Carnival Corporation & plc Announces the Redemption of Existing €500 Million Notes and Launch of New Senior Unsecured Notes Offering for Interest Expense Reduction; Launch of Repricing of Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan B Facilities with Partial Repayment for Debt and Interest Expense Reduction

Rhea-AI Summary

Carnival & plc announced the redemption of existing €500 million notes and the launch of a new senior unsecured notes offering to reduce interest expenses. They also initiated the repricing of senior secured first lien term loan B facilities with partial repayment for debt and interest expense reduction.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The strategic move by Carnival Corporation to refinance its existing debt by offering new senior unsecured notes is a significant step towards interest expense reduction. By replacing the higher-interest 2026 Euro Unsecured Notes with presumably lower-interest notes, the company is likely to decrease its cost of capital. This could enhance its net income and free cash flow, potentially leading to a stronger balance sheet and better valuations. Investors need to monitor the interest rate on the new notes, as the savings depend heavily on this detail. Additionally, the company's debt profile will be improved, as extending maturities reduces the pressure on near-term liquidity. However, since these are unsecured notes, they carry a higher risk than secured debt, which may affect the risk profile of the company's bond offerings.

Debt Capital Markets Expert

Carnival's decision to advance the repayment of its senior secured first lien term loan B facilities and issue new unsecured notes could signal confidence from management in the company’s liquidity and creditworthiness. Repricing of debt is a common strategy utilized by corporations to take advantage of favorable market conditions and interest rates. Retail investors should assess the impact of such transactions on the company's overall interest expense and whether these savings will be material in strengthening its financial position. It is essential to compare the terms of the new issuance with current market conditions for similar maturities and credit ratings. If Carnival secures a lower interest rate, it could point to a favorable view from investors and rating agencies.

Investment Strategist

From an investor perspective, Carnival’s proactive approach to manage its debt is commendable. Debt restructuring and refinancing can be a favorable indicator of a company’s ability to navigate its financial obligations, especially in industries like travel that are susceptible to cyclical and external shocks. If executed at lower interest rates, these actions could improve earnings per share over time as a result of the reduction in interest expenses. Nonetheless, the market will also weigh in on Carnival’s future revenue-generating capacity, as it can impact its ability to service the new debt structure. Investors should balance these debt management efforts against the backdrop of the broader economic and industry-specific trends when considering the company's long-term growth prospects.

MIAMI, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) today announced that Carnival Corporation (the "Company") commenced a private offering (the "Notes Offering") of new senior unsecured notes in an aggregate principal amount of €500 million, expected to mature in 2030 (the "Notes") to refinance its €500 million 7.625% senior unsecured notes due 2026 (the "2026 Euro Unsecured Notes"), expecting to reduce interest expense.

The Company issued a conditional notice of redemption for the entire outstanding principal amount of the 2026 Euro Unsecured Notes to be redeemed on or about April 26, 2024 at a redemption price equal to 101.906% of the principal amount of the 2026 Euro Unsecured Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company expects to fund the redemption using the net proceeds from the Notes Offering and cash on hand, and the redemption is conditioned on the closing of the Notes Offering.

In addition, and continuing its ongoing debt and interest expense reduction and capital structure simplification, the Company expects to commence the marketing of a repricing transaction (the "Repricing Transaction") with respect to its $2.3 billion first-priority senior secured term loan facility maturing in 2028 (the "2028 Secured Term Loan Facility") and its $1.3 billion senior secured term loan facility maturing in 2027 (the "2027 Secured Term Loan Facility"). As part of the Repricing Transaction, the Company expects to make partial prepayments of outstanding amounts under the 2028 Secured Term Loan Facility and the 2027 Secured Term Loan Facility in an aggregate amount of up to $800 million.

PJT Partners is serving as independent financial advisor to Carnival Corporation & plc.

This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 2026 Euro Unsecured Notes.

The Notes will be offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and outside the United States, only to non-U.S. investors pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase the Notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Carnival Corporation & plc

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines - AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc and their respective subsidiaries are referred to collectively in this press release, as "Carnival Corporation & plc," "our," "us" and "we." Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to us, including some statements concerning the financing transactions described herein, future results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, reputation, cash flows, liquidity and other events which have not yet occurred. These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like "will," "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "depends," "expect," "goal," "aspiration," "anticipate," "forecast," "project," "future," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "target," "indicate," "outlook," and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms.

Forward-looking statements include those statements that relate to our outlook and financial position including, but not limited to, statements regarding:

Pricing Booking levels Occupancy Interest, tax and fuel expenses Currency exchange rates Goodwill, ship and trademark fair values Liquidity and credit ratings Investment grade leverage metrics Estimates of ship depreciable lives and residual values The transactions described herein

Adjusted net income (loss) Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted earnings per share Adjusted free cash flow Net per diems Net yields Adjusted cruise costs per ALBD Adjusted cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD Adjusted return on invested capital

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. This note contains important cautionary statements of the known factors that we consider could materially affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently, and in the future may continue to be, amplified by our substantial debt balance incurred during the pause of our guest cruise operations. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Events and conditions around the world, including geopolitical uncertainty, war and other military actions, inflation, higher fuel prices, higher interest rates and other general concerns impacting the ability or desire of people to travel have led, and may in the future lead, to a decline in demand for cruises as well as negative impacts to our operating costs and profitability.
• Pandemics have in the past and may in the future have a significant negative impact on our financial condition and operations.
• Incidents concerning our ships, guests or the cruise industry have in the past and may, in the future, negatively impact the satisfaction of our guests and crew and lead to reputational damage.
• Changes in and non-compliance with laws and regulations under which we operate, such as those relating to health, environment, safety and security, data privacy and protection, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, economic sanctions, trade protection, labor and employment, and tax may be costly and have in the past and may, in the future, lead to litigation, enforcement actions, fines, penalties and reputational damage.
• Factors associated with climate change, including evolving and increasing regulations, increasing global concern about climate change and the shift in climate conscious consumerism and stakeholder scrutiny, and increasing frequency and/or severity of adverse weather conditions could adversely affect our business.
• Inability to meet or achieve our targets, goals, aspirations, initiatives, and our public statements and disclosures regarding them, including those that are related to sustainability matters, may expose us to risks that may adversely impact our business.
• Breaches in data security and lapses in data privacy as well as disruptions and other damages to our principal offices, information technology operations and system networks and failure to keep pace with developments in technology may adversely impact our business operations, the satisfaction of our guests and crew and may lead to reputational damage.
• The loss of key team members, our inability to recruit or retain qualified shoreside and shipboard team members and increased labor costs could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
• Increases in fuel prices, changes in the types of fuel consumed and availability of fuel supply may adversely impact our scheduled itineraries and costs.
• We rely on supply chain vendors who are integral to the operations of our businesses. These vendors and service providers may be unable to deliver on their commitments, which could negatively impact our business.
• Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely impact our financial results.
• Overcapacity and competition in the cruise and land-based vacation industry may negatively impact our cruise sales, pricing and destination options.
• Inability to implement our shipbuilding programs and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments may adversely impact our business operations and the satisfaction of our guests.
• We require a significant amount of cash to service our debt and sustain our operations. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors, including those beyond our control, and we may not be able to generate cash required to service our debt and sustain our operations.
• Our substantial debt could adversely affect our financial health and operating flexibility.
• The risk factors included in Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024 and Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024.

The ordering of the risk factors set forth above is not intended to reflect our indication of priority or likelihood.

Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange rules, we expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this document, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our sustainability progress, plans, and goals (including climate change and environmental-related matters). In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking sustainability- and climate-related statements may be based on standards and tools for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions and predictions that are subject to change in the future and may not be generally shared.

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SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc

FAQ

What did Carnival & plc announce regarding their existing notes?

Carnival & plc announced the redemption of existing €500 million notes.

What is the purpose of the new senior unsecured notes offering?

The new senior unsecured notes offering is aimed at reducing interest expenses.

What is the expected maturity date for the new senior unsecured notes?

The new senior unsecured notes are expected to mature in 2030.

What is the interest rate on the 2026 Euro Unsecured Notes being refinanced?

The 2026 Euro Unsecured Notes have an interest rate of 7.625%.

What is the purpose of the repricing of senior secured first lien term loan B facilities?

The repricing is being done for debt and interest expense reduction.