Item 1. Business
A. General
Carnival Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama in November 1974. Carnival Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") is the world's largest multiple-night cruise company based on the number of passengers carried and revenues generated. The Company offers a broad range of cruise products, offering contemporary cruises through Carnival Cruise Lines ("Carnival" - a division of Carnival Corporation), premium cruises through Holland America Line and luxury cruises through Windstar Cruises and the Company's joint venture, Seabourn Cruise Line. As of January 1996, the ten Carnival ships have an aggregate capacity of 16,796* passengers with itineraries in the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. As of January 1996, the seven Holland America Line ships have an aggregate capacity of 8,795 passengers with itineraries in the Caribbean and Alaska and through the Panama Canal, as well as other worldwide itineraries. The three Windstar ships, as of January 1996, have an aggregate capacity of 444 passengers with itineraries in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and the Mediterranean. During 1995, Seabourn Cruise Line operated two 204 passenger cruise ships with itineraries in the Caribbean, the Baltic, the Mediterranean and the Far East. In January 1996, Seabourn entered into an agreement to acquire a third 204 passenger ship which will begin operation during 1996. In April 1995, the Company sold its 49% equity interest in Epirotiki Line, a Greek cruise operator, for $25 million.
The Company has signed agreements with a Finnish shipyard providing for the construction of three additional 2,040-berth SuperLiners for Carnival with delivery now expected in February 1996, March 1998 and November 1998. Two additional 2,640-berth cruise vessels are under contract for construction for Carnival from an Italian shipyard now scheduled for delivery in September 1996 and December 1998. The Company also has agreements with the same Italian shipyard for one 1,266-berth cruise ship and one 1,320-berth cruise ship for Holland America Line with delivery expected in April 1996 and September 1997, respectively. In December 1995, the Company entered into an agreement to charter the 1,146 passenger Carnival cruise ship, Festivale, to Dolphin Cruise Line effective April 28,1996.
The Company also operates a tour business: Holland America Westours. Holland America Westours markets sight-seeing tours both separately and as part of Holland America Line cruise/tour packages. Holland America Westours operates 16 hotels in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, three luxury day-boats offering tours to the glaciers of Alaska and the Yukon River, over 290 motor coaches used for sight-seeing and charters in the states of Washington and Alaska and in the Canadian Rockies and ten private domed rail cars which are run on the Alaskan railroad between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Company and Airtours Plc, a United Kingdom public company in the tour business, have been in discussions with regard to future cooperation which could lead to the Company acquiring a stake of less than 30 percent of the equity of Airtours Plc through a purchase of newly issued shares and a partial offer to all existing shareholders. No assurance can be given that any agreement will be reached.
* In accordance with industry practice all capacities indicated within this document are calculated based on two passengers per cabin even though some cabins can accommodate three or four passengers.
B. Cruise Ship Segment
Industry
The passenger cruise industry as it exists today began in approximately 1970. Over time, the industry has evolved from a trans-ocean carrier service into a vacation alternative to land-based resorts and sight-seeing destinations. According to Cruise Lines International Association ("CLIA"), an industry trade group, approximately 500,000 North American passengers took cruises in 1970 for three consecutive nights or more. CLIA estimates that this number reached 4.5 million passengers in 1993, an average compound annual growth rate of 10% since 1970. Also, according to CLIA, by the end of 1993 the number of ships in service totaled 139 with an aggregate capacity of approximately 104,000 berths.
CLIA estimates that the number of passengers carried in North America declined from 4.5 million in 1993 to 4.3 million in 1995. The Company nevertheless has been able to increase the number of passengers it carried by approximately 200,000 in each of the past two years. The number of berths in the industry remained effectively flat totaling 105,000 berths on 126 ships at the end of 1995. CLIA estimates that the number of cruise passengers will grow to 4.7 million in 1996. CLIA also projects that by the end of 1996, North America will be served by 133 vessels having an aggregate capacity of approximately 116,000 berths.
The following table sets forth the industry and Company growth over the past five years based on passengers carried for at least three consecutive nights:
- ------------------------------ *Source: CLIA. - ------------------------------
From 1991 through 1995, the Company's average compound annual growth rate in number of passengers carried was 8.8% versus the industry average of 2.0%.
The Company's passenger capacity has grown from 17,973 at November 30, 1991 to 26,035 at November 30, 1995. The delivery of the Statendam, Sensation and Maasdam in 1993 increased capacity an additional 4,572 berths, more than offsetting a decrease of 906 berths related to the sale of the Mardi Gras. During 1994, net capacity increased by 2,369 berths due to the delivery of the Fascination and Ryndam, net of the sale of the 937 berth FiestaMarina. In 1995, with the delivery of the Imagination, capacity increased 2,040 berths.
In spite of the cruise industry's growth since 1970, the Company believes cruises represent only approximately 2% of the applicable North American vacation market, defined as persons who travel for leisure purposes on trips of three nights or longer involving at least one night's stay in a hotel. Only an estimated 7% of the North American population has ever cruised.
Cruise Ships and Itineraries
Under the Carnival Cruise Lines name, the Company operates ten ships (collectively, the "Carnival Ships") which offer contemporary cruises. Nine of the Carnival Ships were designed by and built for Carnival, including eight SuperLiners which are among the largest in the cruise industry. The tenth vessel, the Festivale, which was not built for Carnival, will be chartered to Dolphin Cruise Line effective April 28, 1996. During 1995, eight of the Carnival Ships operated in the Caribbean and two Carnival Ships called on ports in the Mexican Riviera. During 1996 one of the Carnival Ships, the Tropicale, will begin operating in Alaska during the summer season and Carnival will also offer cruises through the Panama Canal and to the Hawaiian Islands.
