Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Long-Term Debt

v3.20.2
Long-Term Debt
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]  
Long-Term Debt

8.   Long-Term Debt

Credit Facilities

In March 2020, NCLC had borrowed the full amount of $875 million under its existing Revolving Loan Facility maturing on January 2, 2024. As of September 30, 2020 borrowings under the Revolving Loan Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75%.

In March 2020, NCLC entered into a $675 million revolving credit facility maturing on March 4, 2021, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and as collateral agent, and certain other lenders party thereto. NCLC borrowed $675 million under the Epic Credit Facility, which bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80%. The facility was secured by Norwegian Epic, Ltd. In April 2020, NCLC entered into an incremental assumption agreement which extended the maturity date of the revolving facility commitments under the Epic Credit Facility to March 3, 2022. The revolving facility loans accrued interest at a per annum rate based on LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% in the case of Eurocurrency loans or at a per annum rate based on the base rate plus a margin of 0.75% in the case of base rate loans. The Epic Credit Facility was repaid in July 2020 and terminated as discussed below.

In July 2020, NCLC entered into a EUR 31.2 million loan facility for newbuild related payments. The facility bears interest at a rate of 2.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2020, EUR 21.6 million was drawn under this facility, which matures on April 30, 2021.

Modifications

In April 2020, NCLC amended an aggregate amount of $386 million of export credit backed facilities that finance Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore to incorporate the terms of a 12-month debt holiday initiative offered to the cruise industry by Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft (“Hermes”), the official export credit agency of Germany. The debt holiday was initiated to provide interim debt service and financial covenant relief for borrowers during the current global COVID-19 pandemic with respect to their Hermes guaranteed financings. The amended agreements provide that, among other things, (a) amortization payments due from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 (the “Deferral Period”) on the loans will be deferred and (b) the principal amounts so deferred will constitute separate tranches of loans under the facilities. The separate tranches of loans will accrue interest at a floating rate per annum based on six-month LIBOR plus a margin as follows:

Margin

€529.8 million Breakaway one loan (Norwegian Breakaway)

0.90

%  

€529.8 million Breakaway two loan (Norwegian Getaway)

1.20

%  

€590.5 million Breakaway three loan (Norwegian Escape)

1.50

%  

€729.9 million Breakaway four loan (Norwegian Joy)

1.50

%  

€710.8 million Seahawk 1 term loan (Norwegian Bliss)

1.00

%  

€748.7 million Seahawk 2 term loan (Norwegian Encore)

1.00

%  

After the end of the Deferral Period, the deferred amounts will amortize in eight equal semiannual installments.

Also in April 2020, NCLC amended its $230 million credit agreement, dated as of January 10, 2019, with Nordea Bank ABP, New York Branch, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders. The amendment extends the maturity date of the term loan to January 10, 2022. From January 10, 2021 to January 10, 2022, the loan shall accrue interest at a per annum rate based on LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% in the case of Eurocurrency loans or at a per annum rate based on the base rate plus a margin of 0.75% in the case of base rate loans.

In May 2020, NCLC amended its $260 million credit agreement, dated as of May 15, 2019, with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain other lenders. The amendment provides that (a) amortization payments due through May 1, 2021 will be deferred following the consummation of certain debt and equity financings, which resulted in aggregate gross proceeds greater than the amount required for the extension and (b) the principal amount so deferred will constitute a separate tranche of loans under the facility (the “Deferred Jewel Loans”). The Deferred Jewel Loans will accrue interest at a per annum rate based on LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% in the case of Eurocurrency loans or at a per annum rate based on the base rate plus a margin of 1.50% in the case of base rate loans. After the end of the deferral period, the deferred loan payments will amortize in an aggregate principal amount equal to 25% per annum in semiannual installments, and in the case of such payment due on the maturity date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of the Deferred Jewel Loans outstanding.

