UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 20172018

 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                 to

 

Commission file number001-35898

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 27-4749725
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

96 Morton Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York, 10014

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(212) 261-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

As of May 3, 2017, 45,097,891April 30, 2018, 45,796,330 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, were issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

Quarterly Report On Form 10-Q

For The Quarter Ended March 31, 20172018

 

Table of Contents

 

 Page(s)
PART II. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
  
ITEM 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited)1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 20172018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 201620171

Condensed Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)

2

Condensed Consolidated StatementStatements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20172018 (Unaudited)

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)

4
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)5
  
ITEM 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1916
ITEM 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk3027
ITEM 4.Controls and Procedures3027
  
PART IIII. OTHER INFORMATION31
  
ITEM 1.Legal Proceedings3127
ITEM 1A.Risk Factors3127
ITEM 2.Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds3127
ITEM 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities3228
ITEM 4.Mine Safety Disclosures3228
ITEM 5.Other Information3229
ITEM 6. Exhibits32Exhibits
30
SIGNATURES

PART 1.FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
SIGNATURESItem 1.33Financial Statements

PART 1: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  As of 
  March 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 
  (Unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Current Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $103,782  $135,416 
Restricted cash and marketable securities  13,426   9,015 
Inventories  1,594   1,665 
Marine operating supplies  4,096   4,142 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  22,140   20,782 
Total current assets  145,038   171,020 
         
Property and equipment, net  205,712   186,236 
Goodwill  22,105   22,105 
Intangibles, net  10,738   11,132 
Other long-term assets  12,334   13,090 
Deferred tax assets  7,965   4,118 
Total assets $403,892  $407,701 
         
LIABILITIES        
Current Liabilities:        
Unearned passenger revenues $95,762  $91,501 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  22,551   30,662 
Long-term debt - current  1,750   1,750 
Total current liabilities  120,063   123,913 
         
Long-term debt, less current portion  164,236   164,128 
Other long-term liabilities  688   681 
Total liabilities  284,987   288,722 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES        
         
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST  5,199   5,170 
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding  -   - 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 45,138,691 and 45,659,762 issued and outstanding as of  March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively  5   5 
Additional paid-in capital  40,624   43,097 
Retained earnings  73,077   70,707 
Total stockholders' equity  113,706   113,809 
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders' equity $403,892  $407,701 

  As of
March 31,
2018
  As of
December 31,
2017
 
ASSETS (unaudited)    
Current Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $97,284  $96,443 
Restricted cash and marketable securities  20,237   7,057 
Marine operating supplies  5,413   5,045 
Inventories  1,826   1,794 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  22,661   21,351 
Total current assets  147,421   131,690 
         
Property and equipment, net  260,804   250,952 
Goodwill  22,105   22,105 
Intangibles, net  9,159   9,554 
Other long-term assets  9,310   10,047 
Total assets $448,799  $424,348 
         
LIABILITIES        
Current Liabilities:        
Unearned passenger revenues $111,259  $112,238 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  24,702   30,422 
Long-term debt - current  1,500   1,750 
Total current liabilities  137,461   144,410 
         
Long-term debt, less current portion  188,481   164,186 
Deferred tax liabilties  2,791   2,444 
Other long-term liabilities  692   684 
Total liabilities  329,425   311,724 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES        
         
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST  6,423   6,302 
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding  -   - 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized;45,767,643 and 45,427,030 issued, 45,357,640 and 44,787,608 outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively  5   5 
Additional paid-in capital  38,331   42,498 
Retained earnings  74,615   63,819 
Total stockholders’ equity  112,951   106,322 
Total liabilities, stockholders’ equity and redeemable noncontrolling interest $448,799  $424,348 

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 1 

 

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)
(unaudited)

 

 For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
          
Tour revenues $63,128  $61,574  $82,410  $63,128 
        
Cost of tours  32,603   25,275   35,871   32,603 
Gross profit  30,525   36,299   46,539   30,525 
                
Operating expenses:                
General and administrative  15,101   11,188   15,050   15,101 
Selling and marketing  10,296   9,618   12,073   10,296 
Depreciation and amortization  3,763   4,574   5,045   3,763 
Total operating expenses  29,160   25,380   32,168   29,160 
                
Operating income  1,365   10,919   14,371   1,365 
                
Other (expense) income:                
Loss on foreign currency  246   71 
Other expense  (263)  - 
Interest expense, net  (2,315)  (2,748)  (2,734)  (2,315)
(Loss) gain on foreign currency  (451)  246 
Other income (expense)  8   (263)
Total other expense  (2,332)  (2,677)  (3,177)  (2,332)
                
(Loss) income before income taxes  (967)  8,242 
        
Income tax benefit  (1,592)  (2,225)
Income (loss) before income taxes  11,194   (967)
Income tax expense (benefit)  277   (1,592)
                
Net income $625  $10,467  $10,917  $625 
        
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest  29   -   121   29 
                
Net income attributable to Lindblad $596  $10,467 
        
Common stock        
Net income available to common stockholders $596  $10,467  $10,796  $596 
                
Weighted average shares outstanding                
Basic  44,707,273   45,470,155   45,274,540   44,707,273 
Diluted  45,761,938   46,122,844   45,667,565   45,761,938 
                
Earnings per share attributable to Lindblad        
Net income per share available to common stockholders        
Basic $0.01  $0.23  $0.24  $0.01 
Diluted $0.01  $0.23  $0.24  $0.01 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 2 

 

 


LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders'Stockholders’ Equity


(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)
(unaudited)

 

  Common Stock  Additional Paid-In  Retained  Total Stockholders'  Redeemable Noncontrolling 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Equity  Interest 
Balance as of December 31, 2016  45,659,762  $5  $43,097  $70,707  $113,809  $5,170 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   4,202   -   4,202   - 
Option shares exercised and exchanged  53,113   -   (202)  -   (202)  - 
Repurchase of shares and warrants  (480,864)  -   (5,572)  -   (5,572)  - 
Repurchase of shares as part of CEO Allocation Plan  (93,320)  -   (901)  -   (901)  - 

Retroactive application of ASU No. 2016-09 (see note 2)

  -   -   -   1,774   1,774   - 
Net income  -   -   -   596   596   29 
Balance as of March 31, 2017  45,138,691  $5  $40,624  $73,077  $113,706  $5,199 
  Common Stock  Additional Paid-In  Retained  Total Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Equity 
Balance as of December 31, 2017  45,427,030  $5  $42,498  $63,819  $106,322 
Stock-based compensation  -           -   866   -   866 
Issuance of stock for equity compensation plans, net  349,643   -   (4,179)  -   (4,179)
Repurchase of shares and warrants  (9,030)  -   (854)  -   (854)
Net income  -   -   -   10,796   10,796 
Balance as of March 31, 2018  45,767,643  $5  $38,331  $74,615  $112,951 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 3 

 

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)(unaudited)

 

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities           
Net income $625  $10,467  $10,917  $625 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  3,763   4,574   5,045   3,763 
Amortization of National Geographic fee  727   727   727   727 
Amortization of debt discount, deferred financing and other, net  552   552 
Stock-based compensation expense  4,202   1,335 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other, net  608   552 
Stock-based compensation  866   4,202 
Deferred income taxes  (2,073)  (2,032)  347   (2,073)
Loss on currency translation  (246)  (71)
Loss (gain) on foreign currency  451   (246)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities                
Inventories and marine operating supplies  116   623 
Marine operating supplies and inventories  (400)  116 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (1,358)  (940)  (1,754)  (1,358)
Unearned passenger revenues  4,261   (6,326)  (939)  4,261 
Write-off of unamortized issuance costs related to debt refinancing  359   - 
Other long-term assets  29   -   10   29 
Other long-term liabilities  -   8   8   - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  (7,861)  (9,930)  (5,727)  (7,861)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  2,737   (1,013)
Net cash provided by operating activities  10,518   2,737 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities                
Purchases of property and equipment  (22,844)  (6,872)  (14,502)  (22,844)
Purchase of restricted cash and marketable securities  (4,411)  (7,038)
Transfer to restricted cash and marketable securities  (13,180)  (4,411)
Net cash used in investing activities  (27,255)  (13,910)  (27,682)  (27,255)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities                
Proceeds from long-term debt  200,000   - 
Repayments of long-term debt  (170,625)  (438)
Payment of deferred financing costs  -   (1,487)  (6,297)  - 
Repayments of long-term debt  (438)  (438)
Proceeds used in exchange of option shares  (202)  (2,695)
Repurchase of shares as part of CEO Allocation Plan  (901)  - 
Repurchase of warrants and common shares  (5,572)  (5,420)
Net cash used in financing activities  (7,113)  (10,040)
Repurchase under stock-based compensation plans and related tax impacts  (4,179)  (1,103)
Repurchase of warrants and common stock  (854)  (5,572)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  18,045   (7,113)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  (3)  (67)  (40)  (3)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (31,634)  (25,030)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  841   (31,634)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  96,443   135,416 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $97,284  $103,782 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:        
Cash paid during the period:        
Interest $3,012  $2,601 
Income taxes $45  $12 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Additional paid-in capital exercise proceeds of option shares $1,682  $168 
Additional paid-in capital exchange proceeds used for option shares $(1,682) $(168)

 

Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period  135,416   206,903 
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period $103,782  $181,873 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:        
Cash paid during the period for:        
Interest $2,601  $2,447 
Income taxes $12  $433 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Additional paid-in capital exercise proceeds of option shares $168  $1,123 
Additional paid-in capital exchange proceeds used for option shares  (168)  (1,123)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 4 

 

  

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – BUSINESS

 

Organization

Organization

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Lindblad”) currently operate a fleet of sixseven owned expedition ships and five seasonal charter vessels under the Lindblad brand.

 

Lindblad’s mission is to offer life-changing adventures on all seven continents and to pioneerpioneering innovative ways to allow its guests to connect with exotic and remote places. The Company’s expedition ships are customized, nimble and intimately-scaled vessels that are able to venture where larger cruise ships cannot, thus allowing Lindblad to offer up-close experiences in the planet’s wild and remote places and capitals of culture. Many of these expeditions involve travel to remote places with limited infrastructure and ports (such as Antarctica and the Arctic) or places that are best accessed by a ship (such as the Galápagos, Alaska, Baja’s Sea of Cortez, Costa Rica and Panama), and foster active engagement by guests. Each expedition ship is designed to be comfortable and inviting, while being fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools for in-depth exploration. The Company has an alliance with the National Geographic SocietyPartners (“National Geographic”), which often provides lecturers and National Geographic experts, including photographers, writers, marine biologists, naturalists, field researchers and film crews. The arrangement with National Geographic extends through December 31, 2025.

 

Natural Habitat Acquisition

On May 4, 2016, the Company acquired an 80.1% ownership interest in Natural Habitat, Inc. (“Natural Habitat”), an adventure travel and ecotourism company based in Colorado. Natural Habitat was founded by Benjamin L. Bressler, who retains a 19.9% noncontrolling interest in Natural Habitat. With the acquisition ofThrough our subsidiary, Natural Habitat, the Company expanded its itineraries to include land- based offeringsoffers primarily land-based trips around the globe. Natural Habitat’s expeditions include polar bear tours in Churchill, Canada, Alaskan grizzly bear adventures, small-group Galápagos tours and African safaris. In addition to its land offerings, Natural Habitat offers select itineraries on sevensix small chartered vessels for parts of the year. Natural Habitat has partnered with World Wildlife Fund (“WWF”) to offer conservation andtravel, sustainable travel that directly protects nature. This agreement with WWF extends through 2023.

Merger with Capitol

Capitol Acquisition Corp. II (“Capitol”) was originally incorporated in Delaware on August 9, 2010 as a blank check company to acquire, through a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, one or more businesses or entities.

On July 8, 2015, Capitol completed a series of mergers whereby Lindblad Expeditions, Inc. (“LEX”) became Capitol’s wholly-owned subsidiary. As consideration for the mergers, the total purchase price consisted of an aggregate of (i) $90.0 million in cash (a portion of which was paid as transaction bonuses) and (ii) 20,017,787 shares of Capitol common stock. Capitol also assumed outstanding LEX stock options and converted such options into options to purchase an aggregate of 3,821,696 shares of Capitol common stock with an exercise price of $1.76 per share.

As a result of the mergers, LEX became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Capitol. Immediately following the mergers, Capitol, which had no operations, changed its name to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. and therefore Lindblad has presented LEX’s information as that of the Company.

 

The Company’s common stock and warrants are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols “LIND” and “LINDW,” respectively.

