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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 1999
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(TRANSLATION OF REGISTRANT'S NAME INTO ENGLISH)
1050 CARIBBEAN WAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33132
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT FILES OR WILL FILE ANNUAL
REPORTS UNDER COVER FORM 20-F OR FORM 40-F.
FORM 20-F X FORM 40-F
---------------- ---------------
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT BY FURNISHING THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS FORM IS ALSO THEREBY FURNISHING THE INFORMATION TO THE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 12g3-2(b) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
YES NO X
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT
FIRST QUARTER 1999
<PAGE> 3
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
INDEX TO QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT
PAGE
----
Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the First Quarters ended March 31, 1999
and 1998 1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
March 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998 2
Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows for the First Quarters ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998 3
Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements 4
Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations 7
<PAGE> 4
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
-----------------------------
1999 1998
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
REVENUES $ 610,046 $ 659,777
------------- -------------
EXPENSES
Operating 366,613 396,410
Marketing, selling and administrative 87,814 96,292
Depreciation and amortization 47,229 47,614
------------- -------------
501,656 540,316
------------- -------------
OPERATING INCOME 108,390 119,461
------------- -------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest income 891 2,579
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest (35,222) (42,556)
Other income (expense) 16,137 (1,947)
------------- -------------
(18,194) (41,924)
------------- -------------
NET INCOME $ 90,196 $ 77,537
============= =============
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net income $ 0.52 $ 0.45
============= =============
Weighted average shares outstanding 169,057,619 163,786,192
============= =============
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net income $ 0.49 $ 0.44
============= =============
Weighted average shares outstanding 183,075,050 177,220,624
============= =============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of
----------------------------
March 31, December 31,
1999 1998
----------- -----------
ASSETS (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 108,270 $ 172,921
Trade and other receivables, net 78,838 36,532
Inventories 30,790 31,834
Prepaid expenses 46,327 45,044
----------- -----------
Total current assets 264,225 286,331
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - at cost less accumulated
depreciation and amortization 5,195,926 5,073,008
GOODWILL - less accumulated amortization of $109,969 and
$107,365, respectively 307,198 309,801
OTHER ASSETS 16,972 16,936
----------- -----------
$ 5,784,321 $ 5,686,076
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current portion of long-term debt $ 128,061 $ 127,919
Accounts payable 121,705 115,833
Accrued liabilities 233,509 243,477
Customer deposits 444,805 402,926
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 928,080 890,155
LONG-TERM DEBT 2,326,950 2,341,163
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock 172,500 172,500
Common stock 1,692 1,690
Paid-in capital 1,364,613 1,361,796
Retained earnings 995,545 923,691
Treasury stock (5,059) (4,919)
----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity 2,529,291 2,454,758
----------- -----------
$ 5,784,321 $ 5,686,076
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
----------------------------
1999 1998
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 90,196 $ 77,537
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 47,229 47,614
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in trade and other receivables, net (42,306) (3,367)
Decrease in inventories 1,044 1,411
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets (1,283) (6,171)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, trade 5,872 (1,805)
(Decrease) increase in accrued liabilities (9,968) 38,562
Increase (decrease) in customer deposits 41,879 (4,631)
Other, net 1,067 605
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 133,730 149,755
--------- ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment (167,495) (92,372)
Other, net (901) (164)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (168,396) (92,536)
--------- ---------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt -- 296,141
Repayment of long-term debt (12,758) (68,685)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock -- 165,532
Dividends (18,342) (15,298)
Other, net 1,115 2,445
--------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (29,985) 380,135
--------- ---------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (64,651) 437,354
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 172,921 110,793
--------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 108,270 $ 548,147
========= =========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized $ 27,667 $ 25,227
========= =========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 - BASIS FOR PREPARATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In the opinion of management the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial
statements contain all normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair
presentation. The Company's revenues are moderately seasonal and results for
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire
year.
The interim unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto
for 1998.
NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
Below is a reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share for the
quarters ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
1999 1998
------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
INCOME SHARES PER SHARE INCOME SHARES PER SHARE
------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Income $ 90,196 $ 77,537
Less: Preferred stock
dividends (3,127) (3,127)
-------- --------
Basic EPS $ 87,069 169,058 $ 0.52 $ 74,410 163,786 $ 0.45
====== ======
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Stock options 3,369 2,787
Convertible preferred stock 3,127 10,648 3,127 10,648
-------- ------- -------- -------
Diluted EPS $ 90,196 183,075 $ 0.49 $ 77,537 177,221 $ 0.44
======== ======= ====== ======== ======= ======
</TABLE>
NOTE 3 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. The Company currently has a total of nine ships
on order. The aggregate contract price of the nine ships, which excludes
capitalized interest and other ancillary costs, is approximately $3.6 billion of
which the Company has deposited $337.1 million. Additional deposits are due
prior to the dates of delivery of $119.2 million in 1999, $88.1 million in 2000
and $25.0 million in 2001. The Company anticipates that
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overall capital expenditures will be approximately $997, $1,196 and $1,368
million for 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.
LITIGATION. In June 1998, the Company entered into a plea agreement with the
U.S. Department of Justice settling previously filed charges contained in two
indictments pending in the U.S. District of Puerto Rico and the Southern
District of Florida, respectively. The indictments, which pertained to events
that occurred in 1994 and prior years, contained a total of 11 felony counts
related to improper disposal of oil-contaminated bilge water and attempts to
conceal such activities from the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the plea agreement, the
Company pled guilty to 8 of the 11 counts and paid $9.0 million. The Company was
also placed on probation for up to five years and has implemented a Court
supervised Environmental Compliance Plan. The U.S. government is continuing its
investigation of the Company's bilge water and other waste disposal practices
through federal grand jury proceedings in Anchorage, Alaska, Los Angeles,
California, Miami, Florida and New York, New York. In February 1999, the Company
was indicted by the grand jury in Los Angeles on charges that it presented false
oil record books for one of its vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard three times
during 1994 and the Company has pled guilty to these charges. Each of the three
counts in the indictment carries a maximum fine of $500,000, subject to increase
under certain circumstances. Although the Company is not able at this time to
estimate the timing or impact of these continuing investigations, the Company
may be subject to additional charges for violations of U.S. law.
Beginning in December 1995, several purported class action suits were
filed alleging that Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity misrepresented
to its guests the amount of its port charge expenses. The suits seek declaratory
relief and damages in an unspecified amount. Beginning in August 1996, several
purported class-action suits were filed alleging that Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity should have paid commissions to travel agents on
port charges included in the price of cruise fares. The suit seeks damages in an
unspecified amount. Similar suits are pending against other companies in the
cruise industry. In February 1997, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and
certain other cruise lines entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance
with the Florida Attorney General's office. Under the Assurance of Voluntary
Compliance, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity agreed to include all
components of the cruise ticket price, other than governmental taxes and fees,
in the advertised price. In January 1999, Royal Caribbean International entered
into an agreement to settle certain of the class-action suits filed on behalf of
its guests. Celebrity entered into a similar settlement agreement. Under the
terms of the settlement agreements, each of Royal Caribbean International and
Celebrity will issue travel vouchers having face amounts ranging from $8 to $30,
in the case of Royal Caribbean International, and from $20 to $45 in the case of
Celebrity, to guests who are U.S. residents and who sailed on Royal Caribbean
International or Celebrity, as the case may be, between April 1992 and April
1997. Such vouchers may be applied to reduce the cruise fare of a future cruise
on Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity, as the case may be, and are valid
for up to three years from the date of issuance. The settlements have received
preliminary court approval but are subject to final court
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approval. Since the amount and timing of the vouchers to be redeemed and the
effect of redemption on revenues is not reasonably determinable, the Company has
not established a liability for the vouchers and will account for their
redemption as a reduction of future revenues. In December 1998, a Florida state
court judge dismissed one of the class-action suits filed on behalf of travel
agents for failure to state a claim under Florida law. The plaintiff in that
case has filed an appeal of that decision. The Company is not able at this time
to estimate the timing or impact of the travel agent proceedings on the Company.
In April 1999 a lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court
for the Southern District of New York on behalf of current and former crew
members alleging that the Company failed to pay the plaintiffs their full wages.
The suit seeks payment of (i) the wages alleged to be owed, (ii) penalty wages
under U.S. law and (iii) punitive damages. The Company is not able at this time
to estimate the impact of these proceedings on the Company; there can be no
assurance that such proceedings, if decided adversely, would not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
The Company is routinely involved in other claims typical to the cruise
industry. The majority of these claims are covered by insurance. Management
believes the outcome of such other claims which are not covered by insurance
would not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's financial condition
or results of operations.
OTHER.
The Company has a commitment through 2013 to pay a minimum amount for its annual
usage of certain port facilities (in thousands):
----------------------------------------------------
Year
----------------------------------------------------
1999 $ 6,500
2000 7,500
2001 9,500
2002 9,500
2003 10,000
Thereafter 117,000
---------
$ 160,000
=========
----------------------------------------------------
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain statements under this caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations", may constitute "forward-looking
statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include inter alia general economic and
business conditions, cruise industry competition, the impact of tax laws and
regulations affecting the Company and its principal shareholders, changes in
other laws and regulations affecting the Company, delivery schedule of new
vessels, emergency ship repairs, incidents involving cruise vessels at sea,
changes in interest rates, Year 2000 compliance and weather.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SUMMARY. Net income for the first quarter of 1999 increased 16.3% to
$90.2 million or $0.49 per share on a diluted basis, as compared to $77.5
million or $0.44 per share for the same period in 1998. These results were
achieved despite a temporary reduction in capacity due to unusual events.
MONARCH OF THE SEAS missed 11 cruises during the quarter due to a grounding
incident in mid-December. Also affecting capacity was the loss of one voyage
each on GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS and ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS due to unscheduled
engine repairs. Positively affecting results were reduced operating expenses on
a per unit basis and lower sales, marketing and administrative expenses as
compared to the prior year. Also included in net income for the quarter is
approximately $17 million of proceeds from loss-of-hire insurance.
Total revenues were $610.0 million for the first quarter of 1999 as compared to
$659.8 million in 1998. The decline in gross revenue was due to the reduction in
capacity as discussed above, as well as a decline in gross revenue per available
lower berth ("Yield") primarily due to a decrease in occupancy from 104.6% to
102.1%.
The following table presents operating data as a percentage of total revenues:
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FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
-----------------------------
1999 1998
---------- -----------
REVENUES 100.0% 100.0%
EXPENSES:
OPERATING 60.1 60.1
MARKETING, SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE 14.4 14.6
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION 7.7 7.2
----- -----
OPERATING INCOME 17.8 18.1
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) (3.0) (6.4)
----- -----
NET INCOME 14.8% 11.7%
===== =====
The Company's revenues are moderately seasonal, due to variations in rates and
occupancy percentages.
Due to the conflict in the Balkans, the Company has experienced a slow-down in
booking patterns for its Mediterranean cruise itineraries, and to a lesser
extent, its other European cruise itineraries. The Company has approximately 4%
of its annual planned capacity in the Mediterranean. In response to the
conflict, the Company has changed the itineraries of selected Mediterranean
cruises. The Company anticipates that Yields of its Mediterranean itineraries
and other European itineraries will be negatively affected by the conflict.
REVENUES. Total revenues decreased 7.5% to $610.0 million for the first
quarter of 1999 as compared to $659.8 million for the first quarter of 1998 as a
result of a 3.9% decrease in capacity and a 3.7% decline in Yield. The reduction
in capacity was due primarily to MONARCH OF THE SEAS being out of service for
eleven weeks during the quarter, GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS and ENCHANTMENT OF THE
SEAS missing one voyage each, as well as the departure of SONG OF AMERICA from
the fleet in March 1999. This decrease was partially offset by VISION OF THE
SEAS which entered service in the second quarter of 1998. The decline in Yield
was primarily a result of a reduction in occupancy from 104.6% to 102.1%, the
redemption of cruise certificates related to the ships which were out of service
and a decline in guest per diems due to a lower percentage of guests electing to
use the Company's air program.
EXPENSES. Operating expenses decreased 7.5% to $366.6 million for the
first quarter of 1999 as compared to $396.4 million for the first quarter of
1998 primarily due to the decline in capacity as well as lower air costs as
discussed above. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 60.1%,
consistent with the first quarter of 1998.
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Marketing, selling and administrative expenses decreased 8.8% to $87.8 million
for the first quarter of 1999 from $96.3 million in 1998. The decline was
primarily due to lower advertising expenses, partially offset by an increase in
payroll costs during the quarter. As a percentage of revenue, marketing, selling
and administrative expenses decreased to 14.4% for the first quarter of 1999
compared to 14.6% for the same period in 1998.
Depreciation and amortization decreased to $47.2 million for the first quarter
of 1999 from $47.6 million for the first quarter of 1998.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE). Interest expense, net of capitalized interest,
decreased to $35.2 million in the first quarter of 1999 as compared to $42.6
million for the first quarter of 1998 as a result of a decrease in the average
debt level due to the prepayment of variable rate debt during 1998, as well as
an increase in capitalized interest associated with an increase in expenditures
related to ships currently under construction.
Other income (expense) increased to $16.1 million for the first quarter of 1999
due to an insurance recovery of $17.1 million under the Company's loss-of-hire
insurance resulting from MONARCH OF THE SEAS being out of service for eleven
weeks during the quarter.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
SOURCES AND USES OF CASH. Net cash provided by operating activities was
$133.7 million for the first quarter of 1999 as compared to $149.8 million for
the first quarter of 1998. The decrease was due to timing differences in cash
payments and receipts relating to operating assets and liabilities.
During the first quarter of 1999, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of
$0.09 per common share or $15.2 million. In addition, the Company paid a
quarterly cash dividend of $.91 per preferred share or $3.1 million.
The Company made principal payments in the first quarter of 1999 totaling
approximately $12.8 million under various term loans and capital lease
agreements.
The Company's capital expenditures increased to $167.5 million for the first
quarter of 1999 as compared to $92.4 million for the first quarter of 1998.
Capital expenditures included $141.4 million and $65.8 million in payments for
ships under construction in the first quarter of 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Also included in capital expenditures are shoreside capital expenditures and
costs for vessel refurbishing to maintain consistent fleet standards.
FUTURE COMMITMENTS. The Company currently has nine ships on order for
an additional capacity of 21,500 berths. The aggregate contract price of the
nine ships, which excludes capitalized interest and other ancillary costs, is
approximately $3.6 billion of which the Company has deposited $337.1 million.
Additional deposits are due prior to
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the dates of delivery of $119.2 million in 1999, $88.1 million in 2000 and $25.0
million in 2001. The Company anticipates that overall capital expenditures will
be approximately $997, $1,196 and $1,368 million for 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively.
In addition, the Company continuously considers potential acquisitions,
strategic alliances and adjustments to its fleet composition, including the
acquisition or disposition of vessels. If any such acquisitions, strategic
alliances and adjustments to its fleet composition were to occur, they would be
financed by the issuance of additional shares of equity securities, the
incurrence of additional indebtedness or from cash flows from operations.
FUNDING SOURCES. As of March 31, 1999, the Company's liquidity was
$1,108.3 million consisting of $108.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and
$1.0 billion available under its $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit
facility (the "$1 Billion Revolving Credit Facility"). In addition, the
agreements related to the ships scheduled for delivery subsequent to 1999
require the shipyards to make available export financing for up to 80% of the
contract price of the vessels.
The Company's cash management practice is to utilize excess cash to reduce
outstanding balances on the $1 Billion Revolving Credit Facility, and to the
extent the cash balances exceed the amounts drawn under the $1 Billion Revolving
Credit Facility, the Company invests in short-term securities.
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000
The "Year 2000 issue" is the result of computer programs that were written using
two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. If the Company's
computer programs with date-sensitive functions are not Year 2000 compliant,
they may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.
This could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions to
operations.
STATE OF READINESS. The Company continuously upgrades its computer systems. In
1992, the Company implemented a new computer reservation and passenger services
system which was designed to be Year 2000 compliant. Since then, the Company has
sought to fix Year 2000 issues as an indirect part of its efforts to upgrade
many of its internally developed computer systems. Prior to 1998, the Company
did not separately track associated Year 2000 software compliant costs.
In 1997, the Company engaged a third-party consultant to assess the status of
the Company relative to the Year 2000 issue. The assessment was completed in
early 1998. The Company then formed an internally staffed program management
office that is conducting a comprehensive review of computer programs to address
the impact of the Year 2000 issue on its operations and otherwise address the
Year 2000 issues identified by the third-party consultant (the "Year 2000
Project"). Employees in various
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departments throughout the Company are assisting the program management office
by addressing Year 2000 issues applicable to their departments.
The Company has identified three major categories of Year 2000 risk:
(1) internally developed software systems -- these include the Company's
reservation, accounting, remote reservation booking and revenue management
systems;
(2) third-party supplied software systems and equipment with embedded chip
technology -- these include the Company's computer hardware equipment,
building facilities control systems and shipboard equipment and control
systems (e.g., navigation, engine, and bridge control systems, fire alarm
and safety systems); and
(3) external vendors and suppliers -- these include key suppliers (e.g.,
suppliers of air travel, hotel accommodations, food and other on-board
provisions), travel agents, on-board concessionaires and other third
parties whose system failures potentially could have a significant impact
on the Company's operations.
The general phases common to all three categories are (1) inventorying Year 2000
items, (2) assessing the Year 2000 compliance of key items, (3) repairing or
replacing key internally developed and third-party supplied non-compliant items,
(4) testing and certifying key internally developed and third-party supplied
items, and (5) designing and implementing contingency plans as needed.
The Company has completed its inventory and assessment of its key internally
developed software systems and equipment and has repaired those internally
developed software systems that were determined non-compliant. The Company plans
to complete testing and certification of these systems by the end of the third
quarter of 1999, at which time it expects that its key internally developed
software systems will be Year 2000 compliant. The Company plans to retain a
third-party consultant to evaluate its certification and testing procedures.
Through the use of questionnaires and other communications with third party
suppliers and vendors, the Company has substantially completed its assessment of
material software and equipment supplied by third parties, and the Company is in
the process of requesting that all identified non-compliant systems and
equipment be remediated. Depending on the third party's response, the Company
will implement appropriate contingency plans, including, when possible, the
repair or replacement of supplied systems or equipment or the replacement of a
vendor. The Company expects to complete most remediation and certification of
third-party supplied software systems and equipment by the end of the third
quarter of 1999 and the remainder in the fourth quarter of 1999.
The Company also continues to track Year 2000 compliance of identified external
vendors and suppliers whose system failures potentially could have a significant
impact on the Company's operations ("Key External Vendors"). The Company is
preparing
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contingency plans to identify and determine how to handle its most reasonably
likely worst case scenarios. It expects to complete these plans by the third
quarter of 1999.
RISKS. Based on its current assessment efforts, the Company does not believe
that Year 2000 issues will have a material adverse effect on the results of its
operations, liquidity or financial condition. However, this assessment is
dependent on the ability of third-party suppliers and others whose system
failures potentially could have a significant impact on the Company's operations
to be Year 2000 compliant. For instance, the operations of the Company could be
impacted by disruptions in airlines, port authorities, travel agents or others
in the transportation or sales distribution channels whose systems are not Year
2000 compliant. Although the Company cannot control the conduct of these third
parties, the Year 2000 Project is expected to reduce the Company's level of
uncertainty and the adverse effect that any such failures may have.
COSTS. The total cost associated with required modifications to become Year 2000
compliant are not expected to be material to the Company's financial position.
The Company estimates that it will incur approximately $6.0 million in expense
on efforts directly related to fixing the Year 2000 issue, as well as an
additional $5.0 million of capital expenditures related to the accelerated
replacement of non-compliant systems. The Company has incurred approximately
$2.6 million in expense since January 1, 1998, and spent an additional $2.7
million for capital expenditures related to the accelerated replacement of
non-compliant systems. Estimated costs do not include costs that may be incurred
by the Company as a result of the failure of any third parties to become Year
2000 compliant or costs to implement any contingency plans.
The information contained in this "Impact of Year 2000" section is a Year 2000
Readiness Disclosure pursuant to the Year 2000 Information and Disclosure Act.
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference in registrant's
Registration Statement on Form F-3, File No. 333-8708, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
----------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: May 13, 1999 By /s/ Richard J. Glasier
--------------------------------
Richard J. Glasier
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
13