Through its subsidiary, HAL Antillen N.V. ("HAL"), the Company operates ten cruise ships offering premium or luxury cruises. Seven of these ships, the Rotterdam, the Nieuw Amsterdam, the Noordam, the Westerdam, the Statendam, the Maasdam and the Ryndam are operated under the Holland America Line name (the "HAL Ships"). The remaining three ships, the Wind Star, the Wind Song and the Wind Spirit, are operated under the Windstar Cruises name (the "Windstar Ships"). Six of the HAL Ships were designed by and built for HAL. The three Windstar Ships were built for Windstar Sail Cruises, Ltd. ( "WSCL") between 1986 and 1988.
The HAL Ships offer premium cruises of various lengths, primarily in the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Europe, the Mediterranean, Hawaii, Mexico, South Pacific, South America and the Orient. Cruise lengths vary from 3 to 98 days, with a large proportion being seven or ten days in length. Periodically, the HAL Ships make longer grand cruises or operate on short-term special itineraries. For example, in 1995, the Rotterdam made an 85-day world cruise, and a 34-day Grand South Pacific voyage. HAL will continue to offer these special and longer itineraries in order to increase travel opportunities for its customers and strengthen its cruise offerings in view of the fleet expansion. The majority of the HAL Ships operate in the Caribbean during fall to late spring and in Alaska during late spring to early fall. The three Windstar Ships currently operate in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the South Pacific.
The following table presents summary information concerning the Company's ships. Areas of operation are based on 1995 itineraries and are subject to change.
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* In accordance with industry practice passenger capacity is calculated based on two passengers per cabin even though some cabins can accommodate three or four passengers.
Cruise Ship Constructions
The Company is currently constructing five cruise ships to be operated under the Carnival name and two cruise ships to be operated under the Holland America Line name. The following table presents summary information concerning ships under construction:
(1) Contracts denominated in a foreign currency and have been fixed into U.S. Dollars through the use of forward currency contracts.
Other Cruise Activities
The Company has a 50% equity interest in a joint venture company ("Seabourn") which in April 1992 acquired the cruise operations of K/S Seabourn Cruise Line. The Company also has a subordinated secured ten-year loan of $15 million to Seabourn. During 1995, Seabourn operated two ultra-luxury ships, which have an aggregate capacity of 408 passengers and have itineraries in the Caribbean, the Baltic, the Mediterranean and the Far East. In January 1996, Seabourn entered into an agreement to acquire a third ship with a capacity of 204 which will begin operation during 1996.
Cruise Tariffs
Unless otherwise noted herein, brochure prices include round trip airfare from over 175 cities in the United States and Canada. If a passenger chooses not to have the Company provide air transportation, the ticket price is reduced. Brochure prices vary depending on size and location of cabin, the time of year that the voyage takes place, and when the booking is made. The cruise brochure price includes a wide variety of activities and facilities, such as a fully equipped casino, nightclubs, theatrical shows, movies, parties, a discotheque, a health club and swimming pools on each ship. The brochure price also includes numerous dining opportunities daily.
Brochure pricing information below is per person based on double occupancy:
- ----------------------------------------------------- (1) Prices represent cruise only - -----------------------------------------------------
Brochure prices are regularly discounted through the Company's early booking discount program and other promotions.
On-Board and Other Revenues
The Company derives revenues from certain on-board activities and services including casino gaming, liquor sales, gift shop sales, shore tours, photography and promotional advertising by merchants located in ports of call.
The casinos, which contain slot machines and gaming tables including blackjack, craps, roulette and stud poker are generally open only when the ships are at sea in international waters. The Company also earns revenue from the sale of alcoholic and other beverages. Certain onboard activities are managed by independent concessionaires from which the Company collects a percentage of revenues, while certain others are managed by the Company.
The Company receives additional revenue from the sale to its passengers of shore excursions at each ship's ports of call. On the Carnival Ships, such shore excursions are operated by independent tour operators and include bus and taxi sight-seeing excursions, local boat and beach parties, and nightclub and casino visits. On the HAL Ships, shore excursions are operated by Holland America Westours and independent parties.
In conjunction with its cruise vacations on the Carnival Ships, the Company sells pre- and post-cruise land packages. Such packages generally include one, two or three-night vacations at locations such as Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida or resorts in the South Florida and the San Juan Puerto Rico areas.
In conjunction with its cruise vacations on the HAL Ships, HAL sells pre-cruise and post-cruise land packages which are more fully described below. (See "Item 1. Business - Tour Segment")
Passengers
The following table sets forth the aggregate number of passengers carried and percentage occupancy for the Company's ships for the periods indicated:
- ----------------------------------------- *In accordance with industry practice, total capacity is calculated based on two passengers per cabin even though some cabins can accommodate three or four passengers. Occupancy percentages in excess of 100% indicate that more than two passengers occupied some cabins. - ----------------------------------------- The following table sets forth the actual occupancy percentage for all cruises on the Company's ships during each quarter for the fiscal years ended November 30, 1994 and November 30, 1995:
Sales and Marketing
The Company markets the Carnival Ships as the "Fun Ships " and uses the themes "Carnival's Got the Fun " and "The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World ", among others.
