Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v3.24.3
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

11.   Commitments and Contingencies

Ship Construction Contracts

For the Norwegian brand, we have 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. For the Norwegian brand, we also have an order for four additional ships, each at approximately 225,000 Gross Tons and 5,200 Berths, with currently scheduled delivery dates from 2030 through 2036. For the Oceania Cruises brand, we have 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. For the Oceania Cruises brand, we also have an order for four additional ships (which includes two ships on order, which are currently scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031, but are expected to be cancelled), each at approximately 86,000 Gross Tons and 1,450 Berths, with currently scheduled delivery dates from 2027 through 2031. For the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand, we have an order for two Prestige Class Ships, each at approximately 77,000 Gross Tons and 850 Berths, with currently scheduled delivery dates in 2026 and 2029. 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 13 ships on order for delivery as of September 30, 2024 (which excludes two ships on order for Oceania Cruises, which are currently scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031, but are expected to be cancelled) was approximately €17.5 billion, or $19.5 billion based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 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, excluding the two ships on order for Oceania Cruises that are expected to be cancelled and the four additional ships on order for Norwegian Cruise Line with currently scheduled delivery from 2030 to 2036, 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.

Our minimum annual payments for non-cancelable ship construction contracts, which exclude two contracts with options to cancel, are as follows (in thousands):

Year

    

Amount

Remainder of 2024

$

54,517

2025

2,271,345

2026

 

2,278,009

2027

 

2,356,110

2028

 

2,179,454

2029

 

1,009,655

Thereafter

 

8,513,710

Total minimum annual payments

$

18,662,800

The above presentation reflects the current delivery dates; however, certain delivery dates may be delayed at the option of the builder, which would result in additional fees.

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. On May 17, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit heard oral argument on the matter. On October 22, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit reversed the trial court. 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.

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 $2.9 billion in advance ticket sales at September 30, 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 September 30, 2024, we had cash reserves of approximately $4.9 million with credit card processors recognized in accounts receivable, net. The $31.5 million previously recognized in other long-term assets was returned to the Company during the three months ended September 30 2024. 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.