Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-35784
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Bermuda
98-0691007
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
7665 Corporate Center Drive, Miami, Florida 33126
33126
(Address of principal executive offices)
(zip code)
(305) 436-4000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share
NCLH
The New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ⌧ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ⌧
Accelerated filer ◻
Non-accelerated filer ◻
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
There were 419,101,117 ordinary shares outstanding as of April 30, 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
3
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
23
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
37
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
38
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 6.
Exhibits
39
SIGNATURES
41
2
Item 1. Financial Statements
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2022
2021
Revenue
Passenger ticket
$
342,455
166
Onboard and other
179,485
2,934
Total revenue
521,940
3,100
Cruise operating expense
Commissions, transportation and other
87,958
9,033
32,550
1,259
Payroll and related
240,727
82,138
Fuel
135,509
42,603
Food
39,516
6,308
Other
199,153
59,514
Total cruise operating expense
735,413
200,855
Other operating expense
Marketing, general and administrative
296,207
203,195
Depreciation and amortization
179,076
170,316
Total other operating expense
475,283
373,511
Operating loss
(688,756)
(571,266)
Non-operating income (expense)
Interest expense, net
(327,685)
(824,441)
Other income (expense), net
38,120
27,243
Total non-operating income (expense)
(289,565)
(797,198)
Net loss before income taxes
(978,321)
(1,368,464)
Income tax expense
(4,393)
(1,728)
Net loss
(982,714)
(1,370,192)
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic
417,734,591
329,377,207
Diluted
Loss per share
(2.35)
(4.16)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Shipboard Retirement Plan
2,476
98
Cash flow hedges:
Net unrealized gain (loss)
39,304
(73,037)
Amount realized and reclassified into earnings
(7,502)
21,838
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
34,278
(51,101)
Total comprehensive loss
(948,436)
(1,421,293)
4
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
2,136,840
1,506,647
Short-term investments
—
240,000
Accounts receivable, net
544,961
1,167,473
Inventories
141,956
118,205
Prepaid expenses and other assets
390,753
269,243
Total current assets
3,214,510
3,301,568
Property and equipment, net
13,532,399
13,528,806
Goodwill
98,134
Trade names
500,525
Other long-term assets
1,909,924
1,300,804
Total assets
19,255,492
18,729,837
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt
1,009,741
876,890
Accounts payable
91,786
233,172
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,097,828
1,059,034
Advance ticket sales
1,977,325
1,561,336
Total current liabilities
4,176,680
3,730,432
Long-term debt
12,563,518
11,569,700
Other long-term liabilities
1,007,692
997,055
Total liabilities
17,747,890
16,297,187
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares, $0.001 par value; 980,000,000 shares authorized; 419,100,690 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and 416,891,915 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021
419
417
Additional paid-in capital
7,537,111
7,513,725
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(250,808)
(285,086)
Accumulated deficit
(5,779,120)
(4,796,406)
Total shareholders’ equity
1,507,602
2,432,650
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense
195,464
183,808
Gain on derivatives
(19,779)
(18,687)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
188,433
621,894
Provision for bad debts and inventory obsolescence
1,294
4,329
Gain on involuntary conversion of assets
(418)
Share-based compensation expense
32,792
26,601
Net foreign currency adjustments
(4,126)
(5,141)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
618,853
(2,648)
(24,141)
(2,351)
(632,610)
(406,807)
(136,767)
6,626
(25,587)
35,341
417,877
75,634
Net cash used in operating activities
(371,011)
(852,011)
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property and equipment, net
(165,284)
(136,350)
Purchases of short-term investments
(205,000)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
Cash paid on settlement of derivatives
(4,642)
4,940
2,726
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
79,656
(343,266)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt
(935,444)
(870,396)
Proceeds from long-term debt
2,073,175
1,161,672
Common share issuance proceeds, net
1,558,412
Proceeds from employee related plans
2,557
1,089
Net share settlement of restricted share units
(11,961)
(16,043)
Early redemption premium
(172,012)
(611,164)
Deferred financing fees
(34,767)
(25,742)
Net cash provided by financing activities
921,548
1,197,828
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
630,193
2,551
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
3,300,482
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
3,303,033
6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Accumulated
Additional
Total
Ordinary
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Shareholders’
Shares
Capital
Income (Loss)
Deficit
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2021
Share-based compensation
Issuance of shares under employee related plans
2,555
Other comprehensive income, net
Balance, March 31, 2022
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Balance, December 31, 2020
316
4,889,355
(240,117)
(295,449)
4,354,105
54
1,558,358
Cumulative change in accounting policy
(131,240)
5,630
(125,610)
Other comprehensive loss, net
Balance, March 31, 2021
370
6,328,120
(291,218)
(1,660,011)
4,377,261
7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to (i) the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to NCLH (as defined below) and its subsidiaries (including Prestige (as defined below), (ii) “NCLC” refers to NCL Corporation Ltd., (iii) “NCLH” refers to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., (iv) “Norwegian Cruise Line” or “Norwegian” refers to the Norwegian Cruise Line brand and its predecessors, and (v) “Prestige” refers to Prestige Cruises International S. de R.L. (formerly Prestige Cruises International, Inc.), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Prestige Cruise Holdings S. de R.L. (formerly Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc.), Prestige’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, which in turn is the parent of Oceania Cruises S. de R.L. (formerly Oceania Cruises, Inc.) (“Oceania Cruises”) and Seven Seas Cruises S. de R.L. (“Regent”) (Oceania Cruises also refers to the brand by the same name and Regent also refers to the brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises).
References to the “U.S.” are to the United States of America, and “dollar(s)” or “$” are to U.S. dollars, the “U.K.” are to the United Kingdom and “euro(s)” or “€” are to the official currency of the Eurozone. We refer you to “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Terminology” for the capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined throughout these notes to consolidated financial statements.
1. Description of Business and Organization
We are a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. As of March 31, 2022, we had 28 ships with approximately 59,150 Berths and had orders for nine additional ships to be delivered through 2027. Due to COVID-19, we temporarily suspended all global cruise voyages from March 2020 until July 2021, when we resumed cruise voyages on a limited basis. We refer you to Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further information.
We have six Prima Class Ships on order with expected delivery dates from 2022 through 2027. We have one Explorer Class Ship on order for delivery in 2023. We have two Allura Class Ships on order for delivery in 2023 and 2025. These additions to our fleet will increase our total Berths to approximately 83,000.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Liquidity and Management’s Plan
Due to the impact of COVID-19, travel restrictions and limited access to ports around the world, in March 2020, the Company implemented a voluntary suspension of all cruise voyages across its three brands. In the third quarter of 2021, we began a phased relaunch of certain cruise voyages with our ships initially operating at reduced occupancy levels. As of May 7, 2022, all of our ships were operating with guests on board.
Significant events affecting travel typically have an impact on demand for cruise vacations, with the full extent of the impact determined by the length of time the event influences travel decisions. The level of occupancy on our ships and the percentage of our fleet in service will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic, further resurgences and new more contagious and/or vaccine-resistant variants of COVID-19, the availability, distribution, rate of public acceptance and efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and implement new health and safety protocols, port availability, travel restrictions, bans and advisories, our ability to staff our ships, and the impact of other events impacting travel or consumer discretionary spending, such as inflation, the price of fuel, or Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine and the actions taken by the United States and other governments in response to the invasion. We believe the ongoing effects of these events on our operations and global bookings have had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on our financial results and liquidity.
