NCL Could Bring 60,120 Passengers To Cuba In 2017; US$7 Million Economic Impact

Bermuda-based (Miami, Florida, headquarters) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (2016 revenues exceeded US$4.3 billion) (NCL), has announced an additional twenty-five (25) sailings from Miami, Florida, to Havana, Republic of Cuba, for the period June 2017 through December 2017.  Previously, the company announced five (5) sailings for May 2016.

NCL also reported receiving authorization from the government of the Republic of Cuba for its subsidiaries, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, to operate in the country.  According to the company, "With a combined fleet of 24 ships with approximately 46,500 berths, these brands offer itineraries to more than 510 destinations worldwide."  NCL carried approximately 2.3 million passengers in 2016.

NCL is using the 2,004-passenger, 848ft Norwegian Sky, built in 1999 (refurbished in 2013).  If operating at capacity, NCL will deliver 60,120 passengers to the Republic of Cuba, resulting in a direct economic impact of which could exceed US$7 million.   Gross revenues to NCL if the vessel operates at capacity for all sailings could be US$81.4 million, representing 2% of gross revenues and approximately 3% of total passengers.

Earlier in February 2017, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (2016 revenues exceeded US$8.5 billion) increased the number of sailings in 2017 that include the Republic of Cuba from four (4) to eleven (11); changing the number of passengers from a potential 6,408 to 17,622 and gross revenues from a potential US$8.3 million to US$22.9 million.

For the Republic of Cuba sailings, the company is using its 1,602-passenger Empress of the Seas (692ft), which was placed in service on 25 June 1990.  

On 26 January 2017, with four (4) announced itineraries (one departing from Miami, Florida and three from Tampa, Florida), if the Empress of the Seas was fully-occupied for each sailing, the total number of passengers would be 6,408 with gross revenues of approximately US$8.3 million.  In 2016, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. vessels carried approximately six million passengers.  The four Republic of Cuba sailings would represent .11% of the total passengers carried by the company and .10% of gross revenues to the company.

On 3 February 2017, the company announced additional itineraries.  Thus, for 2017, Royal Caribbean Cruises will have eleven (11) sailings that will include the Republic of Cuba: ten (10) from Tampa, Florida, and one (1) sailing from Miami, Florida.  The sailings, which range from four (4) nights to seven (7) nights, commence in April 2017 and continue through November 2017.  If the Empress of the Seas sails at capacity, the total number of passengers that would visit the Republic of Cuba in 2017 will be 17,622 with gross revenues of approximately US$22.9 million.  The eleven sailings would represent .28% of the total passengers carried by the company in 2016 and represent .29% of gross revenues to the company in 2016.