UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007

 

OR

 

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the transition period from _____ to _____

 

Commission File Number: 1-11884

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Republic of Liberia

98-0081645

 

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, Florida 33132

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

 

(305) 539-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o

No x

 

 

There were 223,336,858 shares of common stock outstanding as of July 19, 2007.

 


 

 

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

1

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

11

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

24

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

24

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

25

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

25

 

Item 5. Other Information

26

 

Item 6. Exhibits

26

 

SIGNATURES

27

 

 

 

 



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

June 30,

 


 

2007

2006

 



Passenger ticket revenues

$1,066,991

$952,907

Onboard and other revenues

     414,334

     340,077

 



Total revenues

  1,481,325

  1,292,984

 



Cruise operating expenses

 

 

Commissions, transportation and other

268,630

228,733

Onboard and other

102,169

84,926

Payroll and related

142,300

123,427

Food

75,797

65,592

Fuel

126,081

121,487

Other operating

    250,552

    200,808

 



Total cruise operating expenses

965,529

824,973

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses

193,195

181,744

Depreciation and amortization expenses

    121,718

      102,023

 



Operating Income

    200,883

    184,244

 



Other income (expense)

 

 

Interest income

6,451

5,741

Interest expense, net of interest capitalized

(85,516)

(66,649)

Other income (expense)

6,927

(909)

 



 

(72,138)

(61,817)

 



Net Income

$ 128,745

$ 122,427

 



Earnings Per Share:

 

 

Basic

$0.61

$0.58

 



Diluted

$0.60

$0.57

 



Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:

 

 

Basic

212,633

211,252

 



Diluted

214,157

228,193

 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

1


ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

 


 

2007

2006

 



Passenger ticket revenues

$1,937,407

$1,795,170

Onboard and other revenues

     767,044

     644,350

 



Total revenues

  2,704,451

  2,439,520

 



 

 

 

Cruise operating expenses

 

 

Commissions, transportation and other

488,315

430,998

Onboard and other

168,573

144,778

Payroll and related

279,580

240,761

Food

148,982

131,292

Fuel

243,415

234,230

Other operating

    478,005

    373,048

 



Total cruise operating expenses

1,806,870

1,555,107

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses

379,379

354,936

Depreciation and amortization expenses

    237,676

      204,182

 



Operating Income

    280,526

    325,295

 



 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

Interest income

10,951

7,317

Interest expense, net of interest capitalized

(165,996)

(124,312)

Other income

12,089

33,626

 



 

(142,956)

(83,369)

 



Net Income

$ 137,570

$ 241,926

 



Earnings Per Share:

 

 

Basic

$0.65

$1.14

 



Diluted

$0.64

$1.12

 



Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:

 

 

Basic

212,478

211,312

 



Diluted

214,101

229,438

 



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2


ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

As of

 


 

June 30,

December 31,

 

2007

2006

 



 

(unaudited)

 

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$      212,365

$      104,520

Trade and other receivables, net

212,685

185,886

Inventories

86,567

76,969

Prepaid expenses and other assets

235,907

134,529

 



Total current assets

747,524

501,904

Property and equipment — at cost less accumulated

depreciation and amortization

 

12,239,083

 

11,429,106

Goodwill

741,596

721,514

Other assets

832,099

740,564

 



 

$14,560,302

$13,393,088

 



Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$      553,473

 

$      373,422

Accounts payable

202,650

193,794

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

453,466

408,209

Customer deposits

1,411,817

896,943

 



Total current liabilities

2,621,406

1,872,368

Long-term debt

5,242,465

5,040,322

Other long-term liabilities

471,181

388,823

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

 

Shareholders’ equity

Common stock ($.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 223,317,844 and 222,489,872 shares issued)

 

2,233

 

2,225

Paid-in capital

2,929,469

2,904,041

Retained earnings

3,712,982

3,639,211

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

3,946

(30,802)

Treasury stock (11,006,099 and 10,985,927 common shares  at cost)

(423,380)

(423,100)

 



Total shareholders’ equity

6,225,250

6,091,575

 



 

$14,560,302

$13,393,088

 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3


ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

June 30,

 

 


 

 

2007

2006

 



 

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

Net income

$ 137,570

$ 241,926

 

Adjustments:

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

237,676

204,182

 

Accretion of original issue discount on debt

884

15,759

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables, net

(25,930)

10,856

 

Increase in inventories

(10,158)

(17,063)

 

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets

(112,080)

(63,803)

 

Increase in accounts payable

7,559

44,648

 

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

76,041

(6,851)

 

Increase in customer deposits

513,490

369,470

 

Accreted interest paid on LYONs repurchase

-

(121,199)

 

Other, net

(1,906)

5,794

 

 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

823,146

683,719

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

(1,030,590)

(830,956)

 

Purchases of notes from First Choice Holidays PLC

-

(100,000)

 

Other, net

(10,276)

7,110

 

 



 

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,040,866)

(923,846)

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

Net proceeds from issuance of debt

1,897,780

1,591,215

 

Debt issuance costs

(10,048)

(8,122)

 

Repayments of debt

(1,514,686)

(947,512)

 

Dividends

(66,339)

(63,545)

 

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options

16,427

22,646

 

Purchases of treasury stock

-

(164,582)

 

Other, net

2,593

7,825

 

 



 

Net cash provided by financing activities

325,727

437,925

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(162)

-

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

107,845

197,798

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

104,520

125,385

 

 



 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 212,365

$ 323,183

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

Interest, net of amount capitalized

$ 137,499

$ 227,675

 

 



 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4


 

 

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

As used in this document, the terms “Royal Caribbean,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the term “Celebrity” refers to Celebrity Cruise Lines Inc., the term "Pullmantur” refers to Pullmantur S.A. and the terms “Royal Caribbean International,” “Celebrity Cruises,” “Pullmantur Cruises” and “Azamara Cruises” refer to our four cruise brands. In accordance with cruise vacation industry practice, the term “berths” is determined based on double occupancy per cabin even though many cabins can accommodate three or more passengers.

 

Note 1. Basis for Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We believe the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair presentation. Our revenues are seasonal and results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.