8
The estimation of our future cash flow projections includes numerous assumptions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Our principal assumptions for future cash flow projections include:
We cannot make assurances that our assumptions used to estimate our liquidity requirements will not change due to the unique and ongoing unpredictable nature of the events, including the magnitude and duration. Accordingly, the full effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and other events impacting travel and consumer discretionary spending, including Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, on our financial performance and financial condition cannot be quantified at this time. We have made reasonable estimates and judgments of the impact of these events within our financial statements and there may be material changes to those estimates in future periods. We have taken actions to improve our liquidity, including completing various capital market transactions and making capital expenditure and operating expense reductions, and we expect to continue to pursue other opportunities to improve our liquidity.
Based on these actions and assumptions regarding the impact of COVID-19 and other events impacting travel and consumer discretionary spending, including Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, and considering our available liquidity of $3.1 billion as of March 31, 2022, including cash and cash equivalents and our $1 billion undrawn commitment, we have concluded that we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations for at least the next twelve months.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in our opinion, contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented.
Our operations are seasonal and results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year. Historically, demand for cruises has been strongest during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months; however, our cruise voyages were completely suspended from March 2020 until July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our resumption of cruise voyages was phased in gradually. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022.
Revisions to Previously Reported Quarterly Financial Statements
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company identified an error in its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Based on their nature, certain amounts shown as cash and cash equivalents should have been classified as short-term investments. We have determined that these errors were not material to the previously issued interim financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2021.
9
As a result of the error, the amounts previously reported as cash and cash equivalents have been reclassified to cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended March 31, 2021
Previously
As
Reported
Adjustments
Net cash used in investing activities
(138,266)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
207,551
3,508,033
Loss Per Share
A reconciliation between basic and diluted loss per share was as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
Dilutive effect of share awards
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic loss per share
Diluted loss per share
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, a total of 86.4 million and 120.8 million, respectively, shares have been excluded from diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.
Foreign Currency
The majority of our transactions are settled in U.S. dollars. We remeasure assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in other currencies are recognized in our consolidated statements of operations within other income (expense), net. We recognized a gain of $8.4 million and $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to transactions denominated in other currencies.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
The amortization of deferred financing fees is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of cash flows; however, for purposes of the consolidated statements of operations they are included in interest expense, net.
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable, net included $426.2 million and $1.1 billion due from credit card processors as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provided guidance to alleviate the burden in accounting for reference rate reform by allowing certain expedients and exceptions in applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions
10
impacted by reference rate reform. The provisions apply only to those transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. Adoption of the provisions of ASU 2020-04 are optional and are effective from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, we have not adopted any expedients and exceptions under ASU 2020-04. We will continue to evaluate the impact of ASU 2020-04 on our consolidated financial statements.
3. Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors in various geographical regions. Revenues by destination were as follows (in thousands):
North America
487,435
Europe
24,797
Asia-Pacific
8,292
South America
1,416
Amounts for the comparative three months ended March 31, 2021 are excluded as the information is not meaningful. North America includes the U.S., the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. Europe includes the Baltic region, Canary Islands and Mediterranean. Asia-Pacific includes Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Other includes all other international territories.
Segment Reporting
We have concluded that our business has a single reportable segment. Each brand, Norwegian, Oceania Cruises and Regent, constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and management regularly reviews the brand level operating results and, therefore, each brand is considered an operating segment. Our operating segments have similar economic and qualitative characteristics, including similar long-term margins and similar products and services; therefore, we aggregate all of the operating segments into one reportable segment.
Although we sell cruises on an international basis, our passenger ticket revenue is primarily attributed to U.S.-sourced guests who make reservations in the U.S. Revenue attributable to U.S.-sourced guests has approximated 80-87% of total revenue over the preceding three fiscal years. No other individual country’s revenues exceed 10% in any given period.
Contract Balances
Receivables from customers are included within accounts receivable, net. As of March 31, 2022, our receivables from customers were $53.3 million.
Our cancellation policies permit guests to cancel cruises booked within certain windows for specified time periods up to 15 days prior to departure, and the guests will receive future cruise credits. Certain cruises booked for certain periods will be permitted a 60-day or 75-day cancellation window for refunds. Future cruise credits that have been issued are generally valid for any sailing through December 31, 2022, and we may extend this offer. The future cruise credits are not contracts, and therefore, guests who elected this option are excluded from our contract liability balance; however, the credit for the original amount paid is included in advance ticket sales.
Our contract liabilities are included within advance ticket sales. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our contract liabilities were $1.0 billion and $161.8 million, respectively. Of the amounts included within contract liabilities,
11
approximately 40% were refundable in accordance with our cancellation policies. Of the deposits included within advance ticket sales, the vast majority are refundable in accordance with our cancellation policies and it is uncertain to what extent guests may request refunds. Refunds payable to guests are included in accounts payable. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, $97.0 million of revenue recognized was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period.
For cruise vacations that had been cancelled by us due to COVID-19, during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, approximately $0.3 million and $14.8 million, respectively, in costs to obtain these contracts, consisting of protected commissions, including those paid to employees, and credit card fees, were recognized in earnings.
4. Leases
Operating lease balances were as follows (in thousands):
Balance Sheet location
March 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Operating leases
Right-of-use assets
798,885
794,187
Current operating lease liabilities
36,487
34,407
Non-current operating lease liabilities
671,082
670,688
5. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
Change
Related to
Shipboard
Cash Flow
Retirement
Hedges
Plan
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of period
(279,696)
(5,390)
Current period other comprehensive income before reclassifications
41,685
2,381
Amounts reclassified into earnings
(7,407)
(1)
95
(2)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period
(247,894)
(3)
(2,914)
12
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was as follows (in thousands):
(234,334)
(5,783)
Current period other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
21,936
(285,533)
(5,685)
6. Long-Term Debt
In February 2022, NCLC conducted a private offering (the “Notes Offering”) of $1,000 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior secured notes due 2027 (the “2027 Secured Notes”) and $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.750% senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 Unsecured Notes”).
The 2027 Secured Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by Pride of Hawaii, LLC, Norwegian Epic, Ltd. and Sirena Acquisition. The 2027 Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by a first-priority interest in, among other things and subject to certain agreed security principles, three of our vessels, namely the Norwegian Jade vessel, the Norwegian Epic vessel and the Sirena vessel.
NCLC may redeem the 2027 Secured Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2024, at a “make-whole” redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. NCLC may redeem the 2027 Secured Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time on or after February 15, 2024, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2027 Secured Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2024, NCLC may choose to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Secured Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, subject to certain restrictions, at a redemption price equal to 105.875% of the principal amount of the 2027 Secured Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, so long as at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Secured Notes issued remains outstanding following such redemption.
NCLC may redeem the 2029 Unsecured Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to November 15, 2028, at a “make-whole” redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. NCLC may redeem the 2029 Unsecured Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time on or after November 15, 2028, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2029 Unsecured Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2025, NCLC may choose to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Unsecured Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, subject to certain restrictions, at a redemption price equal to 107.750% of the principal amount of the 2029 Unsecured Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, so long as at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Unsecured Notes issued remains outstanding following such redemption.
13
The indentures governing the 2027 Secured Notes and the 2029 Unsecured Notes include requirements that, among other things and subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, restrict the ability of NCLC and its restricted subsidiaries, as applicable, to (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, equity interests and make other restricted payments; (iii) make investments; (iv) consummate certain asset sales; (v) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; (vi) grant or assume certain liens; and (vii) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets.
