News

NCL Corporation steams ahead to $29.2 million second quarter profit

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 02 August 2011 02 August 2011

NCL Corporation Ltd., which trades as Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America, reported net income for the second quarter of 2011 of $29.2 million on revenue of $568.6 million compared to a net loss of $14.9 million on revenue of $477.9 million in 2010. Regarding the Company's second quarter results, Norwegian Cruise Line President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sheehan commented, "I' m pleased to see continued strong Net Yield growth throughout the fleet." Continued Sheehan, "Controllable costs were kept in check despite this environment of high fuel prices, while initiatives aimed at improving the guest experience resulted in record satisfaction scores in the quarter."

“As the Company continues to increase the sourcing of foreign passengers and deploy more vessels outside of North America, foreign currency fluctuations have an increasing effect on our financial results. For the second quarter of 2011, on a Constant Currency basis, the increase in Net Yield from the same period in 2010 was 3.4%. On a Constant Currency basis, Net Cruise Cost per Capacity day increased 0.7% and excluding fuel expense, decreased 1.6%,” the company said. In a statement.

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased to $46.7 million in the quarter compared to $37.0 million in 2010 due to increased borrowings attributable to the addition of Norwegian Epic. Other expense was $0.3 million in 2011 compared to $33.8 million in 2010 which included a $33.1 million charge for foreign exchange contracts related to the financing of Norwegian Epic.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 increased 29.0% to $123.5 million from $95.7 million in the same period of 2010 on improved revenue performance and continued business improvement initiatives. Net Revenue for the quarter increased 19.8% to $418.0 million from $349.0 million in 2010 as a result of a 14.9% increase in Capacity Days, due to the addition of Norwegian Epic to the fleet in June 2010, along with an improvement in Net Yield of 4.2%. The increase in Net Yield was a result of both higher passenger ticket pricing and increased onboard spend per Capacity Day.

Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day increased 1.1% in the second quarter primarily due to an increase in the price of fuel along with Dry-dock related costs substantially offset by business improvement initiatives. The price of fuel in the second quarter increased 17.1% to $595 per metric ton from $508 in 2010. Excluding fuel expense, Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day decreased 1.1%.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines returns to profit in second quarter

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 29 July 2011 29 July 2011

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, which operates four ships on the UK market, returned to profit in second quarter of the year after losses caused by dry docking of two ships in the same period last year, according to Ganger Rolf ASA, which owns 50% of the shares in the cruise company.

Net profit amounted to NOK26 million compared to a NOK 34 million loss in the second quarter of last year.

Operating revenues in the quarter were NOK417 million (NOK 391 million). “The comparison with last year is distorted by the 2010 dockings of MV Balmoral (12 days in April/May) and MV Braemar (10 daysin May) and lower exchange rate for GBP against NOK,” Ganger Rolf said.

“Number of passenger days total 336 422(310 911) for the quarter and passenger yields have improved as a result of a yield-focused pricing strategy. Higher price on fuel oil (25% higher compared to last year) in the quarter impacted the result negatively compared with last year. Year to date the revenues were NOK 857 million (NOK 795 million) andEBITDA were NOK 100 million (NOK 96 million), Ganger Rolf stated.

All Leisure group cuts first half loss slightly to £4.2 million

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 29 July 2011 29 July 2011

AllLeisure group, the listed UK based company that entails Swan Hellenic,Voyages ofDiscovery and Hebridean Island Cruises brands, reduced its net loss to £42million in the first six months of the year from £4.5 million in the same period in 2010. Revenues increased to £34.8 million from £32.8 million. Cash and unrestricted bank deposits decreased to £7.0 million on 30 June from £15.2million a year ago, while shareholders’ equity fell to £22.6 million from £25.6 million a year previously.

Commenting on the business outlook, Roger Allard, chairman said:” Despite the economic environment, remaining Summer 2011 capacity is currently 86% sold, including charters,(2010: 84%). However, these load factors have been achieved at lower yields and against a higher cost base.”

“Furthermore we envisage that fuel costs over the year will continue to rise and are now, in sterling terms, at their highest ever levels. Accordingly we believe fuel costs will be £1.3m higher than the previous financial year, and due to the continued weak UK economic environment it has not been possible to pass on this increase.”

The small Swan Hellenic river cruise programme for Summer 2011 has sold very well. ForWinter 2011/12 both mv Discovery and Minerva will be sailing to the Far-Eastbut it is also planned for mv Minerva to go into a dry dock.

“In addition to continued geo-political unrest, unprecedented natural disasters,the current global economic environment and continued low UK interest rates,the last six months has also seen no alleviation of the adverse cost environment that the Group is operating in – a situation primarily caused bythe weakness of sterling. Despite the difficult cost environment, it is encouraging that the strength of our brands and quality of our customer service have secured strong booking levels and for this reason I am confident that shareholders will see a significant improvement in returns once the adverse economic and exchange rate environment finally abates,” Allard said.