UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20162017

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                    to                    

 

Commission File Number: 001-35784

 

 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Bermuda98-0691007

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

7665 Corporate Center Drive, Miami, Florida 33126

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

 

(305) 436-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

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

 

 

 

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  x    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  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, (Seeor an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Act.

 

Large accelerated filerxAccelerated 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  x

 

There were 227,179,962228,463,930 ordinary shares outstanding as of November 3, 2016.October 31, 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements1
   
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1716
   
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk2827
   
Item 4.Controls and Procedures28
  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings3029
   
Item 1A.Risk Factors3029
   
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds3129
   
Item 5.Other Information29
Item 6.Exhibits3129
  
SIGNATURES3331

 

 

Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2016  2015  2016  2015  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Revenue                         
Passenger ticket $1,071,815  $948,059  $2,630,405  $2,406,533  $1,192,023  $1,071,815  $2,916,731  $2,630,405 
Onboard and other  412,921   336,851   1,118,798   901,992   459,715   412,921   1,229,891   1,118,798 
Total revenue  1,484,736   1,284,910   3,749,203   3,308,525   1,651,738   1,484,736   4,146,622   3,749,203 
Cruise operating expense                                
Commissions, transportation and other  249,519   225,586   618,492   589,851   266,173   249,519   683,628   618,492 
Onboard and other  90,661   84,171   230,416   210,701   98,476   90,661   250,254   230,416 
Payroll and related  193,122   170,694   554,741   490,253   206,142   193,122   593,502   554,741 
Fuel  86,250   88,829   248,529   267,784   91,231   86,250   266,780   248,529 
Food  50,902   46,419   151,674   131,969   53,883   50,902   147,401   151,674 
Other  114,280   102,023   351,263   307,143   122,260   114,280   368,640   351,263 
Total cruise operating expense  784,734   717,722   2,155,115   1,997,701   838,165   784,734   2,310,205   2,155,115 
Other operating expense                                
Marketing, general and administrative  174,813   150,558   504,694   411,879   202,221   174,813   587,914   504,694 
Depreciation and amortization  111,575   109,798   317,480   314,381   134,532   111,575   376,878   317,480 
Total other operating expense  286,388   260,356   822,174   726,260   336,753   286,388   964,792   822,174 
Operating income  413,614   306,832   771,914   584,564   476,820   413,614   871,625   771,914 
Non-operating income (expense)                                
Interest expense, net  (60,662)  (49,784)  (188,836)  (153,219)  (66,339)  (60,662)  (183,495)  (188,836)
Other expense  (5,333)  (1,733)  (13,281)  (35,589)
Other income (expense), net  (3,262)  (5,333)  (11,686)  (13,281)
Total non-operating income (expense)  (65,995)  (51,517)  (202,117)  (188,808)  (69,601)  (65,995)  (195,181)  (202,117)
Net income before income taxes  347,619   255,315   569,797   395,756   407,219   347,619   676,444   569,797 
Income tax expense  (5,241)  (3,528)  (8,944)  (6,931)  (6,527)  (5,241)  (15,369)  (8,944)
Net income $342,378  $251,787  $560,853  $388,825  $400,692  $342,378  $661,075  $560,853 
Weighted-average shares outstanding                                
Basic  227,096,142   227,384,616   227,102,560   225,805,901   228,267,307   227,096,142   227,891,916   227,102,560 
Diluted  227,598,607   230,274,756   227,859,617   229,860,900   229,816,956   227,598,607   229,157,257   227,859,617 
Earnings per share                                
Basic $1.51  $1.11  $2.47  $1.72  $1.76  $1.51  $2.90  $2.47 
Diluted $1.50  $1.09  $2.46  $1.69  $1.74  $1.50  $2.88  $2.46 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2016  2015  2016  2015  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net income $342,378  $251,787  $560,853  $388,825  $400,692  $342,378  $661,075  $560,853 
Other comprehensive income (loss):                
Other comprehensive income:                
Shipboard Retirement Plan  107   119   323   358   104   107   313   323 
Cash flow hedges:                                
Net unrealized income (loss)  37,051   (105,227)  112,508   (138,501)
Net unrealized gain  97,276   37,051   221,512   112,508 
Amount realized and reclassified into earnings  18,327   13,132   76,658   61,582   11,644   18,327   31,593   76,658 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)  55,485   (91,976)  189,489   (76,561)
Total other comprehensive income  109,024   55,485   253,418   189,489 
Total comprehensive income $397,863  $159,811  $750,342  $312,264  $509,716  $397,863  $914,493  $750,342 

 

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

 

 2 

Table of Contents

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 
Assets                
Current assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents $155,431  $115,937  $522,904  $128,347 
Accounts receivable, net  55,838   44,996   56,764   63,215 
Inventories  65,983   58,173   78,915   66,255 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  159,447   121,305   206,251   153,276 
Total current assets  436,699   340,411   864,834   411,093 
Property and equipment, net  10,054,220   9,458,805   10,916,824   10,117,689 
Goodwill  1,388,931   1,388,931   1,388,931   1,388,931 
Tradenames  817,525   817,525   817,525   817,525 
Other long-term assets  245,965   259,085   277,003   238,673 
Total assets $12,943,340  $12,264,757  $14,265,117  $12,973,911 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity        
Current liabilities:                
Current portion of long-term debt $566,911  $629,840  $605,827  $560,193 
Accounts payable  51,494   51,369   45,059   38,002 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  520,079   640,568   550,774   541,753 
Due to Affiliate     20,769 
Advance ticket sales  1,210,505   1,023,973   1,327,002   1,172,870 
Total current liabilities  2,348,989   2,366,519   2,528,662   2,312,818 
Long-term debt  5,815,248   5,767,697   6,002,877   5,838,494 
Other long-term liabilities  242,376   349,661   195,974   284,873 
Total liabilities  8,406,613   8,483,877   8,727,513   8,436,185 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)        
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)        
Shareholders’ equity:                
Ordinary shares, $.001 par value; 490,000,000 shares authorized; 232,467,409 shares issued and 227,155,448 shares outstanding at September 30, 2016 and 232,179,786 shares issued and 227,815,301 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015  232   232 
Ordinary shares, $.001 par value; 490,000,000 shares authorized; 233,770,580 shares issued and 228,458,619 shares outstanding at September 30, 2017 and 232,555,937 shares issued and 227,243,976 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016  233   232 
Additional paid-in capital  3,870,040   3,814,536   3,973,350   3,890,119 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (223,161)  (412,650)  (61,055)  (314,473)
Retained earnings  1,128,871   568,018   1,864,331   1,201,103 
Treasury shares (5,311,961 and 4,364,485 ordinary shares at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, at cost)  (239,255)  (189,256)
Treasury shares (5,311,961 ordinary shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, at cost)  (239,255)  (239,255)
Total shareholders’ equity  4,536,727   3,780,880   5,537,604   4,537,726 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $12,943,340  $12,264,757  $14,265,117  $12,973,911 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2016  2015  2017  2016 
Cash flows from operating activities                
Net income $560,853  $388,825  $661,075  $560,853 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization expense  327,366   327,861   385,957   327,366 
Loss on derivatives  1,007   21,893 
(Gain) loss on derivatives  (71)  1,007 
Deferred income taxes, net  707   858   16,035   707 
Gain on contingent consideration     (43,400)
Write-off of deferred financing fees  11,537   195      11,537 
Provision for bad debts and inventory  1,767      1,592   1,767 
Share-based compensation expense  48,289   27,857   63,664   48,289 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net  (11,286)  (9,563)  571   (11,286)
Inventories  (9,133)  1,609   (13,923)  (9,133)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (16,197)  (599)  (14,774)  (16,197)
Accounts payable  2,551   (57,837)  3,956   2,551 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (9,149)  6,996   68,425   (9,149)
Advance ticket sales  180,447   308,691   187,131   180,447 
Net cash provided by operating activities  1,088,759   973,386   1,359,638   1,088,759 
Cash flows from investing activities                
Additions to property and equipment, net  (915,936)  (330,808)  (1,129,514)  (915,936)
Settlement of derivatives  (34,300)  1,090   (35,255)  (34,300)
Investment in trademark     (750)
Net cash used in investing activities  (950,236)  (330,468)  (1,164,769)  (950,236)
Cash flows from financing activities                
Repayments of long-term debt  (2,687,621)  (908,677)  (1,006,620)  (2,687,621)
Repayments to Affiliate  (18,522)  (18,521)     (18,522)
Proceeds from long-term debt  2,687,355   375,751   1,217,060   2,687,355 
Proceeds from the exercise of share options  4,784   66,527 
Proceeds from employee share purchase plan  2,431   858 
Proceeds from employee related plans  28,063   7,215 
Net share settlement of restricted share units  (6,342)   
Purchases of treasury shares  (49,999)  (7,425)     (49,999)
Deferred financing fees and other  (37,457)  (6,075)  (32,473)  (37,457)
Net cash used in financing activities  (99,029)  (497,562)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  199,688   (99,029)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  39,494   145,356   394,557   39,494 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  115,937   84,824   128,347   115,937 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $155,431  $230,180  $522,904  $155,431 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

  Ordinary
Shares
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Retained
Earnings
  Treasury
Shares
  Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance, December 31, 2014 $230  $3,702,344  $(242,642) $140,881  $(82,000) $3,518,813 
Share-based compensation     27,857            27,857 
Proceeds from the exercise of share options  2   66,525            66,527 
Proceeds from employee share purchase plan     858            858 
Purchases of treasury shares              (7,425)  (7,425)
Other comprehensive loss, net        (76,561)        (76,561)
Net income           388,825      388,825 
Balance, September 30, 2015 $232  $3,797,584  $(319,203) $529,706  $(89,425) $3,918,894 
                         
Balance, December 31, 2015 $232  $3,814,536  $(412,650) $568,018  $(189,256) $3,780,880 
Share-based compensation     48,289            48,289 
Proceeds from the exercise of share options     4,784            4,784 
Proceeds from employee share purchase plan     2,431            2,431 
Purchases of treasury shares              (49,999)  (49,999)
Other comprehensive income, net        189,489         189,489 
Net income           560,853      560,853 
Balance, September 30, 2016 $232  $3,870,040  $(223,161) $1,128,871  $(239,255) $4,536,727 
  Ordinary
Shares
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Retained
Earnings
  Treasury
Shares
  Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance, December 31, 2015 $232  $3,814,536  $(412,650) $568,018  $(189,256) $3,780,880 
Share-based compensation     48,289            48,289 
Issuance of shares under employee related plans     7,215            7,215 
Treasury shares              (49,999)  (49,999)
Other comprehensive income, net        189,489         189,489 
Net income           560,853      560,853 
Balance, September 30, 2016 $232  $3,870,040  $(223,161) $1,128,871  $(239,255) $4,536,727 
Balance, December 31, 2016 $232  $3,890,119  $(314,473) $1,201,103  $(239,255) $4,537,726 
Share-based compensation     63,664            63,664 
Issuance of shares under employee related plans  1   28,062            28,063 
Change in accounting policy (share-based forfeitures)     (2,153)     2,153       
Net share settlement of restricted share units     (6,342)           (6,342)
Other comprehensive income, net        253,418         253,418 
Net income           661,075      661,075 
Balance, September 30, 2017 $233  $3,973,350  $(61,055) $1,864,331  $(239,255) $5,537,604 

  

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

 

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Table of Contents

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to (i) the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to NCLH (as defined below) and its subsidiaries (including Prestige (as defined below), except for periods prior to the consummation of the Acquisition of Prestige (as defined below)), (ii) “NCLC” refers to NCL Corporation Ltd., (iii) “NCLH” refers to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., (iv) “Norwegian Cruise Line” or “Norwegian” refers to the Norwegian Cruise Line brand and its predecessors, (v) “Prestige” refers to Prestige Cruises International, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, and (vi) “PCH” refers to Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc., Prestige’s direct wholly ownedwholly-owned subsidiary, which in turn is the parent of Oceania Cruises, Inc. (“Oceania Cruises”) and Seven Seas Cruises S. DE R.L. (“Regent”) (Oceania Cruises also refers to the brand by the same name and Regent also refers to the brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises) and (vii) “Affiliate” refers to Genting Hong Kong Limited and/or its affiliates (formerly Star Cruises Limited and/or its affiliates). References to the “U.S.” are to the United States of America, “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars, the “U.K.” are to the United Kingdom and “euros” or “€” are to the official currency of the Eurozone.

 

1.Description of Business and Organization

 

NCLH isWe are a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. We have 24As of September 30, 2017, we had 25 ships with approximately 46,500 Berths including Sirena, previously under a Bareboat Charter, which joined our Oceania Cruises’ fleet in April 2016 and Seven Seas Explorer which was delivered in June 2016.50,400 Berths. We willplan to introduce fourseven additional ships through 2025 and we have an option to our fleet through 2020. Norwegian Joy,introduce two additional ships for delivery in 2026 and 2027, subject to certain conditions. Norwegian Bliss and onean additional Breakaway Plus Class Ship isare on order for delivery in the spring of 2017, the spring of 2018 and the fall of 2019, respectively. AnWe have an Explorer Class Ship is on order for delivery in the winter of 2020. Project Leonardo will introduce an additional four ships with expected delivery dates through 2025. These additions to our fleet (exclusive of the option for two additional ships) will increase our total Berths to approximately 59,000.72,300.