In February 2022, NCLC also conducted a private offering (the “Exchangeable Notes Offering”) of $473.2 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.5% exchangeable senior notes due 2027 (the “2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes”). The 2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes are guaranteed by NCLH on a senior basis. Holders may exchange their 2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes at their option into redeemable preference shares of NCLC. Upon exchange, the preference shares will be immediately and automatically exchanged, for each $1,000 principal amount of exchanged 2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes, into a number of NCLH’s ordinary shares based on the exchange rate. The exchange rate will initially be 28.9765 ordinary shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes (equivalent to an initial exchange price of approximately $34.51 per ordinary share). The maximum exchange rate is 44.1891 and reflects potential adjustments to the initial exchange rate, which would only be made in the event of certain make-whole fundamental changes or tax redemption events. The exchange rate referred to above is also subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction. The 2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes pay interest at 2.5% per annum, semiannually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1, respectively.
NCLC has used, or will use, the net proceeds from the Notes Offering and the Exchangeable Notes Offering to redeem (the “Redemption”) all of the outstanding 2024 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Secured Notes and to make scheduled principal payments on debt maturing in 2022, including, in each case, to pay any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, as well as related premiums, fees and expenses. Simultaneously with the Redemption, and pursuant to certain provisions contained in the indentures governing the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2028 Senior Unsecured Notes, each of the guarantors party to such indentures were released from their obligations thereunder. The resulting losses on extinguishments, which are recognized in interest expense, net, were $188.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Exchangeable Notes
The following is a summary of NCLC’s exchangeable notes as of March 31, 2022 (in thousands):
Unamortized
Principal
Deferred
Net Carrying
Fair Value
Amount
Financing Fees
Leveling
2024 Exchangeable Notes
146,601
(3,110)
143,491
258,692
Level 2
2025 Exchangeable Notes
450,000
(8,074)
441,926
654,773
2027 1.125% Exchangeable Notes
1,150,000
(27,647)
1,122,353
1,082,840
2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes
473,175
(11,982)
461,193
465,112
The following is a summary of NCLC’s exchangeable notes as of December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Unamortized Debt
Discount,
including Deferred
(3,408)
143,193
249,358
(8,525)
441,475
642,591
(28,948)
1,121,052
1,088,510
14
The following provides a summary of the interest expense of NCLC’s exchangeable notes (in thousands):
Coupon interest
12,992
24,140
Amortization of deferred financing fees
2,275
2,893
15,267
27,033
The effective interest rate is 7.07%, 5.97%, 1.64% and 3.06% for the 2024 Exchangeable Notes, 2025 Exchangeable Notes, 2027 1.125% Exchangeable Notes and 2027 2.5% Exchangeable Notes, respectively.
Debt Repayments
The following are scheduled principal repayments on our long-term debt including finance lease obligations as of March 31, 2022 for each of the following periods (in thousands):
Year
Remainder of 2022
865,990
2023
937,406
2024
3,686,473
2025
1,070,923
2026
1,974,309
2027
3,025,297
Thereafter
2,205,433
13,765,831
Debt Covenants
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we received certain financial and other debt covenant waivers, added new free liquidity requirements and modified other financial covenants. As of March 31, 2022, taking into account such waivers, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. If we do not continue to remain in compliance with our covenants, including following the expiration of any current waivers, we would have to seek additional amendments to our covenants. However, no assurances can be made that such amendments would be approved by our lenders. Generally, if an event of default under any debt agreement occurs, then pursuant to cross default and/or cross acceleration clauses, substantially all of our outstanding debt and derivative contract payables could become due, and all debt and derivative contracts could be terminated, which would have a material adverse impact on our operations and liquidity.
7. Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives
Fair value is defined as the price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or to transfer a liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).
Fair Value Hierarchy
The following hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available:
Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement dates.
Level 2 Significant other observable inputs that are used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources.
15
Level 3 Significant unobservable inputs we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available.
Derivatives
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. We assess whether derivatives used in hedging transactions are “highly effective” in offsetting changes in the cash flow of our hedged forecasted transactions. We use regression analysis for this hedge relationship and high effectiveness is achieved when a statistically valid relationship reflects a high degree of offset and correlation between the fair values of the derivative and the hedged forecasted transaction. Cash flows from the derivatives are classified in the same category as the cash flows from the underlying hedged transaction. If it is determined that the hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, then the amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is released to earnings. There are no amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and there are no credit-risk-related contingent features in our derivative agreements. We monitor concentrations of credit risk associated with financial and other institutions with which we conduct significant business. Credit risk, including but not limited to counterparty non-performance under derivatives, is not considered significant, as we primarily conduct business with large, well-established financial institutions with which we have established relationships, and which have credit risks acceptable to us, or the credit risk is spread out among many creditors. We do not anticipate non-performance by any of our significant counterparties.
As of March 31, 2022, we had fuel swaps, which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility of fuel prices pertaining to approximately 347 thousand metric tons of our projected fuel purchases, maturing through December 31, 2023.
As of March 31, 2022, we had approximately 164 thousand metric tons which were not designated as cash flow hedges maturing through December 31, 2023.
As of March 31, 2022, we had foreign currency forward contracts, matured foreign currency options and matured foreign currency collars which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility in foreign currency exchange rates related to our ship construction contracts denominated in euros. The notional amount of our foreign currency forward contracts was €2.4 billion, or $2.7 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2022.
16
The derivatives measured at fair value and the respective location in the consolidated balance sheets include the following (in thousands):
Liabilities
Balance Sheet Location
Derivative Contracts Designated as Hedging Instruments
Fuel contracts
81,704
29,349
36,764
19,554
Foreign currency contracts
1,478
4,898
558
134,845
98,592
87,560
73,496
Interest rate contracts
469
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
120,504
53,801
222,405
172,557
Derivative Contracts Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
26,743
10,836
9,146
3,476
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
35,889
14,312
Total derivatives
156,393
68,113
The fair values of swap and forward contracts are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. The Company determines the value of options and collars utilizing an option pricing model based on inputs that are either readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. The option pricing model used by the Company is an industry standard model for valuing options and is used by the broker/dealer community. The inputs to this option pricing model are the option strike price, underlying price, risk-free rate of interest, time to expiration, and volatility. The fair value of option contracts considers both the intrinsic value and any remaining time value associated with those derivatives that have not yet settled. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk and its own credit risk in its determination of all estimated fair values.
Our derivatives and financial instruments were categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, and we had no derivatives or financial instruments categorized as Level 1 or Level 3. Our derivative contracts include rights of offset with our counterparties. We have elected to net certain assets and liabilities within counterparties when the rights of offset exist. We are not required to post cash collateral related to our derivative instruments.
The following table discloses the gross and net amounts recognized within assets and liabilities (in thousands):
Gross
Amounts
Total Net
Offset
Not Offset
Net Amounts
155,835
(155,835)
(558)
221,847
(196,068)
25,779
(68,113)
(172,557)
17
The effects of cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):
Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Other Comprehensive
from Accumulated Other
Recognized in Other
Income (Loss) into
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Loss
Income (Expense)
(Loss) into Income (Expense)
Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2021
92,483
24,050
8,809
(8,171)
(10,190)
(53,179)
(97,441)
(1,267)
354
(40)
(2,210)
Total gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive loss
7,502
(21,838)
The effects of cash flow hedge accounting on the consolidated statements of operations include the following (in thousands):
Depreciation
and
Interest
Other Income
Amortization
Expense, net
(Expense), net
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated statements of operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded
327,685
824,441
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into income (expense)
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into income (expense) as a result that a forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring
The effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statements of operations include the following (in thousands):
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Location of Gain (Loss)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
29,743
32,172
18
Long-Term Debt
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $13.1 billion and $12.5 billion, respectively, which was $0.7 billion and $0.1 billion lower, respectively, than the carrying values, excluding deferred financing costs. The difference between the fair value and carrying value of our long-term debt is due to our fixed and variable rate debt obligations carrying interest rates that are above or below market rates at the measurement dates. The fair value of our long-term revolving and term loan facilities was calculated based on estimated rates for the same or similar instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities. The fair value of our exchangeable notes considers observable risk-free rates; credit spreads of the same or similar instruments; and share prices, tenors, and historical and implied volatilities which are sourced from observable market data. The inputs are considered to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Market risk associated with our long-term variable rate debt is the potential increase in interest expense from an increase in interest rates or from an increase in share values.
