Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings bounced back from Q1 booking challenges to report record revenue in the second quarter, the company announced in its earnings report July 31.
The performance included a rebound in bookings, both close-in and for future seasons, after NCLH saw pullback at the beginning of April for longer European itineraries amidst macroeconomic uncertainty.
The $2.52 billion in Q2 revenue was 6% higher than the same quarter in 2024, and NCLH maintained its full-year guidance. The company also saw record advance ticket sales of $4 billion.
"There's real excitement across the organization, from the new ships that entered service in the first half of the year to the meaningful progress we're making toward creating the greatest private island experience in the Caribbean," said CEO Harry Sommer during the company's earnings call Thursday.
Increased focus on the Caribbean has been a strategic shift that is driving confidence at the company, leaders expressed on the call. There will be more ships in the Caribbean next year, reflecting the demand for the region relative to Europe, and Norwegian Cruise Line is opening a waterpark at its Great Stirrup Cay private island in the summer, which it announced this week while simultaneously launching a related marketing campaign.
The Caribbean focus will "naturally" lead to increased overall load factors, which the Great Stirrup Cay interest will also help drive, said CFO Mark Kempa.
Occupancy was 103.9% in the second quarter, on track with guidance.
The investment in the Caribbean is intended to offer the sailings the company's customers are most desiring and was made before the disruption in Europe bookings in April, executives said. NCLH positioned about 31% of its fleet in Europe in Q2, which will decrease to 26% during Q2 of 2026, Sommer said.
"It's not a significant decrease, but it's a modest decrease coupled with shorter itineraries [that] we believe better reflects what the consumer demand environment is like," the CEO said.