 

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Note 2. Business Combination

 

On November 14, 2006, we completed our acquisition of Pullmantur S.A. (“Pullmantur”), a Madrid-based cruise and tour operator. We purchased all of the capital stock of Pullmantur for €436.3 million, or approximately $558.9 million. For reporting purposes, we have included Pullmantur’s results of operations on a two-month lag for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

The acquisition was accounted for as a business purchase combination using the purchase method of accounting under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141”). The purchase price was allocated to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with the excess allocated to goodwill.

 

The purchase price allocation resulted in approximately €338.5 million or $433.7 million of goodwill and €189.4 million or $242.6 million of acquired intangible assets. Approximately €168.6 million or $216.0 million of the acquired intangible assets was assigned to the value associated with the awareness and reputation of the Pullmantur brand among its customers and is considered an indefinite life intangible asset. Amortizable intangible assets identified of approximately €20.8 million or $26.6 million have a weighted-average useful life of approximately 4.8 years.

 

 

 

 

5

 



Note 3. Earnings Per Share

 

A reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 



 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 





Net income

$128,745

$122,427

$137,570

$241,926

Interest on dilutive convertible notes

-

7,319

-

15,455

 





Net income for diluted earnings per share

$128,745

$129,746

$137,570

$257,381

 





 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares    outstanding

212,633

211,252

212,478

211,312

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock awards

1,524

1,678

1,623

1,900

Dilutive effect of convertible notes

    -

    15,263

    -

    16,226

 





Diluted weighted-average shares    outstanding

214,157

228,193

214,101

229,438

 





 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$0.61

$0.58

$0.65

$1.14

Diluted earnings per share

$0.60

$0.57

$0.64

$1.12

         

Diluted earnings per share did not include options to purchase 3.0 million and 3.3 million shares for the second quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively, and 3.0 million and 2.6 million shares for the first six months of 2007 and 2006, respectively, because the effect of including them would have been antidilutive.

 

Note 4. Long-Term Debt

 

In January 2007, we issued €1.0 billion, or approximately $1.3 billion, of 5.625% senior unsecured notes due 2014 at a price of 99.638% of par. The net proceeds from the offering were used to retire the €701.0 million, or approximately $906.5 million, outstanding balance on our unsecured bridge loan facility obtained to finance our acquisition of Pullmantur. The remainder of the net proceeds, approximately €289.0 million, or approximately $374.8 million, was used to repay a portion of the outstanding balance on our unsecured revolving credit facility.

 

In February 2007, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively change €1.0 billion of fixed rate debt with a weighted-average fixed rate of 5.625% to EURIBOR-based floating rate debt. We also entered into cross currency swap agreements that effectively changes €300.0 million of floating EURIBOR-based debt to $389.1 million floating LIBOR-based debt.

 

In March 2007, we entered into a $589.0 million unsecured term loan due through 2014 at a rate of 4.215%. The contractual interest rate under this loan agreement varies with our debt rating. In April 2007, we drew in full the $589.0 million available under this unsecured term loan. The proceeds were used towards the purchase of Liberty of the Seas, which was delivered in April 2007.

 

In June 2007, we amended and restated our unsecured revolving credit facility to increase the amount available from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, reduce the effective interest rate to LIBOR plus 0.485%, change the 0.175% commitment fee to a 0.140% facility fee and extend the maturity date from March 27, 2010 to June 29, 2012.

6


 

 

Note 5. Shareholders' Equity

 

We declared and paid cash dividends on our common stock of $0.15 per share during the first and second quarters of 2007 and 2006.

 

Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Capital Expenditures. As of June 30, 2007, the expected delivery dates and planned berths of our ships on order are as follows:

 

 

Ship

Expected

Delivery Date

Approximate

Berths

Royal Caribbean International:

 

 

Freedom-class:

 

 

  Independence of the Seas

2nd Quarter 2008

3,600

New Class (unnamed):

  Unnamed

3rd Quarter 2009

5,400

  Unnamed II

3rd Quarter 2010

5,400

Celebrity Cruises:

 

 

Solstice-class:

 

 

  Celebrity Solstice

4th Quarter 2008

2,850

  Celebrity Equinox

3rd Quarter 2009

2,850

  Celebrity Eclipse

2nd Quarter 2010

2,850

  Unnamed

3rd Quarter 2011

2,850

Total Berths

25,800  

 

The anticipated aggregate cost of these ships is approximately $6.9 billion, of which we have deposited $428.2 million as of June 30, 2007. Approximately 15.8% of the aggregate cost was exposed to fluctuations in the euro exchange rate at June 30, 2007. As of June 30, 2007, we anticipated overall capital expenditures, including the seven ships on order, will be approximately $1.3 billion for 2007, $1.8 billion for 2008, $2.0 billion for 2009, $2.2 billion for 2010 and $1.0 billion for 2011.

 

Litigation. In April 2005, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging that Celebrity Cruises improperly requires its cabin stewards to share guest gratuities with assistant cabin stewards. The suit sought payment of damages, including penalty wages under the U.S. Seaman’s Wage Act. In March 2006, the Southern District of Florida dismissed the suit and held that the case should be arbitrated pursuant to the arbitration provision in Celebrity’s collective bargaining agreement. In June 2007, following an appeal by the plaintiff to the United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s order dismissing the suit. The plaintiff has since filed with the Court of Appeals a petition for re-hearing enbanc. We are not able at this time to estimate the impact of this proceeding on us. However, we believe that we have meritorious defenses and we intend to vigorously defend against this action.

 

In January 2006, we partially settled a pending lawsuit against Rolls Royce and Alstom Power Conversion, co-producers of the Mermaid pod-propulsion system on Millennium-class ships, for the recurring Mermaid pod failures. Under the terms of the partial settlement, we received $38.0 million from Alstom and released them from the suit, which remains pending against Rolls Royce. The $38.0 million settlement resulted in a gain of $36.0 million, net of reimbursements to insurance companies, which we have recorded within other income in our consolidated statements of operations.

