Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) Misses Q1 EPS by 68c, Revenues Beat

Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE: NCLH) reported Q1 EPS of ($0.99), $0.68 worse than the analyst estimate of ($0.31). Revenue for the quarter came in at $1.25 billion versus the consensus estimate of $1.18 billion.

“In recent weeks, we have taken decisive action to significantly strengthen our financial position in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, including our highly successful and oversubscribed $2.4 billion gross simultaneous quad-tranche capital raise announced last week. We believe this capital raise, coupled with other ongoing liquidity-enhancing initiatives, makes us well-positioned to weather an unlikely scenario of over 18 months of suspended voyages,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Our guests continue to demonstrate their desire for cruise vacations, and we continue to experience demand for voyages further in the future across our three brands. As we prepare to resume sailings, we are working around the clock alongside U.S. and global public health agencies and governments to develop and implement the next level of enhanced cruise health and safety standards.”

Booking Environment and Outlook

2020 started off strong and was expected to be another record year. All three of the Company’s brands entered the year in a record booked position and at higher prices on a comparable basis. For the first two months of the year, ships sailed full at prices that were higher than prior year despite meaningful capacity growth of approximately 7%. As with the broader travel and leisure industry, the Company has experienced rapid and significant impacts related to the COVID-19 global pandemic including significant softness in near-term demand and an elevated rate of cancellations for existing bookings. There continues to be demand for cruise vacations particularly beginning in the fourth quarter 2020 accelerating through 2021 with the Company’s overall booked position and pricing for 2021 within historical ranges.

All three brands have instituted programs for guests on cancelled sailings as a result of the Company’s voyage suspension which include offering value-add future cruise credits typically for 125% of the cruise fare paid in lieu of providing cash refunds. These future cruise credits are valid for any sailing through December 31, 2022. As of May 11, 2020, slightly over half of the guests who have had their voyages cancelled have requested cash refunds. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had $1.8 billion of advanced ticket sales, including the long-term portion. This includes approximately $800 million for previously announced voyage cancellations through June 30, 2020 where guests have the option of either a future cruise credit or a cash refund, and approximately $370 million for voyages scheduled for the remainder of 2020. The Company also continues to take future bookings for 2020, 2021 and 2022, and receive new customer deposits and final payments on these bookings.

2020 Outlook

As previously stated in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2020, given the meaningful and rapidly evolving impacts from the pandemic, the temporary suspension of sailings globally and the uncertainty and fluidity of the ongoing situation, the Company withdrew its first quarter and full year 2020 guidance provided earlier this year on its earnings call on February 20, 2020, which excluded known and unknown impacts from COVID-19. As a consequence of these known and unknown impacts, while the Company cannot estimate the impact on its business, financial condition or near- or longer-term financial or operational results with certainty, it expects to report a net loss on both a U.S. GAAP and adjusted basis for the second quarter ending June 30, 2020 and the year ending December 31, 2020.

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operation. If the temporary suspension of sailings is further extended, the Company’s liquidity and financial position would likely continue to be significantly impacted.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had hedged approximately 68%, 50%, 36% and 13% of its total projected metric tons of fuel consumption for the remainder of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The following table provides amounts hedged and price per barrel of heavy fuel oil (“HFO”) which is hedged utilizing U.S. Gulf Coast 3% (“USGC”) and marine gas oil (“MGO”) which is hedged utilizing Gasoil.

As of March 31, 2020, anticipated capital expenditures for the remainder of 2020 were $0.4 billion with export credit financing in place for the anticipated expenditures related to ship construction contracts of $0.1 billion. The Company is finalizing documentation for deferrals of approximately $170 million of newbuild related payments, net of financing, due through March 31, 2021. Once deferrals are finalized, anticipated total capital expenditures for the remainder of 2020 will be approximately $195 million. The Company is not providing capital expenditure guidance for 2021 and 2022 at this time given the uncertain and evolving current environment. The Company expects that the effects of COVID-19 on the shipyards where its ships are under construction, or will be constructed, will result in delays in ship deliveries, which may be prolonged.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) click here.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Safe & Green (SGBX) Provides Update on Audit and Planned 10-K Filing
• Acme United (ACU) Misses Q1 EPS by 20c
• Intuitive Surgiical (ISRG) beats earnings, revenue expectations in Q1