Regent Seven Seas Cruises Reports Results for Second Quarter 2011: Strong Net Yield Growth of 6.2%

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Cruises S. DE R.L. or the “Company”) today reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

Net Yield for the second quarter was up 6.2 percent driven by a strong rise in pricing with Net Per Diem up 4.8 percent and occupancy increasing 1.2 percentage points. Adjusted EBITDA was $24.6 million on revenue of $122.8 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $25.3 million on revenue of $110.5 million for the second quarter of 2010. In the second quarter of 2011, we had a 4.1 percent reduction in capacity caused by a scheduled drydock for Seven Seas Mariner. There were no drydocks in the second quarter of 2010.

Commenting on the second quarter, the Company’s chairman and CEO, Frank Del Rio, stated, “We are extraordinarily pleased with the performance of the brand in the second quarter. Our strategy of delivering the industry’s most all-inclusive luxury cruise experience is resonating well in the marketplace and is reflected in our strong Net Yield growth.”

Other key operating metrics for the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in the prior year are as follows:

  • Net Cruise Costs, excluding Fuel and Other expenses, per APCD was up less than 1 percent increasing to $270 in 2011 compared to $268 in 2010.
  • Fuel was up 32.3 percent, or $2.5 million, reflecting higher prices. Our effective economic hedging strategy was able to partially offset this increase, as we recognized a $1.6 million cash benefit on executed fuel hedge contracts during the quarter that offset 65.8 percent of this increase. The realized gain of fuel derivatives was recorded in other income (expense) as these instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting.
  • Other expenses were up $3.3 million primarily attributable to a 10-day scheduled drydock for Seven Seas Mariner in 2011.

During the second quarter of 2011, we successfully issued $225 million of new senior secured notes and used a portion of the proceeds to extinguish our second lien term loan and prepay $29 million of our first lien term loan. As part of this transaction, we recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $7.5 million due to the write-off of previously deferred financing costs and prepayment penalties.

About Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line. Fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip air, highly personalized service, acclaimed cuisine, fine wines and spirits, sightseeing excursions in every port, a pre-cruise luxury hotel package and gratuities. Three award-winning, all-suite vessels, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator, are among the most spacious at sea and visit more than 300 destinations around the globe.

About Prestige Cruise Holdings

Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) is the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Formed in 2007 to manage select assets in Apollo Management's cruise investment portfolio, PCH is led by Chairman and CEO Frank Del Rio, the founder of Oceania Cruises. PCH is the market leader in the upper-premium and luxury segments of the cruise industry with nearly 5,200 berths between the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, a number the company expects will grow to approximately 6,400 berths by 2012.

Terminology

Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, other income (expense), income tax benefit (expense), and other supplemental adjustments in connection with the calculation of certain financial ratios in accordance with our loan indenture.

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.

Gross Cruise Costs represent the sum of total cruise operation expenses plus selling and administrative expenses.

Gross Yield represents total revenue per APCD.

Net Cruise Costs represent Gross Cruise Costs excluding commissions, transportation and other expenses, and onboard and other expenses.

Net Per Diem represents Net Revenue divided by Passenger Days Sold.

Net Revenue represents total revenue less commissions, transportation and other expenses, and onboard and other expenses.

Net Yield represents Net Revenue per APCD.

Occupancy is calculated by dividing Passenger Days Sold by APCD.

Passenger Days Sold represents the number of revenue passengers carried for the period multiplied by the number of days within the period of their respective cruises.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use certain non-GAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, Net Per Diem, Net Yield, and Net Cruise Costs, which 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 utilize Net Per Diem to manage our business on a day-to-day basis as we believe that it is the most relevant measure of our pricing performance as it reflects the revenues earned by us, net of our most significant variable costs. In measuring our ability to control costs in a manner that positively impacts net income, we believe Net Cruise Costs to be the most relevant indicators of our performance. 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. 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 United States GAAP.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors as it enables us to analyze our performance. We believe Adjusted EBITDA, when considered along with other performance measures, is a useful measure as it reflects certain operating drivers of our business, such as sales growth, operating costs, selling and administrative expenses and other operating income and expense. We believe Adjusted EBITDA can provide a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends and an enhanced overall understanding of our financial performance and prospects for the future. While Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure under GAAP, we use this financial measure to evaluate and forecast our business performance. You are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a defined term under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA differs from the term EBITDA as it is commonly used. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of liquidity or cash flows from operations or measures comparable to net income as it does not take into account certain requirements such as capital expenditures and related depreciation, principal and interest payments and tax payments, and it includes other supplemental adjustments.

Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies within our industry. Please see a historical reconciliation of these measures to items in our consolidated financial statements below in Results of Operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain statements, estimates or projections that constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts, without limitation, those regarding our business strategy, financial position, results of operations, plans, prospects and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to our activities), are forward-looking. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for terms like “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “could,” “will,” “may,” “might,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” and “future” and for similar words. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, our substantial leverage, including the inability to generate the necessary amount of cash to service our existing debt and the incurrence of substantial indebtedness in the future; continued availability under our credit facilities and compliance with our covenants; our ability to incur significantly more debt despite our substantial existing indebtedness; the impact of changes in our credit ratings; the impact of changes in the global credit markets on our ability to borrow and our counterparty credit risks, including with respect to our credit facilities, derivative instruments, contingent obligations and insurance contracts; adverse economic conditions that may affect consumer demand for cruises such as declines in the securities and real estate markets, declines in disposable income and consumer confidence and higher unemployment rates; changes in general economic, business and geopolitical conditions; the risks associated with operating internationally; adverse events impacting the security of travel that may affect consumer demand for cruises such as terrorist acts, acts of piracy, armed conflict and other international events including political hostilities or war; the impact of any future changes relating to how travel agents sell and market our cruises; the impact of any future increases in the price of, or major changes or reduction in, commercial airline services; the impact of problems encountered at shipyards, as well as any potential claim, impairment, loss, cancellation or breach of contract in connection with any contracts we have with shipyards; the impact of mechanical failures or accidents involving our ships and the impact of delays, costs and other factors resulting from emergency ship repairs as well as scheduled maintenance, repairs and refurbishment of our ships; the total loss of one or more of our vessels as a result of a marine casualty; the impact of the spread of contagious diseases; the impact of weather and natural disasters; changes in interest rates, fuel costs, or foreign currency rates; changes involving the corporate, tax, environmental, health, safety and other regulatory regimes in which we operate; increases in our future fuel expenses related to implementing recently proposed International Maritime Organization regulations, which require the use of higher priced low sulfur fuels in certain cruising areas; accidents, criminal behavior and other incidents affecting the health, safety, security and vacation satisfaction of passengers and causing damage to ships, which could, in each case, cause reputational harm, the modification of itineraries or cancellation of a cruise or series of cruises; general industry trends, including the introduction of competing itineraries and other products and services by other companies; changes in cruise capacity, as well as capacity changes in the overall vacation industry; the continued availability of attractive port destinations; intense competition from other cruise companies as well as non-cruise vacation alternatives which may affect our ability to compete effectively; our ability to attract and retain qualified shipboard crewmembers and key personnel; the lack of acceptance of new itineraries, products or services by our targeted passengers; changes in other operating costs such as crew, insurance and security costs; the impact of pending or threatened litigation and investigations; the implementation of regulations in the U.S. requiring U.S. citizens to obtain passports for travel to additional foreign destinations; and the possibility of environmental liabilities and other damage that is not covered by insurance or that exceeds our insurance coverage. The above examples are not exhaustive. From time to time, new risks emerge and existing risks increase in relative importance to our operations. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Such forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our present and future business strategies and the environment in which we will operate in the future. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based. In addition, certain financial measures in this release constitute non-GAAP financial measures as defined by Regulation G. A reconciliation of these items can be found attached hereto and on the Company’s web site at www.rssc.com/investors.

SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands)

   
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2011   2010 2011   2010
 
Revenue
Passenger ticket $ 110,185 $ 98,294 $ 203,453 $ 179,072
Onboard and other   12,664     12,199     23,167     21,531  
Total revenue   122,849     110,493     226,620     200,603  
 
Cruise operating expense
Commissions, transportation and other 38,718 28,545 67,224 49,343
Onboard and other 3,608 2,872 5,252 4,608
Payroll, related and food 17,699 17,151 35,186 34,121
Fuel 10,263 7,757 20,612 17,008
Other ship operating 9,820 10,601 18,947 19,738
Other   5,283     1,975     6,323     3,049  
Total cruise operating expense   85,391     68,901     153,544     127,867  
Other operating expense
Selling and administrative 16,974 18,287 38,172 39,978
Depreciation and amortization   9,224     8,461     18,037     17,820  
Total other operating expense   26,198     26,748     56,209     57,798  
Operating income   11,260     14,844     16,867     14,938  
 
Non-operating income (expense)
Interest income 50 18 64 22
Interest expense (7,394 ) (9,753 ) (15,412 ) (19,462 )
Other income (expense)   (7,026 )   (2,479 )   (3,098 )   (2,899 )
Total non-operating expense   (14,370 )   (12,214 )   (18,446 )   (22,339 )
Income (loss) before income taxes (3,110 ) 2,630 (1,579 ) (7,401 )
Income tax benefit (expense)   108     59     50     (151 )
Net income (loss) $ (3,002 ) $ 2,689   $ (1,529 ) $ (7,552 )

SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited, in thousands)

   
As of As of
June 30, December 31,
2011 2010
 
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 97,253 $ 37,258
Restricted cash 4,242 4,075
Trade accounts receivable 7,934 6,849
Other accounts receivable 39 6,427
Inventories 4,176 2,343
Prepaid expenses 20,904 13,855
Other current assets   6,029     5,186  
Total current assets 140,577 75,993
Property and equipment, net 658,784 656,848
Goodwill 404,858 404,858
Intangible assets, net 87,405 80,760
Other assets   31,723     11,418  
Total assets $ 1,323,347   $ 1,229,877  
 
Liabilities and Members' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 6,986 $ 7,451
Accrued expenses 40,196 32,460
Passenger deposits 185,459 150,589
Derivative liabilities - 2,814
Current portion of long-term debt   15,000     25,000  
Total current liabilities 247,641 218,314
Long-term debt 531,000 476,786
Other long-term liabilities   13,423     5,209  
Total liabilities 792,064 700,309
 
Members' equity
Contributed capital 562,995 562,566
Accumulated deficit (31,712 ) (30,184 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   -     (2,814 )
Total members' equity   531,283     529,568  
Total liabilities and members' equity $ 1,323,347   $ 1,229,877  

SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2011   2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss $ (1,529 ) $ (7,552 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 18,037 17,820
Amortization of deferred financing costs 1,916 2,058
Accretion of debt discount 168 -
Stock-based compensation 428 896
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts (1,316 ) 3,667
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 7,502 -
Other 7 (33 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade and other accounts receivable 5,253 (4,101 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (7,591 ) (8,251 )
Inventories (1,904 ) 287
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 505 (6,748 )
Passenger deposits   38,284     46,779  
Net cash provided by operating activities   59,760     44,822  
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures (11,840 ) (14,113 )
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash (20,167 ) 1,821
Acquisition of Regent tradename rights   (4,445 )   -  
Net cash used in investing activities   (36,452 )   (12,292 )
 
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt (180,786 ) (12,500 )
Proceeds from the issuance of senior secured notes 225,000 -
Debt issuance costs (6,562 ) -
Costs associated with early extinguishment of debt (1,393 ) -
Capital contributions   -     19  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   36,259     (12,481 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   428     (1,303 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 59,995 18,746
 
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period   37,258     27,754  
End of period $ 97,253   $ 46,500  
 
Supplemental Schedule of Non-cash Investing and
Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in accrual of capital expenditures $ 4,375 $ (12,038 )
Issuance of parent company shares - 1,969
Increase in accrued of debt issuance costs 794 -
Increase in accrued intangible asset 3,449 -

SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.

NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

       

The following table sets forth selected statistical information:

 
Quarter Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2011 2010 2011 2010
Passenger Days Sold 147,860 152,122 295,985 298,343
APCD 164,990 171,990 335,090 342,090
Occupancy 89.6 % 88.4 % 88.3 % 87.2 %

Adjusted EBITDA was calculated as follows (in thousands):

   
Quarter Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2011   2010 2011   2010
Net income (loss) $ (3,002 ) $ 2,689 $ (1,529 ) $ (7,552 )
Interest income (50 ) (18 ) (64 ) (22 )
Interest expense 7,394 9,753 15,412 19,462
Depreciation and amortization 9,224 8,461 18,037 17,820
Income tax benefit (expense), net (108 ) (59 ) (50 ) 151
Other income (expense) 7,026 2,479 3,098 2,899
Equity-based compensation/transactions (a) 121 495 428 896
Non-recurring expenses (b) 2,099 763 3,043 2,856
Restructuring charges (c) 270 347 404 445
Fuel hedge gain (d)   1,649     365     2,781     906  
ADJUSTED EBITDA $ 24,623   $ 25,275   $ 41,560   $ 37,861  
(a)   Equity-based compensation/transactions represent stock compensation expense in each period.
(b) Non-recurring expenses represents the net impact of time out of service as a result of unplanned and non-recurring repairs to vessels; expenses associated with consolidating corporate headquarters; professional fees and other costs associated with raising capital through debt and equity offerings; certain litigation fees; and the fees paid to license the name “Regent” in 2010 and first quarter 2011. In February 2011, we amended the Regent license agreement to perpetually license the “Regent” name; as such we will not incur any future license fees.
(c) Restructuring charges represents the costs associated with bringing the deck and engine operations in house, outsourcing our hotel management services, restructuring our ship holding companies, and other corporate reorganizations associated with improving efficiencies.
(d) Fuel hedge gain represents the realized gain on fuel hedges triggered by the settlement of the hedge.

SEVEN SEAS CRUISES S. DE R.L.

NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 
Net Per Diem, Gross Yield and Net Yield were calculated as follows (in thousands, except
Passenger Days Sold, APCD, Net Per Diem, and Yield data):
   
Quarter Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2011   2010 2011   2010
 
Passenger ticket revenue $ 110,185 $ 98,294 $ 203,453 $ 179,072
Onboard and other revenue   12,664   12,199   23,167   21,531
Total revenue 122,849 110,493 226,620 200,603
Less:
Commissions, transportation and other expense 38,718 28,545 67,224 49,343
Onboard and other expense   3,608   2,872   5,252   4,608
Net Revenue $ 80,523 $ 79,076 $ 154,144 $ 146,652
 
Passenger Days Sold 147,860 152,122 295,985 298,343
APCD 164,990 171,990 335,090 342,090
Net Per Diem $ 544.59 $ 519.82 $ 520.78 $ 491.56
Gross Yield 744.58 642.44 676.30 586.40
Net Yield 488.05 459.77 460.01 428.69
Gross Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs were calculated as follows (in thousands, except APCD and
costs per APCD):
       
Quarter Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2011 2010 2011 2010
 
Total cruise operating expense $ 85,391 $ 68,901 $ 153,544 $ 127,867
Selling and administrative expense   16,974   18,287   38,172   39,978
Gross Cruise Cost 102,365 87,188 191,716 167,845
Less:
Commissions, transportation and other expense 38,718 28,545 67,224 49,343
Onboard and other expense   3,608   2,872   5,252   4,608
Net Cruise Cost $ 60,039 $ 55,771 $ 119,240 $ 113,894
Less:
Fuel 10,263 7,757 20,612 17,008
Other expenses   5,283   1,975   6,323   3,049
Net Cruise Cost, excluding Fuel and Other $ 44,493 $ 46,039 $ 92,305 $ 93,837
 
APCD 164,990 171,990 335,090 342,090
Gross Cruise Cost per APCD $ 620.43 $ 506.94 $ 572.13 $ 490.65
Net Cruise Cost per APCD 363.89 324.27 355.84 332.94

Net Cruise Cost, excluding Fuel and Other, per

APCD 269.67 267.68 275.46 274.31

Prestige Cruise Holdings
Investor Relations:
Jason Montague, 305-514-2743
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
jmontague@prestigecruiseholdings.com
or
Media:
Gary Gerbino, 305-514-3912
Vice President of Corporate Communications
ggerbino@prestigecruiseholdings.com

Source: Regent Seven Seas Cruises