The parent company for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises saw net income rise from $633.1 million in 2016 to $759.9 million last year.
Net revenue increased 11.2% to $4.2 billion compared to $3.8 billion in 2016 due to the introduction of the new vessels. NCL said: “These increases were primarily attributed to a 6% increase in capacity days due to the delivery of Norwegian Joy in April 2017, Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer in June 2016 and Oceania Cruises’ Sirena in April 2016.”
Norwegian Joy was used to facilitate the line’s entry into the Chinese cruise market. In another landmark, all three NCL types sailed inaugural voyages to Cuba, making it the first cruise company to operate all its brands to the island.
NCL said it had seen “strong organic pricing growth across all core markets” last year, with adjusted net yield rising 5%.
In the fourth quarter, NCL saw net income of $98.8 million, compared to $72.2 million year on year. Adjusted net revenue grew 12.6% to $969.7 million due to the addition of Norwegian Joy and strong pricing in all markets.
NCL gave a positive view of 2018: “The continued strong global demand for our portfolio of brands will enable us to further grow revenue, resulting in our sixth consecutive year of net yield growth,” said Wendy Beck, NCL Holdings executive vice president and chief financial officer.
“This, coupled with the benefit of the launch of Norwegian Bliss and a continued focus on costs, will drive 2018 earnings to record highs.”
NCL will take delivery of the brand’s 17th and largest ship, Norwegian Encore, in autumn 2019. Norwegian Encore will be the line’s fourth and final ship in the Breakaway Plus Class, accommodating up to 4,800 guests.
It will sail the Caribbean from Miami. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will launch its fifth ship, Seven Seas Splendor in early 2020. The new all-suite, all-balcony ship will have a gross tonnage of 55,254 and double occupancy capacity of 750 guests.