5

Capitol Initial Public Offering and Warrants

In connection with its initial public offering, on May 15, 2013, Capitol sold 20,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit, including 2,000,000 units under the underwriters’ over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds of $200.0 million. Each unit consisted of one share of Capitol’s common stock, $0.0001 par value, and one half of one redeemable warrant to purchase one share of common stock. The shares of common stock and the warrants included in the units traded as a unit until July 1, 2013 when separate trading of common stock and warrants began. In connection with the consummation of the merger with LEX, Capitol forced the separation of the units into the separate components of common stock and warrants. Each whole warrant entitles its holder, upon exercise, to purchase one share of common stock for $11.50 subject to certain adjustments, during the period that commenced thirty days after the completion of the merger between LEX and terminating five years thereafter. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were 10,673,015 and 11,186,387 warrants outstanding (inclusive of certain warrants issued to the Company’s founders on substantially the same terms as all other warrants), respectively.

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding unaudited interim financial information. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity, and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flowsfinancial statements for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year due to seasonalseasonality and other factors. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanyingthese unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 20162017 contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 2017.2, 2018.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 includedinclude Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

We have reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, with no impact on consolidated net income or cash flows.

5

 

Certain items in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been reclassified to conform to the 2017 classification. The reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or retained earnings.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets, and liabilities, as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and also affect the amounts of revenues and expenses reported for each period.expenses. Actual results could differ from those which result from using such estimates. Management utilizes various estimates including but not limited toinclude determining the estimated lives of long-lived assets, determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, the fair value of the Company’s common stock and related warrants, the valuation of securities underlying stock-based compensation, income tax expense, the valuation of deferred tax assets, the value of contingent consideration and to assessassessing its litigation, other legal claims and contingencies. The results of any changes in accounting estimates are reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements in the period in which the changes become evident. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period that they are determined to be necessary.

 

Revenue Recognition

Tour revenue consists

Revenues are measured based on consideration specified in our contracts with guests and are recognized as the related performance obligations are satisfied.

The majority of our revenues are derived from guest ticket revenue recognized from the sale of guest tickets and othercontracts which are reported as tour revenues from the salein our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our primary performance obligation under this contract is to provide an expedition and may include pre- and post-expedition excursions, hotel accommodations, land-based expeditions and air transportation to and from the ships. Upon satisfaction of these performance obligations, the Company recognizes revenue over the duration of each expedition.

Tour revenues also include revenues from the sale of goods and services onboard our ships, cancellation fees and trip insurance. Revenues from the sale of goods and services rendered onboard that are not included in guest ticket prices,recognized upon purchase. Guest cancellation fees are recognized as tour revenues at the time of the cancellation. The Company records a liability for estimated trip insurance and cancellation fees. Revenueclaims based on the Company’s claims history. Proceeds received from the saletrip insurance premiums in excess of guest tickets and otherthis liability are recorded as revenue are recognized gross, as the Company has the primary obligation in the arrangement, has discretionperiod in supplier selectionwhich they are received.

Customer Deposits and is involved in the determination of the service specifications.Contract Liabilities

6

The Company’s tour guests remit deposits in advance of tour embarkation. Guest tour deposits consist of guest ticket revenues as well as revenues from the sale of pre- and post-expedition excursions, hotel accommodations, land-based expeditions and air transportation to and from the ships, and trip insurance.ships. Guest tour deposits represent unearned revenues and are initially included inreported as unearned passenger revenuerevenues in the condensed consolidated balance sheet when received. Guest depositsreceived and are subsequently recognized as tour revenues onrevenue during the date of embarkation. Tour expeditions average ten days in duration. For tours in excess of ten days, the Company recognizes revenue based upon expeditions days earned. Guest cancellation fees are recognized as tour revenues at the timeduration of the cancellation. Revenuesexpedition. Accounting Standards Codification,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) defines a “contract liability” as an entity’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the entity has received consideration from the salecustomer. We do not consider guest deposits to be a contract liability until the guest no longer has the right, resulting from the passage of additional goodstime, to cancel their reservation and services rendered onboard arereceive a full refund. Unearned passenger revenues presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheets include contract liabilities of $45.6 million and $40.3 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized upon purchase.revenues related to our contract liabilities as of December 31, 2017 of $38.3 million.

 

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per common share areis computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share areis computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the dilutive incremental common shares associated with restricted stock awards or issuable upon the exercise of stock options, (if such option is an equity instrument, using the treasury stock method).method.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016,2017, the Company calculated earnings per share in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260 and 805-40-45 as follows:

 

 For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except share and per share data) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
 Unaudited Unaudited  (unaudited) 
Net income attributable to Lindblad for basic and diluted earnings per share $596  $10,467 
Net income available to common stockholders $10,796  $596 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                
Total weighted average shares outstanding, basic  44,707,273   45,470,155   45,274,540   44,707,273 
Effect of dilutive securities:        
Assumed exercise of stock options, treasury method  995,083   652,689 
Assumed exercise of restricted shares, RSU’s, treasury method  59,582   - 
Dilutive potential common shares  1,054,665   652,689   393,025   1,054,665 
Total weighted average shares outstanding, diluted  45,761,938   46,122,844   45,667,565   45,761,938 
Common stock        
Net income available to common stockholders $596  $10,467 
                
Weighted average shares outstanding        
Net income per share available to Lindblad        
Basic  44,707,273   45,470,155  $0.24  $0.01 
Diluted  45,761,938   46,122,844  $0.24  $0.01 
        
Earnings per share attributable to Lindblad        
Basic $0.01  $0.23 
Diluted $0.01  $0.23 

 

As of March 31, 2017, there were 45,138,691 shares outstanding. The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001. The Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders approved a 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, (the “2015 Plan”), which includes the authority to issue up to 2,500,000 shares of Lindblad common stock under the 2015 Plan.stock. As of March 31, 2017,2018, options to purchase an aggregate of 2,035,306220,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $2.57$9.63 per share were outstanding. As of March 31, 2017 and 2016, 995,083 and 652,689, respectively, of stock options were considered to be dilutive.

 

 76 

 

 

As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 679,791 unvested restricted shares10,088,074 and restricted share units with a grant date weighted average value of $9.72 per share. The Company determined 59,582 of these shares were dilutive and are included in the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

As of March 31, 2017, 10,673,015 warrants, respectively, expiring July 8, 2020 to purchase common stock at a price of $11.50 per share were outstanding. The Company determined theseThese warrants were anti-dilutive and were not consideredincluded in the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less, as well as deposits in financial institutions, to be cash and cash equivalents.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains cash in several financial institutions in the U.S. and other countries which, at times, may exceed the federally insured limits. Accounts held in the U.S. are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to certain limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. As of March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company’s cash held in financial institutions outside of the U.S. amounted to $3.5$6.7 million and $2.7$4.1 million, respectively.

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities

Included in “Restricted cash and marketable securities” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are restricted cash and marketable securities, consisting of six-month certificates of deposit and short-term investments.

Restricted cash and marketable securities consist of the following:

 

 As of  As of
March 31,
2018
  As of
December 31,
2017
 
(In thousands) March 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
  (unaudited)   
 Unaudited   
Restricted cash and marketable securities:     
Credit negotiation and credit card processor reserves $1,530  $5,030 
Federal Maritime Commission escrow  10,361   2,571  $17,383  $4,186 
Credit card processor reserves  1,530   1,530 
Certificates of deposit and other restricted securities  1,535   1,414   1,324   1,341 
Total restricted cash and marketable securities $13,426  $9,015  $20,237  $7,057 

 

The amounts held in restricted cash and marketable securities represent principally funds required to be held in certificates of deposit by certain vendors and regulatory agencies and are classified as restricted assets since such amounts cannot be used by the Company until the restrictions are removed by those vendors and regulatory agencies. Interest income is recognized when earned.

 

The Company has classified marketable securities, principally money market funds, as trading securities which are recorded at market value. Unrealized gains and losses are included in current operations. Gains and losses on the disposition of securities are recognized by the specific identification method in the period in which they occur.

 

In order to operate guest tour expedition vessels from U.S. ports, the Company is required to post a performance bond with the Federal Maritime Commission or escrow all unearned guest deposits plus an additional 10% in restricted accounts. To satisfy this requirement, the Company entered into an agreement with a financial institution to escrow all unearned guest revenues collected for sailings from U.S. ports.

 

As ofAt March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our required credit card reserves were permanently decreased by $3.5 million toa cash reserve of approximately $1.5 million is required for credit card deposits for ourby third-party credit card processors.

 

Amounts in the escrow accounts include cash, certificates of deposit and marketable securities. Cost of these short-term investments approximates fair value.

Inventories and Marine Operating Supplies

 

Inventories consist primarily of gift shop merchandiseMarine Operating Supplies and other items for resale and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.Inventories

8

 

Marine operating supplies consist primarily of fuel, provisions, spare parts, items required for maintenance and supplies used in the operation of marine expeditions. Marine operating supplies are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

 

Inventories consist primarily of gift shop merchandise and other items for resale and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

7

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

The Company records prepaid expenses and other current assets at cost and expenses them in the period the services are provided or the goods are delivered. The Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:

 

  As of
March 31,
  As of
December 31,
 
(In thousands) 2017  2016 
  Unaudited    
Prepaid tour expenses $9,246  $11,593 
Prepaid client insurance  2,159   2,141 
Prepaid air expense  2,027   2,432 
Prepaid port agent fees  1,020   1,038 
Prepaid income taxes  824   824 
Prepaid corporate insurance  2,356   931 
Prepaid marketing, commissions and other expenses  4,508   1,823 
Total prepaid expenses $22,140  $20,782 

  As of
March 31,
2018
  As of
December 31,
2017
 
(In thousands) (unaudited)    
Prepaid tour expenses $9,938  $9,846 
Prepaid air expense  3,546   3,621 
Prepaid client insurance  2,560   2,525 
Prepaid marketing, commissions and other expenses  2,511   2,495 
Prepaid corporate insurance  2,457   1,033 
Prepaid port agent fees  840   1,022 
Prepaid income taxes  809   809 
Total prepaid expenses $22,661  $21,351 

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization were computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

 

  Years
Vessels and vessel improvements 15-25
Furniture and equipment 5
Computer hardware and software 5
Leasehold improvements, including port facilities Shorter of lease term or related asset life

 

The tour and expedition industry is very capital intensive and as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company owned and operated six vessels and had two new coastal vessels under construction. Therefore, the Company has a capital program that it develops for the improvement of its vessels and for asset replacements in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations; comply with, or exceed all relevant legal and statutory requirements related to health, environment, safety, security and sustainability; and gain strategic benefits or provide newer improved product innovations to its guests.

Vessel improvement costs that add value to the Company’s vessels such as those discussed above, are capitalized to the vessels and depreciated over the shorter of the improvements or the vessel’s estimated remaining useful life, while costs of repairs and maintenance, including minor improvement costs and drydock expenses, are charged to expense as incurred and included in cost of tours. Drydock costs primarily represent planned major maintenance activities that are incurred when a vessel is taken out of service for scheduled maintenance.service. For U.S. flagged ships, the statutory requirement is an annual docking and U.S. Coast Guard inspections, normally conducted in drydock. Internationally flagged ships have scheduled dockings approximately every 12 months, for a period of up to three to six weeks.

Goodwill

 

The Company began to capitalize interest in January 2016authoritative guidance requires that goodwill be assessed annually for its two new build coastal vessels under accounting guidance in ASC 835-20, which requires companies to capitalize interest cost incurred during the construction of assets. The capitalized interest has been and will continue to be added to the historical cost of the asset, and depreciate over its useful life. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, and the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in capitalized interest in property and equipment on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Goodwill

Goodwill includes the cost of the acquired business in excess of the fair value of the tangible net assets recorded in connection with the acquisition of Natural Habitat (see Note 1 – Business). Accounting Standards Codification 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), requires the Company to assess goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if a triggering event occurs. Due to the acquisition of Natural Habitat on May 4, 2016, the Company recorded goodwill in the amount of $22.1 million, in Natural Habitat’s reporting unit. The Company’s policy is to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if Natural Habitat’s reporting unit’s carrying value is less than the fair value of the reporting unit, indicating the potential for goodwill impairment. The quantitative two step goodwillCompany completed the annual impairment calculation is then performed if the reporting unit fails the qualitative test. The Company performed a qualitative assessment for goodwill impairmenttest as of September 30, 2016 for Natural Habitat’s reporting unit2017 with no indication of goodwill impairment. Future impairment tests will be performed annually as of September 30, or more frequently if warranted. As of March 31, 2018 there was no indication of impairment.

