RCL - 3.31.2014 - 10Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

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 ý  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ý  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No ý
 
There were 222,124,896 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 17, 2014.



Table of Contents

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Quarter Ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Passenger ticket revenues
$
1,348,203

 
$
1,393,778

Onboard and other revenues
539,021

 
517,442

Total revenues
1,887,224

 
1,911,220

Cruise operating expenses:
 

 
 

Commissions, transportation and other
325,865

 
322,937

Onboard and other
123,032

 
121,487

Payroll and related
210,801

 
209,923

Food
118,080

 
119,483

Fuel
244,459

 
241,652

Other operating
281,743

 
266,708

Total cruise operating expenses
1,303,980

 
1,282,190

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses
290,307

 
274,034

Depreciation and amortization expenses
193,735

 
189,364

Restructuring charges
1,736

 

Operating Income
97,466

 
165,632

Other income (expense):
 

 
 

Interest income
3,276

 
3,747

Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(68,571
)
 
(90,182
)
Other expense
(5,714
)
 
(2,971
)
 
(71,009
)
 
(89,406
)
Net Income
$
26,457

 
$
76,226

Earnings per Share:
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.12

 
$
0.35

Diluted
$
0.12

 
$
0.35

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
 

 
 

Basic
221,295

 
219,097

Diluted
222,671

 
220,484

Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 

 
 

Net Income
$
26,457

 
$
76,226

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 
 

Foreign currency translation adjustments
2,470

 
(4,244
)
Change in defined benefit plans
(2,031
)
 

Loss on cash flow derivative hedges
(52,915
)
 
(22,600
)
Total other comprehensive loss
(52,476
)
 
(26,844
)
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
$
(26,019
)
 
$
49,382

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


1


 
 
 
 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
 
 
As of
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 

 
 

Current assets
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
216,508

 
$
204,687

Trade and other receivables, net
299,036

 
259,746

Inventories
145,155

 
151,244

Prepaid expenses and other assets
293,910

 
252,852

Derivative financial instruments
56,324

 
87,845

Total current assets
1,010,933

 
956,374

Property and equipment, net
17,504,257

 
17,517,752

Goodwill
439,345

 
439,231

Other assets
1,171,605

 
1,159,590

 
$
20,126,140

 
$
20,072,947

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
535,834

 
$
1,563,378

Accounts payable
359,518

 
372,226

Accrued interest
71,023

 
103,025

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
559,823

 
563,702

Customer deposits
1,856,581

 
1,664,679

Total current liabilities
3,382,779

 
4,267,010

Long-term debt
7,461,530

 
6,511,426

Other long-term liabilities
504,899

 
486,246

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)


 


Shareholders’ equity
 

 
 

Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding)

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 232,381,655 and 230,782,315 shares issued, March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)
2,324

 
2,308

Paid-in capital
3,209,081

 
3,159,038

Retained earnings
6,026,036

 
6,054,952

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(46,805
)
 
5,671

Treasury stock (10,308,683 common shares at cost, March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013)
(413,704
)
 
(413,704
)
Total shareholders’ equity
8,776,932

 
8,808,265

 
$
20,126,140

 
$
20,072,947

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


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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Operating Activities
 

 
 

Net income
$
26,457

 
$
76,226

Adjustments:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
193,735

 
189,364

(Gain) loss on derivative instruments not designated as hedges
(1,890
)
 
8,523

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables, net
(36,332
)
 
2,257

Decrease in inventories
6,104

 
152

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets
(30,565
)
 
(19,990
)
Decrease in accounts payable
(13,323
)
 
(13,043
)
Decrease in accrued interest
(32,002
)
 
(2,528
)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
7,579

 
(45,953
)
Increase in customer deposits
188,367

 
55,751

Other, net
7,656

 
(9,502
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
315,786

 
241,257

Investing Activities
 

 
 

Purchases of property and equipment
(177,791
)
 
(178,376
)
Cash received (paid) on settlement of derivative financial instruments
4,236

 
(8,747
)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
(34,260
)
 
(19,487
)
Cash payments received from loan to unconsolidated affiliate
11,610

 
11,993

Other, net
(1,165
)
 
1,104

Net cash used in investing activities
(197,370
)
 
(193,513
)
Financing Activities
 

 
 

Debt proceeds
1,560,000

 
120,000

Debt issuance costs
(22,641
)
 
(15,516
)
Repayments of debt
(1,638,146
)
 
(106,137
)
Dividends paid
(76,264
)
 
(27,735
)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options
46,630

 
3,339

Cash received on settlement of derivative financial instruments
22,835

 

Other, net
81

 
377

Net cash used in financing activities
(107,505
)
 
(25,672
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
910

 
(1,039
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
11,821

 
21,033

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
204,687

 
194,855

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
216,508

 
$
215,888

Supplemental Disclosure
 

 
 

Cash paid during the period for:
 

 
 

Interest, net of amount capitalized
$
94,205

 
$
88,229

Non cash Investing Activities
 

 
 

Purchase of property and equipment through asset trade in
$

 
$
46,375

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


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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
 
As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “Royal Caribbean,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and, depending on the context, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s consolidated subsidiaries and/or affiliates. The terms “Royal Caribbean International,” “Celebrity Cruises,” “Pullmantur,” “Azamara Club Cruises,” “CDF Croisières de France,” and “TUI Cruises” refer to our cruise brands. However, because TUI Cruises is an unconsolidated investment, our operating results and other disclosures herein do not include TUI Cruises unless otherwise specified.  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. This report should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, including the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included therein.
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q also includes trademarks, trade names and service marks of other companies.  Use or display by us of other parties’ trademarks, trade names or service marks is not intended to and does not imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties other than as described herein.

Note 1. General
 
Description of Business
 
We are a global cruise company.  We own Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisières de France and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises.
 
Basis for Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
 
The unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  Estimates are required for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with these principles.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  See Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
 
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate entities over which we have control, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest of greater than 50%, and variable interest entities where we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. See Note 5. Goodwill and Other Assets for further information regarding our variable interest entities. For affiliates we do not control but over which we have significant influence on financial and operating policies, usually evidenced by a direct ownership interest from 20% to 50%, the investment is accounted for using the equity method.  We consolidate the operating results of Pullmantur and CDF Croisières de France on a two-month lag to allow for more timely preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Consistent with the two-month lag, the sale of the Pullmantur non-core businesses which closed on March 31, 2014, will be reported in our consolidated financial statements in our second quarter of 2014. For information on the sale of the Pullmantur non-core businesses, see Note 10. Restructuring Charges. No material events or other transactions affecting Pullmantur or CDF Croisières de France have occurred during the two-month lag period of February and March 2014 that would require further disclosure or adjustment to our consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

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.
 
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2014, amended guidance was issued regarding the accounting for service concession arrangements. The new guidance defines a service concession as an arrangement between a public-sector entity grantor and an operating entity under which the operating entity operates and maintains the grantor’s infrastructure for a specified period of time and in return receives payments from the grantor and or third party user for use of the infrastructure. The guidance prohibits the operating entity from accounting for a service concession arrangement as a lease and from recording the infrastructure used in the arrangement within

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property plant and equipment. This guidance must be applied using a modified retrospective approach and will be effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of this newly issued guidance, the implementation of which is not expected to be material to our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2014, amended guidance was issued changing the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and enhancing the disclosures in this area. The new guidance requires a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The guidance will be effective prospectively for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The guidance will impact the reporting and disclosures of future disposals, if any.

Reclassifications

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, $8.5 million has been reclassified in the consolidated statements of cash flows from other, net to (gain) loss on derivative instruments not designated as hedges within net cash flows provided by operating activities in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Other
 
Revenues and expenses include port costs that vary with guest head counts.  The amounts of such port costs included in passenger ticket revenues on a gross basis were $124.1 million and $115.7 million for the first quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
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 March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net income for basic and diluted earnings per share
$
26,457

 
$
76,226

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
221,295

 
219,097

Dilutive effect of stock options, performance share awards and restricted stock awards
1,376

 
1,387

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
222,671

 
220,484

Basic earnings per share
$
0.12

 
$
0.35

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.12

 
$
0.35

 
Diluted earnings per share do not reflect options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 6,000 and 2.6 million shares for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively, because the effect of including them would have been antidilutive. 
 
Note 4. Long-Term Debt
 
In January 2014, we borrowed $380.0 million under a previously committed unsecured term loan facility.  The loan is due and payable at maturity in August 2018. Interest on the loan accrues at a floating rate based on LIBOR plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin varies with our debt rating and was 2.12% as of March 31, 2014. The proceeds of this loan were used to repay our €745.0 million 5.625% unsecured senior notes due January 2014.

In January 2014, we amended and restated our €365.0 million unsecured term loan due July 2017. Interest on the amended facility accrues at a floating rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin which varies with our credit rating. The amendment reduced the margin, which at our current credit rating resulted in a decrease from 3.00% to 2.30%. In addition, the amendment allows us to convert up to €300.0 million of the loan from Euros to US dollars at the then spot rate through July 2014. The amendment did not result in the extinguishment of debt.

In March 2014, we amended our unsecured term loans for Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas primarily to reduce the margins on those facilities and eliminate the lenders option to exit those facilities in 2015 and 2017, respectively. The interest rate

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on the $420.0 million floating rate tranche of the Oasis of the Seas term loan was reduced from LIBOR plus 2.10% to LIBOR plus 1.85%. The interest rate on the entire $1.1 billion Allure of the Seas term loan was reduced from LIBOR plus 2.10% to LIBOR plus 1.85%. These amendments did not result in the extinguishment of debt.

Note 5. Goodwill and Other Assets

As of March 31, 2014, the carrying amounts of goodwill and trademarks and trade names attributable to our Pullmantur reporting unit were $152.2 million and $214.2 million, respectively. Pullmantur is a brand targeted primarily at the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American markets, with an increasing focus on Latin America. The persistent economic instability in these markets has created significant uncertainties in forecasting operating results and future cash flows used in our impairment analyses. We continue to monitor economic events in these markets for their potential impact on Pullmantur’s business and valuation. However, based on our most recent projections, we do not believe an interim impairment evaluation of Pullmantur’s goodwill or trademarks and trade names is warranted as of March 31, 2014.

If there are relatively modest changes to the projected future cash flows used in the impairment analyses, especially in Net Yields, or if anticipated transfers of vessels from our other cruise brands to the Pullmantur fleet do not take place, it is reasonably possible that an impairment charge of Pullmantur's reporting unit’s goodwill and trademarks and trade names may be required. Of these factors, the planned transfers of vessels to the Pullmantur fleet is most significant to the projected future cash flows. If the transfers do not occur, we will likely fail step one of the impairment test. We will continue to monitor these intangible assets for potential impairment and perform interim testing of our goodwill, trademarks or trade names if deemed necessary.
 
