Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

9.   Commitments and Contingencies

Ship Construction Contracts

As of March 31, 2024, for the Norwegian brand, we had four Prima Class Ships on order, each ranging from approximately 156,000 to 169,000 Gross Tons with 3,550 to 3,850 Berths, with currently scheduled delivery dates from 2025 through 2028. As of March 31, 2024, for the Oceania Cruises brand, we had an order for one additional Allura Class Ship to be delivered in 2025, which will be approximately 68,000 Gross Tons and 1,250 Berths. Subsequent to March 31, 2024, we announced anticipated additional newbuilds for our fleet. The impacts of initiatives to improve environmental sustainability and modifications the Company plans to make to its newbuilds and/or other macroeconomic conditions and events have resulted in delays in expected ship deliveries. These and other impacts could result in additional delays in ship deliveries in the future, which may be prolonged.

The combined contract prices, including amendments and change orders, of the five ships on order for delivery as of March 31, 2024 was approximately €5.8 billion, or $6.3 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2024. The combined contract prices of the six new ships with contracts that became effective subsequent to March 31, 2024 (which includes two ships on order for Oceania Cruises, which were scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031, respectively, but are expected to be cancelled, and excludes orders for four Norwegian Cruise Line ships, which are not yet effective) was approximately €5.3 billion, or $5.7 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of March 31, 2024. If the two ships on order for Oceania Cruises are cancelled, there will be incremental corresponding adjustments to the purchase price of other applicable newbuilds not to exceed €51 million. For ships on order as of March 31, 2024 and for four of the six ships effective subsequent to March 31, 2024, we have obtained export credit financing which is expected to fund approximately 80% of the contract price of each ship as well as related financing premiums, subject to certain conditions. We do not anticipate any contractual breaches or cancellations to occur, except

as noted above. 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.

Taking into account the six new ship orders with contracts that became effective subsequent to March 31, 2024 (which includes two ships on order for Oceania Cruises that are expected to be cancelled, and excludes orders for four Norwegian Cruise Line ships, which are not yet effective), our minimum annual payments for ship construction contracts, which include non-cancelable contracts or contracts that are cancelable when a replacement agreement is signed with the same party, are as follows (in thousands):

Year

    

Amount

Remainder of 2024

$

390,355

2025

2,040,804

2026

 

2,181,145

2027

 

2,205,897

2028

 

2,119,588

2029

 

831,316

Thereafter

 

1,630,747

Total minimum annual payments

$

11,399,852

The above presentation reflects the contractual delivery date in the fourth quarter of 2028 of the second Oceania Cruises ship announced subsequent to March 31, 2024. However, it is expected that this delivery date may be moved to early 2029.

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, a lawsuit was 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, which was expropriated by the Cuban Government. The complaint further alleges that the Company “trafficked” in the property by embarking and disembarking passengers at the facility, as well as profiting from the Cuban Government’s possession of the property. The plaintiff seeks all available statutory remedies, including the value of the expropriated property, plus interest, treble damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. 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 and denying the Company’s cross-motion for summary judgment. 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 was the amount of the certified claim plus interest, trebled and with attorneys’ fees. Given this, there was no fact issue to be tried, and the matter was removed from the trial calendar. On December 30, 2022, the court entered a final judgment of approximately $112.9 million and, on January 23, 2023, the Company filed a notice of appeal from that judgment. On April 12, 2023, the Company posted a sufficient supersedeas bond with the court to prevent any efforts by the plaintiff to collect on the judgment pending the appeal. On June 30, 2023, the Company filed its opening appellate brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. On September 29, 2023, the plaintiff filed its answering brief responding to the Company’s opening brief in the Eleventh Circuit. The Court has scheduled oral argument on the matter for May 17,

2024. We believe that the likelihood of loss related to this matter is reasonably possible but not probable at this time; therefore, no liability has been recorded. 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, the availability of appellate remedies, and involvement of numerous parties. We continue to believe we have meritorious defenses to the Havana Docks Matter. However, if the plaintiff prevails in the final outcome of this matter, there may be a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows.

Other

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 $3.4 billion in advance ticket sales at March 31, 2024 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 March 31, 2024, we had cash reserves of approximately $51.3 million with credit card processors, which includes approximately $19.8 million recognized in accounts receivable, net and approximately $31.5 million recognized in other long-term assets. We may be required to pledge additional collateral and/or post additional cash reserves or take other actions in the future that may adversely affect our liquidity.