 

7

 



 

 

In January 2006, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that we infringed rights in copyrighted works and other intellectual property by presenting performances on our cruise ships without securing the necessary licenses. The suit seeks payment of damages, disgorgement of profits and a permanent injunction against future infringement. In April 2006, we filed a motion to sever and transfer the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The motion is pending. We are not able at this time to estimate the impact of this proceeding on us.

 

In June 2006, a federal court jury in New York awarded Celebrity Cruises approximately $193.0 million, exclusive of pre-judgment interest and attorneys fees, in a lawsuit against Essef Corp. for damages stemming from a 1994 outbreak of Legionnaires' disease on one of Celebrity's ships. In January 2007, the trial court rejected that portion of the jury's award attributed to Celebrity's claim for loss of Celebrity's enterprise value and ordered a new trial to redetermine the amount of lost profits sustained by Celebrity. A retrial was held in June 2007 and the jury awarded Celebrity Cruises approximately $15.0 million. When combined with approximately $10.0 million of the original award not subject to a retrial, Celebrity has been awarded a total of approximately $25.0 million in the lawsuit, exclusive of pre-judgment interest and attorneys fees. The verdict is subject to appeal and, due to the ongoing nature of the proceedings, the ultimate financial impact to Celebrity is undetermined at this time.

 

In July 2006, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging that we failed to timely pay crew wages and failed to pay proper crew overtime. The suit seeks payment of damages, including penalty wages under the U.S. Seaman’s Wage Act and equitable relief damages under the California Unfair Competition Law. In December 2006, the District Court granted our motion to dismiss the claim and held that it should be arbitrated pursuant to the arbitration provision in Royal Caribbean’s collective bargaining agreement. In January 2007, the plaintiffs appealed the order to the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. We are not able at this time to estimate the impact of this proceeding on us. However, we believe that we have meritorious defenses and we intend to vigorously defend against this action.

 

The Miami District Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has alleged that certain of our shipboard employment practices do not comply with U.S. employment laws. They are proposing payment of monetary sanctions and certain remedial actions. No legal proceedings have been initiated and we do not believe that this matter will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

We are routinely involved in other claims typical within the cruise vacation industry. The majority of these claims are covered by insurance. We believe the outcome of such claims, net of expected insurance recoveries, will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Other. Under the Brilliance of the Seas operating lease, we have agreed to indemnify the lessor to the extent its after-tax return is negatively impacted by unfavorable changes in corporate tax rates and capital allowance deductions. These indemnifications could result in an increase in our lease payments. We are unable to estimate the maximum potential increase in such lease payments due to the various circumstances, timing or combination of events that could trigger such indemnifications. Under current circumstances, we do not believe an indemnification in any material amount is probable.

 

 

8


Some of the contracts that we enter into include indemnification provisions that obligate us to make payments to the counterparty if certain events occur. These contingencies generally relate to changes in taxes, increased lender capital costs and other similar costs. The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business. There are no stated or notional amounts included in the indemnification clauses and we are not able to estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these indemnification clauses. We have not been required to make any payments under such indemnification clauses in the past and, under current circumstances, we do not believe an indemnification in any material amount is probable.

 

If any person other than A. Wilhelmsen AS. and Cruise Associates, our two principal shareholders, acquires ownership of more than 30% of our common stock and our two principal shareholders, in the aggregate, own less of our common stock than such person and do not collectively have the right to elect, or to designate for election, at least a majority of the board of directors, we may be obligated to prepay indebtedness outstanding under the majority of our credit facilities, which we may be unable to replace on similar terms. If this were to occur, it could have an adverse impact on our liquidity and operations.

 

Note 7. Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income includes net income, foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges. The cumulative changes in fair value of the derivatives are deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged transactions are realized and recognized in earnings. Comprehensive income was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 



 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 





Net income

$128,745

$122,427

$137,570

$241,926

Changes related to cash flow derivative hedges

17,202 

    9,109

   37,769

31,451

Currency translation adjustment

(2,876) 

    -

   (3,021)

-

 





Total comprehensive income

$143,071

$131,536

$172,318

$273,377

 





 

Note 8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No.109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in the tax return. We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption will not have a material impact on our 2007 consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a formal framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 157, but do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

9

 



 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” Under SFAS No. 159, entities will have the option to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. This statement expands the use of fair value measurement and applies to entities that elect the fair value option at a specified election date. SFAS 159 is effective the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 159, but do not expect the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

10

 



 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Certain statements under this caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this document constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. 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 following:

 

• general economic and business conditions;

 

• vacation industry competition and changes in industry capacity and overcapacity;

 

• the impact of tax laws and regulations affecting our business or our principal shareholders;

 

• the impact of changes in other laws and regulations affecting our business;

 

• the impact of pending or threatened litigation;

 

• the delivery of scheduled new ships;

 

• emergency ship repairs;

 

• negative incidents involving cruise ships including those involving the health and safety of passengers;

 

• reduced consumer demand for cruises as a result of any number of reasons, including geo-political and economic uncertainties and the unavailability of air service;

 

• fears of terrorist attacks, armed conflict and the resulting concerns over safety and security aspects of traveling;

 

• the impact of the spread of contagious diseases;

 

• the availability under our unsecured revolving credit facility, cash flows from operations and our ability to obtain new borrowings and raise new capital on terms that are favorable or consistent with our expectations to fund operations, debt payment requirements, capital expenditures and other commitments;

 

• changes in our stock price or principal shareholders;

 

• the impact of changes in operating and financing costs, including changes in foreign currency, interest rates, fuel, food, payroll, insurance and security costs; and

 

• weather.

 

 

11

 



 

 

The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a further discussion of risk factors related to our business, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

This report should be read in conjunction with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Terminology and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Available Passenger Cruise Days (“APCD”) are our measurement of capacity and represent double occupancy per cabin multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period.

 

Gross Cruise Costs represent the sum of total cruise operating expenses plus marketing, selling and administrative expenses.

 

Gross Yields represent total revenues per APCD.

