Document/Exhibit Description Pages Size
1: 10-K Annual Report 61 317K
2: EX-10.NN Material Contract 47 207K
3: EX-10.OO Material Contract 7 28K
4: EX-10.PP Material Contract 29 73K
5: EX-10.QQ Material Contract 11 32K
6: EX-10.RR Material Contract 8 40K
7: EX-10.SS Material Contract 3 14K
8: EX-21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant 1 5K
9: EX-27 Financial Data Schedule (Pre-XBRL) 1 7K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______TO _____
COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-20961
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
BERMUDA N/A
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (IRS EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
4000 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, SUITE 385-S, SOUTH TOWER, HOLLYWOOD, FL 33021
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
954-967-2100
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
---------------------------------
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT
NONE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT
COMMON STOCK $.01 PAR VALUE
(TITLE OF CLASS)
REDEEMABLE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK AT $5.65 PER SHARE
(TITLE OF CLASS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or
any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
As of December 22, 1999, the aggregate market value of the Common Stock
held by non-affiliates was approximately $30,664,325.
As of December 22, 1999, the number of shares of Common Stock of the
registrant outstanding was 7,649,118.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III--Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
[Enlarge/Download Table]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS..............................................................................................1
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES...........................................................................................15
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS....................................................................................16
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS..................................................16
OPTIONAL ITEM EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT..............................................................16
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS................................18
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA..............................................................................19
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS................21
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK............................................27
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA..........................................................27
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.................27
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT...................................................28
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION...............................................................................28
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.......................................28
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.......................................................28
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K......................................28
-ii-
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
GENERAL
Commodore Holdings Limited, a Bermuda exempted company, was formed in
1995 and currently owns and/or operates five cruise ships through its wholly and
partially owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). The Company owns
three cruise ships, the S/S Enchanted Isle (the "Enchanted Isle"), the S/S
Universe Explorer (the "Universe Explorer"), and the M/V Enchanted Sun (the
"Enchanted Sun"), and has chartered two additional ships, the M/V Enchanted
Capri (the "Enchanted Capri") and the M/V Crown Dynasty (the "Crown
Dynasty")(collectively, the "Cruise Ships"). The Cruise Ships are matched to the
Company's various brands and operations depending upon each ship's design and
the Company's needs.
The Company offers two cruise brands, Commodore Cruise Line and Crown
Cruise Line, and also offers educational cruises. Commodore Cruise Line serves
the standard cruise market. A division of Commodore Cruise Line also offers both
single and multi-day cruises that emphasize casino gaming. The Company operates
both the Enchanted Isle and the Enchanted Capri under the Commodore Cruise Line
brand. The Company plans to add the Enchanted Sun to the Commodore Cruise Line
fleet once the renovation of the vessel is completed. In December 1999, the
Company launched its second cruise brand, Crown Cruise Line, which serves the
premium cruise market. Crown Cruise Line's first vessel, the Crown Dynasty,
commenced cruise service in December 1999.
The Company also offers educational cruises aboard the Universe
Explorer. The Universe Explorer is chartered to Sea-Comm, Ltd., a Liberian
corporation ("Sea-Comm"), a joint venture between the Company and Seawise
Foundation, Inc. ("Seawise"). Sea-Comm has space-chartered the vessel to
Seawise, which operates the "Semester at Sea" program during a portion of the
year. Sea-Comm operates cruises to Alaska aboard the Universe Explorer during
the balance of the year under the "World Explorer Cruises" brand.
VESSEL ACQUISITIONS AND FINANCINGS
The Company acquired the Enchanted Isle and the Enchanted Seas (now the
Universe Explorer) and certain other assets related thereto (collectively, the
"Commodore Assets") from EffJohn International B.V. ("EffJohn") in 1995. The
purchase price was paid, in part, with a $24,500,000 loan (the "EffJohn Loan")
to the Company from an affiliate of EffJohn (the "EffJohn Lender"). The EffJohn
Loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 2% (currently 6.97%) over six years and was
secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company's wholly owned
subsidiary, New Commodore Cruise Lines Limited, a Bermuda company ("New
Commodore"), including first preferred ship's mortgages on both the Enchanted
Isle and the Universe Explorer.
On December 4, 1998, the Company entered into a loan and security
agreement with KeyCorp Leasing Co. Inc. ("Key") for $10,000,000 (the "Key
Loan"). The Key Loan is secured by a first preferred ship's mortgage on the
Universe Explorer. In conjunction with this loan agreement, the Company entered
into an interest rate swap agreement with an affiliate of Key, whereby the
interest rate on the loan agreement is fixed at 9.14% over the term of the Key
Loan. The monthly principal payments of the Key Loan were fixed for the first
year at $41,667, and the remainder of the loan is based on an amortization
schedule of 14 years. The remaining unpaid principal and interest is due on
December 4, 2006, the date of maturity. The proceeds from the Key Loan were used
to repay a portion of the EffJohn Loan relating to the Universe Explorer, and
towards the installation of a sprinkler system on the Universe Explorer.
In the event that the Company is required to withhold income tax on any
interest due to the EffJohn Lender or Key, the Company has agreed to pay the
required amount to be withheld and pay the EffJohn Lender or Key, the full
amount of interest due under their respective agreements with the Company.
In February 1999, the Company entered into a loan agreement with
NationsBank, N.A. for $2,100,000 (the "NationsBank Loan"). The NationsBank Loan
is secured by a letter of credit provided by Seawise. The NationsBank Loan bears
interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 150 basis points; however, the Company has
entered into an interest rate swap agreement pursuant to which the interest has
been fixed at 7.3% over the term of the NationsBank Loan. The net proceeds of
the NationsBank Loan were used by the Company towards the payment for the
sprinkler system on the Universe Explorer.
The terms of the EffJohn and Key Loans place certain restrictions on
the Company. First, the Company is not permitted to place any additional liens
on any of the Commodore Assets (including the Enchanted Isle) without the prior
consent of the EffJohn Lender. Second, the Company is prohibited from paying
more than 50% of its net profits as dividends on its common stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). Third, the Key Loan prohibits the Company
from placing any additional liens on the Universe Explorer and requires the
Company to meet certain financial covenants with respect to tangible net worth,
leverage and debt service coverage ratios.
In March 1998, the Company entered into an agreement to bareboat
charter the Enchanted Capri. The charter was originally for a term of
approximately four and one-half years and has since been extended until
September 2005. The Company assigned its charter for the Enchanted Capri to
Capri Cruises, a joint venture formed in 1998 between the Company and Isle of
Capri Casinos, Inc. ("Isle of Capri") (formerly Casino America, Inc.), a
publicly owned company that operates riverboats, land-based and dockside
casinos.
In April 1999, the Company purchased the Enchanted Sun for $5,000,000.
The purchase price was partially funded through a partial drawdown on a credit
facility from Nordbanken AB (publ) in the principal amount of $14,250,000 (the
"Nordbanken Loan"). The Company is making significant renovations to the
Enchanted Sun's interior and exterior with the balance of the proceeds from such
loan and through the issuance of common stock. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources." The Company expects that renovations will be completed in
the second fiscal quarter of the year 2000 and that the Enchanted Sun will begin
cruise service in the same fiscal quarter. The Company plans to use the
Enchanted Sun as part of Commodore Cruise Line's new day cruise division
operating from San Diego and Los Angeles, California to Rosarito, Baja
California, Mexico.
In March 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with an affiliate
of EffJohn, Neptun Maritime ("Neptun"), to bareboat charter the Crown Dynasty.
The charter began on October 11, 1999 and is for a term of four years with
options for another six years. Pursuant to the charter and subject to agreement
upon certain financing terms, the Company is exercising its right to purchase
the vessel from Neptun and expects to close on the purchase in the first
calendar quarter of 2000. As part of the charter, the Company also acquired the
rights to the Crown Cruise Line name. The Company has entered into a space
charter agreement with Apple Vacations ("Apple") for a charter of approximately
72% of the passenger space onboard the vessel for a period of four years.
OPERATING STRATEGY
The Company's principal operating strategies are to identify
underserved markets where there are significant barriers to entry and niche
themes and to serve those markets by carefully selecting smaller classic ships
and refitting them to meet the needs of each market. The Company achieves these
goals by actively following consumer trends, identifying exclusive niche
opportunities that have a cruise component, selecting complementary successful
businesses in such markets, where appropriate, and developing strategic
alliances or joint ventures with such businesses to penetrate such markets. This
strategy permits the Company to leverage its cash assets and serve a variety of
niche markets efficiently and well.
2
The Company's operations are presently divided between two brands:
Commodore Cruise Line and Crown Cruise Line. A division of Commodore Cruise Line
offers deep-sea single and multi-day cruises that emphasize casino gaming. In
addition, the Company, through Sea-Comm, charters one of its vessels for use in
the Semester at Sea program. See "Business -- The Sea-Comm Joint Venture."
Since acquiring the assets of Commodore Cruise Line in 1995, the
Company has endeavored to continue the Commodore tradition of delivering an
innovative, value-oriented standard market cruise product. The Company seeks to
maintain such standard by providing maximum value, emphasizing "old world"
tradition and a friendly and informal atmosphere combined with value and
service. Fleet configuration is a primary distinguishing variable in the cruise
industry and differentiates competitors serving a common passenger base.
