8-K

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD 8-K Report (Nov 16, 2000)

Filed November 16, 2000For Securities:RCL

Summary

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) filed a Form 6-K on November 15, 2000, providing its third-quarter 2000 financial report. The company demonstrated strong top-line growth, with revenues increasing by 13.7% to $835.2 million for the quarter and 13.3% to $2.2 billion for the first nine months of the year. This growth was driven by increased capacity from the new ships 'Voyager of the Seas' and 'Millennium'. Net income also saw a significant rise, up 18.5% to $201.5 million for the third quarter and 20.2% to $415.3 million for the nine-month period. Despite revenue growth, there was a slight decline in Gross Yield due to lower ticket prices and a shift towards concessionaires for onboard services, though Net Yield remained stable. The company is heavily investing in fleet expansion, with 10 ships on order totaling approximately $4.1 billion, indicating a significant future capital expenditure commitment. RCL also reported a strategic investment and joint venture in a European cruise line with First Choice Holidays, involving the purchase of convertible preferred stock and the transfer of a vessel.

Key Highlights

  • 1Third-quarter 2000 revenues increased by 13.7% to $835.2 million year-over-year, driven by new ship capacity.
  • 2Net income for the third quarter of 2000 rose by 18.5% to $201.5 million compared to the same period in 1999.
  • 3Earnings per diluted share for Q3 2000 were $1.04, up from $0.92 in Q3 1999.
  • 4The company is undertaking significant fleet expansion with 10 new ships on order, representing approximately $4.1 billion in aggregate contract price.
  • 5RCL entered into a strategic investment and joint venture with First Choice Holidays, involving convertible preferred stock and a vessel transfer.
  • 6Gross Yield experienced a slight decline of 3.6% in Q3 2000 due to pricing and a shift to concessionaires, although Net Yield saw a marginal decline of less than 1%.
  • 7Capital expenditures were substantial, totaling $1.2 billion for the first nine months of 2000, primarily for new vessel deliveries and deposits on future orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth was primarily driven by increased capacity from the addition of new ships to the fleet, specifically 'Voyager of the Seas' (which entered service in late 1999) and 'Millennium' (which entered service in July 2000).

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a significant fleet expansion plan with 10 new ships on order, representing an aggregate contract price of approximately $4.1 billion. The company anticipates substantial capital expenditures in the coming years to support this growth.

Yes, Royal Caribbean entered into a joint venture and made a strategic investment in convertible preferred stock with First Choice Holidays. This transaction involved the transfer of the 'Viking Serenade' to the joint venture and provided the company with a stake in a new European cruise line.

Profitability showed strong improvement, with net income increasing by 18.5% to $201.5 million. Diluted earnings per share also increased to $1.04 from $0.92 in the prior year's third quarter.