 

Net Cruise Costs represent Gross Cruise Costs excluding commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses (each of which is described below under the Overview heading). In measuring our ability to control costs in a manner that positively impacts net income, we believe changes in Net Cruise Costs to be the most relevant indicator of our performance. A reconciliation of historical Gross Cruise Costs to Net Cruise Costs is provided below under Summary of Historical Results of Operations. We have not provided a quantitative reconciliation of projected Gross Cruise Costs to projected Net Cruise Costs due to the significant uncertainty in projecting the costs deducted to arrive at this measure. Accordingly, we do not believe that reconciling information for such projected figures would be meaningful.

 

Net Debt-to-Capital is a ratio which represents total long-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents (“Net Debt”) divided by the sum of Net Debt and total shareholders' equity. We believe Net Debt and Net Debt-to-Capital, along with total long-term debt and shareholders' equity are useful measures of our capital structure. A reconciliation of historical Debt-to-Capital to Net Debt-to-Capital is provided below under Summary of Historical Results Operations.

 

Net Yields represent Gross Yields less commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses (each of which is described below under the Overview heading) per APCD. We utilize Net Yields to manage our business on a day-to-day basis and believe that it is the most relevant measure of our pricing performance because it reflects the cruise revenues earned by us net of our most significant variable costs. A reconciliation of historical Gross Yields to Net Yields is provided below under Summary of Historical Results of Operations. We have not provided a quantitative reconciliation of projected Gross Yields to projected Net Yields due to the significant uncertainty in projecting the costs deducted to arrive at this measure. Accordingly, we do not believe that reconciling information for such projected figures would be meaningful.

 

Occupancy, in accordance with cruise vacation industry practice, is calculated by dividing Passenger Cruise Days by APCD. A percentage in excess of 100% indicates that three or more passengers occupied some cabins.

 

 

12

 



 

 

Passenger Cruise Days represent the number of passengers carried for the period multiplied by the number of days of their respective cruises.

 

Overview

 

Our revenues consist of the following:

 

Passenger ticket revenues consist of revenue recognized from the sale of passenger tickets and the sale of air transportation to our ships.

 

Onboard and other revenues consist primarily of revenues from the sale of goods and/or services onboard our ships not included in passenger ticket prices, cancellation fees, sales of vacation protection insurance, pre- and post-cruise tours, Pullmantur’s land-based tours and hotel and air packages. Also included are revenues we receive from independent third party concessionaires that pay us a percentage of their revenues in exchange for the right to provide selected goods and/or services onboard our ships.

 

Our cruise operating expenses consist of the following:

 

Commissions, transportation and other expenses consist of those costs directly associated with passenger ticket revenues, including travel agent commissions, air and other transportation expenses, port costs that vary with passenger head counts and related credit card fees.

 

Onboard and other expenses consist of the direct costs associated with onboard and other revenues. These costs include the cost of products sold onboard our ships, vacation protection insurance premiums, costs associated with pre- and post-cruise tours and related credit card fees. Concession revenues have minimal costs associated with them, as the costs related to these activities are incurred by the third party concessionaires.

 

Payroll and related expenses consist of costs for shipboard personnel.

 

Food expenses include food costs for both passengers and crew.

 

Fuel expenses include fuel costs, net of the financial impact of fuel swap agreements and fuel delivery costs.

 

Other operating expenses consist of operating costs such as repairs and maintenance, port costs that do not vary with passenger head counts, costs related to Pullmantur’s land-based tours, insurance, entertainment and all other operating costs.

 

We do not allocate payroll and related costs, food costs, fuel costs or other operating costs to the expense categories attributable to passenger ticket revenues or onboard and other revenues since they are incurred to provide the total cruise vacation experience.

 

 

 

 

13

 



 

 

Summary of Historical Results of Operations

 

We experienced a relatively stable demand environment during the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, resulting in a 0.9% increase in Net Yields. Although Net Yields remained relatively consistent, our increase in capacity of 12.4% combined with a 1.9% increase in Gross Yields resulted in an increase in total revenues of 14.6% for the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase in total revenues was partially offset by an increase in expenses primarily due to the increase in capacity and the acquisition of Pullmantur. As a result, our net income was $128.7 million or $0.60 per share on a diluted basis for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $122.4 million or $0.57 per share for the second quarter of 2006.

 

Highlights for the second quarter of 2007 include:

 

Total revenues increased by approximately 14.6% to $1.5 billion from total revenues of $1.3 billion for the same period in 2006 primarily due to a 12.4% increase in capacity and a 1.9% increase in Gross Yields. Net Yields increased by approximately 0.9% compared to the same period in 2006.

 

Net Cruise Costs per APCD increased by approximately 1.1% compared to the same period in 2006.

 

Net Debt-to-Capital increased to 47.3% as of June 30, 2007 compared to 43.4% as of June 30, 2006. Similarly, our Debt-to-Capital ratio increased to 48.2% as of June 30, 2007 compared to 45.2% as of June 30, 2006.

 

We took delivery of Liberty of the Seas, the second Freedom-class ship for Royal Caribbean International. To finance the purchase, we drew in full $589.0 million available under an unsecured term loan due through 2014 at a rate of 4.215%.

 

We executed a contract to build a fourth Solstice-class ship for Celebrity Cruises, for an additional capacity of approximately 2,850 berths. The ship is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2011. We also executed a contract to build a second ship of an unnamed new class for Royal Caribbean International for an additional capacity of approximately 5,400 berths. The ship is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2010.

 

We purchased the 1,000 berth Pacific Star from P&O Cruises Australia. We will take possession of the ship in the first quarter of 2008. The ship will sail under a new name as part of our Pullmantur Cruises brand. The ship will be operated by P&O Cruises Australia under a bareboat charter agreement until that time.

 

We launched our new cruise brand Azamara Cruises. Azamara Cruises replaced our previously announced Celebrity Expeditions concept and is serving the deluxe cruise segment by offering a more intimate onboard experience while allowing access to less-traveled ports of call. Blue Dream was redeployed from Pullmantur Cruises to Azamara Cruises and is sailing under the name Azamara Journey. In October 2007, Blue Moon will also be redeployed to Azamara Cruises and will sail under the name Azamara Quest.

 

We redeployed Zenith from Celebrity Cruises to Pullmantur Cruises.