Commodore Cruise Line offers vessels that are older and smaller than those of
most of its competitors. The Company believes that these smaller vessels enable
it to provide value-oriented service and a more personalized maritime
environment than the Company's giant vessel competitors. The Company believes
that good service coupled with a reputation for more personalized attention
enable it to command prices comparable to its competitors. Although Commodore's
older vessels will probably cost more to operate than new vessels, the Company
believes that its cost savings in debt service payments will more than offset
the higher maintenance and operating expenses.
Commodore Cruise Line operates the Enchanted Isle and the Enchanted
Capri. The Enchanted Capri is operated through Capri Cruises, the Company's
joint venture with Isle of Capri, which specializes in riverboat and dockside
casinos. See "Business -- Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures." During fiscal
2000, the Company, through its Coronado Seas, LLC ("Coronado") joint venture,
plans to commence cruise operations aboard the Enchanted Sun. The Enchanted Sun
will operate day gaming cruises between San Diego or Los Angeles, California and
Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, a small tourist-oriented town located 18
miles from San Diego. The Company plans to capitalize both on the gaming
opportunities and on its Mexican port-of-call through its Indian Tribe and
Mexican partners. See "Business -- Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures."
In December 1999, the Company introduced its premium cruise brand,
Crown Cruise Line. The Company acquired the name of the cruise line in
conjunction with the Company's charter of the Crown Dynasty. Crown Cruise Line
was originally formed in 1984 and operated various ships in the premium segment
of the cruise industry until 1995, when Neptun sold or chartered the remaining
vessels to various entities. While in operation, the Company believes that Crown
Cruise Line developed a reputation for providing fine dining and impeccable
service aboard intimate ships. The Company will seek to continue this tradition
by offering guests a high staff to guest ratio aboard smaller vessels fitted
with fine furnishings and offering high-end amenities. Crown's first vessel, the
Crown Dynasty, operates seven-day cruises from Aruba in the winter, and will
offer cruises to Bermuda and Canada from the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas in
the summer. The Company has entered into a strategic relationship with Apple, an
experienced tour operator, to market and sell these cruises. See "Business --
Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures."
In addition to its traditional cruise operations, the Company offers
educational cruises. The Company currently space charters the Universe Explorer
for use in the Semester at Sea program through its Sea-Comm joint venture with
Seawise. Seawise has offered this program through the Institute for Shipboard
Education, a Delaware not-for-profit corporation ("ISE"), and in conjunction
with the University of Pittsburgh, for 20 years. During the summer months,
Sea-Comm operates cruises to Alaska through World Explorer Cruises and Tours,
Inc. ("WEC") and Hemisphere Cruises & Tours, Inc. ("Hemisphere"). The Company
believes that the Semester at Sea program is the only program of its kind in the
world. Although a number of other cruise lines offer Alaska cruises, the
Company's cruises emphasize the educational experience with an unmatched number
of seminars and over 40 optional shore excursions. See "Business -- The Sea-Comm
Joint Venture."
The Company continually seeks expansion opportunities for Commodore
Cruise Line, Crown Cruise Line and its educational cruises where such
opportunities meet its niche marketing strategy and complement its existing
operations.
3
CRUISE OPERATIONS
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Cruise lines compete intensely for consumer disposable leisure time
dollars with other vacation alternatives, such as land-based resort hotels and
sightseeing destinations. Public demand for such activities is influenced by
general economic conditions.
The Company believes that the modern passenger cruise industry has
experienced substantial growth over the past 25 years. The industry has evolved
from a trans-ocean carrier service into a vacation alternative to land-based
resorts and sightseeing destinations. According to CLIA, an industry trade
group, in 1980 approximately 1.4 million North American passengers took cruises
for two days or more. In comparison, the following table sets forth data
regarding industry growth over the past five years.
NORTH AMERICAN CRUISE
CALENDAR YEAR PASSENGERS(1)
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------
(IN MILLIONS)
1994 4.5
1995 4.4
1996 4.7
1997 5.1
1998 5.4
---------------------------
(1) SOURCE: CLIA
The North American cruise industry accounts for approximately 80% of
the world market. According to CLIA, the number of overall industry North
American cruise passengers in 1998 was 7.8% over the 1997 figure, with demand
increasing during 1999. The average growth rate for North American cruise
passengers from 1980 through 1998 was approximately 7.9% per year.
The Company believes that "repeat cruising" is a large source of
business in the cruise industry. Of all passengers who have cruised in the past
five years, CLIA estimates that the average number of cruises per person is 2.4.
CLIA has estimated that, in 1982, the capacity of cruise ships serving
the North American markets offering voyages of two or more days was
approximately 43,848 berths. According to CLIA's most recent estimate, in 1999,
the North American market was served by 32 cruise lines, operating 144 vessels.
Aggregate 1999 market capacity is estimated at 148,827 berths, an increase of
8.3% over the previous year. In addition, an estimated 12 new cruise vessels
offering 17,474 additional berths will be added to the market through the year
2000.
Numerous industry analysts, as reported in various newspaper articles,
predict a trend toward the continued growth of the large cruise lines and
decline of the smaller ones in the North American cruise industry. The larger
lines such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Princess
Cruises, with whom the Company competes, have been purchasing new vessels and
thereby adding to their fleets. These larger lines benefit from increased
economies of scale and have historically operated at higher percentage of
capacity than the smaller lines. In addition, the smaller lines, such as the
Company, own older ships with fewer amenities. Such ships will require costly
renovations and retrofitting in order to meet new industry safety guidelines.
See "Business -- Government Regulation." Industry analysts predict that
discounting of fares will play a large part in cruise ticket sales in response
to the relatively flat growth of the North American market and the substantial
increases in capacity planned over the next few years.
4
MARKET POSITION
The cruise industry is generally viewed as the composite of three
partially overlapping segments, differentiated primarily by cruise cost, length
and itinerary. The standard, premium and luxury segments provide a wide
assortment of cruise experiences, appeal to different population segments and
attract varying demographic groupings. CLIA's luxury segment of the cruise
industry represents 10% of the total industry capacity. With list per diem rates
in excess of $800, the Company believes this market caters to the most affluent
segment of the population. Luxury market cruises are generally seven to ten
nights or more. CLIA's premium segment, in which the Company's Crown Cruise Line
brand competes, is somewhat more up-scale than the standard market, but not as
up-scale as the luxury segment, and represents 32% of the total cruise capacity.
The Company believes this market attracts an older, more affluent and
experienced clientele, with list per diem rates in the range of $290 - $600 and
itineraries that typically range from seven to ten days. CLIA's standard market,
in which market the Company's Commodore Cruise Line brand competes, is the
largest segment within the cruise industry, comprising 55% of industry-wide
capacity. The remaining 3% can be attributed to non-CLIA member lines. The
Company believes the standard market is characterized by affordable, shorter
cruises primarily serving first-time passengers with list per diem rates
generally of $290 or less. Standard market cruises range from three to ten days
in the most popular cruising areas.
Commodore Cruise Line seeks to position itself within the standard
market to capture the first-time cruising passenger with list per diem rates for
its Caribbean cruises that range from $173 - $262. In accordance with industry
practice, such prices may be discounted. The Company believes that the Commodore
Cruise Line name appeals to both first-time cruising passengers and repeat
passengers due to its presence in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and embarkation
from the Port of New Orleans. The Port of New Orleans, which offers all of the
Southern charm, fine dining and nightlife of New Orleans, is an attractive
alternative port of embarkation for many passengers, and particularly for those
who prefer to drive, rather than fly, to begin their cruise vacation.
Crown Cruise Line seeks to position itself within the premium segment
to capture an upscale clientele with list per diem rates for its Caribbean
cruises that range from $201 - $587. In accordance with industry practice, such
prices may be discounted. The Company believes that the Crown Cruise Line name
appeals to both first-time cruising passengers and repeat passengers due to its
established name in the industry. The Company plans to select itineraries for
its Crown vessels, such as the Crown Dynasty's Bermuda itinerary, that will both
appeal to an upscale passenger and that are not already well-served by larger
premium cruise lines.
The division of Commodore Cruise Line that offers deep-sea gaming
cruises is not positioned within any of CLIA's three traditional cruise
segments. Rather, this division of Commodore Cruise Line will seek to attract
passengers who desire a single-day entertainment experience or short cruise that
emphasizes casino gaming entertainment. Commodore anticipates that its exclusive
day cruises to Rosarito, coupled with its ability to feature casino gaming,
should position it as a unique entertainment opportunity in Southern California.
SHIPS AND ITINERARIES
Commodore Cruise Line operates two-, five-, and seven-day cruises
aboard the Enchanted Isle and the Enchanted Capri that originate and end in New
Orleans. The two-day cruise is a "Weekender" cruise with no port calls. The
five-day cruise calls in Playa del Carmen (Mexico), Cozumel (Mexico), and
Progresso (Mexico) and the standard seven-day itinerary features calls in Playa
del Carmen (Mexico), Cozumel (Mexico), Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), and
Montego Bay (Jamaica). Occasionally the Company varies its itineraries on the
seven-day route and offers Key West (Florida) or Roatan/Puerto Cortes (Honduras)
instead of Grand Cayman and Montego Bay. During the coming year, the Company
will also offer one fourteen-day cruise that includes a partial transit of the
Panama Canal that will call at Cozumel (Mexico), Roatan (Honduras), San Andres
(Colombia), Cartagena (Colombia), Aruba, and Ocho Rios (Jamaica). The two- and
five-day cruises are operated on the Enchanted Capri and emphasize casino gaming
and the seven- and fourteen-day cruises are aboard the Enchanted Isle.
