Contract Balances 

Receivables from customers are included within accounts receivables, net. As of June 30, 2018 and January 1, 2018, our receivables from customers were $18.3 million and $13.8 million, respectively.

Contract liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to transfer goods and services to a customer. A customer deposit held for a future cruise is generally considered a contract liability only when final payment is both due and paid by the customer and is usually recognized in earnings within 180 days of becoming a contract. Other deposits held and included within advance ticket sales or other long-term liabilities are not considered contract liabilities as they are largely cancelable and refundable. Our contract liabilities are included within advance ticket sales. As of June 30, 2018 and January 1, 2018, our contract liabilities were $1.5 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. Of the amounts included within contract liabilities, approximately 50% were refundable in accordance with our cancellation policies. Approximately $1.0 billion of the January 1, 2018 contract liability balance has been recognized in revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Our revenue is seasonal and based on the demand for cruises. Historically, the seasonality of the North American cruise industry generally results in the greatest demand for cruises during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months. This predictable seasonality in demand has resulted in fluctuations by quarter in our revenue and results of operations. The seasonality of our results is increased due to ships being taken out of service for regularly scheduled Dry-docks, which we typically schedule during non-peak demand periods. This seasonality will result in higher contract liability balances as a result of an increased number of reservations preceding these peak demand periods. The addition of new ships also increases the contract liability balances prior to a new ship’s delivery, as staterooms are usually made available for reservation prior to the inaugural cruise. Norwegian Bliss, with approximately 4,000 berths, added 8% capacity to our fleet, was delivered on April 19, 2018.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

We do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less. We recognize revenue in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of our performance completed to date. Variable consideration, which will be determined based on a gross basisfuture rate and passenger count, is excluded from the disclosure and these amounts are $94.8not material. These variable non-disclosed contractual amounts relate to our non-cancelable charter agreements and a leasing arrangement with a certain port, both of which are long-term in nature. Amounts that are fixed in nature due to the application of minimum guarantees are also not material and are not disclosed.

Contract Costs

Management expects that incremental commissions and credit card fees paid as a result of obtaining ticket contracts are recoverable; therefore, we recognize these amounts as assets when they are paid prior to the voyage. Costs of air tickets and port taxes and fees that fulfill future performance obligations are also considered recoverable and are recorded as assets. As of June 30, 2018, $140.4 million of costs incurred to obtain customers and $80.3$28.9 million of costs to fulfill contracts with customers are recognized as assets within prepaid expenses and other assets. Incremental commissions, credit card fees, air ticket costs, and port taxes and fees are recognized ratably over the voyage sailing dates, concurrent with associated revenue, and are primarily in commissions, transportation and other expense.

Impacts on Financial Statements

The adoption of Topic 606 does not change the timing, classification or amount of revenue recognized from customers in our consolidated financial statements nor does it change the timing, classification or amount of incremental costs to obtain and fulfill those contracts with customers. Therefore, the adoption had no impact on our consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The following table summarizes the impacts of Topic 606 adoption on our consolidated balance sheet which has been adjusted for deferred contract costs that would have been included, net, in Advance ticket sales as of June 30, 2018 (in thousands):

The following table summarizes the impacts of our adoption of Topic 606 on our consolidated statement of cash flows for the threesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $246.9 million and $214.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.2018 (in thousands):

Foreign Currency

The majority of our transactions are settled in U.S. dollarsdollars. We translate assets and the functional currencyliabilities of our foreign subsidiaries isat exchange rates in effect at the U.S. dollar. Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in other currencies are recognized in income at each balance sheet date. We recognized lossesa gain of $4.0$12.7 million and $1.4a loss of $8.1 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, respectively, and lossesa gain of $14.8$10.9 million and $1.8a loss of $10.8 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.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.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting PronouncementsGuidance

In August 2017,February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-12.The objectives of this ASU are to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and to make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance in current GAAP. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of this ASU will have on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We do not expect to early adopt this guidance. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 which amends Topic 230 (Statement of Cash Flows) to eliminate discrepancies in reporting certain items in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods with early adoption permitted. The transition should be made using a retrospective approach. We do not believe that the adoption of this guidance will be material to our consolidated statements of cash flows. 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The ASU requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by all leases with terms of more than 12 months. The ASU further modifies lessors’ classification criteria for leases and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The ASU will also require qualitative and quantitative disclosures designed to give financial statement users additional information on the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The ASU is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. To evaluate the impact of the adoption of this guidance, we are currently reviewinghave engaged a third party to assist us in our review of existing leases and evaluatingevaluation of contracts to determine what might be considered a lease under the new guidance.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 which requires entities to recognize revenue through the application of a five-step model, including identification of the contract, identification of the performance obligations, determination of the transaction price, allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation and recognition of revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligations. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the guidance. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 deferring the effective date for one year. We expect to adopt a modified retrospective application for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10 which does not change the core principle ofare also evaluating certain practical expedients offered by the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 but clarifies two aspects: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-11 which is a rescission of Securities and Exchange Commission guidance related to the issuance of ASU No. 2014-09. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12 which addresses improvements to the guidance on revenue from contracts from customers regarding collectability, noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, it provides a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The effective date of ASU No. 2016-10, ASU No. 2016-11 and ASU No. 2016-12 istheir effects upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09. We have initiated an assessment of our systems, data and processes related to the implementation of these ASUs. This assessment is expected to be completed during 2017. Additionally, we are currently evaluating our performance obligations and believe that our application of the guidance could result in changes in classification and will result in additional disclosures. We also are evaluating other criteria such as the timing of contract terms, gross and net presentation and other items that the guidance addresses.adoption.

In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Act”) was enacted. Among other provisions, the Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which addresses how a company recognizes provisional amounts when a company does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the effect of the changes required by the Act. The measurement period ends when a company has obtained, prepared and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one year. As of June 30, 2018, we have not completed the accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Act; however, as described below, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects on existing deferred tax balances. These amounts are provisional and subject to change. The most significant impact of the Act for the Company was a $7.4 million reduction of the value of net deferred tax liabilities (which represent future tax expenses) that was recorded in 2017 as a discrete tax benefit as a result of lowering the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The tax benefit represents a provisional amount and the Company’s current best estimates. Any adjustments recorded to the provisional amount through the end of 2018 will be included in income from operations as an adjustment to tax expense. The provisional amounts incorporate assumptions made based upon the Company’s current interpretation of the Act and may change as the Company receives additional clarification and implementation guidance. Other aspects of the Act are either not applicable or not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We do not expect to early adopt this guidance. We will evaluate the impact of this guidance to our consolidated financial statements upon adoption of the guidance. 

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2016-16 which requires companies to recognize the income-tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, rather than when the asset has been sold to an outside party. This adoption resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment of $19.1 million to retained earnings. This amount captures the write-off of previously unamortized deferred income tax expense from past intra-entity transfers involving assets other than inventory not previously recognized under U.S. GAAP.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2017-12 which simplifies the accounting for derivatives. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and is presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Upon adoption, the guidance required a cumulative effect adjustment, relating to the elimination of the separate measurement of ineffectiveness for cash flow hedges, to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings which was not material to our financial statements (we refer you to Note 8. “Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives”).

The carrying amounts of intangible assets subject to amortization are included within other long-term assets. As of September 30, 2017, the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived license is included in prepaid expenses and other assets as it is held for sale. The gross carrying amounts of intangible assets, the related accumulated amortization, the net carrying amounts and the weighted-average amortization periods of the Company’s intangible assets are listed in the following tables (in thousands, except amortization period):

The aggregate amortization expense is as follows (in thousands):

The following table sets forth the Company’s estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five years below (in thousands):

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 was as follows (in thousands):

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20162017 was as follows (in thousands):

Property and equipment, net increased $799.1 million$1.0 billion for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 primarily due to the delivery of Norwegian Joy, ships under constructionBliss and ship improvement projects. As of September 30, 2017, in connection with the pending sale of our Hawaii land-based operations, we had $21.5 million of assets included in prepaid expenses and other, which are primarily related to property and equipment, and $7.7 million of liabilities included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. These assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale. Accordingly, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, these assets were measured at fair value less costs to sell which resulted in an impairment on assets of $2.9 million which was included in property and equipment and depreciation and amortization. The fair value was based on the purchase price which represents the observable market value of these operations which are level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The sale was consummated on October 31, 2017. Upon the closing of the transaction, we accepted a promissory note from the buyer for approximately $9.7 million.