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets of all other financial assets and liabilities approximate fair value.
8. Employee Benefits and Compensation Plans
Restricted Share Unit Awards
In March 2022, NCLH granted 4.8 million time-based restricted share unit awards to our employees, which primarily vest in substantially equal installments over three years. Additionally, in March 2022, NCLH granted 1.9 million performance-based restricted share units to certain members of our management team, which vest upon the achievement of certain pre-established performance targets established through 2024 and the satisfaction of an additional time-based vesting requirement that generally requires continued employment through March 1, 2025.
The following is a summary of restricted share unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022:
Number of
Weighted-
Time-Based
Average Grant
Performance-
Market-
Awards
Date Fair Value
Based Awards
Non-vested as of January 1, 2022
7,771,623
27.02
1,841,113
35.68
50,000
59.43
Granted
4,818,563
18.52
1,857,750
18.48
Vested
(2,535,711)
36.15
(186,339)
55.27
Forfeited or expired
(84,504)
24.49
(292,043)
35.59
Non-vested as of March 31, 2022
9,969,971
20.62
3,220,481
24.63
The compensation expense recognized for share-based compensation for the periods presented include the following (in thousands):
Payroll and related expense
6,204
4,965
Marketing, general and administrative expense
26,588
21,636
Total share-based compensation expense
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Ship Construction Contracts
For the Norwegian brand, we have six Prima Class Ships on order, each ranging from approximately 140,000 to 156,300 Gross Tons with approximately 3,215 to 3,550 Berths, with expected delivery dates from 2022 through 2027. For the
19
Regent brand, we have an order for one Explorer Class Ship to be delivered in 2023, which will be approximately 55,000 Gross Tons and 750 Berths. For the Oceania Cruises brand, we have orders for two Allura Class Ships to be delivered in 2023 and 2025. Each of the Allura Class Ships will be approximately 67,000 Gross Tons and 1,200 Berths. The impacts of COVID-19 on the shipyards where our ships are under construction (or will be constructed) have resulted in some delays in expected ship deliveries, and the impacts of COVID-19 and/or Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine could result in additional delays in ship deliveries in the future, which may be prolonged.
The combined contract prices of the nine ships on order for delivery as of March 31, 2022 was approximately €7.7 billion, or $8.5 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2022. We have obtained export credit financing which is expected to fund approximately 80% of the contract price of each ship, subject to certain conditions. We do not anticipate any contractual breaches or cancellations to occur. However, if any such events were to occur, it could result in, among other things, the forfeiture of prior deposits or payments made by us and potential claims and impairment losses which may materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation
Investigations
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.
Helms-Burton Act
On August 27, 2019, two lawsuits were filed against Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996, also known as the Helms-Burton Act. The complaint filed by Havana Docks Corporation (the “Havana Docks Matter”) alleges it holds an interest in the Havana Cruise Port Terminal and the complaint filed by Javier Garcia-Bengochea (the “Garcia-Bengochea Matter”) alleges that he holds an interest in the Port of Santiago, Cuba, both of which were expropriated by the Cuban Government. The complaints further allege that the Company “trafficked” in those properties by embarking and disembarking passengers at these facilities, as well as profiting from the Cuban Government’s possession of the property. The plaintiffs seek all available statutory remedies, including the value of the expropriated property, plus interest, treble damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. On January 7, 2020, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida dismissed the claim by Havana Docks Corporation. On April 14, 2020, the district court granted Havana Docks Corporation’s motion to reconsider and vacated its order dismissing the claim, allowing Havana Docks Corporation to file an amended complaint on April 16, 2020. On April 24, 2020, we filed a motion seeking permission to appeal the district court’s order which was subsequently denied. Discovery in the Havana Docks Matter has now concluded and appropriate motions for summary judgment have been filed. On March 21, 2022, the court in the Havana Docks Matter issued an order granting the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment on the issue of liability and scheduled a trial on damages only for September 2022. The Company has filed a motion for interlocutory appeal seeking to have the appellate court review the district court’s order granting summary judgment and that motion remains pending. On September 1, 2020, the court in the Garcia-Bengochea Matter entered an order staying all case deadlines and administratively closed the case pending the outcome of an appeal in a related case brought by the same plaintiff. We believe we have meritorious defenses to the claims and intend to vigorously defend these matters. As of March 31, 2022, we are unable to reasonably estimate any potential loss or range of losses from these matters. The ability to make such estimates and judgments can be affected by various factors including, among other things: lack of legal precedent, stage of the proceedings, legal uncertainties inherent within the litigation process and involvement of numerous parties. However, if the plaintiffs prevail in the final outcome of these matters, there may be a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and cash flows.
20
In the normal course of our business, various other claims and lawsuits have been filed or are pending against us. Most of these claims and lawsuits are covered by insurance and, accordingly, the maximum amount of our liability is typically limited to our deductible amount.
Nonetheless, the ultimate outcome of these claims and lawsuits that are not covered by insurance cannot be determined at this time. We have evaluated our overall exposure with respect to all of our threatened and pending litigation and, to the extent required, we have accrued amounts for all estimable probable losses associated with our deemed exposure. We are currently unable to estimate any other potential losses beyond those accrued, as discovery is not complete nor is adequate information available to estimate such range of loss or potential recovery. However, based on our current knowledge, we do not believe that the aggregate amount or range of reasonably possible losses with respect to these matters will be material to our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We intend to vigorously defend our legal position on all claims and, to the extent necessary, seek recovery.
Other Contingencies
The Company also has agreements with its credit card processors that govern approximately $1.7 billion in advance ticket sales at March 31, 2022 that have been received by the Company relating to future voyages. These agreements allow the credit card processors to require under certain circumstances, including the existence of a material adverse change, excessive chargebacks and other triggering events, that the Company maintain a reserve which would be satisfied by posting collateral. Although the agreements vary, these requirements may generally be satisfied either through a percentage of customer payments withheld or providing cash funds directly to the card processor. Any cash reserve or collateral requested could be increased or decreased. As of March 31, 2022, we had cash reserves of approximately $1.1 billion with credit card processors, of which approximately $426.2 million is recognized in accounts receivable, net and approximately $665.3 million in other long-term assets. As of March 31, 2022, a portion of the cash reserves is classified as long-term due to a change in terms to a static reserve, as currently required by a credit card processor, subject to periodic review. We may be required to pledge additional collateral and/or post additional cash reserves or take other actions that may further reduce our liquidity.
10. Other Income (Expense), Net
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 other income (expense), net consisted of income of $38.1 million and $27.2 million, respectively, primarily due to gains on fuel swaps not designated as hedges and foreign currency exchange.
11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we had non-cash investing activities consisting of changes in accruals related to property and equipment of $17.4 million and $20.8 million, respectively.
12. Related Party Disclosures
NCLC, as issuer, NCLH, as guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, were all parties to an indenture, dated May 28, 2020 (the “Indenture”) related to the Private Exchangeable Notes, which were held by an affiliate of L Catterton (the “Private Investor”). Based on the initial exchange rate for the Private Exchangeable Notes, the Private Investor beneficially owned approximately 10% of NCLH’s outstanding ordinary shares as of December 31, 2020. The initial exchange rate for the Private Exchangeable Notes could have been adjusted in the event of certain make-whole fundamental changes or tax redemption events (each, as described in the Indenture), but the maximum number of NCLH ordinary shares issuable upon an exchange in the event of such an adjustment would not have exceeded 46,577,947. The Private Exchangeable Notes also contained certain anti-dilution provisions that could have subjected the exchange rate to additional adjustment if certain events had occurred.