 

 

14

 



We amended and restated our unsecured revolving credit facility to increase the amount available from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, reduce the effective interest rate to LIBOR plus 0.485%, change the 0.175% commitment fee to a 0.140% facility fee and extend the maturity date from March 27, 2010 to June 29, 2012.

 

Our revenues are seasonal based on the demand for cruises. Demand is strongest for cruises during the summer months and holidays.

 

The following table presents historical operating data as a percentage of total revenues:

 

 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 



 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 





 

Passenger ticket revenues

72.0

73.7

71.6

73.6

Onboard and other revenues

28.0

26.3

28.4

26.4

 





Total revenues

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

 

Cruise operating expenses

 

 

 

 

Commissions, transportation and         other

18.1

17.7

18.1

17.7

Onboard and other

6.9

6.6

6.2

5.9

Payroll and related

9.6

9.5

10.3

9.8

Food

5.1

5.1

5.5

5.4

Fuel

8.5

9.4

9.0

9.6

Other operating

17.0

15.5

17.7

15.3

 





Total cruise operating expenses

65.2

63.8

66.8

63.7

Marketing, selling and administrative      expenses

13.0

14.0

14.0

14.6

Depreciation and amortization expenses

8.2

7.9

8.8

8.4

 





Operating income

13.6

14.3

10.4

13.3

Other income (expense)

(4.9)

(4.8)

(5.3)

(3.4)

 





Net income

8.7%

9.5%

5.1%

9.9%

 





 

Unaudited selected historical statistical information is shown in the following table:

 

 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 



 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 





Passengers Carried

959,694

866,700

1,878,559

1,741,751

Passenger Cruise Days

6,403,995

5,746,992

12,433,982

11,321,341

APCD

6,041,961

5,374,078

11,858,007

10,677,648

Occupancy

106.0%

106.9%

104.9%

106.0%

 

15


 

 

Gross Yields and Net Yields were calculated as follows (in thousands, except APCD and Yields):

 

 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 



 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 





Passenger ticket revenues

$1,066,991

$952,907

$1,937,407

$1,795,170

Onboard and other revenues

414,334

340,077

767,044

644,350

 





Total revenues

1,481,325

1,292,984

2,704,451

2,439,520

 





Less:

Commissions, transportation and other

268,630

228,733

488,315

430,998

Onboard and other

102,169

84,926

168,573

144,778

 





Net revenues

$1,110,526

$979,325

$2,047,563

$1,863,744

 





 

APCD

6,041,961

5,374,078

11,858,007

10,677,648

Gross Yields

$ 245.17

$ 240.60

$ 228.07

$ 228.47

Net Yields

$ 183.80

$ 182.23

$ 172.67

$ 174.55



 

 

Gross Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs were calculated as follows (in thousands, except APCD and costs per APCD):

 

 


 

Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 



 

2007

2006

2007

2006

 





Total cruise operating expenses

$965,529

$824,973

$1,806,870

$1,555,107

Marketing, selling and administrative    expenses

193,195

181,744

379,379

354,936

 





Gross Cruise Costs

1,158,724

1,006,717

2,186,249

1,910,043

 





Less:

Commissions, transportation and other

268,630

228,733

488,315

430,998

Onboard and other

102,169

84,926

168,573

144,778

 





Net Cruise Costs

$787,925

$693,058

$1,529,361

$1,334,267

 





 

APCD

6,041,961

5,374,078

11,858,007

10,677,648

Gross Cruise Costs per APCD

$ 191.78

$ 187.33

$ 184.37

$ 178.88

Net Cruise Costs per APCD

$ 130.41

$ 128.96

$ 128.97

$ 124.96

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Debt-to-Capital was calculated as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

As of

 

 

June 30,

 


 

2007

2006

 



Long-term debt, net of current portion

$ 5,242,465

$ 4,171,619

Current portion of long-term debt

553,473

482,870

 



Total debt

5,795,938

4,654,489

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

212,365

323,183

 



Net Debt

$ 5,583,573

$ 4,331,306

 



Total shareholders’ equity

$ 6,225,250

$ 5,650,460

Total debt

5,795,938

4,654,489

 



Total debt and shareholder’s equity

12,021,188

10,304,949

 



Debt-to-Capital

48.2%

45.2%

Net Debt

5,583,573

4,331,306

 



Net Debt and shareholder’s equity

$ 11,808,823

$ 9,981,766

 



Net Debt-to-Capital

47.3%

43.4%

 

 

 

 

 

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Outlook

 

Full Year 2007

 

We anticipate the following estimates for the full year 2007. For purposes of comparison to full year 2006, “comparable” estimates exclude Pullmantur.

 

We expect Net Yields will increase in a range of 2% to 3% compared to 2006, and on a comparable basis to be relatively flat.

 

We expect Net Cruise Costs per APCD to increase approximately 5% compared to 2006, and on a comparable basis to be relatively flat to decrease approximately 1%. Excluding fuel, we expect Net Cruise Costs per APCD to increase approximately 7% compared to 2006, and on a comparable basis to be relatively flat.

 

Our current “at-the-pump” price is $486 per metric ton. This is higher than the May 1, 2007 figure, and represents a negative impact of $0.17 per share versus our previous guidance. We are currently 53% hedged for the remainder of 2007 and estimate that a 10% change in the market price of fuel would result in a $12.0 million change in fuel costs for the second half of 2007, after taking into account existing hedges.

 

We expect a 12.0% increase in capacity in 2007, driven by the acquisition of Pullmantur, the April delivery of Liberty of the Seas, and a full year of Freedom of the Seas. On a comparable basis, we expect a 4.6% increase.

 

Depreciation and amortization is expected to be in the range of $490.0 million to $500.0 million, and interest expense is expected to be in the range of $330.0 million to $340.0 million.

 

In July 2007, Celebrity Cruises cancelled two 12-night Mediterranean sailings onboard Millenium due to damage to the ship’s propellers. The cancelled cruises are expected to have a negative impact on earnings of approximately $0.14 per share, which is reflected in our third quarter and full year 2007 guidance.