Variable Interest Entities
 
A Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) is an entity in which the equity investors have not provided enough equity to finance the entity’s activities or the equity investors (1) cannot directly or indirectly make decisions about the entity’s activities through their voting rights or similar rights; (2) do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity; (3) do not have the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (4) have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and the entity’s activities involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest.
 
We have determined that Grand Bahama Shipyard Ltd. (“Grand Bahama”), a ship repair and maintenance facility in which we have a 40% noncontrolling interest, is a VIE. The facility serves cruise and cargo ships, oil and gas tankers, and offshore units.  We utilize this facility, among other ship repair facilities, for our regularly scheduled drydocks and certain emergency repairs as may be required.  We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of this facility as we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the facility’s economic performance. Accordingly, we do not consolidate this entity and we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting. As of March 31, 2014, the net book value of our investment in Grand Bahama, was approximately $57.5 million, consisting of $8.7 million in equity and $48.8 million in loans. As of December 31, 2013, the net book value of our investment in Grand Bahama was approximately $56.1 million, consisting of $6.4 million in equity and $49.7 million in loans. These amounts represent our maximum exposure to loss as we are not contractually required to provide any financial or other support to the facility. The majority of our loans to Grand Bahama are in non-accrual status and the majority of this amount is included within Other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. During the first three months of 2014, we received approximately $0.8 million in principal and interest payments related to loans that are in accrual status from Grand Bahama and recorded income associated with our investment in Grand Bahama.  We monitor credit risk associated with these loans through our participation on Grand Bahama’s board of directors along with our review of Grand Bahama’s financial statements and projected cash flows.  Based on this review, we believe the risk of loss associated with these loans was not probable as of March 31, 2014.
 
In conjunction with our acquisition of Pullmantur in 2006, we obtained a 49% noncontrolling interest in Pullmantur Air, S.A. (“Pullmantur Air”), a small air business that operates four aircraft in support of Pullmantur’s operations. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we determined that Pullmantur Air was a VIE for which we were the primary beneficiary as we had the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted its economic performance and we were obligated to absorb its losses. In accordance with authoritative guidance, we have consolidated the assets and liabilities of Pullmantur Air in these financial statements.  We do not separately disclose the assets and liabilities of Pullmantur Air as they are immaterial to our March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements.

On March 31, 2014, Pullmantur sold its controlling interest in its land-based tour operations and travel agency as well as the majority of its interest in Pullmantur Air (i.e. Pullmantur's non-core businesses). Consistent with our Pullmantur reporting period two-month lag, we will report the impact of these sales in our consolidated financial statements for our second quarter of 2014. In connection with the sale agreement, we retained a 19% interest in Pullmantur Air and retained the aircraft which will be dry

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leased to Pullmantur Air. We also determined that Pullmantur Air is no longer a VIE. Starting in the second quarter of 2014, we expect to account for our 19% investment in Pullmantur Air under the cost method of accounting.

Additionally, in connection with the sale of Pullmantur's non-core businesses, we retained a 19% noncontrolling interest in Nautalia Viajes, S.L. ("Nautalia"), a small travel agency network, and Global Tour Operación, S.L. ("Global Tour"), a small tour operations business. We have determined that Nautalia and Global Tour are VIEs. We have further determined that we are not the primary beneficiaries of Nautalia and Global Tour as we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these entities. Accordingly, starting in the second quarter of 2014, we will account for our 19% investment in these companies under the equity method of accounting as required for nonconsolidated VIEs. See Note 10. Restructuring Charges for further discussion on the sales transaction.
 
We have determined that TUI Cruises GmbH, our 50%-owned joint venture, which operates the brand TUI Cruises, is a VIE. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our investment in TUI Cruises, including equity and loans, was approximately $378.9 million and $354.3 million, respectively. The majority of this amount was included within Other assets in our consolidated balance sheets.  In addition, we and TUI AG, our joint venture partner, have each guaranteed the repayment of 50% of an €180.0 million bank loan provided to TUI Cruises and due in 2016 (refer to further details below).  Our investment amount and the potential obligations under this guarantee are substantially our maximum exposure to loss.  We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of TUI Cruises. We believe that the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact TUI Cruises’ economic performance are shared between ourselves and TUI AG.  All the significant operating and financial decisions of TUI Cruises require the consent of both parties which we believe creates shared power over TUI Cruises.  Accordingly, we do not consolidate this entity and account for this investment under the equity method of accounting. As of March 31, 2014, TUI Cruises’ bank loan had a remaining balance of €130.5 million, or approximately $179.9 million based on the exchange rate at March 31, 2014.  The bank loan amortizes quarterly and is secured by first mortgages on both Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2. Based on current facts and circumstances, we do not believe potential obligations under our guarantee of TUI Cruises’ bank loan are probable.
 
In connection with our sale of Celebrity Mercury to TUI Cruises in 2011, we provided a debt facility to TUI Cruises in the amount of up to €90.0 million.  In February 2014, the maximum amount of the debt facility was increased to €125.0 million and we provided TUI Cruises with the ability to draw upon the available capacity through October 31, 2015. In addition, the interest rate for balances outstanding at the date of the facility increase was decreased from 9.54% per annum to 5.0% per annum. Further amounts drawn bear interest of EURIBOR plus 4.7%. This facility is 50% guaranteed by TUI AG and is secured by second and third mortgages on both of TUI Cruises’ ships, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2. The outstanding principal amount of the facility as of March 31, 2014 was €66.4 million, or $91.5 million based on the exchange rate at March 31, 2014.
 
During 2011 and 2012, TUI Cruises entered into construction agreements with STX Finland to build its first and second newbuild ships, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2015, respectively.  TUI Cruises has entered into credit agreements for the financing of up to 80% of the contract price of each ship. The remaining portion of the contract price of the ships will be funded through either TUI Cruises’ cash flows from operations and/or loans and/or equity contributions from us and TUI AG.  The construction agreements for the ships include certain restrictions on each of our and TUI AG’s ability to reduce our current ownership interest in TUI Cruises below 37.5% through the construction periods.  In addition, the credit agreements extend this restriction through 2019.
 
Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Capital Expenditures

As of March 31, 2014, the aggregate cost of our four ships on order was approximately $4.8 billion, of which we had deposited $483.2 million as of such date. Approximately 23.9% of the aggregate cost was exposed to fluctuations in the Euro exchange rate at March 31, 2014.  (See Note 9. Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments).
 
Our brands, including our 50% joint venture, TUI Cruises, have six ships on order.  As of March 31, 2014, the expected dates that our ships on order will enter service and their approximate berths are as follows:
 

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Ship
 
Expected to Enter
Service
 
Approximate
Berths
Royal Caribbean International —
 
 
 
 

Quantum-class:
 
 
 
 

Quantum of the Seas
 
4th Quarter 2014
 
4,150

Anthem of the Seas
 
2nd Quarter 2015
 
4,150

Unnamed
 
2nd Quarter 2016
 
4,150

Oasis-class:
 
 
 
 

Unnamed
 
2nd Quarter 2016
 
5,450

TUI Cruises (50% joint venture) —
 
 
 
 

Mein Schiff 3
 
2nd Quarter 2014
 
2,500

Mein Schiff 4
 
2nd Quarter 2015
 
2,500

 
 
Total Berths
 
22,900

 
In April 2014, we entered into a credit agreement for the US dollar financing of a portion of the third Oasis-class ship. The credit agreement makes available to us an unsecured term loan in an amount up to the US dollar equivalent of €178.4 million. The loan amortizes semi-annually and will mature 12 years following delivery of the ship. At our election prior to the ship delivery, interest on the loan will accrue either (1) at a fixed rate of 2.53% (inclusive of the applicable margin) or (2) at a floating rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.20%. In connection with this credit agreement, we amended the €892.2 million credit agreement, originally entered into in 2013 to finance the ship, reducing the maximum facility amount to approximately €713.8 million. Both the existing Euro-denominated facility and the new US dollar-denominated facility are 100% guaranteed by Compagnie Française d’Assurance pour le Commerce Extérieur (“COFACE”), the export credit agency of France.

Litigation
 
A class action complaint was filed in June 2011 against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on behalf of a purported class of stateroom attendants employed onboard Royal Caribbean International cruise vessels. The complaint alleges that the stateroom attendants were required to pay other crew members to help with their duties and that certain stateroom attendants were required to work back of house assignments without the ability to earn gratuities, in each case in violation of the U.S. Seaman’s Wage Act. Plaintiffs seek judgments for damages, wage penalties and interest in an indeterminate amount. In May 2012, the Court granted our motion to dismiss the complaint on the basis that the applicable collective bargaining agreement requires any such claims to be arbitrated. The United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit affirmed the Court's dismissal and denied Plaintiff's petition for re-hearing and re-hearing en banc. We believe the underlying claims made against us are without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against them. Because of the inherent uncertainty as to the outcome of this proceeding, we are unable at this time to estimate the possible impact of this matter on us.

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 impact on our financial condition or results of operations and cash flows.

Other
 
In July 2002, we entered into an operating lease denominated in British pound sterling for the Brilliance of the Seas.  The lease payments vary based on sterling LIBOR and are included in Other operating expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Brilliance of the Seas lease expense amounts were approximately £3.1 million and £3.0 million, or approximately $5.1 million and $4.5 million, for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively.  The lease has a contractual life of 25 years; however, both the lessor and we have certain rights to cancel the lease at year 18 (i.e. 2020) upon advance notice given approximately one year prior to cancellation.  In the event of early termination at year 18, we have the option to cause the sale of the vessel at its fair value and to use the proceeds towards the applicable termination payment.  Alternatively, we could opt at such time to make a termination payment of approximately £62.6 million, or approximately $104.4 million based on the exchange rate at March 31, 2014, and relinquish our right to cause the sale of the vessel. Under current circumstances we do not believe early termination of this lease is probable.
 
