Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (together with NCL Corporation Ltd., “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings”, “Norwegian” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017, as well as provided guidance for the first quarter and full year 2018.

Full Year 2017 Highlights

• The Company generated GAAP net income of $759.9 million or EPS of $3.31.Adjusted Net Income was $907.7 million or Adjusted EPS of $3.96.

• Company beat full year earnings expectations, surpassing the midpoint of its initial February 2017 Adjusted EPS guidance of $3.80 by $0.16.

• Adjusted ROIC reached double-digit levels for the year.

• Total revenue increased 10.7% to $5.4 billion. Gross Yield increased 4.4%.Adjusted Net Yield increased 5.0% on a Constant Currency basis, exceeding the Company’s initial February 2017 guidance of 1.75% by 325 basis points.

• Company selected to join prestigious S&P 500 Index.

• Company’s three award-winning brands sailed inaugural voyages to Cuba, making the Company the first operator to have all brands approved to sail to Cuba.

• Successful launch of Norwegian Joy, marking the Company’s entry into the Chinese cruise market.

• Company bolstered its growth trajectory through 2025 with order for next generation of ships for the Norwegian Cruise Line brand.

Full Year 2018 Highlights

• Strong financial track record continues as Company anticipates fifth consecutive year of double-digit EPS growth.

• Company’s 2018 booked position at all-time high entering the year with load factor and pricing higher than prior year across all three brands driven by strong demand across all core markets.

• Adjusted Net Yield growth guidance on a Constant Currency basis for full year and first quarter 2018 of approximately 2.0% and 0.5%, respectively.

• Norwegian Bliss, the first custom-designed ship for the lucrative Alaska cruise market, will join the fleet in the second quarter.

“The strong, record performance we delivered in 2017 was the perfect end to a historic year as we celebrate the five year anniversary of our initial public offering. Over the last five years we have continued our track record of consistent financial performance with a more than sixfold increase in EPS, a doubling of revenue and the expansion of Adjusted ROIC to double-digit levels," said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.“It has been a remarkable journey for our Company with more major milestones to come and an amazing trajectory of profit growth for 2018 and beyond. Our solid revenue and earnings performance will continue in 2018, having entered the year in the best booked position in our Company’s history with pricing above prior year across all three of our brands."

Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

GAAP net income was $98.8 million or EPS of $0.43 compared to $72.2 million or $0.32 in the prior year.The Company generated Adjusted Net Income of $156.8 million or Adjusted EPS of $0.68 compared to $127.7 million or $0.56 in the prior year.

Revenue increased 11.1% to $1.2 billion compared to $1.1 billion in 2016.Adjusted Net Revenue increased 12.6% to $969.7 million compared to $861.6 million in 2016.These increases were primarily attributed to the addition of Norwegian Joy to the fleet, along with strong organic pricing growth across all core markets.Gross Yield increased 2.5% and Adjusted Net Yield increased 3.4% on a Constant Currency basis and 3.9% on an as reported basis.

An increase in Capacity Days along with an increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses increased total cruise operating expense 8.4% in 2017 compared to 2016.Gross Cruise Costs per Capacity Day increased 1.2%.Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day increased 2.8% on a Constant Currency basis and 3.2% on an as reported basis.

Fuel price per metric ton, net of hedges increased to $460 from $459 in 2016. The Company reported fuel expense of $94.3 million in the period.

Interest expense, net decreased to $84.3 million in 2017 from $88.0 million in 2016. In connection with refinancings of our senior notes and certain of our credit facilities, interest expense, net included losses on extinguishment of debt and debt modification costs of $23.9 million in 2017 and $28.1 million in 2016.

Full Year 2017 Results

GAAP net income was $759.9 million or EPS of $3.31 compared to $633.1 million or $2.78 in the prior year.The Company generated Adjusted Net Income of $907.7 million or Adjusted EPS of $3.96 compared to $776.3 million or $3.41 in the prior year, despite unprecedented weather-related headwinds experienced in 2017. This strong growth follows a 49.5% increase in GAAP EPS and an 18.4% increase in Adjusted EPS from 2015 to 2016, further demonstrating the Company’s continued underlying earnings power.

Revenue increased 10.7% to $5.4 billion compared to $4.9 billion in 2016. Net Revenue increased 11.2% to $4.2 billion compared to $3.8 billion in 2016. These increases were primarily attributed to a 6.0% 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 and strong organic pricing growth across all core markets.Gross Yield increased 4.4% and Adjusted Net Yield increased 5.0% on a Constant Currency basis and 4.8% on an as reported basis.

An increase in Capacity Days along with an increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses increased total cruise operating expense 7.5% in 2017 compared to 2016.Gross Cruise Costs per Capacity Day increased 2.9%.Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Capacity Day increased 2.8% on a Constant Currency basis and 2.9% on an as reported basis.

Fuel price per metric ton, net of hedges decreased to $465 from $466 in 2016. The Company reported fuel expense of $361.0 million in the period.

Interest expense, net decreased to $267.8 million in 2017 from $276.9 million in 2016. Interest expense for 2017 reflects higher interest rates due to an increase in LIBOR, as well as an increase in average debt balances outstanding primarily associated with the delivery of new ships and newbuild installments.In connection with refinancings of our senior notes and certain of our credit facilities, interest expense, net included losses on extinguishment of debt and debt modification costs of $23.9 million in 2017 and $39.2 million in 2016.

Other income (expense), net was an expense of $10.4 million in 2017 compared to an expense of $8.3 million in 2016. In 2017, the expense was primarily related to losses on foreign currency exchange.In 2016, the expense was primarily related to $16.1 million of unrealized and realized losses on fuel swap derivative hedge contracts partially offset by $4.5 million of gains on foreign currency exchange and $3.9 million of gains on foreign currency exchange derivative hedge contracts.

