MIAMI -- Royal Caribbean Cruises says its first-quarter profit surged on higher revenue but offered full-year guidance below Wall Street expectations.

The Miami-based cruise operator said today that profit rose to $75.6 million, or 35 cents a share, compared with $8.8 million, or 4 cents per share, a year ago.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. reports revenue grew 17 percent to $1.43 billion from $1.22 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of 28 cents per share on revenue of $1.41 billion.

Royal Caribbean anticipates 2008 earnings between $2.85 and $3 per share. Analysts expect 2008 profit of $3.21 per share. Its shares fell 53 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $32.22 in premarket trading.