5
The Enchanted Isle was originally constructed by Ingals Shipbuilding
Corporation in the United States in 1958 and was most recently refurbished in
1994. The Enchanted Isle is designed to be a seagoing resort with restaurants,
discotheques, movie theaters, libraries, reading rooms, full service
communication facilities, jogging courses, aerobic classes, workout rooms,
numerous bars, two pools, sun deck areas and deck activities. The Enchanted Isle
has a complete casino with various gaming opportunities. Entertainment is
provided nightly and includes shipboard productions of Broadway show tunes and
Las Vegas-style revues, as well as performances by a variety of celebrity
entertainers. In addition, all passengers may take shore excursions provided at
various ports-of-call, including guided tours, visits to local attractions and
free time to explore on their own. Although the Enchanted Isle may not be as
modern, as large, or contain all the amenities of newer ships, the Company
believes that it provides the type of cruise environment that its passengers
expect.
The Enchanted Capri was originally constructed by the Wartsila Shipyard
in Turku, Finland in 1975. The Enchanted Capri is designed to be a seagoing
resort with restaurant, discotheque, movie theater, full service communication
facilities, jogging courses, workout rooms, numerous bars, pool, sun deck areas
and deck activities. The Enchanted Capri features an "Isle of Capri" casino with
various gaming opportunities. Entertainment is provided nightly and includes
shipboard productions of Broadway show tunes and Las Vegas-style revues, as well
as performances by a variety of celebrity entertainers. In addition, all
passengers may take shore excursions provided at various ports-of-call,
including guided tours, visits to local attractions and free time to explore on
their own.
During fiscal 2000, Commodore Cruise Line plans to commence day cruises
aboard the Enchanted Sun between San Diego, California and Rosaritio, Baja
California, Mexico. The State of California prohibits casino gaming on "cruises
to nowhere" thereby restricting such shipboard gaming to cruises that visit a
foreign port. Rosarito is the closest foreign port-of-call to Southern
California and the Company has secured an exclusive agreement to operate cruises
on this route for ten years, with an option to continue such cruises for an
additional ten years. The next closest port of call is Ensenada, which is an
additional 50 miles beyond Rosarito. The Company plans to offer one or two
cruises each day to Rosarito, with the duration of each cruise lasting
approximately 3-5 hours for half day cruises and 7-8 hours for full day cruises.
The Enchanted Sun will dock at Rosarito on each cruise and passengers will have
the opportunity to disembark and visit this small beach town and the surrounding
areas on the full day cruises. Passengers who wish to spend more time in
Rosarito will also have the opportunity to stay the night at a local resort and
return to San Diego the next day. See "Business -- Strategic Alliances and Joint
Ventures."
The Enchanted Sun was originally constructed by Kynossoura Dock Yard
Co. Ltd. in Pireaus, Greece in 1974 and is a 9,511 gross ton cruise vessel with
eight decks and, following her conversion, will have a day-cruise capacity of
850 passengers. The Enchanted Sun is being redesigned by the Company as a
seagoing resort with a large state-of-the-art casino in place of cabins, so as
to permit an increased passenger capacity. The vessel also will offer a
nightclub, restaurant, swimming pool, jogging course, workout room, aerobic
courses, and sundeck as well as other deck activities.
Crown Cruise Line operates seven-day cruises aboard the Crown Dynasty
that originate and end in Aruba and call at Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada,
Curacao, and Bonaire. In the summer of the year 2000, the Crown Dynasty will
operate seven-day cruises to Bermuda from the Philadelphia and the Baltimore
areas. Passengers are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of
shore excursions at the various ports-of-call, including "cruise and stay"
packages during the ship's Bermuda season. The vessel is decorated with a
Bermuda theme to reflect her summer itinerary and features the works of Bermuda
artists in the cabins and common areas. The Crown Dynasty will be the only
cruise ship docked in Bermuda over the weekend and the only scheduled cruise
ship departing from the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas that sails to Bermuda.
The Crown Dynasty was originally constructed by the Union Naval
Shipyard in Valencia, Spain in 1993 and is a 19,089 gross ton cruise vessel
with eight passenger decks and a capacity of 820 passengers in 410 cabins. The
vessel is designed to be an elegant and intimate seagoing resort containing a
casino, nightclubs, restaurants, reading room, full-service communication
facilities, swimming pool, jogging course, aerobic courses, workout room, and
sundeck as well as other deck activities. The
6
Crown Dynasty has a full casino and offers various gaming opportunities.
Entertainment is provided nightly and features both shipboard productions and
performances by celebrity entertainers.
MARKETING AND PROMOTION
The Company has committed significant resources to marketing and
promotion through advertising, public relations, and sales personnel. To enhance
the Company's awareness in, and coverage of travel agents and consumer
marketplaces, the Company employs a variety of complementary marketing and
promotional programs incorporating media, direct marketing and sales aids,
public relations, special events and strategic business alliances, with special
emphasis on trade and consumer advertising. The Company has an ongoing
advertising campaign that establishes its image as a provider of value-oriented
cruises with high quality service at sea. This advertising campaign is based
upon travel agent and consumer research and is placed in media in the five-state
area around Louisiana, including Texas and in additional states in which
residents have historically purchased the most cruises.
The Company focuses on consumer and trade advertising, particularly
through the use of newspaper advertising. The Company believes that this media
is equally effective in reaching both consumers and the travel agency trade. In
addition, the Company places advertisements on radio stations and television.
Developing strong cooperative marketing programs directly links travel agent
marketing and promotional efforts to those of the Company.
The Company places a strong emphasis on collateral development and
distribution to key producing travel agents for the Company. The Company
believes that detailed descriptions of the Company's ships, services,
itineraries and activities, pre- and post-cruise land package opportunities and
various elements of the product programs, are a significant factor in converting
the initial interest of consumers into actual cruise sales. The Company uses
direct marketing to target past passengers and various affinity organizations.
The Company views past Commodore passengers and leisure travelers using travel
organizations as persons with a high propensity to cruise with the Company. The
Company also places travel trade advertising via the most popular trade
publications, expanding the awareness of the Company's product and services.
TRAVEL AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS. The Company sells cruise vacations in the
United States and Canada almost exclusively through the travel agency
distribution system. According to CLIA, an estimated 95% of cruise packages are
sold with the assistance of travel agents, who normally receive commissions in
the range of 10-20% of the sale. Additional commission incentives are made
available for volume producers that consistently support the cruise line. In
order to maintain personal contact with travel agency owners, managers and
front-line retail agents, the Company maintains a field sales staff, supported
by an in-house service staff.
The Company's cruises, consistent with industry trends, are marketed to
passengers via travel agents in the United States. Well-informed travel agencies
are therefore crucial to the Company's effort in maintaining and expanding its
customer base. Accordingly, the Company places considerable emphasis on its
contacts with travel agencies and fostering goodwill towards the Company's
products, maximizing this efficient and productive relationship.
CAPRI CRUISES MARKETING. In addition to the Company's cruise marketing,
the Company's partner in Capri Cruises markets the Enchanted Capri to its list
of repeat gaming clients. As is customary in the casino industry, passengers who
have repeatedly gambled high amounts of money are given many complimentary
services, including but not limited to, cabin upgrades, drinks, complimentary
tokens or chips to play in the casino, and in the case of the best customers,
complimentary accommodations.
ENCHANTED SUN MARKETING. The Company plans to market the Enchanted Sun
primarily through consumer advertising, including newspapers, radio and
television, to encourage people to enjoy a relaxing and entertaining voyage to
Rosarito, complete with casino gaming, aboard the Enchanted Sun. The Company
also plans to market the Enchanted Sun to incentive, affinity and corporate
groups to encourage them to organize cruises for their clients, customers and
employees. Additionally, one of the Company's partners in Coronado, plans to
market the Enchanted Sun to its repeat gaming clients.
7
As is customary in the casino industry, passengers who have repeatedly gambled
high amounts of money will be given many complimentary services, including but
not limited to, drinks and complimentary tokens or chips to play in the casino,
and in the case of the best customers, complimentary cruises.
INTERNATIONAL SALES. The Company intends to devote a portion of its
sales resources to developing sales from the European and Latin American
marketplaces. Although the North American market is static, the European cruise
market has been growing. Europe is, by far, the largest market outside of North
America, with Germany and the U.K. comprising the largest constituent parts.
Management has begun discussions with several major European travel operators.
The Company has dedicated one of its sales executives to concentrate exclusively
on international sales which includes expanding its sales efforts to Latin
America, which is also a significant resource for potential passengers to the
Company due to an established network of tour operators.
