Commitments and Contingencies |
9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2022 | |
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Commitments and Contingencies |
10. Commitments and Contingencies Ship Construction Contracts For the Norwegian brand, the first Prima Class Ship, Norwegian Prima, at approximately 143,500 Gross Tons and with 3,100 Berths, was delivered in July 2022. We have five additional Prima Class Ships on order, each ranging from approximately 143,500 to 156,300 Gross Tons with approximately 3,100 to 3,550 Berths, with currently scheduled delivery dates from 2023 through 2027. For the Regent brand, we have an order for one Explorer Class Ship to be delivered in 2023, which will be approximately 55,000 Gross Tons and 750 Berths. For the Oceania Cruises brand, we have orders for two Allura Class Ships to be delivered in 2023 and 2025. Each of the Allura Class Ships will be approximately 67,000 Gross Tons and 1,200 Berths. The impacts of COVID-19 on the shipyards where our ships are under construction (or will be constructed), Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and/or other macroeconomic events, have already resulted in some delays in expected ship deliveries. These impacts along with other potential modifications the Company may make to its newbuilds, including potential initiatives to improve environmental sustainability, are expected to result in additional delays in ship deliveries in the future, which may be prolonged.
The combined contract prices of the eight ships on order for delivery as of September 30, 2022 was approximately €6.7 billion, or $6.6 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2022. We have obtained export credit financing which is expected to fund approximately 80% of the contract price of each ship, subject to certain conditions. We do not anticipate any contractual breaches or cancellations to occur. However, if any such events were to occur, it could result in, among other things, the forfeiture of prior deposits or payments made by us and potential claims and impairment losses which may materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Litigation Investigations
In March 2020, the Florida Attorney General announced an investigation related to the Company’s marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the announcement of the investigation by the Florida Attorney General, we received notifications from other attorneys general and governmental agencies that they are conducting similar investigations. The Company is cooperating with these ongoing investigations, the outcomes of which cannot be predicted at this time.
Helms-Burton Act On August 27, 2019, two lawsuits were filed against Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996, also known as the Helms-Burton Act. The complaint filed by Havana Docks Corporation (the “Havana Docks Matter”) alleges it holds an interest in the Havana Cruise Port Terminal and the complaint filed by Javier Garcia-Bengochea (the “Garcia-Bengochea Matter”) alleges that he holds an interest in the Port of Santiago, Cuba, both of which were expropriated by the Cuban Government. The complaints further allege that the Company “trafficked” in those properties by embarking and disembarking passengers at these facilities, as well as profiting from the Cuban Government’s possession of the property. The plaintiffs seek all available statutory remedies, including the value of the expropriated property, plus interest, treble damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. On September 1, 2020, the court in the Garcia-Bengochea Matter entered an order staying all case deadlines and administratively closed the case pending the outcome of an appeal in a related case brought by the same plaintiff, in which the district court granted another cruise line defendant judgment on the pleadings. In the Havana Docks Matter, after various motions challenging the sufficiency of plaintiff’s complaint were resolved and voluminous discovery was completed, both sides filed motions for summary judgment. On March 21, 2022, the court issued an order granting plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment on the issue of liability. The court scheduled a trial on determination of damages only for November 2022. The plaintiff elected to seek what the court ruled to be its baseline statutory damage amount, which is the amount of the certified claim plus interest, trebled and with attorneys’ fees. Given this, there is no fact issue to be tried, and the matter was removed from the trial calendar. The parties are presently engaged in pre-judgment briefing which the court will need to resolve before it enters a final judgment and the Company takes its plenary appeal. We believe that the likelihood of loss is reasonably possible but not probable at this time, therefore, no liability has been recorded. Based on the calculation of the baseline statutory damages motions that were granted, the damage award reflected in final judgment, exclusive of plaintiff’s attorney’s fees and costs, may be approximately $110 million. The entry of final judgment is expected in late December 2022 or early 2023. For the Garcia Bengochea Matter, we are unable to reasonably estimate any potential loss or range of losses. The ability to make such estimates and judgments can be affected by various factors including, among other things: lack of legal precedent, stage of the proceedings, legal uncertainties inherent within the litigation process, availment of appellate remedies, and involvement of numerous parties. We continue to believe we have meritorious defenses to these matters and plan to appeal the Havana Docks Matter. However, if the plaintiffs prevail in the final outcome of these matters, there may be a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows. Other We are a party to a claim against a vendor which has resulted in a verdict of approximately $159 million in favor of the Company in October 2022. At this time, there can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately prevail in the final outcome of this claim as the verdict may be appealed and no receivable has been recognized. In the normal course of our business, various other 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 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. Other Contingencies
The Company also has agreements with its credit card processors that govern approximately $2.1 billion in advance ticket sales at September 30, 2022 that have been received by the Company relating to future voyages. These agreements allow the credit card processors to require under certain circumstances, including the existence of a material adverse change, excessive chargebacks and other triggering events, that the Company maintain a reserve which would be satisfied by posting collateral. Although the agreements vary, these requirements may generally be satisfied either through a percentage of customer payments withheld or providing cash funds directly to the card processor. Any cash reserve or collateral requested could be increased or decreased. As of September 30, 2022, we had cash reserves of approximately $742.5 million with credit card processors, of which approximately $237.0 million is recognized in accounts receivable, net and approximately $505.5 million in other long-term assets. As of September 30, 2022, a portion of the cash reserves is classified as long-term due to a change in terms to a static reserve, as currently required by a credit card processor, subject to periodic review. We may be required to pledge additional collateral and/or post additional cash reserves or take other actions that may further reduce our liquidity. |