21
NCLH, NCLC and the Private Investor also entered into an investor rights agreement, dated May 28, 2020 (the “Investor Rights Agreement”), which provided that, among other things, the Private Investor was entitled to nominate one person for appointment to the board of directors of NCLH until the first date on which the Private Investor no longer beneficially owned in the aggregate at least 50% of the number of NCLH’s ordinary shares issuable upon exchange of the Private Exchangeable Notes beneficially owned by the Private Investor in the aggregate as of May 28, 2020 (subject to certain adjustments).
The Investor Rights Agreement also provided for customary registration rights for the Private Investor and its affiliates, including demand and piggyback registration rights, contained customary transfer restrictions and provided that the Private Investor and its affiliates were subject to a voting agreement with respect to certain matters during a specified period of time.
In a privately negotiated transaction among NCLH, NCLC and the Private Investor, NCLC agreed to repurchase all of the outstanding Private Exchangeable Notes for an aggregate repurchase price of approximately $1.0 billion (the “Repurchase”). On March 9, 2021, in connection with the settlement of the Repurchase, the trustee cancelled the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Private Exchangeable Notes and confirmed that NCLC had satisfied and discharged its obligations under the Indenture. In connection with the Repurchase, we and the Private Investor agreed to terminate the Investor Rights Agreement effective upon the consummation of the Repurchase. Notwithstanding the termination, we and the Private Investor agreed that certain provisions related to indemnification and expense reimbursement would survive in accordance with their terms.
22
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained, or incorporated by reference, in this report, including, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects, actions taken or strategies being considered with respect to our liquidity position, valuation and appraisals of our assets and objectives of management for future operations (including those regarding expected fleet additions, our ability to weather the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our expectations regarding the impact of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, our expectations regarding cruise voyage occupancy, the implementation of and effectiveness of our health and safety protocols, operational position, demand for voyages, plans or goals for our sustainability program and decarbonization efforts, our expectations for future cash flows and profitability, financing opportunities and extensions, and future cost mitigation and cash conservation efforts and efforts to reduce operating expenses and capital expenditures) are forward-looking statements. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “future” and similar words. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the impact of:
24
Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and will continue to be amplified by, or in the future may be amplified by, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown.
The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our present and future business strategies and the environment in which we expect to operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based, except as required by law.
Terminology
This report includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted Gross Margin, Net Cruise Cost, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS. Definitions of these non- GAAP financial measures are included below. For further information about our non-GAAP financial measures including detailed adjustments made in calculation our non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, we refer you to “Results of Operations” below.
Unless otherwise indicated in this report, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
25
26
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted Gross Margin, Net Cruise Cost, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS, to enable us to analyze our performance. See “Terminology” for the definitions of these and other non-GAAP financial measures. We utilize Adjusted Gross Margin to manage our business on a day-to-day basis because it reflects revenue earned net of certain direct variable costs. We also utilize Net Cruise Cost and Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel to manage our business on a day-to-day basis. In measuring our ability to control costs in a manner that positively impacts net income (loss), we believe changes in Adjusted Gross Margin, Net Cruise Cost and Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel to be the most relevant indicators of our performance. As a result of our voluntary suspension of sailings from March 2020 until July 2021 and our gradual phased return to service beginning in July 2021, per Capacity Day data is not meaningful for the three months ended March 31, 2022 or March 31, 2021 and is not presented herein.
As our business includes the sourcing of passengers and deployment of vessels outside of the U.S., a portion of our revenue and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, particularly British pound, Canadian dollar, Euro and Australian dollar which are subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates versus our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. In order to monitor results excluding these fluctuations, we calculate certain non-GAAP measures on a Constant Currency basis, whereby current period revenue and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates of the comparable period. We believe that presenting these non-GAAP measures on both a reported and Constant Currency basis is useful in providing a more comprehensive view of trends in our business.
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate as a supplemental financial measure as it is used by management to assess operating performance. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure in determining our performance as it reflects certain operating drivers of our business, such as sales growth, operating costs, marketing, general and administrative expense and other operating income and expense. Adjusted EBITDA is not a defined term under GAAP nor is it intended to be a measure of liquidity or cash flows from operations or a measure comparable to net income (loss), as it does not take into account certain requirements such as capital expenditures and related depreciation, principal and interest payments and tax payments and it includes other supplemental adjustments.
In addition, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain amounts and are used to supplement GAAP net loss and EPS. We use Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS as key performance measures of our earnings performance. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparison to our historical performance. In addition, management uses Adjusted EPS as a performance measure for our incentive compensation during normal operations. The amounts excluded in the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may vary from period to period; accordingly, our presentation of Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS may not be indicative of future adjustments or results.
You are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment used in calculating our non-GAAP financial measures and the reasons we consider our non-GAAP financial measures appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating our non-GAAP financial measures, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in our presentation. Our non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider these
27
measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Our presentation of our non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies. Please see a historical reconciliation of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measure presented in our consolidated financial statements below in the “Results of Operations” section.
Financial Presentation
We categorize revenue from our cruise and cruise-related activities as either “passenger ticket” revenue or “onboard and other” revenue. Passenger ticket revenue and onboard and other revenue vary according to product offering, the size of the ship in operation, the length of cruises operated and the markets in which the ship operates. Our revenue is seasonal based on demand for cruises, which has historically been strongest during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months; however, our cruise voyages were completely suspended from March 2020 until July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our resumption of cruise voyages was phased in gradually. Passenger ticket revenue primarily consists of revenue for accommodations, meals in certain restaurants on the ship, certain onboard entertainment, and includes revenue for service charges and air and land transportation to and from the ship to the extent guests purchase these items from us. Onboard and other revenue primarily consists of revenue from gaming, beverage sales, shore excursions, specialty dining, retail sales, spa services and photo services. Our onboard revenue is derived from onboard activities we perform directly or that are performed by independent concessionaires, from which we receive a share of their revenue.
Our cruise operating expense is classified as follows:
Critical Accounting Policies
For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates, see “Critical Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We have made no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Russia’s Recent Invasion of Ukraine
The conflict from Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine resulted in the cancellation or modification of approximately 60 sailings in 2022, which included all voyages with calls to ports in Russia. Three ships were redeployed as a result of the
28
conflict including Norwegian Getaway to Port Canaveral, Oceania Cruises’ Marina to the British Isles and Regent’s Seven Seas Splendor to Northern Europe. In addition, the Company has also removed all calls to ports in Russia from its itineraries in 2023. In addition to the direct impacts noted above, the conflict has also had indirect impacts to customer demand (see “Update on Bookings”) and the cost of fuel and could continue to have an impact on travel and consumer discretionary spending.
Update Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic
Safe Resumption of Operations
Due to the impact of COVID-19, travel restrictions and limited access to ports around the world, in March 2020, the Company implemented a voluntary suspension of all cruise voyages across our three brands. In the third quarter of 2021, we began a phased relaunch of certain cruise voyages with ships initially operating at reduced occupancy levels. As of May 7, 2022, all of our 28 ships are operating with guests on board. The level of occupancy on our ships and the percentage of our fleet in service will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic, further resurgences and new more contagious and/or vaccine-resistant variants of COVID-19, the availability, distribution, rate of public acceptance and efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19, our ability to comply with governmental regulations and implement new health and safety protocols, port availability, travel restrictions, bans and advisories, our ability to staff certain ships and additionally the impact of other events impacting travel or consumer discretionary spending, such as Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine.