REVENUES AND PASSENGER SERVICES
Reservations are taken by trained reservations sales agents on a
computer and software system, capable of accepting reservations for a fleet of
at least 10 vessels. Staffing levels are maintained per industry standards to
ensure that calls are taken promptly. Reservations are the first point of
contact for most travel agents and, as such, play a key role in the sales
process. A full-time staff of approximately 31 people assist agents in securing
passenger reservations, arranging flights for air/sea passengers, coordinating
ground transportation and pre- and post-cruise tour hotel packages.
TICKET REVENUES
Commodore Cruise Line's cruises are list-priced per person per day
(based on double occupancy) from $173 to $262, excluding commissions to travel
agents. Crown Cruise Line's cruises are list-priced per person per day (based on
double occupancy) from $201 to $587, excluding commissions to travel agents.
Both Commodore and Crown offer discounts, particularly during off-season
periods, as is the practice in the industry. Prices vary depending on size and
location of cabin and the time of year in which the trip occurs. The cruise
price includes shipboard accommodations, use of all of the shipboard amenities
and all meals.
ON-BOARD AND OTHER REVENUES
Revenues onboard the Company's Cruise Ships are derived from certain
on-board activities and services operated by the Company including, casino
gaming, liquor sales in a variety of bars, restaurants, lounges and discotheques
and shore excursions. Additional revenue is earned from pre- and post-cruise
packages in each vessels' point of embarkation. The Company also earns
concession revenue from sales at duty-free shops, gift shops, art auctions, the
sale of photographs to passengers and from the beauty salon.
COMPETITION
Competition in the industry in which the Company competes is intense.
The Company competes with other cruise ship lines in both the standard and
premium segments that offer the same type of products in several markets, and
with land-based resorts, many of which have significantly greater financial
resources and experience, and are more well known than the Company. The Company
also competes for consumer disposable leisure time dollars with other vacation
alternatives such as land-based resort hotels and sight-seeing destinations, in
addition to approximately 25 other cruise lines operating in the standard
segment. In addition, public demand for such activities is influenced by general
economic conditions.
Commodore Cruise Line operates in the Caribbean where its principal
competitors are Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Norwegian
Cruise Lines and Premier Cruise Line. However, the Enchanted Isle and the
Enchanted Capri are currently two of only three regularly scheduled cruise
vessels, including one Carnival Cruise Lines' ship, that embarks passengers from
the Port of New Orleans.
8
Crown Cruise Line operates in both the Southern Caribbean and Bermuda
markets where its principal competitors are Celebrity Cruise Lines, Royal
Caribbean International, and Holland America Line. The Crown Dynasty, however,
will be the only ship permitted to dock in Bermuda over the weekend and will be
the only scheduled cruise ship to depart from the Philadelphia and Baltimore
areas for Bermuda.
Competition in the standard cruise market is highly concentrated, with
three companies accounting for an estimated 68% of the available berths.
Competition in the premium market is similarly highly concentrated with four
companies accounting for an estimated 86% of the available berths. The three
largest cruise operators in the North American cruise industry are increasing
market share by adding new vessels to their fleets. Various articles concerning
the cruise line industry note that this trend is expected to continue for at
least the next few years. If this trend continues, the Company's ability to
compete with these larger operators may be substantially impaired.
EDUCATIONAL CRUISES
THE SEA-COMM JOINT VENTURE
On October 30, 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with Seawise
establishing Sea-Comm (the "Sea-Comm Agreement"). Pursuant to the Sea-Comm
Agreement, the Company purchased 50.005% of Sea-Comm's common stock, and 50% of
Sea-Comm's preferred stock. Seawise purchased 49.995% of Sea-Comm's common stock
and 50% of Sea-Comm's preferred stock.
The purpose of Sea-Comm is to space charter the Universe Explorer to an
entity who operates the Semester at Sea program, an educational program
conducted by the ISE and the University of Pittsburgh. Seawise has a contract
with the ISE pursuant to which it has operated the Semester at Sea program
aboard its own vessel for the last 20 years. In addition, Sea-Comm operates
cruises to Alaska (the "Alaska Program") through WEC and Hemisphere during
summer periods when the Universe Explorer is not being used for the Semester at
Sea program. Seawise is party to a tripartite agreement with WEC and Hemisphere
pursuant to which it has operated the Alaska Program for 20 years (the "Alaska
Agreement"). As part of the joint venture, Seawise has assigned its rights under
the Alaska Agreement to Sea-Comm.
Pursuant to the Sea-Comm Agreement, the Company has chartered the
Universe Explorer to Sea-Comm. Sea-Comm, in turn, has chartered the Universe
Explorer to Seawise so that it may operate the Semester at Sea program
exclusively aboard the vessel. In return for such charter, Seawise reimburses
Sea-Comm for 76% of its operating costs, 100% of food costs and 76% of the
principal and interest due on the portion of the EffJohn Loan (assuming that the
EffJohn Loan had continued for the Universe Explorer according to its original
terms) attributable to the Universe Explorer. Sea-Comm also earns revenue from
the sale of the other 24% of the cabins (which hold approximately 176 persons)
on the vessel. Seawise has purchased these cabins from Sea-Comm for $1,500,000
per semester during 1999 and 2000, $1,650,000 per semester during 2001 and 2002
and $1,732,500 per semester during 2003 through 2005.
During the summer when the Semester at Sea program is not operating,
Sea-Comm operates the Universe Explorer under the Alaska Agreement. WEC enjoys
certain permits issued by the U.S. Parks Service to cruise in the Glacier Bay,
Alaska area. Pursuant to the Alaska Agreement, Sea-Comm earns revenues from
ticket sales for all cabins and pay fees to WEC and Hemisphere for providing
certain services to Sea-Comm.
Sea-Comm is managed by a board of directors, which consists of five
people, three of which are appointed by the Company and two of which are
appointed by Seawise. Three of the Company's executive officers, Messrs.
Frederick A. Mayer, Ronald Kurtz and Alan Pritzker; the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
respectively; act as directors of Sea-Comm. Mr. Mayer and Mr. Pritzker also act
as Sea-Comm's President and Secretary, respectively. Sea-Comm's Treasurer was
appointed by Seawise.
9
Pursuant to the Sea-Comm Agreement, the Company granted Seawise
warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The warrants
are presently exercisable at $6.00 per share and expire on January 7, 2001.
THE SEMESTER AT SEA PROGRAM. The Semester at Sea, which is administered
by the ISE and academically sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh, is a
program that takes approximately 600 students, from colleges and universities
across the United States and abroad, around the world each fall and spring
semester. Since 1963, over 27,000 students have studied and traveled to 60
countries around the world through this program. Seawise operated the Semester
at Sea program for the first time aboard the Universe Explorer in the spring of
1996. Semester at Sea gives students an opportunity to broaden their horizons
through educated travel. Students travel around the world aboard the Universe
Explorer and participate in a unique and dynamic learning environment. A limited
number of "non-student passengers" also participate in each Semester at Sea
voyage.
Students can choose from approximately 60 lower and upper division
courses in a variety of disciplines, including such offerings as anthropology,
biology, English, geology, history, fine arts, music, political science,
religious studies and theater arts. A number of one-credit courses are also
available. Non-student passengers may also attend courses. Courses are
accredited by the University of Pittsburgh and are fully transferable to most
institutions. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 semester
credits during the fall and spring semesters and two courses, or six credits,
during the summer semester. Each program includes a mandatory three-credit core
course which provides an overview of the culture, environment, geography,
history and politics of the regions visited.
While in port, students take advantage of field trips which provide
both structured and informal activities enabling them to observe, interact and
participate in the local culture. Students may also choose to travel
independently. Excursions typically include university visits, cultural
performances, visits to archeological sites, museums, orphanages and rural
areas. Students are also frequently given opportunities to interact with
students and faculty at local universities. Stays in port typically range from
two to six days.
THE ALASKA PROGRAM. WEC has been operating Alaska cruises for 22 years.
The Company believes that Sea-Comm's operation of WEC's established program
offers a unique opportunity to cruise to Alaska due to its unmatched educational
seminars and over 40 optional shore excursions. Although the Alaska Program is
not part of the Semester at Sea program, the 15,000-volume library remains on
board the Universe Explorer in place of a casino. The passengers are free to use
the library to enhance the presentations by guest lecturers or simply to relax
and enjoy a quiet place to read. Passengers are also offered unique
presentations and educational lectures by guest professors and nature experts
from around the world. These presentations provide information about the art,
culture, geology and history of the ports-of-call and the region in general. The
Company believes that Sea-Comm is the only operator of Alaska cruises that
offers educational seminars in conjunction with a cruise experience.
SHIPS AND ITINERARIES
The fall and spring Semester at Sea programs last approximately 100
days. The spring semesters begin in late January or early February and end in
early May, and fall voyages depart in mid-September and return in mid-December.
Ports change with each voyage. In the summer of 1999, Sea-Comm operated, seven
fourteen-day and two nine-day Alaska cruises onboard the Universe Explorer. All
Alaska cruises begin and end in Vancouver, British Columbia. Ports-of-call are
Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier,
Seward, Skagway, and Victoria.