NCLC entered into a Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2020, with a subsidiary of NCLC, as co-borrower and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and lenders holding 87.57% of the

term loans outstanding (the “Term A Deferring Lenders”). This revised facility provides that, among other things, (a) amortization payments due within the first year after effectiveness on the loans under the term A loans (the “Term A Loans”) held by the Term A Deferring Lenders will be deferred and (b) the principal amount so deferred will constitute a separate tranche of loans (the “Deferred Term A Loans”). The Deferred Term A Loans will accrue interest (x) in the case of Eurocurrency loans, at a per annum rate based on LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% or (y) in the case of base rate loans, at a per annum rate based on the base rate plus a margin of 1.50%. After the end of the deferral period, the Deferred Term A Loans will amortize in an aggregate principal amount equal to 25% per annum of the Deferred Term A Loans, in quarterly installments, and in the case of such payment due on the maturity date, an amount equal to the then unpaid principal amount of the Deferred Term A Loans outstanding. The Term A Loans (other than the Deferred Term A Loans) that are held by the Term A Deferring Lenders shall constitute a separate class of loans (the “Legacy Term A Loans”), with the same terms as the Term A Loans under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, except that the amortization payments on the Legacy Term A Loans shall be deferred during the deferral period. The Term A Loans that are held by lenders other than the Term A Deferring Lenders shall constitute a separate class of loans with the same terms as the Term A Loans under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

In June 2020, NCLC amended the credit facilities secured by Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor, Riviera, Marina, Leonardo One and Leonardo Two to defer amortization with respect to certain of the debt outstanding under the agreements (the “Supplemental Agreements”). The amendments for the Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor, Riviera, Marina, Leonardo One and Leonardo Two facilities summarized below provide $156 million of incremental liquidity to the Company through March 2021 and are subject to certain customary conditions.

The Supplemental Agreements of Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor, Riviera, and Marina provide that, among other things, (a) amortization payments due during the Deferral Period on the loans will be deferred and (b) the principal amount so deferred will constitute a separate tranche of loans (the “Deferred Loans”). The Deferred Loans will accrue interest at a floating rate per annum based on six-month LIBOR plus a margin as follows:

Margin

Explorer newbuild loan

2.80

%  

Splendor newbuild loan

1.75

%  

Marina newbuild loan

0.55

%  

Riviera newbuild loan

0.55

%  

After the end of the Deferral Period, the Deferred Loans will amortize in an aggregate principal amount equal to 25% per annum of the Deferred Loans, in semiannual installments. Consistent with our amendments to our Hermes-backed credit facilities described above, the Supplemental Agreements provide financial covenant relief and additional restrictions on restricted payments and certain other covenants were added.

The above modifications resulted in aggregate modification costs of $17.3 million and a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.0 million, which are recognized in interest expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Secured Notes

In May 2020, NCLC conducted a private offering of $675.0 million aggregate principal amount of 12.25% senior secured notes due May 15, 2024 (the “2024 Senior Secured Notes”) at 99% original issue discount. The 2024 Senior Secured Notes pay interest at 12.25% per annum, semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2020, to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1, respectively. NCLC may redeem the 2024 Senior Secured Notes, in whole or part, at any time prior to February 15, 2024, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date and a “make-whole premium.” NCLC may redeem the 2024 Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, on or after February 15, 2024, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time prior to February 15, 2022, NCLC may choose to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Secured Notes, with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, subject to certain restrictions, at a redemption price equal to 112.25% of the principal amount of the 2024 Senior Secured Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the

redemption date, so long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Secured Notes issued remains outstanding following such redemption.

The 2024 Senior Secured Notes are secured by first-priority interests in, among other things and subject to certain agreed security principles, shares of capital stock in certain subsidiary guarantors, two of our vessels, our material intellectual property and two islands that we use in the operations of our cruise business. The 2024 Senior Secured Notes are also guaranteed by our subsidiaries that own the property that secures the 2024 Senior Secured Notes as well as certain additional subsidiaries whose assets will not secure the 2024 Senior Secured Notes.