 

2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in our opinion, contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented.

 

Our operations are seasonal and results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year. Historically, demand for cruises has been strongest during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015,2016, which are included in our most recently filedrecent Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Reclassification

 

Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

A reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2016  2015  2016  2015  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net income $342,378  $251,787  $560,853  $388,825  $400,692  $342,378  $661,075  $560,853 
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding  227,096,142   227,384,616   227,102,560   225,805,901   228,267,307   227,096,142   227,891,916   227,102,560 
Dilutive effect of share awards  502,465   2,890,140   757,057   4,054,999   1,549,649   502,465   1,265,341   757,057 
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding  227,598,607   230,274,756   227,859,617   229,860,900   229,816,956   227,598,607   229,157,257   227,859,617 
Basic earnings per share $1.51  $1.11  $2.47  $1.72  $1.76  $1.51  $2.90  $2.47 
Diluted earnings per share $1.50  $1.09  $2.46  $1.69  $1.74  $1.50  $2.88  $2.46 

 

RevenueFor the three months ended September 30, 2017 and Expense Recognition2016, a total of 4.8 million and 8.4 million shares, respectively; and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, a total of 5.9 million and 7.4 million shares, respectively, have been excluded from diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Deposits received from guests for future voyages are recorded as advance ticket sales and are subsequently recognized as passenger ticket revenue along with onboard and other revenue, and all associated direct costs of a voyage are recognized as cruise operating expenses on a pro-rata basis over the period of the voyage. Guest cancellation fees are recognized in passenger ticket revenue in the month of the cancellation. Certain of our product offerings are accounted for under the guidance included within multi-element arrangements and result in an allocation of the fair value between passenger ticket revenue and onboard and other revenue. 


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Table of Contents

Revenue and Expense Recognition

 

Revenue and expenses include port fees and taxes. The amounts included on a gross basis are $80.3$94.8 million and $70.1$80.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, and $214.3$246.9 million and $184.4$214.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively.

 

Foreign Currency

 

The majority of our transactions are settled in U.S. dollars. We translate assetsdollars and liabilitiesthe functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries at exchange rates in effect atis the balance sheet date.U.S. dollar. Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in other currencies are recognized in our consolidated statements of operations within other expense.income at each balance sheet date. We recognized losses of $1.5$4.0 million and gains of $3.1$1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, and losses of $1.9$14.8 million and gains of $8.8$1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

The amortization of deferred financing fees is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of cash flows; however, for purposes of the consolidated statements of operations it isthey are included in interest expense, net.

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable. Based on the recent performance of the Oceania Cruises’ reporting unit, we performed an interim Step 1 Test which consists of a combined approach using the expected future cash flows and market multiples to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. We determined that there was no impairment of goodwill as the Step 1 Test supports the carrying value of the reporting unit. 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

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

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

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

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12 which addresses improvements to the guidance on revenue from contracts from customers regarding collectibility, noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, it provides a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The effective date of this guidance is upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 which is presented below. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-11 which is a rescission of Securities and Exchange Commission guidance related to the issuance of ASU No. 2014-09 which is presented below. The effective date of this guidance is upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10 which does not change the core principle of the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 but clarifies two aspects: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. The effective date of this guidance is upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 to improve multiple aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods with early adoption permitted. We do not believe that the adoption of this guidance will be material to our consolidated financial statements.

 

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

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In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 to simplify the measurement of inventory for all entities. This applies to all inventory that is measured using either the first-in, first-out or average cost method. The guidance requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The guidance must be applied prospectively and will be effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. Wewe are currently reviewing our existing leases and evaluating contracts to determine what might be considered a lease under the impact of the adoption of this guidance to our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05 to clarify a customer’s accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. The amendments provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license or if the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. This guidance will impact the accounting of software licenses but will not change a customer’s accounting for service contracts. The guidance will be effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. We have adopted this guidance and there has not been an impact to our consolidated financial statements.new guidance.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 which requires entities to recognize revenue through the application of a five-step model, including identification of the contract, identification of the performance obligations, determination of the transaction price, allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation and recognition of revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligations. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the guidance. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 deferring the effective date for one year. We can electexpect to adopt the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09a modified retrospective application for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within that reporting period or we can elect to early adopt2017. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10 which does not change the core principle of the guidance asin ASU No. 2014-09 but clarifies two aspects: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-11 which is a rescission of Securities and Exchange Commission guidance related to the originalissuance of ASU No. 2014-09. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12 which addresses improvements to the guidance on revenue from contracts from customers regarding collectability, noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, it provides a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The effective date.date of ASU No. 2016-10, ASU No. 2016-11 and ASU No. 2016-12 is upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09. We have initiated an assessment of our systems, data and processes related to the implementation of this guidance.these ASUs. This assessment is expected to be completed during 2017. Additionally, we are currently evaluating our performance obligations and believe that our application of the potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.guidance could result in changes in classification and will result in additional disclosures. We also are evaluating other criteria such as the timing of contract terms, gross and net presentation and other items that the guidance addresses.

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3.Intangible Assets

 

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

 

 September 30, 2016  September 30, 2017 
 Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying
Amount
  Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying
Amount
  Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
Customer relationships $120,000  $(31,326) $88,674   6.0  $120,000  $(59,298) $60,702   6.0 
Licenses  3,368   (631)  2,737   5.6   3,368   (1,382)  1,986   5.6 
Non-compete agreements  660   (330)  330   1.0   660   (660)     1.0 
Total intangible assets subject to amortization $124,028  $(32,287) $91,741      $124,028  $(61,340) $62,688     
License (Indefinite-lived) $4,427  $  $      $4,427             

 

 December 31, 2015  December 31, 2016 
 Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying
Amount
  Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying
Amount
  Weighted-
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
Customer relationships $120,000  $(15,527) $104,473   6.0  $120,000  $(36,593) $83,407   6.0 
Backlog  70,000   (70,000)     1.0 
Licenses  3,368   (208)  3,160   5.6   3,368   (807)  2,561   5.6 
Non-compete agreements  660   (495)  165   1.0 
Total intangible assets subject to amortization $193,368  $(85,735) $107,633      $124,028  $(37,895) $86,133     
License (Indefinite-lived) $4,427  $  $      $4,427             

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

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Amortization expense $5,601  $20,951  $16,552  $60,172 
                 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Amortization expense $7,780  $5,601  $23,445  $16,552 

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

 

Year ended December 31, Amortization
Expense
  Amortization
Expense
 
2017 $31,067 
2018  26,163  $26,163 
2019  18,489   18,489 
2020  9,906   9,906 
2021  75   75 
2022  75 

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4.Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

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

 

 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Change
Related to
Cash Flow
Hedges
  Change
Related to
Shipboard
Retirement
Plan
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Change
Related to
Cash Flow
Hedges
  Change
Related to
Shipboard
Retirement
Plan
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of period $(412,650) $(405,298) $(7,352) $(314,473) $(307,618) $(6,855)
Current period other comprehensive income before reclassifications  112,508   112,508      221,512   221,512    
Amounts realized and reclassified into earnings  76,981   76,658(1)  323(2)
Amounts reclassified into earnings  31,906   31,593(1)  313(2)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period $(223,161) $(216,132)(3) $(7,029) $(61,055) $(54,513)(3) $(6,542)

 

(1)We refer you to Note 7—6— “Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives” for the affected line items in the consolidated statements of operations.
(2)Amortization of prior-service cost and actuarial loss reclassified to payroll and related expense.
(3)Includes $67.2$23.6 million of loss expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was as follows (in thousands):

 

 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Change
Related to
Cash Flow
Hedges
  Change
Related to
Shipboard
Retirement
Plan
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Change
Related to
Cash Flow
Hedges
  Change
Related to
Shipboard
Retirement
Plan
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of period $(242,642) $(234,188) $(8,454) $(412,650) $(405,298) $(7,352)
Current period other comprehensive loss before reclassifications  (138,501)  (138,501)   
Amounts realized and reclassified into earnings  61,940   61,582(1)  358(2)
Current period other comprehensive income before reclassifications  112,508   112,508    
Amounts reclassified into earnings  76,981   76,658(1)  323(2)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period $(319,203) $(311,107) $(8,096) $(223,161) $(216,132) $(7,029)

 

(1)We refer you to Note 7—6— “Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives” for the affected line items in the consolidated statements of operations.
(2)Amortization of prior-service cost and actuarial loss reclassified to payroll and related expense.

  

5.Property and Equipment, net

 

Property and equipment, net increased $595.4$799.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 primarily due to the delivery of Seven Seas ExplorerNorwegian Joy, ships under construction and ship improvement projects. As of September 30, 2017, in connection with the refurbishmentpending sale of several ships.our Hawaii land-based operations, we had $21.5 million of assets included in prepaid expenses and other, which are primarily related to property and equipment, and $7.7 million of liabilities included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. These assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale. Accordingly, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, these assets were measured at fair value less costs to sell which resulted in an impairment on assets of $2.9 million which was included in property and equipment and depreciation and amortization. The fair value was based on the purchase price which represents the observable market value of these operations which are level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The sale was consummated on October 31, 2017. Upon the closing of the transaction, we accepted a promissory note from the buyer for approximately $9.7 million.

 

6.Long-Term Debt

In June 2016, NCLC and Voyager Vessel Company, LLC, indirect subsidiaries of NCLH, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks which restates the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2014 (the “Existing Senior Secured Credit Facility”). The Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility amends the Existing Senior Secured Credit Facility to, among other things, (i) (a) increase the aggregate amount of commitments under the Revolving Loan Facility from $625.0 million to $750.0 million (the “New Revolving Loan Facility”) and (b) increase the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the $1.38 billion term loan facility from $1.16 billion to $1.51 billion (the “New Term Loan A Facility”) and (ii) extend the maturity of the New Term Loan A Facility and the New Revolving Loan Facility to June 2021 (the “Extended Maturity Date”). The agreement incorporates a springing maturity date for the New Term Loan A Facility and the New Revolving Loan Facility such that both mature on (A) the earlier date that is 91 days prior to the final maturity date of NCLC’s $680.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “5.25% Notes”) if on such date (x) the 5.25% Notes have not been repaid (or refinanced with indebtedness maturing after the Extended Maturity Date) by such date and (y) free liquidity does not exceed the aggregate principal amount of outstanding 5.25% Notes by at least $50.0 million and (B) the earlier date that is 91 days prior to the final maturity date of NCLC’s $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “4.625% Notes”) if on such date (x) the 4.625% Notes have not been repaid (or refinanced with indebtedness maturing after the Extended Maturity Date) by such date and (y) free liquidity does not exceed the aggregate principal amount of outstanding 4.625% Notes by at least $50.0 million. NCLC used proceeds of approximately $1.59 billion from the New Term Loan A Facility and the New Revolving Loan Facility to prepay the entire outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loan Facility, the $1.38 billion term loan facility and a $350.0 million term loan facility.

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The New Term Loan A Facility and New Revolving Loan Facility bear interest at a rate per annum of (a) an adjusted LIBOR rate or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the greatest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime rate in effect on such day and (iii) the adjusted LIBOR rate plus 1%, in each case plus an applicable margin that is determined by reference to a total leverage ratio, with an applicable margin of between 2.25% and 1.50% with respect to Eurocurrency loans and between 1.25% and 0.50% with respect to base rate loans. The initial applicable margin for borrowings is 2.25% with respect to Eurocurrency borrowings and 1.25% with respect to base rate borrowings.

The New Term Loan A Facility is required to be repaid in quarterly installments that commenced in September 2016, in a principal amount equal to (a) in the case of installments payable on or prior to June 6, 2018, 1.25% of the loans outstanding immediately after the closing date under the New Term Loan A Facility and (b) in the case of installments payable after June 6, 2018, 2.50% of the loans outstanding immediately after the closing date under the New Term Loan A Facility, with the remaining unpaid principal amount of loans under the New Term Loan A Facility due and payable in full at maturity on June 6, 2021. Principal amounts outstanding under the New Revolving Loan Facility are due and payable in full at maturity on June 6, 2021, subject to earlier repayment pursuant to the springing maturity date described above.

In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the borrowings, we are obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee at a rate determined by reference to a total leverage ratio, with a maximum commitment fee of 40% of the applicable margin for Eurocurrency loans.

In June 2016, we took delivery of Seven Seas Explorer. To finance the payment due upon delivery, we had export financing in place for 80% of the contract price. The associated $373.6 million term loan bears interest at 3.43% with a maturity date of June 30, 2028. Principal and interest payments are payable semiannually.

NCLC, a subsidiary of NCLH, entered into a Supplemental Agreement, dated July 26, 2016, by and among NCLC, as guarantor, Breakaway Four, Ltd. (the “Borrower”), as borrower, NCL International Ltd., as shareholder, and KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH (“KfW”), as facility agent and lender (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”), which amends the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2012, by and among NCLC, as parent, the Borrower and KfW, as facility agent and lender (the “Existing Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement Amendment amends the Existing Credit Agreement to, among other things, increase the aggregate principal amount of commitments under the multi-draw term loan credit facility from €590.5 million to €729.9 million. Except as provided in the Credit Agreement Amendment, all other provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement remain in full force.