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, capital allowance deductions and certain unfavorable determinations which may be made by the United Kingdom tax authorities. These indemnifications could result in an increase in

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our lease payments.  We are unable to estimate the maximum potential increase in our lease payments due to the various circumstances, timing or a combination of events that could trigger such indemnifications. The United Kingdom tax authorities are disputing the lessor’s accounting treatment of the lease and the lessor and tax authorities are in discussions on the matter.  If the characterization of the lease by the lessor is ultimately determined to be incorrect, we could be required to indemnify the lessor under certain circumstances.  The lessor has advised us that they believe their characterization of the lease is correct. Based on the foregoing and our review of available information, we do not believe an indemnification payment is probable.  However, if the lessor loses its dispute and we are required to indemnify the lessor, we cannot at this time predict the impact that such an occurrence would have on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
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 (i) any person other than A. Wilhelmsen AS. and Cruise Associates and their respective affiliates (the “Applicable Group”) acquires ownership of more than 33% of our common stock and the Applicable Group owns less of our common stock than such person, or (ii) subject to certain exceptions, during any 24-month period, a majority of the Board is no longer comprised of individuals who were members of the Board on the first day of such period, 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.  Certain of our outstanding debt securities also contain change of control provisions that would be triggered by the acquisition of greater than 50% of our common stock by a person other than a member of the Applicable Group coupled with a ratings downgrade. If this were to occur, it would have an adverse impact on our liquidity and operations.

Note 7. Shareholders’ Equity
 
During the first quarter of 2014, we declared and paid a cash dividend on our common stock of $0.25 per share. During the first quarter of 2014, we also paid a cash dividend on our common stock of $0.25 per share which was declared during the fourth quarter of 2013.

During the first quarter of 2013, we declared and paid a cash dividend on our common stock of $0.12 per share.

Note 8. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2014
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2013
 
Changes
related to
cash flow
derivative
hedges
 
Changes in
defined
benefit plans
 
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments
 
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
 
Changes
related to
cash flow
derivative
hedges
 
Changes in
defined
benefit plans
 
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments
 
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of the year
$
43,324

 
$
(23,994
)
 
$
(13,659
)
 
$
5,671

 
$
(84,505
)
 
$
(34,823
)
 
$
(15,188
)
 
$
(134,516
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(57,352
)
 
(2,462
)
 
2,470

 
(57,344
)
 
(7,330
)
 

 
(4,244
)
 
(11,574
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
4,437

 
431

 

 
4,868

 
(15,270
)
 

 

 
(15,270
)
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income
(52,915
)
 
(2,031
)
 
2,470

 
(52,476
)
 
(22,600
)
 

 
(4,244
)
 
(26,844
)
Ending balance
$
(9,591
)
 
$
(26,025
)
 
$
(11,189
)
 
$
(46,805
)
 
$
(107,105
)
 
$
(34,823
)
 
$
(19,432
)
 
$
(161,360
)

The following table presents reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into
Income
 
 
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Components
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
 
Affected Line Item in Statements of
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(Loss) gain on cash flow derivative hedges:
 

 
 
 
 
Cross currency swaps
$
(261
)
 
$
(871
)
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
Foreign currency forward contracts
(449
)
 
(449
)
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses
Foreign currency forward contracts
(3,576
)
 
(238
)
 
Other expense
Foreign currency forward contracts
(57
)
 

 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
Fuel swaps
(94
)
 
16,828

 
Fuel
 
(4,437
)
 
15,270

 
 
Amortization of defined benefit plans:
 

 
 
 
 
Actuarial loss
(222
)
 

 
Payroll and related
Prior service costs
(209
)
 

 
Payroll and related
 
(431
)
 

 
 
Total reclassifications for the period
$
(4,868
)
 
$
15,270

 
 


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Note 9. Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
The estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized based upon the fair value hierarchy, are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2014 Using
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using
Description
Total Carrying Amount
 
Total Fair Value
 
Level 1(1)
 
Level 2(2)
 
Level 3(3)
 
Total Carrying Amount
 
Total Fair Value
 
Level 1(1)
 
Level 2(2)
 
Level 3(3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents(4)
$
216,508

 
$
216,508

 
$
216,508

 
$

 
$

 
$
204,687

 
$
204,687

 
$
204,687

 
$

 
$

Total Assets
$
216,508

 
$
216,508

 
$
216,508

 
$

 
$

 
$
204,687

 
$
204,687

 
$
204,687

 
$

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)(5)
$
7,942,449

 
$
8,319,299

 
$
1,893,376

 
$
6,425,923

 
$

 
$
8,020,061

 
$
8,431,220

 
$
2,888,255

 
$
5,542,965

 
$

Total Liabilities
$
7,942,449

 
$
8,319,299

 
$
1,893,376

 
$
6,425,923

 
$

 
$
8,020,061

 
$
8,431,220

 
$
2,888,255

 
$
5,542,965

 
$


(1) Inputs based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access.  Valuation of these items does not entail a significant amount of judgment.
(2) Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the liability, either directly or indirectly.  For unsecured revolving credit facilities and unsecured term loans, fair value is determined utilizing the income valuation approach.  This valuation model takes into account the contract terms of our debt such as the debt maturity and the interest rate on the debt.  The valuation model also takes into account the creditworthiness of the Company.
(3) Inputs that are unobservable.  The Company did not use any Level 3 inputs as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
(4) Consists of cash and marketable securities with original maturities of less than 90 days.
(5) Consists of unsecured revolving credit facilities, unsecured senior notes, senior debentures and unsecured term loans.  Does not include our capital lease obligations.
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued interest and accrued expenses approximate fair value at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
Assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon the fair value hierarchy.  The following table presents information about the Company’s financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
 
Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2014 Using
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using
Description
Total
 
Level 1(1)
 
Level 2(2)
 
Level 3(3)
 
Total
 
Level 1(1)
 
Level 2(2)
 
Level 3(3)
Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative financial instruments(4)
$
119,704

 
$

 
$
119,704

 
$

 
$
188,576

 
$

 
$
188,576

 
$

Investments(5)
6,136

 
6,136

 

 

 
6,044

 
6,044

 

 

Total Assets
$
125,840

 
$
6,136

 
$
119,704

 
$

 
$
194,620

 
$
6,044

 
$
188,576

 
$

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative financial instruments(6)
$
107,340

 
$

 
$
107,340

 
$

 
$
100,260

 
$

 
$
100,260

 
$

Total Liabilities
$
107,340

 
$

 
$
107,340

 
$

 
$
100,260

 
$

 
$
100,260

 
$


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(1) Inputs based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access.  Valuation of these items does not entail a significant amount of judgment.
(2) Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  For foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps and fuel swaps, fair value is derived using valuation models that utilize the income valuation approach.  These valuation models take into account the contract terms, such as maturity, as well as other inputs, such as foreign exchange rates and curves, fuel types, fuel curves and interest rate yield curves. Fair value for foreign currency collar options is determined by using standard option pricing models with inputs based on the options’ contract terms, such as exercise price and maturity, and readily available public market data, such as foreign exchange curves, foreign exchange volatility levels and discount rates. All derivative instrument fair values take into account the creditworthiness of the counterparty and the Company.
(3) Inputs that are unobservable.  The Company did not use any Level 3 inputs as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
(4) Consists of foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency collar options, interest rate swaps and fuel swaps.  Please refer to the “Fair Value of Derivative Instruments” table for breakdown by instrument type.
(5) Consists of exchange-traded equity securities and mutual funds.
(6) Consists of interest rate swaps, fuel swaps and foreign currency forward contracts.  Please refer to the “Fair Value of Derivative Instruments” table for breakdown by instrument type.
 
The reported fair values are based on a variety of factors and assumptions.  Accordingly, the fair values may not represent actual values of the financial instruments that could have been realized as of March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013, or that will be realized in the future, and do not include expenses that could be incurred in an actual sale or settlement.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
We monitor our credit risk associated with financial and other institutions with which we conduct significant business and, to minimize these risks, we select counterparties with credit risks acceptable to us and we seek to limit our exposure to an individual counterparty.  Credit risk, including but not limited to counterparty nonperformance under derivative instruments, our credit facilities and new ship progress payment guarantees, is not considered significant, as we primarily conduct business with large, well-established financial institutions, insurance companies and export credit agencies many of which we have long-term relationships with and which have credit risks acceptable to us or where the credit risk is spread out among a large number of counterparties. In addition, our exposure under our derivative instruments was approximately $39.7 million and $92.5 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and was limited to the cost of replacing the contracts in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the contracts, all of which are currently our lending banks.  We do not anticipate nonperformance by any of our significant counterparties. In addition, we have established guidelines regarding credit ratings and instrument maturities that we follow to maintain safety and liquidity. We do not normally require collateral or other security to support credit relationships; however, in certain circumstances this option is available to us.
 
Derivative Instruments
 
We are exposed to market risk attributable to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and fuel prices.  We manage these risks through a combination of our normal operating and financing activities and through the use of derivative financial instruments pursuant to our hedging practices and policies.  The financial impact of these hedging instruments is primarily offset by corresponding changes in the underlying exposures being hedged.  We achieve this by closely matching the amount, term and conditions of the derivative instrument with the underlying risk being hedged.  Although certain of our derivative financial instruments do not qualify or are not accounted for under hedge accounting, we do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.  We monitor our derivative positions using techniques including market valuations and sensitivity analyses.
 
We enter into various forward, swap and option contracts to manage our interest rate exposure and to limit our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and fuel prices. These instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value and the vast majority are designated as hedges.  We also have non-derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of our net investment in our foreign operations and investments.
 
At inception of the hedge relationship, a derivative instrument that hedges the exposure to changes in the fair value of a firm commitment or a recognized asset or liability is designated as a fair value hedge.  A derivative instrument that hedges a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows related to a recognized asset or liability is designated as a cash flow hedge.
 
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges are offset against changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments.  Gains and losses on derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income until the underlying hedged transactions are recognized in earnings.  The foreign currency transaction gain or loss of our non-derivative financial instruments designated as hedges of our net investment in foreign operations and investments

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are recognized as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income along with the associated foreign currency translation adjustment of the foreign operation.
 
On an ongoing basis, we assess whether derivatives used in hedging transactions are “highly effective” in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flow of hedged items.  We use the long-haul method to assess hedge effectiveness using regression analysis for each hedge relationship under our interest rate, foreign currency and fuel hedging programs.  We apply the same methodology on a consistent basis for assessing hedge effectiveness to all hedges within each hedging program (i.e. interest rate, foreign currency and fuel). We perform regression analyses over an observation period of up to three years, utilizing market data relevant to the hedge horizon of each hedge relationship. High effectiveness is achieved when a statistically valid relationship reflects a high degree of offset and correlation between the changes in the fair values of the derivative instrument and the hedged item. The determination of ineffectiveness is based on the amount of dollar offset between the change in fair value of the derivative instrument and the change in fair value of the hedged item at the end of the reporting period.  If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or hedge accounting is discontinued, any change in fair value of the derivative since the last date at which it was determined to be effective is recognized in earnings. In addition, the ineffective portion of our highly effective hedges is immediately recognized in earnings and reported in Other expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
 
Cash flows from derivative instruments that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges are classified in the same category as the cash flows from the underlying hedged items. In the event that hedge accounting is discontinued, cash flows subsequent to the date of discontinuance are classified within investing activities.  Cash flows from derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are classified as investing activities.
 
