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NCLH guides 2020 adjusted EPS to rise to  $5.40-$5.60 range – excluding COVID-19

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 21 February 2020 21 February 2020

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited (NCLH), the third largest listed cruise ship company in the world, expects its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) to rise to the range of $5.40 to $5.60 this year from $5.09 in 2019, but adds that the guidance does bot include the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak

“Excluding both known and unknown impacts from the COVID-19 outbreak, Adjusted EPS for full year 2020 is expected to be in the range of $5.40 to $5.60 reflecting 2.0% to 3.0% Constant Currency Net Yield growth,” the company said in a statement. 

“Company entered year with a record booked position and at higher pricing. Despite the current known impact from the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, as of the week ending February 14, 2020, the Company’s booked position remained ahead of prior year and at higher prices on a comparable basis, which excludes cruises to Cuba in the prior year and the recent redeployment of Norwegian Spirit from Asia in the current year,” NCLH said.

NCLH final quarter and full year operating, net income fall year on

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 21 February 2020 21 February 2020

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH), the world’s third largest listed cruise shipping company, has reported fall in both final quarter and full year 2019 operating and net income as cruise operating expenses rose faster than other expenditure fell.

However, the full year performance of the company exceeded its own guidance issued in nOvember.

Net income in the final quarter of last year fell to $121.3 million from $154.5 million year on, while operating income (EBIT) decreased to 4199.4 million from $209.6 million. Revenues rose to $1.48 billion from $1.28 billion.

For the full year 2019, NLCH reported a fall in net income to $930.2 million from $954.8 million and operating income fell to $1.18 billion from $1.22 billion. Revenues rose to $6.64 billion from $6.01 billion.

“Company exceeded full year Adjusted EPS (earnings per share) expectations by $0.04 despite a $0.04 impact from unfavorable foreign exchange rates recognized during the fourth quarter. Excluding the aforementioned $0.67 of headwinds, the Company would have surpassed the high end of its initial February 2019 Adjusted EPS guidance by $0.46,” NCLH said in a statement.

U.S. Government statement on repatriation of American passengers from the Diamond Princess

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 18 February 2020 18 February 2020

On February 16, the U.S. State Department facilitated the voluntary repatriation of over 300 U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who had been passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Passengers were evaluated by medical personnel from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and all were deemed asymptomatic and fit to fly before being processed for evacuation.

During the evacuation process, after passengers had disembarked the ship and initiated transport to the airport, U.S. officials received notice that 14 passengers, who had been tested 2-3 days earlier, had tested positive for COVID-19. These individuals were moved in the most expeditious and safe manner to a specialized containment area on the evacuation aircraft to isolate them in accordance with standard protocols. After consultation with HHS officials, including experts from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the State Department made the decision to allow the 14 individuals, who were in isolation, separated from other passengers, and continued to be asymptomatic, to remain on the aircraft to complete the evacuation process. During the flights, these individuals will continue to be isolated from the other passengers. These flights departed Japan at approximately 4:30 PM Eastern time on February 16 and will arrive in the United States later this morning. All passengers are being closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the flight, and any who become symptomatic will be moved to the specialized containment area, where they will be treated.

Upon landing in the United States, passengers will deplane at either Travis AFB or Joint Base San Antonio and will remain under quarantine for 14 days. Passengers that develop symptoms in flight and those with positive test results will remain isolated on the flights and will be transported to an appropriate location for continued isolation and care.

Every precaution to ensure proper isolation and community protection measures are being taken, driven by the most up-to-date risk assessments by U.S. health authorities. We continue all possible efforts to protect the welfare of U.S. citizens. We encourage U.S. citizens considering international travel to continue to review State Department Travel Advisories at Travel.State.gov, and to closely monitor and follow the guidance of the CDC and local health authorities.

RCCL says bookings start to soften outside Asia

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 14 February 2020 14 February 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has so far impacted bookings in Asia, but recent indications suggest that a weaker tone is setting in elsewhere as well, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, said in a statement.

“There are still too many variables and uncertainties to make a reasonable forecast for 2020.  While the early impact due to concerns about the coronavirus is mainly related to Asia, recent bookings for our broader business have also been softer,” the company said.

“If the travel restrictions and concerns over the outbreak continue for an extended period of time, they could materially impact the company's overall financial performance,” the company warned.

RCCL has cancelled 18 cruises in Asia so far and revised itineraries of a number of others, which it estimates would reduce 2020 earnings per share by up to 6.3%.

A few days earlier, Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping company, had warned that the outbreak would lower its full financial year earnings by share by roughly 13%.