In recent months, the Company has seen a significant improvement in the global public health and regulatory environment. In March, the CDC removed its Travel Health Notice for cruising for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The CDC also recently announced a relaxation of certain protocols and recommendations in its voluntary COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. Waters. In addition, more ports globally have re-opened to cruise and travel restrictions continue to ease around the world creating a more favorable environment for ship deployment. The Company continues to operate under its science-backed SailSAFE health and safety program which will evolve along with the public health environment. The Company also follows applicable local protocols at the ports and destinations it visits.
Our COVID-19 vaccination policy requires that all guests, with the exception of guests under the age of 12 on Norwegian Cruise Line sailings beginning March 1, 2022, and all crew must be vaccinated. In the U.S., certain states have enacted legislation prohibiting companies from verifying the vaccination status of guests. We challenged such a prohibition in Florida in court and received a preliminary injunction allowing us to operate as planned. We continue to work with other federal agencies, public health authorities and national and local governments in areas where we operate to take all necessary measures to protect our guests, crew and the communities visited.
Modified Policies
We have launched cancellation policies for certain sailings booked during certain time periods to permit our guests to cancel cruises which were not part of a temporary suspension of voyages up to 15 days prior to embarkation and receive a refund in the form of a credit to be applied toward a future cruise. These programs are in place for cruises booked through specific time periods specified by brand. Certain cruises booked for certain periods, will be permitted a 60-day or 75-day cancellation window for refunds. The future cruise credits issued under these programs are generally valid for any sailing through December 31, 2022, and we may extend the length of time these future cruise credits may be redeemed. The use of such credits may prevent us from garnering certain future cash collections as staterooms booked by guests with such credits will not be available for sale, resulting in less cash collected from bookings to new guests. We may incur incremental commission expense for the use of these future cruise credits. In addition, to provide more flexibility to our guests, we modified our final payment schedules to require payment 60 days prior to embarkation versus the standard 120 days for most voyages on Regent Seven Seas Cruises through July 31, 2022, for certain voyages on Oceania Cruises through September 30, 2022 and for all voyages on Norwegian Cruise Line through April 30, 2022.
29
Financing Transactions
In 2022, we have continued to take actions to bolster our financial condition while our global cruise voyages are disrupted. To enhance our liquidity profile and financial flexibility, in February 2022, we received additional financing through various debt financings, collectively totaling $2.1 billion in gross proceeds, which has been, or will be, used to redeem all of the outstanding 2024 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Secured Notes and to make scheduled principal payments on debt maturing in 2022, including, in each case, to pay any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, as well as related premiums, fees and expenses. See Note 6 – “Long-Term Debt” for more information.
Update on Bookings
The quarter began with net bookings, particularly for close-in voyages, negatively impacted by the Omicron surge, which began to improve in mid-January. This momentum was temporarily disrupted as the Company experienced elevated cancellations, primarily for itineraries in the Baltic region, in the immediate weeks following the start of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. However, this impact was short-lived and net booking volumes have since shown sequential improvement, not only rebounding back to pre-Omicron levels but also now approaching the booking pace needed to consistently sail at historical load factor levels.
As a result of the temporary setbacks from Omicron and Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, the Company’s current cumulative booked position for the second half of 2022 is below the comparable 2019 period but at meaningfully higher pricing even when including the dilutive impact of future cruise credits. The booked position improves throughout the year with the fourth quarter of 2022 in line with the comparable 2019 period and at meaningfully higher prices. Booking trends for 2023 continue to be positive with both booked position and pricing significantly higher and at record levels when compared to bookings for 2019 and pre-pandemic 2020 at a comparable point in the booking curve. Our full fleet may not achieve historical occupancy levels on our expected schedule and as a result, current booking data may not be informative. In addition, because of our updated cancellation policies, bookings may not be representative of actual cruise revenues.
There are remaining uncertainties about when our full fleet will be back at historical occupancy levels and, accordingly, we cannot estimate the impact on our business, financial condition or near- or longer-term financial or operational results with certainty; however, we will report a net loss but expect net cash provided by operating activities to be positive during the second quarter of 2022.
Quarterly Overview
Three months ended March 31, 2022 (“2022”) compared to three months ended March 31, 2021 (“2021”)
30
We refer you to our “Results of Operations” below for a calculation of Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Net Loss, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth selected statistical information:
Passengers carried
191,150
Passenger Cruise Days
1,429,446
Capacity Days
2,978,353
Occupancy Percentage
48.0
%
Adjusted Gross Margin was calculated as follows (in thousands):
Constant
Currency
522,774
Less:
737,768
Ship depreciation
166,656
159,631
Gross margin
(380,129)
(381,650)
(357,386)
240,721
39,622
201,179
Adjusted Gross Margin
401,432
402,037
(7,192)
31
Gross Cruise Cost, Net Cruise Cost, Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel and Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel were calculated as follows (in thousands):
297,565
Gross Cruise Cost
1,031,620
1,035,333
404,050
Commissions, transportation and other expense
88,186
Onboard and other expense
Net Cruise Cost
911,112
914,597
393,758
Less: Fuel expense
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel
775,603
779,088
351,155
Less Non-GAAP Adjustments:
Non-cash deferred compensation (1)
699
905
Non-cash share-based compensation (2)
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel
742,112
745,597
323,649
Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS were calculated as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
1,012
1,003
Extinguishment and modification of debt (3)
674,019
Adjusted Net Loss
(760,477)
(668,569)
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding - Net loss and Adjusted Net Loss
Adjusted EPS
(1.82)
(2.03)
32
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA were calculated as follows (in thousands):
4,393
1,728
EBITDA
(471,560)
(373,707)
Other (income) expense, net (1)
(38,120)
(27,243)
Other Non-GAAP Adjustments:
Non-cash deferred compensation (2)
Non-cash share-based compensation (3)
Adjusted EBITDA
(476,189)
(373,444)
Total revenue increased to $521.9 million in 2022 compared to $3.1 million in 2021. In 2022, revenue increased as we returned to service with 1.4 million Passenger Cruise Days. In 2021, voyages were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expense
Total cruise operating expense increased 266.1% in 2022 compared to 2021. In 2022, our cruise operating expenses were increased due to the resumption of voyages, resulting in higher payroll, fuel, and direct variable costs of fully operating ships. Costs for certain items such as food, fuel and logistics also increased related to inflation. Additionally, in 2022, there was an increase in repair and maintenance costs, including planned Dry-docks. Gross Cruise Cost increased 155.3% in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily related to the change in costs described above plus an increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses primarily related to increased marketing costs as we returned to service. Total other operating expense increased 27.2% in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses.
Interest expense, net was $327.7 million in 2022 compared to $824.4 million in 2021. The decrease in interest expense reflects lower losses from extinguishment of debt and debt modification costs, which were $188.4 million in 2022 compared to $674.0 million in 2021. The decrease in interest expense also reflects lower interest expense in connection with the recent refinancings, partially offset by higher debt balances and higher LIBOR rates.
Other income (expense), net was income of $38.1 million in 2022 compared to $27.2 million in 2021. In 2022 and 2021, the income primarily related to gains on fuel swaps not designated as hedges and foreign currency exchange.
33
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
As of March 31, 2022, our liquidity was $3.1 billion consisting of cash and cash equivalents and a $1 billion undrawn commitment available through August 15, 2022. Our primary ongoing liquidity requirements are to finance working capital, capital expenditures and debt service.