We consider the classification of the underlying hedged item’s cash flows in determining the classification for the designated derivative instrument’s cash flows. We classify derivative instrument cash flows from hedges of benchmark interest rate or hedges of fuel expense as operating activities due to the nature of the hedged item. Likewise, we classify derivative instrument cash flows from hedges of foreign currency risk on our newbuild ship payments as investing activities. Cash flows from derivative instruments not designated under hedge accounting are classified as investing activities.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to our long-term debt obligations including future interest payments.  At March 31, 2014, approximately 22.1% of our long-term debt was effectively fixed as compared to 34.6% as of December 31, 2013.  We use interest rate swap agreements to modify our exposure to interest rate movements and to manage our interest expense.
 
Market risk associated with our long-term fixed rate debt is the potential increase in fair value resulting from a decrease in interest rates.  We use interest rate swap agreements that effectively convert a portion of our fixed-rate debt to a floating-rate basis to manage this risk.  At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we maintained interest rate swap agreements on the $420.0 million fixed rate portion of our Oasis of the Seas unsecured amortizing term loan and on the $650.0 million unsecured senior notes due 2022.  The interest rate swap agreements on Oasis of the Seas debt effectively changed the interest rate on the balance of the unsecured term loan, which was $280.0 million as of March 31, 2014, from a fixed rate of 5.41% to a LIBOR-based floating rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.87%, currently approximately 4.23%. The interest rate swap agreements on the $650.0 million unsecured senior notes effectively changed the interest rate on the balance of the unsecured senior notes from a fixed rate of 5.25% to a LIBOR-based floating rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.63%, currently approximately 3.87%. These interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as fair value hedges.
 
Market risk associated with our long-term floating rate debt is the potential increase in interest expense from an increase in interest rates.  We use interest rate swap agreements that effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis to manage this risk.  At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we maintained forward-starting interest rate swap agreements that hedge the anticipated unsecured amortizing term loans that will finance our purchase of Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. Forward-starting interest rate swaps hedging the Quantum of the Seas loan will effectively convert the interest rate for $735.0 million of the anticipated loan balance from LIBOR plus 1.30% to a fixed rate of 3.74% (inclusive of margin) beginning in October 2014. Forward-starting interest rate swaps hedging the Anthem of the Seas loan will effectively convert the interest rate for $725.0 million of the anticipated loan balance from LIBOR plus 1.30% to a fixed rate of 3.86% (inclusive of margin) beginning in April 2015.  These interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
 
In addition, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we maintained interest rate swap agreements that effectively converted the interest rate on a portion of the Celebrity Reflection unsecured amortizing term loan balance of approximately $600.0 million from LIBOR plus 0.40% to a fixed rate (including applicable margin) of 2.85% through the term of the loan.  These interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
 
The notional amount of interest rate swap agreements related to outstanding debt and on our current unfunded financing arrangements as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $3.0 billion.

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Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
 
Derivative Instruments
 
Our primary exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk relates to our ship construction contracts denominated in Euros, our foreign currency denominated debt and our international business operations.  We enter into foreign currency forward contracts, collar options and cross currency swap agreements to manage portions of the exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates.  As of March 31, 2014, the aggregate cost of our ships on order was approximately $4.8 billion, of which we had deposited $483.2 million as of such date.  Approximately 23.9% and 36.3% of the aggregate cost of the ships under construction was exposed to fluctuations in the Euro exchange rate at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.   The majority of our foreign currency forward contracts, collar options and cross currency swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges depending on the designation of the related hedge.

On a regular basis, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to minimize the volatility resulting from the remeasurement of net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than our functional currency or the functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries. During the first quarter of 2014, we maintained an average of approximately $398.8 million of these foreign currency forward contracts.  These instruments are not designated as hedging instruments.  Changes in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts resulted in a gain (loss), of approximately $1.9 million and $(8.6) million, respectively, during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively, that were recognized in earnings within Other expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
 
We consider our investments in our foreign operations to be denominated in relatively stable currencies and of a long-term nature.  In January 2014, we entered into €415.6 million foreign currency forward contracts and designated them as hedges of a portion of our net investments in Pullmantur and TUI Cruises as of March 31, 2014. These forward currency contracts mature in April 2016.

The notional amount of outstanding foreign exchange contracts including our forward contracts and collar options as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $3.1 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively.

Non-Derivative Instruments
 
We also address the exposure of our investments in foreign operations by denominating a portion of our debt in our subsidiaries’ and investments’ functional currencies and designating it as a hedge of these subsidiaries and investments.  We had designated debt as a hedge of our net investments in Pullmantur and TUI Cruises of approximately €81.3 million and €544.9 million, or approximately $112.1 million and $750.8 million, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
 
Fuel Price Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in fuel prices relates primarily to the consumption of fuel on our ships.  We use fuel swap agreements and fuel call options to mitigate the financial impact of fluctuations in fuel prices.
 
Our fuel swap agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges.  At March 31, 2014, we have hedged the variability in future cash flows for certain forecasted fuel transactions occurring through 2017.  As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had the following outstanding fuel swap agreements:
 
 
Fuel Swap Agreements
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(metric tons)
2014
731,000

 
762,000

2015
720,000

 
665,000

2016
447,000

 
373,000

2017
152,000

 
74,000

 

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Fuel Swap Agreements
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
(% hedged)
Projected fuel purchases for year:
 

 
 

2014
54
%
 
57
%
2015
51
%
 
45
%
2016
30
%
 
25
%
2017
10
%
 
5
%
 
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $2.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, of estimated unrealized net (loss) gain associated with our cash flow hedges pertaining to fuel swap agreements were expected to be reclassified to earnings from Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income within the next twelve months.  Reclassification is expected to occur as a result of fuel consumption associated with our hedged forecasted fuel purchases.
 
The fair value and line item caption of derivative instruments recorded within our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
 

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Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
In thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-20(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Other assets
 
$
26,971

 
$
56,571

 
Other long-term liabilities
 
$
59,353

 
$
66,920

Foreign currency forward contracts
Derivative financial instruments
 
36,758

 
61,596

 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts
Other assets
 
14,036

 
13,783

 
Other long-term liabilities
 
4,086

 

Foreign currency collar options
Other assets
 
19,565

 
22,172

 
Other long-term liabilities
 

 

Fuel swaps
Derivative financial instruments
 
3,982

 
10,902

 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
7,349

 
1,657

Fuel swaps
Other assets
 
2,808

 
8,205

 
Other long-term liabilities
 
13,897

 
9,052

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under 815-20
 
 
$
104,120

 
$
173,229

 
 
 
$
84,685

 
$
77,629

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815-20
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts
Derivative financial instruments
 
$
15,345

 
$
15,347

 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
$
22,647

 
$
22,631

Fuel swaps
Derivative financial instruments
 
239

 

 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 

 

Fuel swaps
Other assets
 

 

 
Other long-term liabilities
 
8

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under 815-20
 
 
15,584

 
15,347

 
 
 
22,655

 
22,631

Total derivatives
 
 
$
119,704

 
$
188,576

 
 
 
$
107,340

 
$
100,260


(1) Accounting Standard Codification 815-20 “Derivatives and Hedging”.

The carrying value and line item caption of non-derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments recorded within our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
 

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Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Carrying Value
Non-derivative instrument designated as
hedging instrument under ASC 815-20
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
As of March 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
In thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency debt
 
Current portion of long-term debt
 
$

 
$
477,442

Foreign currency debt
 
Long-term debt
 
112,090

 
273,354

 
 
 
 
$
112,090

 
$
750,796

 
The effect of derivative instruments qualifying and designated as hedging instruments and the related hedged items in fair value hedges on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) was as follows:
 
Derivatives and related Hedged Items
under ASC 815-20 Fair Value Hedging
Relationships
 
Location of Gain
(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative and
Hedged Item
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on Derivative
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain
Recognized in
Income on Hedged Item
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
In thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
 
$
3,069

 
$
779

 
$
5,542

 
$
9,276

Interest rate swaps
 
Other expense
 
12,510

 
(1,569
)
 
(11,435
)
 
1,412

 
 
 
 
$
15,579

 
$
(790
)
 
$
(5,893
)
 
$
10,688


The effect of derivative instruments qualifying and designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the consolidated financial statements was as follows:
 

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Derivatives
under ASC  815-20 Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships
Amount of Loss Recognized in
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss on Derivative (Effective
Portion)
 
Location of
(Loss) Gain
Reclassified
from
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Loss into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Amount of (Loss) Gain Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
Location of
Loss
Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
 
Amount of Loss Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
In thousands
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Cross currency swaps

 

 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
 
(261
)
 
(871
)
 
Other expense
 

 

Interest rate swaps
(34,525
)
 
12,688

 
Other expense
 

 

 
Other expense
 
(19
)
 
54

Foreign currency forward contracts
1,195

 
(15,082
)
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses
 
(449
)
 
(449
)
 
Other expense
 
(20
)
 
(5
)
Foreign currency forward contracts

 

 
Other expense
 
(3,576
)
 
(238
)
 
Other expense
 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
 
(57
)
 

 
Other expense
 

 

Foreign currency collar options
(2,607
)
 
(14,961
)
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses
 

 

 
Other expense
 

 

Fuel swaps
(21,415
)
 
10,025

 
Fuel
 
(94
)
 
16,828

 
Other expense
 
(1,632
)
 
(720
)
 
$
(57,352
)
 
$
(7,330
)
 
 
 
$
(4,437
)
 
$
15,270

 
 
 
$
(1,671
)
 
$
(671
)

The effect of non-derivative instruments qualifying and designated as net investment hedging instruments on the consolidated financial statements was as follows:
 
Non-derivative 
instruments under ASC 815-
20 Net
Investment
Hedging
Relationships
Amount of Gain Recognized in Other
Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Effective Portion)
 
Location of
Gain
in Income
(Ineffective
Portion and Amount
Excluded
from
Effectiveness
Testing)
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
(Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
In thousands
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Foreign Currency Debt
$
4,374

 
$
12,732

 
Other expense
 
$

 
$

 
$
4,374

 
$
12,732

 
 
 
$

 
$


The effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated financial statements was as follows:
 