7.Fair Value Measurements and Derivatives

 

Fair value is defined as the price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or to transfer a liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

The following hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available:

 

Level 1Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement dates.
  
Level 2Significant other observable inputs that are used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources.

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Level 3Significant unobservable inputs we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available.

 

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Derivatives

 

We are exposed to market risk attributable to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and fuel prices. We attempt to minimize these risks through a combination of our normal operating and financing activities and through the use of derivatives. We assess whether derivatives used in hedging transactions are “highly effective” in offsetting changes in the cash flow of our hedged forecasted transactions. We use regression analysis for this hedge relationship and high effectiveness is achieved when a statistically valid relationship reflects a high degree of offset and correlation between the fair values of the derivative and the hedged forecasted transaction. Cash flows from the derivatives are classified in the same category as the cash flows from the underlying hedged transaction. The determination of ineffectiveness is based on the amount of dollar offset between the cumulative change in fair value of the derivative and the cumulative change in fair value of the hedged transaction at the end of the reporting period. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, or if the hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, then the amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is released to earnings. In addition, the ineffective portion of our highly effective hedges is recognized in earnings immediately and reported in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations. There are no amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and there are no credit-risk-related contingent features in our derivative agreements.

 

We monitor concentrations of credit risk associated with financial and other institutions with which we conduct significant business. Credit risk, including but not limited to counterparty non-performance under derivatives and our New Revolving Loan Facility (as defined in Note 12— “Subsequent Events”, is not considered significant, as we primarily conduct business with large, well-established financial institutions that we have established relationships with and that have credit risks acceptable to us or the credit risk is spread out among a large number of creditors. We do not anticipate non-performance by any of our significant counterparties.

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

 

 Asset Liability    Asset Liability 
 Balance Sheet location September 30,
2016
 December 31,
2015
 September 30,
2016
 December 31,
2015
  Balance Sheet location September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 
Fuel swaps designated as hedging instruments                      
 Prepaid expenses and other assets $13,740 $ $ $  Prepaid expenses and other assets $5,796 $20,288 $ $ 
 Other long-term assets 3,462  145   Other long-term assets 4,636  1,903  
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities   73,923 128,740  Accrued expenses and other liabilities 4,237  26,069 44,271 
 Other long-term liabilities 7,167  65,529 132,494  Other long-term liabilities 7,724 13,237 17,578 38,608 
Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedging instruments                  
 Prepaid expenses and other assets 10,153  1,381   Prepaid expenses and other assets 41,983  1,354  
 Other long-term assets 14,980 3,446 2,363 1,370  Other long-term assets 65,780 14   
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,065  8,930 8,737  Accrued expenses and other liabilities    61,788 
 Other long-term liabilities 1,567 551 4,943 24,181  Other long-term liabilities    88,920 
Foreign currency collar not designated as a hedging instrument         
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities    42,993 
Interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments                  
 Accrued expenses and other liabilities   3,858�� 4,079  Accrued expenses and other liabilities   1,876 3,331 
 Other long-term liabilities   2,594 3,395  Other long-term liabilities    1,151 

 

The fair values of swap and forward contracts are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. The Company determines the value of options and collars utilizing an option pricing model based on inputs that are either readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. The option pricing model used by the Company is an industry standard model for valuing options and is used by the broker/dealer community. The inputs to this option pricing model are the option strike price, underlying price, risk-free rate of interest, time to expiration, and volatility. The fair value of option contracts considers both the intrinsic value and any remaining time value associated with those derivatives that have not yet settled. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk and its own credit risk in its determination of all estimated fair values. Our derivatives and financial instruments were categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, and we had no derivatives or financial instruments categorized as Level 1 or Level 3.

Our derivative contracts include rights of offset with our counterparties. We have elected to net certain assets and liabilities within counterparties when the rights of offset exist. We are not required to post cash collateral related to our derivative instruments.

 

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The following table discloses the gross and net amounts recognized within assets and liabilities (in thousands):

  

September 30, 2016 Gross Amounts  Gross
Amounts
Offset
  Total Net
Amounts
  Gross
Amounts Not
Offset
  Net Amounts 
September 30, 2017 Gross Amounts  Gross
Amounts
Offset
  Total Net
Amounts
  Gross
Amounts Not
Offset
  Net Amounts 
Assets $42,335  $(3,889) $38,446  $(11,179) $27,267  $118,195  $(3,257) $114,938  $(100,582) $14,356 
Liabilities  159,777   (9,799)  149,978   (10,802)  139,176   45,523   (11,961)  33,562   (1,876)  31,686 

  

December 31, 2015 Gross Amounts  Gross
Amounts
Offset
  Total Net
Amounts
  Gross
Amounts Not
Offset
  Net Amounts 
December 31, 2016 Gross Amounts  Gross
Amounts
Offset
  Total Net
Amounts
  Gross
Amounts Not
Offset
  Net Amounts 
Assets $3,446  $(1,370) $2,076  $(2,043) $33  $20,302  $  $20,302  $(14) $20,288 
Liabilities  344,619   (551)  344,068   (336,645)  7,423   238,069   (13,237)  224,832   (155,190)  69,642 

 

Fuel Swaps

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, we had fuel swaps maturing through December 31, 2020 which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility in fuel prices pertaining to approximately 1.71.4 million metric tons of our projected fuel purchases.

 

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

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)  – effective portion $(157) $(101,056) $76,145  $(69,724)
Loss recognized in other expense – ineffective portion  (2,602)  (1,580)  (11,353)  (10,825)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into fuel expense  16,427   11,670   68,004   47,503 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income  – effective portion $30,452  $(157) $(635) $76,145 
Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense), net – ineffective portion  496   (2,602)  (305)  (11,353)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into fuel expense  9,795   16,427   26,382   68,004 

 

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

 

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

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Loss recognized in other expense $(179) $(4,716) $(271) $(4,716)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into other expense        2,994   10,000 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Loss recognized in other income (expense), net $  $(179) $  $(271)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into other income (expense), net           2,994 

Fuel Collars

We had fuel collars that matured and were used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility in fuel prices of our fuel purchases.

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

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into fuel expense $  $  $  $248 
                 

Foreign Currency Options

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

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

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into depreciation and amortization expense $330  $330  $990  $990 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into depreciation and amortization expense $330  $330  $990  $990 

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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

As of September 30, 2016,2017, we had foreign currency forward contracts which are used to mitigate the financial impact of volatility in foreign currency exchange rates related to our ship construction contracts denominated in euros. The notional amount of our foreign currency forward contracts was €2.3€1.8 billion, or $2.6$2.1 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2016.2017.

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

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) – effective portion $36,390  $(1,519) $39,001  $(61,966)
Loss recognized in other expense – ineffective portion  (190)  (3)  (181)  (10)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into depreciation and amortization expense  665   (64)  1,966   (191)

We had foreign currency forward contracts that matured and were used to mitigate the volatility of foreign currency exchange rates related to financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies.

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Gain recognized in other comprehensive income – effective portion $66,849  $36,390  $221,913  $39,001 
Loss recognized in other income (expense), net – ineffective portion     (190)  (66)  (181)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into depreciation and amortization expense  918   665   2,192   1,966 

 

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

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gain (loss) recognized in other expense $  $585  $(6,133) $684 
                 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Loss recognized in other income (expense), net $  $  $  $(6,133)

Foreign Currency CollarsCollar

 

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

 

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

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into depreciation and amortization expense $(91) $(91) $(273) $(273)
                 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into depreciation and amortization expense $(91) $(91) $(273) $(273)

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

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gain (loss) recognized in other expense $  $955  $10,312  $(18,648)
                 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Gain recognized in other income (expense), net $  $  $  $10,312 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, we had interest rate swap agreements to hedge our exposure to interest rate movements and to manage our interest expense. The notional amount of outstanding debt associated with the interest rate swap agreements was $339.8$237.2 million as of September 30, 2016.2017.

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The effects on the consolidated financial statements of the interest rate swaps which were designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in thousands):

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)– effective portion $818  $(2,652) $(2,638) $(6,811)
Gain (loss) recognized in other expense – ineffective portion     (9)  3   (21)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into interest expense, net  996   1,287   2,977   3,305 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income – effective portion $(25) $818  $234  $(2,638)
Gain recognized in other income (expense), net – ineffective portion           3 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into interest expense, net  691   996   2,301   2,977 

 

We had an interest rate swap that matured which was used to mitigate our exposure to interest rate movements and to manage our interest expense.

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The effect on the consolidated financial statements of the interest rate swap contract which was not designated as a hedging instrument was as follows (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Loss recognized in other expense $  $  $  $(2)
                 

Long-Term Debt

 

As of September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 2015,2016, the fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, was $6.5 billion$6,796.4 million and $6,525.7 million, respectively, which was $16.4$62.0 million higher and $6.6$11.6 million lower,higher, respectively, than the carrying values. The difference between the fair value and carrying value of our long-term debt is due to our fixed and variable rate debt obligations carrying interest rates that are above or below market rates at the measurement dates. The fair value of our long-term debt was calculated based on estimated rates for the same or similar instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities resulting in Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. Market risk associated with our long-term variable rate debt is the potential increase in interest expense from an increase in interest rates. The calculation of the fair value of our long-term debt is considered a Level 2 input. We refer you to Note 12— “Subsequent Events” for further information about our long-term debt.

 

Other

 

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets of all other financial assets and liabilities approximate fair value.

 

8.7.Employee Benefits and Compensation Plans

Share-Based Compensation

As a result of NCLH’s adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, beginning in the first quarter of 2017, NCLH began accounting for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating expected forfeitures. Pursuant to the modified-retrospective application, the net cumulative effect of this change was recognized as a $2.2 million increase to retained earnings as of January 1, 2017 (we refer you to our consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity).

 

Share Option Awards

On March 1, 2016, we granted 1.0 million share option awards to our employees at an exercise price of $50.31 with a contractual term of ten years. The share options vest equally over three years.

 

The following is a summary of option activity under our share option planNCLH’s Amended and Restated 2013 Performance Incentive Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 (excludes the impact of 364,584208,335 previously awarded performance-based options as no grant date has been established):

 

 Number of Share Option
Awards
 Weighted-Average Exercise
Price Per Share
 Weighted-
Average
Contractual Term
 

Aggregate

Intrinsic Value

  Number of Share Option
Awards
 Weighted-Average Exercise
Price
 Weighted-
Average
Contractual Term
 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 
 Time-
Based
Awards
 Performance-
Based
Awards
 Market-
Based
Awards
 Time-
Based
Awards
 Performance-
Based
Awards
 Market-
Based
Awards
 (years) (in thousands)  Time-
Based
Awards
 Performance-
Based
Awards
 Market-
Based
Awards
 Time-
Based
Awards
 Performance-
Based
Awards
 Market-
Based
Awards
 (years) (in thousands) 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 7,702,071 432,752 208,333 $47.35 $19.00 $59.43 8.59 $104,864 
Outstanding as of January 1, 2017 7,775,058 432,978 208,333 $48.04 $23.86 $59.43 7.81 $35,429 
Granted 1,095,000 52,083  49.88 59.43        156,249   59.43    
Exercised (169,527) (51,857)  27.64 19.00       (704,339) (83,288)  33.92 19.00    
Forfeited and cancelled  (583,492)     49.46         (385,070)  (93,749)   54.42 59.43    
Outstanding as of September 30, 2016  8,044,052  432,978  208,333 $47.96 $23.86 $59.43  8.07 $24,633 
Outstanding as of September 30, 2017  6,685,649  412,190  208,333 $49.16 $30.24 $59.43  7.22 $54,689 

 

Restricted Ordinary Share Awards

 

The following is a summary of restricted NCLH ordinary share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:2017:

 

 Number of
Time-Based
Awards
  Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value Per Share
  Number of
Time-Based
Awards
  Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Non-vested as of January 1, 2016  43,653  $5.87 
Non-vested as of January 1, 2017  16,872  $7.63 
Granted            
Vested  (26,118)  4.81   (15,702)  4.94 
Forfeited or expired  (352)  2.50       
Non-vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2016  17,183  $7.55 
Non-vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2017  1,170  $43.70 

 

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Restricted Share Unit Awards

 

On March 1, 2016, we2017, NCLH granted 1.21.7 million time-based restricted share unit awards to our employees which vest equally over three years. Additionally, on March 1, 2017, NCLH awarded 121,000 performance-based restricted share units to certain members of our management team which vest upon the achievement of certain pre-established performance targets.