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Intangibles, net

Intangibles, net include tradenames, customer lists and operating rights. Tradenames are words, symbols, or other devices used in trade or business to indicate the source of products and to distinguish it from other products and are registered with government agencies and are protected legally by continuous use in commerce. Customer lists are established relationships with existing customers that resulted in repeat purchases and customer loyalty. Based on the Company’s analysis, amortization of the tradenames and customer lists waswere computed using the estimated useful lives of 15 and 5 years, respectively.respectively

 

The Company operates two vessels year-round in the Galápagos National Park in Ecuador: theNational Geographic Endeavour IIwith 95 berths and theNational Geographic Islanderwith 47 berths. In order to operate these vessels within the park, the Company is required to have in its possession cupos (licenses) sufficient to cover the total available berths on each vessel.

8

 

In June 2015, a new Ecuadorian Special Law for Protected Areas was approved and was updated in November 2015. A Presidential Decree issued by President Correa of Ecuador in November 2015 established that cupos, which were in effect as ofsince July 2015, will have a validity of nine years. The Company’s operating rights are up for renewal in July 2024 and, based on the new law, the Company will begin the renewal process in 2020. The current “owners” of the cupos will have the opportunity to re-apply for them, but any other enterprise or individual will have the opportunity to bid for the cupos. All bidders must present proof that they fulfill the conditions to properly utilize the license (access to a vessel, experience in tourism, proven environmental behavior, marketing, etc.). While the Company believes that, based on the expected criteria to retain cupos and its past operating history in the Galápagos, there is a strong possibility that the Company will retain its cupos, from an accounting perspective, it will assume they retain no value after July 2024. Once the renewal process has begun and if it can be determined that the Company will be successful in its bid, then the Company will adjust its amortization prospectively.

Operating rights are amortized over their remaining government mandated lives.

 

Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the assessment of possible impairment of the Company’s intangibles net will be based on the Company’s ability to recover the carrying value of its asset, which is determined by using the asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If these estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess if any, of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. A significant amount of judgment is required in estimating the future cash flows and fair values of its tradenames, customer lists and operating rights. As of March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, there was no triggering event and the Company did not record an impairment for intangible assets.

Long-Lived Assets

 

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally its vessels, and operating rights, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the assessment of possible impairment is based on the Company’s ability to recover the carrying value of its asset, which is determined by using the asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If these estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess if any, of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. A significant amount of judgment is required in estimating the future cash flows and fair values of its vessels and operating rights.vessels. As of March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, there was no triggering event and the Company did not record an impairment of its long-lived assets.

 

10

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

The Company records accounts payable and accrued expenses for the cost of such items when the service is provided or when the related product is delivered. The Company’s accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

  As of
March 31,
  As of
December 31,
 
  2017  2016 
(In thousands) 

Unaudited

    
Accounts payable $5,786  $7,573 
Accrued other expense  3,242   5,999 
Bonus compensation liability  1,089   4,186 
Employee liability  2,904   3,494 
Income tax liabilities  1,340   884 
New build liability  4,907   4,011 
Travel certificate liability  1,218   1,218 
Refunds and commissions payable  531   1,454 
Royalty payable  1,157   1,468 
Accrued travel insurance expense  377   375 
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses $22,551  $30,662 

  As of
March 31,
2018
  As of
December 31,
2017
 
(In thousands) (unaudited)    
Accrued other expense $7,045  $7,001 
Accounts payable  4,321   7,791 
New build liability  3,817   2,730 
Employee liability  2,744   2,644 
Royalty payable  1,605   1,673 
Income tax liabilities  1,368   1,490 
Bonus compensation liabilty  1,276   3,736 
Travel certificate liability  1,128   1,120 
Refunds and commissions payable  926   1,805 
Accrued travel insurance expense  472   432 
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses $24,702  $30,422 

 

9

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure

The Company applies ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which expands disclosures for assets and liabilities that are measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis.

Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1Quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at measurement date.

Level 2Quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. Fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

Level 3Significant unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities that cannot be corroborated by market data. Fair value is determined by the reporting entity’s own assumptions utilizing the best information available, and includes situations where there is little market activity for the investment.

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value given that the terms of the agreement were comparable to the market as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.2018. As of March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had no other significant liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Level 3 financial liabilities consist of obligations for which there is no current market for these securities such that the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. Changes in fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are analyzed each period based on changes in estimates or assumptions and recorded as appropriate.

 

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The measurement of net deferred tax assets is reduced by the amount of any tax benefit that, based on available evidence, is not expected to be realized, and a corresponding valuation allowance is established. The determination of the required valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets was made without taking into account the deferred tax liabilities created from the book and tax differences on indefinite-lived assets.

11

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which it recognizes deferred income taxes for the tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities, as well as for tax loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recoverable or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company provides a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets if, based upon the weight of available evidence, the Company does not believe it is “more-likely-than-not” that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company will continue to evaluate the deferred tax asset valuation allowance balances in all of our foreign and U.S. companies to determine the appropriate level of valuation allowances.

 

The Company is subject to income taxes in both the U.S. and the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company regularly assesses the potential outcome of current and future examinations in each of the taxing jurisdictions when determining the adequacy of the provision for income taxes. The Company has only recorded financial statement benefits for tax positions which it believes reflect the “more-likely-than-not” criteria of FASB’s authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, and it has established income tax reserves in accordance with this guidance where necessary. Once a financial statement benefit for a tax position is recorded or a tax reserve is established, the Company adjusts it only when there is more information available or when an event occurs necessitating a change. While the Company believes that the amount of the recorded financial statement benefits and tax reserves reflect the more-likely-than-not criteria, it is possible that the ultimate outcome of current or future examinations may result in a reduction to the tax benefits previously recorded on its condensed consolidated financial statements or may exceed the current income tax reserves in amounts that could be material. As of March 31, 20172018, and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $0.4 million, which was included in other long-term liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The guidance also discusses the classification of related interest and penalties on income taxes.liabilities. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. During the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016,2017, interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions included in income tax expense are immaterial.not significant.

 

The Company is subject to tax audits in all jurisdictions for which it files tax returns. Tax audits by their very nature are often complex and can require several years to complete. Currently, there are no U.S. federal, state or foreign jurisdiction tax audits pending. The Company’s corporate U.S. federal and state tax returns for the current year and the three prior years remain subject to examination by tax authorities and the Company’s foreign tax returns for the current year and the four prior years remain subject to examination by tax authorities.

10

The SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), codified as Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-05, to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 is effective for reporting periods that include December 22, 2017. Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the Tax Act, the Company made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts in its financial statements as of December 31, 2017, resulting in additional tax expense of $12.7 million in that period. As the Company collects and prepares the necessary data, and interprets the Tax Act and any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other standard-setting bodies, it may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustments may materially impact the Company’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate in the period in which the adjustments are made. To date, management has not made any adjustments to the provisional amounts for the remeasurement of deferred tax assets/liabilities and the deemed repatriation of certain foreign subsidiary earnings. The accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed in 2018.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to employees, non-employee directors or other service providers in accordance with accounting guidance that requires that awards are recorded at their fair value on the date of grant and are amortized over the vestingservice period of the award. The Company recognizes compensation costs on a straight linestraight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of the equity instrument issued. To the extent that an equity award later becomes eligible to be put back to the Company, then the fair value of that award or those exercised shares is transferred out of additional paid- in-capital to a liability account and is thereafter marked-to-market annually to fair value.

 

Segment Reporting

We are primarily a specialty cruise operator with operations in two segments, Lindblad and Natural Habitat. We evaluate the performance of our business based largely on the results of our operating segments. We provide discrete financial information in total, by ship and type of ship. The chief operating decision maker, or CODM, and management review operating results monthly, and base operating decisions on the total results at a consolidated level, as well as at a segment level. Our reports provided to the Board of Directors are at a consolidated level and also contain information regarding the separate results of both segments. Management performance and related compensation is primarily based on total results. While both segments have similar characteristics, the two operating and reporting segments cannot be aggregated because they fail to meet the ASC 280 requirements for aggregation.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2017-12,Derivatives and Hedging(Topic 815)Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This guidance will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. It is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. Update No. 2017-12 is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on the financial position or results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842). The guidance requires the recognition of lease right of use assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases previously classified as operating. This guidance was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by disclosing key information about leasing arrangements and requiring the recognition of right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Most prominent among the changes in the standard is the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our cash flows or results of operations.

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized upon the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. There have been multiple clarifying ASU’s issued subsequent to ASU 2014-09. We adopted the guidance related to revenue recognition beginning January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of the adoption date. Prior periods have not been restated. The adoption of this guidance was not material to our financial position and results of operations.

11

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU No. 2017-04,Intangibles and OtherOther (Topic 350):Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.Impairment. The amendment was issued in response from stakeholders’ regarding the cost and complexity of the goodwill impairment test. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the Board eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities). Now the entity compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. Public business entities should apply theThe Company adopted this guidance to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual impairment tests after January 1, 2017. The Company does2018, which did not believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact prospectively, to the Company’s condensed consolidatedon our financial statements.position or results of operations.

 

12

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU No. 2017-01, “BusinessBusiness Combinations (Topic 805):Clarifying the Definition of a Business”Business. The amendmentguidance was issued to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals)or disposals of assets or businesses. The amendments in this Update provide a screen to determine when a set (inputs and processes that produce an output) is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (oror disposed of)of is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. Public business entities should apply the guidance to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company doesadopted this guidance beginning January 1, 2018, which did not believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact prospectively, to the Company’s condensed consolidatedon our financial statements.position or results of operations.

 

In November 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This update requires that a Statement of Cash Flow explain the change during the period in the total cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash & cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the Statement of Cash Flows. Public business entities should apply the guidance to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, that adoption of this ASU will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”. The amendment was issued to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. FASB decided that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Consequently, the amendments in this Update eliminate the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. Public business entities should apply the guidance to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Earlier application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, that adoption of this ASU will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share- Based Payment Accounting” (Topic 718). The amendments in this ASU are to significantly reduce the complexity and cost of accounting for excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee share-based payment transactions, which include restricted stock and stock options. Also, ASU No. 2016-09 requires an entity to run excess tax benefits and deficiencies through its income statement, which in effect eliminates the concept of additional paid-in capital. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted this ASU during the quarter ending March 31, 2017 as required by the guidance. As a result of the new guidance, the Company recorded a de minimis current period benefit related to the exercise of stock options during the quarter ended March 31, 2017. However, the Company recorded an increase in deferred tax asset and retained earnings in the amount of $1.8 million, related to the retroactive method of applying this guidance.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (Topic 842). The main difference between previous GAAP and Topic 842 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The FASB is issuing this Update to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. To meet that objective, the FASB is amending the FASB ASC and creating Topic 842, Leases. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company believes adoption of this ASU will have a material impact to the Balance Sheet presentation of the Company. The present value of current outstanding operating leases will be presented as a right of use asset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding lease liability for approximately the same value. No material impact to the Company’s net income or loss is anticipated upon adoption of this ASU, with an anticipated date of adoption of the first quarter of 2019.

In January 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments- Overall” (Topic 825-10). The amendments in this ASU address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. They supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories (that is, trading or available-for- sale) and require equity securities (including other ownership interests, such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures, and limited liability companies) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. An entity’s equity investments that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation of an investee are not included within the scope of this Update. The amendments allow equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values to be remeasured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. The amendments also require enhanced disclosures about those investments. The amendments improve financial reporting by providing relevant information about an entity’s equity investments and reducing the number of items that are recognized in other comprehensive income. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company has evaluated the effects adoption of this ASU will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and found them to be immaterial.

13

In 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606). This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. There have been multiple ASU’s issued subsequent to ASU 2014-09, each of which is listed in chronological order below with a brief summary. We are currently assessing the impact of the guidance utilizing a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of the guidance on our revenue by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the new requirements to our revenue contracts, including evaluation of our performance obligations, principal versus agent and variable consideration. We continue to make significant progress on our contract reviews and are also in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, on changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. We currently expect to adopt all of the new guidance related to revenue recognition, beginning in the first quarter of 2018. A summary of subsequent ASU’s related to ASU 2014-09 is as follows:

In May 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (Topic 606).

In April 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (Topic 606).

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Gross versus Net)” (Topic 606).

In August 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Deferral of the Effective Date” (Topic 606).