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Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Derivatives Not
Designated as Hedging
Instruments under ASC
815-20
Location of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivatives
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
In thousands
 
 

 
 

Foreign currency forward contracts
Other expense
$
1,881

 
$
(8,611
)
Fuel swaps
Other expense
(1,222
)
 
109

Fuel call options
Other expense

 
158

 
 
$
659

 
$
(8,344
)
 
Credit Related Contingent Features
 
Our current interest rate derivative instruments may require us to post collateral if our Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s credit ratings remain below specified levels. Specifically, if on the fifth anniversary of entering into a derivative transaction or on any succeeding fifth-year anniversary our credit ratings for our senior unsecured debt were to be below BBB- by Standard & Poor’s and Baa3 by Moody’s, then each counterparty to such derivative transaction with whom we are in a net liability position that exceeds the applicable minimum call amount may demand that we post collateral in an amount equal to the net liability position.  The amount of collateral required to be posted following such event will change each time our net liability position increases or decreases by more than the applicable minimum call amount.  If our credit rating for our senior unsecured debt is subsequently equal to, or above BBB- by Standard & Poor’s or Baa3 by Moody’s, then any collateral posted at such time will be released to us and we will no longer be required to post collateral unless we meet the collateral trigger requirement at the next fifth-year anniversary.  Currently, our senior unsecured debt credit rating is BB with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s and Ba1 with a stable outlook by Moody’s.  We currently have five interest rate derivative hedges that have a term of at least five years.  The aggregate fair values of all derivative instruments with such credit-related contingent features in net liability positions as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $59.4 million and $66.9 million, respectively, which do not include the impact of any such derivatives in net asset positions.  The earliest that any of the five interest rate derivative hedges will reach their fifth anniversary is November 2016.  Therefore, as of March 31, 2014, we were not required to post collateral for any of our derivative transactions.


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Note 10.  Restructuring Charges
 
For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we incurred $1.7 million of restructuring charges in connection with our broad profitability improvement program. The following are the profitability initiatives that are at different stages of implementation.

Consolidation of Global Sales, Marketing, General and Administrative Structure

One of our profitability initiatives relates to restructuring and consolidation of our global sales, marketing and general and administrative structure. During the first quarter of 2014, we continued with activities related to this initiative, including the consolidation of most of our call centers located outside of the United States and the establishment of brand dedicated sales, marketing and revenue management teams in key priority markets. This resulted in the elimination of approximately 500 shore-side positions in 2013, primarily from our international markets, resulting in recognition of a liability for one-time termination benefits during the year ended December 31, 2013. Additionally, we incurred contract termination costs and other related costs consisting of legal and consulting fees to implement this initiative.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we did not incur significant restructuring exit costs associated with this initiative. We expect to incur restructuring exit costs of approximately $0.5 million, through the end of 2014, to complete this initiative.

 
The following table summarizes our restructuring exit costs related to the above initiative (in thousands):
 
 
Beginning Balance January 1, 2014
 
Accruals
 
Payments
 
Ending Balance March 31, 2014
 
Cumulative
Charges
Incurred
 
Expected
Additional
Expenses
to be
Incurred
(1)
Termination benefits
$
8,315

 
$
(203
)
 
$
1,323

 
$
6,789

 
$
9,435

 
$
353

Contract termination costs
126

 
5

 
59

 
$
72

 
4,147

 

Other related costs
1,397

 
142

 
244

 
$
1,295

 
4,521

 
121

Total
$
9,838

 
$
(56
)
 
$
1,626

 
$
8,156

 
$
18,103

 
$
474

 

(1)
These amounts relate to restructuring exit costs associated with our Global Sales, Marketing and General and Administrative restructuring and consolidation efforts. It does not include charges related to other initiatives.
 
In connection with this initiative, we incurred approximately $5.7 million of other costs during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that primarily consisted of call center transition costs and accelerated depreciation on leasehold improvements and were classified within Marketing, selling and administrative expenses and Depreciation and amortization expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). We expect to incur an additional amount for such costs of approximately $1.2 million through the end of 2014.

Pullmantur Restructuring

Restructuring Exit Costs

A second initiative relates to Pullmantur’s focus on its cruise business and its expansion in Latin America. Activities related to this initiative include the opening of a Latin American regional office to place operating management closer to this market and the sale of Pullmantur's non-core businesses. This resulted in the elimination of approximately 100 Pullmantur shore-side positions and recognition of a liability for one-time termination benefits during the year ended December 31, 2013. Additionally, we incurred contract termination costs and other related costs consisting of legal and consulting fees to implement this initiative. During the first quarter of 2014, we continued with activities related to this initiative.

As a result of these actions, we incurred restructuring exit costs of $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, which are reported within Restructuring charges in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). We expect to incur additional restructuring exit costs of approximately $4.9 million through the end of 2014, to complete this initiative.

The following table summarizes our restructuring exit costs related to the above initiative (in thousands):


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Beginning Balance January 1, 2014
 
Accruals
 
Payments
 
Ending Balance March 31, 2014
 
Cumulative
Charges
Incurred
 
Expected
Additional
Expenses
to be
Incurred
(2)
Termination benefits
$
3,910

 
$
1,338

 
$
518

 
$
4,730

 
$
5,248

 
$
263

Contract termination costs
847

 

 

 
$
847

 
847

 
(848
)
Other related costs
516

 
454

 

 
$
970

 
970

 
5,444

Total
$
5,273

 
$
1,792

 
$
518

 
$
6,547

 
$
7,065

 
$
4,859


(2)
These amounts relate to restructuring exit costs associated with our Pullmantur restructuring.

In connection with this initiative, we incurred approximately $1.2 million of other costs during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 associated with the opening of a Latin American regional office that was classified within Marketing, selling and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). We expect to incur an additional amount for such costs of approximately $0.6 million through the end of 2014.

Sale of Pullmantur Non-core Businesses

As part of our Pullmantur related initiatives, on March 31, 2014, Pullmantur sold the majority of its interest in its non-core businesses. These non-core businesses included Pullmantur’s land-based tour operations, travel agency and 49% interest in its air business. In connection with the sale agreement, we retained a 19% interest in each of the non-core businesses and retained the aircraft which will be dry leased to Pullmantur Air. Consistent with our Pullmantur reporting two-month lag period, we will report the impact of the sale in our second quarter of 2014. We expect to incur a net loss resulting from the sale of Pullmantur's non-core businesses ranging from approximately $6.0 million to $9.0 million during the second quarter of 2014 related to this transaction, which we anticipate will be classified within Other operating expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). See Note 1. General for information on the basis on which we prepare our consolidated financial statements.

The non-core businesses met the accounting criteria to be classified as held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2013 which led to restructuring related impairment charges of $20.0 million to adjust the carrying value of assets held for sale to their fair value, less cost to sell during 2013. These businesses continued to meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2014. Assets and liabilities held for sale are not material to our consolidated balance sheets.

We have significant continuing involvement with the sold businesses and, as a result, these businesses did not meet the criteria for discontinued operations reporting.



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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
 
The discussion under this caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in this document includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance (including our expectations for the second quarter and full year of 2014 set forth under the heading "Outlook" below), business and industry prospects or future results of operations or financial position, made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "will," and similar expressions are intended to further identify any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations but they are based on judgments and are inherently uncertain. Furthermore, they are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, that 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, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, in particular, the risks discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of that report.
 
All forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of this document.  Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Overview
 
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations has been organized to present the following:

a review of our financial presentation, including discussion of certain operational and financial metrics we utilize to assist us in managing our business;

a discussion of our results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013;

a discussion of our business outlook, including our expectations for selected financial items for the second quarter and full year of 2014; and

a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including our future capital and contractual commitments and potential funding sources.
 
Critical Accounting Policies

Valuation of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets
 
As of March 31, 2014, the carrying amounts of goodwill and trademarks and trade names attributable to our Pullmantur reporting unit were $152.2 million and $214.2 million, respectively. Pullmantur is a brand targeted primarily at the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American markets, with an increasing focus on Latin America. The persistent economic instability in these markets has created significant uncertainties in forecasting operating results and future cash flows used in our impairment analyses. We continue to monitor economic events in these markets for their potential impact on Pullmantur’s business and valuation. However, based on our most recent projections we do not believe an interim impairment evaluation of Pullmantur’s goodwill or trademarks and trade names is warranted as of March 31, 2014.

If there are relatively modest changes to the projected future cash flows used in the impairment analyses, especially in Net Yields, or if anticipated transfers of vessels from our other cruise brands to the Pullmantur fleet do not take place, it is reasonably possible that an impairment charge of Pullmantur's reporting unit’s goodwill and trademarks and trade names may be required. Of these factors, the planned transfers of vessels to the Pullmantur fleet is most significant to the projected future cash flows. If the transfers do not occur, we will likely fail step one of the impairment test. We will continue to monitor these intangible assets for potential impairment and perform interim testing of our goodwill, trademarks or trade names if deemed necessary.

For a discussion of our critical accounting policies, refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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Table of Contents


Seasonality
 
Our revenues are seasonal based on demand for cruises.  Demand is strongest for cruises during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months and holidays. In order to mitigate the impact of the winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere and to capitalize on the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, our brands have focused on deployment to Australia, Latin America and Asia during that period.
 
Financial Presentation
 
Description of Certain Line Items
 
Revenues
 
Our revenues are comprised of the following:

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

Onboard and other revenues, which 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 travel agency network, land-based tours and air charter business to third parties.
 
Onboard and other revenues also include 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.
 
Cruise Operating Expenses
 
Our cruise operating expenses are comprised of the following:

Commissions, transportation and other expenses, which 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, which consist of the direct costs associated with onboard and other revenues, including the costs of products sold onboard our ships, vacation protection insurance premiums, costs associated with pre- and post-cruise tours and related credit card fees as well as the minimal costs associated with concession revenues, as the costs are mostly incurred by third-party concessionaires;

Payroll and related expenses, which consist of costs for shipboard personnel (costs associated with our shoreside personnel are included in marketing, selling and administrative expenses);

Food expenses, which include food costs for both guests and crew;

Fuel expenses, which include fuel and related delivery and storage costs, including the financial impact of fuel swap agreements; and

Other operating expenses, which consist primarily of operating costs such as repairs and maintenance, port costs that do not vary with passenger head counts, vessel operating lease costs, costs associated with Pullmantur’s travel agency network, land-based tours and air charter business to third parties, vessel related insurance and entertainment.
 
We do not allocate payroll and related expenses, food expenses, fuel expenses or other operating expenses 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.
 