The Universe Explorer is a 23,900 gross ton registered vessel, which
has nine passenger decks and a capacity for approximately 860 passengers in 363
cabins. During the Semester at Sea program, the shipboard campus consists of
classrooms with closed-circuit television capabilities, a student union, a
theater, a 15,000-volume core library, study lounges, and a cafeteria, in
addition to standard facilities of any oceangoing vessel. Living areas are
supervised by a support team, which includes a complete student life staff. The
physical set-up on the Universe Explorer has been specifically designed for
10
academic ventures and includes classrooms with blackboards, not substantially
different from land-based campuses. A closed-circuit video system further
supports classroom instruction. At the students disposal are also a computer
lab, exercise room, swimming pool, campus store, snack bar, and a sports deck
for volleyball, basketball and aerobics. Laundry facilities and satellite phone
calls and faxes are also available on board. Cabins are available in double,
triple and quadruple occupancy for students and single and double occupancy for
non-students.
The amenities on the Universe Explorer during the Semester at Sea
program; however, are not necessarily the same as those aboard the other cruise
ships. There are no formal dinners (except on a few special occasions), no
ballroom and no professional entertainers. However, the program staff includes
an adult coordinator who organizes a program of activities specifically geared
for the student/adult community. Cabin stewards provide daily limited cleaning
and linen services and all meals are served cafeteria-style for students,
faculty and staff. Attire is generally casual. The Universe Explorer houses four
lounges and two bars available for students, with alcoholic beverage service
limited to beer and wine, and an additional two lounges for faculty, staff and
adult passengers, which serve a full range of alcoholic beverages.
During the months when the Universe Explorer sails on its Alaska
itinerary, it is easily transformed back into a traditional cruise ship.
Classrooms are restored to lounges and dining areas, and the crew resumes formal
meals, maid service and room service. In addition, the ship features all of the
amenities and entertainment offered by the Company's other Cruise Ship, the
Enchanted Isle, except for casino gaming. Even during the Alaska Program, the
Universe Explorer retains its substantial library offering passengers the
opportunity to learn all about the ports they will visit during their voyage.
MARKETING AND PROMOTION
The ISE promotes the Semester at Sea program through its own network.
The ISE recruits campus volunteers on over 200 campuses in the United States and
abroad and such volunteers distribute brochures and respond to questions from
interested students. In addition, the ISE maintains a list of Semester at Sea
alumni and encourages such persons to recruit students for the program. Because
of the way Sea-Comm earns revenue from the Semester at Sea program (through a
space charter and agreed-upon payments for the balance of the cabins), its
revenue does not vary materially based on the number of students or adult
passengers aboard the vessel. As a result, marketing to passengers is not of
material importance to Sea-Comm.
With respect to the Alaska Program, WEC markets its cruises through
travel agents, and, in general, through the same avenues that the Company
markets its Caribbean cruises. WEC's cruise experience can be differentiated
from that of its competitors both based on the length of the cruise and on its
focus. Although WEC's cruises feature all of the cuisine, entertainment and
services that cruise passengers have come to expect, they offer a unique
educational undercurrent, which WEC promotes as a unique adventure for the body
and soul. The Universe Explorer features an extensive library in place of the
casino and allows passengers to study the ports the ship visits in depth if they
so desire.
TICKET REVENUES
The cost of Semester at Sea tuition ranges from $14,980 for double
occupancy, to $17,980 for single occupancy for standard accommodations during
the full semesters. Such rates are per person and include tuition, passage fare,
room, board, and student fees. Travel to and from ports of embarkation and
debarkation, text books, in-country travel, personal expenses and incidental
fees are additional. Financial aid is available to some students. Because the
Semester at Sea is operated by Seawise, neither the Company nor Sea-Comm earn
revenue from student ticket sales.
WEC's Alaska cruises are list-priced per person (based on double
occupancy) from $2,095 to $3,695 for its fourteen-day cruises and from $1,345 to
$2,395 for its nine-day cruise, excluding commissions to travel agents, which
will be paid by Sea-Comm. Prices vary depending on size and location of cabin.
The cruise price includes shipboard accommodations, use of all the shipboard
11
amenities and all meals. At present there are no future plans for Caribbean
cruises on the Universe Explorer.
ON-BOARD AND OTHER REVENUES
Sea-Comm earns revenues from the Universe Explorer during the Semester
at Sea program from beverage and snack bar sales and miscellaneous services.
While the vessel is used in the Alaska Program, Sea-Comm earns on-board revenue
from certain on-board activities and services including beverage sales in a
variety of bars, restaurants, lounges, and shore excursions. Additional
concession revenue is earned from gift shop sales, beauty salon and the sale of
photographs to passengers.
COMPETITION
Seawise is the exclusive operator of the Semester at Sea program. To
the Company's knowledge, there is no other entity which operates a similar
shipboard educational program. Seawise competes for student passengers with
operators of land-based international educational programs, such as semesters
abroad. With respect to adult passengers, Sea-Comm competes with long cruise
providers, such as freighters with passenger accommodations and world cruises,
and to a lesser degree with traditional world cruises and land-based vacation
alternatives.
With respect to the Alaska Program, Sea-Comm competes with other cruise
operators who operate cruises to this region. Some of these operators carry
passengers from Canadian ports to Alaska and then return them by air, while
other operators carry passengers on a round trip voyage. Sea-Comm also competes
for consumer disposable leisure time dollars with other vacation alternatives.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND JOINT VENTURES
In October 1995, the Company entered into the Sea-Comm Agreement with
Seawise. The purpose of Sea-Comm is to space charter the Universe Explorer to an
entity that operates the Semester at Sea program and to operate Alaska cruises
during summer periods when the Universe Explorer is not being used for the
Semester at Sea program. The Company owns 50.05% of Sea-Comm. See "Business -
Educational Cruises."
In April 1998, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with
Isle of Capri, the owner of five riverboat and dockside casinos. Pursuant to the
joint venture agreement, subsidiaries of Isle of Capri and the Company formed a
general partnership known as Capri Cruises, to jointly operate the Enchanted
Capri from New Orleans, Louisiana, commencing in June 1998. The Company and Isle
of Capri each own equal portions of Capri Cruises. As a result, the Company has
assigned its interest in the Enchanted Capri charter to Capri Cruises. The
Enchanted Capri is operated pursuant to this agreement. The Company operates the
vessel while Isle of Capri manages the casino onboard the vessel as an "Isle of
Capri" casino, including establishing and maintaining the internal controls for
the casino. The Company and Isle of Capri also engage in joint marketing efforts
with the Company marketing the base cruise product and Isle of Capri marketing
the gaming product.
In July 1999, a subsidiary of the Company, Crown Cruises Limited
("Crown"), entered into a space charter agreement with Apple pursuant to which
Apple charters approximately 72% of the cabins aboard the Crown Dynasty. The
space charter is in effect until October 2003. Crown began operating seven-day
cruises from Aruba in December 1999. In April, the Crown Dynasty will be
repositioned to operate cruises to Bermuda and Canada from the Philadelphia and
Baltimore areas. The Company and Apple will jointly market and sell these
cruises.
In September 1999, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement
with Promociones Turisticas de Rosarito, S.A. de C.V. ("Proturo") and the Viejas
Band of Kumeyaay Indians ("Viejas"). Pursuant to the joint venture, a subsidiary
of the Company, Proturo and Viejas formed Coronado, a Delaware limited liability
company, to operate daily gaming cruises to Rosarito, Mexico on board the
Enchanted Sun. The Company, Proturo and Viejas each own an equal interest in
12
Coronado. The Company will operate the Enchanted Sun while Viejas will operate
the casino onboard the vessel. Proturo will operate the pier located in
Rosarito, Mexico where the Enchanted Sun will dock. Coronado is expected to
commence operating daily gaming cruises to Rosarito, Mexico beginning in March
2000.
The Enchanted Sun is owned by Albuferra Investments, Inc.
("Albuferra"), a joint venture between the Company and Viejas. The Company owns
50.2% and Viejas owns 49.8% of Albuferra. The Company and Viejas have entered
into a stockholders' agreement to provide for the management and disposition or
transfer of the shares of common stock of Albuferra.
SHIP MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
In addition to routine maintenance and repairs performed on an ongoing
basis, a vessel is generally taken out of service once every two years for a
period ranging from one to two weeks, during which time more substantial
maintenance work, repairs and improvements are performed in drydock. The
Universe Explorer was last taken out of service for maintenance in January 1999
and the Enchanted Isle was last taken out of service for maintenance in November
1999. The Enchanted Capri was out of service for approximately three months
prior to her delivery to the Company on June 3, 1998 and again for ten days in
June 1998 for additional work. This work typically is performed during non-peak
periods to minimize disruption of the Company's operations and any adverse
effect on revenues. To the extent practicable, the ship's crew, catering and
hotel staff remain with the ship during such period and assist in performing
maintenance and repair work.
Due to the age of the Enchanted Isle and the Universe Explorer, they
are expected to require more maintenance than new vessels. In addition, they are
more likely to break down and be removed from service at unscheduled times,
which could result in loss of revenue for the Company.
SUPPLIERS
The Company purchases air transportation, bunker and diesel fuel, food
and related products and hotel supplies from independent suppliers and does not
expect difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of these items. The Company
is not dependent upon any one supplier for its needs.