Carnival advertises nationally directly to consumers on network television and through extensive print media featuring its spokesperson, Kathie Lee Gifford. Carnival believes its advertising generates interest in cruise vacations generally and results in a higher degree of consumer awareness of the "Fun Ships " concept and the "Carnival " name. Substantially all of Carnival's cruise bookings are made through travel agents, which arrangement is encouraged as a matter of policy. In fiscal 1995, Carnival took reservations from about 29,000 of approximately 45,000 travel agencies in the United States and Canada. Travel agents receive a standard commission of 10% (15% in the State of Florida), plus the potential of an additional commission based on sales volume. Moreover, because cruise vacations are substantially all-inclusive, sales of Carnival cruise vacations yield a significantly higher commission to travel agents than selling air tickets and hotel rooms. During fiscal 1995, no one travel agency accounted for more than 2% of Carnival's revenues.
Carnival engages in substantial promotional efforts designed to motivate and educate retail travel agents about its "Fun Ships " cruise vacations. Carnival employs approximately 90 field sales representatives and 30 in-house service representatives to motivate independent travel agents and promote its cruises. Carnival believes it has the largest sales force in the industry.
To facilitate access and to simplify the reservation process, Carnival employs approximately 360 reservation agents to take bookings from independent travel agents. Carnival's fully-automated reservation system allows its reservation agents to respond quickly to book cabins on its ships. Carnival has a policy of pricing comparable cabins (based on size, location and length of voyage) on its various ships at the same rate ("common rating"). Such common rate includes round-trip airfare, which means that any passenger can fly from any one of over 140 cities in the United States and Canada to ports of embarkation for the same price. Through common rating, Carnival is able to offer customers a wider variety of voyages for the same price, which the Company believes improves occupancy on all its cruises. However, discounts from brochure prices may vary depending upon the ship, itinerary, time of year and demand for each cruise.
Carnival's cruises generally are substantially booked several months in advance of the sailing date. This lead time allows Carnival to adjust its prices, if necessary, in relation to demand for available cabins, as indicated by the level of advance bookings. Carnival's SuperSaver fares, introduced several years ago, are designed to encourage potential passengers to book cruise reservations earlier, which helps the Company to more effectively manage yields (pricing and occupancy). Carnival's payment terms require that a passenger pay approximately 15% of the cruise price within 7 days of the reservation date and the balance not later than 45 days before the sailing date for 3- and 4-day cruises and 60 days before the sailing date for 7-day cruises.
Carnival believes that its success is due in large part to its unique product positioning within the industry. Carnival markets the Carnival Ship cruises as vacation alternatives to land-based resorts and sight-seeing destinations. Carnival seeks to attract passengers from the broad vacation market, including those who have never been on a cruise ship before and who might not otherwise consider a cruise as a vacation alternative. Carnival's strategy has been to emphasize the cruise experience itself rather than particular destinations, as well as the advantages of a prepaid, all-inclusive vacation package. Carnival markets the Carnival Ship cruises as the "Fun Ships " experience, which includes a wide variety of shipboard activities and entertainment, such as full-scale casinos and nightclubs, an atmosphere of pampered service and unlimited food.
The Company's products are positioned to offer contemporary, premium and luxury cruises. Luxury cruises typically will have per diems of $300 or higher. Premium cruises typically last 7 to 14 days or more at per diems of $250 or higher. Contemporary cruises typically are 7 days or shorter in length, are priced at per diems of $200 or less, and feature a casual ambiance. The Company believes that the success and growth of the Carnival cruises is attributable to its longstanding efforts to promote contemporary cruise products.
The HAL and Windstar Ships offer premium and luxury cruises, respectively. The Company believes that the hallmarks of the HAL experience are beautiful ships and gracious attentive service. HAL communicates this difference as "A Tradition of Excellence ", a reference to its long standing reputation as a first class and grand cruise line.
Substantially all of HAL's bookings are made through travel agents, which arrangement HAL encourages as a matter of policy. In fiscal 1995, HAL took reservations from about 20,000 of approximately 45,000 travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada. Travel agents receive a standard commission of between 10% and 15%, depending on the specific cruise product sold, with the potential for override commissions based upon sales volume. During 1995, no one travel agency accounted for more than 1% of HAL's total revenue.
HAL has focused much of its sales effort at creating an excellent relationship with the travel agency community. This is related to the HAL marketing philosophy that travel agents have a large impact on the consumer cruise selection process and will recommend HAL more often because of its excellent reputation for service to both consumers and independent travel agents. HAL solicits continuous feedback from consumers and the independent travel agents making bookings with HAL to insure they are receiving excellent service.
HAL's marketing communication strategy is primarily composed of newspaper and magazine advertising, large scale brochure distribution and direct mail solicitations to past passengers (referred to as "alumni") and television. HAL engages in substantial promotional efforts designed to motivate and educate retail travel agents about its products. HAL employs approximately 50 field sales representatives, 15 teleaccount sales representatives and 15 sales and service representatives to support the field sales force. Carnival's approximately 90 field sales representatives also promote HAL products. To facilitate access to HAL and to simplify the reservation process for the HAL ships, HAL employs approximately 260 reservation agents to take bookings from travel agents. HAL's cruises generally are booked several months in advance of the sailing date. The Company also solicits current and former passengers of the Carnival Ships to take future cruises on the HAL and Windstar Ships.
Windstar Cruises has its own marketing and reservations staff. Field sales representatives for both HAL and Carnival act as field sales representatives for Windstar. Marketing efforts are primarily devoted to a) travel agent support and awareness, b) direct mail solicitation of past passengers, and c) distribution of brochures.
Windstar's marketing efforts feature the distinctive nature of its graceful, modern sail ships and the distinctive "casually elegant" experience on "intimate itineraries" (apart from the normal cruise experience). Windstar's philosophy is embodied in the phrase "180 degrees from ordinary".