Selected Operational and Financial Metrics
 
We utilize a variety of operational and financial metrics which are defined below to evaluate our performance and financial condition.  As discussed in more detail herein, certain of these metrics are non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe provide

22

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useful information to investors as a supplement to our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.  The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.
 
Adjusted Earnings per Share represents Adjusted Net Income divided by weighted average shares outstanding or by diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as applicable. We believe that this non-GAAP measure is meaningful when assessing our performance on a comparative basis.
 
Adjusted Net Income represents net income excluding certain items that we believe adjusting for is meaningful when assessing our performance on a comparative basis. For the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, these items included restructuring charges, other costs related to our profitability initiatives and the estimated impact of the divested Pullmantur non-core businesses held for sale. The estimated impact of the divested Pullmantur non-core businesses was arrived at by adjusting the net income (loss) of these businesses for the ownership percentage we will retain as well as for intercompany transactions that will no longer be eliminated in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
 
Available Passenger Cruise Days (“APCD”) is our measurement of capacity and represents double occupancy per cabin multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period.  We use this measure to perform capacity and rate analysis to identify our main non-capacity drivers that cause our cruise revenue and expenses to vary.
 
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 and Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel represent Gross Cruise Costs excluding commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses and, in the case of Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel, fuel expenses (each of which is described above under the Description of Certain Line Items heading).  In measuring our ability to control costs in a manner that positively impacts net income, we believe changes in Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel to be the most relevant indicators of our performance.  A reconciliation of historical Gross Cruise Costs to Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel is provided below under Results of Operations.  We have not provided a quantitative reconciliation of projected Gross Cruise Costs to projected Net Cruise Costs and projected Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel due to the significant uncertainty in projecting the costs deducted to arrive at these measures.  Accordingly, we do not believe that reconciling information for such projected figures would be meaningful. Net Cruise Costs excludes the estimated impact of the divested Pullmantur non-core businesses held for sale for the periods presented. Net Cruise Costs also excludes initiative costs reported within Marketing, selling and administrative expenses.

Net Debt-to-Capital is a ratio which represents total long-term debt, including the 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 Results of Operations.
 
Net Revenues represent total revenues less commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses (each of which is described above under the Description of Certain Line Items heading). We have presented Net Revenues excluding the estimated impact of the divested Pullmantur non-core businesses held for sale in the financial tables under Results of Operations.
 
Net Yields represent Net Revenues per APCD.  We utilize Net Revenues and Net Yields to manage our business on a day-to-day basis as we 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, which are commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses.  A reconciliation of historical Gross Yields to Net Yields is provided below under 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. Net Yields excludes the estimated impact of the divested Pullmantur non-core businesses held for sale for the periods presented.
 
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.
 
Passenger Cruise Days represent the number of passengers carried for the period multiplied by the number of days of their respective cruises.
 

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Table of Contents

We believe Net Yields, Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel are our most relevant non-GAAP financial measures. However, a significant portion of our revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar. Because our reporting currency is the United States dollar, the value of these revenues and expenses can be affected by changes in currency exchange rates.  Although such changes in local currency prices is just one of many elements impacting our revenues and expenses, it can be an important element.  For this reason, we also monitor Net Yields, Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel as if the current periods’ currency exchange rates had remained constant with the comparable prior periods’ rates, or on a “Constant Currency” basis.
 
It should be emphasized that Constant Currency is primarily used for comparing short-term changes and/or projections.  Over the longer term, changes in guest sourcing and shifting the amount of purchases between currencies can significantly change the impact of the purely currency-based fluctuations.
 
The use of certain significant non-GAAP measures, such as Net Yields, Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel, allow us to perform capacity and rate analysis to separate the impact of known capacity changes from other less predictable changes which affect our business.  We believe these non-GAAP measures provide expanded insight to measure revenue and cost performance in addition to the standard United States GAAP based financial measures.  There are no specific rules or regulations for determining non-GAAP and Constant Currency measures, and as such, there exists the possibility that they may not be comparable to other companies within the industry.

Results of Operations
 
Summary
 
Our net income and Adjusted Net Income for the first quarter of 2014 was $26.5 million and $46.1 million or $0.12 and $0.21 per share on a diluted basis, respectively, as compared to net income and Adjusted Net Income of $76.2 million and $78.2 million or $0.35 and $0.35 per share on a diluted basis for the first quarter of 2013.
 
Significant items for the first quarter of 2014 include:

Total revenues of $1.9 billion decreased 1.3% as compared to the same period in 2013 primarily due to the unfavorable effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to our revenue transactions denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in revenue associated with voyage disruptions during 2014 and a decrease in ticket prices for Caribbean sailings.

Cruise operating expenses of $1.3 billion increased 1.7% from the corresponding period in 2013 primarily due to an increase in vessel maintenance expenses and expenses related to Pullmantur’s travel agency network and air charter business.

Interest expense, net of interest capitalized of $68.6 million decreased 24.0% from the corresponding period in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates and, to a lesser extent, a lower average debt level.

During the first quarter of 2014, we borrowed $380.0 million under a previously committed unsecured term loan facility due August 2018 and repaid our €745.0 million 5.625% unsecured senior notes with proceeds from this term loan facility and our revolving credit facilities. Refer to Note 4. Long-Term Debt for further information.

Other Items

On March 31, 2014, Pullmantur sold the majority of its interest in its non-core businesses. These non-core businesses included Pullmantur’s land-based tour operations, travel agency and 49% interest in its air business. In connection with the sale agreement, we retained a 19% interest in each of the non-core businesses and retained the aircraft which will be dry leased to Pullmantur Air. Consistent with our Pullmantur reporting two-month lag period, we will report the impact of the sale in our second quarter of 2014.

Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 are shown in the following table (in thousands, except per share data):
 

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Table of Contents

 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
Passenger ticket revenues
$
1,348,203

 
71.4
 %
 
$
1,393,778

 
72.9
 %
Onboard and other revenues
539,021

 
28.6
 %
 
517,442

 
27.1
 %
Total revenues
1,887,224

 
100.0
 %
 
1,911,220

 
100.0
 %
Cruise operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commissions, transportation and other
325,865

 
17.3
 %
 
322,937

 
16.9
 %
Onboard and other
123,032

 
6.5
 %
 
121,487

 
6.4
 %
Payroll and related
210,801

 
11.2
 %
 
209,923

 
11.0
 %
Food
118,080

 
6.3
 %
 
119,483

 
6.3
 %
Fuel
244,459

 
13.0
 %
 
241,652

 
12.6
 %
Other operating
281,743

 
14.9
 %
 
266,708

 
14.0
 %
Total cruise operating expenses
1,303,980

 
69.1
 %
 
1,282,190

 
67.1
 %
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses
290,307

 
15.4
 %
 
274,034

 
14.3
 %
Depreciation and amortization expenses
193,735

 
10.3
 %
 
189,364

 
9.9
 %
Restructuring charges
1,736

 
0.1
 %
 

 

Operating Income
97,466

 
5.2
 %
 
165,632

 
8.7
 %
Other income (expense):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest income
3,276

 
0.2
 %
 
3,747

 
0.2
 %
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(68,571
)
 
(3.6
)%
 
(90,182
)
 
(4.7
)%
Other expense
(5,714
)
 
(0.3
)%
 
(2,971
)
 
(0.2
)%
 
(71,009
)
 
(3.8
)%
 
(89,406
)
 
(4.7
)%
Net Income
$
26,457

 
1.4
 %
 
$
76,226

 
4.0
 %
Diluted Earnings per Share
$
0.12

 
 

 
$
0.35

 
 


Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings per Share were calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
 

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Table of Contents

 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net Income
$
26,457

 
$
76,226

Restructuring charges
1,736

 

Other initiative costs
6,913

 

Estimated impact of divesting businesses held for sale
11,013

 
1,924

Adjusted Net Income
$
46,119

 
$
78,150

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
 

 
 

Basic
221,295

 
219,097

Diluted
222,671

 
220,484

Earnings per Share:
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.12

 
$
0.35

Diluted
$
0.12

 
$
0.35

Adjusted Earnings per Share:
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.21

 
$
0.36

Diluted
$
0.21

 
$
0.35

 
Selected statistical information is shown in the following table:
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Passengers Carried
1,278,234

 
1,261,292

Passenger Cruise Days
8,853,637

 
8,844,590

APCD
8,473,250

 
8,428,110

Occupancy
104.5
%
 
104.9
%

Gross Yields and Net Yields were calculated as follows (in thousands, except APCD and Yields):
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2014 On a Constant Currency basis
 
2013
Passenger ticket revenues
$
1,348,203

 
$
1,386,721

 
$
1,393,778

Onboard and other revenues
539,021

 
540,763

 
517,442

Total revenues
1,887,224

 
1,927,484

 
1,911,220

Less:
 

 
 

 
 

Commissions, transportation and other
325,865

 
332,461

 
322,937

Onboard and other
123,032

 
124,087

 
121,487

Net Revenues including businesses held for sale
1,438,327

 
1,470,936

 
1,466,796

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Net Revenues related to businesses held for sale
35,656

 
34,403

 
33,114

Net Revenues
$
1,402,671

 
$
1,436,533

 
$
1,433,682

 
 
 
 
 
 
APCD
8,473,250

 
8,473,250

 
8,428,110

Gross Yields
$
222.73

 
$
227.48

 
$
226.77

Net Yields
$
165.54

 
$
169.54

 
$
170.11

 

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Gross Cruise Costs, Net Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel were calculated as follows (in thousands, except APCD and costs per APCD):
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2014 On a Constant Currency basis
 
2013
Total cruise operating expenses
$
1,303,980

 
$
1,314,301

 
$
1,282,190

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses
290,307

 
289,822

 
274,034

Gross Cruise Costs
1,594,287

 
1,604,123

 
1,556,224

Less:
 

 
 

 
 

Commissions, transportation and other
325,865

 
332,461

 
322,937

Onboard and other
123,032

 
124,087

 
121,487

Net Cruise Costs including businesses held for sale
1,145,390

 
1,147,575

 
1,111,800

Less:
 

 
 

 
 

Net Cruise Costs related to businesses held for sale
47,854

 
46,158

 
34,971

Other initiative costs included within Marketing, selling and administrative expenses
5,234

 
4,787

 

Net Cruise Costs
1,092,302

 
1,096,630

 
1,076,829

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
244,459

 
245,930

 
241,652

Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel
$
847,843

 
$
850,700

 
$
835,177

 
 
 
 
 
 