EMPLOYEES
The Company employs approximately 1,304 people, of whom approximately
1,203 serve as officers and crew on the Cruise Ships and approximately 103 are
employed shoreside in various sales and marketing, as well as administrative and
management positions. The Company believes that its relationship with its
employees is good.
INSURANCE
The Company has procured protection and indemnity coverage and oil
pollution coverage, as well as other coverage through its insurers for the
Cruise Ships. The Company maintains insurance on the hull and machinery of the
Cruise Ships in an amount equal to the greater of 100% of the market value of
the ship, as such value is agreed upon with the insurer and the mortgage holder
of the vessel, or 120% of the outstanding amount of the loan on the vessel.
Coverage for hull and passenger interests (which includes earnings and increased
value) is maintained in amounts related to the value of the ship and its
anticipated revenues. In addition, the Company maintains war risk insurance on
each ship in amounts in excess of the market value of the ship as agreed upon
with the insurer. War risk insurance includes protection against liability
claims by passengers and crew, as well as other indemnity risks for which
coverage would be excluded under the Company's protection and indemnity coverage
by reason of war exclusion clauses.
13
The Company also maintains coverage on the Cruise Ships in various
amounts for the loss of revenue in the event that any such vessel is unable to
operate during scheduled cruise periods as a result of an accident, mechanical
failure, or certain additional covered perils. In such event, the Company's
insurance would pay between $50,000 and $80,000 per day of lost service per
vessel, up to a maximum of ninety days, subject to a two- to fifteen-day
deductible. The Company has established insurance coverage in connection with
liability for death or injury to passengers and crew with respect to the
Enchanted Isle, Universe Explorer and Enchanted Capri. Such coverage has no
limitation, but is subject to a $25,000 - $35,000 deductible per incident. The
Company also provides a guaranty in respect of liability for non-performance of
transportation as required by the FMC with respect to the Cruise Ships. The
Company has posted a $15,000,000 surety bond with the FMC which covers the
Company's entire fleet.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company's vessels are registered in Panama and the Bahamas, and are
subject to regulations issued by Panama and the Bahamas, including regulations
issued pursuant to international treaties governing the safety of the ships and
its passengers. The country of registry conducts periodic inspections to verify
compliance with these regulations.
The Cruise Ships are subject to a continous five year hull and
machinery inspection schedule. In addition, ships operating out of U.S. ports
are subject to control verification by the U.S. Coast Guard for compliance with
international treaties, and by the U.S. Public Health Service for sanitary
conditions. The Cruise Ships will be inspected at least annually by the
Panamanian and Bahamian authorities and quarterly by the U.S. Coast Guard, and
on a regular basis by the U.S. Public Health Service. The Company believes that
the Cruise Ships are in substantial compliance with all applicable regulations
and that they have the licenses necessary to conduct their business.
The Company has obtained certificates from the FMC relating to its
ability to meet obligations to passengers for non-performance of cruises. The
FMC has proposed revisions to increase the amount of the bond needed. Depending
on the amount of any such increase, such change could have an adverse effect on
the Company. In the future, the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") may be
applied to the Cruise Ships to make the Cruise Ships more accessible to disabled
persons. The Company cannot project how the ADA will be applied to the Cruise
Ships or the costs of compliance.
The Company is also subject to various U.S. laws and regulations
relating to environmental protection. Under such laws and regulations, the
Company is prohibited from, among other things, discharging materials, such as
petrochemicals and plastics, into the waterways. The Company has obtained
insurance against the costs of oil pollution occasioned at, or in transit to,
sea. The financial costs relating to U.S. environmental laws and regulations are
not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of
operations, financial condition or liquidity.
The Company believes that it is in compliance with all regulations
applicable to the Cruise Ships and has the licenses necessary to conduct its
business, however, there can be no assurance thereof. From time to time,
legislation and proposed regulations have been introduced which could have an
impact upon the Company's operations. During recent years, the International
Convention on Safety of Life at Sea ("SOLAS") was amended and requires that most
passenger vessels, not fitted with sprinkler systems, install such systems and
other safety arrangements, including the addition of smoke detector systems,
low-location lighting and enclosed escape stairwells by October 1997. In the
event a vessel meets certain requirements under SOLAS as amended through 1974,
but without reference to any subsequent amendments thereto ("SOLAS 1974"), it
will not be required to be fitted with a sprinkler system and other safety
equipment until on or before October 1, 2005.
The Company installed the systems and safety arrangements (other than
sprinkler systems) required by SOLAS on the Universe Explorer in June 1997, and
on the Enchanted Isle in October 1997. The Company carried out additional work
to the Universe Explorer in January 1998, in order to have that vessel in full
compliance with U.S. Coast Guard interpretations of the SOLAS requirements.
14
All of the Company's Cruise Ships either are fitted with sprinkler
systems or comply with the SOLAS 1974 requirements. The Crown Dynasty was
constructed with a sprinkler system and the Company installed a sprinkler system
aboard the Universe Explorer in February 1999. The Enchanted Isle was fitted
with a partial sprinkler system during her recent drydock. However, the
installation of the remainder of the system will be completed while the vessel
is in service over the next several years at an estimated total cost of
$3,000,000. The Company has not yet determined whether it will install a
sprinkler system aboard the Enchanted Capri as the Company's charter of the
Enchanted Capri terminates prior to the date on which a sprinkler system must be
installed on this vessel. The Company has also not yet determined the cost to
install a sprinkler system on this vessel as it may elect to either replace this
vessel with another vessel or renew the charter. If the Company renews such
charter it will be responsible for half of such cost.
In 1993, SOLAS was amended to adopt the "International Safety
Management Code" (the "ISM Code"). The ISM Code provides an international
standard for the safe management and operations of ships and for pollution
prevention. The ISM Code became mandatory for passenger vessel operators on July
1, 1998. All of the Company's vessels have obtained the required certificates
demonstrating compliance with ISM Code.
There have been efforts in prior Congresses to adopt bills that would
apply United States labor laws to non-resident alien crew of foreign registered
ships sailing from U.S. ports and to exclude certain foreign-built ships from
U.S. ports if they received construction subsidies of a particular type. With
respect to the ship construction subsidies, the Enchanted Isle and the Universe
Explorer are U.S. built and thus would be at risk to such legislation only if it
were to apply to conversion and maintenance work performed on the vessels in
foreign countries. The application of U.S. labor laws to foreign-registered
passenger ships would have a very substantial impact on the cruise industry as a
whole and the Company cannot predict the implications on its operations.
The Cruise Ships maintain the standards of design, construction and
maintenance appropriate to their trades and are operated and maintained under
the continuous maintenance survey system of the American Bureau of Shipping,
Lloyds Register of Shipping, Det Norske Veritas, and Bureau Veritas,
respectively. In order for the Company to insure the Cruise Ships, it must
comply with the survey and maintenance requirements of each ship's respective
classification society. The cost of such required maintenance for older vessels,
such as the Cruise Ships, could be high.
TRADEMARK PROTECTION
The Company owns domestic and foreign trademark registrations (the
"Trademarks") relating to the name "Commodore" and the distinctive Commodore
logo. The Company believes such trademarks are widely recognized throughout
North America, although it has not independently verified this belief. The
Company is not aware of any actions against the Trademarks and has not received
any notice or claims of infringement in respect of the Trademarks.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
New Commodore subleases from EffJohn, on a pass-through basis,
approximately 14,194 square feet of office space in Hollywood, Florida. The
sublease terminates in June 2000. The Company uses such space for its
administrative and management operations. The Company has subleased, to an
unaffiliated third party, approximately 4,100 square feet of office space, at a
price of $12.00 per square foot until June 2000. The annual lease payment of
approximately $14.44 per square foot does not include taxes, utilities, or
certain other operating costs. The base rent will increase by 4% each year
during the term of the lease. Taxes, utilities and operating costs amount to
approximately an additional $9.26 per square foot. To provide for additional
office space due to the addition of Capri Cruises and Crown Cruise
15
Line, the Company also leases approximately 6,421 square feet of additional
office space in Hollywood, at a price of $14.00 per square foot, until June
2000.
The Company has extended it lease of 16,515 square feet of its office
space in Hollywood, which includes 10,094 square feet of the space it currently
subleases from EffJohn and the 6,421 square feet of space it leases for Capri
Cruises and Crown Cruise Line. The extension terminates in June 2001. The annual
lease payments are approximately $16.13 per square foot, which amount does not
include taxes, utilities or certain other operating costs.
The Company also pays a portion of the rent for office space in Miami,
Florida used by its Chairman. The aggregate amount of such rent for fiscal 1999
was approximately $34,000.
The Company utilizes a pier at the Port of New Orleans, pursuant to a
written agreement, from which two of its Cruise Ships depart, and port
facilities at various Caribbean locations, pursuant to oral agreements with the
respective authorities, as is the custom in the Caribbean. The agreement with
the Port of New Orleans, as amended, which was assigned to the Company by Old
Commodore, permits the Company to operate a vessel from New Orleans until April
9, 2002. The Company has priority use of the terminal on weekends. No assurance
can be given that the Company will be able to continue to use the port of New
Orleans or its Caribbean ports, or that the Company will be able to locate
acceptable substitute ports.