In July 2020, NCLC conducted a private offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% senior secured notes due February 1, 2026 (the “2026 Senior Secured Notes”). The 2026 Senior Secured Notes pay interest at 10.25% per annum, semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2021, to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15, respectively. NCLC may redeem the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, in whole or part, at any time prior to August 1, 2023, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date and a “make-whole premium.” NCLC may redeem the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, on or after August 1, 2023, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture for the 2026 Senior Secures Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time prior to August 1, 2023, NCLC may choose to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, subject to certain restrictions, at a redemption price equal to 110.25% of the principal amount of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, so long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes issued remains outstanding following such redemption.

NCLC used a portion of the proceeds from the 2026 Senior Secured Notes to repay the $675 million plus accrued and unpaid interest outstanding under the Epic Credit Facility, which was secured by the Norwegian Epic. Following the termination of the Epic Credit Facility, the vessel owned and operated by Norwegian Epic, Ltd. was released as collateral, thereby enabling the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and certain of the related guarantees to be secured by a first-priority security interest in, among other things and subject to certain agreed security principles, the Norwegian Epic. The repayment and termination of the Epic Credit Facility resulted in a loss on extinguishment of $5.5 million, which was recognized in interest expense, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

The indentures governing the 2024 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Secured Notes include requirements that, among other things and subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, restrict the ability of NCLC and its restricted subsidiaries, as applicable, to (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, equity interests and make other restricted payments; (iii) make investments; (iv) consummate certain asset sales; (v) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; (vi) grant or assume certain liens; and (vii) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets.

Exchangeable Notes

In May 2020, NCLC conducted a private offering of $862.5 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% exchangeable senior notes due May 15, 2024 (the “2024 Exchangeable Notes”). The 2024 Exchangeable Notes are guaranteed by NCLH on a senior basis. Holders may exchange their 2024 Exchangeable Notes at their option into redeemable preference shares of NCLC. Upon exchange, the preference shares will be immediately and automatically exchanged, for each $1,000 principal amount of exchanged 2024 Exchangeable Notes, into a number of NCLH’s ordinary shares based on the exchange rate. The exchange rate will initially be 72.7273 ordinary shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2024 Exchangeable Notes (equivalent to an initial exchange price of approximately $13.75 per ordinary share). The maximum exchange rate is 89.4454 and reflects potential adjustments to the initial exchange rate, which would only be made in the event of certain make-whole fundamental changes or tax redemption events. The maximum exchange rate referred to above is also subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction. The 2024 Exchangeable Notes pay interest at 6.00% per annum, semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2020, to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1, respectively.

Also in May 2020, NCLH and NCLC entered into an investment agreement with an affiliate of L Catterton (the “Private Investor”), pursuant to which NCLC agreed to sell and issue to the Private Investor (the “Private Exchangeable Notes Transaction”) up to $400 million in aggregate principal amount of exchangeable senior notes due June 1, 2026 (the “Private Exchangeable Notes”). The Private Exchangeable Notes Transaction closed on May 28, 2020. The Private Exchangeable Notes accrue interest at a rate of 7.0% per annum for the first year post-issuance (which will accrete to the principal amount), 4.5% per annum interest (which will accrete to the principal amount) plus 3.0% per annum cash interest for the following four years and 7.5% per annum in cash interest for the final year prior to maturity. The Private Investor has certain registration rights in respect of NCLH’s ordinary shares underlying the Private Exchangeable Notes and is subject to certain customary transfer, voting and standstill restrictions.

The Private Exchangeable Notes are guaranteed by NCLH on a senior basis. Holders may exchange their Private Exchangeable Notes at their option into redeemable preference shares of NCLC. Upon exchange, the preference shares will be immediately and automatically exchanged, for each $1,000 principal amount of exchanged Private Exchangeable Notes, into a number of NCLH’s ordinary shares based on the exchange rate. The exchange rate will initially be approximately 82.6446 ordinary shares per $1,000 principal amount of Private Exchangeable Notes (equivalent to an initial exchange price of $12.10 per ordinary share). The maximum exchange rate is 90.9090 and reflects potential adjustments to the initial exchange rate, which would only be made in the event of certain make-whole fundamental changes or tax redemption events. The maximum exchange rate referred to above is also subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction. NCLC has the right to redeem all or a portion of the Private Exchange Notes at any time after the third anniversary of the issuance date at a price equal to 100% of the accreted principal amount thereof if the market closing price of NCLH’s ordinary shares has been at least 250% of the per share price implied by the exchange rate then in effect for at least 20 trading days during any 30 consecutive trading day period.

