8-KMaterial AgreementsFinancial EventsRegulation FD+1

CARNIVAL CORP 8-K Report, Material Agreement (Feb 7, 2025)

Filed February 7, 2025For Securities:CCL

Summary

Carnival Corporation (CCL) announced the successful closing of its private offering of $2.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior unsecured notes due 2033. The primary purpose of this issuance was to redeem the company's higher-interest 10.375% senior priority notes due 2028, which carried a principal amount of $2.03 billion. This debt refinancing is a strategic move to lower interest expenses and extend the maturity profile of its debt, potentially improving the company's financial flexibility and cash flow. The new notes are guaranteed by Carnival plc and certain subsidiaries. The indenture governing these notes includes standard provisions such as restrictions on liens and mergers, and requires a repurchase offer to bondholders in the event of a change of control. The offering was made to qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. investors, indicating a private placement rather than a public offering.

Key Highlights

  • 1Closed a $2.0 billion private offering of 6.125% senior unsecured notes due 2033.
  • 2Used proceeds to redeem $2.03 billion of 10.375% senior priority notes due 2028.
  • 3Refinancing aims to reduce overall interest expense and extend debt maturity.
  • 4New notes are unsecured and guaranteed by Carnival plc and certain subsidiaries.
  • 5Indenture includes change of control provisions requiring a repurchase offer.
  • 6Offering was conducted as a private placement to qualified institutional and non-U.S. investors.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary financial impact is a reduction in Carnival's overall interest expense due to the refinancing of higher-coupon debt (10.375%) with lower-coupon debt (6.125%). This also extends the maturity of a significant portion of the company's debt, providing greater financial flexibility.

The new 6.125% senior unsecured notes due 2033 are unsecured obligations. However, they are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Carnival plc and certain of the Company's and Carnival plc's subsidiaries.

In the event of specified change of control triggering events, Carnival will be required to offer to repurchase the new notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. This provides protection to noteholders in such scenarios.

The notes were offered privately to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers (in reliance on Rule 144A) and to non-U.S. investors (in reliance on Regulation S). They were not registered under the Securities Act and were not offered to the general public.