 

The following is a summary of restricted share unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 (excludes the impact of 87,500329,146 previously awarded performance-based restricted share units as no grant date was established):

 

 Number of
Time-Based
Awards
 Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value Per Share
 Number of
Performance-
Based
Awards
 Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value Per Share
 Number of
Market-
Based
Awards
 Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value Per Share
  Number of
Time-Based
Awards
  Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
  Number of
Performance-
Based
Awards
  Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
  Number of
Market-
Based
Awards
  Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Non-vested as of January 1, 2016 150,000 $59.43  $ 50,000 $59.43 
Non-vested as of January 1, 2017  1,305,335  $50.38     $   50,000  $59.43 
Granted 1,328,490 49.62 12,500 50.00     1,803,327   51.13   37,500   49.76       
Vested (37,500) 59.43 (12,500) 50.00     (447,503)  50.55   (15,000)  49.76       
Forfeited or expired  (83,655) 50.51         (70,179)  50.71   (22,500)  49.76       
Non-vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2016  1,357,335 $50.38   $  50,000 $59.43 
Non-vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2017  2,590,980   50.86         50,000   59.43 

 

The share-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 20162017 was $16.8$21.5 million of which $15.0$18.6 million was recorded in marketing, general and administrative expense and $1.8$2.9 million was recorded in payroll and related expense. The share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 was $48.3$63.7 million of which $42.7$57.1 million was recorded in marketing, general and administrative expense and $5.6$6.6 million was recorded in payroll and related expense.

 

9.8.Commitments and Contingencies

 

Ship Construction Contracts

 

Project Leonardo will introduce an additional four ships with expected delivery dates through 2025 and we have an option to introduce two additional ships for delivery in 2026 and 2027, subject to certain conditions. These four ships are each approximately 140,000 Gross Tons with approximately 3,300 Berths. We have Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and one additional Breakaway Plusan Explorer Class Ship on order with Meyer Werft shipyardfor delivery in the winter of 2020. This ship is approximately 55,000 Gross Tons and 750 Berths. We have two Breakaway Plus Class Ships on order for delivery in the spring of 2017, spring of 2018 and the fall of 2019, respectively. These ships will be amongst the largest in our fleet, reachingare approximately 164,600168,000 Gross Tons.Tons each with approximately 4,000 Berths each. The combined contract price of these threeseven ships iswas approximately €2.6€5.5 billion, or $2.9$6.5 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2016.2017. We have export credit financing in place that provides financing for 80% of their contract prices. We have an Explorer Class Ship on order with Fincantieri shipyard with an original contract price of approximately €422.0 million, or approximately $474.1 million based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2016. We have export credit financing in place that provides financing for 80% of theeach ship’s contract price. The Explorer Class Ship isFor ships expected to be delivered inafter 2023, the winter of 2020.contract price is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.

 

In connection with the contracts to build thesethe ships, we do not anticipate any contractual breachesbreach or cancellationscancellation to occur. However, if any would occur, it could result in, among other things, the forfeiture of prior deposits or payments made by us subject to certain refund guarantees, and potential claims and impairment losses which may materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Litigation

 

In the normal course of our business, various claims and lawsuits have been filed or are pending against us. Most of these claims and lawsuits are covered by insurance and, accordingly, the maximum amount of our liability is typically limited to our deductible amount.

 

Nonetheless, the ultimate outcome of thesethe claims and lawsuits that are not covered by insurance cannot be determined at this time. We have evaluated our overall exposure with respect to all of our threatened and pending litigation and, to the extent required, we have accrued amounts for all estimable probable losses associated with our deemed exposure. We are currently unable to estimate any other potential contingent losses beyond those accrued, as discovery is not complete nor is adequate information available to estimate such range of loss or potential recovery. However, based on our current knowledge, we do not believe that the aggregate amount or range of reasonably possible losses with respect to these matters will be material to our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We intend to vigorously defend our legal position on all claims and, to the extent necessary, seek recovery.

 

10.9.Restructuring CostsOther Income (Expense), Net

 

DueFor the three months ended September 30, 2017, other income (expense), net was a $3.3 million expense, primarily due to foreign currency exchange losses. For the Acquisition of Prestige, a number of employee positions were consolidated. As ofthree months ended September 30, 2016, we had no accrual balance for restructuring costs for severancethe $5.3 million expense was due to foreign currency exchange and other employee-related costs. Thefuel swap derivative losses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the $11.7 million expense of $0.1 million forincluded foreign currency exchange losses partially offset by a gain from an insurance claim. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, isthe $13.3 million expense included in marketing, general and administrative expense.losses on fuel swap derivatives partially offset by gains on foreign exchange forward derivatives.

 

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10.Income Tax Expense

The following table summarizes changes in

Income tax expense for 2017 reflects a tax benefit of $11.6 million associated with the accrual for restructuring costs (in thousands):reversal of prior years’ tax contingency reserves due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

  Restructuring costs 
Accrued expense balance as of December 31, 2015 $(4,144)
Amounts paid  4,254 
Additional accrued expense  (110)
Accrued expense balance as of September 30, 2016 $

 

11.Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we had non-cash investing activities in connection with property and equipment of $15.2 million and $22.3 million, and forrespectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015,2017, we had non-cash investing activities in connection with capital leases of $28.5$13.3 million.

12.Subsequent Events

NCLC, a subsidiary of NCLH, entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2017, with a subsidiary of NCLC, as co-borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPM”), as administrative agent and as collateral agent, and a syndicate of other banks party thereto as joint bookrunners, arrangers, codocumentation agents and lenders (the “Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility”), which amends and restates that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2016, by and among NCLC, JPM, as administrative agent and as collateral agent, and a syndicate of other banks party thereto as joint bookrunners, arrangers, co-documentation agents and lenders (the “Existing Senior Secured Credit Facility”). The Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility amends the Existing Senior Secured Credit Facility to, among other things, (a) reprice and increase the existing $750 million revolving credit facility with a new $875 million revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Loan Facility”), (b) reprice the approximately $1,412 million principal amount outstanding under the existing senior secured term A facility (the “New Term A Loan Facility”), and capital expenditures(c) add a new $375 million term B loan facility due 2021 (the “New Term B Loan Facility”). The applicable margin under the New Term A Loan Facility and New Revolving Loan Facility is determined by reference to a total leverage ratio, with an applicable margin of $6.5 million.  between 2.00% and 1.25% with respect to Eurocurrency loans and between 1.00% and 0.25% with respect to base rate loans. The margin for borrowings under the New Term A Loan Facility and New Revolving Loan Facility is 1.75% with respect to Eurocurrency borrowings and 0.75% with respect to base rate borrowings. The applicable margin under the New Term B Loan Facility is 1.75% with respect to Eurocurrency loans and 0.75% with respect to base rate loans. NCLC used proceeds from the New Term B Loan Facility and cash on hand for the Redemption (as defined below).

 

On October 10, 2017, NCLC completed the redemption of all its outstanding 4.625% Senior Notes due 2020 (“Notes”), at a price including accrued and unpaid interest, of $1,044.41 per $1,000 of outstanding principal amount of Notes so redeemed (the “Redemption”). No Notes remained outstanding after the redemption.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained, or incorporated by reference, in this report, including, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to our activities), are forward-looking statements. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,”“intend” and “future” and similar words. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the impact of:

 

 adverse general economic and related factors, such as fluctuating or increasing levels of unemployment, underemployment and the volatility of fuel prices, declines in the securities and real estate markets, and perceptions of these conditions that decrease the level of disposable income of consumers or consumer confidence;
 adverse events impacting the security of travel, such as terrorist acts, armed conflict and threats thereof, acts of piracy, and other international events;
the risks and increased costs associated with operating internationally;
 an impairment of our tradenames or goodwill which could adversely affect our financial conditionexpansion into and operating results;
our efforts to expand our business intoinvestments in new markets;
adverse events impacting the security of travel, such as terrorist acts, acts of piracy, armed conflict and threats thereof and other international events;
 breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology and other networks;
 the spread of epidemics and viral outbreaks;
 adverse incidents involving cruise ships;
 changes in fuel prices and/or other cruise operating costs;
any impairment of our tradenames or goodwill;
 our hedging strategies;
 our inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage;
 our substantial indebtedness, including the ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, and to generate the necessary amount of cash to service our existing debt;
 restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness that limit our flexibility in operating our business;
 the significant portion of our assets pledged as collateral under our existing debt agreements and the ability of our creditors to accelerate the repayment of our indebtedness;
 our ability to incur significantly more debt despite our substantial existing indebtedness;
volatility and disruptions in the global credit and financial markets, which may adversely affect our ability to borrow and could increase our counterparty credit risks, including those under our credit facilities, derivatives, contingent obligations, insurance contracts and new ship progress payment guarantees;
 fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
overcapacity in key markets or globally;
 our inability to recruit or retain qualified personnel or the loss of key personnel;
 future changes relating to how external distribution channels sell and market our cruises;
 our reliance on third parties to provide hotel management services to certain ships and certain other services;
 delays in our shipbuilding program and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments;
 future increases in the price of, or major changes or reduction in, commercial airline services;
 seasonal variations in passenger fare rates and occupancy levels at different times of the year;
 our ability to keep pace with developments in technology;
 amendments to our collective bargaining agreements for crew members and other employee relation issues;
 the continued availability of attractive port destinations;
 pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions;
 changes involving the tax and environmental regulatory regimes in which we operate; and
 other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the Securities and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report.Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our present and future business strategies and the environment in which we willexpect to operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based, except as required by law.

 

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Terminology

 

This report includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Net Revenue, Net Yield, Net Cruise Cost, Adjusted Net Revenue, Adjusted Net Yield, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS. Definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures are included below. For further information about our non-GAAP financial measures including detailed adjustments made in calculating our non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, we refer you to “Results of Operations” below.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in this report, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

 

Acquisition of Prestige. In November 2014, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we acquired Prestige in a cash and stock transaction for total consideration of $3.025 billion, including the assumption of debt.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Adjusted Net Income. Net income adjusted for supplemental adjustments.

 

Adjusted Net Revenue. Net Revenue adjusted for supplemental adjustments.

 

Adjusted Net Yield. Net Yield adjusted for supplemental adjustments.

 

Bareboat Charter. The hire of a ship for a specified period of time whereby no crew or provisions are provided by the Company.

 

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

 

Breakaway Class Ships.Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway.

 

Breakaway Four Loan Facility.€729.9 million Breakaway four loan due 2029.

Breakaway Plus Class Ships.ShipsThe next generation of ships which are similar in design. Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and innovation to Breakaway Class Ships.a fourth ship on order.

 

Business Enhancement Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures other than those related to new ship construction and ROI Capital Expenditures.

 

Capacity Days. Available Berths multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period.

 

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

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

 

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

EPS. Earnings per share.

Existing Revolving Loan Facility.$750.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility that was amended and restated by the New Revolving Loan Facility on October 10, 2017.

Explorer Class Ships.Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer and a second ship on order.

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

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

Gross Tons. A unit of enclosed passenger space on a cruise ship, such that one gross ton = 100 cubic feet or 2.831 cubic meters.

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Gross Yield. Total revenue per Capacity Day.

Management NCL Corporation Units. NCLC’s previously outstanding profits interests issued to management (or former management) of NCLC which were converted into units in NCLC. All Management NCL Corporation Units were exchanged for NCLH ordinary shares and restricted shares in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Merger Agreement. Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 2, 2014, by and among Prestige, NCLH, Portland Merger Sub, Inc. and Apollo Management, L.P., as amended, for the Acquisition of Prestige.

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

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

 

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Net Revenue. Total revenue less commissions, transportation and other expense and onboard and other expense.

Net Yield. Net Revenue per Capacity Day.

New Revolving Loan Facility. $750.0$875.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility which amends the Existing Revolving Loan Facility, maturing on June 6, 2021, subject to an earlier springing maturity date as described in Note 6— “Long-Term Debt” in our consolidated financial statements included herein. The New Revolving Loan Facility amended and restated the Revolving Loan Facility.2021.

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

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

Revolving Loan FacilityProject Leonardo.. $625.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility which was to mature on May 24, 2018 and was amended and restated in June 2016 (such amendment and restatement is referred to herein as the New Revolving Loan Facility).The next generation of ships for our Norwegian brand.

ROI Capital Expenditures.Comprised of project-based capital expenditures which have a quantified return on investment.

Secondary Equity Offering(s).Secondary public offering(s) of NCLH’s ordinary shares in August 2017, December 2015, August 2015, May 2015, March 2015, March 2014, December 2013 and August 2013.

Shipboard Retirement Plan. An unfunded defined benefit pension plan for certain crew members which computes benefits based on years of service, subject to certain requirements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Net Revenue, Adjusted Net Revenue, Net Yield, Adjusted Net Yield, Net Cruise Cost, Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS, to enable us to analyze our performance. See “Terminology” for the definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures. We utilize Net Revenue and Net Yield to manage our business on a day-to-day basis and believe that they are the most relevant measures of our revenue performance because they reflect the revenue earned by us net of significant variable costs. In measuring our ability to control costs in a manner that positively impacts net income, we believe changes in Net Cruise Cost and Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel to be the most relevant indicators of our performance.

