Consumer Discretionary
Travel Services
$11.27B
41K
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. It distributes its products through retail/travel advisor and onboard cruise sales channels, as well as meetings, incentives, and charters. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. was founded in 1966 and is based in Miami, Florida.
Key insights and themes extracted from this filing
Total revenue increased to $2.8 billion in 2024 compared to $2.5 billion in 2023, primarily due to an increase in Capacity Days and an increase in passenger ticket pricing and onboard spending. The increase in Capacity Days was primarily related to the delivery of two new ships in the second half of 2023.
Net income and diluted EPS were $474.9 million and $0.95, respectively, compared to $345.9 million and $0.71, respectively. This represents a substantial improvement in profitability compared to the same period last year.
Gross margin increased 23.4% to $1.1 billion compared to $862.7 million. However, total cruise operating expense increased 3.8% and total other operating expense increased 8.8%, indicating some pressure on overall profitability despite revenue growth.
The Company continues to experience strong consumer demand as the majority of new bookings have shifted to 2025 sailings. As a result, the Company remains at the upper range of its optimal booked position on a 12-month forward basis.
As of September 30, 2024, the combined contract prices, including amendments and change orders, of the 13 ships on order for delivery was approximately €17.5 billion, or $19.5 billion. For the Norwegian brand, we also have an order for four additional ships with currently scheduled delivery dates from 2030 through 2036.
The orders for two of the new class of Oceania Cruises ships currently scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031 are expected to be cancelled. If the two ships on order for Oceania Cruises are cancelled, there will be incremental corresponding adjustments to the purchase price of other applicable newbuilds not to exceed €51 million.
During 2024, we continued to see progress from our ongoing margin enhancement initiative. However, global macroeconomic events have created volatility and disruptions in the past that have adversely impacted our costs and they may do so again in the future.
In March 2020, the Florida Attorney General announced an investigation related to the Company's marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the announcement of the investigation by the Florida Attorney General, we received notifications from other attorneys general and governmental agencies that they are conducting similar investigations. The Company is cooperating with these ongoing investigations, the outcomes of which cannot be predicted at this time.
On October 22, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit reversed the trial court. We believe that the likelihood of loss related to this matter is reasonably possible but not probable at this time; therefore, no liability has been recorded.
We believe the increasing focus on climate change, including the Company's targets for greenhouse gas reductions, and evolving regulatory requirements will materially impact our future capital expenditures and results of operations. We expect to incur significant expenses related to these regulatory requirements and commitments.
We are exposed to fluctuations in the euro exchange rate for certain portions of ship construction contracts that have not been hedged. As of September 30, 2024, future ship construction obligations aggregated €16.8 billion, or $18.7 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2024.
We are exposed to market risk attributable to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and fuel prices. We attempt to minimize these risks through a combination of our normal operating and financing activities and through the use of derivatives.
The Company continues to experience strong consumer demand as the majority of new bookings have shifted to 2025 sailings. As a result, the Company remains at the upper range of its optimal booked position on a 12-month forward basis.
During 2024, we continued to see progress from our ongoing margin enhancement initiative. The Company continues to prioritize identifying and evaluating a variety of initiatives to improve its cost structure and margin profile, while preserving its brand equity and optimal guest satisfaction levels.
As a routine part of our business, depending on market conditions, exchange rates, pricing and our strategy for growth, we regularly consider opportunities to enter into contracts for the building of additional ships. We may also consider the sale of ships, potential acquisitions and strategic alliances.
Total cruise operating expense increased 3.8% and Gross Cruise Cost increased 4.9% in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily related to the delivery of two new ships in the second half of 2023 partially offset by a reduction in air costs largely due to changes in itinerary mix.
Total other operating expense increased 8.8% in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily related to an increase in depreciation expense from the delivery of two new ships in the second half of 2023 and variable compensation due to strong performance of the business.
Implementing precautions in coordination with regulators and global public health authorities to protect the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities we visit and to comply with related regulatory restrictions.
We are also evaluating the effects of global climate change related requirements, which are still evolving, including our ability to mitigate certain future expenses through initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; consequently, the full impact to the Company is not yet known.
Designs for the final two Prima Class ships have been lengthened and reconfigured to accommodate the use of green methanol as a future fuel source. Additional modifications will be needed to fully enable the use of green methanol.
During 2024, we continued to see progress from our ongoing margin enhancement initiative. The Company continues to prioritize identifying and evaluating a variety of initiatives to improve its cost structure and margin profile, while preserving its brand equity and optimal guest satisfaction levels.
In September 2024, NCLC issued $315.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior notes due 2030. The net proceeds, after deducting the initial purchasers' discount but before deducting estimated fees and expenses, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem $315.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.625% senior notes due 2024, including to pay any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
The Company has export credit financing in place for the anticipated expenditures related to ship construction contracts of $43.6 million for the remainder of 2024 and $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion for the years ending December 31, 2025 and 2026, respectively.
The Company maintains a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets mainly in the U.S. and Bermuda jurisdictions. Given our current earnings, anticipated future earnings and outlook of the cruise industry as a whole, we believe there is a reasonable possibility that within the next 12 months, sufficient positive evidence may become available to allow us to reach a conclusion that a portion or all of our U.S. valuation allowance would no longer be required.
We believe the increasing focus on climate change, including the Company's targets for greenhouse gas reductions, and evolving regulatory requirements will materially impact our future capital expenditures and results of operations.
We have changed and may continue to be required to change certain operating procedures, for example slowing the speed of our ships, to meet regulatory requirements, which could adversely impact our operations.
We are also evaluating the effects of global climate change related requirements, which are still evolving, including our ability to mitigate certain future expenses through initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; consequently, the full impact to the Company is not yet known.
The Company continues to experience strong consumer demand as the majority of new bookings have shifted to 2025 sailings. As a result, the Company remains at the upper range of its optimal booked position on a 12-month forward basis.
However, global macroeconomic events have created volatility and disruptions in the past that have adversely impacted our costs and they may do so again in the future.
We are exposed to fluctuations in the euro exchange rate for certain portions of ship construction contracts that have not been hedged.