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards upon adoption would have a material effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3 – LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 As of
March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)
  As of
December 31, 2016
 
    Discount        Discount    
    and Deferred  Balance,     and Deferred  Balance,  As of
March 31, 2018
  As of
December 31, 2017
 
    Financing  net of     Financing  net of  (unaudited)   
(In thousands) Principal Costs, net discount Principal Costs, net discount  Principal  Discount and Deferred Financing Costs, net  Balance  Principal  Discount and Deferred Financing Costs, net  Balance 
Note payable $2,525  $-  $2,525  $2,525  $-  $2,525  $2,525  $-  $2,525  $2,525  $-  $2,525 
Credit Facility  171,938   (8,477)  163,461   172,375   (9,022)  163,353   200,000   (12,544)  187,456   170,625   (7,214)  163,411 
Total long-term debt  174,463   (8,477)  165,986   174,900   (9,022)  165,878   202,525   (12,544)  189,981   173,150   (7,214)  165,936 
Less current portion  (1,750)  -   (1,750)  (1,750)  -   (1,750)  (1,500)  -   (1,500)  (1,750)  -   (1,750)
Total long-term debt, non-current $172,713  $(8,477) $164,236  $173,150  $(9,022) $164,128  $201,025  $(12,544) $188,481  $171,400  $(7,214) $164,186 

 

Note Payable

Credit Facility

On May 4, 2016, in connection with the Natural Habitat acquisition, Natural Habitat issued an unsecured promissory note to Mr. Bressler with an outstanding principal amount of $2.5 million due at maturity on December 31, 2020. The promissory note accrues interest at a rate of 1.44% annually, with interest payable every six months.

14

Credit Facility

On March 7, 2016,27, 2018, the Company entered into a second amendedThird Amended and restated credit agreement with Credit Suisse (“Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), amending its senior providing for a refinancing and amendment of the terms of the Company’s existing secured credit facility, withdated as of March 7, 2016 (the “Superseded Agreement”).

The Amended Credit Suisse (“Restated Credit Facility”). The Restated Credit FacilityAgreement provides for $175.0a $200.0 million senior secured first lien term loan facility (consisting(the “Term Facility”), which represents an increase of a $155.0$25.0 million U.S.from the senior secured first lien term loan (the “U.S.facility under the Superseded Agreement. The Term Loan”) and a $20.0 million Cayman term loan for the benefit of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries (the “Cayman Loan”, and togetherFacility matures March 27, 2025. Consistent with the U.S. Term Loan, (the “Loans”)) andSuperseded Agreement, the Amended Credit Agreement also provides for a $45.0 million senior secured incremental revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit(the “Revolving Facility”), which includes a $5.0 million letter of credit subfacility.sub-facility. The Company’s obligations under the RestatedAmended Credit Facility areAgreement remain secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company.

The Company capitalized $4.2 million related to lender and third-party fees in connection with the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In addition, the entry into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was considered a debt modification with a partial extinguishment, as a result the Company incurred costs of $1.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

 

Borrowings under the LoansTerm Facility will bear interest at an adjusted Intercontinental Exchange (“ICE”) Benchmark administration LIBOR plus a spread of 3.50%, which steps down to 3.25% if the Company’s debt rating from Moody’s and S&P are both B1 (stable) or better and BB (negative) or better, respectively. The interest rate at March 31, 2018 is 5.95%. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility will bear interest at an adjusted ICE Benchmark Administration LIBO Rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%)administration LIBOR plus a spread of 4.50%. As of March 31, 2017, the interest rate was 5.82%. The U.S. Term Loan and the Cayman Loan both mature on May 8, 2021. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at an adjusted ICE Benchmark Administration LIBO Rate plus a spread of 4.00%3.00%, or, at the option of the Company, an alternative base rate plus a spread of 3.00%2.00%. The Company is also required to pay a 0.50%0.5% annual commitment fee on undrawn amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility, which matures on May 8, 2020. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.27, 2023.

 

The Restated Credit Agreement (i) requires the Company to satisfy certain financial covenants;covenants as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement; (ii) limits the amount of indebtedness the Company may incur; (iii) limits the amount the Company may spend in connection with certain types of investments; (iv) requires the delivery of certain periodic financial statements and an operating budget and (v) requires the mortgaged vessels and related inventory to be maintained in good working condition. As of March 31, 2017,2018, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes and related fees and expenses. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

For the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016, total debt discount and2017, deferred financing costs charged to amortization and interest expense was $0.6 million for each respective period.million.

 

NOTE 4 – ACQUISITION

On May 4, 2016, the Company acquired an 80.1% ownership interest in Natural Habitat, an adventure travel and ecotourism company based in Colorado. The acquisition provides the Company with a platform to expand our land-based expeditions with a strong, trusted brand complementary to Lindblad. In 2016, the Company incurred $1.0 million of acquisition costs related to the acquisition of Natural Habitat, which is included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The Company recorded this transaction using the acquisition method for business combinations. The Company measured the identifiable assets, liabilities and non-controlling interest of Natural Habitat at their fair market value as of the acquisition date and separately measured goodwill at its fair market value as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is an intangible asset arising as a result of name, reputation, customer loyalty, location, products, and similar factors not separately identified. The recorded goodwill has no tax basis and is therefore not tax deductible.

Mr. Bressler’s noncontrolling interest in the remaining 19.9% interest in Natural Habitat is subject to a put/call arrangement. Mr. Bressler has a put option under certain conditions and subject to providing notice by October 31, 2020, that enables him, but does not obligate him, to sell his remaining interest in Natural Habitat on December 31, 2020. The Company has a call option, but not an obligation, with an expiration of December 31, 2025, for which it can buy Mr. Bressler’s remaining interest at a similar fair value measure as Mr. Bressler’s put option.

 1512 

 

 

AcquisitionSenior Secured Credit Agreement

On January 8, 2018, the Company and its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Borrower”) entered into a senior secured credit agreement (the “Export Credit Agreement”) with Citibank, N.A., London Branch (“Citi”) and Eksportkreditt Norge AS (together with Citi, the “Lenders”). Pursuant to the Export Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s option and subject to certain conditions, a loan in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $107.7 million for the purpose of providing financing for up to 80% of the purchase price of the Company’s new ice class vessel, theNational Geographic Endurance, targeted to be completed in January 2020. Seventy percent of the loan will be guaranteed by Garantiinstituttet for Eksportkreditt, the official export credit agency of Norway. If drawn upon, the loan will be made at the time of delivery of the vessel.

At the Borrower’s election, the loan will bear interest either at a fixed interest rate effectively equal to 5.78% or a floating interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 3.00% per annum. The loan will amortize quarterly based on a twelve-year profile, with 70% maturing over twelve years from drawdown, and 30% maturing over five years from drawdown. The loan will be secured by a first priority mortgage over the new vessel and the assignment of related insurances. The Export Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default and mandatory prepayment events for, among other things, non-payment, breach of covenants, default on certain other indebtedness, certain large judgments and a change of control of the Company or the Borrower. In addition to paying interest on any outstanding loans under the facility, the Borrower is required to pay customary coordination, arrangement, agency, collateral and commitment fees. Amounts drawn under the Export Credit Agreement may be voluntarily prepaid at any time subject to customary breakage costs. All obligations of the Borrower under the Export Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company.

Note Payable

On May 4, 2016, in connection with the Natural Habitat acquisition, Natural Habitat issued an unsecured promissory note to Benjamin L. Bressler, the founder of Natural Habitat, Inc.:

(In thousands)

  As of Acquisition Date 
    
Cash consideration $14,850 
Long-term debt - non-cash  2,525 
Lindblad restricted shares (264,208 shares) - non-cash  2,650 
Total purchase price $20,025 
     
Assets acquired:    
Cash and cash equivalents $4,904 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  9,623 
Property and equipment  2,068 
Goodwill and other intangibles  28,305 
Total assets $44,900 
     
Liabilities assumed:    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $2,472 
Unearned passenger revenues  15,000 
Deferred tax liability  2,428 
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries  4,975 
Total liabilities $24,875 
     
Total cash price paid upon acquisition and fair value of existing equity interest $20,025 

with an outstanding principal amount of $2.5 million due at maturity on December 31, 2020. The acquired business contributed revenuespromissory note accrues interest at a rate of $9.9 million and operating income of $0.1 million to Lindblad Expeditions for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information of Lindblad Expeditions as if the business combination had occurred on January 1, 2016:

  Pro Forma for Period Ended
March 31, 2016
 
  Unaudited 
(In thousands)   
Revenues $70,294 
Operating income $10,956 

These pro forma amounts have been calculated after applying the Company’s accounting policies and adjusting the results of Natural Habitat to reflect the additional depreciation and amortization that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets had been applied from January 1, 2016,1.44% annually, with tax effects.interest payable every six months.

 

NOTE 54 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

 

The Company has a 401(k) profit sharing plan and trust for its employees. The Company matches 30% of employee contributions up to the annual maximum of $2,100 and $1,800 as of March 31, 20172018 and 2016, respectively.2017. For the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016,2017, the Company’s benefit plan contribution amounted towas $0.1 million. The benefit plan contribution is recorded withinincluded in general and administrative expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.operations.

 

NOTE 65 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Capital Stock

The Company has a total of 201,000,000 authorized shares of capital stock, consisting of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, $0.0001 par value and 200,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, $0.0001 par value.

16

 

Stock and Warrant Repurchase Plan

The

On November 2, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved a $35.0$15.0 million increase to the Company’s existing stock and warrant repurchase plan authorizing(“Repurchase Plan”), to $35.0 million. This Repurchase Plan, which was authorized in November 2015, authorizes the Company to purchase from time to time the Company’s outstanding common stock and warrants through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors.warrants. Any shares and warrants purchased will be retired. The Repurchase Plan has no time deadline and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors at any time. ForDirectors. The repurchases exclude shares repurchased to settle statutory employee tax withholding related to the exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards. All repurchases were made using cash resources. During the three months ended March 31, 2017,2018 the Company purchased 513,372 warrants for $1.1 million and 480,864repurchased 9,030 shares of the Company’s common stock for $4.5$0.1 million and 568,446 warrants for $0.8 million. The Company has cumulatively repurchased 864,806 shares of common stock for $8.1 million and 6,011,926 warrants for $14.7 million, since plan inception. The balance as of April 30, 2018 for the repurchase plan was $12.1 million.

2017

2018 Long-Term Incentive Compensation

 

In March 2017, the Company’s compensation committee (or a subcommittee thereof) approved awards of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”) to key employees under the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The Company granted 171,393132,741 RSUs on April 3, 2017March 30, 2018 at a grant price of $8.98.$10.27. The RSU’s will vest in equal installments on each of the first three equal annual installments followinganniversaries of the April 2017 grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued employment or service with us or our subsidiaries on the applicable vesting date.

13

 

The PSUs are performance-vesting equity incentive awards that will be earned based on our performance against metrics relating to annual Adjusted EBITDA, annual revenue, and guest satisfaction. Awards will vest after a three-year performance period and may be earned at a level ranging from 0%-200% of the number of PSUs granted, depending on performance. On April 3, 2017,March 30, 2018, the Company awarded $1.1 million88,851 of targeted PSUs with the number of shares determined based upon the closing price of our common stock on March 31, 201730, 2018 of $8.96.$10.27.

2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan 

In April 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan and in June 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan, pursuant to which the Company may grant awards covering up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units, and/or other stock- or cash- based awards to eligible employees and other service providers of the Company. The 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan was adopted in connection with a contribution agreement that the Company entered into with Sven-Olof Lindblad, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, pursuant to which Mr. Lindblad will transfer up to 1,000,000 shares from his holdings of the Company’s common stock (i.e., an equivalent number of shares as is reserved for issuance under the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan) (the “Contribution Shares”) to the Company as a contribution to the capital of the Company. Mr. Lindblad will not receive any consideration in exchange for the Contribution Shares. However, as a condition to the contribution of any Contribution Shares, the Company must grant awards under the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan, such that the number of Contribution Shares that Mr. Lindblad actually contributes to the Company will equal the number of shares corresponding to awards granted under the plan. The contribution of the Contribution Shares by Mr. Lindblad to the Company will effectively reduce the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are outstanding by the same number of shares that are issued under the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan (or a lesser number in the event awards are settled in cash). Such contributions will be effective as of the date the Company grants corresponding awards under the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan. The administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan at any time. 

On January 10, 2017, Mr. Lindblad contributed, and the Company granted, 716,550 restricted shares at a grant price of $9.65. The grants vest in three equal installments with the first vesting date of January 10, 2017 and the remaining two vesting dates of January 10, 2018 and 2019, respectively. On January 10, 2017, 238,850 restricted shares vested, with 93,320 of such shares withheld by the Company in order to pay the payroll withholdings to cover the transactions.  

Stock Options

During the three months ended March 2017, 95,54231, 2018, 955,424 stock options were exercised. Using the market priceexercised at the date ofan exercise of $8.72 per share and the grant price of $1.76 per share 19,284 shares were transferred to provide the $0.2 million required to exercise the options. In addition, 23,145 of such shares were withheld by the Company in order to pay the payroll withholding taxes for the transactions. The balance of the option shares of 53,113 shares were issued as a result of the transactions.cashless transaction.