As our business includes the sourcing of passengers and deployment of vessels outside of the U.S., a portion of our revenue and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, particularly British pound, Canadian dollar, euro and Australian dollar which are subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates versus our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. In order to monitor results excluding these fluctuations, we calculate certain non-GAAP measures on a Constant Currency basis whereby current period revenue and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates of the comparable period. We believe that presenting these non-GAAP measures on both a reported and Constant Currency basis is useful in providing a more comprehensive view of trends in our business.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate as a supplemental financial measure as it is used by management to assess operating performance. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure in determining our performance as it reflects certain operating drivers of our business, such as sales growth, operating costs, marketing, general and administrative expense and other operating income and expense. Adjusted EBITDA is not a defined term under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDAGAAP nor is notit 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 capital expenditures and related depreciation, principal and interest payments and tax payments and it includes other supplemental adjustments.

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In addition, Adjusted Net Revenue and Adjusted Net Yield, which exclude certain business combination accounting entries, are non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are useful as supplemental measures in evaluating the performance of our operating business and provide greater transparency into our results of operations. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain amounts and are used to supplement GAAP net income and EPS. We use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS as key performance measures of our earnings performance. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparison to our historical performance. In addition, management uses Adjusted EPS as a performance measure for our incentive compensation. The amounts excluded in the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may vary from period to period; accordingly, our presentation of Adjusted Net Revenue, Adjusted Net Yield, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS may not be indicative of future adjustments or results. For example, for the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2016, we incurred an $11.2$28.0 million write-off, primarily duerelated to deferred financing feesthe extinguishment of debt due to the refinancing of certain credit facilities. We included the deferred financing feesthis as an adjustment in the reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income since these amounts arethe extinguishment of debt is not representative of our day-to-day operations and we have included other write-offs of deferred financing fees assimilar adjustments in prior periods.periods; however, this adjustment did not occur and is not included in the periods presented within this Form 10-Q.

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You are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment used in calculating our non-GAAP financial measures and the reasons we consider our non-GAAP financial measures appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating our non-GAAP financial measures, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in our presentation. Our non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Our presentation of our non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies. Please see a historical reconciliation of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measure presented in our consolidated financial statements below in the “Results of Operations” section.

 

Financial Presentation

 

Revenue from our cruise and cruise-related activities are categorized by us as “passenger ticket revenue” and “onboard and other revenue.” Passenger ticket revenue and onboard and other revenue vary according to product offering, the size of the ship in operation, the length of cruises operated and the markets in which the ship operates. Our revenue is seasonal based on demand for cruises, which has historically been strongest during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months.

 

Passenger ticket revenue primarily consists of revenue for accommodations, meals in certain restaurants on the ship, certain onboard entertainment, and includes revenue for service charges and air and land transportation to and from the ship to the extent guests purchase these items from us. Onboard and other revenue primarily consists of revenue from gaming, beverage sales, shore excursions, specialty dining, retail sales, spa services, photo services as well as certain Bareboat Charter revenue. We record onboard revenue from onboard activities we perform directly or that are performed by independent concessionaires, from which we receive a share of their revenue.

 

Our cruise operating expense is classified as follows:

 

Commissions, transportation and other primarily consists of direct costs associated with passenger ticket revenue. These costs include travel agent commissions, air and land transportation expenses, related credit card fees, costs associated with service charges, certain port expenses and the costs associated with shore excursions and hotel accommodations included as part of the overall cruise purchase price.

 

Onboard and other primarily consists of direct costs that are incurred in connection with onboard and other revenue. These include costs incurred in connection with gaming, beverage sales and shore excursions.

 

Payroll and related consists of the cost of wages and benefits for shipboard employees and costs of certain inventory items, including food, for a third party that provides crew and other hotel services for certain ships.

 

Fuel includes fuel costs, the impact of certain fuel hedges and fuel delivery costs.

 

Food consists of food costs for passengers and crew on certain ships.

 

Other consists of repairs and maintenance (including Dry-dock costs), ship insurance and other ship expenses.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable. Based on the recent performance of the Oceania Cruises’ reporting unit, we performed an interim goodwill impairment evaluation. Based on that evaluation, we determined that there was no impairment of goodwill because its fair value exceeded its carrying value. However, if the fair value of that reporting unit declines in future periods, its goodwill may become impaired at that time. As of September 30, 2016, there was $523.0 million of goodwill for the Oceania Cruises’ reporting unit.

For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates, see “Critical Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20152016 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We have made no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.

 

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However, in accordance with Item 303(a)(3)(ii) of Regulation S-K and Section V of SEC Release No. 33-8350, we are including additional disclosure which is presented below:

Asset Impairment

We review our long-lived assets, principally ships, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped and evaluated at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. We consider historical performance and future estimated results in our evaluation of potential impairment and then compare the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, we measure the amount of the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. We estimate fair value based on the best information available making whatever estimates, judgments and projections we considered necessary. The estimation of fair value is generally measured by discounting expected future cash flows at discount rates commensurate with the risk involved.

We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable. For our evaluation of goodwill and tradenames we use the Step 0 Test which allows us to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e., more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. In order to make this evaluation, we consider the following circumstances:

General macroeconomic conditions such as a deterioration in general economic conditions; limitations on accessing capital; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; or other developments in equity and credit markets;
Industry and market conditions such as a deterioration in the environment in which an entity operates; an increased competitive environment; a decline in market-dependent multiples or metrics (in both absolute terms and relative to peers); a change in the market for an entity’s products or services; or a regulatory or political development;
Changes in cost factors that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows;
Overall financial performance (for both actual and expected performance);
Entity and reporting unit-specific events such as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers; litigation; or a change in the composition or carrying amount of net assets; and
Share price (in both absolute terms and relative to peers).

We believe our estimates and judgments with respect to our long-lived assets, principally ships, and goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are reasonable. Nonetheless, if there was a material change in assumptions used in the determination of such fair values or if there is a material change in the conditions or circumstances that influence such assets, we could be required to record an impairment charge. If a material change occurred, we may conduct a quantitative assessment comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. This is called the Step I Test which consists of a combined approach using the expected future cash flows and market multiples to determine the fair value of the reporting units.

In the third quarter of 2016, based on the performance of the Oceania Cruises reporting unit, we performed an interim goodwill impairment evaluation consisting of a Step I Test. Based on that evaluation, we determined that there was no impairment of goodwill because its fair value exceeded its carrying value. For our annual impairment evaluation, we performed a Step 0 Test for the Norwegian reporting unit and Step I Tests for the Regent Seven Seas and the Oceania Cruises reporting units. As a result of the Step 0 Test for the Norwegian reporting unit, we determined there were no factors indicating it was more likely than not (i.e., more than 50%) that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying value. Based on the results of the Step 1 Tests, we determined there was no impairment of goodwill because the fair value of the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas reporting units exceeded their carrying values by 24% and 81%, respectively. However, if the fair value of any reporting unit declines in future periods, its goodwill may become impaired at that time. As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2017, there was $523.0 million, $462.1 million and $403.8 million of goodwill for the Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Norwegian reporting units, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, our annual review consisting of the Step 0 and Step I Tests supported the carrying values of these assets. Subsequent to December 31, 2016, the Company has continued to monitor the results of each of these reporting units and will perform the necessary tests should events occur or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable.

 

Quarterly Overview

 

Three months ended September 30, 20162017 (“2016”2017”) compared to the three months ended September 30, 20152016 (“2015”2016”)

 

Total revenue increased 15.6%11.2% to $1.7 billion compared to $1.5 billion in 2016 comparedbillion.

Net Revenue increased 12.5% to $1.3 billion in 2015 primarily due to an increase in Capacity Days and improved pricing. Gross Yield increased 1.5%. Net Revenue in 2016 increased 17.4%compared to $1.1 billion from $975.2 million in 2015 due to an increase in Capacity Daysbillion.

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Table of 13.9% and an increase in Net Yield of 3.1%. The increase in Capacity Days was primarily due to the delivery of Norwegian Escape in October 2015, Sirena joining our fleet in April 2016 and the delivery of Seven Seas Explorer in June 2016. The increase in Net Yield was primarily due to improved pricing.Contents

 

We had net

Net income and diluted EPS ofwas $400.7 million and $1.74, respectively, compared to $342.4 million in 2016 and $1.50, respectively.

Operating income was $413.6$476.8 million in 2016 compared to $306.8 million in 2015. We had $413.6 million.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS were $427.0 million and $1.86, respectively, in 2017, which included $26.3 million of adjustments primarily consisting of expenses related to non-cash compensation and certain other adjustments. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS were $369.3 million and $1.62, respectively, in 2016, which includesincluded $26.9 million of adjustments primarily consisting of expenses related to non-cash compensation, severance and other feesamortization of intangible assets and certain other adjustments.

Adjusted EBITDA improved 22.3% in 201616.0% to $635.1 million compared to 2015. $547.4 million.

We refer you to our “Results of Operations” below for a calculation of Net Revenue, Gross Yield, Net Yield, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth operating data as a percentage of total revenue:

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Revenue                
Passenger ticket  72.2%  73.8%  70.2%  72.7%
Onboard and other  27.8%  26.2%  29.8%  27.3%
Total revenue  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cruise operating expense                
Commissions, transportation and other  16.8%  17.6%  16.5%  17.8%
Onboard and other  6.1%  6.6%  6.1%  6.4%
Payroll and related  13.0%  13.3%  14.8%  14.8%
Fuel  5.8%  6.9%  6.6%  8.1%
Food  3.4%  3.6%  4.0%  4.0%
Other  7.7%  7.9%  9.4%  9.3%
Total cruise operating expense  52.8%  55.9%  57.4%  60.4%
Other operating expense                
Marketing, general and administrative  11.8%  11.7%  13.5%  12.4%
Depreciation and amortization  7.5%  8.5%  8.5%  9.5%
Total other operating expense  19.3%  20.2%  22.0%  21.9%
Operating income  27.9%  23.9%  20.6%  17.7%
Non-operating income (expense)                
Interest expense, net  (4.1)%  (3.9)%  (5.0)%  (4.6)%
Other expense  (0.4)%  (0.1)%  (0.4)%  (1.1)%
Total non-operating income (expense)  (4.5)%  (4.0)%  (5.4)%  (5.7)%
                 
Net income before income taxes  23.4%  19.9%  15.2%  12.0%
Income tax expense  (0.3)%  (0.3)%  (0.2)%  (0.2)%
Net income  23.1%  19.6%  15.0%  11.8%
                 

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  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Revenue            
Passenger ticket  72.2%  72.2%  70.3%  70.2%
Onboard and other  27.8%  27.8%  29.7%  29.8%
Total revenue  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cruise operating expense                
Commissions, transportation and other  16.1%  16.8%  16.5%  16.5%
Onboard and other  6.0%  6.1%  6.0%  6.1%
Payroll and related  12.5%  13.0%  14.3%  14.8%
Fuel  5.5%  5.8%  6.4%  6.6%
Food  3.3%  3.4%  3.6%  4.0%
Other  7.4%  7.7%  8.9%  9.4%
Total cruise operating expense  50.8%  52.8%  55.7%  57.4%
Other operating expense                
Marketing, general and administrative  12.2%  11.8%  14.2%  13.5%
Depreciation and amortization  8.1%  7.5%  9.1%  8.5%
Total other operating expense  20.3%  19.3%  23.3%  22.0%
Operating income  28.9%  27.9%  21.0%  20.6%
Non-operating income (expense)                
Interest expense, net  (4.0)%  (4.1)%  (4.4)%  (5.0)%
Other income (expense), net  (0.2)%  (0.4)%  (0.3)%  (0.4)%
Total non-operating income (expense)  (4.2)%  (4.5)%  (4.7)%  (5.4)%
Net income before income taxes  24.7%  23.4%  16.3%  15.2%
Income tax expense  (0.4)%  (0.3)%  (0.4)%  (0.2)%
Net income  24.3%  23.1%  15.9%  15.0%

 

The following table sets forth selected statistical information:

 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2016  2015  2016  2015  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Passengers carried  635,654   574,011   1,761,967   1,615,213   658,139   635,654   1,756,350   1,761,967 
Passenger Cruise Days  4,674,286   4,208,605   13,196,600   11,925,493   5,071,115   4,674,286   13,819,421   13,196,600 
Capacity Days  4,209,562   3,696,549   12,175,012   10,887,160   4,590,789   4,209,562   12,811,155   12,175,012 
Occupancy Percentage  111.0%  113.9%  108.4%  109.5%  110.5%  111.0%  107.9%  108.4%

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Net Revenue, Adjusted Net Revenue, Gross Yield, Net Yield and Adjusted Net Yield were calculated as follows (in thousands, except Capacity Days and Yield data):

 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2016  2016
Constant
Currency
  2015  2016  2016
Constant
Currency
  2015  2017  2017
Constant
Currency
  2016  2017  2017
Constant
Currency
  2016 
Passenger ticket revenue $1,071,815  $1,080,784  $948,059  $2,630,405  $2,655,815  $2,406,533  $1,192,023  $1,190,650  $1,071,815  $2,916,731  $2,933,448  $2,630,405 
Onboard and other revenue  412,921   412,921   336,851   1,118,798   1,118,798   901,992   459,715   459,715   412,921   1,229,891   1,229,891   1,118,798 
Total revenue  1,484,736   1,493,705   1,284,910   3,749,203   3,774,613   3,308,525   1,651,738   1,650,365   1,484,736   4,146,622   4,163,339   3,749,203 
Less:                                                
Commissions, transportation and other expense  249,519   251,488   225,586   618,492   624,775   589,851   266,173   265,718   249,519   683,628   687,665   618,492 
Onboard and other expense  90,661   90,661   84,171   230,416   230,416   210,701   98,476   98,476   90,661   250,254   250,254   230,416 
Net Revenue  1,144,556   1,151,556   975,153   2,900,295   2,919,422   2,507,973   1,287,089   1,286,171   1,144,556   3,212,740   3,225,420   2,900,295 
Non-GAAP Adjustment:                                                
Deferred revenue (1)  300   300   3,026   1,057   1,057   31,514         300         1,057 
Adjusted Net Revenue $1,144,856  $1,151,856  $978,179  $2,901,352  $2,920,479  $2,539,487  $1,287,089  $1,286,171  $1,144,856  $3,212,740  $3,225,420  $2,901,352 
Capacity Days  4,209,562   4,209,562   3,696,549   12,175,012   12,175,012   10,887,160   4,590,789   4,590,789   4,209,562   12,811,155   12,811,155   12,175,012 
Gross Yield $352.71  $354.84  $347.60  $307.94  $310.03  $303.89  $359.79  $359.49  $352.71  $323.67  $324.98  $307.94 
Net Yield $271.89  $273.56  $263.80  $238.22  $239.79  $230.36  $280.36  $280.16  $271.89  $250.78  $251.77  $238.22 
Adjusted Net Yield $271.97  $273.63  $264.62  $238.30  $239.87  $233.26  $280.36  $280.16  $271.97  $250.78  $251.77  $238.30 

 

(1)Reflects deferred revenue fair value adjustments related to the Acquisition of Prestige that were made pursuant to business combination accounting rules.

