice for investors, contrasting it with Carnival, which has recently announced new itineraries for seven ships set to sail in 2026 and 2027 from various ports including Miami and Galveston. Cramer also commented on other companies, noting that EPR Properties has been too volatile for his liking, despite posting better-than-expected sales in its second quarter. He described Whirlpool Corporation as inconsistent, stating that its performance does not meet his investment criteria, especially after the company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.75 per share. In addition, Cramer expressed dissatisfaction with DexCom's recent quarterly performance and the explanations provided for its slowdown. Despite this, Piper Sandler analyst Matt O’Brien maintained an Overweight rating on DexCom, setting a price target of $90. Cramer did, however, express a favorable view of SpartanNash, highlighting its dividend and reporting second-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations. Overall, Cramer's insights reflect a cautious approach to certain stocks while favoring Royal Caribbean as a standout investment opportunity in the cruise industry.