Norwegian Cruise Line Holding 2012 net profit soars to $173.1 million

Norwegian Cruise Line Holding, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line and NCL America, reported full year 2012 net income of $173.1 million, or $0.97 diluted EPS, before a non-recurring, non-cash share-based compensation charge of $4.5 million related to former CEO, compared to net income of $126.9 million, or $0.71 diluted EPS, in 2011.

Revenue for the full year 2012 increased 2.6% to $2,276.2 million from $2,219.3 million. Net Yield increased 1.6%, or 2.4% on a Constant Currency basis, from higher yields from both passenger ticket and onboard and other revenue. Net cruise costs (NCC) ex Fuel decreased 5.3% in the period, or 4.6% on a Constant Currency basis, as a result of cost improvement initiatives in all line items. The Company's fuel price per metric ton, net of hedges, increased to $664 from $571 from the same period last year. Despite the increase in fuel price, Net Cruise Cost per Capacity Day decreased 1.0%, or 0.5% on a Constant Currency basis.

"We are very pleased to begin our journey as a public company by posting strong results for 2012," said Kevin Sheehan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "In addition, our fourth quarter results marked our eighteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA growth," continued Sheehan.

"While 2012 included some unexpected challenges in the macro environment, our results demonstrate our ability to manage our operations through these external factors and report healthy growth," said Sheehan.

For the final quarter, the company repprted net income of $5.6 million and diluted EPS of $0.04, while adjusted EBITDA increased 17% Net Yields increased 2.5% (2.7% on a Constant Currency basis) while net cruise costs NCC ex Fuel decrease of 6.7% (decrease of 5.9% on a Constant Currency basis).

Update - Carnival Triumph suffers engine room fire off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

 Passengers on the stricken Triumph "are doing well under the circumstances," Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen told Cruise Critic, after confirming the second tugboat has arrived on the scene. The two tugboats are now towing Triumph to Mobile. Originally the ship was due to be towed to Mexico

Gulliksen also confirmed the line will be flying passengers from Mobile to Houston, Cruise Critic reports.

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This morning the cruise ship Carnival Triumph experienced an engine room fire while the vessel was sailing approximately 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The ship’s automatic fire extinguishing systems activated and the fire was contained to the aft engine room.  At this time, the fire is fully extinguished. No casualties or injuries to guests or crew have been reported.

The vessel is currently without propulsion and the ship is operating on emergency generator power.  The ship's technical crew is continuing to assess the damage and attempting to restore power.  In the meantime, a tugboat is being dispatched to the ship's location in the event it is needed. All appropriate authorities including U.S. Coast Guard have been notified

There are 3,143 guests and 1,086 crew on board and all guests have been asked to remain in the ship’s public areas and open decks for their comfort. Guests are being provided with food and refreshments. All guests on the current voyage will receive a full refund inclusive of gratuities and any transportation expenses.

Carnival Triumph is currently on a four-day cruise that departed Galveston, Texas on Thursday. Carnival has contacted guests booked on the next voyage which was scheduled to depart tomorrow to make them aware of the situation and advise that tomorrow’s voyage will not depart as scheduled.  Guests have the option of cancelling now and receiving a full refund or waiting for further information to determine if a shortened, partial voyage may be possible. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

We have contacted the designated emergency contacts for all guests on board. Concerned family and loved ones of guests and crew may call 888.290.5095 or 305.406.5534.

Five crew reported dead in Thomson Majesty lifeboat accident

Five crew members of Thomson Majesty are reported dead after a lifeboat fell into the sea from its davits during an emergency drill.

The incident happened at midday on Sunday in the Spanish port of Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands. A further three crew members were injured in the accident,media reports say.

Thomson Majesty, which flies the flag of Malta, is operated by Thomson Cruises in the UK. The company is part of the TUI Travel group, which is based in London. The ship is owned and managed by Louis Cruise Lines on Cyprus. The 40,876 gross ton ship was built in Finland in 1992 and lenghtened in Germany six years later, when it belonged to Norwegian Cruise Line that operated it is Norwegian Majesty.