NCL on track for Sydney
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line (NCL) continues to anticipate the deployment of its Norwegian Spirit in Australian waters in the first quarter of 2022, with a “voyage resumption plan” unveiled overnight detailing a Mar return to service in Sydney.
Announcing quarterly financial results, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) Chief Executive Officer Frank Del Rio (pictured),
said the company’s great cruise comback is already on track, with 11 ships already sailing across the globe from the NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruies brands.
“Initial trends are extremely positive with strong onboard revenue, high guest satisfaction scores and our comprehensive science-backed SailSAFE health and safety protocols working as designed to minimise the impact of COVID-19,” he said.
Del Rio laid out the phased relaunch plans for the remainder of the fleet, with about 40% of capacity currently in operation, and plans to have all 28 vessels back by Apr.
The restart also envisions Oceania’s Regatta returning to service in Feb next year in Papeete, while Mar will see
Norwegian Sun recommence operations in Tokyo and
Norwegian Jewel in Panama, as well as the planned local return of Spirit.
Del Rio noted the Delta variant of COVID-19 had negatively impacted third quarter booking volumes, but the impact had now abated, with particularly strong booking levels for sailings in the second half of 2022 and into 2023.
The company continued to burn cash at the rate of US$275 million per month during the quarter, and NCLH expects this to increase in the current three month period due to additional costs around the relaunch of more ships.
Total revenue was USD$153.1 million for the three months to 30 Sep, compared to just USD$6.5 million in the corresponding period last year.
Although NCLH made a net loss of USD$845.9 million for the quarter, and expects to continue losses until it is able to resume regular voyages, the company expects to be profitable for the second half of next year, based on its “current trajectory”.