On April 19, 2018, we took delivery of Norwegian Bliss. To finance the payment due upon delivery, we had export financing in place for 80% of the contract price. The associated $850.0 million term loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.92% with a maturity date of April 19, 2030. Principal and interest payments are payable semiannually.

On April 4, 2018, we redeemed $135.0 million principal amount of the $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding 4.750% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”) at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed and paid the premium of $5.1 million and accrued interest of $1.9 million. The redemption also resulted in a write off of $1.2 million of certain fees. Following the partial redemption, $565.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes remained outstanding.

In March 2018, as part of a public equity offering of our ordinary shares owned by the Apollo Holders and Genting HK, we repurchased 4,722,312 of our ordinary shares sold in the offering for approximately $263.5 million pursuant to our then existing share repurchase program. As of June 30, 2018, the ownership percentages of NCLH’s ordinary shares were as follows:  

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 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.

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. The determination of ineffectiveness is based on the amount of dollar offset between the cumulative change in fair value of the derivative and the cumulative change in fair value of the hedged transaction at the end of the reporting period. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, or if the hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, then the amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is released to earnings. In addition, the ineffective portion of our highly effective hedges is recognized in earnings immediately and reported in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations. 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, and our New Revolving Loan Facility (as defined in Note 12— “Subsequent Events”, is not considered significant, as we primarily conduct business with large, well-established financial institutions thatwith which we have established relationships, with and thatwhich have credit risks acceptable to us, or the credit risk is spread out among a large number of creditors. We do not anticipate non-performance by any of our significant counterparties.

As of June 30, 2018, we had fuel swaps maturing through December 31, 2020 which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility of fuel prices pertaining to approximately 1.0 million metric tons of our projected fuel purchases.

As of June 30, 2018, 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 €1.5 billion, or $1.8 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of June 30, 2018.

As of June 30, 2018, we had interest rate swap agreements to hedge our exposure to interest rate movements and to manage our interest expense. The notional amount of outstanding debt associated with the interest rate swap agreements was $1.0 billion as of June 30, 2018.

The following table sets forth our derivatives measured at fair value and discloses the balance sheet location (in thousands):

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):

Fuel Swaps

As of September 30, 2017, we had fuel swaps maturing through December 31, 2020 which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility in fuel prices pertaining to approximately 1.4 million metric tons of our projected fuel purchases.

The effects on the consolidated financial statements of the fuel swaps which were designated as cash flow hedgeshedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):

We had fuel swaps that matured which were not designated as cash flow hedges. These fuel swaps were previously designated as cash flow hedges and were dedesignated due to a change in our expected future fuel purchases mix.

The effects on the consolidated financial statements of the fuel swaps which were dedesignated and recognized into earnings were as follows (in thousands):

Foreign Currency Options

We had foreign currency options that matured which consisted of call options with deferred premiums. These options were used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility in foreign currency exchange rates related to our ship construction contracts denominated in euros. If the spot rate at the date the ships were delivered was less than the strike price under these option contracts, we would have paid the deferred premium and would not exercise the foreign currency options.

The effects on the consolidated financial statements of the foreign currency options which were designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in thousands):

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

As of September 30, 2017, we had foreign currency forward contracts 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 €1.8 billion, or $2.1 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2017.

The effects on the consolidated financial statements of the foreign currency forward contracts which were designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in thousands): 

The effects of cash flow hedge accounting on the consolidated financial statements of foreign currency forward contracts which were not designated as cash flow hedgesoperations were as follows (in thousands):

Foreign Currency Collar

We had foreign currency collars that matured and were used to mitigate the volatility of foreign currency exchange rates related to our ship construction contracts denominated in euros.

The effects on the consolidated financial statements of the foreign currency collar which was designated as a cash flow hedge was as follows (in thousands):

The effectaccounting on the consolidated financial statements of the foreign currency collar which was not designated as a cash flow hedge was as follows (in thousands):