Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), the world’s third largest cruise shipping group, says bookings are strong and that three quarters of the group’s capacity should be in service by the end of this year.

“Bookings continue to be strong for future periods despite reduced sales and marketing investments and a travel agency industry that has not been at full strength since the start of the pandemic,” NCLH said in a statement.

Booking and pricing trends for next year continue to be very positive driven by strong pent-up demand. “The Company is experiencing robust future demand across all brands with the overall cumulative booked position for full year 2022 meaningfully ahead of 2019’s record levels at higher pricing even when including the dilutive impact of future cruise credits (“FCCs”),” it said.

All ships seen in service by April 2022

Meanwhile, NCLH has announced its phased relaunch plans for all 28 ships across its three brands, which began with Norwegian Jade on July 25, 2021 and continues through April 1, 2022.

The company expects to have approximately 40% of its fleet capacity operating by the end of the third quarter 2021 and approximately 75% by year-end 2021 with the full fleet expected to be back in operation by April 1, 2022.

NCLH’s advance ticket sales were $1.4 billion, including the long-term portion, which includes approximately $800 million of FCCs as of June 30, 2021

Further losses anticipated

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the Company cannot estimate the impact on its business, financial condition or near- or longer-term financial or operational results with certainty, it will report a net loss for the third quarter ending September 30, 2021 and expects to report a net loss until the company is able to resume regular voyages.