 

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

 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2016  2016
Constant
Currency
  2015  2016  2016
Constant
Currency
  2015  2017  2017
Constant
Currency
  2016  2017  2017
Constant
Currency
  2016 
Total cruise operating expense $784,734  $786,209  $717,722  $2,155,115  $2,162,546  $1,997,701  $838,165  $837,839  $784,734  $2,310,205  $2,314,015  $2,155,115 
Marketing, general and administrative expense  174,813   175,353   150,558   504,694   505,957   411,879   202,221   201,603   174,813   587,914   588,183   504,694 
Gross Cruise Cost  959,547   961,562   868,280   2,659,809   2,668,503   2,409,580   1,040,386   1,039,442   959,547   2,898,119   2,902,198   2,659,809 
Less:                                                
Commissions, transportation and other expense  249,519   251,488   225,586   618,492   624,775   589,851   266,173   265,718   249,519   683,628   687,665   618,492 
Onboard and other expense  90,661   90,661   84,171   230,416   230,416   210,701   98,476   98,476   90,661   250,254   250,254   230,416 
Net Cruise Cost  619,367   619,413   558,523   1,810,901   1,813,312   1,609,028   675,737   675,248   619,367   1,964,237   1,964,279   1,810,901 
Less: Fuel expense  86,250   86,250   88,829   248,529   248,529   267,784   91,231   91,231   86,250   266,780   266,780   248,529 
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel  533,117   533,163   469,694   1,562,372   1,564,783   1,341,244   584,506   584,017   533,117   1,697,457   1,697,499   1,562,372 
Less Non-GAAP Adjustments:                                                
Non-cash deferred compensation (1)  792   792   3,277   2,375   2,375   5,759   878   878   792   2,524   2,524   2,375 
Non-cash share-based compensation (2)  16,840   16,840   13,691   48,289   48,289   27,857   21,444   21,444   16,840   63,664   63,664   48,289 
Secondary Equity Offerings’ expenses (3)        362         1,384 
Severance payments and other fees (4)  2,587   2,587   1,369   5,486   5,486   15,045 
Management NCL Corporation Units exchange expenses (5)                 624 
Acquisition of Prestige expenses (6)  1,696   1,696   6,098   4,710   4,710   17,389 
Contingent consideration adjustment (7)                 (43,400)
Contract termination expenses (8)        3,319         3,319 
Secondary Equity Offering expenses (3)  462   462      462   462    
Severance payments and other expenses (4)        2,587   2,399   2,399   5,486 
Acquisition of Prestige expenses (5)        1,696   500   500   4,710 
Other (6)  999   999      2,605   2,605    
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel $511,202  $511,248  $441,578  $1,501,512  $1,503,923  $1,313,267  $560,723  $560,234  $511,202  $1,625,303  $1,625,345  $1,501,512 
                                                
Capacity Days  4,209,562   4,209,562   3,696,549   12,175,012   12,175,012   10,887,160   4,590,789   4,590,789   4,209,562   12,811,155   12,811,155   12,175,012 
Gross Cruise Cost per Capacity Day $227.94  $228.42  $234.89  $218.46  $219.18  $221.32  $226.62  $226.42  $227.94  $226.22  $226.54  $218.46 
Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day $147.13  $147.14  $151.09  $148.74  $148.94  $147.79  $147.19  $147.09  $147.13  $153.32  $153.33  $148.74 
Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day $126.64  $126.66  $127.06  $128.33  $128.52  $123.20  $127.32  $127.21  $126.64  $132.50  $132.50  $128.33 
Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day $121.44  $121.45  $119.46  $123.33  $123.53  $120.63  $122.14  $122.03  $121.44  $126.87  $126.87  $123.33 

 

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(1)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense.
(2)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.
(3)Expenses related to thea Secondary Equity Offerings,Offering, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(4)Severance payments and other expenses related to restructuring costs and other severance arrangements, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(5)Expenses related to the exchange of Management NCL Corporation Units for ordinary shares, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(6)Expenses related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(7)Contingent consideration fair value adjustment related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which is included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(8)Contract termination expenses related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in other cruise operating expense.

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

  

Three Months Ended 

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Net income  342,378   251,787   560,853   388,825 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:                
Non-cash deferred compensation (1)  792   3,277   2,375   5,759 
Non-cash share-based compensation (2)  16,840   13,691   48,289   28,030 
Secondary Equity Offerings’ expenses (3)     362      1,384 
Severance payments and other fees (4)  2,587   1,369   5,486   15,045 
Management NCL Corporation Units exchange expenses (5)           624 
Acquisition of Prestige expenses (6)  1,696   6,098   4,710   17,389 
Deferred revenue (7)  300   3,026   1,057   31,514 
Amortization of intangible assets (8)  5,267   20,914   15,802   59,973 
Contingent consideration adjustment (9)           (43,400)
Derivative adjustment (10)     3,767   (1,185)  33,370 
Contract termination expenses (11)     6,848      6,848 
Deferred financing fees and other (12)  (558)     11,156    
Adjusted Net Income $369,302  $311,139  $648,543  $545,361 
Diluted weighted–average shares outstanding  227,598,607   230,274,756   227,859,617   229,860,900 
Diluted earnings per share $1.50  $1.09  $2.46  $1.69 
Adjusted EPS $1.62  $1.35  $2.85  $2.37 

(1)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense.
(2)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.
(3)Expenses related to the Secondary Equity Offerings, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(4)Severance payments and other expenses related to restructuring costs and other severance arrangements, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.

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(5)Expenses related to the exchangeAcquisition of Management NCL Corporation Units for ordinary shares,Prestige, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(6)Expenses primarily related to certain legal costs, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.

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

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net income  400,692   342,378   661,075   560,853 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:                
Non-cash deferred compensation (1)  878   792   2,524   2,375 
Non-cash share-based compensation (2)  21,444   16,840   63,664   48,289 
Secondary Equity Offering expenses (3)  462      462    
Severance payments and other expenses (4)     2,587   2,399   5,486 
Acquisition of Prestige expenses (5)     1,696   500   4,710 
Deferred revenue (6)     300      1,057 
Amortization of intangible assets (7)  7,568   5,267   22,704   15,802 
Derivative adjustment (8)           (1,185)
Deferred financing fees and other (9)           11,714 
Impairment on assets held for sale (10)  2,935      2,935    
Tax benefit (11)  (7,950)  (558)  (7,950)  (558)
Other (12)  999      2,605    
Adjusted Net Income $427,028  $369,302  $750,918  $648,543 
Diluted weighted–average shares outstanding  229,816,956   227,598,607   229,157,257   227,859,617 
Diluted earnings per share $1.74  $1.50  $2.88  $2.46 
Adjusted EPS $1.86  $1.62  $3.28  $2.85 

(1)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense.
(2)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.
(3)Expenses related to a Secondary Equity Offering, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(4)Severance payments and other expenses related to restructuring costs and other severance arrangements, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(5)Expenses related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(6)Deferred revenue fair value adjustments related to the Acquisition of Prestige that were made pursuant to business combination accounting rules, which are primarily included in passenger ticket revenue.
(7)Amortization of intangible assets related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in depreciation and amortization expense.
(8)Losses and net gains for the fair value adjustment of a foreign exchange collar which does not receive hedge accounting and losses due to the dedesignation of certain fuel swaps. These adjustments are included in other income (expense), net.
(9)Expenses primarily related to the write-off of deferred financing fees related to the refinancing of certain credit facilities, which are included in interest expense, net.
(10)Loss on planned sale of Hawaii land-based operations.
(11)Tax benefits primarily due to reversal of prior years’ tax contingency reserves.
(12)Expenses primarily related to certain legal costs, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.

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

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net income $400,692  $342,378  $661,075  $560,853 
Interest expense, net  66,339   60,662   183,495   188,836 
Income tax expense  6,527   5,241   15,369   8,944 
Depreciation and amortization expense  134,532   111,575   376,878   317,480 
EBITDA  608,090   519,856   1,236,817   1,076,113 
Other expense (1)  3,262   5,333   11,686   13,281 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:                
Non-cash deferred compensation (2)  878   792   2,524   2,375 
Non-cash share-based compensation (3)  21,444   16,840   63,664   48,289 
Secondary Equity Offering expenses (4)  462      462    
Severance payments and other expenses (5)     2,587   2,399   5,486 
Acquisition of Prestige expenses (6)     1,696   500   4,710 
Deferred revenue (7)     300      1,057 
Other (8)  999      2,605    
Adjusted EBITDA $635,135  $547,404  $1,320,657  $1,151,311 

(1)Primarily consists of gains and losses, net for derivative contracts and foreign currency exchanges.
(2)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense.
(3)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.
(4)Expenses related to a Secondary Equity Offering, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(5)Severance payments and other expenses related to restructuring costs and other severance arrangements, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(6)Expenses related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(7)Deferred revenue fair value adjustments related to the Acquisition of Prestige that were made pursuant to business combination accounting rules, which are primarily included in Net Revenue.passenger ticket revenue.
(8)Amortization of intangible assetsExpenses primarily related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in depreciation and amortization expense.
(9)Contingent consideration fair value adjustment related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which is included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(10)Losses and net gains for the fair value adjustment of a foreign exchange collar which did not receive hedge accounting and losses due to the dedesignation of certain fuels swaps. These adjustments are included in other expense.
(11)Contract termination expenses related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in other cruise operating expense and depreciation and amortization expense.
(12)For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily reflects the write-off of deferred financing fees related to the refinancing of certain credit facilities, which is included in interest expense, net. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, reflects a tax benefit adjustment.

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

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Net income $342,378  $251,787  $560,853  $388,825 
Interest expense, net  60,662   49,784   188,836   153,219 
Income tax expense  5,241   3,528   8,944   6,931 
Depreciation and amortization expense  111,575   109,798   317,480   314,381 
EBITDA  519,856   414,897   1,076,113   863,356 
Other expense (1)  5,333   1,733   13,281   35,589 
Non-GAAP Adjustments:                
Non-cash deferred compensation (2)  792   3,277   2,375   5,759 
Non-cash share-based compensation (3)  16,840   13,691   48,289   27,857 
Secondary Equity Offerings’ expenses (4)     362      1,384 
Severance payments and other fees (5)  2,587   1,369   5,486   15,045 
Management NCL Corporation Units exchange expenses (6)           624 
Acquisition of Prestige expenses (7)  1,696   6,098   4,710   17,389 
Deferred revenue (8)  300   3,026   1,057   31,514 
Contingent consideration adjustment (9)           (43,400)
Contract termination expenses (10)     3,319      3,319 
Adjusted EBITDA $547,404  $447,772  $1,151,311  $958,436 

(1)Primarily consists of gains and losses, net for derivative contracts and forward currency exchanges.
(2)Non-cash deferred compensation expenses related to the crew pension plan and other crew expenses, which are included in payroll and related expense.
(3)Non-cash share-based compensation expenses related to equity awards, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense and payroll and related expense.
(4)Expenses related to the Secondary Equity Offerings,legal costs, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(5)Severance payments and other expenses related to restructuring costs and other severance arrangements, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(6)Expenses related to the exchange of Management NCL Corporation Units for ordinary shares, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(7)Expenses related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(8)Deferred revenue fair value adjustments related to the Acquisition of Prestige that were made pursuant to business combination accounting rules, which are primarily included in Net Revenue.
(9)Contingent consideration fair value adjustment related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which is included in marketing, general and administrative expense.
(10)Contract termination expenses related to the Acquisition of Prestige, which are included in other cruise operating expense.