 

Based on the expectations contained in this Outlook section, and assuming that fuel prices remain at the level mentioned herein, we expect full year 2007 earnings per share to be in the range of $2.75 to $2.85.

 

Third Quarter 2007

 

We anticipate the following estimates for the third quarter of 2007. For purposes of comparison to the third quarter of 2006, “comparable” estimates exclude Pullmantur.

 

We expect Net Yields will increase in a range of 2% to 3% compared to 2006, and on a comparable basis to be relatively flat.

 

We expect Net Cruise Costs per APCD to increase in a range of 5% to 6% compared to 2006, and on a comparable basis to be relatively flat to decrease approximately 1%. Excluding fuel, we expect Net Cruise Costs per APCD to increase approximately 7%, and on a comparable basis to be relatively flat to increase approximately 1%.

 

17

 



 

 

For the third quarter of 2007, our fuel expense is 57% hedged. We estimate that a 10% change in the market price of fuel would result in a $6.0 million impact on our third quarter results.

 

We expect a 13.2% increase in capacity, driven by the acquisition of Pullmantur, and the April delivery of Liberty of the Seas. On a comparable basis we expect a 4.9% increase.

 

Depreciation and amortization is expected to be in the range of $125.0 million to $130.0 million and interest expense is expected to be in the range of $85.0 million to $90.0 million.

 

Based on the expectations contained in this Outlook section, and assuming that fuel prices remain at the level mentioned herein, we expect third quarter 2007 earnings per share to be in the range of $1.75 to $1.80.

 

Quarter Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2006

 

Revenues

 

Net revenues increased 13.4% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to a 12.4% increase in capacity and 0.9% increase in Net Yields. The increase in capacity was primarily due to the acquisition of Pullmantur, the addition of Freedom of the Seas, which entered service in June 2006 and the addition of Liberty of the Seas, which entered service in May 2007. This increase was partially offset by an increase in the number of days ships were in drydock during the second quarter of 2007. The increase in Net Yields was primarily due to the addition of Pullmantur’s tour business partially offset by a slight decrease in ticket prices and onboard spending on an APCD basis. The decreases in ticket prices and onboard spending on an APCD basis were primarily attributed to lower demand and general economic conditions affecting the discretionary spending of our customers. Occupancy in 2007 was 106.0% compared to 106.9% for the same period in 2006. Gross Yields increased 1.9% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to the same reasons discussed above for Net Yields.

 

Concession revenues, included within onboard and other revenues, increased to $59.4 million in 2007 compared to $54.4 million for the same period in 2006 primarily due to the addition of Freedom of the Seas, the addition of Liberty of the Seas and the acquisition of Pullmantur.

 

Expenses

 

Net Cruise Costs increased 13.7% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to a 12.4% increase in capacity and a 1.1% increase in Net Cruise Costs per APCD. The increase in Net Cruise Costs per APCD was primarily due to increases in other operating expenses. The increase in other operating expenses is due to the addition of Pullmantur’s tour business partially offset by the decrease in costs associated with fewer cancelled sailings in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. In addition, costs associated with revitalizations were lower in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase in Net Cruise Costs per APCD was also partially offset by the decrease in fuel expenses compared to the same period in 2006. Total fuel expenses (net of the financial impact of fuel swap agreements) for 2007 decreased 3.6% per metric ton. As a percentage of total revenues, fuel expenses were 8.5% and 9.4% in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Gross Cruise Costs increased 15.1% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, which was a greater percentage increase than Net Cruise Costs primarily due to an increase in commissions, transportation and other expenses and an increase in

 

18

 



 

onboard and other expenses. The increase in commissions, transportation and other expenses was primarily due to the acquisition of Pullmantur, increases in port charges and costs associated with transportation and lodging provided to our customers as a result of itinerary changes for certain ships. The increase is also due to an increase in commission expenses due to the increase in passenger ticket revenue in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase in onboard and other expenses was primarily attributed to an expanded cruise season in certain markets.

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 19.3% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily due to the addition of the Pullmantur fleet, the addition of Freedom of the Seas, the addition of Liberty of the Seas and depreciation associated with ship revitalizations and shore-side additions.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Gross interest expense increased to $94.5 million in 2007 from $72.8 million for the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to a higher average debt level and, to a lesser extent, higher interest rates. Interest capitalized during 2007 increased to $9.0 from $6.2 million during the same period in 2006 primarily due to a higher average level of investment in ships under construction.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2006.

 

Revenues

 

Net revenues increased 9.9% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to an 11.1% increase in capacity partially offset by a 1.1% decrease in Net Yields. The increase in capacity was primarily due to the acquisition of Pullmantur, the addition of Freedom of the Seas, which entered service in June 2006 and the addition of Liberty of the Seas, which entered service in May 2007. This increase was partially offset by an increase in the number of days ships were in drydock during the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in Net Yields was primarily due to decreases in ticket prices and onboard spending on an APCD basis partially offset by the addition of Pullmantur’s tour business. Occupancy in 2007 was 104.9% compared to 106.0% for the same period in 2006. The decreases in ticket prices, onboard spending on an APCD basis and occupancy were primarily attributed to lower demand and general economic conditions affecting the discretionary spending of our customers experienced. Gross Yields remained relatively consistent in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006.

 

Concession revenues, included within onboard and other revenues, increased to $116.5 million in 2007 compared to $108.5 million for the same period in 2006 primarily due to the addition of Freedom of the Seas, the acquisition of Pullmantur and the addition of Liberty of the Seas.

 

Expenses

 

Net Cruise Costs increased 14.6% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to an 11.1% increase in capacity and a 3.2% increase in Net Cruise Costs per APCD. The increase in Net Cruise Costs per APCD was primarily attributed to increases in other operating expenses. Other operating expenses increased primarily due to the addition of Pullmantur’s tour business. The increase in Net Cruise Costs per APCD was partially offset by the decrease in fuel expenses compared to the same period in 2006. Total fuel expenses (net of the financial impact of fuel swap agreements) for 2007 decreased 4.0% per metric ton. As a percentage of total revenues, fuel expenses were 9.0% and 9.6 % in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Gross Cruise Costs increased 14.5% in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to the same reasons discussed above for Net Cruise Costs.

