Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today reported a strong end to its most successful wave peak season booking period in recent history.
The owner of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises achieved a rise in adjusted net profit to $91.2 million in the first quarter of the year against $86.7 million in the same period in 2016.
This came as total revenue rose by 6.8% to $1.2 billion.
President and chief executive, Frank Del Rio, described the start of year performance as “robust” and said: “The operating environment has remained favourable with strong close-in demand for Caribbean sailings and strength in onboard revenue driving topline growth above expectations.”
The cruise group mainly attributed the rise in revenue to the introduction of Oceania Cruises’ ship Sirena and RSSC’s Seven Seas Explorer to the fleet, partially offset by five ships in dry dock in the first quarter.
Norwegian Joy, NCL’s first ship dedicated to China, also joined the fleet.
Chief financial officer Wendy Beck added: “A strong end to the most successful wave season in recent history resulted in a meaningful improvement in our full year booked position, with both occupancy and pricing now well ahead of prior year.
“I am pleased to report that the strong performance witnessed in our core markets and reflected in first quarter results also extended to our booked business in future quarters, allowing us to increase our full year adjusted EPS [earnings per share] and adjusted net yield growth guidance.”
But she added: “This positive momentum has been partially offset by recent uncertainties in Norwegian Joy’s Chinese source market caused by the South Korea travel restriction.”
Yet the company is on track to deliver another year of solid financial performance and double-digit adjusted EPS growth, Beck said.