Regent Seven Seas Cruises Reports Results for First Quarter 2012: Revenue Growth of 15.5 Percent and Net Yield Growth of 5.2 Percent

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Cruises S. DE R.L. or the “Company”) today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Revenue for the first quarter of 2012 was up 15.5 percent reaching a record amount for the first quarter of $119.9 million, compared to $103.8 million in the first quarter of 2011. Adjusted EBITDA was $17.7 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $16.9 million for the first quarter of 2011. Net Yield for the first quarter of 2012 was up 5.2 percent driven by higher occupancy of 4.7 percentage points. In the first quarter of 2012, we had a 1.1 percent increase in capacity over the first quarter of 2011. Net income was $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to net income of $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2011.

Commenting on the first quarter results, the Company’s Chairman and CEO, Frank Del Rio, stated, “We are exceptionally pleased by the performance of the brand with record revenue, occupancy, Net Yield and Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter, which is a reflection of our focus on providing an extraordinary experience for our guests and travel agency partners and the fulfillment of our brand promise. We were delighted to be honored with the "Platinum Circle" award by Condé Nast Traveler in addition to being ranked the #1 cruise line for Honeymoons by Brides Magazine.”

Other key operating metrics for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the prior year are as follows:

  • Net Cruise Cost, excluding Fuel and Other expense, per APCD increased 1.9 percent, to $286 in 2012 compared to $281 in 2011, primarily due to increased hotel services costs driven by an increase in PDS of 6.6 percent.
  • Fuel expense increased 17.0 percent, or $1.8 million, reflecting higher prices. Our economic hedging strategy was able to partially offset this increase, as we recognized a $1.2 million cash benefit on executed fuel hedge contracts during the quarter that offset 66.7 percent of the price increase. The realized gain of fuel derivatives was recorded in other income (expense) as these instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting.
  • Other expense increased $0.2 million.

About Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line. Fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip air, highly personalized service, acclaimed cuisine, fine wines and spirits, sightseeing excursions in every port, a pre-cruise luxury hotel package and gratuities. Three award-winning, all-suite vessels, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Voyager, and Seven Seas Navigator, are among the most spacious at sea and visit more than 300 destinations around the globe.

About Prestige Cruise Holdings

Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) is the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. PCH manages select assets in Apollo Management's cruise investment portfolio and is led by Chairman & CEO Frank J. Del Rio and President & COO Kunal S. Kamlani. PCH is the market leader in the upper-premium and luxury segments of the cruise industry with over 6,400 berths between the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.

Terminology

Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA plus certain non-cash or non-recurring expenses and charges as well as the impact of settled fuel hedges.

Available Passenger Cruise Days (“APCD”) is our measurement of capacity and represents double occupancy per cabin multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period.

EBITDA is net income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, and income tax benefit (expense).

Gross Cruise Cost represents the sum of total cruise operating expense plus selling and administrative expense.

Gross Yield represents total revenue per APCD.

Net Cruise Cost represents Gross Cruise Cost excluding commissions, transportation and other expense, and onboard and other expense.

Net Per Diem represents Net Revenue divided by Passenger Days Sold.

Net Revenue represents total revenue less commissions, transportation and other expense and onboard and other expense.

Net Yield represents Net Revenue per APCD.

Occupancy is calculated by dividing Passenger Days Sold by APCD.

Passenger Days Sold (“PDS”) represents the number of revenue passengers carried for the period multiplied by the number of days within the period of their respective cruises.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Net Revenue, Net Per Diem, and Net Cruise Cost to enable us to analyze our performance. We utilize these financial measures to manage our business on a day-to-day basis and we believe that they are the most relevant measure of our performance, and some of these measures are commonly used in the cruise industry to measure performance. Our use of non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies within our industry.

Other cruise lines use Net Yield to manage their business which is a similar measurement that divides Net Revenue by APCD instead of PDS. The distinction is significant as other cruise companies focus more on potential onboard sales resulting in a bias to fill each bed to maximize onboard revenue, at the expense of passenger ticket revenue. Conversely, as our product is substantially all inclusive, we derive nearly all of our revenue from passenger ticket revenue. Hence it is far more important for us to maintain a pricing discipline focusing on passenger ticket revenue rather than to discount cruises in order to achieve higher occupancy to drive potential onboard revenues. We believe that this pricing discipline drives our revenue performance, our relatively long booking window, and allows us to maintain a positive relationship with the travel agency community.

EBITDA is used by management to measure operating performance of the business. Management believes EBITDA, when considered along with other performance measures, is a useful measure as it reflects certain operating drivers of our business, such as sales growth, operating costs, selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating income and expense. While EBITDA is not a recognized measure under GAAP, management uses this financial measure to evaluate and forecast our business performance. This non-GAAP financial measure has certain material limitations, including:

  • It does not include net interest expense. As we have borrowed money for general corporate purposes, interest expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate profits and cash flows; and
  • It does not include depreciation and amortization expense. As we use capital assets, depreciation and amortization are necessary elements of our costs and ability to generate profits and cash flows. Management compensates for these limitations by using EBITDA, as defined, as only one of several measures for evaluating our business performance. In addition, capital expenditures, which impact depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, and income tax benefit (expense), are reviewed separately by management.