NOTE 76COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Fleet Expansion

On December 2, 2015, the Company entered into two separate Vessel Construction Agreements, (collectively, the “Agreements”) with Ice Floe, LLC, a Washington limited liability company doing business as Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (the “Builder”). The Agreements provide for the Builder to construct two new 236-foot 100-passenger cruise vessels at a purchasevessels.

The first vessel, theNational Geographic Quest, was delivered in July 2017. The Company amended the agreement for the second vessel, theNational Geographic Venture, in October 2017. The current contract price of $48.0is $57.3 million and $46.8 million, respectively, subjectthe vessel is scheduled to change orders. 

The Builder is required to deliver the vesselsbe completed in the secondfourth quarter of 2017 and the second quarter of 2018, respectively, subject to extension for certain events, such as change orders. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has paid Ice Floe, LLC $34.8 million related to theNational Geographic Venture. The Company may terminate the applicable AgreementsAgreement in the event the Builderbuilder fails to deliver the vessel within 180 days of the applicable due date or the Builderbuilder becomes insolvent or otherwise bankrupt. The AgreementsAgreement also containcontains customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities. As of March 31,

In November 2017, the Company has paid Ice Floe, LLC $44.8 million and $12.6 million relatedentered into an agreement with Ulstein Verft to construct a polar ice class vessel, theNational Geographic QuestEndurance, andNational Geographic Venture, respectively, relatedwith a total purchase price of 1,066.0 million Norwegian Kroner (NOK). Subsequently, the Company exercised its right to make payments in United States Dollars, which resulted in a purchase price of $134.6 million, including hedging costs. The purchase price is subject to potential adjustments from contract specifications for variations in speed, deadweight, fuel consumption and delivery date, and is due in installments. The first twenty percent of the above contracts.purchase price was paid shortly after execution of the Agreement with the remaining eighty percent due upon delivery and acceptance of the vessel. The vessel is targeted to be delivered in January 2020, with potential accelerated delivery to November 2019. The contract also includes options to build two additional ice class vessels.

17

 

Royalty Agreement – National Geographic

The Company is engaged in an alliance and license agreement with National Geographic, which allows the Company to use the National Geographic name and logo. In return for these rights, the Company is charged a royalty fee. The royalty fee is included within selling and marketing expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.operations. The amount is calculated based upon a percentage of certain ticket revenuerevenues less travel agent commission, including the revenuerevenues received from cancellation fees and any revenuerevenues received from the sale of voyage extensions. A voyage extension occurs when a guest extends theirhis or her trip with pre- or post-voyage hotel nights and is included within tour revenues on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.operations. The royalty expense is recognized at the time of revenue recognition. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a description of the Company’s revenue recognition policy. Royalty expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 totaled $1.6 million and 2016 totaled $1.2 million, and $1.3 million, respectively.

 

The balances outstanding to National Geographic as of March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 are $1.2$1.6 million and $1.5$1.7 million, respectively, and are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Royalty Agreement – World Wildlife Fund

Natural Habitat has a license agreement with World Wildlife Fund, (“WWF”), which allows it to use the WWF name and logo. In return for these rights, Natural Habitat is charged a royalty fee and a fee based on annual gross sales. The fees are included within selling and marketing expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.operations. The annual royalty payment and gross sales fees are paid on a quarterly basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, these fees totaled $0.2 million.

 

14

Charter Commitments

From time to time, the Company enters into agreements to charter vessels ononto which it holds its tours and expeditions. Future minimum payments on its charter agreements as of March 31, 2018 are as follows:

For the Years Ended December 31, Amount 
(In thousands)   
2017 (nine months)  7,512 
2018  10,095 
2019  2,849 
2020  272 
Total $20,728 

 

Insurance Revenue 

During the first quarter, the Company recognized $1.9 million of insurance revenue related to cancelled voyages on theNational Geographic Orion. Recorded revenue does not include any contested claims, and the amount recognized is recorded in tour revenues in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income.  

For the years ended December 31, Amount 
(In thousands) (unaudited) 
2018 (nine months) $6,027 
2019  8,451 
2020  130 
Total $14,608 

NOTE 87 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments based largely on tour revenues and operating income, and results of the segments without allocating other income and expenses, net, income taxes and interest expense, net. For the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 20162017 operating results were:

  For the Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(In thousands) 2017  2016  Change  % 
  Unaudited  Unaudited       
Tour revenues:            
Lindblad $53,202  $61,574  $(8,372)  (14)%
Natural Habitat  9,926   -   9,926   

NA

Total tour revenues $63,128  $61,574  $1,554   3%
                 
Operating income:                
Lindblad $1,266  $10,919  $(9,653)  (88)%
Natural Habitat  99   -   99   

NA

Total operating income $1,365  $10,919  $(9,554)  (88)%

  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands) 2018  2017  Change  % 
Tour revenues: (unaudited) 
Lindblad $70,453  $53,202  $17,251   32%
Natural Habitat  11,957   9,926   2,031   20%
Total tour revenues $82,410  $63,128  $19,282   31%
Operating income:                
Lindblad $13,439  $1,266  $12,173   NM 
Natural Habitat  932   99   833   NM 
Total operating income $14,371  $1,365  $13,006   NM 

 

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, total assets for the Lindblad segment and for the Natural Habitat segment were $362.5$395.2 million and $41.4$53.6 million, respectively, and $382.7 million and $49.6 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were $4.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively, of intangibles, net related to the Lindblad segment. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there was $22.1 million in goodwill and $5.4$4.6 million and $4.8 million in intangibles, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheetrespectively, that were related to the Natural Habitat segment.

For the Lindblad segment, capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were $14.4 million and $22.8 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $4.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, amortization expense related to operating rights was $0.2 million.

For the Natural Habitat segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, amortization of tradenames and customer list amortization oflists was $0.2 million was related to the Natural Habitat segment.million. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 there was $0.4 million and $0.3 million in depreciation and amortization expense, respectively, and $0.1 million in capital expenditures related to the Natural Habitat segment. expenditures.

There waswere $1.0 million and $0.2 million in intercompany tour revenues between the Lindblad and Natural Habitat segments eliminated in consolidation for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31,2018 and 2017, amortization expense related to operating rights was $0.2 million for the Lindblad segment. Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for the Lindblad segment. Capital expenditures for the Lindblad segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and for the year ended December 31, 2016, was $22.8 million and $75.9 million, respectively.

 1815 

 

 

ITEM 2:2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ANDTHE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

The following discussion and analysis addresses material changes in the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”), as well as its audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2016 on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2017.2, 2018.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Any statements in this Form 10-Q about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook” and similar words. You should read the statements that contain these types of words carefully. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. There may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or over which we have no control. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

 general economic conditions;

 unscheduled disruptions in our business due to weather events, mechanical failures, or other events;

 changes adversely affecting the business in which we are engaged;

management of our growth and our ability to execute on our planned growth;

our business strategy and plans;

compliance with laws and regulations,

 compliance with the financial and/or operating covenants in our SecondThird Amended & Restated Credit Agreement (“RestatedAmended Credit Agreement”);

 adverse publicity regarding the cruise industry in general;

loss of business due to competition;

 the result of future financing efforts;

delays and costs overruns with respect to the construction and delivery of newly constructed vessels;
the inability to meet revenue and Adjusted EBITDA projections; and

 those risks discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.

 

We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or uncertainties after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Form 10-Q, “Company,” “Lindblad,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “ours” refer to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries.

 

19

Business Overview

 

We provideLindblad provides expedition cruising and adventure travel experiences that include itineraries that feature up-close encounters with wildlife and nature, history and culture and promote guest empowerment and interactivity. Our mission is offering life-changing adventures on all seven continents and pioneering innovative ways to allow our guests to connect with exotic and remote places.

We currently operate a fleet of sixseven owned expedition shipsships. The Company has contracted for two additional vessels, theNational Geographic Venture, a coastal vessel, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018, and theNational Geographic Endurance, a polar ice class vessel targeted to be completed in January 2020, with potential accelerated delivery to November 2019. The polar ice class contract includes options to build two additional ice class vessels.

In addition, the Company operates five seasonal charter vessels under the Lindblad brand. We deploy chartered vessels for various seasonal offerings and continually seek to optimize our charter fleet to balance our inventory with demand and maximize yields. We use our charter inventory as a mechanism to both increase travel options for our existing and prospective guests and also to test demand for certain areas and seasons to understand the potential for longer term deployments and additional vessel needs.

16

We have a strategic business alliancelongstanding relationship with the National Geographic Society, (“National Geographic”) foundedsince 2004, based on a shared interest in exploration, research, technology and conservation. This relationship includes a co-selling, co-marketing and branding arrangementarrangements with National Geographic Partners, LLC (“National Geographic”) whereby our owned vessels carry the National Geographic name and National Geographic sells our expeditions through itstheir internal travel division.divisions. We collaborate with National Geographic on voyageexpedition planning to enhance the guest experience by having National Geographic experts, including photographers, writers, marine biologists, naturalists, field researchers and film crews, join our expeditions. Guests have the ability to interface with these experts through lectures, excursions, dining and other experiences throughout their voyage. Our arrangement with National Geographic extends through December 31, 2025.expedition.

We deploy chartered vessels for various seasonal offerings and continually seek to optimize our charter fleet to balance our inventory with demand and maximized yields. We use our charter inventory as a mechanism to both increase travel options of our existing and prospective guests and also to test demand for certain areas and seasons to understand the potential for longer term deployments and additional vessel needs.

Due to the specific geographies in which we operate and the cost of providing access to fuel in our remote destinations, we have historically not experienced significant fluctuations in fuel costs with changes in world fuel commodity prices. However, the downward pressure on fuel prices has become evident in all areas of the world in which we operate. Fuel costs represented 3.3% and 4.1% of our Lindblad segment tour revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

In December 2015, we entered into two separate contracts with Ice Floe LLC, to build two vessels for delivery in the second quarter of 2017 and 2018. These 236-foot vessels are expected to have capacity of approximately 100 guests each and management considers this investment to be an important step to meet increasing demand for our offerings. As of March 31, 2017 we have spent $44.8 million and $12.6 million, respectively related to these two contracts with Ice Floe, LLC. The two new-build coastal vessels are currently proceeding on schedule. The first vessel,National Geographic Quest, is expected to launch on June 26, 2017 and will sail in Alaska and British Columbia during the summer of 2017 before voyaging to Costa Rica and Panama to provide expeditions for the Northern Hemisphere winter season. The second vessel,National Geographic Venture, is expected to launch in June of 2018.

20

 

On May 4,March 27, 2018, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) with Credit Suisse, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, providing for a refinancing and amendment of the terms of the Company’s existing secured credit facility, dated as of March 7, 2016 we expanded our land-based offerings by acquiring(the “Superseded Agreement”).The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a $200.0 million senior secured first lien term loan facility (the “Term Facility”), which represents an 80.1% ownership interest in Natural Habitat, Inc. (“Natural Habitat”), an adventure travel and ecotourism company based in Colorado. Natural Habitat was founded by Benjamin L. Bressler, who retains a 19.9% noncontrolling interest in Natural Habitat. Examplesincrease of Natural Habitat’s expeditions include African safaris in Botswana, grizzly bear adventures in Alaska and polar bear tours in Canada. Since 2003, Natural Habitat has partnered$25.0 million from the senior secured first lien term loan facility under the Superseded Agreement. Consistent with the World Wildlife Fund (“WWF”Superseded Agreement, the Amended Credit Agreement also provides for a $45.0 million senior secured incremental revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”), which includes a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. See Note 3 – Long-Term Debt to offer conservation travel, sustainable travel that directly protects nature. This agreement with WWF extends through 2023.the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Restated Credit Agreement.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2016, theNational Geographic Orion experienced an issue with its main engine and as a result we cancelled four voyages during the first quarter of 2017 for necessary engine repairs. In addition, in the first quarter of 2017, theNational Geographic Sea Lion cancelled two voyages to repair the onboard air conditioning system. TheIt is estimated that the impact of the cancellations during the quarter was approximately $9.1 million in tour revenues which included lost ticket revenues of approximately $11.0 million, offset by $1.9and $6.5 million in insurance revenues related toAdjusted EBITDA for theNational Geographic Orion cancellations. The adjusted EBITDA impact due to the voyage cancellations was approximately $6.5 million. three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 provides additional information about our business operations and financial condition.

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and financial condition are organized as follows:follows:

 

a description of certain line items and operational and financial metrics we utilize to assist us in managing our business;

results and a comparable discussion of our consolidated and segment results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016;2017;

a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including future capital and contractual commitments and potential funding sources; and

a review of our critical accounting policies.