Seasonality
The Company's revenue from the sale of passenger tickets for the Carnival Ships is moderately seasonal. Historically, demand for Carnival cruises has been greater during the periods from late December through April and late June through August. Demand traditionally is lower during the period from September through mid-December and during May. To allow for full availability during peak periods, drydocking maintenance is usually performed in September, October and early December. HAL cruise revenues are more seasonal than Carnival's cruise revenues. Demand for HAL cruises is strongest during the summer months when HAL ships operate in Alaska and Europe and HAL obtains higher prices for these summer products. Demand for HAL cruises is lower during the winter months when HAL ships sail in more competitive markets.
Competition
Cruise lines compete for consumer disposable leisure time dollars with other vacation alternatives such as land-based resort hotels and sight-seeing destinations, and public demand for such activities is influenced by general economic conditions.
Cruise ships operated by six other cruise lines offer year round itineraries year round which are similar to those offered by the Carnival Ships sailing from ports in Florida, California and Puerto Rico. Cruise ships operated by an additional ten other cruise lines offer similar itineraries from these ports on a seasonal basis. The HAL Ships are among those which seasonally offer similar itineraries from these ports. Ships operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line sail regularly from Miami on itineraries quite similar to those of the Carnival Ships. Ships operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Princess Cruises embark from Los Angeles to the west coast of Mexico. Cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard and Princess Cruises offer voyages from San Juan to the Caribbean.
In Alaska, cruise ships operated by ten other cruise lines offer itineraries similar to those offered by HAL. The largest of these cruise lines in Princess Cruises.
In the Caribbean, cruise ships operated by 16 different cruise lines offer itineraries similar to those offered by HAL. After Carnival, the largest of these cruise lines are Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Governmental Regulation
The Ecstasy, Fantasy, Celebration and Tropicale are Liberian flagged ships, the Festivale is a Bahamian flagged ship, and the balance of the Carnival Ships are registered in Panama. The Ryndam, Maasdam, Statendam and Westerdam are registered in the Bahamas, while the balance of the HAL Ships are flagged in the Netherlands Antilles. The Windstar Ships are registered in the Bahamas. The ships are subject to inspection by the United States Coast Guard for compliance with the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and by the United States Public Health Service for sanitary standards. The Company is also regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission, which, among other things, certifies ships on the basis of the ability of the Company to meet obligations to passengers for refunds in case of non-performance. The Company believes it is in compliance with all material regulations applicable to its ships and has all licenses necessary to the conduct of its business. In connection with a significant portion of its Alaska cruise operations, HAL relies on a concession permit from the National Park Service to operate its cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park, which is periodically renewed. There can be no assurance that the permits will continue to be renewed or that regulations relating to the renewal of such permits, including preference rights, will remain unchanged in the future.
The International Maritime Organization has adopted safety standards as part of the "Safety of Life at Sea" ("SOLAS") Convention, applicable generally to all passenger ships carrying 36 or more passengers. Generally, SOLAS imposes enhanced vessel structural requirements designed to improve passenger safety. The SOLAS requirements are phased in through the year 2010. However, certain stringent SOLAS fire safety requirements must be implemented by 1997. Only two of the Company's vessels, Carnival's Festivale, and HAL's Rotterdam are expected to be significantly affected by the SOLAS 1997 requirements. The decision regarding the additional SOLAS related investments for these two ships is expected to be made during 1996.
Public Law 89-777 administered by the Federal Maritime Commission ("FMC")requires most cruise line operators to establish financial responsibility for nonperformance of transportation. The FMC's regulations require that a cruise line demonstrate its financial responsibility through a guaranty, escrow arrangement, surety bond, insurance or self-insurance. Currently, the amount required must equal 110% of the cruise line's highest amount of customer deposits over a two-year period up to a maximum coverage level of $15 million, subject to a sliding scale. The FMC has proposed elimination of the $15 million ceiling and revising the existing sliding scale to require coverage for 110% of customer deposits up to $25 million and additional coverage of either (i) 90% of amounts exceeding $25 million or (ii) 75% of customer deposits in excess of $25 million and less than $50 million and 50% coverage of amounts in excess of $50 million. The FMC is also considering elimination of the self-insurance provisions. The proposed new regulations are viewed favorably by the Company and are not expected to have a material effect on the Company. The FMC has received public comments regarding the proposed regulations and may take final action at any time.
From time to time, various other regulatory and legislative changes have been or may in the future be proposed that could have an effect on the cruise industry in general.
Financial Information
For financial information about the Company's cruise ship segment with respect to the three fiscal years ended November 30, 1995, see Note 10 "Segment Information" to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements as of November 30, 1995 in Exhibit 13 incorporated by reference into this document.
C. Tour Segment
In addition to its cruise business, HAL markets sight-seeing tours separately and as a part of cruise/tour packages under the Holland America Westours name. Tour operations are based in Alaska, Washington State and western Canada. Since a substantial portion of Holland America Westours' business is derived from the sale of tour packages in Alaska during the summer tour season, tour operations are highly seasonal.
Holland America Westours
Holland America Line-Westours Inc. ("Holland America Westours") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HAL. The group of subsidiaries which together comprise the tour operations perform three independent yet interrelated functions. During 1995, as part of an integrated travel program to destinations in Alaska and the Canadian Rockies, the tour service group offered 51 different tour programs varying in length from 7 to 19 days. The transportation group and hotel group support the tour service group by supplying facilities needed to conduct tours. Facilities include dayboats, motor coaches, rail cars and hotels.