 

19

 



 

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 16.4% in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily due the addition of the Pullmantur fleet, the addition of Freedom of the Seas, the addition of Liberty of the Seas and depreciation associated with ship revitalizations and shore-side additions.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Gross interest expense increased to $185.1 million in 2007 from $137.6 million for the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to a higher average debt level and, to a lesser extent, higher interest rates. Interest capitalized during 2007 increased to $19.1 million from $13.3 million during the same period in 2006 primarily due to a higher average level of investment in ships under construction.

 

In January 2006, we partially settled a pending lawsuit against Rolls Royce and Alstom Power Conversion, co-producers of the mermaid pod-propulsion system on Millennium-class ships, for the recurring Mermaid pod failures. Under the terms of the partial settlement, we received $38.0 million from Alstom and released them from the suit, which remains pending against Rolls Royce. The $38.0 million settlement resulted in a gain of $36.0 million, net of reimbursements to insurance companies.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

Cash flow generated from operations provides us with a significant source of liquidity. Net cash provided by operating activities was $823.1 million for the first six months of 2007 compared to $683.7 million for the same period in 2006. This increase was primarily a result of an increase in customer deposits of approximately $144.0 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of approximately $82.9 million. The increase was also due to approximately $121.2 million in payments of accreted interest on the LYONs repurchase in the first six months of 2006 that did not recur in the first six months of 2007. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in net income of approximately $104.4 million, an increase in trade and other receivables of approximately $36.8 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of approximately $48.3 million.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $1.0 billion for the first six months of 2007 compared to $923.8 million for the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures of approximately $199.6 million partially offset by the purchase of $100.0 million of notes from First Choice Holidays PLC during the first six months of 2006 that did not recur in the first six months of 2007. Our capital expenditures increased to approximately $1.0 billion for the first six months of 2007 from $831.0 million for the same period in 2006, primarily due to the purchase of Pacific Star and the increase in number of ships under construction.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $325.7 million in the first six months of 2007 compared to $437.9 million for the same period in 2006. The change was primarily due to an increase in repayments of debt of $567.2 million partially offset by an increase in net proceeds from debt issuances of $306.6 million during the first six months in 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The change was also partially offset by $164.6 million of treasury stock purchased in the first six months of 2006

 

20

 



 

that did not recur in the first six months of 2007. During the first six months of 2007, we received net proceeds of €990.9 million, or approximately $1.3 billion, from a bond offering consisting of approximately €1.0 billion, or approximately $1.3 billion, of 5.625% senior unsecured notes due 2014. In addition, we received $589.0 million through an unsecured term loan due through 2014 to purchase Liberty of the Seas and drew $20.0 million on our unsecured revolving credit facility. During the first six months of 2007, we made debt repayments on various loan facilities and capital leases, including a payment of approximately $906.5 million to retire the €701.0 million outstanding balance on our unsecured bridge loan facility. In addition, we made approximately $465.0 million in payments towards our unsecured revolving credit facility and a payment of approximately $61.2 million to repay term loans secured by two Celebrity ships. Approximately $28.9 million of the $61.2 million payment represents a payment made in advance of scheduled maturity. During the first six months of 2007, we received $16.4 million in connection with the exercise of common stock options and paid cash dividends on our common stock of $66.3 million. Net Debt-to-Capital increased to 47.3% as of June 30, 2007 compared to 43.4% for the same period in 2006.

 

Interest capitalized during the first six months of 2007 increased to $19.1 million from $13.3 million for the same period in 2006 due to a higher average level of investment in ships under construction.

 

Future Capital Commitments

 

As of June 30, 2007, we had on order one Freedom-class ship and two ships of an unnamed new class designated for Royal Caribbean International, and four Solstice-class ships designated for Celebrity Cruises, for an aggregate additional capacity of approximately 25,800 berths. The anticipated aggregate cost of the seven ships on order is approximately $6.9 billion, of which we have deposited $428.2 million as of June 30, 2007. Approximately 15.8% of the aggregate cost of the ships was exposed to fluctuations in the euro exchange rate at June 30, 2007.

 

As of June 30, 2007, we anticipated overall capital expenditures, including the seven ships on order, will be approximately $1.3 billion for 2007, $1.8 billion for 2008, $2.0 billion for 2009, $2.2 billion for 2010 and $1.0 billion for 2011.

 

 

 

21

 



Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of June 30, 2007, our contractual obligations were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Payments due by period


 

Less than 1

1-3

3-5

More than 5

 

Total

year

years

years

years

 






Long-term debt obligations(1)

$5,746,809

$551,512

$843,934

  $1,097,813

  $3,253,550

Capital lease obligations(1)

49,129

1,961

4,220

3,331

39,617

Operating lease obligations(2)(3)

585,926

66,730

119,113

104,262

295,821

Ship purchase obligations(4)

5,532,207

850,509

3,071,039

1,610,659

-

Other(5)

373,968

118,498

133,084

80,100

42,286

 






Total

$12,288,039

$1,589,210

$4,171,390

$2,896,165

$3,631,274

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 Amounts exclude interest.

 

(2)

 We are obligated under noncancelable operating leases primarily for a ship, offices, warehouses and motor vehicles.

(3)

Under the Brilliance of the Seas lease agreement, we may be required to make a termination payment of approximately £126.0 million, or approximately $253.3 million based on the exchange rate at June 30, 2007, if the lease is canceled in 2012. This amount is included in the More than 5 years column.

(4)

Amounts represent contractual obligations with initial terms in excess of one year.

(5)

Amounts represent future commitments with remaining terms in excess of one year to pay for our usage of certain port facilities, marine consumables, services and maintenance contracts.

 

 

Under the Brilliance of the Seas operating lease, we have agreed to indemnify the lessor to the extent its after-tax return is negatively impacted by unfavorable changes in corporate tax rates and capital allowance deductions. These indemnifications could result in an increase in our lease payments. We are unable to estimate the maximum potential increase in such lease payments due to the various circumstances, timing or combination of events that could trigger such indemnifications. Under current circumstances we do not believe an indemnification in any material amount is probable.