 

Financial Presentation

 

Description of Certain Line Items

Tour revenues

 

Tour revenues

Tour revenues consist of the following:

 

Guest ticket revenues recognized from the sale of guest tickets; and

Other tour revenues from the sale of pre- or post-expedition excursions, hotel accommodations, and land-based expeditions; air transportation to and from the ships, goods and services rendered onboard that are not included in guest ticket prices, trip insurance, and cancellation fees.

 

21

Cost of tours

Cost of tours includes the following:

 

Direct costs associated with revenues, including cost of pre- or post-expedition excursions, hotel accommodations, and land-based expeditions, air and other transportation expenses, and cost of goods and services rendered onboard;

Payroll costs and related expenses for shipboard and expedition personnel;

Food costs for guests and crew, including complimentary food and beverage amenities for guests;

Fuel costs and related costs of delivery, storage and safe disposal of waste; and

Other tour expenses, such as land costs, port costs, repairs and maintenance, equipment expense, drydock, ship insurance, and charter hire costs.

 

Selling and marketing

Selling and marketing expenses include commissions and a broad range of advertising and promotional expenses.

 

General and administrative

17

 

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses include the cost of shoreside vessel support, reservations and other administrative functions, including salaries and related benefits, credit card commissions, professional fees and rent.

 

Operational and Financial Metrics

We use a variety of operational and financial metrics, including non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, Net Yields, Occupancy and Net Cruise Costs, to enable us to analyze our performance and financial condition. We utilize these financial measures to manage our business on a day-to-day basis and believe that they are the most relevant measures of performance. Some of these measures are commonly used in the cruise and tourism industry to evaluate performance. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide expanded insight to assess revenue and cost performance, in addition to the standard GAAP-based financial measures. There are no specific rules or regulations for determining non-GAAP measures, and as such, they may not be comparable to measures used by other companies within the industry.

 

The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. You should read this discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto also included within.

 

Adjusted EBITDAis net income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, other income (expense), income tax (expense) benefit, (expense),(gain) loss on foreign currency, (gain) loss on transfer of assets, reorganization costs, and other supplemental adjustments. Other supplemental adjustments include certain non-operating items such as stock-based compensation, executive severance costs, the National Geographic fee amortization, merger-related expenses, debt refinancing costs and acquisition-related expenses. We believeThe Company believes Adjusted EBITDA, when considered along with other performance measures, is a useful measure as it reflects certain operating drivers of the business, such as sales growth, operating costs, selling and administrative expense, and other operating income and expense. We believeThe Company believes Adjusted EBITDA when considered along with other performance measures, is a useful measure as it reflects certain drivers of the business, such as sales growth and operating costs. We believe Adjusted EBITDA canhelps provide a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends and an enhanced overall understanding of ourthe Company’s financial performance and prospects for the future. While Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure under GAAP, management uses this financial measure to evaluate and forecast business performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of liquidity or cash flows from operations or a measure comparable to net income as it does not take into account certain requirements, such as unearned passenger revenues, capital expenditures and related depreciation, principal and interest payments, and tax payments. OurThe Company’s use of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other companies within the industry. Management compensates for these limitations by using Adjusted EBITDA as only one of several measures for evaluating our business performance.

 

22

The following metrics apply to our Lindblad segment:

 

Adjusted Net Cruise Costrepresents Net Cruise Cost adjusted for Non-GAAP other supplemental adjustments which include certain non-operating items such as stock-based compensation, the National Geographic fee amortization, merger-related expenses, and acquisition-related expenses.

 

Available Guest Nightsis a measurement of capacity and represents double occupancy per cabin (except single occupancy for a single capacity cabin) multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period. We also record the number of guest nights available on our limited land programs in this definition.

 

Gross Cruise Cost represents the sum of cost of tours plus merger-related expenses, selling and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses.

 

Gross Yieldrepresents tour revenues less insurance proceeds divided by Available Guest Nights.

 

Guest Nights Soldrepresents the number of guests carried for the period multiplied by the number of nights sailed within the period.

 

Maximum Guestsis a measure of capacity and represents the maximum number of guests in a period and is based on double occupancy per cabin (except single occupancy for a single capacity cabin).

 

Net Cruise Costrepresents Gross Cruise Cost excluding commissions and certain other direct costs of guest ticket revenues and other tour revenues.

 

Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuelrepresents Net Cruise Cost excluding fuel costs.

 

Net Revenuerepresents tour revenues less insurance proceeds, commissions and direct costs of other tour revenues.

18

 

Net Yieldrepresents Net Revenue divided by Available Guest Nights.

 

Number of Guestsrepresents the number of guests that travel with us in a period.

 

Occupancyis calculated by dividing Guest Nights Sold by Available Guest Nights.

 

Voyagesrepresent the number of ship expeditions completed during the period.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency in our foreign operations and remeasurementre-measurement adjustments and gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are recorded as foreign exchange gains or losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.operations.

 

Seasonality

 

Lindblad tour revenues from the sale of guest tickets are mildly seasonal, historically larger in the first and third quarters. The seasonality of our operating results increases due to our vessels being taken out of service for scheduled maintenance or drydocking, which is typically during non-peak demand periods, in the second and fourth quarters. Our drydock schedules are subject to cost and timing differences from year to year due to the availability of shipyards for certain work, drydock locations based on ship itineraries, operating conditions experienced especially in the polar regions, and the applicable regulations of class societies in the maritime industry, which require more extensive reviews periodically. Drydocking impacts operating results by reducing tour revenues and increasing cost of tours. Natural Habitat is a seasonal business, with the majority of itshigher tour revenue recorded in the fourth quarter fromthan other quarters related to polar bear tours.tour revenues.

 

23

Results of Operations - Consolidated

 

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data) 2017  2016  Change  %  2018  2017  Change  % 
Tour revenues $63,128  $61,574  $1,554   3% $82,410  $63,128  $19,282   31%
Cost of tours  32,603   25,275   7,328   29%  35,871   32,603   3,268   10%
Gross profit  30,525   36,299   (5,774)  (16)%  46,539   30,525   16,014   52%
General and administrative  15,101   11,188   3,914   35%  15,050   15,101   (51)  (0%)
Selling and marketing  10,296   9,618   678   7%  12,073   10,296   1,777   17%
Depreciation and amortization  3,763   4,574   (811)  (18)%  5,045   3,763   1,282   34%
Operating income $1,365  $10,919  $(9,555)  (88)% $14,371  $1,365  $13,006   NM 
Net income  625   10,467   (9,842)  (94)% $10,917  $625  $10,292   NM 
Earnings per share attributable to Lindblad                
Earnings per share available to common stockholders                
Basic $0.01  $0.23  $(0.22)     $0.24  $0.01  $0.23   NM 
Diluted  0.01   0.23  $(0.22)      0.24   0.01   0.23   NM 

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 20172018 to Three Months Ended March 31, 20162017 - Consolidated

 

Tour Revenues

Tour revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $1.6$19.3 million, or 3%31%, to $82.4 million compared to $63.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Lindblad segment increased tour revenues by $17.3 million driven by higher guest ticket revenue, primarily from an increase in available guest nights due to the addition of theNational Geographic Questto our fleet in the third quarter of 2017, as well as from the impact of cancelled voyages in the first quarter of 2017. At the Natural Habitat segment tour revenues increased $2.0 million over the prior year period primarily dueto additional departures and an increase in pricing. Excluding the estimated $9.1 million impact from the voyage cancellations in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $61.6tour revenues would have increased $10.1 million, or 14%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was primarily a result of $9.9 million in added tour revenues from the acquisition of Natural Habitat, mostly offset by a decrease in Lindblad segment revenue due largely to the cancellation of four highly booked voyages of theNational Geographic Orion and two highly booked voyages of theNational Geographic Sea Lion in the first quarter of 2017. Excluding these voyage cancellations, we estimate that our tour revenue would have increased $10.7 million or 17% to $72.3 million for the first quarter of 2017.2018.

19

 

Cost of Tours

Total cost of tours for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $7.3$3.3 million, or 29%10%, to $35.9 million compared to $32.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to a $2.3 million increase at the Lindblad segment mainly from costs related to theNational Geographic Questand the impact of cancelled voyages in the first quarter of 2017 compared, partially offset by a decrease in charter expense due to $25.3a planned reduction in chartered voyages. At the Natural Habitat segment, cost of tours increased $1.0 million due to additional departures.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was primarily a result of $6.2 million from the acquisition of Natural Habitat2018 and $1.1 million increase in cost of tours in2017 were $15.1 million. At the Lindblad segment, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.4 million over the prior year period as a result of additional charter expeditions during$3.3 million in lower stock compensation expense, mainly due to higher costs in the first quarter ofa year ago from the 2016 CEO Allocation Grant and option grants fully expensed on December 31, 2017, partially offset by lower fueldebt refinancing and higher personnel costs. At the Natural Habitat segment, general and administrative expenses increased $0.4 million primarily due to an increase in personnel costs and costs from the cancelled voyages.

credit card commissions. 

General and Administrative Expenses

Selling and Marketing

General

Selling and administrativemarketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased by $3.9$1.8 million, or 35%17%, to $15.1$12.1 million compared to $10.3 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 comparedprimarily due to $11.2a $1.9 million forincrease at the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was primarily a result of $2.9 million in stock compensationLindblad segment due to increased commission and royalty expense primarily as a result ofassociated with the 2016 CEO Allocation Plan (which provides our CEOhigher tour revenues. At the ability to transfer shares from his existing holdings in the Company to eligible employees), and $2.3 million in added expenses from the acquisition of Natural Habitat partially offsetsegment, selling and marketing expenses decreased $0.2 million primarily driven by lower employee costs.a decrease in promotional offers.

 

SellingDepreciation and Marketing Expenses

Amortization

Selling and marketing expenses increased $0.7 million, or 7%, to $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $9.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was primarily a result of additional expenses from the acquisition of Natural Habitat.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $1.3 million, or 34%, to $5.0 million, compared to $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $3.8primarily due to a $1.2 million and $4.6 million, respectively. The $0.8 million decrease was primarily relatedincrease at the Lindblad segment mainly due to the accelerated depreciation foraddition of theNational Geographic EndeavourQuestduring 2016, ahead ofto the vessel’s December 2016 retirement, offset by an additional $0.3 millionfleet in depreciation expense related to Natural Habitat.July 2017.

 

Other Expense

Other expenses werefor the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.9 million to $3.2 million from $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The $0.4 million decline was primarily due to the reduction of interest expense due to higher capitalized interest related to the construction of theNational Geographic QuestandNational Geographic Venture.following:

In 2018, we recorded a $0.5 million loss in foreign currency translation compared to a gain of $0.3 million in 2017 due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar and the Euro.

Interest expense, net, increased $0.4 million to $2.7 million in 2018 from $2.3 million in 2017 due to higher interest rates.

In 2017, we incurred $0.2 million of costs related to the retirement of theNational Geographic Endeavour. No such costs were incurred in 2018.

 2420 

 

 

Net Income

Net income for the first quarter was $0.6 million as compared with net income of $10.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. The $9.8 million decrease is primarily due to lower operating results and $2.9 million of additional stock based compensation expense in the current year. The increase in stock compensation was primarily related to grants under the 2016 CEO Share Allocation Plan.

Results of Operations – Segments

 

Selected information for our segments is below.The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

  For the Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(In thousands) 2017  2016  Change  % 
             
Tour revenues:            
Lindblad $53,202  $61,574  $(8,372)  (14)%
Natural Habitat  9,926   -   9,926   NA 
Total tour revenues $63,128  $61,574  $1,554   3%
Impact of voyage cancellations  9,140   -   9,140   NA 
Total tour revenues excluding voyage cancellations $72,268  $61,574  $10,694   17%
                 
Operating income:                
Lindblad $1,266  $10,919  $(9,653)  (88)%
Natural Habitat  99   -   99   NA 
Total operating income $1,365  $10,919  $(9,554)  (87)%
Impact of voyage cancellations  6,464   -   6,464   NA 
Total operating income excluding voyage cancellations $7,829  $10,919  $(3,090)  (28)%
                 
Adjusted EBITDA:                
Lindblad $9,842  $17,555  $(7,713)  (44)%
Natural Habitat  422   -   422   NA 
Total adjusted EBITDA $10,264  $17,555  $(7,291)  (42)%
Impact of voyage cancellations  6,464   -   6,464   NA 
Total adjusted EBITDA excluding voyage cancellations $16,728  $17,555  $(827)  (5)%

The impact of the cancelled voyages on tour revenues was calculated as booked tour revenue at the time of cancellation less insurance proceeds. The impact of the cancelled voyages on operating income and adjusted EBITDA was calculated as booked tour revenue at the time of cancellation less insurance proceeds and estimated operating costs.