Three luxury dayboats perform an important role in the integrated Alaska travel program offering tours to the glaciers and fjords of Alaska and the Yukon River. The Fairweather cruises the Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska, the Yukon Queen cruises the Yukon River between Dawson City, Yukon Territory and Eagle, Alaska and the Ptarmigan operates on Portage Lake in Alaska. The three dayboats have a combined capacity of 489 passengers.
A fleet of over 290 motor coaches using the trade name Gray Line operate in Alaska, Washington and western Canada. These motor coaches are used for extended trips, city sight-seeing tours and charter hire. HAL conducts its tours both as part of a cruise/tour package and as individual sight-seeing products sold under the Gray Line name. In addition, HAL operates express Gray Line motor coach service between downtown Seattle and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Ten private domed rail cars, which are called "McKinley Explorers", run on the Alaska railroad between Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping at Denali National Park.
In connection with its tour operations, HAL owns or leases motor coach maintenance shops in Seattle, and at Juneau, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Skagway and Ketchikan in Alaska. HAL also owns or leases service offices at Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway in Alaska, at Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory, in Seattle and at Vancouver in British Columbia. Certain real property facilities on federal land are used in HAL's tour operations pursuant to permits from the applicable federal agencies.
Westmark Hotels
HAL owns and/or operates 16 hotels in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon under the name Westmark Hotels. Four of the hotels are located in Canada's Yukon Territory and offer a combined total of 585 rooms. The remaining 12 hotels, all located throughout Alaska, provide a total of 1,649 rooms, bringing the total number of hotel rooms to 2,234.
The hotels play an important role in HAL's tour program during the summer months when they provide accommodations to the tour passengers. The hotels located in the larger metropolitan areas remain open during the entire year, acting during the winter season as centers for local community activities while continuing to accommodate the traveling public. HAL hotels include dining, lounge and conference or meeting room facilities. Certain hotels have gift shops and other tourist services on the premises.
The hotels are summarized in the following table:
Thirteen of the hotels are owned by a HAL subsidiary. The remaining three hotels, Westmark Anchorage, Westmark Cape Fox and Westmark Shee Atika are operated under arrangements involving third parties such as management agreements and leases.
For the hotels that operate year-round, the occupancy percentage for 1995 was 58.9%, and for the hotels that operate only during the summer months, the occupancy percentage for 1995 was 76.7%.
Seasonality
The Company's tour revenues are extremely seasonal with a large majority generated during the late spring and summer months in connection with the Alaska cruise season. Holland America Westours' tours are conducted in Washington, Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. The Alaska and Canadian Rockies tours coincide to a great extent with the Alaska cruise season, May through September. Washington tours are conducted year-round although demand is greatest during the summer months. During periods in which tour demand is low, HAL seeks to maximize its motor coach charter activity such as operating charter tours to ski resorts in Washington and Canada.
Sales and Marketing
HAL tours are marketed both separately and as part of cruise-tour packages. Although most HAL cruise-tours include a HAL cruise as the cruise segment, other cruise lines also market HAL tours as a part of their cruise tour packages and sight-seeing excursions. Tours sold separately are marketed through independent travel agents and also directly by HAL, utilizing sales desks in major hotels. General marketing for the hotels is done through various media in Alaska, Canada and the continental United States. Travel agents, particularly in Alaska, are solicited, and displays are used in airports in Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon and various Alaskan cities. Rates at Westmark Hotels are on the upper end of the scale for hotels in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon.
Concessions
Certain tours in Alaska are conducted on federal property requiring concession permits from the applicable federal agencies such as the National Park Service or the United States Forest Service.
Competition
Holland America Westours competes with independent tour operators and motor coach charter operators in Washington, Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. The primary competitors in Alaska are Princess Tours (which owns approximately 130 motor coaches and three hotels) and Alaska Sightseeing/Trav-Alaska (which owns approximately 43 motor coaches). The primary competitor in Washington is Gazelle (with approximately 18 motor coaches). The primary competitors in the Canadian Rockies are Tauck Tours, Princess Tours and Brewster Transportation.
Westmark Hotels compete with various hotels throughout Alaska, including the Super 8 national motel chain, many of which charge prices below those charged by HAL. Dining facilities in the hotels also compete with the many restaurants in the same geographic areas.
Government Regulation
HAL's motor coach operations are subject to regulation both at the federal and state levels, including primarily the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, the British Columbia Motor Carrier Commission and the Alaska Transportation Commission. Certain of HAL's tours involve federal properties and are subject to regulation by various federal agencies such as the National Park Service, the Federal Maritime Administration and the U.S. Forest Service.
In connection with the operation of its beverage facilities in the Westmark Hotels, HAL is required to comply with state, county and/or city ordinances regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Violations of these ordinances could result in fines, suspensions or revocation of such licenses and preclude the sale of any alcoholic beverages by the hotel involved.
In the operation of its hotels, HAL is required to comply with applicable building and fire codes. Changes in these codes have in the past and may in the future, require substantial capital expenditures to insure continuing compliance such as the installation of sprinkler systems.
Financial Information
For financial information about the Company's tour segment with respect to the three fiscal years ended November 30, 1995, see Note 10 "Segment Information" to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements as of November 30, 1995 in Exhibit 13 incorporated by reference into this document.
D. Employees
The Company's Carnival operations have approximately 1,300 full-time and 250 part-time employees engaged in shoreside operations. Carnival also employs approximately 360 officers and approximately 7,200 crew and staff on the Carnival Ships.