APCD
8,473,250

 
8,473,250

 
8,428,110

Gross Cruise Costs per APCD
$
188.16

 
$
189.32

 
$
184.65

Net Cruise Cost per APCD
$
128.91

 
$
129.42

 
$
127.77

Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel per APCD
$
100.06

 
$
100.40

 
$
99.09


Net Debt-to-Capital was calculated as follows (in thousands):
 
 
As of
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Long-term debt, net of current portion
$
7,461,530

 
$
6,511,426

Current portion of long-term debt
535,834

 
1,563,378

Total debt
7,997,364

 
8,074,804

Less: Cash and cash equivalents
216,508

 
204,687

Net Debt
$
7,780,856

 
$
7,870,117

Total shareholders’ equity
$
8,776,932

 
$
8,808,265

Total debt
7,997,364

 
8,074,804

Total debt and shareholders’ equity
$
16,774,296

 
$
16,883,069

Debt-to-Capital
47.7
%
 
47.8
%
Net Debt
$
7,780,856

 
$
7,870,117

Net Debt and shareholders’ equity
$
16,557,788

 
$
16,678,382

Net Debt-to-Capital
47.0
%
 
47.2
%
 
Outlook

Full Year 2014
 

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As Reported
Constant Currency
Net Yields
2% to 3%
2% to 3%
Net Cruise Costs per APCD
Flat to up 1%
Flat to up 1%
Net Cruise Costs per APCD, excluding Fuel
Approx. Flat
Flat to slightly down
Capacity Increase
1.7%
 
Depreciation and Amortization
$775 to $785 million
 
Interest Expense, net
$250 to $260 million
 
Fuel Consumption (metric tons)
1,345,000
 
Fuel Expenses
$957 million
 
Percent Hedged (fwd consumption)
55%
 
Impact of 10% change in fuel prices
$32.2 million
 
Adjusted Earnings per Share-Diluted
$3.25 to $3.45
 

Second Quarter 2014
 
 
As Reported
Constant Currency
Net Yields
1.5% to 2.5%
1.5% to 2.5%
Net Cruise Costs per APCD
Approx. (2%)
(1.5%) to (2.5%)
Net Cruise Costs per APCD, excluding Fuel
(2.0%) to (3.0%)
(2.0%) to (3.0%)
Capacity Increase
4.5%
 
Depreciation and Amortization
$190 to $200 million
 
Interest Expense, net
$60 to $70 million
 
Fuel Consumption (metric tons)
338,000
 
Fuel Expenses
$245 million
 
Percent Hedged (fwd consumption)
56%
 
Impact of 10% change in fuel prices
$10.7 million
 
Adjusted Earnings per Share-Diluted
$0.45 to $0.55
 
 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2013
 
In this section, references to 2014 refer to the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and references to 2013 refer to the quarter ended March 31, 2013.
 
Revenues
 
Total revenues for 2014 decreased $24.0 million, or 1.3%, to $1.9 billion from 2013.
 
Passenger ticket revenues comprised 71.4% of our 2014 total revenues.  Passenger ticket revenues decreased by $45.6 million, or 3.3%, to $1.3 billion in 2014 from $1.4 billion in 2013.  The decrease was primarily due to:

the unfavorable effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates related to our passenger ticket revenue transactions denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar of approximately $38.5 million; and

a decrease in revenue due to voyage disruptions during 2014 and a decrease in ticket prices for Caribbean sailings, all of which contributed to a $14.5 million decrease in Passenger ticket revenues.

The remaining 28.6% of 2014 total revenues was comprised of onboard and other revenues, which increased $21.6 million, or 4.2%, to $539.0 million in 2014 from $517.4 million in 2013.  The increase was primarily due to:

an $8.1 million increase in onboard revenue attributable to higher spending on a per passenger basis primarily due to the addition of specialty restaurants and other onboard activities as a result of our ship revitalization projects and other revenue enhancing initiatives. Onboard and other revenues included concession revenues of $77.3 million in 2014 and $79.7 million in 2013; and


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a $3.5 million increase in revenues related to Pullmantur's travel agency network and air charter business due to the addition of new tour packages.

Cruise Operating Expenses

Total cruise operating expenses increased $21.8 million, or 1.7%, to $1.3 billion.  The increase was primarily due to:

an $8.3 million increase attributable to vessel maintenance for scheduled drydocks; and

an $8.3 million increase in expenses related to Pullmantur’s travel agency network and air charter business noted above.

Marketing, Selling and Administrative Expenses

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased $16.3 million, or 5.9%, to $290.3 million from $274.0 million in 2013. The increase was primarily due to other costs associated with our restructuring activities and an increase in advertising expense primarily attributable to our increased focus in Latin America.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses for 2014 increased $4.3 million, or 2.3%, to $193.7 million from $189.4 million in 2013.  The increase was driven by the addition of our new reservations pricing engine in December of 2013 and the accelerated depreciation on leasehold improvements associated with our restructuring initiatives.
 
Restructuring charges
 
During the third and fourth quarters of 2013, we implemented profitability initiatives related to our global restructuring actions and the sale of Pullmantur's non-core businesses.  As a result of these initiatives, we incurred restructuring charges of approximately $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. Refer to Note 10. Restructuring Charges to our consolidated financial statements for further information.
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized for 2014 decreased $21.6 million, or 24.0%, to $68.6 million from $90.2 million in 2013.  The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates and, to a lesser extent, a lower average debt level.

Other expense for 2014 increased $2.7 million or 92.3% to $5.7 million from $3.0 million in 2013. The increase was primarily due to the ineffectiveness of our fuel swap agreements.

Net Yields
 
Net Yields decreased 2.7% in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to the decrease in passenger ticket revenues noted above. Net Yields decreased 0.3% in 2014 compared to 2013 on a Constant Currency basis.
 
Net Cruise Costs
 
Net Cruise Costs increased 1.4% in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to the increase in cruise operating expenses and marketing, selling and administrative expenses noted above.  Net Cruise Costs per APCD increased 0.9% in 2014 compared to 2013 and increased 1.3% in 2014 compared to 2013 on a Constant Currency basis.
 
Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel
 
Net Cruise Costs Excluding Fuel per APCD increased 1.0% in 2014 compared to 2013 and increased 1.3% in 2014 compared to 2013 on a Constant Currency basis.

Future Application of Accounting Standards
 
Refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements for further information on Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
 

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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 increased $74.5 million to $315.8 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $241.3 million for the same period in 2013. The change in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to a $98.1 million increase in cash receipts from customer deposits, which was partially offset by the timing of payments to vendors in 2014 as compared to 2013.
Net cash used in investing activities was $197.4 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $193.5 million for the same period in 2013. During the first three months of 2014, our use of cash was primarily related to capital expenditures of $177.8 million which was comparable to the same period in 2013. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to investments in unconsolidated affiliates during 2014 of $34.3 million compared to $19.5 million in 2013. The increase was partially offset with $4.2 million of proceeds received on settlements on our foreign currency forward contracts during 2014, compared to payments of $8.7 million in 2013.
Net cash used in financing activities was $107.5 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $25.7 million for the same period in 2013. This change was primarily due to an increase of $1.5 billion in repayments of debt and an increase of dividends paid of $48.5 million, partially offset by a $1.4 billion increase in debt proceeds and a $43.3 million increase in the proceeds from the exercise of common stock options. The increase in repayments of debt and proceeds from issuance of debt was primarily due to the payment at maturity of our €745.0 million 5.625% unsecured senior notes with proceeds from our revolving credit facilities and drawing in full on our $380.0 million unsecured term loan facility during the first three months of 2014.
Future Capital Commitments
 
Our future capital commitments consist primarily of new ship orders.  As of March 31, 2014, we had three Quantum-class ships and one Oasis-class ship on order for our Royal Caribbean International brand with an aggregate capacity of approximately 17,900 berths.
 
As of March 31, 2014, the aggregate cost of our ships on order was approximately $4.8 billion, of which we had deposited $483.2 million as of such date.  Approximately 23.9% of the aggregate cost was exposed to fluctuations in the Euro exchange rate at March 31, 2014. (See Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies and Note 9. Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments to our consolidated financial statements under Item 1. Financial Statements).

As of March 31, 2014, we anticipate overall full year capital expenditures will be approximately $1.3 billion for 2014, $1.3 billion for 2015, $2.1 billion for 2016 and $0.3 billion for 2017.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
As of March 31, 2014, our contractual obligations were as follows (in thousands):
 

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Payments due by period
 
 
 
Less than
 
1-3
 
3-5
 
More than
 
Total
 
1 year
 
years
 
years
 
5 years
Operating Activities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operating lease obligations(1)(2)
$
439,531

 
$
39,710

 
$
74,344

 
$
64,163

 
$
261,314

Interest on long-term debt(3)
1,137,315

 
236,241

 
352,287

 
208,180

 
340,607

Other(4)
721,091

 
215,922

 
270,208

 
148,135

 
86,826

Investing Activities:
0

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Ship purchase obligations(5)
3,670,988

 
985,376

 
2,685,612

 

 

Other(6)
80,768

 
80,768

 

 

 

Financing Activities:
0

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Long-term debt obligations(7)
7,942,449

 
527,927

 
2,592,478

 
2,412,743

 
2,409,301

Capital lease obligations(8)
54,915

 
7,907

 
11,523

 
6,806

 
28,679

Other(9)
111,180

 
27,700

 
43,892

 
26,066

 
13,522

Total
$
14,158,237

 
$
2,121,551

 
$
6,030,344

 
$
2,866,093

 
$
3,140,249

 

(1)         We are obligated under noncancelable operating leases primarily for a ship, offices, warehouses and motor vehicles. Amounts represent contractual obligations with initial terms in excess of one year.
(2)         Under the Brilliance of the Seas lease agreement, we may be required to make a termination payment of approximately £62.6 million, or approximately $104.4 million based on the exchange rate at March 31, 2014, if the lease is canceled in 2020.  This amount is included in the more than 5 years column. Interest on the Brilliance of the Seas lease agreement is calculated based on the applicable variable interest rate at March 31, 2014.
(3)         Long-term debt obligations mature at various dates through fiscal year 2027 and bear interest at fixed and variable rates. Interest on variable-rate debt is calculated based on forecasted debt balances, including interest swapped using the applicable rate at March 31, 2014.  Debt denominated in other currencies is calculated based on the applicable exchange rate at March 31, 2014.
(4)         Amounts primarily 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.
(5)         Amounts do not include potential obligations which remain subject to cancellation at our sole discretion.
(6)         Amount represents unused commitment on loan to unconsolidated affiliate.
(7)        Amounts represent debt obligations with initial terms in excess of one year.
(8)        Amounts represent capital lease obligations with initial terms in excess of one year.
(9)        Amounts represent fees payable to sovereign guarantors in connection with certain of our export credit debt facilities and facility fees on our revolving credit facilities.
 