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Three months ended September 30, 20162017 (“2016”2017”) compared to three months ended September 30, 20152016 (“2015”2016”)

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue increased 15.6%11.2% to $1.7 billion in 2017 compared to $1.5 billion in 2016 compared to $1.3 billion in 2015 primarily due to an increase in Capacity Days and improved pricing.Days. Gross Yield increased 1.5%2.0%. Net Revenue increased 12.5% in 2016 increased 17.4%2017 to $1.3 billion from $1.1 billion from $975.2 million in 20152016 due to an increase in Capacity Days of 13.9%9.1% and an increase in Net Yield of 3.1%.The. The increase in Capacity Days was primarily due to the delivery of Norwegian Escape in October 2015, Sirena joining our fleetJoy in April 2016 and the delivery of Seven Seas Explorer in June 2016.2017. The increase in Gross Yield and Net Yield was primarily due to improved pricing.an increase in passenger ticket pricing and higher onboard and other revenue. Adjusted Net Revenue in 2016 includes a deferred revenue fair value adjustment of $3.0$0.3 million in 2015 related to the Acquisition of Prestige. On a Constant Currency basis, Net Yield and Adjusted Net Yield increased 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively,3.0% in 20162017 compared to 2015. We refer you to the “Results of Operations” above for a reconciliation of Gross Yield to Adjusted Net Yield.2016.

Expense

 

Gross Cruise Cost increased 10.5%8.4% in 20162017 compared to 20152016 due to an increase in total cruise operating expense and marketing, general and administrative expense.expenses. Total cruise operating expense increased 9.3%6.8% in 20162017 compared to 20152016 primarily due to the increase in Capacity Days as discussed above.above and crew payroll and related costs. Total other operating expense increased 10.0%17.6% in 20162017 compared to 20152016 due to an increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense. The increase in marketing, general and administrative expense was primarily due to pay for performance incentive expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to the ship additions and ship improvement projects. On a Capacity Day basis, Net Cruise Cost and Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel was relatively unchanged on an actual and constant currency basis primarily due to an increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses, which included an increase in marketing expenses of $16.0 million. Depreciation and amortization expense was relatively unchanged as the increase due to the addition of Norwegian Escape and ship improvement projects in 2016 was offset by the recognition in 2015 of an incremental $15.6 million of amortization of intangible assets due to the Acquisition of Prestige. On a Capacity Day basis, Net Cruise Cost decreased 2.6% on an actual and a Constant Currency basis as the increases in expenses discussed above were primarily offset by the decreasedecreases in fuel expense. The average fuel price decreased 11.5% to $500 per metric ton in 2016 from $565 per metric ton in 2015. Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day increased 1.7% on an actual and a Constant Currency basis primarily due to the increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses discussed above. We refer you to the “Results of Operations” above for a reconciliation of Gross Cruise Cost to Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel.cruise operating expenses.

 

Interest expense, net increasedwas $66.3 million in 2017 compared to $60.7 million in 2016 from $49.8 million in 2015 primarily due to2016. Interest expense for 2017 reflects an increase in average debt balances outstanding primarily associated with the delivery of Norwegian Escape in October 2015new ships and Seven Seas Explorer in June 2016newbuild installments, as well as slightly higher interest rates due to an increase in LIBOR rates.LIBOR.

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Other income (expense), net was an expense wasof $3.3 million in 2017 compared to an expense of $5.3 million in 2016 compared2016. In 2017, the expense was primarily related to $1.7 million in 2015.losses on foreign currency exchange. In 2016, the expense was primarily related to unrealized and realized losses on fuel swap derivative hedge contracts and foreign exchange derivative hedge contracts and losses on foreign currency transaction losses. In 2015, the expense was primarily related to the dedesignation of certain fuel swap derivative hedge contracts and the ineffectiveness of settled fuel swaps in 2015. The expense in 2015 was partially offset by income related to the fair value adjustment for a foreign exchange collar which did not receive hedge accounting treatment and foreign currency transaction gains.exchange.

 

In 2016,2017, we had an income tax expense of $5.2$6.5 million compared to $3.5$5.2 million in 2015.2016. Income tax in 2017 reflects a tax benefit of $11.6 million associated with the reversal of prior years’ tax contingency reserves due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

 

Nine months ended September 30, 20162017 (“2016”2017”) compared to nine months ended September 30, 20152016 (“2015”2016”)

Revenue

 

Total revenue increased 13.3%10.6% to $4.1 billion in 2017 compared to $3.7 billion in 2016 compared to $3.3 billion in 2015 primarily due to an increase in Capacity Days and improved pricing.Days. Gross Yield increased 1.3%5.1%. Net Revenue increased 10.8% in 2016 increased 15.6%2017 to $3.2 billion from $2.9 billion from $2.5 billion in 20152016 due to an increase in Capacity Days of 11.8%5.2% and an increase in Net Yield of 3.4%5.3%. The increase in Capacity Days was primarily due to the delivery of Norwegian EscapeJoy in October 2015,April 2017, Seven Seas Explorer in June 2016, Sirena joining our fleet in April 2016 and a reduction in the deliveryamount of Seven Seas Explorer in June 2016, slightly offset by the scheduledlost days due to Dry-docks in 2017 compared to 2016. The increase in Gross Yield and Net Yield was primarily due to improved pricing.an increase in passenger ticket pricing and higher onboard and other revenue. Adjusted Net Revenue in 2016 includes a deferred revenue fair value adjustment of $31.5$1.1 million in 2015 related to the Acquisition of Prestige. On a Constant Currency basis, Net Yield and Adjusted Net Yield increased 4.1% and 2.8%, respectively, in 20165.7% compared to 2015. We refer you to the “Results of Operations” above for a reconciliation of Gross Yield to Adjusted Net Yield.2016.

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Expense

 

Gross Cruise Cost increased 10.4%9.0% in 20162017 compared to 20152016 due to an increase in total cruise operating expense and marketing, general and administrative expense.expenses. Total cruise operating expense increased 7.9%7.2% in 20162017 compared to 20152016 primarily due to the increase in Capacity Days as discussed above and an increase in Dry-dock expenses.crew payroll and related costs. Total other operating expense increased 13.2%17.3% in 20162017 compared to 2015 primarily2016 due to an increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses which included anand depreciation and amortization expense. The increase in marketing, expenses of $28.5 milliongeneral and share-based compensation of $20.5 million. The increaseadministrative expense was alsoprimarily due to recognition of a $43.4 million contingent consideration adjustment related to the Acquisition of Prestige which resulted in a reduction to expense in 2015 but not in 2016.pay for performance incentive expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense was relatively unchanged as the increaseincreased primarily due to the addition of Norwegian Escapeship additions and the ship improvement projects in 2016 was offset by the recognition in 2015 of an incremental $44.2 million of amortization of intangible assets due to the Acquisition of Prestige.projects. On a Capacity Day basis, Net Cruise Cost remained relatively unchanged onincreased 3.1% (on an actual and a Constant Currency basis,basis) due to the increasesan increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses discussed above which were primarily offset by a decrease in fuel expense. The average fuel price decreased 14.9% to $468 per metric ton in 2016 from $550 per metric ton in 2015.and crew payroll and related costs. Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day increased 2.2%2.9% (on an actual and a Constant Currency basis) primarily due to the increase in expenses discussed above (2.4% on a Constant Currency basis). We refer you to the “Results of Operations” above for a reconciliation of Gross Cruise Cost to Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel.above.

 

Interest expense, net increasedwas $183.5 million in 2017 compared to $188.8 million in 2016 from $153.2 million2016. Interest expense for 2017 reflects higher interest rates driven by an increase in 2015 primarily due toLIBOR, as well as an increase in average debt balances outstanding primarily associated with the delivery of Norwegian Escape in October 2015new ships and Seven Seas Explorer in Junenewbuild installments. Interest expense for 2016 as well as higher interest rates due to an increase in LIBOR rates. The increase in interest expense, net also includesincluded a write-off of $11.5 million of deferred financing fees related to the refinancing of certain of our credit facilities.facilities in 2016.

 

Other income (expense), net was an expense wasof $11.7 million in 2017 compared to an expense of $13.3 million in 2016 compared2016. In 2017, the expense was primarily related to $35.6 million in 2015.losses on foreign currency exchange partially offset by income from an insurance settlement. In 2016, the expense was primarily related to unrealized and realized losses on fuel swap derivative hedge contracts and losses on foreign exchange partially offset by gains on foreign exchange derivative hedge contracts. In 2015, the expense was primarily related to the dedesignation of certain fuel swap derivative hedge contracts and the ineffectiveness of settled fuel swaps in 2015. Also included in 2015 was the expense related to the fair value adjustment for a foreign exchange collar which did not receive hedge accounting treatment.

 

In 2016,2017, we had an income tax expense of $8.9$15.4 million compared to $6.9$8.9 million in 2015.2016. Income tax in 2017 reflects a tax benefit of $11.6 million associated with the reversal of prior years’ tax contingency reserves due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, our liquidity was $905.4 million$1.3 billion consisting of $155.4$522.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $750.0 million under our NewExisting Revolving Loan Facility. In October 2017, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which amended our Existing Revolving Loan Facility by, among other things, increasing the existing $750 million revolving credit facility with a new $875 million revolving credit facility. We refer you to our notes to consolidated financial statements, Note 12— “Subsequent Events” for further information about our long-term debt. Our primary ongoing liquidity requirements are to finance working capital, capital expenditures and debt service.

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, we had a working capital deficit of $1.9$1.7 billion. This deficit included $1.2$1.3 billion of advance ticket sales, which represents the revenue we collect in advance of sailing dates, and accordingly, are substantially more like deferred revenue balances rather than actual current cash liabilities. Our business model, along with our New Revolving Loan Facility, allows us to operate with a working capital deficit and still meet our operating, investing and financing needs.

 

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We evaluate potential sources of additional liquidity, including the capital markets, in the ordinary course of business. We believe that prevailing market conditions, particularly in the debt capital markets, are generally favorable. We will continue to evaluate opportunities to increaseoptimize our liquidity in the near term,capital structure, taking into consideration our current and expected capital requirements, our assessment of prevailing market conditions and expectations regarding future conditions, and the contractual and other restrictions to which we are subject.

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

In this section, references to “2017” refer to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and references to “2016” refer to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and references to “2015” refer to the nine months ended September 30, 2015.2016.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.4 billion in 2017 as compared to $1.1 billion in 2016 as compared to $973.4 million in 2015. The change in net cash provided by operating activities reflects net income in 2016 of $560.9 million compared to a net income in 2015 of $388.8 million.2016. The net cash provided by operating activities included timing differences in cash receipts and payments relating to operating assets and liabilities. Net income increased to $661.1 million in 2017 from $560.9 million in 2016.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $950.2 million$1.2 billion in 2017 primarily related to payments for the delivery of Norwegian Joy, ship improvements and shoreside projects. Net cash used in investing activities was $1.0 billion in 2016 primarily related to payments for the delivery of Seven Seas Explorer, ship improvements, ships under construction and shoreside projects. Net cash used in investing activities was $330.5 million in 2015, primarily related to payments for ship improvements, ships under construction and shoreside projects.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $200.0 million in 2017 primarily due to the proceeds from our Breakaway Four Loan Facility partially offset by the repayments of other loan facilities, our net repayment of our Existing Revolving Loan Facility and deferred financing fees and other. Net cash used in financing activities was $99.0 million in 2016 primarily due to net repayments of our NewExisting Revolving Loan Facility and other loan facilities and the repurchase of our ordinary shares and deferred financing fees and other. Net cash used in financing activities was $497.6 million in 2015 primarily due to net repayments of our Revolving Loan Facility and other loan facilities.

Future Capital Commitments

 

Future capital commitments consist of contracted commitments, including ship construction contracts, and future expected capital expenditures necessary for operations as well as our ship refurbishment projects.operations. As of September 30, 2016,2017, our anticipated capital expenditures were $157.5 million$0.3 billion for the remainder of 2016 and $1.32017, $1.4 billion for each of the yearsyear ending December 31, 20172018 and 2018,$1.2 billion for the year ending December 31, 2019, of which we have export credit financing in place for the expenditures related to ship construction contracts of $47.8$48 million for the remainder of 2016, $762.6 million2017, $0.8 billion for 20172018 and $732.9 million$0.6 billion for 2018. These future expected capital expenditures will significantly increase our depreciation and amortization expense.2019.

