Share of profit of NCLH amounted to $46.9m, a swing from the loss of $44m a year ago, primarily due to the improvement in Norwegian's operating income and the absence of one-off expenses related to early repayment of debts following the company's initial public offering in early 2013. This was notwithstanding the Genting group's reduced equity interest in Norwegian.
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation were $20.2m, down from $23.9m.
Revenue went up 9.7% in the first half, to $281.6m, primarily due to higher gaming revenue, which rose 13.7%, to $167m.
On-board and other revenues grew 5.7%, to $32.7m, mainly driven by higher on-board retail sales. Passenger ticket revenue fell 6.5%, to $68.3m, mostly due to SuperStar Virgo's drydock and redeployment to Hong Kong.
Cruise occupancy was 69%, down from 74% a year ago.
Total cost and expenses, excluding depreciation and amortisation, increased to $261.4m, up from $232.8m, mainly attributable to higher salaries and marketing and promotion expenses. Total costs and expenses, excluding fuel and depreciation and amortisation, increased 15.3%, to $229.7m, but only 10.7% on a per-capacity-day basis.
Fuel expense declined 5.4%, to $31.6m, due to lower overall fuel consumption mainly as a result of SuperStar Virgo's drydock in January, coupled with a 2.8% decrease in average fuel price. Star Cruises’ average fuel price per metric ton, net of hedges, was $636 in the first half, compared to $654 in early 2013.
Total depreciation and amortisation expenses rose 7%, to $41.5m, primarily due to the additional capitalised drydock expenses for SuperStar Virgo.