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 or the purchase of existing 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.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
In July 2002, we entered into an operating lease denominated in British pound sterling for the Brilliance of the Seas.  The lease payments vary based on sterling LIBOR and are included in other operating expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Brilliance of the Seas lease expense amounts were approximately £3.1 million and £3.0 million, or approximately $5.1 million and $4.5 million, for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively. The lease has a contractual life of 25 years; however, both the lessor and we have certain rights to cancel the lease at year 18 (i.e. 2020) upon advance notice given approximately one year prior to cancellation.  In the event of early termination at year 18, we have the option to cause the sale of the vessel at its fair value and to use the proceeds towards the applicable termination payment.  Alternatively, we could opt at such time to make a termination payment of approximately £62.6 million, or approximately $104.4 million based on the exchange rate at March 31, 2014 and relinquish our right to cause the sale of the vessel.  Under current circumstances we do not believe early termination of this lease is probable.
 

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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, capital allowance deductions and certain unfavorable determinations which may be made by United Kingdom tax authorities. These indemnifications could result in an increase in our lease payments.  We are unable to estimate the maximum potential increase in our lease payments due to the various circumstances, timing or a combination of events that could trigger such indemnifications. The United Kingdom tax authorities are disputing the lessor’s accounting treatment of the lease and the lessor and tax authorities are in discussions on the matter.  If the characterization of the lease is ultimately determined to be incorrect, we could be required to indemnify the lessor under certain circumstances.  The lessor has advised us that they believe their characterization of the lease is correct. Based on the foregoing and our review of available information, we do not believe an indemnification payment is probable.  However, if the lessor loses its dispute and we are required to indemnify the lessor, we cannot at this time predict the impact that such an occurrence would have on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
In connection with the sale of Celebrity Mercury in February 2011, we and TUI AG have each guaranteed repayment of 50% of an €180.0 million amortizing bank loan provided to TUI Cruises which is due 2016.  As of March 31, 2014, €130.5 million, or approximately $179.9 million based on the exchange rate at March 31, 2014, remains outstanding.  Based on current facts and circumstances, we do not believe potential obligations under this guarantee are probable.
 
TUI Cruises entered into construction agreements with STX Finland that include certain restrictions on each of our and TUI AG’s ability to reduce our current ownership interest in TUI Cruises below 37.5% through the construction periods for the first and second TUI newbuild vessels.  In addition, the credit agreements for the financing of the ships extend this restriction through 2019.
 
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 obligation is probable.
 
Other than the items described above, we are not party to any other off-balance sheet arrangements, including guarantee contracts, retained or contingent interest, certain derivative instruments and variable interest entities, that either have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial position.
 
Funding Needs and Sources
 
We have significant contractual obligations of which our debt service obligations and the capital expenditures associated with our ship purchases represent our largest funding needs. As of March 31, 2014, we have approximately $2.1 billion in contractual obligations due through March 31, 2015 of which approximately $527.9 million relates to debt maturities and $985.4 million relates to the acquisition of Quantum of the Seas along with progress payments on our other ship purchases. We have historically relied on a combination of cash flows provided by operations, drawdowns under our available credit facilities, the incurrence of additional debt and/or the refinancing of our existing debt and the issuance of additional shares of equity securities to fund these obligations.

We had a working capital deficit of $2.4 billion as of March 31, 2014 as compared to a working capital deficit of $3.3 billion as of December 31, 2013.  Included within our working capital deficit is $535.8 million and $1.6 billion of current portion of long-term debt, including capital leases, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  The decrease in working capital deficit was primarily due to the decrease in current maturities of long-term debt.  Similar to others in our industry, we operate with a substantial working capital deficit.  This deficit is mainly attributable to the fact that, under our business model, a vast majority of our passenger ticket receipts are collected in advance of the applicable sailing date. These advance passenger receipts remain a current liability until the sailing date. The cash generated from these advance receipts is used interchangeably with cash on hand from other sources, such as our revolving credit facilities and other cash from operations. The cash received as advanced receipts can be used to fund operating expenses for the applicable future sailing or otherwise, pay down our revolving credit facilities, invest in long term investments or any other use of cash. In addition, we have a relatively low-level of accounts receivable and rapid turnover results in a limited investment in inventories.  We generate substantial cash flows from operations and our business model, along with our unsecured revolving credit facilities, has historically allowed us to maintain this working capital deficit and still meet our operating, investing and financing needs. We expect that we will continue to have working capital deficits in the future.
 

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As of March 31, 2014, we have on order three Quantum-class ships and one Oasis-class ship each of which has committed unsecured bank financing arrangements which include sovereign financing guarantees. Refer to Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies for further information.
 
In January 2014, we repaid our €745.0 million 5.625% unsecured senior notes with proceeds from our $380.0 million unsecured term loan facility and our revolving credit facilities. Additionally, in March 2014, we amended our unsecured term loans for Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas primarily to reduce the margins on those facilities and eliminate the lenders option to exit those facilities in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Refer to Note 4. Long-Term Debt for further information.

As of March 31, 2014, our liquidity was $918.5 million, consisting of approximately $216.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $702.0 million available under our unsecured credit facilities. We anticipate that our cash flows from operations and our current financing arrangements, as described above, will be adequate to meet our capital expenditures and debt repayments over the next twelve-month period.
 
We are in the process of implementing a broad profitability improvement program with initiatives aimed at improving our returns on invested capital. One of those initiatives, commenced in the third quarter of 2013, relates to realizing economies of scale and improving service delivery to our travel partners and guests by restructuring and consolidating our global sales, marketing and general and administrative structure. A second initiative, commenced in the fourth quarter of 2013, relates to Pullmantur’s focus on its cruise business and expansion in Latin America. We expect to incur an estimated remaining amount of $30 million of cash outlays, mostly through the end of 2014, to complete these initiatives. We believe the cash outlays will be offset by increased cash inflows from the expected cost savings.
 
We also continue to implement a number of initiatives to reduce energy consumption and, by extension, fuel costs.  These include the design of more fuel efficient ships and the implementation of other hardware and energy efficiencies.
 
If (i) any person other than A. Wilhelmsen AS. and Cruise Associates and their respective affiliates (the “Applicable Group”) acquires ownership of more than 33% of our common stock and the Applicable Group owns less of our common stock than such person, or (ii) subject to certain exceptions, during any 24-month period, a majority of the Board is no longer comprised of individuals who were members of the Board on the first day of such period, 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.  Certain of our outstanding debt securities also contain change of control provisions that would be triggered by the acquisition of greater than 50% of our common stock by a person other than a member of the Applicable Group coupled with a ratings downgrade.  If this were to occur, it would have an adverse impact on our liquidity and operations.
 
Debt Covenants
 
Certain of our financing agreements contain covenants that require us, among other things, to maintain minimum net worth of at least $5.9 billion, a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.25x and limit our net debt-to-capital ratio to no more than 62.5%.  The fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated by dividing net cash from operations for the past four quarters by the sum of dividend payments plus scheduled principal debt payments in excess of any new financings for the past four quarters.  Our minimum net worth and maximum net debt-to-capital calculations exclude the impact of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income on total shareholders’ equity. We are well in excess of all debt covenant requirements as of March 31, 2014.  The specific covenants and related definitions can be found in the applicable debt agreements, the majority of which have been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
For a discussion of our market risks, refer to 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, 2013. There have been no significant developments or material changes since the date of our Annual Report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, conducted 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 report.  Based upon such evaluation, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer concluded that those controls and procedures are

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effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
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 Rule 13a-15 during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
 
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 previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, a class action complaint was filed in June 2011 against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on behalf of a purported class of stateroom attendants employed onboard Royal Caribbean International cruise vessels. The complaint alleges that the stateroom attendants were required to pay other crew members to help with their duties and that certain stateroom attendants were required to work back of house assignments without the ability to earn gratuities, in each case in violation of the U.S. Seaman’s Wage Act. Plaintiffs seek judgments for damages, wage penalties and interest in an indeterminate amount. In May 2012, the Court granted our motion to dismiss the complaint on the basis that the applicable collective bargaining agreement requires any such claims to be arbitrated. The United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit affirmed the Court's dismissal and denied Plaintiff's petition for re-hearing and re-hearing en banc. We believe the underlying claims made against us are without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against them. Because of the inherent uncertainty as to the outcome of this proceeding, we are unable at this time to estimate the possible impact of this matter on us.

We are also 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 impact on our financial condition or results of operations and cash flows.
    

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
The risk factors that affect our business and financial results are discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and there has been no material change to these risk factors since previously disclosed.  We wish to caution the reader that the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and those described elsewhere in this report or other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, could cause future results to differ materially from those stated in any forward-looking statements.

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Item 6. Exhibits
 
10.1

 
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 7, 2014 among the Company, the various financial institutions as are parties to the Credit Agreement and BNP PARIBAS FORTIS S.A./N.V., as administrative agent for the lenders*
 
 
 
10.2

 
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 7, 2014 among the Company, the various financial institutions as are parties to the Credit Agreement and SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB, as administrative agent for the lenders*
 
 
 
10.3

 
Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of April 15, 2014 in respect of a Facility Agreement dated as of July 9, 2013 between the Company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Société Générale, as Facility Agent and Mandated Lead Arranger, BNP Paribas, as Documentation Bank and Mandated Lead Arranger, and HSBC France, as Mandated Lead Arranger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 21, 2014).
 
 
 
10.4

 
Facility Agreement dated as of April 15, 2014 between the Company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Facility Agent, Documentation Bank and Mandated Lead Arranger, Banco Santander, S.A., as COFACE Agent and Mandated Lead Arranger, and KfW IPEX-BANK GmbH, as Mandated Lead Arranger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 21, 2014).
 
 
 
31.1

 
Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*
 
 
 
31.2

 
Certification of the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*
 
 
 
32.1

 
Certifications of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code**

*
 
Filed herewith
**
 
Furnished herewith
 
Interactive Data File
 
101                          The following financial statements from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC on April 24, 2014, formatted in XBRL, as follows:
 
(i)                     the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013;
 
(ii)                  the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013;
 
(iii)                the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013; and
 
(iv)                  the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and detail.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements 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/ JASON T. LIBERTY
 
 
Jason T. Liberty
 
 
Senior Vice President,
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
Date:  April 24, 2014
 
(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized signatory)


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