 

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Project Leonardo will introduce an additional four ships with expected delivery dates through 2025 and we have an option to introduce two additional ships for delivery in 2026 and 2027, subject to certain conditions. These four ships are each approximately 140,000 Gross Tons with approximately 3,300 Berths. We have Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and one additional Breakaway Plusan Explorer Class Ship on order with Meyer Werft shipyardfor delivery in the winter of 2020. This ship is approximately 55,000 Gross Tons and 750 Berths. We have two Breakaway Plus Class Ships on order for delivery in the spring of 2017, spring of 2018 and the fall of 2019, respectively. These ships will be amongst the largest in our fleet, reachingare approximately 164,600168,000 Gross Tons.Tons each with approximately 4,000 Berths each. The combined contract price of these threeseven ships iswas approximately €2.6€5.5 billion, or $2.9$6.5 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2016.2017. We have export credit financing in place that provides financing for 80% of their contract prices. We have an Explorer Class Ship on order with Fincantieri shipyard with an original contract price of approximately €422.0 million, or approximately $474.1 million based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2016. We have export credit financing in place that provides financing for 80% of theeach ship’s contract price. The Explorer Class Ship isFor ships expected to be delivered inafter 2023, the winter of 2020.contract price is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.

 

In connection with the contracts to build thesethe ships, we do not anticipate any contractual breaches or cancellation to occur. However, if any would occur, it could result in, among other things, the forfeiture of prior deposits or payments made by us subject to certain refund guarantees, and potential claims and impairment losses which may materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Capitalized interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 was $8.9$6.2 million and $24.9$21.8 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20152016 was $9.1$8.9 million and $24.2$24.9 million, respectively, primarily associated with the construction of our Breakaway Plus Class Ships.newbuild ships.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

 

None.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, our contractual obligations with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year, including interest payments on long-term debt obligations, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 Total Less than
1 year
 1-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3 years  3-5 years  More than
5 years
 
Long-term debt (1) $6,503,978 $566,911 $1,104,015 $3,231,018 $1,602,034  $6,734,832   605,827   1,240,277   3,229,750   1,658,978 
Operating leases (2) 153,735 15,135 30,277 28,927 79,396   140,525   15,927   30,532   28,044   66,022 
Ship construction contracts (3) 3,220,716 953,312 1,115,038 1,152,366    6,193,555   1,111,116   1,358,988   1,115,161   2,608,290 
Port facilities (4) 265,083 42,876 63,260 59,329 99,618   144,822   32,647   43,656   27,424   41,095 
Interest (5) 990,580 210,620 383,240 242,487 154,233   1,022,705   226,295   400,423   231,596   164,391 
Other (6)  164,170  56,146  54,186  30,266  23,572   166,255   52,697   69,510   26,168   17,880 
Total $11,298,262 $1,845,000 $2,750,016 $4,744,393 $1,958,853  $14,402,694  $2,044,509  $3,143,386  $4,658,143  $4,556,656 

 

(1)Includes premiums aggregating $0.6$0.4 million. Also includes capital leases. The amount excludes deferred financing fees which are included in the consolidated balance sheets as an offset to long-term debt.
(2)Primarily for offices, motor vehicles and office equipment.
(3)For our newbuild ships based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2016.2017. Export credit financing is in place from syndicates of banks.
(4)Primarily for our usage of certain port facilities.
(5)Includes fixed and variable rates with LIBOR held constant as of September 30, 2016.2017.
(6)Future commitments for service, and maintenance contracts and other Business Enhancement Capital Expenditures.Expenditure contracts.

 

The table above does not include $11.2$0.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

Other

 

Certain service providers may require collateral in the normal course of our business. The amount of collateral may change based on certain terms and conditions.

 

As a routine part of our business, depending on market conditions, exchange rates, pricing and our strategy for growth, we regularly consider opportunities to enter into contracts for the building of additional ships. We may also consider the sale of ships, potential acquisitions and strategic alliances. If any of these were to occur, they may be financed through the incurrence of additional permitted indebtedness, through cash flows from operations, or through the issuance of debt, equity or equity-related securities.

 

Funding Sources

 

OurCertain of our debt agreements contain covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain a minimum level of liquidity, as well as limit our net funded debt-to-capital ratio, maintain certain other ratios and restrict our ability to pay dividends. Substantially all of our ships and other property and equipment are pledged as collateral for certain of our debt. We believe we were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2016.2017.

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The impact of changes in world economies and especially the global credit markets has createdcan create a challenging environment and may reduce future consumer demand for cruises and adversely affect our counterparty credit risks. In the event this environment deteriorates, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

 

We believe our cash on hand, expected future operating cash inflows, additional available borrowings under our New Revolving Loan Facility and our ability to issue debt securities or raise additional equity securities, will be sufficient to fund operations, debt payment requirements, capital expenditures and maintain compliance with covenants under our debt agreements over the next twelve-month period. There is no assurance that cash flows from operations and additional financings will be available in the future to fund our future obligations.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

General

 

We are exposed to market risk attributable to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and fuel prices. We attempt to minimize these risks through a combination of our normal operating and financing activities and through the use of derivatives. The financial impacts of these derivative instruments are primarily offset by corresponding changes in the underlying exposures being hedged. We achieve this by closely matching the amount,notional, term and conditions of the derivatives with the underlying risk being hedged. We do not hold or issue derivatives for trading or other speculative purposes. Derivative positions are monitored using techniques including market valuations and sensitivity analyses.

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Interest Rate Risk

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, we had interest rate swap agreements to hedge our exposure to interest rate movements and to manage our interest expense. As of September 30, 2016, 56%2017, 61% of our debt was fixed and 44%39% was variable, which includes the effects of the interest rate swaps. The notional amount of outstanding debt associated with the interest rate swap agreements as of September 30, 20162017 was $339.8$237.2 million. Based on our September 30, 20162017 outstanding variable rate debt balance, a one percentage point increase in annual LIBOR interest rates would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $28.9$25.9 million excluding the effects of capitalization of interest.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

As of September 30, 2016,2017, we had foreign currency derivatives to hedge the exposure to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates related to our ship construction contracts denominated in euros. These derivatives hedge the foreign currency exchange rate risk on a portion of the payments on our ship construction contracts. The payments not hedged aggregate €506.4 million,€3.5 billion, or $568.9 million$4.1 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2016.2017. We estimate that a 10% change in the euro as of September 30, 20162017 would result in a $56.9 million$0.4 billion change in the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency denominated remaining payments.

 

Fuel Price Risk

 

Our exposure to market risk for changes in fuel prices relates to the forecasted purchases of fuel on our ships. Fuel expense, as a percentage of our total cruise operating expense, was 11.0%10.9% and 12.4%11.0% for the three months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, and 11.5% and 13.4% for each of the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015, respectively.2016. We use fuel derivative agreements to mitigate the financial impact of fluctuations in fuel prices and as of September 30, 2016,2017, we had hedged approximately 90%75%, 79%, 57%65%, 48% and 5%26% of our remaining 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, projected metric tons of fuel purchases, respectively.purchases. We estimate that a 10% increase in our weighted-average fuel price would increase our anticipated 20162017 fuel expense by $6.5$8.7 million. This increase would be partially offset by an increase in the fair value of our fuel swap agreements of $4.5$5.2 million. Fair value of our derivative contracts is derived using valuation models that utilize the income valuation approach. These valuation models take into account the contract terms such as maturity, as well as other inputs such as fuel types, fuel curves, creditworthiness of the counterparty and the Company, as well as other data points.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e),of 1934, as amended, as of September 30, 2016.2017. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our management’s evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 20162017 to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 20162017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

 

It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only the reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In the normal course of our business, various claims and lawsuits have been filed or are pending against us. Most of these claims and lawsuits are covered by insurance and, accordingly, the maximum amount of our liability is typically limited to our deductible amount.

 

Nonetheless, the ultimate outcome of these claims and lawsuits that are not covered by insurance cannot be determined at this time. We have evaluated our overall exposure with respect to all of our threatened and pending litigation and, to the extent required, we have accrued amounts for all estimable probable losses associated with our deemed exposure. We are currently unable to estimate any other potential contingent losses beyond those accrued, as discovery is not complete nor is adequate information available to estimate such range of loss or potential recovery. However, based on our current knowledge, we do not believe that the aggregate amount or range of reasonably possible losses with respect to these matters will be material to our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We intend to vigorously defend our legal position on all claims and, to the extent necessary, seek recovery.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

We refer you to our 20152016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk factors that affect our business and financial results. We wish to caution the reader that the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 20152016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, elsewhere in this report or other Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC filings, could cause future results to differ materially from those stated in any forward-looking statements.

Other than the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes to our risk factors disclosed in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The first risk factor below is an amended and restated version of a risk factor included in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Conducting business internationally may result in increased costs and risks.

We operate our business internationally and plan to continue to develop our international presence. Operating internationally exposes us to a number of risks, including political risks, risks of increases in duties and taxes, risks relating to anti-bribery laws, as well as risks that laws and policies affecting cruising, vacation or maritime businesses, or governing the operations of foreign-based companies may change. Additional risks include imposition of trade barriers, restrictions on repatriation of earnings, withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries and changes in and application of foreign taxation structures, including value added taxes. If we are unable to address these risks adequately, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Operating internationally also exposes us to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements. In many parts of the world, including countries in which we operate, practices in the local business communities might not conform to international business standards. We have implemented safeguards and policies to prevent violations of various anti-corruption laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business by our employees and agents. However, our existing safeguards and policies and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective and our employees or agents may engage in conduct prohibited by our policies, but for which we nevertheless may be held responsible. If our employees or agents violate our policies, if we fail to maintain adequate record-keeping and internal accounting practices to accurately record our transactions or if we fail to implement or maintain other adequate safeguards, we may be subject to regulatory sanctions or severe criminal or civil sanctions and penalties.

We have operations in and source passengers from the United Kingdom and other member countries of the European Union. On June 23, 2016, voters in the United Kingdom approved an advisory referendum to withdraw from the European Union. The proposed withdrawal has resulted in increased volatility in the global financial markets and caused severe volatility in global currency exchange rate fluctuations that resulted in the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, such as the euro, in which we do business. The proposed withdrawal could potentially adversely affect tax, legal and regulatory regimes to which our business in the region is subject. The withdrawal could also, among other potential outcomes, disrupt the free movement of goods, services and people between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Further, uncertainty around these issues could lead to adverse effects on the economy of the United Kingdom and the other economies in which we operate making it more difficult to source passengers from these regions. These events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

An impairment of our tradenames or goodwill could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

We evaluate tradenames and goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently when circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable. Several factors including a challenging operating environment, impacts affecting consumer demand or spending, the deterioration of general macroeconomic conditions, or other factors could result in a change to the future cash flows we expect to derive from our operations. Reductions of the cash flows used in the impairment analyses may result in the recording of an impairment charge to a reporting unit’s tradename or goodwill. We will continue to monitor these intangible assets for potential impairment and perform interim testing of our tradenames or goodwill as necessary.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

 

On April 29, 2014, NCLH’s Board of Directors authorized, and NCLH announced, a three-year share repurchase program for up to $500.0 million. The share repurchase program was scheduled to expire on April 29, 2017, but was extended through April 29, 2020. Under this program, NCLH may make repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, in accelerated repurchase programs or in structured share repurchase programs, and any repurchases may be made pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans. There was no share repurchase activity during the three months ended September 30, 20162017, and as of September 30, 2016,2017, $263.5 million remained available for repurchases of our outstanding ordinary shares under the share repurchase program.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 2, 2014, by and among Prestige Cruises International, Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Portland Merger Sub, Inc. and Apollo Management, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on September 4, 2014 (File No. 001-35784))
  
2.2Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 6, 2014, by and among Prestige Cruises International, Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Portland Merger Sub, Inc. and Apollo Management, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on October 8, 2014 (File No. 001-35784))
  
10.1*SupplementalLetter Regarding Amendment to Frank J. Del Rio’s Executive Employment Agreement, dated July 26, 2016, to €590.5 million Breakaway Four Credit Agreement, dated October 12, 2012, by and among Breakaway Four, Ltd., as borrower, NCL Corporation Ltd., as guarantor, NCL International, Ltd., as shareholder and KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH, as facility agent and lender +August 1, 2017†
  
10.210.2*Employment Agreement by and between Prestige Cruise Services, LLC and Robert J. Binder, entered into on September 16, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 toForm of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on September 19, 2016 (File No. 001-35784)) # Performance-based Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (August 2017)†
  
10.310.3*EmploymentAmendment No. 12, dated August 24, 2017, to Office Lease Agreement, dated December 1, 2006, as amended, by and between SPUS7 Miami ACC, LP and NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and Andrew Stuart, entered into on September 16, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on September 19, 2016 (File No. 001-35784)) #
  
10.431.1*Employment Agreement by and between Prestige Cruise Services, LLC and Jason Montague, entered into on September 16, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Form 8-K filed on September 19, 2016 (File No. 001-35784)) #
31.1*Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
31.2*Certification of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
32.1**Certifications of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code

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101*The following unaudited consolidated financial statements are from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016,2017, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), as follows:

 

 (i)the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015;2016;
   
 (ii)the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015;2016;
   
 (iii)the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 2015;2016;
   
 (iv)the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015;2016;
   
 (v)the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015;2016; and
   
 (vi)the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and detail.

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*Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.
+Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
#Management contract or compensatory plan.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS LTD.

(Registrant)

   
 By:/s/ FRANK J. DEL RIO 
 Name: Frank J. Del Rio
 Title:President and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
   
 By:/s/ WENDY A. BECK 
 Name:Wendy A. Beck
 Title:Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
  Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Dated: November 9, 20162017

 

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