 

Some of the contracts that we enter into include indemnification provisions that obligate us to make payments to the counterparty if certain events occur. These contingencies generally relate to changes in taxes, increased lender capital costs and other similar costs. The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business. There are no stated or notional amounts included in the indemnification clauses and we are not able to estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these indemnification clauses. We have not been required to make any payments under such indemnification clauses in the past and, under current circumstances, we do not believe an indemnification in any material amount is probable.

 

As a normal part of our business, depending on market conditions, pricing and our overall growth strategy, we continuously consider opportunities to enter into contracts for the building of additional ships. We may also consider the sale of ships. We continuously consider potential acquisitions and strategic alliances. If any of these were to occur, they would be financed through the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the issuance of additional shares of equity securities or through cash flows from operations.

 

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Funding Sources

 

As of June 30, 2007, our liquidity was $1.4 billion consisting of approximately $0.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $1.2 billion available under our unsecured revolving credit facility. We have contractual obligations of approximately $1.6 billion due during the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2008. We anticipate these contractual obligations could be funded through a combination of cash flows from operations, drawdowns under our available unsecured revolving credit facility, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the sales of equity or debt securities in private or public securities markets. Although we believe our existing unsecured revolving credit facility, cash flows from operations, our ability to obtain new borrowings and/or raise new capital or a combination of these sources will be sufficient to fund operations, debt payment requirements, capital expenditures and other commitments over the next twelve-month period, there can be no assurances that these sources of cash will be available in accordance with our expectations.

 

In June 2007, we amended and restated our unsecured revolving credit facility to increase the amount available from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, reduce the effective interest rate to LIBOR plus 0.485%, change the 0.175% commitment fee to a 0.140% facility fee and extend the maturity date from March 27, 2010 to June 29, 2012. Other structural enhancements provided for in the amended and restated revolving credit facility include, among others; an extension option that provides for, subject to lender approval, one year extensions at the first two anniversary dates of the facility, and an accordion feature that allows us to increase the facility size to $1.5 billion during the life of the facility.

 

Our financing agreements contain covenants that require us, among other things, to maintain minimum net worth, fixed charge coverage ratio and limit our debt-to-capital ratio. We were in compliance with all covenants as of June 30, 2007.

 

If any person other than A. Wilhelmsen AS. and Cruise Associates, our two principal shareholders, acquires ownership of more than 30% of our common stock and our two principal shareholders, in the aggregate, own less of our common stock than such person and do not collectively have the right to elect, or to designate for election, at least a majority of the board of directors, we may be obligated to prepay indebtedness outstanding under the majority of our credit facilities, which we may be unable to replace on similar terms. If this were to occur, it could have an adverse impact on our liquidity and operations.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

In February 2007, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively change €1.0 billion of fixed rate debt with a weighted-average fixed rate of 5.625% to EURIBOR-based floating rate debt. We also entered into cross currency swap agreements that effectively changes €300.0 million of floating EURIBOR-based debt to $389.1 million floating LIBOR-based debt. Other than this change there have been no significant developments or material changes with respect to our exposure to the market risks previously reported in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

For a further discussion of certain market risks related to our business, see Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report and concluded that those controls and procedures were effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 during the quarter ended June 30, 2007 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition,

the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

As reported in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in April 2005 in the United States District Court of the Southern District of Florida alleging that Celebrity Cruises improperly requires its cabin stewards to share guest gratuities with assistant cabin stewards. The suit sought payment of damages, including penalty wages under the U.S. Seaman’s Wage Act. In March 2006, the Southern District of Florida dismissed the suit and held that the case should be arbitrated pursuant to the arbitration provision in Celebrity’s collective bargaining agreement. In June 2007, following an appeal by the plaintiff to the United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s order dismissing the suit. The plaintiff has since filed with the Court of Appeals a petition for re-hearing enbanc.

 

The Miami District Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has alleged that certain of our shipboard employment practices do not comply with U.S. employment laws. They are proposing payment of monetary sanctions and certain remedial actions. No legal proceedings have been initiated and we do not believe that this matter will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

On May 31, 2007, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. held its annual meeting of shareholders. The shareholders voted on (1) the election of four directors to terms ending in 2010 and (2) the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC as the independent registered certified public accounting firm for 2007.

 

The nominees for directors were elected based on the following votes:

 

Nominee

Votes For

Votes Withheld

William L. Kimsey

168,319,181

   245,128

 

Gert W. Munthe

167,547,941

1,016,368

 

Thomas J. Pritzker

167,484,174

1,080,135

 

Bernt Reitan

167,548,436

1,015,873

 

 

The proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered certified public accounting firm for 2007 received the following votes:

 

  168,029,456 Votes for approval

 

375,231 Votes against

 

 

159,620 Abstentions

 

 

There were no broker non-votes for the above items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Item 5. Other Information

 

We have entered into employment agreements dated July 25, 2007 with Mr. Richard D. Fain, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mr. Adam M. Goldstein, President, Royal Caribbean International, Mr. Daniel J. Hanrahan, President, Celebrity Cruises, Mr. Brian J. Rice, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Mr. Harri U. Kulovaara, Executive Vice President, Maritime, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which govern the terms and conditions of their employment with the Company. Copies of these agreements are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5 respectively, to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

 

10.1

Employment Agreement dated July 25, 2007 between the Company and Richard D. Fain.

 

10.2

Employment Agreement dated July 25, 2007 between the Company and Adam M. Goldstein.

 

10.3

Employment Agreement dated July 25, 2007 between the Company and Daniel J. Hanrahan.

 

10.4

Employment Agreement dated July 25, 2007 between the Company and Brian J. Rice.

 

10.5

Employment Agreement dated July 25, 2007 between the Company and Harri U. Kulovaara.

 

10.6

Credit Agreement dated as of March 27, 2003, amended and restated as of June 29, 2007 among Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and various financial institutions and Citibank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 2007).

 

31

Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

 

32

Certifications pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

(Registrant)

 

 

 

/s/ Brian J. Rice

 

Brian J. Rice

 

 

Executive Vice President and

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: July 26, 2007

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

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