2018 Outlook

“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.This, coupled with the benefit of the launch of Norwegian Bliss and a continued focus on costs, will drive 2018 earnings to record highs,” said Wendy Beck, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Company Updates and Other Business Highlights

Listing Transferred to the New York Stock Exchange

In December, the Company announced the transfer of its ordinary shares from the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq) to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).The Company began trading on the NYSE on December 19, 2017. This transfer marked the latest initiative to increase the Company’s profile in the marketplace and enhance shareholder value by drawing on the NYSE’s unique competencies and capabilities which makes it the ideal listing platform for the Company.

Norwegian Cruise Line Named New Ship to Launch in 2019, Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Cruise Line announced the name of the brand’s seventeenth and largest ship, Norwegian Encore, scheduled for delivery from MeyerWerft in fall 2019. Norwegian Encore will be the line’s fourth and final ship in the Breakaway Plus Class, the most successful class in the brand’s history. At nearly 170,000 gross tons and accommodating up to 4,800 guests, Norwegian Encore will sail weekly seven-day Caribbean cruises each Sunday from PortMiami, offering guests the superior service, world-class entertainment, signature dining and onboard experiences that Norwegian Cruise Line is known for around the globe.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Named New Ship to Launch in 2020, Seven Seas Splendor

Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced the name of its fifth ship, Seven Seas Splendor, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2020. The second Explorer-Class ship will embody and enhance the elegance, style, luxury and high-end features and amenities that have made her sister-ship, Seven Seas Explorer, renowned as the most luxurious ship ever built with her launch in 2016.The new all-suite, all-balcony ship will have a gross tonnage of 55,254 and double occupancy capacity of 750 guests.

All-New Cruise Norwegian App Introduced by Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line announced the introduction of the next generation of its booked guest mobile application, the Cruise Norwegian app. Designed to be the ideal travel companion from time of booking to day of disembarkation, the new Cruise Norwegian app features a multitude of functions that help provide a stress-free vacation experience, helping guests make the most of their time on and off the ship, as well as stay connected with their friends and family both on board and back home. The Cruise Norwegian app is currently available for use on cruises aboard Norwegian Sky. The new app will be available on board Norwegian's newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, when she launches in 2018, and will be available fleet-wide by year-end 2018.

Elvis Duran, Top On-Air Personality, Named as Godfather of Norwegian Bliss

Elvis Duran, nationally syndicated radio and digital personality and on-air host of iHeartMedia's top rated, "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show" was recently named Godfather of the Company’s newest ship, Norwegian Bliss. As Godfather, Elvis will have an honorary role in the official ship christening ceremony on May 30, 2018 at Pier 66 in Seattle.

Itinerary Enhancements

The Norwegian Cruise Line brand announced several updates and enhancements to its itineraries for fall/winter 2019/20 deployment, which will feature a plethora of warm weather escapes to tropical paradises in the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida and South America, as well as fall foliage sailings in Canada & New England. Most of the brand’s largest and newest vessels will each call a new city home in 2019. Itinerary highlights include Norwegian Bliss sailing to the Bahamas from New York, Norwegian Getaway cruising to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans, Norwegian Breakaway sailing to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral and Norwegian Epic, the youngest and largest contemporary ship to be based in San Juan, sailing to the Southern Caribbean.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2017 results.A link to the live webcastcan be found on the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.nclhltdinvestor.com.A replay of the conference callwill also be available on the website for 30 days after the call.

Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects and objectives of management for future operations (including expected fleet additions, development plans, objectives relating to our activities and expected performance in new markets), are forward-looking statements. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for words like "expect," "anticipate," "goal," "project," "plan," "believe," "seek," "will," "may," "forecast," "estimate," "intend," "future," and similar words. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the impact of: adverse events impacting the security of travel, such as terrorist acts, armed conflict and threats thereof, acts of piracy, and other international events; adverse incidents involving cruise ships; adverse general economic and related factors, such as fluctuating or increasing levels of unemployment, underemployment and the volatility of fuel prices, declines in the securities and real estate markets, and perceptions of these conditions that decrease the level of disposable income of consumers or consumer confidence; the spread of epidemics and viral outbreaks; our expansion into and investments in new markets;the risks and increased costs associated with operating internationally; breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology and other networks; changes in fuel prices and/or other cruise operating costs; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; overcapacity in key markets or globally; the unavailability of attractive port destinations; our indebtedness and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness that limit our flexibility in operating our business; the significant portion of our assets pledged as collateral under our existing debt agreements and the ability of our creditors to accelerate the repayment of our indebtedness; volatility and disruptions in the global credit and financial markets, which may adversely affect our ability to borrow and could increase our counterparty credit risks, including those under our credit facilities, derivatives, contingent obligations, insurance contracts and new ship progress payment guarantees; our inability to recruit or retain qualified personnel or the loss of key personnel; delays in our shipbuilding program and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments; our reliance on third parties to provide hotel management services to certain ships and certain other services; future increases in the price of, or major changes or reduction in, commercial airline services; amendments to our collective bargaining agreements for crew members and other employee relation issues; our inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; future changes relating to how external distribution channels sell and market our cruises; pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions; our ability to keep pace with developments in technology; seasonal variations in passenger fare rates and occupancy levels at different times of the year; changes involving the tax and environmental regulatory regimes in which we operate; and other factors set forth under "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our present and future business strategies and the environment in which we expect to operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based, except as required by law.