Management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA can provide a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends and an enhanced overall understanding of our financial performance and prospects for the future. Adjusted EBITDA is also used as a basis to calculate our adherence to certain debt covenant ratios. Certain covenants in our debt agreement are based on financial ratios that reference Adjusted EBITDA. Such covenants restrict our ability to incur or guarantee additional debt and make certain acquisitions in each case under certain circumstances and subject to various exceptions.

We believe that the inclusion of the supplemental adjustments applied in calculating Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of such ratios is appropriate to provide additional information to investors to assess our ability to take certain actions in the future, such as the incurrence of additional secured indebtedness. You are encouraged to evaluate the adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not defined terms under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA differs from the term "EBITDA" as it is commonly used. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of liquidity or cash flows from operations or measures comparable to net income as it does not take into account certain requirements such as capital expenditures and related depreciation, principal and interest payments and tax payments, and it is subject to certain additional adjustments as permitted under our debt agreement. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other companies within our industry.

Please see a historical reconciliation of these financial measures to items in our consolidated financial statements below.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain statements, estimates or projections that constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to our activities), are forward-looking. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for terms like “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “could,” “will,” “may,” “might,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” and “future” and for similar words. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, our substantial leverage, including the inability to generate the necessary amount of cash to service our existing debt and the incurrence of substantial indebtedness in the future; continued availability under our credit facilities and compliance with our covenants; our ability to incur significantly more debt despite our substantial existing indebtedness; changes in the global credit markets on our ability to borrow and our counterparty credit risks; adverse economic conditions that may affect consumer demand for cruises such as declines in the securities and real estate markets, declines in disposable income and consumer confidence and higher unemployment rates; the risks associated with operating internationally; adverse events impacting the security of travel that may affect consumer demand for cruises; problems encountered at shipyards, as well as any potential claim, impairment, loss, cancellation or breach of contract in connection with any contracts we have with shipyards; emergency ship repairs, mechanical failures or accidents involving our ships and the impact of delays, costs and other factors resulting therefrom as well as scheduled maintenance, repairs and refurbishment of our ships; the total loss of one or more of our vessels as a result of a marine casualty; the impact of the spread of contagious diseases; the impact of weather and natural disasters; changes in interest rates, fuel costs, foreign currency rates or other operating costs; changes in regulations; accidents, criminal behavior and other incidents affecting the health, safety, security and vacation satisfaction of passengers and causing damage to ships, which could cause reputational harm, the modification of itineraries or cancellation of a cruise or series of cruises; intense competition from other cruise companies as well as non-cruise vacation alternatives which may affect our ability to compete effectively; the lack of acceptance of new itineraries, products or services by our targeted passengers; and the possibility of environmental liabilities and other damage that is not covered by insurance or that exceeds our insurance coverage. The above examples are not exhaustive. From time to time, new risks emerge and existing risks increase in relative importance to our operations. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our present and future business strategies and the environment in which we will operate in the future. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based. In addition, certain financial measures in this release constitute non-GAAP financial measures as defined by Regulation G. A reconciliation of these items can be found attached hereto and on the Company’s web site at www.rssc.com/investors.

 
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
  Quarter Ended
March 31,
  2012       2011  
 
Revenue
Passenger ticket $ 108,572 $ 93,269
Onboard and other   11,288     10,503  
Total revenue   119,860     103,772  
 
Cruise operating expense
Commissions, transportation and other 39,266 28,506
Onboard and other 2,256 1,644
Payroll, related and food 18,776 17,487
Fuel 12,113 10,349
Other ship operating 9,331 9,127
Other   1,280     1,040  
Total cruise operating expense   83,022     68,153  
Other operating expense
Selling and administrative 21,147 21,199
Depreciation and amortization   9,675     8,813  
Total operating expense   113,844     98,165  
Operating income   6,016     5,607  
 
Non-operating income (expense)
Interest income 103 13
Interest expense (8,085 ) (8,018 )
Other income   2,513     3,929  
Total non-operating expense   (5,469 )   (4,076 )
Income before income taxes 547 1,531
Income tax expense   (189 )   (58 )
Net income   358     1,473  
 
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
  As of   As of
March 31, December 31,
  2012     2011  
 
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 79,779 $ 68,620
Restricted cash 538 743
Trade and other receivables, net 9,518 8,319
Related party receivables 2,832 748
Inventories 6,161 5,132
Prepaid expenses 19,657 19,149
Other current assets   5,361     4,165  
Total current assets 123,846 106,876
Property and equipment, net 650,072 655,360
Goodwill 404,858 404,858
Intangible assets, net 85,479 86,120
Other long-term assets   29,740     30,576  
Total assets $ 1,293,995   $ 1,283,790  
 