  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands) 2018  2017  Change  % 
Tour revenues:            
Lindblad $70,453  $53,202  $17,251   32%
Natural Habitat  11,957   9,926   2,031   20%
Total tour revenues  82,410   63,128   19,282   31%
Impact of voyage cancellations  -   9,140   (9,140)  NA 
Total tour revenues excluding voyage cancellations $82,410  $72,268  $10,142   14%
Operating income:                
Lindblad $13,439  $1,266  $12,173   NM 
Natural Habitat  932   99   833   NM 
Total operating income  14,371   1,365   13,006   NM 
Impact of voyage cancellations  -   6,464   (6,464)  NA 
Total operating income excluding voyage cancellations $14,371  $7,829  $6,542   84%
Adjusted EBITDA:                
Lindblad $20,889  $9,842  $11,047   112%
Natural Habitat  1,293   422   871   NM 
Total adjusted EBITDA  22,182   10,264   11,918   116%
Impact of voyage cancellations  -   6,464   (6,464)  NA 
Total adjusted EBITDA excluding voyage cancellations $22,182  $16,728  $5,454   33%

 

Results of Operations – Lindblad Segment

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 – Lindblad Segment

 

Tour Revenues

Tour revenues decreased $8.4 million, or 14%, to $53.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $61.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily the result of the voyage cancellations on theNational Geographic OrionandNational Geographic Sea Lionduring the first quarter of 2017, and due to lower occupancy for the first quarter of 2017 compared to 2016. Excluding the impact of the voyage cancellations, we estimate that tour revenues would have increased 17% to $72.3 million.

Operating Income

Operating income decreased $9.7 million, or 88%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This decrease was primarily related to lost operating income as a result of cancelled voyages for theNational Geographic Orion and National Geographic Sea Lionin the first quarter of 2017, an increase of $2.9 million in stock compensation expense primarily due to the CEO Allocation Plan and an additional $1.1 million in cost of tours related to additional charter expeditions during the first quarter of 2017, offset by lower fuel costs and the impact of cancelled voyages. Excluding the estimated $6.5 million impact of cancelled voyages, we estimate operating income would have been $7.7 million as compared with $10.9 million in 2016.

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Results of Operations – Natural Habitat Segment

As a result of the acquisition of Natural Habitat, we began to include the results of operations for Natural Habitat as a separate segment on May 5, 2016. Natural Habitat reported $9.9 million in tour revenues and $0.1 million in operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA – Consolidated

The following table outlines the reconciliation to Net income and calculation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

(In thousands) For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
  2017  2016 
Net income $625  $10,467 
Income tax (benefit) expense  (1,592)  (2,225)
Interest expense, net  2,315   2,748 
Depreciation and amortization  3,763   4,574 
Loss on foreign currency  (246)  (71)
Other expense (income), net  263   - 
Stock-based compensation  4,202   1,335 
National Geographic fee amortization  727   727 
Reorganization costs  207   - 
Adjusted EBITDA - Consolidated  10,264   17,555 
Impact of voyage cancellations  6,464   - 
Adjusted EBITDA - Consolidated excluding impact of voyage cancellations $16,728  $17,555 

The following tables outline the reconciliation for each segment from operating income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Reconciliation of Operating Income Adjusted EBITDA
Lindblad Segment

(In thousands) For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
  2017  2016 
Operating income $1,266  $10,919 
Depreciation and amortization  3,440   4,574 
Stock-based compensation  4,202   1,335 
National Geographic fee amortization  727   727 
Reorganization costs  207   - 
Adjusted EBITDA - Lindblad segment  9,842   17,555 
Impact of voyage cancellations  6,464   - 
Adjusted EBITDA - Lindblad segment excluding impact of voyage cancellations $16,306  $17,555 

Reconciliation of Operating Income Adjusted EBITDA
Natural Habitat

(In thousands) For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
  2017 
Operating income $99 
Depreciation and amortization  323 
Adjusted EBITDA - Natural Habitat segment $422 

The following tables set forth our Guest Metrics for the Lindblad segment. Please refer to ourDescription of Certain Line Itemsabove for the specific definition by line item and segment.The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

26

The following table sets forth our Available Guest Nights, Guest Nights Sold, Occupancy, Maximum Guests, Number of Guests and Voyages for the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016:2017:

 

 For the Three Months Ended March 31,  For the three months ended March 31, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Available Guest Nights  42,722   51,857   53,917   42,722 
Guest Nights Sold  37,064   47,619   48,935   37,064 
Occupancy  86.8%  91.8%  90.8%  86.8%
Maximum Guests  5,268   5,708   6,899   5,268 
Number of Guests  4,601   5,284   6,177   4,601 
Voyages  81   79   95   81 

21

 

The following table shows the calculations of Gross Yield and Net Yield for the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016.2017. Gross Yield is calculated by dividing tour revenues less insurance proceeds,Tour Revenues by Available Guest Nights.Nights and Net Yield is calculated by dividing Net Revenue by Available Guest Nights:

 

(In thousands, except for Available
Guest Nights, Gross and Net Yield)
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2017  2016 
Guest ticket revenues $45,045  $53,914 
Other tour revenues  8,157   7,660 
Tour Revenues  53,202   61,574 
Less: Orion Insurance Proceeds  (1,900)  - 
Adjusted Tour Revenues  51,302   61,574 
Less: Commissions  (4,102)  (4,287)
Less: Other tour expenses  (4,118)  (5,010)
Net Revenue $43,082  $52,277 
Available Guest Nights  42,722   51,857 
Gross Yield $1,201  $1,187 
Net Yield  1,008   1,008 

Calculation of Gross Yield and Net Yield

 

Lindblad Segment

27

 

 For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except for Available Guest Nights, Gross and Net Yield) 2018  2017 
Guest ticket revenues $62,681  $45,045 
Other tour revenues  7,772   8,157 
Tour Revenues  70,453   53,202 
Less: Orion Insurance Proceeds  -   (1,900)
Adjusted Tour Revenues  70,453   51,302 
Less: Commissions  (5,554)  (4,102)
Less: Other tour expenses  (4,118)  (4,118)
Net Revenue $60,781  $43,082 
Available Guest Nights  53,917   42,722 
Gross Yield $1,307  $1,201 
Net Yield  1,127   1,008 

 

The following table shows the calculations of Gross Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night and Net Cruise Costs per Available Guest Night for the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016:2017:

(In thousands, except for Available Guest Nights, For the three months ended March 31, 
Gross and Net Cruise Cost per Avail. Guest Night) 2018  2017 
Cost of tours $28,680  $26,372 
Plus: Selling and marketing  11,262   9,312 
Plus: General and administrative  12,388   12,812 
Gross Cruise Cost  52,330   48,496 
Less: Commission expense  (5,554)  (4,102)
Less: Other tour expenses  (4,118)  (4,118)
Net Cruise Cost  42,658   40,276 
Less: Fuel expense  (2,110)  (1,668)
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel  40,548   38,608 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:        
Debt refinancing costs  (993)  - 
Stock-based compensation  (866)  (4,202)
National Geographic fee amortization  (727)  (727)
Reorganization costs  (180)  (207)
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel $37,782  $33,472 
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost $39,892  $35,140 
Available Guest Nights  53,917   42,722 
Gross Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night $971  $1,135 
Net Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night  791   943 
Net Cruise Cost Excl. Fuel per Available Guest Night  752   904 
Adj. Net Cruise Cost Excl. Fuel per Avail. Guest Night  701   783 
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night  740   823 

22

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Tour Revenues

 

(In thousands, except for Available Guest Nights,
Gross and Net Cruise Cost)
 For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
  2017  2016 
Cost of tours $26,372  $25,275 
Plus: Selling and marketing  9,311   9,618 
Plus: General and administrative  12,813   11,188 
Gross Cruise Cost  48,496   46,081 
Less: Commission expense  (4,102)  (4,287)
Less: Other tour expenses  (4,118)  (5,010)
Net Cruise Cost  40,276   36,784 
Less: Fuel expense  (1,668)  (2,530)
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel  38,608   34,254 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:        
Stock-based compensation  (4,202)  (1,335)
National Geographic fee amortization  (727)  (727)
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel $33,679  $32,192 
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost $35,347  $34,722 
Available Guest Nights  42,722   51,857 
Gross Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night $1,135  $889 
Net Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night  943   709 
Net Cruise Cost Excl. Fuel per Available Guest Night  904   661 
Adj. Net Cruise Cost Excl. Fuel per Avail. Guest Night  788   621 
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night  827   670 

Tour revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $17.3 million, or 32%, to $70.5 million compared to $53.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was driven by higher guest ticket revenue primarily from an increase in available guest nights due to the addition of theNational Geographic Questto our fleet in the third quarter of 2017, as well as from the impact of cancelled voyages in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, Net Yield for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased to $1,127 compared to $1,008 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily driven by price increases and changes in itineraries. Occupancy rates increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 91% compared to 87% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflecting higher demand across the fleet. Excluding the estimated $9.1 million impact from the voyage cancellations in the first quarter of 2017, tour revenues would have increased $8.1 million, or 13%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $12.2 million to $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily driven by additional tour revenue. In addition, stock compensation expense decreased due to higher costs in the prior year’s quarter from the 2016 CEO Allocation Grant and option grants fully expensed on December 31, 2017. This was partially offset by higher operating costs due to the addition of theNational Geographic Questto our fleet in the third quarter of 2017, as well as the impact of cancelled voyages in the first quarter of 2017.

Results of Operations – Natural Habitat Segment

Comparison of Years Ended March 31, 2018 to March 31, 2017

Tour Revenues

Tour revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $2.0 million, or 20%, to $11.9 million compared to $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.The increase was primarily due to additional departures, as well as price increases.

Operating Income

Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.8 million to $0.9 million compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to the revenue growth, partially offset by higher operating costs.

23

Adjusted EBITDA – Consolidated

The following table outlines the reconciliation to net income and calculation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP

  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands) 2018  2017 
Net income $10,917  $625 
Interest expense, net  2,734   2,315 
Income tax expense (benefit)  277   (1,592)
Depreciation and amortization  5,045   3,763 
Loss (gain) on foreign currency  451   (246)
Other (income) expense, net  (8)  263 
Debt refinancing costs  993   - 
Stock-based compensation  866   4,202 
National Geographic fee amortization  727   727 
Reorganization costs  180   207 
Adjusted EBITDA  22,182   10,264 
Impact of voyage cancellations  -   6,464 
Adjusted EBITDA excluding impact of voyage cancellations $22,182  $16,728 

The following tables outline the reconciliation for each segment from operating income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA

Lindblad Segment

  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands) 2018  2017 
Operating income $13,439  $1,266 
Depreciation and amortization  4,684   3,440 
Debt refinancing costs  993   - 
Stock-based compensation  866   4,202 
National Geographic fee amortization  727   727 
Reorganization costs  180   207 
Adjusted EBITDA  20,889   9,842 
Impact of voyage cancellations  -   6,464 
Adjusted EBITDA excluding impact of voyage cancellations $20,889  $16,306 

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA

Natural Habitat Segment

  For the three months ended 
  March 31, 
(In thousands) 2018  2017 
Operating income $932  $99 
Depreciation and amortization  361   323 
Adjusted EBITDA $1,293  $422 

24

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources and Uses of Cash for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20172018 and 20162017

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operatingactivitiesincreased by $3.7 was $10.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017in 2018 compared to a source of cash of $2.7 million compared with a use of cash of $1.0in 2017. The $7.8 million forincrease was primarily due to the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily as a result of an increase in unearned revenue.

improved operating results.

 

28

Net cash used in investing activities was $27.7 million in 2018 compared to $27.3 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2017 compared to $13.9 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2016.in 2017. The $13.4$0.4 million increase was primarily related to higher deposits into our Federal Maritime Commission escrow for travel on the Company’s U.S. flagged vessels offset by a decrease in purchases of property and equipment related to growth capital expenditures for our two new build vessels and payment of our annual Federal Maritime Commission escrow.equipment.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $18.0 million in 2018 compared toNet cash used in financing activitieswas of $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $10.0in 2017. The $25.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The $2.9 million differenceincrease was primarily related to the exercise$200.0 million in proceeds from refinancing the credit facility, partially offset by the $170.6 million repayment of option sharesthe previous senior debt and payment of $6.3 million in deferred financing costs related to the Restated Credit Agreement in 2016.

costs.