The Company has entered into a berthing agreement with the Government
of Bermuda (the "Bermuda Berthing Agreement") pursuant to which the Company has
access to a berth at the Royal Dockyard and all facilities normally made
available to cruise ships that use berths at such dockyard. The Company has
access to such berth for a period of 22 weeks beginning on each of May 12, 2000
and the first week of May in 2001 and 2002. The Bermuda Berthing Agreement
provides that the Company shall have exclusive permission to call in Bermuda
with respect to cruise ships that sail from the Philadelphia and Baltimore
areas. In exchange for such berthing space, the Company is required to guaranty
that an average number of passengers will stay in Bermuda hotels during each
week of the cruise season. The company is obligated to pay for any room
guaranteed but not used by its passengers.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is subject to claims and suits in the ordinary course of
its business, including those arising from personal injury to its passengers.
The Company believes that it has obtained insurance in the proper types and
amounts to cover such claims.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
OPTIONAL ITEM. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following summaries set forth certain information regarding the
executive officers of the Company as of December 22, 1999. All executive
officers serve in their respective positions until their successors are
appointed.
JEFFREY I. BINDER, 53; Chairman of the Board since 1995; Chairman of
the Board of Tel-Med, a company which developed medical products and medical
related services, from 1991 to 1997; Chairman of the Board and a director of
H.P. America, Inc., a privately traded holding company that owns medical
practice companies since 1995; Chairman of the Board and a director of JeMJ
Financial Services, Inc., a private holding company since 1989.
FREDERICK A. MAYER, 65; Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer since 1995; Co-founder and Vice Chairman of Regency Cruises Inc.
("Regency"), between 1984 and April 1995; President of Exprinter International
USA, a travel organization, between 1969 and 1995; President of Marmara Marine,
Inc. which owned the S/S United States, between 1992 and 1996. In November 1995,
Regency filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
16
ALAN PRITZKER, 45; Chief Financial Officer since 1995; senior vice
president of Regency from 1989 to May 1995; controller of Regency from 1985 to
1989. In November 1995, Regency filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Prior to
joining Regency, Mr. Pritzker was employed by Holland America Line and Vacation
Travel Concepts, a travel wholesaler, in various positions.
RONALD A. KURTZ, 57; Executive Vice President of the Company and
President of Crown Cruises Limited since May 1999; President of Management
Resource Group, Inc., a management consulting firm to clients such as Merrill
Lynch, Home Shopping Network, Cable & Wireless, Philip Morris and various cruise
lines, hotels and others in the travel Industry, between 1989 and 1999; Senior
Vice President of Windstar Cruises between 1986 and 1987; founding President of
Sea Goddess Cruises between 1982 and 1986. Prior to such time, Mr. Kurtz was the
senior vice president of Marketing and Sales at Norwegian Cruise Line.
JAMES R. SULLIVAN, 62; President of New Commodore Cruise Lines Limited
since 1995; President of the Company between 1995 and 1999; business and
marketing consultant for the Sullivan Group, a marketing consulting company,
from 1993 to 1995; senior vice president, director of Cunard Line Ltd.'s
("Cunard") Eastern Hemisphere from 1989 to 1993; senior vice president sales and
marketing for Cunard from 1981 to1989; vice president of sales for Cunard from
1977 to 1981; vice president of marketing and sales for Cunard's hotel division
from 1973 to 1977.
RODOLFO SPINELLI, 41; Senior Vice President - Operations since 1999;
co-owner and Managing Director of SeaHawk Ltd., a marine project management
company between 1994 and 1999; Project Manager and Captain for EffJohn for Crown
Cruise Line between 1990 and 1994. From 1985 to 1990, Captain Spinelli held
various Master and Staff Captain positions with Commodore Cruise Lines and from
1979 to 1985 held various Deck department positions with Commodore Cruise Lines,
Scan Lines and Alianza Naviera.
RICHARD A. DIPPLE, 45; Senior Vice President - Hotel Operations since
1998; co-owner of SeaHawk Ltd. and Managing Director of SeaHawk Asia Ltd., both
marine project management companies, from 1994 to 1999; Hotel Manager for
EffJohn aboard the Crown Dynasty during 1994; Project Site Manager for EffJohn
for the Crown Dynasty and Crown Jewel between 1990 and 1993. Mr. Dipple held
various Hotel positions with Commodore Cruise Lines, Shaw Savill and Albion and
Fred Olsen Lines between 1971 and 1990.
17
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol CCLN.
PRICE RANGE OF SECURITIES
The following table reflects the high and low closing bid prices for
the Company's Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market during each
quarter between October 1, 1997, and September 30, 1999. Such quotations reflect
inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may
not necessarily represent actual transactions.
[Download Table]
Fiscal Year Quarter High Low
1998 First 3 7/8 2 1/8
Second 5 11/16 2 5/8
Third 6 11/16 4 3/8
Fourth 6 3/8 4
1999 First 7 1/32 5 7/32
Second 6 21/32 5
Third 7 11/16 5 5/8
Fourth 7 1/8 4 13/16
As of December 22, 1999 there were 52 record holders of the Company's
Common Stock and approximately 1,670 beneficial owners of the Company's Common
Stock. The closing bid price for the Common Stock on that day was $4.88.
DIVIDENDS
The Company has not declared any dividends on its Common Stock since
its inception, and has no present intention of paying any dividends on its
Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Pursuant to the terms of the EffJohn
Loan, the Company is prohibited from paying more than 50% of its net profits as
dividends on its Common Stock.
In January 1999, the Board of Directors designated 800,000 shares of
the Company's Preferred Stock as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the
"Series B Stock"). The holders of the Series B Stock are entitled to receive
cash dividends at the rate of 10%, payable quarterly within thirty (30) days
after the end of each calendar quarter. The cash dividends are cumulative so
that, if for any quarter cash dividends at the specified rate have not been
declared and paid or set apart for payment on the Series B Stock outstanding,
the deficiency shall be declared and paid or set apart for payment prior to the
making of any dividend or other distribution on the Company's Common Stock. Cash
dividends on the Series B Stock accrue from the date of issue of such Series B
Stock. The Directors of the Company may only declare and pay dividends upon the
Common Stock after the payment of all current and accumulated dividends on the
Series B Stock have been paid.
CERTAIN FOREIGN ISSUER CONSIDERATIONS
The Company has been designated as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange
control purposes. As a result, there are no restrictions on the Company's
ability to transfer funds into and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to
non-resident holders of the Company's Common Stock, other than in respect of
local Bermuda currency. In addition, holders of the Company's Common Stock are
not subject to any taxes under Bermuda law. There does not exist any reciprocal
tax treaties between Bermuda and the United States regarding withholding.
18
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following is a summary of the Company's financial information
extracted from the indicated year-end audited Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company, and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed financial
information appearing in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes
thereto included in Item 14 herein.
[Enlarge/Download Table]
THE COMPANY PRO FORMA
PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED THE COMPANY
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------- ------------ -------------------------------------------------------------
1995(2) 1995(1) 1996 1997 1998 1999
------- ------- ---- ---- ---- ----
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Total revenues $ 7,256 $ 35,075 $ 47,817 $ 57,977 $ 63,128 $ 61,488
Operating expenses 4,941 33,337 35,490 44,912 43,306 40,793
Selling & administrative
expenses 1,664 9,899 7,238 8,741 11,481 12,669
Depreciation and amortization 198 1,693 1,614 2,108 2,216 2,265
Interest expense, net 133 1,933 1,266 1,359 1,250 1,135
Other income -- -- 341 6 80 --
Loss on vessel fire -- 1,367 397 -- -- --
Minority interest share of (earnings)
loss of consolidated joint venture -- -- (143) 1,420 7 354
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated
joint venture -- -- -- -- (769) (107)
Net earnings (loss) before tax 320 (13,154) 2,009 2,283 4,193 4,873
Provision for taxes 8 -- -- -- -- --
Net earnings (loss) before
preferred stock dividend 312 (13,154) 2,009 2,283 4,193 4,873
Preferred stock dividend 60 280 280 280 170 267
Net earnings (loss) available for
Common Stockholders $ 252 $ (13,434) $ 1,729 $ 2,003 $ 4,023 $ 4,606
Net earnings (loss) per share -
Basic $ 0.06 $ (2.59) $ 0.31 $ 0.36 $ 0.64 $ 0.62
Average shares outstanding -
Basic (000's) 4,378 5,185 5,582 5,582 6,296 7,487
Net earnings per share -
Diluted(3) $ 0.06 $ -- $ 0.29 $ 0.33 $ 0.54 $ 0.52
Average shares outstanding -
Diluted (000's) 4,378 5,185 6,849 6,876 7,937 9,292
OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED):
Sailings 11 64 56 63 63 62
Traffic days(4) 77 444 569 690 675 666
Passenger days(5) 53,221 271,171 384,638 479,386 492,254 487,483
Load factor(6) 94.81% 83.78% 92.66% 95.30% 100.04% 100.71%
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Property and equipment, net
of depreciation $ 33,085 $ 36,147 $ 37,193 $ 38,296 $ 49,722
Total assets $ 44,097 $ 53,285 $ 53,118 $ 59,137 $ 88,687
Total borrowings $ 24,500 $ 24,239 $ 21,230 $ 16,838 $ 30,648
Total stockholders' equity $ 12,519 $ 16,196 $ 18,341 $ 24,589 $ 34,175
----------------------------------
(1) Assumes that the Company acquired the Commodore Assets on October 1, 1994.