Liabilities and Members' Equity
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables $ 3,300 $ 5,752
Accrued expenses 43,705 41,782
Passenger deposits 171,085 159,312
Derivative liabilities - 112
Current portion of long-term debt   6,250     -  
Total current liabilities 224,340 206,958
Long-term debt 512,250 518,500
Other long-term liabilities   12,261     13,694  
Total liabilities 748,851 739,152
Commitments and contingencies
Members' equity
Contributed capital 563,513 563,365
Accumulated deficit   (18,369 )   (18,727 )
Total members' equity   545,144     544,638  
Total liabilities and members' equity $ 1,293,995   $ 1,283,790  
 
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
  Quarter Ended
March 31,
  2012       2011  
 
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 358 $ 1,473
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 9,675 8,813
Amortization of deferred financing costs 785 1,024
Stock-based compensation 148 307
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts (1,262 ) (2,571 )
Other, net 113 17
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade and other accounts receivable (3,283 ) 846
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (513 ) (2,116 )
Inventories (1,059 ) (1,318 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 477 (6,646 )
Passenger deposits   12,480     18,186  
Net cash provided by operating activities   17,919     18,015  
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment (4,913 ) (4,067 )
Restricted cash 205 (760 )
Acquisition of intangible assets   -     (4,245 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (4,708 )   (9,072 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Debt related costs (130 ) (3 )
Repayment of debt - (6,250 )
Deferred intangible asset payment   (2,000 )   -  
Net cash used in financing activities   (2,130 )   (6,253 )
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   78     353  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 11,159 3,043
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period   68,620     37,258  
End of period $ 79,779   $ 40,301  
 
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.
NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION
(unaudited)
 

The following table sets forth selected statistical information:

          Quarter Ended
March 31,
2012   2011
Passenger Days Sold 157,873 148,125
APCD 171,990 170,100
Occupancy 91.8% 87.1%

Adjusted EBITDA was calculated as follows (in thousands):

  Quarter Ended

March 31,

  2012       2011  
Net income $ 358 $ 1,473
Interest income (103 ) (13 )
Interest expense 8,085 8,018
Depreciation and amortization 9,675 8,813
Income tax expense, net 189 58
Other income (2,513 ) (3,929 )
Equity-based compensation/transactions (a) 148 307
Non-recurring expenses (b) 397 944
Restructuring (c) 277 134
Fuel hedge gain (d)   1,232     1,131  
ADJUSTED EBITDA $ 17,745   $ 16,936  

(a)

 

Equity-based compensation/transactions represent stock compensation expense in each period.

(b)

Non-recurring expenses represents the net impact of time out of service as a result of unplanned and non-recurring repairs to vessels; expenses associated with consolidating corporate headquarters; professional fees and other costs associated with raising capital through debt and equity offerings; certain litigation fees; and the fees paid to license the name “Regent” in the first quarter of 2011. In February 2011, we amended the Regent license agreement to perpetually license the “Regent” name; as such we will not incur any future license fees.

(c)

Restructuring charges represents non-recurring expenses associated with personnel changes, lease termination, and other corporate reorganizations to improve efficiencies.

(d)

Fuel hedge gain represents the realized gain on fuel hedges triggered by the settlement of the hedge.

 
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.
NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION
(unaudited)
 

Net Per Diem, Gross Yield and Net Yield were calculated as follows (in thousands, except
Passenger Days Sold, APCD, Net Per Diem, and Yield data):

Quarter Ended

March 31,

2012   2011
 
Passenger ticket revenue $ 108,572 $ 93,269
Onboard and other revenue   11,288   10,503
Total revenue 119,860 103,772
Less:
Commissions, transportation and other expense 39,266 28,506
Onboard and other expense   2,256   1,644
Net Revenue $ 78,338 $ 73,622
 
Passenger Days Sold 157,873 148,125
APCD 171,990 170,100
Net Per Diem $ 496.21 $ 497.03
Gross Yield 696.90 610.06
Net Yield 455.48 432.82

Gross Cruise Cost and Net Cruise Cost were calculated as follows (in thousands, except
APCD and cost per APCD):

  Quarter Ended

March 31,

  2012     2011
 
Total cruise operating expense $ 83,022 $ 68,153
Selling and administrative expense   21,147   21,199
Gross Cruise Cost 104,169 89,352
Less:
Commissions, transportation and other expense 39,266 28,506
Onboard and other expense   2,256   1,644
Net Cruise Cost 62,647 59,202
Less:
Fuel 12,113 10,349
Other expense   1,280   1,040
Net Cruise Cost, excluding Fuel and Other $ 49,254 $ 47,813
 
APCD 171,990 170,100
Gross Cruise Cost per APCD $ 605.67 $ 525.29
Net Cruise Cost per APCD 364.25 348.04
Net Cruise Cost, excluding Fuel and Other, per
APCD 286.38 281.09

Investor Relations
Prestige Cruise Holdings
Jason Worth, 305-514-2245
Senior Director, Investor Relations
jworth@prestigecruiseholdings.com
or
Media
Prestige Cruise Holdings
Gary Gerbino, 305-514-3912
Vice President, Corporate Communications
ggerbino@prestigecruiseholdings.com

Source: Regent Seven Seas Cruises