The Company's HAL operations have approximately 2,900 employees engaged in shoreside, tour and hotel operations, of which approximately 1,500 employees hold part-time/seasonal positions. HAL also employs approximately 220 officers and approximately 3,300 crew and staff on the HAL Ships and Windstar Ships. Due to the seasonality of its Alaska and Canadian operations, HAL tends to increase its work force during the summer months, employing significant additional full-time and part-time personnel. HAL has entered into agreements with unions covering employees in certain of its hotels and certain of its tour and ship employees.
The Company considers its employee relations generally to be good.
E. Suppliers
The Company's largest purchases are for airfare, advertising, fuel, food and related items, hotel supplies and products related to passenger accommodation. Although the Company chooses to use a limited number of suppliers for most of its food and fuel purchases, most of the necessary supplies are available from numerous sources at competitive prices. The use of a limited number of suppliers enables the Company to obtain volume discounts.
F. Insurance
The Company maintains insurance covering legal liabilities related to crew, passengers and other third parties on the Carnival Ships and the HAL Ships in operation through The Standard Steamship Owners Protection & Indemnity Association (Bermuda) Limited (the "SSOPIA") and the Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Ltd. (the "SMUAL"). The amount and terms of these insurances are governed by the rules of the foregoing associations.
The Company currently maintains insurance on the hull and machinery of each vessel in amounts equal to the approximate market value of each vessel. The Company maintains war risk insurance on each vessel which includes legal liability to crew and passengers including terrorist risks for which coverage would be excluded from SSOPIA or SMUAL. The coverage for hull and machinery and war risks is effected with international markets, including underwriters at Lloyds. The Company, as required by the FMC, maintains at all times two $15 million performance bonds for the Carnival Ships, and the HAL and Windstar Ships, respectively, to cover passenger ticket liabilities in the event of a canceled or interrupted cruise. See "CRUISE SHIP SEGMENT - Government Regulation" for a discussion of changes to the performance bond requirements proposed by the FMC.
The Company maintains certain levels of self insurance for liabilities and hull and machinery through the use of substantial deductibles. Such deductibles may be increased in the future. The Company does not carry coverage related to loss of earnings or revenues for its cruise operations.
The Company also maintains various insurance policies to protect the assets, earnings and liabilities arising from the operation of HAL Westours.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
The Company's cruise ships are described in Section B of Item 1 under the heading "Cruise Ship Segment". The properties associated with HAL's tour operations are described in Section C of Item 1 under the heading "Tour Segment".
Carnival's shoreside operations and corporate headquarters are located at 3655 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida, and consists of approximately 231,000 square feet of office space which the Company purchased in December 1994. In order to provide space for the future growth of Carnival and to consolidate existing personnel, approximately 225,000 square feet of office space is being constructed next to the existing facility with an estimated completion date of July 1996. Carnival is also leasing approximately 60,000 square feet of office space at 5225 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida until the new facility is completed.
HAL headquarters are at 300 Elliott Avenue West in Seattle, Washington in leased space in an office building. The lease is for approximately 120,000 square feet.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
A purported class action suit was filed against the Company on September 19, 1995 and was subsequently dismissed by the court on jurisdictional grounds on December 15,1995. The suit alleged that the Company had violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by overcharging passengers for port charges. The plaintiffs refiled their suit in the same court on December 27, 1995 and modified the complaint to add various federal law claims and a state fraud claim. The suit seeks declaratory relief to enjoin the Company from further alleged overcharges and seeks compensatory and punitive damages in an unspecified amount. The action is presently in its early stages and it is not possible at this time to determine the outcome of the litigation. Management of the Company intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
The United States Attorney for the District of Alaska has commenced an investigation to determine if a Holland America Line vessel discharged bilge water, alleged to have contained oil or oily mixtures, at various locations allegedly within United States territorial waters at various times during the summer and early fall of 1994. It is unknown whether any proceedings will be initiated and, if so, what violations will be alleged. To date, no penalties have been sought or imposed. Management does not believe that the amount of potential penalties will have a material impact on the Company.
During 1995, the Company received $40 million in cash and other compensation from the settlement of litigation with Metra Oy, the former parent company of Wartsila Marine Industries ("Wartsila"), related to losses suffered in connection with the construction of three of the Company's cruise ships. Of the $40 million, $6.2 million was used to pay related legal fees, $14.4 million was recorded as other income and $19.4 million was used to reduce the Company's cost basis of certain ships. The Company is continuing to pursue claims in the bankruptcy proceedings in Finland to recover damages suffered in connection with the construction of the three ships.
The Company is routinely involved in liability and other claims typical of the cruise ship, hotel and tour businesses. After the application of deductibles, a substantial portion of these claims are fully covered by insurance. The Company is also involved from time to time in commercial, regulatory and employment related disputes and claims. In the opinion of management, such claims, if decided adversely, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote or Security Holders
None.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3), the information regarding executive officers of the Company called for by Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K is hereby included in Part 1 of this report.
The following table sets forth the name, age and title of each executive officer. Titles listed relate to positions within Carnival Corporation unless otherwise noted.
Business Experience of Officers
Micky Arison, age 46, has been Chief Executive Officer since 1979 and Chairman of the Board since 1990. He was President from 1979 to May 1993 and has also been a director since June 1987. Prior to 1979, he served Carnival for successive two-year periods as sales agent, reservations manager and as Vice President in charge of passenger traffic. He is the son of Ted Arison, Carnival Corporation's founder. He served on the Board of Directors of Ensign Bank, FSB until August 30, 1990. On that date, the Office of Thrift Supervision appointed the Resolution Trust Corporation receiver of Ensign Bank.