In February 2022, we received additional financing through various debt financings, collectively totaling $2.1 billion in gross proceeds, which has been, or will be, used to redeem all of the outstanding 2024 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Secured Notes and to make scheduled principal payments on debt maturing in 2022, including, in each case, to pay any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, as well as related premiums, fees and expenses. Refer to Note 6 – “Long-Term Debt” for further information.
The Company's monthly average cash burn for the first quarter of 2022 was approximately $375 million, below the prior estimate of approximately $390 million. This cash burn rate does not include cash inflows from bookings or contribution from ships that re-entered service. Beginning in April 2022, the Company resumed debt amortization payments which were deferred during the pandemic.
Cash burn rates include ongoing ship operating expenses, administrative operating expenses, interest expense, taxes, debt deferral fees and expected non-newbuild capital expenditures and excludes cash refunds of customer deposits as well as cash inflows from new and existing bookings, newbuild related capital expenditures and other working capital changes. The first quarter of 2022 cash burn rate reflects the previously agreed to deferral of debt amortization and newbuild related payments.
The estimation of our future cash flow projections includes numerous assumptions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Refer to Note 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for further information on liquidity and management’s plan. Refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for further details regarding uncertainty related to Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine.
There can be no assurance that the accuracy of the assumptions used to estimate our liquidity requirements will be correct, and our ability to be predictive is uncertain due to the unknown magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the impact of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. Based on the liquidity estimates and our current resources, we have concluded we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations for at least the next 12 months. Nonetheless, we anticipate that we will need additional equity and/or debt financing to fund our operations in the future if a substantial portion of our fleet suspends cruise voyages or operates at significantly reduced occupancy levels for a prolonged period. There is no assurance that cash flows from operations and additional financings will be available in the future to fund our future obligations. Beyond 12 months, we will pursue refinancings and other balance sheet optimization transactions from time to time in order to reduce interest rates and extend debt maturities. We expect to collaborate with financing institutions regarding these refinancing and optimization transactions as opportunities arise in the short-term to amend long-term arrangements.
We have received certain financial and other debt covenant waivers and added new free liquidity requirements. At March 31, 2022, taking into account such waivers, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. If we do not continue to remain in compliance with our covenants, we would have to seek to amend the covenants. However, no assurances can be made that such amendments would be approved by our lenders. Generally, if an event of default under any debt agreement occurs, then pursuant to cross default and/or cross acceleration clauses, substantially all of our outstanding debt and derivative contract payables could become due, and all debt and derivative contracts could be terminated, which would have a material adverse impact to our operations and liquidity.
Since March 2020, Moody’s has downgraded our long-term issuer rating to B2, our senior secured rating to B1 and our senior unsecured rating to Caa1. Since April 2020, S&P Global has downgraded our issuer credit rating to B, lowered our issue-level rating on our $875 million Revolving Loan Facility and $1.5 billion Term Loan A Facility to BB-, our issue-level rating on our other senior secured notes to B+ and our senior unsecured rating to B-. If our credit ratings were
34
to be further downgraded, or general market conditions were to ascribe higher risk to our rating levels, our industry, or us, our access to capital and the cost of any debt or equity financing will be further negatively impacted. We also have capacity to incur additional indebtedness under our debt agreements and may issue additional ordinary shares from time to time, subject to our authorized number of ordinary shares. However, there is no guarantee that debt or equity financings will be available in the future to fund our obligations, or that they will be available on terms consistent with our expectations.
As of March 31, 2022, we had advance ticket sales of $2.2 billion, including the long-term portion, which included approximately $0.6 billion of future cruise credits. We also have agreements with our credit card processors that, as of March 31, 2022, governed approximately $1.7 billion in advance ticket sales that had been received by the Company relating to future voyages. These agreements allow the credit card processors to require under certain circumstances, including the existence of a material adverse change, excessive chargebacks and other triggering events, that the Company maintain a reserve which would be satisfied by posting collateral. Although the agreements vary, these requirements may generally be satisfied either through a percentage of customer payments withheld or providing cash funds directly to the card processor. Any cash reserve or collateral requested could be increased or decreased. As of March 31, 2022, we had cash collateral reserves of approximately $1.1 billion with credit card processors, of which approximately $426.2 million is recognized in accounts receivable, net and approximately $665.3 million in other long-term assets. We may be required to pledge additional collateral and/or post additional cash reserves or take other actions that may further reduce our liquidity.
Sources and Uses of Cash
In this section, references to “2022” refer to the three months ended March 31, 2022 and references to “2021” refer to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Net cash used in operating activities was $371.0 million in 2022 as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $852.0 million in 2021. The net cash used in operating activities included timing differences in cash receipts and payments relating to operating assets and liabilities. Advance ticket sales increased by $417.9 million in 2022. Advance ticket sales increased by $75.6 million in 2021 while the change in prepaid expenses and other assets, which contains our long-term reserves with credit card processors, decreased cash by $406.8 million in 2021.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $79.7 million in 2022 and net cash used in investing activities was $343.3 million in 2021. The net cash provided by investing activities was primarily related to maturities of short-term investments partially offset by newbuild payments and ship improvement projects in 2022. The net cash used in investing activities was primarily related to purchases of short-term investments in 2021.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.9 billion in 2022 primarily due to the proceeds of $2.1 billion from our various note offerings partially offset by debt repayments and related redemption premiums associated with extinguishment of certain senior secured notes. Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.2 billion in 2021 primarily due to the proceeds of $2.7 billion from our various note and equity offerings partially offset by debt repayments and a related redemption premium associated with extinguishment of the Private Exchangeable Notes.
Future Capital Commitments
Future capital commitments consist of contracted commitments, including ship construction contracts. Anticipated expenditures related to ship construction contracts were $1.6 billion for the remainder of 2022 and $2.5 billion and $1.4 billion for the years ending December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The Company has export credit financing in place for the anticipated expenditures related to ship construction contracts of $0.9 billion for the remainder of 2022 and $2.0 billion and $0.7 billion for the years ending December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Anticipated non-newbuild capital expenditures for the remainder of 2022 are approximately $0.3 billion, which includes health and safety investments. Future expected capital expenditures will significantly increase our depreciation and amortization expense.
35
The combined contract prices of the nine ships on order for delivery was approximately €7.7 billion, or $8.5 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2022. We have obtained export credit financing which is expected to fund approximately 80% of the contract price of each ship, subject to certain conditions. We do not anticipate any contractual breaches or cancellations to occur. However, if any such events were to occur, it could result in, among other things, the forfeiture of prior deposits or payments made by us and potential claims and impairment losses which may materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Capitalized interest for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $13.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively, primarily associated with the construction of our newbuild ships.
Material Cash Requirements
As of March 31, 2022, our material cash requirements for debt and ship construction were as follows (in thousands):
Remainder of
Long-term debt (1)
1,232,361
1,433,919
4,086,120
1,421,883
2,239,561
3,190,360
2,375,220
15,979,424
Ship construction contracts (2)
1,468,358
2,265,939
1,078,360
1,560,485
984,051
860,311
8,217,504
2,700,719
3,699,858
5,164,480
2,982,368
3,223,612
4,050,671
24,196,928
Funding Sources
Certain of our debt agreements contain covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain a minimum level of liquidity, as well as limit our net funded debt-to-capital ratio and maintain certain other ratios. Substantially all of our ships are pledged as collateral for certain of our debt. We have received certain financial and other debt covenant waivers through December 31, 2022 and added new free liquidity requirements. We believe we were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2022.
In addition, our existing debt agreements restrict, and any of our future debt arrangements may restrict, among other things, the ability of our subsidiaries, including NCLC, to make distributions and/or pay dividends to NCLH and NCLH’s ability to pay cash dividends to its shareholders. NCLH is a holding company and depends upon its subsidiaries for their ability to pay distributions to it to finance any dividend or pay any other obligations of NCLH. However, we do not believe that these restrictions have had or are expected to have an impact on our ability to meet any cash obligations.
We believe our cash on hand, the undrawn $1 billion commitment, the expected return of a portion of the cash collateral from our credit card processors, expected future operating cash inflows and our ability to issue debt securities or additional equity securities, will be sufficient to fund operations, debt payment requirements, capital expenditures and maintain compliance with covenants under our debt agreements over the next 12-month period. Certain debt covenant waivers and modifications were received in 2021 to enable the Company to maintain this compliance. Refer to “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—General” for further information regarding the debt covenant waivers and liquidity requirements.
36
Certain service providers may require collateral in the normal course of our business. The amount of collateral may change based on certain terms and conditions.
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. If any of these transactions were to occur, they may be financed through the incurrence of additional permitted indebtedness, through cash flows from operations, or through the issuance of debt, equity or equity-related securities.
We refer you to “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—General” for information regarding collateral provided to our credit card processors.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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 financial impacts of these derivative instruments are primarily offset by corresponding changes in the underlying exposures being hedged. We achieve this by closely matching the notional, term and conditions of the derivatives with the underlying risk being hedged. We do not hold or issue derivatives for trading or other speculative purposes. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including market valuations and sensitivity analyses.
Interest Rate Risk
As of March 31, 2022, 72% of our debt was fixed and 28% was variable. As of December 31, 2021, 72% of our debt was fixed and 28% was variable, which includes the effects of an interest rate swap that matured during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The notional amount of our outstanding debt associated with the interest rate swap was $0.2 billion as of December 31, 2021. Based on our March 31, 2022 outstanding variable rate debt balance, a one percentage point increase in annual LIBOR interest rates would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $38.3 million excluding the effects of capitalization of interest.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
As of March 31, 2022, we had foreign currency derivatives to hedge the exposure to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates related to our ship construction contracts denominated in euros. These derivatives hedge the foreign currency exchange rate risk on a portion of the payments on our ship construction contracts. The payments not hedged aggregate €4.8 billion, or $5.3 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, the payments not hedged aggregated €5.0 billion, or $5.7 billion, based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of December 31, 2021. The change from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 was due to the addition of foreign currency hedges. We estimate that a 10% change in the euro as of March 31, 2022 would result in a $0.5 billion change in the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency denominated remaining payments.
Fuel Price Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in fuel prices relates to the forecasted purchases of fuel on our ships. Fuel expense, as a percentage of our total cruise operating expense, was 18.4% and 21.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We use fuel derivative agreements to mitigate the financial impact of fluctuations in fuel prices and as of March 31, 2022, excluding fuel swaps for transactions that are no longer probable of occurrence, we had hedged approximately 41% and 24% of our remaining 2022 and 2023 projected metric tons of fuel purchases, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, we had hedged approximately 42% and 24% of our 2022 and 2023
projected metric tons of fuel purchases, respectively. The percentage of fuel purchases hedged changed between December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 primarily due to changes in forecasted purchases and the maturity of fuel swaps.
We estimate that a 10% increase in our weighted-average fuel price would increase our anticipated 2022 fuel expense by $62.7 million. This increase would be offset by an increase in the fair value of all our fuel swap agreements of $37.7 million. Fair value of our derivative contracts is derived using valuation models that utilize the income valuation approach. These valuation models take into account the contract terms such as maturity, as well as other inputs such as fuel types, fuel curves, creditworthiness of the counterparty and the Company, as well as other data points.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of March 31, 2022. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon management’s evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2022 to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only the reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions.
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See the section titled “Litigation” in “Item 1—Financial Statements—Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 9 Commitments and Contingencies” in Part I of this quarterly report for information about legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We refer you to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk factors that affect our business and financial results. We wish to caution you that the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, elsewhere in this report or other SEC filings, could cause future results to differ materially from those stated in any forward-looking statements. You should not interpret the disclosure of a risk to imply that the risk has not already materialized. COVID-19 has also had the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in the “Risk
Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, such as those relating to our need to generate sufficient cash flows to service our indebtedness, and our ability to comply with the covenants contained in the agreements that govern our indebtedness.
Other than updates to the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Global events and conditions, including terrorist acts, armed conflicts, including Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, acts of piracy, and other international events impacting the security of travel or the global economy, or threats thereof, could adversely affect our business.
Global events and conditions, including the threat or possibility of future terrorist acts, outbreaks of hostilities or armed conflict, political unrest and instability, the issuance of government travel advisories or elevated threat warnings, increases in the activity of pirates, and other geo-political uncertainties, or the possibility or fear of such events, have had in the past and may again in the future have an adverse impact on our business. Any of these events or conditions may adversely affect demand for, and by extension pricing of, our cruises. Such events or conditions may also have downstream effects on the global economic environment, including increased fuel and commodity pricing, supply chain shortages, labor shortages, volatility in the global capital markets, contraction of the global economy leading to decreased consumer discretionary spending, and other effects impossible to predict at this time.
Armed conflicts, including Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, have impacted, and could in the future impact, our profitability and product offering by limiting the destinations to which we can travel and our operations by making it more difficult to source crew members and third-party vendors from affected regions and making it more difficult or costly to source goods we need to run our operations or to build or maintain our ships. Further, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has created extreme volatility in the global financial markets and is expected to have further global economic consequences, including disruptions of the global supply chain and energy markets and heightened volatility of commodity fuel prices. Such volatility or disruptions may have adverse consequences to our business, our suppliers and our customers. If the equity and credit markets deteriorate, including as a result of political unrest or war, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult to obtain in a timely manner or on favorable terms, more costly or more dilutive. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy, capital markets or commodity fuel prices resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions.
The ongoing invasion of Ukraine may also have the effect of heightening many other risks disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Item 6. Exhibits
10.1
Indenture, dated February 18, 2022, by and among NCL Corporation Ltd., as issuer, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, principal paying agent, transfer agent, registrar and security agent, with respect to 5.875% senior secured notes due 2027 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))
10.2
Indenture, dated February 18, 2022, by and between NCL Corporation Ltd., as issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, principal paying agent, transfer agent and registrar, with respect to 7.750% senior unsecured notes due 2029 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))
10.3
Indenture, dated February 15, 2022, by and among NCL Corporation Ltd., as issuer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., as guarantor, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, with respect to 2.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2027 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))
10.4
Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and T. Robin Lindsay, dated as of February 14, 2022 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))†
10.5
Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Prestige Cruise Services, LLC and Jason Montague, dated as of February 14, 2022 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))†
10.6
Directors’ Compensation Policy (effective January 1, 2022) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))†
10.7
Form of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Time-based Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (President and Chief Executive Officer 2022) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))†
10.8
Form of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Performance-based Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (President and Chief Executive Officer 2022) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))†
10.9
Form of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Performance-based Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (2022) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))†
10.10
Form of Restricted Cash Retention Agreement (2022) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.60 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2022 (File No. 001-35784))†
31.1*
Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2*
Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1**
Certifications of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code
101*
The following unaudited consolidated financial statements from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL:
(i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021;
(ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021;
(iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021;
(iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021;
(v) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021; and
(vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
104*
The cover page from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL and included in the interactive data files submitted as Exhibit 101.
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
†Management contract or compensatory plan.
40
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ FRANK J. DEL RIO
Name:
Frank J. Del Rio
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ MARK A. KEMPA
Mark A. Kempa
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Dated: May 10, 2022