Skip to main content

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

Strong demand drives 2024 revenue up ~11% to full year record

Company beats full year guidance across key metrics and announces 2025 full year guidance

MIAMI, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (together with NCL Corporation Ltd. (“NCLC”), “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings”, “Norwegian”, “NCLH” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024 and provided guidance for the first quarter and full year 2025.

Highlights

  • Generated 2024 full year record total revenue of $9.5 billion, increasing ~11% over full year 2023 on 3% capacity growth. GAAP net income was $910.3 million, up 448% compared to 2023, with EPS increasing 386%, to $1.89.
  • 2024 full year Adjusted EBITDA grew 32% to a record $2.45 billion, compared to $1.86 billion in 2023 with Adjusted EPS of $1.82.
  • Total debt was $13.1 billion and Net Leverage was 5.3x at December 31, 2024, a two turn reduction from December 31, 2023 on net cash provided by operating activities of ~$2.0 billion.
  • 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be ~$2.72 billion, or an 11.0% increase versus 2024.
  • 2025 Adjusted Net Income is expected to be ~$1.07 billion, including headwinds from foreign exchange and fuel. Adjusted EPS is expected to be ~$2.05, further establishing a clear path towards our Charting the Course 2026 targets.

“2024 was marked by strategic and transformative milestones for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. From launching our Charting the Course strategy, announcing an ambitious newbuild program and the construction of our Great Stirrup Cay pier, and successfully executing brand initiatives and new guest experiences across our entire portfolio, we have laid out a solid foundation for an exciting future,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “These achievements, driven by the dedication of our over 41,000 team members both shoreside and shipboard, led to exceptional financial performance with record revenue, Net Yield growth, and Adjusted EBITDA, enabling us to further strengthen our balance sheet and reduce our Net Leverage two full turns. Through disciplined cost management and by capitalizing on strong demand, we remain confident in achieving our 2026 Charting the Course targets.”

Full year 2024

  • Generated record total revenue of $9.5 billion, an ~11% increase compared to full year 2023 on 3% capacity growth. GAAP net income was $910.3 million, a 448% increase compared to 2023, with EPS increasing 386%, to $1.89. Performance was driven by strong revenue growth and continued execution on cost reductions and efficiencies throughout the year. In 2024, the Company recorded a $162 million or $0.31 per share benefit from a tax valuation allowance release related to US deferred tax assets and a $53 million or $0.10 per share benefit from foreign exchange.
  • Gross margin per Capacity Day was up 23% versus 2023 on an as reported and Constant Currency basis. Net Yield growth reached record levels, increasing over prior year by approximately 9.9% on an as reported and Constant Currency basis, due to strong demand and pricing across our deployment.1
  • The Company’s sustained focus on margin enhancement drove significant improvements in operating costs. Gross Cruise Costs per Capacity Day was approximately $304 for the year. Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity Day was approximately $160 on an as reported and Constant Currency basis, and was up 3.9% as reported and 3.8% on a Constant Currency basis compared to $154 in 2023. Excluding a $5 impact from higher Dry-dock days and related expenses, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity day was up approximately $1, or 1%, year-over-year driven by higher variable compensation.
  • Adjusted EBITDA grew 32% to $2.45 billion, a record high, compared to $1.86 billion in 2023. Adjusted EPS grew to $1.82, which includes a $0.10 benefit from foreign exchange.
  • Total debt was $13.1 billion. Net Leverage was 5.3x at December 31, 2024, a two turn reduction from December 31, 2023.
  • Achieved Adjusted ROIC of 10.9%, a 320 basis point improvement from 7.7% in the prior year.
  • Made strong progress and on track towards achieving our Charting the Course 2026 targets announced at our May 2024 Investor Day.
  • Announced a transformative newbuild program – a total of eight state-of-the-art vessels, representing approximately 25,000 additional berths, and the construction of a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay.

1 See “Terminology”, “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Outlook” below for additional information about Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity Day, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures.


Fourth Quarter 2024

  • Generated record fourth quarter total revenue of $2.1 billion, a ~6% increase compared to fourth quarter 2023 on a 1% capacity decline. GAAP net income was $254.5 million, a $361.0 million increase compared to fourth quarter 2023, with EPS increasing $0.77 to $0.52. Performance was driven by strong revenue growth and continued execution on cost efficiencies. The quarter also included a $162 million, or $0.31 per share, tax valuation allowance release related to US deferred tax assets and a $70 million, or $0.13 per share, benefit from foreign exchange rates in the quarter.2
  • Gross margin per Capacity Day was up 29% versus 2023 on an as reported and Constant Currency basis. Net Yield growth was approximately 9.0% on an as reported and Constant Currency basis, beating guidance by 210 basis points, due to strong onboard spend.
  • The Company’s focus on margin enhancement continued to drive cost savings in the quarter. Gross Cruise Costs per Capacity Day was approximately $286 for the quarter. Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity Day was approximately $158 as reported and $157 on a Constant Currency basis, slightly above guidance due to increased variable compensation.
  • Adjusted EBITDA grew 30% to $468.2 million, a fourth quarter record high, compared to $359.6 million in 2023 and above guidance of approximately $445 million. Adjusted EPS exceeded guidance of $0.09, and grew to $0.26 which includes a $0.15 benefit from foreign exchange in the quarter.