Gerald R. Cahill, age 44, is a Certified Public Accountant and has been Vice President-Finance since September 1994. Mr. Cahill was the chief financial officer from 1988 to 1992 and the chief operating officer from 1992 to 1994 of Safecard Services, Inc. From 1979 to 1988 he held financial positions at Resorts International Inc. and, prior to that, spent six years with Price Waterhouse LLP.
Robert H. Dickinson, age 53, has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Carnival since May 1993. From 1979 to May 1993, he was Senior Vice President--Sales and Marketing of Carnival. He has also been a director since June 1987.
Howard S. Frank, age 54, has been Vice-Chairman of the Board since October 1993 and has been Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer since July 1, 1989 and a Director since 1992. From July 1989 to October 1993 he was Senior Vice President-Finance. From July 1975 through June 1989, he was a partner with Price Waterhouse LLP.
A. Kirk Lanterman, age 64, is a Certified Public Accountant and has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Holland America Line-Westours Inc. since January 1989 and a Director since 1992. From 1983 to January 1989, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Holland America Line-Westours Inc. From 1979 to 1983, he was President of Westours which merged in 1983 with Holland America Line.
Lowell Zemnick, age 52, is a Certified Public Accountant and has been Vice President since 1980 and Treasurer since September 1990. Mr. Zemnick was the chief financial officer of Carnival from 1980 to September 1990 and was the Chief Financial Officer of Carnival Corporation from May 1987 through June 1989.
Meshulam Zonis, age 62, has been Senior Vice President--Operations of Carnival since 1979. He has also been a director since June 1987. From 1974 through 1979, Mr. Zonis was Vice President--Operations of Carnival.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5.Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholders Matters
A. Market Information
The information required by Item 201(a) of Regulation S-K, market information, is shown in Exhibit 13 and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
B. Holders
The information required by Item 201(b) of Regulation S-K, holders of common stock, is shown in Exhibit 13 and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
C. Dividends
Any dividend declared by the Board of Directors on the Company's Common Stock will be paid concurrently at the same rate on the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock. For its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (collectively, the "Common Stock"), the Company declared cash dividends of $.07 per share in each of the first three quarters of fiscal 1994, $.075 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1994 and in the first three quarters of fiscal 1995, and $.09 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1995 and first quarter of fiscal 1996. Payment of future quarterly dividends on the Common Stock will depend, among other factors, upon the Company's earnings, financial condition and capital requirements and certain tax considerations of certain members of the Arison family and trusts for the benefit of Mr. Ted Arison's children (the "Principal Shareholders"), some of whom are required to include a portion of the Company's earnings in their taxable income, whether or not the earnings are distributed (see "D. Taxation of the Company"). The Company may also declare special dividends to all stockholders in the event that the Principal Shareholders are required to pay additional income taxes by reason of their ownership of the Common Stock, either because of an income tax audit of the Company or the Principal Shareholders or because of certain actions by the Company (such as a failure by the Company to maintain its investment in shipping assets at a certain level) that would trigger adverse tax consequences to the Principal Shareholders under the special tax rules applicable to them.
While no tax treaty currently exists between the Republic of Panama and the United States, under current law the Company believes that distributions to its shareholders are not subject to taxation under the laws of the Republic of Panama. Dividends paid by the Company will be taxable as ordinary income for United States Federal income tax purposes to the extent of the Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits, but generally will not qualify for any dividends-received deduction.
Certain loan documents entered into by certain of HAL's subsidiaries restrict the level of dividend payments by HAL's subsidiaries to HAL.
The payment and amount of any dividend is within the discretion of the Board of Directors, and it is possible that the amount of any dividend may vary from the levels discussed above. If the law regarding the taxation of the Company's income to the Principal Shareholders were to change so that the amount of tax payable by the Principal Shareholders were increased or reduced, the amount of dividends paid by the Company might be more or less than is currently contemplated.
D. Taxation of the Company
The following discussion summarizes the expected United States Federal income taxation of the Company's current operations. State and local taxes are not discussed. The discussion is based upon currently existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed regulations thereunder and current administrative rulings and court decisions. All of the foregoing are subject to change and any such change could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. In connection with the foregoing, investors should be aware that the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (hereinafter, the "1986 Tax Act") changed significantly the United States Federal income tax rules applicable to the Company and certain holders of its stock (including the Principal U.S. Shareholders). Although the relevant provisions of the 1986 Tax Act are discussed herein, they have not yet been the subject of extensive administrative or judicial interpretation.
United States Carnival Corporation is a Panamanian corporation, and its material subsidiaries (other than subsidiaries engaged in the bus, hotel and tour business of Holland America Line) are Panamanian, Liberian, Netherlands Antilles, British Virgin Islands, and Bahamian corporations. Accordingly, the Company's income from sources outside of the United States ("foreign source income") generally is not subject to United States tax. Moreover, the Company anticipates that, under current law, all or virtually all of its income from sources within the United States ("United States Source Income") that constitutes Shipping Income (as defined below) will be exempt from United States corporate income taxation for as long as Carnival Corporation and its subsidiaries meet the requirements of Section 883 of the Code. Section 883 of the Code provides that income of a foreign corporation derived from the international operation, or from the rental on a full or bareboat basis, of ships ("Shipping Income") is exempt from United States taxation if (1) the foreign country in which the foreign corporation is organized grants an equivalent exemption to citizens of the United States and to corporations organized in the United States (an "equivalent exemption jurisdiction") and (2) the foreign corporation is a controlled foreign corporation ("CFC") as defined in Section 957(a) of the Code (the "CFC Test"). The Company believes that substantially all of its United States Source Income other than Holland America Line's income from its bus, hotel and tour operations, currently qualifies as Shipping Income, and that Panama, the Netherlands Antilles, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Liberia are equivalent exemption jurisdictions. (Holland America Line's income from its hotel and tour operations, is not Shipping Income, and, accordingly, is subject to United States corporate income tax). If, however, Panamanian, Netherlands Antilles, British Virgin Islands, Bahamian or Liberian law were to change adversely, the Company would consider taking appropriate steps (including reincorporating in another jurisdiction) so as to remain eligible for the exemption from United States Federal income tax provided by Section 883 of the Code.