The Private Exchangeable Notes contain a beneficial conversion feature, which resulted from a significant increase in our share price between the execution of the agreement and the issuance of the notes. A beneficial conversion feature is a nondetachable conversion feature that is “in-the-money” at the commitment date. The in-the-money portion, also known as the intrinsic value of the option, is recorded in equity, with an offsetting discount to the carrying amount of convertible debt to which it is attached. The discount is amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt with adjustments to amortization upon full or partial conversions of the debt. The beneficial conversion feature for the Private Exchangeable Notes is $131.2 million and is recognized within additional paid-in capital.

In July 2020, NCLC conducted a private offering of $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% exchangeable senior notes due August 1, 2025 (the “2025 Exchangeable Notes”). The 2025 Exchangeable Notes are guaranteed by NCLH on a senior basis. Holders may exchange their 2025 Exchangeable Notes at their option into redeemable preference shares of NCLC. Upon exchange, the preference shares will be immediately and automatically exchanged, for each $1,000 principal amount of exchanged 2025 Exchangeable Notes, into a number of NCLH’s ordinary shares based on the exchange rate. The exchange rate will initially be 53.3333 ordinary shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2025 Exchangeable Notes (equivalent to an initial exchange price of approximately $18.75 per ordinary share). The maximum exchange rate is 66.6666 and reflects potential adjustments to the initial exchange rate, which would only be made in the event of certain make-whole fundamental changes or tax redemption events. The maximum exchange rate referred to above is also subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction. The 2025 Exchangeable Notes pay interest at 5.375% per annum, semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2021, to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15, respectively.

The net carrying amounts of the liability components of our exchangeable notes consist of the following (in thousands):

September 30, 

    

2020

Principal amount

$

1,712,500

Less: Unamortized debt discount, including deferred financing fees

(180,065)

Net carrying value

$

1,532,435

The remaining period over which the unamortized debt discount will be recognized as non-cash interest expense is 3.6 years, 4.8 years and 5.7 years for the 2024 Exchangeable Notes, 2025 Exchangeable Notes and Private Exchangeable Notes, respectively.

The following table presents the interest expense recognized related to the exchangeable notes (in thousands):

Three Months

Nine Months

Ended September 30, 2020

Ended September 30, 2020

Interest expense, including amortization of debt discounts and coupon interest

$

29,520

$

42,049

The effective interest rate is 7.07%, 5.97% and 15.54% for the 2024 Exchangeable Notes, 2025 Exchangeable Notes and the Private Exchangeable Notes, respectively.

As of September 30, 2020, the if-converted value above par was $210.8 million on available shares of 62.7 million and $165.6 million on available shares of 33.1 million for the 2024 Exchangeable Notes and the Private Exchangeable Notes, respectively.

Debt Repayments

The following are scheduled principal repayments on our long-term debt including finance lease obligations as of September 30, 2020 for each of the following periods (in thousands):

Year

    

Amount

Remainder of 2020

$

3,506

2021

 

793,831

2022

 

1,142,083

2023

 

767,986

2024

 

4,870,768

Thereafter

 

3,708,196

Total

$

11,286,370

Debt Covenants

At September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. As part of the Hermes debt holiday and the Supplemental Agreements, we have obtained lender consents to waive compliance with financial covenants for the Deferral Period. If we do not continue to remain in compliance with our covenants, we would have to seek additional amendments to our covenants. However, no assurances can be made that such amendments would be approved by our lenders. Generally, if an event of default under any debt agreement occurs, then pursuant to cross default and/or cross acceleration clauses, substantially all of our outstanding debt and derivative contract payables could become due, and all debt and derivative contracts could be terminated, which could have a material adverse impact to our operations and liquidity.