 

Funding Needs and Sources

We have historically relied on a combination of cash flows provided by operations and the incurrence of additional debt and/or the refinancing of existing debt to fund obligations. Similar to others in the industry, we have historically operated with a meaningful working capital deficit. This historical deficit is mainly attributable to the fact that, under our business model, a vast majority of guest ticket receipts are collected in advance of the applicable sailingexpedition date. These advance passenger receipts remain a current liability until the sailingexpedition date and the cash generated from these advance receipts is used interchangeably with cash on hand from other cash from operations. The cash received as advanced receipts can be used to fund operating expenses for the applicable future sailingexpeditions or otherwise, pay down credit facilities, invest in long-term investments or any other use of cash. As a result of the proceeds from the Restated Credit Agreement and the merger,Facility, we had net working capital of $24.9$10.0 million and $47.1a working capital deficit of $12.7 million as of March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. As of March 31, 2017,2018, we had $103.8$97.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash.

 

InOn November 2015,2, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $20.0$15.0 million increase to the Company’s existing stock and warrant repurchase plan and in November 2016, the Board of Directors approved an increase of $15.0 million(“Repurchase Plan”), to a total of $35.0 million. This Repurchase Plan, which was authorized in November 2015, authorizes the Company to purchase from time to time the Company’s outstanding common stock and warrants through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors.warrants. Any shares and warrants purchased will be retired. The Repurchase Plan has no time deadline and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors at any time. ForDirectors. The repurchases exclude shares repurchased to settle statutory employee tax withholding related to the vesting of stock awards. All repurchases were made using cash resources. During the three months ended March 31, 2017,2018 the Company purchased 513,372 warrants for $1.1 million and 480,864repurchased 9,030 shares of the Company’s common stock for $4.5 million. We have cumulatively purchased 5,426,985$0.1 million and 568,446 warrants for $13.9$0.8 million. The Company has cumulatively repurchased 864,806 shares of common stock for $8.1 million and 789,582 common shares6,011,926 warrants for $7.5$14.7 million, since plan inception to March 31, 2017.inception. The balance as of April 30, 2018 for the repurchase plan was $12.1 million.

 

In December 2015, we executed definitive agreements for the construction of two new coastal vessels for delivery targetedvessels. The first vessel, theNational Geographic Quest, was delivered in 2017 and 2018 atthe third quarter of 2017. The second vessel, theNational Geographic Venture, has a purchasecontract price of $48.0$57.3 million and $46.8 million, respectivelyis scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018, subject to extension for certain events, such as change orders. As of March 31, 2017, we have spent $44.8 million and $12.62018, the Company has paid Ice Floe, LLC $34.8 million related to these contracts for the construction of theNational Geographic Quest and theNational Geographic Venture, respectively.. The new build process will expose usCompany may terminate the applicable Agreement in the event the builder fails to certain risks typically associated with new ship construction, which we are prepared to manage through detailed planning and close monitoring by our internal marine team. The purchasedeliver the vessel within one hundred eighty days of the shipsapplicable due date or the builder becomes insolvent or otherwise bankrupt.

In November 2017, the Company executed a contract to build a polar ice class vessel, theNational Geographic Endurance, targeted to be competed in January 2020, with potential accelerated delivery to November 2019, with a total purchase price of 1,066.0 million Norwegian Kroner (NOK). Subsequently, the Company exercised its right to make payments in United States Dollars, which resulted in a purchase price of $134.6 million, including hedging costs. The first twenty percent of the purchase price was paid shortly after execution of the Agreement with the remaining eighty percent due upon delivery and acceptance of the vessel. The contract includes options to build two additional ice class vessels. The remaining purchase price of the ship will be funded through a combination of cash available on our balance sheet, our Export Credit Agreement, our revolving credit facility and excess cash flows generated by our existing operations.

 

As of March 31, 2017,2018, we had approximately $166.0$202.5 million in long-term debt obligations, including the current portion of long-term debt offset by debt discounts and deferred financing costs.debt. We believe that our cash on hand, our new revolving credit facility, our Export Credit Agreement and expected future operating cash inflows will be sufficient to fund operations, debt service requirements, capital expenditures for our new buildsnewbuilds and other assets, acquisitions, and our Repurchase Plan. However, there can be no assurance that cash flows from operations will be available in the future to fund future obligations.

 

Debt Covenants

25

Debt Facilities

Revolving Credit Facility

On March 7, 2016, we27, 2018, the Company entered into a second amendedThird Amended and restated credit agreement withRestated Credit Suisse as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (“RestatedAgreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), amending ourproviding for a refinancing and amendment of the terms of the Company’s existing senior secured credit facility, withdated as of March 7, 2016 (the “Superseded Agreement”).

The Amended Credit Suisse (“Restated Credit Facility”). The Restated Credit FacilityAgreement provides for our existing $175.0a $200.0 million senior secured first lien term loan facility and(the “Term Facility”), which represents an increase of $25.0 million from the senior secured first lien term loan facility under the Superseded Agreement. The Term Facility matures March 27, 2025. Consistent with the Superseded Agreement, the Amended Credit Agreement also provides for a $45.0 million senior secured incremental revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”), which includes a $5.0 million letter of credit subfacility. sub-facility. The Company’s obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement remain secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company.

Borrowings under the term loan facilityTerm Facility will bear interest at an adjusted ICEIntercontinental Exchange (“ICE”) Benchmark Administration LIBO Rate (subject to a floor of 1%)administration LIBOR plus a spread of 4.50%3.50%, which steps down to 3.25% if the Company’s debt rating from Moody’s and mature on May 8, 2021.S&P are both B1 (stable) or better and BB (negative) or better, respectively. Borrowings under the revolving credit facilityRevolving Facility will bear interest at an adjusted ICE Benchmark administration LIBO RateLIBOR plus a spread of 4.00%3.00%, or, at ourthe option of the Company, an alternative base rate plus a spread of 3.00%2.00%. We areThe Company is also required to pay a 0.50%0.5% annual commitment fee on undrawn amounts under the revolving credit facility,Revolving Credit Facility, which matures on May 8, 2020. Our obligations under the Restated Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of our assets. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had no borrowings under the revolving credit facility.27, 2023.

The RestatedAmended Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that, among other things, (i) require us to maintain a total net leverage ratio (defined as on any date of determination, the ratio of total debt on such date, less up to $25.0$50.0 million of the unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the RestatedAmended Credit Agreement) for the trailing 12-month period) of 4.755.25 to 1.00 initially, with 0.25 equal reductions annuallyevery two years thereafter until March 31, 2020,2022 when the total net leverage ratio shall be 3.504.75 to 1.00 thereafter; (ii) limit the amount of indebtedness we may incur generally and specifically for intercompany debt, debt incurred to finance acquisitions and improvements, for capital and synthetic lease obligations, for standby letters of credit, and in connection with refinancings;refinancing; (iii) limit the amount we may spend in connection with certain types of investments; and (iv) require the delivery of certain periodic financial statements and an operating budget. As

The following table shows the contractual obligation of the Amended Credit agreement for the next five years and thereafter as of March 31, 2017, the net leverage ratio was 4.25 to 1 and we were in compliance with the financial covenants.2018:

  Payments due by period 
(In thousands) Total  Current  1-2 years  3-5 years  Thereafter 
Long-term debt obligations $200,000  $1,500  $4,000  $6,000  $188,500 
Interest on long-term debt  81,879   12,174   23,770   34,733   11,202 
  $281,879  $13,674  $27,770  $40,733 $199,702 

Senior Secured Credit Agreement

29

On January 8, 2018, the Company and its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Borrower”) entered into a senior secured credit agreement (the “Export Credit Agreement”) with Citibank, N.A., London Branch (“Citi”) and Eksportkreditt Norge AS (together with Citi, the “Lenders”). Pursuant to the Export Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s option and subject to certain conditions, a loan in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $107.7 million for the purpose of providing financing for up to 80% of the purchase price of the Company’s new polar ice class vessel, theNational Geographic Endurance, targeted to be completed in January 2020. Seventy percent of the loan will be guaranteed by Garantiinstituttet for Eksportkreditt, the official export credit agency of Norway. If drawn upon, the loan will be made at the time of delivery of the vessel.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

For a detailed discussion of the Critical Accounting Policies, please see the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2017 on Form 10-K filed on March 7, 20172, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The

On January 8, 2018, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangementsentered into an Export Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.described above.

26

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Item  3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

There have been no material changes in our exposure to market risk from the information set forth in the “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” sections contained in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2017 on Form 10-K.

  

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Item4.Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017,2018, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that during the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part2.30OTHER INFORMATION

PART 2: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1:Item1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings arising from time to time in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, there are no outstanding proceedingsWe have protection and indemnity insurance that arewould be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.cover any damages.

 

ITEM 1A:1A.RISK FACTORS

 

We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of risks that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results, some of which are beyond our control. The risks and uncertainties that we believe are most important for you to consider are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2017 filed on March 7, 2017.2, 2018.

 

ITEM 2:Item 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Recent Sales by the Company of Unregistered Securities

 

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2017.2018.

 

Repurchases of Securities

 

On November 2, 2016, ourthe Company’s Board of Directors approved a $15.0 million increase to the original $20.0 million Company’s existing stock and warrant repurchase plan (“Repurchase Plan, announced in November 2015,Plan”), to a total of $35.0 million. This Repurchase Plan, which was authorized in November 2015, authorizes usthe Company to purchase from time to time ourthe Company’s outstanding common stock and warrants through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors.warrants. Any shares and warrants purchased will be retired. The Repurchase Plan has no time deadline and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated at the sole discretion of ourthe Company’s Board of Directors at any time.Directors.

27

 

The following table represents information with respect to purchases by us of our warrants and common stock during the three months presented:presented.

 

Period Total number of warrants purchased  Average price paid per warrant  Total number of warrants purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs  Approximate dollar value of shares and warrants that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs 
               19,171,194 
January  1-31, 2017  460,387  $2.15   460,387   18,710,807 
February 1-28, 2017  44,285   2.18   44,285   18,666,522 
March 1-31, 2017  8,700   2.14   8,700   18,657,822 
Total warrants 2017  513,372  $2.15   513,372     
Period Total number of warrants purchased  Average price paid per warrant  Dollar value of warrants purchased as part of publicly announced plans or
programs
   Maximum dollar value of warrants and shares that may be purchased under the plans or programs 
Beginning Balance            $12,979,046 
January 1-31, 2018  191,550  $1.35  $260,508   12,718,538 
February 1-28, 2018  371,896   1.35   505,779   12,212,759 
March 1-31, 2018  5,000   1.35   6,800   12,205,959 
Total  568,446     $773,087     

 

Period Total number of shares purchased  Average price paid per share  Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs  Balance from above 
               18,657,822 
January  1-31, 2017  160,496  $9.60   160,496   18,497,326 
February 1-28, 2017  175,037   9.22   175,037   18,322,289 
March 1-31, 2017  145,331   8.91   145,331   18,176,958 
Total shares 2017  480,864  $9.25   480,864     
Period Total
number of shares
 purchased
  Average 
price paid per share
  Dollar value of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs  Balance from above 
January 1-31, 2018  -   -   -  $12,205,959 
February 1-28, 2018  9,030  $8.98  $81,173   12,124,786 
March 1-31, 2018  -   -   -   12,124,786 
Total  9,030      $81,173     

Item3.DEfaults upon senior securities

Not applicable.

Item4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

Item5.Other information

Not applicable

 

 3128 

 

 

ITEM 3:Item6.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIESexhibits

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 4:MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5:OTHER INFORMATION

[Not applicable]

ITEM 6:EXHIBITS

Number Description Included Form Filing Date
10.1Shipbuilding Contract between Ulstein Verft AS and Lindblad Maritime Enterprises, Ltd. ††Herewith
10.2Senior Secured Credit Agreement dated January 8, 2018 among the Company and LEX Endurance Ltd. with Citibank, N.A. and Eksportkreditt Norge AS.Herewith
10.3Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2018, among Lindblad Expeditions, LLC and Lindblad Maritime Enterprises, Ltd. as borrowers, the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Credit Suisse AG, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A. as Joint Bookrunners, Joint Lead Arrangers and Syndication Agents. ††Herewith
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Herewith    
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Herewith    
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Herewith    
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Herewith    
101.INS XBRL Instance Document Herewith    
101.SCH Taxonomy extension schema document Herewith    
101.CAL Taxonomy extension calculation linkbaselink base document Herewith    
101.LAB Taxonomy extension label linkbaselink base document Herewith    
101.PRE Taxonomy extension presentation linkbaselink base documentHerewith
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Link base Herewith    

 

††Certain portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. An unredacted copy of the exhibit has been filed separately with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

 3229 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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, on May 9, 2017.3, 2018.

 

 LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
 (Registrant)
   
 By/s/ Sven-Olof Lindblad
  Sven-Olof Lindblad
  Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

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