A foreign corporation is a CFC when stock representing more than 50% of such corporation's voting power or equity value is owned (or considered as owned) on any day of its fiscal year by United States persons who each own (or are considered as owning) stock representing 10% or more of the corporation's voting power ("Ten Percent Shareholders"). Stock of the Company representing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock is owned by the Micky Arison 1994 "B" Trust (the "B Trust"),which is a "United States Person", and thus the Company meets the definition of a CFC. The B Trust is a U.S. trust whose primary beneficiary is Micky Arison, the Company's Chairman of the Board. Accordingly, at the corporate level, the Company expects that virtually all of its income (with the exception of its United States source income from the operation of transportation, hotel and tour business of HAL) will remain exempt from United States Income taxes. The B Trust has entered into an agreement with the Company that is designed to ensure, except under certain limited circumstances, that stock possessing more than 50% of the Company's voting power will be held by Ten Percent Shareholders until at least July 1, 1997. Because the Company is a CFC, a pro rata share of the shipping earnings of the Company, as well as certain other amounts, is includable in the taxable income of any "Ten Percent Shareholder", as defined above.
A substantial portion of the Company's income will, as discussed below, be treated as United States Source Income. If the Company were to fail to meet the requirements of Section 883 of the Code with respect to any of its United States Source Income (or if Section 883 of the Code were repealed), some or all of the Company's Shipping Income that is United States Source Income would become subject to a significant United States tax burden. Any such United States Source Income that is considered to be "effectively connected" with the conduct of a United States trade or business would be subject not only to general United States Federal corporate income tax, but also to a 30% "branch level" tax on effectively connected earnings and profits (generally, adjusted taxable income reduced by taxes and adjusted for the amount of the Company's earnings treated as reinvested in the Company's United States business). Any such United States Source Income that is not considered to be effectively connected with a United States trade or business will instead be subject to a 4% tax on United States source gross transportation income (or, possibly, to a 30% tax if any such income were considered to be 100% United States Source Income under the rules described below, which, as discussed below, the Company does not believe to be the case with respect to any significant portion of its Shipping Income). The Company believes that at least a significant portion of its United States Source Income would probably be considered to be effectively connected with a United States trade or business for this purpose.
Under amendments to the Code enacted as part of the 1986 Tax Act, the Company's United States Source Income will include 50% of all transportation income (including income derived from, or in connection with, the use or hiring, or leasing for use of a cruise ship, or the performance of services directly related to such use) attributable to transportation that begins or ends in the United States, and 100% of such transportation income with respect to transportation which begins and ends in the United States. The legislative history of these rules suggests that a cruise which begins and ends in United States ports, but which calls on one or more foreign ports (including ports in possessions of the United States), will be treated as transportation that begins or ends in the United States, rather than as transportation that begins and ends in the United States, thus resulting in no more (and, with respect to a cruise that calls on more than one foreign port, possibly less) than 50% United States Source Income. There are, however, no regulations or other authoritative interpretations of these new rules, and, accordingly, the matter is not entirely free from doubt.
Under a provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Section 883 of the Code applies only to income derived from the international operation of ships. The legislative history of that provision indicates that Section 883 of the Code does not apply to Shipping Income that is treated as 100% United States Source Income under the source of income rules discussed in the preceding paragraph since it does not constitute income from the international operation of a ship because it results from transportation that is considered to begin and end in the United States; accordingly, any such income may well be subject to United States corporate tax unless another exception was applicable. As discussed in the preceding paragraph, although the matter is not entirely free from doubt, the Company does not believe that any significant portion of its Shipping Income from its current operations is 100% United States Source Income under the applicable provisions of the Code. Accordingly, the Company does not believe that the 1988 legislation significantly increases its United States corporate tax with respect to its current operations.
Other Jurisdictions
The Company anticipates that its income will not be subject to significant taxation under the laws of the Republic of Panama, Liberia, the Netherlands Antilles, the British Virgin Islands or the Bahamas.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The information required by Item 6, selected financial data for the five years ended November 30, 1995, is shown in Exhibit 13 and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The information required by Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, is shown in Exhibit 13 and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements, together with the report thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP dated January 18, 1996, is shown in Exhibit 13 and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9.
Item 9. Disagreements on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Items 10, 11, 12 and 13. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant, Executive Compensation, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 is incorporated by reference to the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year except that the information concerning the Registrant's executive officers called for by Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K has been included in Part I of this report.
PART IV
Item 14.
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) (1)-(2) Financial Statements and Schedules:
The financial statements shown in Exhibit 13 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Exhibits:
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this report and such Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
(b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the three months ended November 30, 1995.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, in the City of Miami, and the State of Florida on this 22nd day of January 1996.
CARNIVAL CORPORATION
By /s/ Micky Arison Micky Arison Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
* Portions of documents omitted pursuant to an order for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended.