louis cruise lines ltd

The Louis Group is a leading tourism and leisure group involved in all aspects of tourism, namely cruising and hotel ownership and management, both in Cyprus and in Greece. Other group activities include the handling of incoming and outgoing tourism from/to Cyprus, IATA agencies in major cities in Cyprus, catering, port agency, cargo handling and forwarding, as well as passenger , ramp and cargo ground handling services at both Larnaca and Paphos International Airports.

Louis plc, a member of the Louis Group, is currently one of the leading Cyprus companies engaged in the tourism industry in the Southeastern Mediterranean.

Louis Hotels properties are spread across the most popular resorts in Cyprus, as well as some of the most enchanting Greek islands.

Celestyal Cruises is the predominant home-porting cruise operator in Greece and the preeminent cruise line serving the Greek Islands and East Mediterranean.

Louis Group Restaurants are comprised of a la carte restaurant brands focusing on fresh ingredients, wonderful recipes and friendly, professional customer service.

As member of the Louis Group, Louis Travel consists of the following major divisions:

Incoming Tourism Agency, Outgoing Tour Operating, Retail Travel and Port Agency

Louis Aviation is the General Sales Agent in Cyprus for a number of Online and Offline Airlines providing among other dedicated or shared offices for the Airlines, specially trained ticketing staff and media and marketing support.

Fourth GL Prodata Ltd is one of the leading companies in Cyprus that specialises in information and communications technologies.

Leading Tourism Organization in the Southeastern Mediterranean.

Welcome to louis plc.

Louis plc, member of the Louis Group, is currently one of the leading Cyprus organizations engaged in the tourism industry in the Southeastern Europe. Louis plc mainly focuses on the hotel sector, through its subsidiary Louis Hotels Public Company Ltd (26 hotel units both in Cyprus and the Greek islands) and in the cruise sector, through its associate Celestyal Cruises Ltd.

The vision of Louis plc is to establish itself as the leading tourism organization in the Southeastern Europe, by offering high quality services to its customers and to its business partners and by upgrading the tourism product offered in both Cyprus and Greece.

The company further aims to strengthen and enhance its strategic alliances with major international tour operators, as well as to expand its activities by adding new hotel units and upgrading the existing ones.

Louis Hotels was established in the early 1940’s as part of Louis Tourist Agency and assumed a leading role in the tourism industry in both Cyprus and Greece.

Louis plc, launched its own cruising operations in 1986, even though it had been involved in the representation of passenger vessels and cruise ships in the past.

Hotels Sector

It all started when the late Louis Loizou, widely considered to be the “father of tourism” in Cyprus purchased the “Semmering” hotel and leased the “Grand Hotel” in the Cyprus mountains. He then purchased “Louis Hotel” located at Ledra Street in Nicosia and in 1969 the luxurious “Ledra Palace” hotel, a landmark of Nicosia.

Cruising Sector

The period between 1989 and 2001 was a period of rapid growth for the cruise sector. During this time, the Group acquired in total 10 ships. In 1996, a cruise ship was chartered for the first time to Thomson Cruises, owned by TUI, the world’s largest tour operator. Following the growing trend in the cruise sector, Louis plc creates in 2014 a new brand, “Celestyal Cruises”.

Company Structure

Celestyal Olympia

Hilton nicosia, amada colossos resort, kerkyra golf, althea beach, louis chris le mare villa, corcyra beach, creta princess aquapark spa, louis nausicaa luxury villas, imperial beach, infinity blue, ledra beach, paphos breeze, phaethon beach, plagos beach, st. elias resort waterpark, zante beach, lti louis grand hotel, nausicaa beach, primasol louis ionian sun, sofianna resort spa, the king jason paphos, the king jason protaras, mykonos theoxenia, the royal apollonia.

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CY0004690711

Passenger transportation, ground & sea.

• Louis plc Subsidiary Company Announces the Purchase of a Cruise Ship

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Income statement evolution, sector other passenger transportation, ground & sea.

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2024 (millions EUR)

About Louis PLC (LUI.CY)

Company information.

Louis Plc is a Cyprus-based company engaged in the field of cruising and hotels. It operates through its three subsidiaries Louis Cruise Lines, Louis Hotels Public Company Ltd (LH) and the Cyprus Tourism Development Public Company Ltd. Through Louis Cruise Lines, it owns 10 Cruise Ships, after the sale of M/V Sapphire on March 29, 2011, and operates two- and three-day cruises from Cyprus. It also offers 5-12 days cruises departing from Cyprus and abroad as well. It also provides its ships as floating hotels for major international events. Through Louis Hotels, or under long-term leases, the Company owns and operates 20, four- and five-star hotels. Through The Cyprus Tourism Development Public Company Ltd, the Company owns the Hilton Cyprus Hotel in Nicosia, and is engaged in the management of Hilton Park in Nicosia. In December, 2013, the Company's subsidiary, New Wave Navigation SA, completed the sale of its vessel, m/v Coral in the context of its fleet renewal.

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+ 357 ( 22 ) 588000

https://www.louisgroup.com/

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2022 (millions EUR)

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About Louis PLC

Louis plc, member of the Louis Group, is currently one of the leading Cyprus organizations engaged in the tourism industry in the Southeastern Europe. Louis plc mainly focuses on the hotel sector, through its subsidiary Louis Hotels Public Company Ltd (24 hotel units both in Cyprus and the Greek islands) and in the cruise sector, through its associate Celestyal Cruises Ltd. Louis plc was founded in Nicosia in 1998 as a private company under the name Louis Cruise Lines Ltd, aiming to acquire 100% of the share capital of Louis Group’s ship-owning and other related group companies that operated in the cruise sector. In 1999 the company issued new shares to the public, which were listed in the Cyprus Stock Exchange.

Cyprus + Greece

11, Limassol Avenue, 2112 Nicosia – Cyprus

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Louis Cruise Lines has sold Aquamarine (1971/23,149gt) for US$23,375,000 to Mexican company Corporation de Cruceros Nacionales, which has renamed the vessel Ocean Star Pacific. She was scheduled to sail from Piraeus for an unknown destination on 22 December 2010.

Aquamarine was constructed by the Finnish shipbuilder Wärtsilä in Helsinki as the 18,000gt 724-passenger Nordic Prince, the second of three identical sisters ordered by the fledgling Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Ten years later she went back to her builder to be lengthened, which increased her passenger capacity to 1,202.

In 1995 she was sold to Sun Cruises, a subsidiary of Airtours, who had to remove the distinctive Viking Crown Lounge which was wrapped round the ship’s funnel, as part of the agreement. Renamed Carousel, she changed hands again in 2004 and was sold to Louis Cruise Lines as Aquamarine. In May 2006 she was chartered to German-based Transocean Tours as Arielle, but this charter was cancelled in spring 2008.

Louis has already laid up The Emerald and Sapphire and, with the sale of Aquamarine, currently has an active fleet of five vessels, which it operates directly.

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Louis Cruise Lines

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For miles and miles on end, cruise the Aegean Isles in the luxury of LOUIS CRISTAL and be welcomed by imposing Bosphorus to Imperial Istanbul before living the aura of the amazing Izmir and the most popular Greek islands during our Greek island cruises.

The Mediterranean coastal experience is never complete unless you have watched the sun rise over Greece and Turkey. The LOUIS CRISTAL will take you on 8-day cruises departing from ancient Athens and heading to diverse and multicultural Istanbul for an exciting overnight stay in order to enjoy the multiple ancient and natural sites. From Turkey’s dusky markets and Izmir sail to on Greek cruises to lively Mykonos, explore the beautiful island of Patmos, travel to the impressive island of Rhodes, a popular World Heritage Site, before spending a morning shopping in Crete, an afternoon watching the sunset in Santorini and returning to Piraeus port in Athens.

Greek Island Cruises with Louis Cristal

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Former Commerce Minister Stelios Kiliaris dies aged 72

Former Commerce Minister Stelios Kiliaris has died, aged 72, after a battle with cancer. Born in Nicosia in 1951, Kiliaris had a lasting influence on the island’s political and financial life.

Apart from serving as Commerce Minister under the late President Glafcos Clerides from 1993-1995, Kiliaris was on the Central Bank of Cyprus board of directors and had held senior posts in the tourism industry.

He graduated from the Kykkos Boys High School in Nicosia and studied Economics with a scholarship at the Economics Department of the Law School of the University of Athens.

He later gained an M.A. and PhD from the University of Essex. Kiliaris also obtained a master’s degree in law from the University of the United States (LLM in Contract Law).

The former minister worked for 11 years – from 1978 – at the Ministry of Finance, reaching the rank of Financial Director, responsible for Economic Research and Macroeconomic Policy issues.

He left the ministry in 1989 and took over as General Manager of Euroinvestment and Merchant Finance Ltd, later the same year as General Manager of Finance and Administration of the Louis Group.

Following DISY leader Glafcos Clerides’ election as President of the Republic, Kiliaris was appointed Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism on 28 February 1993.

He stepped down from his post in April 1995 to return to the private sector , taking over as General Director of Louis.

In 1997, he was appointed CEO of Louis’ cruise department, which in 1999 was rebranded Louis Cruise Lines Ltd.

From January 2005, he assumed duties as First Executive Director of all shipping activities of Louis Public Company Limited.

He had also participated on various company boards while politically active with the Democratic Party (DIKO).

Kiliaris was also a member of the Executive Committees of the Federation of Employers and Industrialists (OEB), the Cyprus Maritime Council and the European Cruise Council, and the University of Cyprus.

Friday’s funeral will be at 5 pm at the Agios Panteleimon Church in Engomi.

The family have requested that donations be made to the Arodafnousa Palliative Care Centre.

• Stelios Kiliaris

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The Best Mississippi River Cruises to Discover America's Heartland

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

The luxury ships and historic tours are nice, yes. But the real star of Mississippi River cruises has always been the river. There’s nothing quite so Americana as getting to know the many personalities of this 2,350-mile stretch, flowing from northern Minnesota’s Lake Itasca through 10 states until it reaches Louisiana , where the Mississippi River Delta gives way to the Gulf of Mexico.

The slow, meandering journeys of Mississippi River cruises have long proven an ideal way to discover the distinct stories of America’s heartland. In the words of Mark Twain (which no Mississippi River story would be complete without), the towns and cities located on the mighty river's shores are “cheering to the spirit” and “reposeful as a dreamland,” with “nothing to hang a fret or a worry upon.”

The challenge modern travelers now face is when, where, and how to go about this iconic American voyage . Below, see our answers to these frequently asked questions, plus our favorite Mississippi River cruises to book in 2024.

Which cruise lines do Mississippi River cruises?

After American Queen Voyages shut down in February, only two Mississippi River cruise lines currently remain in operation.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, American Cruise Lines (ACL) has a fleet of more than 20 American-built ships sailing across the country and remains family-owned and American-crewed. ACL offers a Mississippi River fleet of three luxurious 180-passenger modern riverboats– American Melody , American Symphony , and American Serenade —plus two classic paddlewheel ships, the 180-passenger American Splendor and the 150-passenger American Heritage.

The new kid on the Mississippi is the Viking Mississippi, a 386-passenger, five-deck vessel that first set sail in September 2022. The cutting-edge cruise is Viking’s first foray in the US, adding to their fleet of more than 90 ocean, river, and expedition vessels navigating the world’s seven continents.

What is the average cost of a Mississippi River cruise?

For an 8- or 9-day cruise, the average cost of a Mississippi River cruise is around $4,000 per person in a stateroom. Although prices might seem high initially, many of these cruises include extras that aren’t always complimentary on ocean cruises such as free WiFi, at least one free shore excursion in every port, paid port taxes and fees, and a pre-cruise hotel stay. Viking offers complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, American Cruise Lines offers complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. Gratuities are also included in American Cruise Lines fares.

What is the best time of year to go on a river cruise?

Spring (late March through mid-June) and autumn (September through November) are the best times of year to go on a river cruise in the US. Spring blossoms add a colorful touch to the shoreline, and you can never go wrong with autumn foliage. The temperatures are mild, if not pleasantly cool, and passengers are eager to welcome a new spring travel season—or to enjoy one last autumn river adventure before winter arrives.

What month is best for a Mississippi River cruise?

If we had to pick just one, September is the best month for a Mississippi River cruise. The weather is usually mild with less likelihood of rain, and autumn colors are beginning to paint the shoreline. Keep in mind, however, that the Mississippi is the fourth largest river in the world—so temperatures any time of year are not going to be the same in warmer Louisiana as they are in cooler Minnesota.

Below, see our favorite Mississippi River cruises to book in 2024, featuring stops in iconic American cities like Nashville , Memphis , and New Orleans .

22-day Mississippi River Odyssey: New Orleans to Red Wing, Minnesota

Enjoy the charms of America’s great river on a journey aboard the Viking Mississippi from New Orleans to Red Wing, departing September 20. Custom built to sail American waters, the vessel features river-facing staterooms with either French or step-out balconies.

Stops include Baton Rouge and St. Francisville in Louisiana; Natchez, Vicksburg, Greenville, and Rosedale in Mississippi; Memphis in Tennessee; Paducah in Kentucky; Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, and Hannibal in Missouri; Burlington, Quad Cities, and Dubuque in Iowa; La Crosse in Wisconsin; and ending in Red Wing, Minnesota.

With so many fascinating shore excursions to choose from, it’s well worth taking time to tour the St. Louis Arch . Opened in 1965, the monument to America’s westward expansion is far more than just a stunning photo by the riverside. Venture underground between the arch legs for a museum. Climb aboard a tram to be transported 630 feet up to the top of America’s tallest monument for some stunning views.

12-day Heart of the Delta: Memphis to New Orleans

The 386-guest Viking Mississippi spans five decks, making it one of the largest passenger vessels on the Mississippi. Inaugurated in 2022, the ship features a modern Scandinavian design with an infinity pool and a two-story Explorers’ Lounge observation area similar to its ocean ships. Directly in front of the Explorer’s Lounge is an expanded outdoor seating area known as The Bow. Three restaurants serve both Southern regional cuisine and international favorites.

The cruise starts in Memphis on November 14 and includes stops in Rosedale, Greenville, Vicksburg, and Natchez in Mississippi as well as St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow in Louisiana, ending in New Orleans. The “Mississippi Sings the Blues” shore excursion visits iconic sites along the Mississippi Blues Trail such as historic Dockery Farms, considered the “birthplace of the blues.”

The tour stops in Clarksdale, the fabled “Crossroads” where legend says blues great Robert Johnson reputedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his guitar prowess. Stops at the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi and the Delta Blues Museum completes this perfect trip for music lovers.

9-day Music Cities Cruise: Nashville to Memphis

Music is the main focus of this cruise offered by American Cruise Lines, which begins in Nashville on July 9 with an unforgettable visit to the legendary Grand Ole Opry and ends in Memphis, where passengers will enjoy live music on Beale Street and a tour of Elvis Presley’s Graceland . On board the American Splendor, passengers will enjoy spacious cabins and popular rocking chairs. First inaugurated in 2016 and fully redecorated in 2022, this ship offers the nostalgia of a classic paddlewheeler along with the comfort of modern amenities.

While in Nashville, explore the Johnny Cash Museum, then walk upstairs to The Patsy Cline Museum. Nightly entertainment spotlights the musical heritage of this region as the world’s newest paddlewheeler journeys along the river. The itinerary also includes Clarksville and Dover in Tennessee plus Paducah in Kentucky. In Paducah, stroll along the riverfront with more than 50 life-sized panoramic murals depicting Paducah’s past. Stop by Paducah’s National Quilt Museum, the world’s largest museum devoted to quilt and fiber art.

23-day Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul

Sail 1,393 miles through 10 states on a comprehensive exploration of the mighty Mississippi on the new American Serenade . Inaugurated in 2023, the 91-cabin American Serenade won Best New River Cruise Ship of the Year 2023 by Cruise Critic , the first time an American ship has received this prestigious award.

“With extra-large all-balcony staterooms and suites, trendy interior décor, an innovative hydraulic bow and retractable ramp, and one of the most gorgeous sun decks we’ve seen on a river-going ship, American Serenade sets the bar for domestic US river cruising high,” the award notes.

The epic itinerary beginning July 18, 2024 includes 22 ports of call including Oak Alley, Houmas House, Baton Rouge, and St. Francisville in Louisiana; Natchez, Vicksburg, Greenville, and Tunica in Mississippi; Memphis in Tennessee; Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, and Hannibal in Missouri; Muscatine and Dubuque in Iowa; and Winona, Red Wing, and Saint Paul in Minnesota.

Jessica Puckett

Cassie Shortsleeve

Arati Menon

12-day Mississippi River Gateway Cruise: New Orleans to St. Louis

From the French Quarter in New Orleans to the towering Gateway Arch in St. Louis , this American Heritage cruise lives up to its name. Inaugurated in 2015 and totally redecorated in 2022, the 84-cabin American Heritage is the perfect vessel for this interesting itinerary, its design reminiscent of the days when steamboat paddlewheelers plied the Mississippi in the 1800s.

The 12-day voyage departs from New Orleans on July 2. Ports of call along the way include Baton Rouge in Louisiana; Natchez and Vicksburg in Mississippi; Memphis in Tennessee; and Paducah in Kentucky . An onboard expert shares tales of the importance of steam-driven paddlewheels in establishing riverfront communities along the great Mississippi River.

Step ashore in Natchez and enjoy a cold drink at the Under-the-Hill-Saloon, once one of the rowdiest establishments on the Mississippi River in the 1800s. Legend says that Mark Twain stopped here when he was just another riverman named Samuel Clemens.

9-day Lower Mississippi River Cruise: Memphis to New Orleans

This nine-day American Melody cruise departs Memphis on September 8 and features eight ports of call including Vicksburg and Natchez in Mississippi, and St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Houmas House in Louisiana. At Vicksburg Military Park, learn how the 101st Airborne Division got its “Screaming Eagles” nickname, plus the tale of its famous soldier, a young guitar player named Jimi Hendrix. At Houmas House, see the bedroom where Bette Davis stayed to film the 1964 movie Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte . Joan Crawford was the intended co-star but Bette and Joan feuded so Joan quit and Olivia de Havilland replaced her.

Launched in 2021, the five-deck American Melody has 91 staterooms, all with private balconies and full-length sliding glass doors. The ship has several spacious lounges, a fitness center, large dining room, café for casual dining, sun deck, library, and an impressive four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship. The ship’s unusual bow opens and lowers a platform for passengers to easily walk ashore.

9-day Upper Mississippi River Cruise: St. Louis to St. Paul

Board the American Symphony cruise ship to visit Mark Twain’s hometown and experience the real-life inspiration behind Life on the Mississippi, the classic memoir chronicling the author's days on the river as a steamboat pilot.

The 91-cabin American Symphony, recently inaugurated in 2022, has 100% private balcony accommodations and a unique bow that opens with a retractable gangway that can be extended for landings virtually anywhere. The ship also features lounges soaring 40 feet above the water with triple the glass of other riverboats for spectacular views. Comfy deck chairs welcome passengers to enjoy the undeveloped countryside, picturesque islands, and fascinating dams and navigation locks.

Departing September 27, this itinerary features seven ports of call including Muscatine and Dubuque in Iowa, and Winona and Red Wing in Minnesota. In Hannibal, visit the actual home—with a whitewashed Tom Sawyer fence—where Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) grew up. In Dubuque, see the 1989 “Field of Dreams” movie site known for the famous quote, “If you build it, they will come.”

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Press Releases

Norwegian cruise line holdings unveils bold new vision for the future with strategic long term fleet expansion and enhanced private island development, plan includes next generation vessels for norwegian cruise line, oceania cruises, and regent seven seas cruises to be built by fincantieri, along with infrastructure enhancements for great stirrup cay, all while continuing its disciplined multi-year de-leveraging plan.

MIAMI, April 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (together with NCL Corporation Ltd., “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings”, “Norwegian”, “NCLH” or the “Company”) today unveiled the most comprehensive new build order in its history—a total of eight state-of-the-art vessels, representing nearly 25,000 additional berths, with new classes of ships for each of its three award-winning brands—and the construction of a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the Company’s private island destination in the Bahamas and its top-rated Caribbean port of call. This unprecedented decade-long strategy enhances its product offering, guest experiences, and operational infrastructure, supporting the Company’s sustained leadership in delivering innovative cruise vacations.

The new ship orders across all three brands are scheduled for delivery over a ten-year period, between 2026 and 2036. Following the delivery of four Prima-Plus class ships from 2025 through 2028, Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to take delivery of four approximately 200,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of nearly 5,000 guests, in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036, which are subject to financing 1 . Building on the success of its Allura Class ships, the last one being delivered in 2025, Oceania Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 86,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 1,450 guests in 2027 and 2029. Lastly, following the award-winning Explorer Class ships, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 77,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 850 guests, in 2026 and 2029. Details regarding the ships’ amenities, staterooms, dining, recreational, efficiency, sustainability and other features will be announced in the coming months.

"This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth. It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We are likewise excited with the addition of a new pier at Great Stirrup Cay to support our increased capacity in the Caribbean and multiple ships to call on the island, enhancing our guest experience and bringing seamless and reliable access to our private island year-round.”

In partnership with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, each brand will design their new ship class and focus on creating the largest, most efficient, and innovative vessels of their respective fleet. Aligning with the Company’s sustainability efforts, the new ship designs are expected to advance the journey towards decarbonization.

"Over the years, our long-standing relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been rooted in a shared vision for the future of maritime travel, consistently setting new standards for innovation, luxury, sustainability, and guest satisfaction in the cruise industry,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director at Fincantieri . “We are thrilled to work on these new build orders and deliver emblematic cruise ships that will embody our shared legacy of excellence for generations to come.”

The Company has obtained export credit financing with favorable terms to fund 80 percent of the contract price of each of the two Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships, subject to certain conditions. The ship orders for Norwegian Cruise Line remain subject to financing, currently underway.

Mark A. Kempa, chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, commented, “we expect that these strategic investments will secure our growth trajectory, significantly boost our earnings profile, and enhance shareholder value well into the future. With a favorable payment structure that includes pre-delivery financing and modest initial installment payments for these ship orders, we still anticipate strong Net Leverage reduction of 1.5 turns by the end of 2024, relative to 2023, and expect the Company to continue reducing Net Leverage each year for the foreseeable future.”

_______________ 1 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. expects a four-ship Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) order to replace a separate, effective, two-ship order for Oceania Cruises initially placed to secure availability with the shipyard. The four-ship order for NCL is still being finalized and is subject to financing. Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029. All expected delivery dates are preliminary and subject to change.

New Pier Development at Great Stirrup Cay

The new pier development at the Company’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, is slated to break ground in summer 2024 and be completed by late 2025 with an investment of approximately $150 million. The new pier will be constructed to simultaneously accommodate two large vessels of the Company’s current and future ship classes. The pier development will enhance the guest experience on Great Stirrup Cay, and along with Harvest Caye, the Company’s private island in Belize, continue to provide guests with world-class destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call for Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. A link to the live webcast along with a slide presentation can be found on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://www.nclhltd.com/investors. A replay of the conference call will also be available on the website for 30 days after the call.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. With a combined fleet of 32 ships and approximately 66,500 berths, NCLH offers itineraries to approximately 700 destinations worldwide. NCLH expects to add 13 additional ships across its three brands through 2036, which will add approximately 41,000 berths to its fleet. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com .

Terminology

Adjusted EBITDA . EBITDA adjusted for other income (expense), net and other supplemental adjustments.

EBITDA . Earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization.

Net Debt . Long-term debt, including current portion, less cash and cash equivalents.

Net Leverage . Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA. 2

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this release are “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, or incorporated by reference, in this release, including, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects, actions taken or strategies being considered with respect to our liquidity position, valuation and appraisals of our assets and objectives of management for future operations (including those regarding expected fleet additions, our expectations regarding the impact of macroeconomic conditions and recent global events, our expectations regarding cruise voyage occupancy, operational position, demand for voyages, plans or goals for our sustainability program and decarbonization efforts, our expectations for future cash flows and profitability, financing opportunities and extensions, and efforts to reduce operating expenses and capital expenditures) 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 general economic factors, such as fluctuating or increasing levels of interest rates, inflation, 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; implementing precautions in coordination with regulators and global public health authorities to protect the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities we visit and to comply with related regulatory restrictions; our indebtedness and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness that require us to maintain minimum levels of liquidity and be in compliance with maintenance covenants and otherwise limit our flexibility in operating our business, including the significant portion of assets that are collateral under these agreements; our ability to work with lenders and others or otherwise pursue options to defer, renegotiate, refinance or restructure our existing debt profile, near-term debt amortization, newbuild related payments and other obligations and to work with credit card processors to satisfy current or potential future demands for collateral on cash advanced from customers relating to future cruises; our need for additional financing or financing to optimize our balance sheet, which may not be available on favorable terms, or at all, and our outstanding exchangeable notes and any future financing which may be dilutive to existing shareholders; the unavailability of ports of call; future increases in the price of, or major changes, disruptions or reduction in, commercial airline services; changes involving the tax and environmental regulatory regimes in which we operate, including new regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; the accuracy of any appraisals of our assets; our success in controlling operating expenses and capital expenditures; trends in, or changes to, future bookings and our ability to take future reservations and receive deposits related thereto; adverse events impacting the security of travel, or customer perceptions of the security of travel, such as terrorist acts, armed conflict, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or the Israel-Hamas war, or threats thereof, acts of piracy, and other international events; public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and their effect on the ability or desire of people to travel (including on cruises); adverse incidents involving cruise ships; our ability to maintain and strengthen our brand; breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology systems and other networks or our actual or perceived failure to comply with requirements regarding data privacy and protection; changes in fuel prices and the type of fuel we are permitted to use and/or other cruise operating costs; mechanical malfunctions and repairs, delays in our shipbuilding program, maintenance and refurbishments and the consolidation of qualified shipyard facilities; the risks and increased costs associated with operating internationally; our inability to recruit or retain qualified personnel or the loss of key personnel or employee relations issues; impacts related to climate change and our ability to achieve our climate-related or other sustainability goals; our inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; pending or threatened litigation, investigations and enforcement actions; 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; any further impairment of our trademarks, trade names or goodwill; our reliance on third parties to provide hotel management services for certain ships and certain other services; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; our expansion into new markets and investments in new markets and land-based destination projects; overcapacity in key markets or globally; and other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. 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 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.

_______________ 2 The Company does not provide certain estimated future results on a GAAP basis because the Company is unable to predict, with reasonable certainty, the future movement of foreign exchange rates or the future impact of certain gains and charges. These items are uncertain and will depend on several factors, including industry conditions, and could be material to the Company’s results computed in accordance with GAAP. The Company has not provided reconciliations between the Company’s 2024 guidance and the most directly comparable GAAP measure because it would be too difficult to prepare a reliable U.S. GAAP quantitative reconciliation without unreasonable effort.

Investor Relations & Media Contact

Sarah Inmon (786) 812-3233 [email protected] [email protected]

Released April 8, 2024

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This major cruise line operator just announced its biggest ship order ever

One of the world’s leading cruise operators unveiled its biggest ship order ever on Monday.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. will take delivery of eight ships between 2026 and 2036 across its three brands. 

Norwegian Cruise Line will welcome four ships in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036, each with a capacity of close to 5,000 guests. The additions are subject to financing.

The vessels will follow the line’s previously announced Prima-Plus class vessels.

The upscale Oceania Cruises will take delivery of two 1,450-guest ships in 2027 and 2029, and luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises will add two ships in 2026 and 2029, each accommodating 850 passengers.

"This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth,” Harry Sommer, the company’s president and CEO, said in a news release . “It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet.”

Specifics about the ships’ accommodations and amenities will be announced “in the coming months,” according to the release.

The company will also add a new multi-ship pier at its private Bahamas island, Great Stirrup Cay, scheduled for completion by late 2025. The pier will be able to accommodate two large ships at once.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Is norwegian cruise line holdings ltd. (nyse:nclh) a high quality stock to own.

One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. ( NYSE:NCLH ).

Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company's management is utilizing the company's capital. Put another way, it reveals the company's success at turning shareholder investments into profits.

View our latest analysis for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

How Is ROE Calculated?

ROE can be calculated by using the formula:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is:

55% = US$166m ÷ US$301m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

The 'return' is the income the business earned over the last year. Another way to think of that is that for every $1 worth of equity, the company was able to earn $0.55 in profit.

Does Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Have A Good Return On Equity?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has a better ROE than the average (17%) in the Hospitality industry .

That is a good sign. Bear in mind, a high ROE doesn't always mean superior financial performance. A higher proportion of debt in a company's capital structure may also result in a high ROE, where the high debt levels could be a huge risk .

Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE

Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same.

Combining Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' Debt And Its 55% Return On Equity

It seems that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings uses a huge volume of debt to fund the business, since it has an extremely high debt to equity ratio of 46.69. While its ROE is no doubt quite impressive, it could give a false impression about the company's returns given that its huge debt could be boosting those returns.

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company .

If you would prefer check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Other price-sensitive press releases

Media \ Press Releases \ 2024 \ Fincantieri finalises a major agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, reaffirming its leadership in the sector

Fincantieri finalises a major agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, reaffirming its leadership in the sector

The two Groups are defining a long-term strategic expansion through a historic agreement that outlines the future new building program for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line brands

08 april 2024.

Fincantieri has announced the receipt of a highly significant order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd at the ongoing Seatrade, the world's largest cruise industry fair in Miami. This order entails the construction of four new next-generation cruise ships: two for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises and two for the Oceania Cruises brands respectively . These vessels represent the pinnacle of technological advancement, comfort, and onboard entertainment while also exemplifying environmental sustainability.

The ships designated for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2029, will boast a gross tonnage of 77,000 tons and accommodate approximately 850 passengers. Meanwhile, the vessels for Oceania Cruises, set for deliveries in 2027 and 2028, will feature a gross tonnage of 86,000 tons and accommodate around 1,450 passengers. The contract for these four new units is now in effect and has already been secured through financing.

Additionally, the Group has signed a Letter of Intent with the same shipowner to explore the construction of four additional units [1] . These vessels, slated for delivery in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036, will be the largest ever built for the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) brand, with a gross tonnage of approximately 200,000 tons and the capacity to accommodate around 5,000 passengers each. This strategic order will see each brand crafting its own class of new ships, prioritising size, efficiency, and innovation within their respective fleets. Aligned with the Company's sustainability commitments, these new ship projects are expected to significantly contribute to the journey towards decarbonisation.

This second agreement, subject to financing and other terms and conditions, marks a highly significant new phase in the long-term partnership between the two groups.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri stated : “We are particularly proud of this impressive new agreement and the partnership with a historic and prestigious client like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, confirming a continuity of strategic relationships that we consider a great industrial value. An important milestone for our shipyards and a historic agreement for the Group, confirming the robust recovery of the market and the investments we had planned in our new industrial plan.”

“ We are excited to continue our partnership with Fincantieri on this strategic new-ship order for the future of our company. This will ensure the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidify our long-term growth,” said Harry Sommer , President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd . “Our shared commitment to innovation and excellence will allow us to elevate the standards in our industry even further, enhancing our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet.”

[1]   The four-ship Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) order is expected to replace a separate, effective, two-ship order for Oceania Cruises initially placed to secure availability with the shipyard. The four-ship order for NCL is still being finalized and is subject to financing. Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029. All expected delivery dates are preliminary and subject to change.

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• News for Norwegian Cruise Line

Charting New Waters: Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Ambitious Plans For Eight Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd  (NYSE:NCLH) has unveiled a total of eight vessels, representing nearly 25,000 additional berths to be built across three brands.

The company also launched the construction of a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island destination in the Bahamas and its Caribbean port of call. 

The strategy is expected to boost Norwegian Cruise’s product offering, guest experiences, and operational infrastructure.

The new ship orders across all three brands are scheduled for delivery over a ten-year period, between 2026 and 2036.

After the delivery of four Prima-Plus class ships from 2025 through 2028, the cruise operator is expected to take delivery of four approximately 200,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of nearly 5,000 guests, in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036.

Oceania Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 86,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 1,450 guests in 2027 and 2029. 

Finally, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 77,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 850 guests, in 2026 and 2029.

“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth,” said President and CEO Harry Sommer.

The company has obtained export credit financing with favorable terms to fund 80% of the contract price of each of the two Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships.

The new pier development in the Bahamas is set to begin in summer 2024 and be completed by late 2025 with an investment of about $150 million.

Stifel  analyst Steven Wieczynski reiterated a Buy rating on the shares with a price target of $25.

NCLH now has 13 ships on order over the next 12 years for a combined 41,000 berths, representing about 65% capacity growth, noted the analyst.

With a historically smaller fleet, the company has been building new ships more aggressively versus peers in order to enter/serve certain markets.

Over the next decade this will not only give NCLH the biggest growth story within the cruise industry but will also allow them to continue entering new markets with minimal cannibalization to their fleet, the analyst noted.

Owning cruise stocks when supply growth has been low for an extended period of time, as per the analyst. While the headline of eight ships might make investors panic, the analyst urged them to look at the fine print.

Overall, according to the analyst, the positives surely outweigh the negatives.

Price Action : NCLH shares are trading lower by 2.35% at $18.93 on the last check Tuesday.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

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