2 Considering a share count of 518 million diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.


Recent Highlights

  • S&P upgraded the Company’s unsecured notes one notch to B+ with a positive outlook. Additionally, Moody’s upgraded the Company’s ratings by one notch, with the corporate rating now at B1 with a positive outlook.
  • Successfully issued $1,800 million of 6.750% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2032. The net proceeds, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem $1,200 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 and $600 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2028.
  • The Company successfully upsized its revolving credit facility from $1.2 billion to $1.7 billion, extending the tenor to 5-years with improved pricing.

2025 Outlook

  • 2025 full year Net Yield guidance on a Constant Currency basis is expected to increase approximately 3.0% versus 2024.
  • 2025 full year Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $2.72 billion, or an 11.0% increase versus 2024 including approximately $70 million of headwinds from foreign exchange and fuel since our third quarter earnings report.
  • Adjusted Operational EBITDA Margin for the full year 2025 is expected to increase to approximately 37%.
  • 2025 Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity Day is expected to grow 1.25% on a Constant Currency basis versus 2024.
  • Full year Adjusted Net Income is expected to be approximately $1,065 million. Adjusted EPS is expected to be $2.05, increasing approximately 13% year-over-year.
  • Net Leverage is expected to end the year at approximately 5x or better.
  • Remain committed to Charting the Course targets; progressing towards achieving 2026 goals.

First Quarter 2025 Outlook

  • Net Yield is expected to increase approximately 0.5% on a Constant Currency basis versus the first quarter of 2024. This Net Yield growth comes on the back of 16.4% Net Yield growth in the first quarter of 2024 and an increase in Dry-dock capacity and repositioning days on large vessels, lowering year-over-year Occupancy.
  • First quarter 2025 Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity Day is expected to grow 3.9% in Constant Currency versus 2024, which includes a 180 basis points impact of increased Dry-dock days and related costs. Excluding this, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost excluding Fuel per Capacity Day is expected to grow ~2.1%.
  • Net Leverage is expected to slightly increase to ~5.7x versus year-end 2024 as a result of the delivery of Norwegian Aqua in March.

Booking Environment Update

The Company continues to experience strong consumer demand for its offerings across itineraries and brands throughout 2025 and into 2026. As a result, the Company remains at its optimal booked position on a 12-month forward basis. Occupancy was 100.8% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and full year 2024 Occupancy was approximately 104.9%. The Company’s advance ticket sales balance, including the long-term portion, ended the fourth quarter of 2024 at $3.2 billion.

Liquidity and Financial Position

The Company is committed to prioritizing efforts to optimize its balance sheet and reduce leverage. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had total debt of $13.1 billion and Net Debt of $12.9 billion. Net Leverage improved by approximately two turns compared to December 31, 2023, ending 2024 at 5.3x.

At year-end, liquidity was $2.0 billion including approximately $190.8 million of cash and cash equivalents, $955.0 million of availability under our Revolving Loan Facility, a $650 million undrawn backstop commitment and other commitments.

“We’ve made significant strides in strengthening our financial position during 2024, reducing our Net Leverage by two full turns to 5.3 times. This progress was recently recognized by S&P’s and Moody’s, which each upgraded our credit ratings with positive outlooks,” said Mark A. Kempa, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We’ve started 2025 strong – recently refinancing $1.8 billion of debt, which included replacing $600 million of secured debt with unsecured debt. We also upsized our revolving credit facility to $1.7 billion with improved terms. Through these strategic transactions, we have optimized our collateral utilization and strengthened our capital structure, while supporting our growth trajectory. As we progress through 2025, I am confident we will continue to improve our Net Leverage to approximately 5x or better and strengthen our balance sheet as we make strides towards our 2026 Charting the Course financial targets.”

Outlook and Guidance

In addition to announcing the results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, the Company also provided guidance for the first quarter and full year 2025, along with accompanying sensitivities. The Company does not provide certain estimated future results on a GAAP basis because the Company is unable to predict, with reasonable certainty, the future movement of foreign exchange rates or the future impact of certain gains and charges. These items are uncertain and will depend on several factors, including industry conditions, and could be material to the Company’s results computed in accordance with GAAP. The Company has not provided reconciliations between the Company’s 2025 guidance and the most directly comparable GAAP measures because it would be too difficult to prepare a reliable U.S. GAAP quantitative reconciliation without unreasonable effort.

     
 2025 Guidance
 First Quarter 2025Full Year 2025
 As ReportedConstant
Currency
As ReportedConstant
Currency
     
Net Yield~0.1%
~$278
~0.5%
~$279
~2.4%
~$301
~3.0%
~$303
     
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost
Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day1
~3.8%
~$171
~3.9%
~$171
~0.9%
~$161
~1.25%
~$162
   
Capacity Days~5.71 million~24.55 million
   
Occupancy~101.5%~103.4%
   
Adjusted EBITDA~$435 million~$2.72 billion
   
Adjusted Net Income~$37 million~$1,065 million
   
Adjusted EPS2~$0.08~$2.05
   
Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding3~441 million~520 million
   
Depreciation and Amortization~$230 million~$985 million
   
Adjusted Interest Expense, net4~$170 million~$700 million
   
Effect of a 1% change in Net Yield on
Adjusted EBITDA / Adjusted EPS
~$16 million
~$0.04
~$74 million
~$0.14
   
Effect of a $1 change in Adjusted Net
Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity
Day on Adjusted EBITDA / Adjusted EPS
~$6 million
~$0.01
~$25 million
~$0.05
   
Effect of a 1% change in Foreign Exchange rates
on Adjusted Net Income / Adjusted EPS
~$1.5 million
~$0.00
~$6.4 million
~$0.01

 

____________________
(1)Q1 2025 includes an approximate 180 basis point, or approximately $8 impact of increased Dry-dock days and related costs. Excluding this impact, the Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day would increase ~2.0% and ~2.1% on an as reported and Constant Currency basis, respectively, in the first quarter amounting to $163. We do not expect any year-over-year impact from Dry-docks in 2025.
(2)Based on guidance and using diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of approximately 441 million for the first quarter of 2025 and 520 million for full year 2025.
(3)Q1 2025 assumes all three of the Company’s exchangeable notes are anti-dilutive and therefore are not included in diluted weighted-average shares outstanding and full year 2025 assumes all three of the Company’s exchangeable notes are dilutive and therefore are included in diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.
(4)Based on the Company’s December 31, 2024 outstanding variable rate debt balance, a one percentage point increase in annual SOFR interest rates would increase the Company’s annual interest expense by approximately $8 million excluding the effects of capitalization of interest.

The following reflects the foreign currency exchange rates as of January 31, 2025 that the Company used in its first quarter and full year 2025 guidance.

    
  Current Guidance
Euro $1.04
British pound $1.24
Australian Dollar $0.62
Canadian Dollar $0.69


Fuel

The Company reported fuel expense of $160 million in the quarter. Fuel price per metric ton, net of hedges, decreased to $641 from $726 in 2023. Fuel consumption of 250,000 metric tons was in-line with projections. The following reflects the Company’s expectations regarding fuel consumption and pricing, along with accompanying sensitivities.

        
  First Quarter 2025 Full Year 2025 
Fuel consumption in metric tons1  255,000  990,000 
Fuel price per metric ton, net of hedges2 $690 $722 
Effect on Adjusted EPS of a 10% change in fuel prices, net of hedges $0.01 $0.06 

____________________
(1)Total fuel consumption for the full year 2025 is expected to be comprised mainly of heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil, as well as other fuel types.
(2)Fuel prices are based on forward curves as of 2/11/2025.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had hedged approximately 56% and 21% of its total projected metric tons of fuel consumption for 2025 and 2026, respectively. We primarily hedge heavy fuel oil (“HFO”) and marine gas oil (“MGO”). Other fuel types are unhedged. The following table provides amounts hedged and price per metric ton of heavy fuel oil (“HFO”) and marine gas oil (“MGO”).

        
  2025 2026 
Blended HFO and MGO Hedge Price / Metric Ton $597 $526 
Total % of Consumption Hedged   56%    21%

____________________
Hedged derivatives include accounting hedges as well as economic hedges.


Capital Expenditures

The following table presents newbuild-and-growth capital expenditures, which mainly consists of capital expenditures related to the construction of new ships, private island developments and enhancements and other strategic growth initiatives:

          
   First Quarter 2025
(millions)
 Full Year 2025
(billions)
 Full Year 2026
(billions)
 Full Year 2027
(billions)
Newbuild-and-Growth Capital Expenditures, Gross1  ~$1,295 ~$2.5 ~$2.4 ~$2.5
Export Credit Financing for Newbuild-and-Growth Capital Expenditures  ~$850 ~$1.5 ~$1.5 ~$1.8
Newbuild-and-Growth Capital Expenditures, Net of Financing  ~$445 ~$1.0 ~$1.0 ~$0.7

____________________
1. Includes all newbuild related capital expenditures including shipyard progress payments.
Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

The following table presents other capital expenditures, which mainly consists of investments related to maintenance, Dry-dock renovations, and technology and digital:

      
   First Quarter 2025
(millions)
 Full Year 2025
(millions)
Other Capital Expenditures  ~$130 ~$590

Company Updates and Other Business Highlights:

Company Updates

  • Appointed Jason Montague, an industry veteran with over 20 years of expertise in luxury hospitality, to Chief Luxury Officer for NCLH. In his new role, Mr. Montague will head both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, replacing both Andrea DeMarco and Frank A. Del Rio, and oversee the execution on their multibillion-dollar fleet expansion.

Fleet and Brand Updates

  • Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced the two-time Emmy®-Award-winning actor, Eric Stonestreet, as the Company’s new brand ambassador and star of its newest advertising campaign, “Experience More.” In addition, Eric was also named the godfather of the new groundbreaking vessel, Norwegian Aqua. Learn more here.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that the installation of Starlink has been completed across the entire fleet. Learn more here and here.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled all-new and expanded guest experiences aboard the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway. Set to undergo significant updates, the new experiences include a brand-new cinema and dining experience, Silver Screen Bistro; a new outdoor recreational concept, Horizon Park; as well as the extension of popular dining venues; and expanded accommodations including The Haven. Learn more here.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2024 results and provide a business update. A link to the live webcast along with a slide presentation can be found on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://www.nclhltd.com/investors. A replay of the conference call will also be available on the website for 30 days after the call.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. With a combined fleet of 32 ships and approximately 66,500 berths, NCLH offers itineraries to approximately 700 destinations worldwide. NCLH expects to add 13 additional ships across its three brands through 2036, which will add approximately 41,000 berths to its fleet. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

Terminology

Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA adjusted for other income (expense), net and other supplemental adjustments.

Adjusted EPS. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) divided by the number of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.

Adjusted Gross Margin. Gross margin adjusted for payroll and related, fuel, food, other and ship depreciation. Gross margin is calculated pursuant to GAAP as total revenue less total cruise operating expense and ship depreciation.

Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel. Net Cruise Cost less fuel expense adjusted for supplemental adjustments.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss). Net income (loss), adjusted for the effect of dilutive securities and other supplemental adjustments.

Adjusted Operational EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA divided by Adjusted Gross Margin.

Adjusted ROIC. An amount expressed as a percentage equal to (i) Adjusted EBITDA less depreciation and amortization plus other supplemental adjustments, divided by (ii) the sum of total long-term debt and shareholders’ equity as of the end of a respective quarter, averaged for the most recent five fiscal quarters ending with the last date of the applicable fiscal year.

Berths. Double occupancy capacity per cabin (single occupancy per studio cabin) even though many cabins can accommodate three or more passengers.

Capacity Days. Berths available for sale multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period for ships in service.

Constant Currency. A calculation whereby foreign currency-denominated revenues and expenses in a period are converted at the U.S. dollar exchange rate of a comparable period in order to eliminate the effects of foreign exchange fluctuations.

Dry-dock. A process whereby a ship is positioned in a large basin where all of the fresh/sea water is pumped out in order to carry out cleaning and repairs of those parts of a ship which are below the water line.

EBITDA. Earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization.

EPS. Diluted earnings (loss) per share.

GAAP. Generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.

Gross Cruise Cost. The sum of total cruise operating expense and marketing, general and administrative expense.

Net Cruise Cost. Gross Cruise Cost less commissions, transportation and other expense and onboard and other expense.

Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel. Net Cruise Cost less fuel expense.

Net Debt. Long-term debt, including current portion, less cash and cash equivalents.

Net Leverage. Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve-months.

Net Per Diem. Adjusted Gross Margin divided by Passenger Cruise Days.

Net Yield. Adjusted Gross Margin per Capacity Day.

Occupancy, Occupancy Percentage or Load Factor. The ratio of Passenger Cruise Days to Capacity Days. A percentage in excess of 100% indicates that three or more passengers occupied some cabins.

Passenger Cruise Days. The number of passengers carried for the period, multiplied by the number of days in their respective cruises.

Revolving Loan Facility. $1.7 billion senior secured revolving credit facility.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Operational EBITDA Margin, Net Yield, Net Cruise Cost, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel, Adjusted EBITDA, Net Leverage, Net Debt, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EPS, Adjusted ROIC and Net Per Diem, to enable us to analyze our performance. See “Terminology” for the definitions of these and other non-GAAP financial measures. Our management believes the presentation of Adjusted ROIC provides a useful performance metric to both management and investors for evaluating our effective use of capital and has used it as a performance measure for our incentive compensation. We utilize Adjusted Gross Margin, Net Yield, and Net Per Diem to manage our business on a day-to-day basis because they reflect revenue earned net of certain direct variable costs. We utilize Adjusted Operational EBITDA Margin to assess operating performance. 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 our net income (loss), we believe changes in Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Operational EBITDA Margin, Net Yield, Net Cruise Cost and Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel to be the most relevant indicators of our performance.

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. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure for our incentive compensation. 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 Income (Loss) and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain amounts and are used to supplement GAAP net income (loss) and EPS. We use Adjusted Net Income (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. The amounts excluded in the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may vary from period to period; accordingly, our presentation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EPS may not be indicative of future adjustments or results.

Net Leverage and Net Debt are performance measures that we believe provide management and investors a more complete understanding of our leverage position and borrowing capacity after factoring in cash and cash equivalents.

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 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.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this release 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 release, including, without limitation, our expectations regarding our results of operations, future financial position, including our liquidity requirements and future capital expenditures, plans, prospects, actions taken or strategies being considered with respect to our liquidity position, including with respect to refinancing, amending the terms of, or extending the maturity of our indebtedness, our ability to comply with covenants under our debt agreements, expectations regarding our exchangeable notes, valuation and appraisals of our assets, expectations regarding our deferred tax assets, and valuation allowances, expected fleet additions and cancellations, including expected timing thereof, our expectations regarding the impact of macroeconomic conditions and recent global events, and expectations relating to our sustainability program and decarbonization efforts may be 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: adverse general economic factors, such as fluctuating or increasing levels of interest rates, inflation, unemployment, underemployment and the volatility of fuel prices, declines in the securities and real estate markets, and perceptions of these conditions that decrease the level of disposable income of consumers or consumer confidence; our indebtedness and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness that require us to maintain minimum levels of liquidity and be in compliance with maintenance covenants and otherwise limit our flexibility in operating our business, including the significant portion of assets that are collateral under these agreements; our ability to work with lenders and others or otherwise pursue options to defer, renegotiate, refinance or restructure our existing debt profile, near-term debt amortization, newbuild related payments and other obligations and to work with credit card processors to satisfy current or potential future demands for collateral on cash advanced from customers relating to future cruises; our need for additional financing or financing to optimize our balance sheet, which may not be available on favorable terms, or at all, and our outstanding exchangeable notes and any future financing which may be dilutive to existing shareholders; the unavailability of ports of call; future increases in the price of, or major changes, disruptions or reduction in, commercial airline services; changes involving the tax and environmental regulatory regimes in which we operate, including new and existing regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; the accuracy of any appraisals of our assets; our success in controlling operating expenses and capital expenditures; adverse events impacting the security of travel, or customer perceptions of the security of travel, such as terrorist acts, armed conflict, or threats thereof, acts of piracy, and other international events; public health crises, and their effect on the ability or desire of people to travel (including on cruises); adverse incidents involving cruise ships; our ability to maintain and strengthen our brand; breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology systems and other networks or our actual or perceived failure to comply with requirements regarding data privacy and protection; changes in fuel prices and the type of fuel we are permitted to use and/or other cruise operating costs; mechanical malfunctions and repairs, delays in our shipbuilding program, maintenance and refurbishments and the consolidation of qualified shipyard facilities; the risks and increased costs associated with operating internationally; our inability to recruit or retain qualified personnel or the loss of key personnel or employee relations issues; impacts related to climate change and our ability to achieve our climate-related or other sustainability goals; our inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; implementing precautions in coordination with regulators and global public health authorities to protect the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities we visit and to comply with related regulatory restrictions; pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions; volatility and disruptions in the global credit and financial markets, which may adversely affect our ability to borrow and could increase our counterparty credit risks, including those under our credit facilities, derivatives, contingent obligations, insurance contracts and new ship progress payment guarantees; our reliance on third parties to provide hotel management services for certain ships and certain other services; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our expansion into new markets and investments in new markets and land-based destination projects; overcapacity in key markets or globally; and other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. There may be additional risks that we currently consider immaterial or which are unknown. 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. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this release, which 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.

Investor Relations & Media Contacts

Sarah Inmon
(786) 812-3233
InvestorRelations@nclcorp.com

 
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
  Three Months Ended  Year Ended
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2024  2023  2024  2023 
Revenue            
Passenger ticket $1,408,734  $1,333,057  $6,415,545  $5,753,966 
Onboard and other  700,632   653,399   3,064,106   2,795,958 
Total revenue  2,109,366   1,986,456   9,479,651   8,549,924 
Cruise operating expense            
Commissions, transportation and other  415,580   420,714   1,917,443   1,883,279 
Onboard and other  146,057   129,633   661,553   599,904 
Payroll and related  332,429   325,882   1,344,718   1,262,119 
Fuel  160,418   186,830   698,050   716,833 
Food  73,142   86,735   312,992   358,310 
Other  179,953   172,019   753,940   648,142 
Total cruise operating expense  1,307,579   1,321,813   5,688,696   5,468,587 
Other operating expense            
Marketing, general and administrative  360,566   328,258   1,434,807   1,341,858 
Depreciation and amortization  226,480   212,055   890,242   808,568 
Total other operating expense  587,046   540,313   2,325,049   2,150,426 
Operating income  214,741   124,330   1,465,906   930,911 
Non-operating income (expense)            
Interest expense, net  (175,358)  (197,381)  (747,223)  (727,531)
Other income (expense), net  68,337   (35,266)  54,224   (40,204)
Total non-operating income (expense)  (107,021)  (232,647)  (692,999)  (767,735)
Net income (loss) before income taxes  107,720   (108,317)  772,907   163,176 
Income tax benefit  146,816   1,832   137,350   3,002 
Net income (loss) $254,536  $(106,485) $910,257  $166,178 
Weighted-average shares outstanding            
Basic  439,709,089   425,426,293   435,278,605   424,424,962 
Diluted  518,111,963   425,426,293   515,030,548   427,400,849 
Earnings (loss) per share            
Basic $0.58  $(0.25) $2.09  $0.39 
Diluted $0.52  $(0.25) $1.89  $0.39 

