It seems 2009 wasn't a total wash travel-wise. Norwegian Cruise Line has released its results for fourth quarter and full year 2009, and the numbers are for the record books. Adjusted EBITDA improved 24 percent in the fourth quarter and 16 percent for the full year.
EBITDA improved $37.4 million from $6.6 million in the fourth quarter and $324.1 million from $228.1 million for the year.
The fourth quarter results happened despite an 8.3 percent decline in Net Revenue in the quarter. The decline was due to a 4.2 percent decrease in Net Yield and a 4.2 percent decrease in Capacity Days. However occupancy percentage for the quarter increased to a lofty 105 percent compared to the 101.2 percent in the prior year.
The full year also saw a decline in Net Revenue of 12.4 percent from a 7.7 percent decrease in Net Yield and a 5.1 percent decrease in Capacity Days.
Looking Ahead
Norwegian Cruise Line released its 2011-2012 winter/spring deployment, including two new seasonal homeports of Tampa, Florida and Rome, Italy. In addition the line will be visiting Israel for the first time since 1999.
Norwegian Star will depart Tampa for seven-day Caribbean itineraries beginning October 16, 2011 through April 8, 2012. The Norwegian Jade will sail from Rome on an 11-day Mediterranean and Holy Land cruise, along with 10-day Eastern Mediterranean sailings, from October 15, 2011 to April 11, 2012.
Norwegian Pearl's Caribbean cruise from Miami now includes Ocho Rios, Jamaica as a port of call.
Cruises open for sale on February 25, 2010.
Visit www.ncl.com.