Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings bookings for 2017 are at a “historic high” with pricing higher than this time last year.
The group reported renewed demand from North American passengers for European voyages, with Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii itineraries showing “continued strength”.
The upbeat forecast came as the company saw 2016 profits rise by more than $100 million in a record year.
Net earnings for 2016 came in at $776.3 million against $662.7 million in the previous year.
Total revenue grew by 12.2% to $4.9 billion as the group launched ships for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.
Norwegian Cruise Line announced 2018 newbuild Norwegian Bliss designed specifically for Alaska cruising and RSSC placed an order for a second Explorer class ship for delivery in 2020.
Norwegian Joy, a ship dedicated to China, will join the fleet this year and the group’s three brands will sail a total of 41 cruises from the US to Cuba in 2017.
The company recently announced the next generation of vessels for NCL with a contract to build four 3,300-passenger ships to be delivered in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 with an option for two additional ships to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
President and chief executive, Frank Del Rio, said: “2016 marks another record year of earnings, continuing our track record of solid earnings per share [EPS] growth, which has grown fivefold since 2013, the year of our initial public offering.
“This solid revenue and earnings trend is expected to continue in 2017 as we are now in the best booked position in our company’s history with pricing slightly above the prior year.”
Chief financial officer, Wendy Beck, added: “With our strong booked position and continuing momentum we look forward to another year of solid financial performance, including double-digit adjusted EPS growth in 2017.,
“In addition, this year marks another key milestone with our much anticipated debut into the Chinese cruise market with the delivery of Norwegian Joy.”