 
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
  Three Months Ended  Year Ended
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2024  2023  2024  2023 
Net income (loss) $254,536  $(106,485) $910,257  $166,178 
Other comprehensive income (loss):            
Shipboard Retirement Plan  6,835   (3,604)  7,118   (3,413)
Cash flow hedges:            
Net unrealized loss  (2,974)  (36,606)  (10,642)  (1,773)
Amount realized and reclassified into earnings  8,776   (12,283)  4,923   (26,173)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  12,637   (52,493)  1,399   (31,359)
Total comprehensive income (loss) $267,173  $(158,978) $911,656  $134,819 

 
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)
 
     December 31,     December 31, 
  2024  2023 
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $190,765  $402,415 
Accounts receivable, net  221,412   280,271 
Inventories  149,718   157,646 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  448,209   472,816 
Total current assets  1,010,104   1,313,148 
Property and equipment, net  16,810,650   16,433,292 
Goodwill  135,764   98,134 
Trade names  500,525   500,525 
Other long-term assets  1,512,768   1,147,891 
Total assets $19,969,811  $19,492,990 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity      
Current liabilities:      
Current portion of long-term debt $1,323,769  $1,744,778 
Accounts payable  171,106   174,338 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  1,180,026   1,058,919 
Advance ticket sales  3,105,964   3,060,666 
Total current liabilities  5,780,865   6,038,701 
Long-term debt  11,776,721   12,314,147 
Other long-term liabilities  986,786   839,335 
Total liabilities  18,544,372   19,192,183 
Commitments and contingencies      
Shareholders’ equity:      
Ordinary shares, $0.001 par value; 980,000,000 shares authorized; and 439,861,281 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 425,546,570 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023  440   425 
Additional paid-in capital  7,921,918   7,708,957 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (507,039)  (508,438)
Accumulated deficit  (5,989,880)  (6,900,137)
Total shareholders’ equity  1,425,439   300,807 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $19,969,811  $19,492,990 

 
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
  Year Ended
  December 31, 
  2024  2023 
Cash flows from operating activities      
Net income $910,257  $166,178 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization expense  973,512   883,236 
Deferred income taxes, net  (155,114)   
(Gain) loss on derivatives  (979)  13,760 
Loss on extinguishment of debt  29,175   6,701 
Provision for bad debts and inventory obsolescence  6,359   6,190 
Gain on involuntary conversion of assets  (4,771)  (6,852)
Share-based compensation expense  91,781   118,940 
Net foreign currency adjustments on euro-denominated debt  (25,837)  8,188 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable, net  49,304   39,649 
Inventories  6,950   (11,042)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  88,366   410,266 
Accounts payable  (20,208)  (50,976)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  65,348   (82,202)
Advance ticket sales  35,680   503,678 
Net cash provided by operating activities  2,049,823   2,005,714 
Cash flows from investing activities      
Additions to property and equipment, net  (1,210,952)  (2,750,362)
Cash paid on settlement of derivatives  (1,789)  (162,942)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired  (27,322)   
Other  10,675   16,161 
Net cash used in investing activities  (1,229,388)  (2,897,143)
Cash flows from financing activities      
Repayments of long-term debt  (2,169,045)  (3,758,234)
Proceeds from long-term debt  1,298,599   4,322,941 
Proceeds from employee related plans     5,307 
Net share settlement of restricted share units  (25,333)  (26,860)
Early redemption premium  (19,166)   
Deferred financing fees  (117,140)  (196,297)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (1,032,085)  346,857 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (211,650)  (544,572)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period  402,415   946,987 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period $190,765  $402,415 


NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.

NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

The following table sets forth selected statistical information:

 
  Three Months Ended  Year Ended  
  December 31,  December 31,  
  2024 2023 2024 2023 
Passengers carried 665,788 648,893 2,926,794 2,716,546 
Passenger Cruise Days 5,881,777 5,856,413 24,593,331 23,311,672 
Capacity Days 5,834,290 5,903,305 23,445,397 22,652,588 
Occupancy Percentage 100.8%99.2%104.9%102.9%

Adjusted Gross Margin, Net Per Diem, and Net Yield were calculated as follows (in thousands, except Net Yield, Net Per Diem, Capacity Days, Passenger Cruise Days, per Passenger Cruise Day and Capacity Day data):

  Three Months Ended  Year Ended
  December 31,  December 31, 
    2024     2024  
    Constant Currency     Constant Currency  
  2024 compared to 2023 2023 2024 compared to 2023 2023
Total revenue $2,109,366 $2,108,996 $1,986,456 $9,479,651 $9,481,599 $8,549,924
Less:                  
Total cruise operating expense  1,307,579  1,306,522  1,321,813  5,688,696  5,686,128  5,468,587
Ship depreciation  208,054  208,054  198,012  825,493  825,493  753,629
Gross margin  593,733  594,420  466,631  2,965,462  2,969,978  2,327,708
Ship depreciation  208,054  208,054  198,012  825,493  825,493  753,629
Payroll and related  332,429  332,397  325,882  1,344,718  1,344,620  1,262,119
Fuel  160,418  160,387  186,830  698,050  697,993  716,833
Food  73,142  72,700  86,735  312,992  312,625  358,310
Other  179,953  179,078  172,019  753,940  751,350  648,142
Adjusted Gross Margin $1,547,729 $1,547,036 $1,436,109 $6,900,655 $6,902,059 $6,066,741
                   
Passenger Cruise Days  5,881,777  5,881,777  5,856,413  24,593,331  24,593,331  23,311,672
Capacity Days  5,834,290  5,834,290  5,903,305  23,445,397  23,445,397  22,652,588
                   
Total revenue per Passenger Cruise Day $358.63 $358.56 $339.19 $385.46 $385.54 $366.77
Gross margin per Passenger Cruise Day $100.94 $101.06 $79.68 $120.58 $120.76 $99.85
Net Per Diem $263.14 $263.02 $245.22 $280.59 $280.65 $260.24
                   
Gross margin per Capacity Day $101.77 $101.88 $79.05 $126.48 $126.68 $102.76
Net Yield $265.28 $265.16 $243.27 $294.33 $294.39 $267.82


NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.

NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

Gross Cruise Cost, Net Cruise Cost, Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel and Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel were calculated as follows (in thousands, except Capacity Days and per Capacity Day data):

  Three Months Ended  Year Ended
  December 31,  December 31, 
    2024     2024  
    Constant Currency     Constant Currency  
  2024 compared to 2023 2023 2024 compared to 2023 2023
Total cruise operating expense $1,307,579 $1,306,522 $1,321,813 $5,688,696 $5,686,128 $5,468,587
Marketing, general and administrative expense  360,566  360,668  328,258  1,434,807  1,434,245  1,341,858
Gross Cruise Cost  1,668,145  1,667,190  1,650,071  7,123,503  7,120,373  6,810,445
Less:                  
Commissions, transportation and other expense  415,580  415,903  420,714  1,917,443  1,917,987  1,883,279
Onboard and other expense  146,057  146,057  129,633  661,553  661,553  599,904
Net Cruise Cost  1,106,508  1,105,230  1,099,724  4,544,507  4,540,833  4,327,262
Less: Fuel expense  160,418  160,387  186,830  698,050  697,993  716,833
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel  946,090  944,843  912,894  3,846,457  3,842,840  3,610,429
Less Other Non-GAAP Adjustments:                  
Non-cash deferred compensation (1)  719  719  578  2,875  2,875  2,312
Non-cash share-based compensation (2)  26,211  26,211  22,686  91,781  91,781  118,940
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel $919,160 $917,913 $889,630 $3,751,801 $3,748,184 $3,489,177
                   
Capacity Days  5,834,290  5,834,290  5,903,305  23,445,397  23,445,397  22,652,588
                   
Gross Cruise Cost per Capacity Day $285.92 $285.76 $279.52 $303.83 $303.70 $300.65
Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day $189.66 $189.44 $186.29 $193.83 $193.68 $191.03
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day $162.16 $161.95 $154.64 $164.06 $163.91 $159.38
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day $157.54 $157.33 $150.70 $160.02 $159.87 $154.03

____________________
(1)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense.
(2)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.


NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.
NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS were calculated as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

  Three Months Ended  Year Ended
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2024  2023  2024  2023
Net income (loss) $254,536  $(106,485) $910,257  $166,178
Effect of dilutive securities – exchangeable notes  14,985      63,308   
Net income (loss) and assumed conversion of exchangeable notes  269,521   (106,485)  973,565   166,178
Non-GAAP Adjustments:            
Non-cash deferred compensation (1)  1,233   1,010   4,930   4,039
Non-cash share-based compensation (2)  26,211   22,686   91,781   118,940
Extinguishment and modification of debt (3)     5,669   29,175   8,822
Reversal of U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance (4)  (161,926)     (161,926)  
Effect of dilutive securities – exchangeable notes (5)  (10,310)        
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) $124,729  $(77,120) $937,525  $297,979
             
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding – Net income (loss)  518,111,963   425,426,293   515,030,548   427,400,849
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding – Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (5)  480,401,556   425,426,293   515,030,548   427,400,849
             
Diluted EPS $0.52  $(0.25) $1.89  $0.39
Adjusted EPS $0.26  $(0.18) $1.82  $0.70

____________________
(1)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense and other income (expense), net.
(2)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.
(3)Losses on extinguishment of debt and modification of debt are included in interest expense, net.
(4)Non-cash income tax benefit related to the reversal of a valuation allowance on our U.S. deferred tax assets. The deferred tax assets accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic and a portion of the valuation allowance was released related to the deferred tax assets that more likely than not will be realized in the future. We consider this adjustment to be nonrecurring as it originated as a result of losses incurred during the pandemic and future income tax expense is not expected to change materially as a result of the reversal.
(5)The impact of the above add-backs results in an anti-dilutive effect on Adjusted EPS related to our exchangeable notes for which we are reducing the impact on GAAP net income and dilutive weighted average shares. 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA were calculated as follows (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended  Year Ended
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2024  2023  2024  2023 
Net income (loss) $254,536  $(106,485) $910,257  $166,178 
Interest expense, net  175,358   197,381   747,223   727,531 
Income tax benefit  (146,816)  (1,832)  (137,350)  (3,002)
Depreciation and amortization expense  226,480   212,055   890,242   808,568 
EBITDA  509,558   301,119   2,410,372   1,699,275 
Other (income) expense, net (1)  (68,337)  35,266   (54,224)  40,204 
Other Non-GAAP Adjustments:            
Non-cash deferred compensation (2)  719   578   2,875   2,312 
Non-cash share-based compensation (3)  26,211   22,686   91,781   118,940 
Adjusted EBITDA $468,151  $359,649  $2,450,804  $1,860,731 

 

____________________
(1)Primarily consists of gains and losses, net for foreign currency remeasurements.
(2)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense.
(3)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.

Net Debt and Net Leverage were calculated as follows (in thousands):

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2024 2023
Long-term debt $11,776,721 $12,314,147
Current portion of long-term debt  1,323,769  1,744,778
Total Debt  13,100,490  14,058,925
Less: Cash and cash equivalents  190,765  402,415
Net Debt $12,909,725 $13,656,510
       
Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended $2,450,804 $1,860,731
       
Net Leverage  5.27x  7.34x


NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.

NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

Adjusted ROIC was calculated as follows (in thousands):

       
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2024  2023 
Adjusted EBITDA $2,450,804  $1,860,731 
Less: Depreciation and Amortization  890,242   808,568 
Total  1,560,562   1,052,163 
Plus: Total long-term debt plus shareholders equity  14,333,899   13,705,994 
Adjusted Return on Invested Capital  10.9%   7.7% 

Our capital expenditures were previously presented classified as new-build related and non-newbuild. The presentation of capital expenditures under this classification is as follows (in millions):

   Fourth Quarter 2024 Full Year 2024
Newbuild-Related Capital Expenditures, Pre-Financing  $79 $619
Export Credit Financing for Newbuild-Related Capital Expenditures  $43 $355
Newbuild-Related Capital Expenditures, Net of Financing  $36 $264

      
   Fourth Quarter 2024 Full Year 2024
Non-Newbuild Capital Expenditures  $149 $583

Disclaimer & Cookie Notice

Welcome to GOLDEA services for Professionals

Before you continue, please confirm the following:

Professional advisers only

I am a professional adviser and would like to visit the GOLDEA CAPITAL for Professionals website.

Important Notice for Investors:

The services and products offered by Goldalea Capital Ltd. are intended exclusively for professional market participants as defined by applicable laws and regulations. This typically includes institutional investors, qualified investors, and high-net-worth individuals who have sufficient knowledge, experience, resources, and independence to assess the risks of trading on their own.

No Investment Advice:

The information, analyses, and market data provided are for general information purposes only and do not constitute individual investment advice. They should not be construed as a basis for investment decisions and do not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or individual needs of any recipient.

High Risks:

Trading in financial instruments is associated with significant risks and may result in the complete loss of the invested capital. Goldalea Capital Ltd. accepts no liability for losses incurred as a result of the use of the information provided or the execution of transactions.

Sole Responsibility:

The decision to invest or not to invest is solely the responsibility of the investor. Investors should obtain comprehensive information about the risks involved before making any investment decision and, if necessary, seek independent advice.

No Guarantees:

Goldalea Capital Ltd. makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Markets are subject to constant change, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Regional Restrictions:

The services offered by Goldalea Capital Ltd. may not be available to all persons or in all countries. It is the responsibility of the investor to ensure that they are authorized to use the services offered.

Please note: This disclaimer is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual legal or tax advice.