19
(2) Such period begins April 13, 1995 (date of inception) and ends on September
30, 1995; however, the Company commenced cruise operations July 15, 1995,
immediately following the closing of its purchase of the Commodore Assets.
(3) Net earnings per share - diluted is based upon the weighted average number
of shares and equivalents outstanding during each period after giving effect to
dilutive common stock equivalents, and adding to net earnings the dividends on
the preferred stock and interest expense on the convertible debentures.
(4) Represents the number of sailings, multiplied by the number of days per
cruise, excluding Enchanted Capri the results of operation for which are not
consolidated with the Company. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operation."
(5) Represents the number of passengers, multiplied by the number of days of
their respective cruises, excluding Enchanted Capri the results of operation for
which are not consolidated with the Company. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation."
(6) In accordance with cruise industry practice, total capacity is calculated
based on double occupancy per cabin even though some cabins accommodate three or
four passengers. A percentage in excess of 100% indicates that more than two
passengers occupied some cabins. Because the Universe Explorer is space
chartered to Seawise during the majority of the year for the Semester at Sea
program, the load factor during these sailings is not as material to the Company
as it is during normal cruise operations. The Company has computed the load
factor for the Semester at Sea voyages by including all passengers, including
university staff and faculty, as well as student and adult participants.
20
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
THE FOLLOWING IS AN ANALYSIS OF THE COMPANY'S RESULTS OF OPERATION,
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES. TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH ANALYSIS CONTAINS
STATEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT OF A HISTORICAL NATURE, SUCH STATEMENTS ARE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THESE RISKS
INCLUDE COMPETING IN A SATURATED INDUSTRY AGAINST MODERN AND LARGER FLEETS; THE
ABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FINANCING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF
ADDITIONAL SHIPS; A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF DEBT ON ASSETS OWNED BY THE COMPANY; THE
POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS; THE NEED FOR EXPENSIVE
UPGRADES AND/OR MAINTENANCE TO AGING VESSELS; GENERAL ECONOMIC FACTORS IN
MARKETS WHERE THE COMPANY OPERATES; AND OTHER FACTORS DISCUSSED IN THE COMPANY'S
FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
GENERAL
With respect to the Company's cruise operations, the Company earns
revenues primarily from: (i) the sale of passenger tickets, which include
accommodations, meals, substantially all shipboard activities, and airfare and
hotel packages, if applicable; and (ii) the sale of goods and services on board
the Cruise Ships including, but not limited to, casino gaming (excluding the
Universe Explorer), liquor sales and concession income.
The Company's operating expenses include travel agency commissions,
shipboard costs of goods sold and all shipboard operating expenses, including
food, fuel, port charges, crew wages and benefits, cabin consumables,
entertainment, ship insurance, ship maintenance expenses, vessel management fees
and transportation and lodging (airfare, hotel, and transfer costs), if
applicable. Travel agency commissions, passenger food, port charges and air
transportation and hotel lodging expenses generally vary directly with the
number of passengers while most of the shipboard operating expenses are fixed
per voyage.
The Company's marketing, selling and administrative expenses include
media advertising, brochures and promotional materials, costs of the Company's
direct sales force and related selling activities, all shoreside activities such
as reservations, inventory control, air transportation coordination, human
resources, finance and information technology. Other income (expense) includes
interest expense and interest income. The majority of the Company's transactions
are in U.S. dollars.
With respect to Sea-Comm's operations, the Company earns revenue
primarily from reimbursements from Sea-Comm for all operating costs, food costs
and all of the principal and interest due on the portion of the EffJohn Loan
attributable to the Universe Explorer (assuming such EffJohn Loan was still in
existence) during the approximately 320 days each year the vessel is used in the
Semester at Sea and Alaska programs. As the majority owner of Sea-Comm, the
Company includes all of Sea-Comm's revenues and expenses in its consolidated
financial statements and makes an appropriate entry to account for the minority
interest of its partner. Because the Semester at Sea program is operated by
Seawise pursuant to a charter, the income and losses of the Semester at Sea
program are substantially realized by Seawise, not Sea-Comm. With respect to the
Alaska Program, however, all income and losses are borne by Sea-Comm.
As the majority owner of Albuferra, the Company includes all of
Albuferra's revenues and expenses in its consolidated financial statements and
makes an appropriate entry to account for the minority interest of its partner.
With respect to Capri Cruises, the Company earns income from the profit
or loss of the Capri Cruises venture as a whole. Because the Company owns
exactly half of Capri Cruises, it accounts for its interest in Capri Cruises
using the equity method and does not consolidate the revenues and expenses of
the venture in its consolidated financial statements. Instead, such financial
statements are prepared independently and the Company includes an appropriate
line item for its 50% equity in the net income or loss from this unconsolidated
joint venture in its financial statements.
21
The following table presents statements of operations data as a percentage of
total revenues:
[Enlarge/Download Table]
THE COMPANY
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 1998 1997
-------------- --------------- ----------------
Revenues....................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Expenses:
Operating.................................... 66.3% 68.6% 77.5%
Selling and administrative................... 20.6% 18.2% 15.1%
Depreciation and amortization................ 3.7% 3.5% 3.6%
-------------- --------------- ----------------
Total...................................... 90.6% 90.3% 96.2%
Operating income............................... 9.4% 9.7% 3.8%
Other income (expense)......................... (1.5)% (3.1)% 0.1%
Net earnings before
Provision for preferred stock dividend....... 7.9% 6.6% 3.9%
============== =============== ================
Due to its New Orleans point of embarkation, the Company's revenues are
more seasonal than other cruises with similar itineraries that depart from
Florida ports. The greatest demand for the Company's cruises occurs in June
through August, and demand from February through May and November through
December is also very good. The Company's slowest months are January, September
and October.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
Revenues decreased by $1,640,000, or 2.6%, for fiscal 1999 compared to
fiscal 1998, primarily due to the Universe Explorer being out of service for 60
days during the year ended September 30, 1999 for the installation of a
sprinkler system as well as a lucrative eight-day charter of the Enchanted Isle
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.
The Company's operating expenses decreased by $2,513,000, or 5.8%, in
fiscal 1999 compared to fiscal 1998. As a percentage of revenue, operating
expenses represented 66.3% of revenues in fiscal 1999, as compared to 68.6% of
revenue in fiscal 1998. The primary reason for the decrease in operating
expenses as a percentage of revenue was the savings related to the Universe
Explorer being out of service for 60 days during the year ended September 30,
1999 for the installation of a sprinkler system. Due to rising fuel costs at the
end of fiscal 1999, the Company expects an increase in fuel cost in fiscal 2000.
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased by $1,188,000,
or 10.3%, in fiscal 1999 compared to fiscal 1998. The higher expenses were
primarily due to expenses incurred in adding personnel and systems to
accommodate the Company's expansion from three ships in fiscal 1999 to five
ships in fiscal 2000.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $49,000, or 2.2%, in fiscal
1999 compared to fiscal 1998, due to the additional capital expenditures
incurred by the Company in conjunction with installing the sprinkler system on
the Universe Explorer, which increase was largely offset by the extension of
the original depreciable life on that vessel, from 18 years to 25 years. The
effect of this change in accounting estimate on the fiscal 1999 statement of
earnings was $207,000, which results in a decrease of $.03 per share-basic and
$.02 per share-diluted. Interest expense, net, decreased by $115,000 from fiscal
1998 to fiscal 1999 primarily due to increased interest income associated with
the Company's higher cash balances in 1999 versus 1998.
22
The minority interests in the Company's consolidated joint ventures
(Sea-Comm and Albuferra) are reflected in the $354,000, $7,000 and $1,420,000
line item for "Minority interest in loss of consolidated joint ventures" for
fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Sea-Comm posted a profit of $1,533,000
in fiscal 1999 as compared to a loss of $14,000 during fiscal 1998. The return
to profitability was primarily due to the discontinuation of the WEC Caribbean
program, which was unprofitable in fiscal 1998, and the continued high load
factors (97.8% in fiscal 1999) for the Alaska Program. In September 1999,
approximately $2,250,000 of expenses attributable to Albuferra were allocated on
a one-time basis, to the joint venture, resulting in an increase in minority
interest in loss of consolidated joint ventures of approximately $1,121,000. The
minority interests each account for approximately 50% of their respective
profits or losses.
The Company accounts for the Capri Cruises joint venture under the
equity method. The Company's 50% investment in Capri Cruises resulted in a net
loss of $107,000 for fiscal 1999 as compared to a loss of $769,000 for the
period ended September 30, 1998. These fiscal 1998 losses were due to costs
related to the start up operation, including losses related to the late delivery
of the vessel and other expenses for which Capri Cruises was not contractually
responsible. Capri Cruises became profitable during the third quarter of fiscal
1999 and remained profitable during the fourth quarter. The Company expects such
profitability to continue as Capri Cruises successfully defined its market in
fiscal 1999.
The Company's preferred stock dividend increased to $267,000 in fiscal
1999 from $170,000 in fiscal 1998. The dividend in fiscal 1999 relates to the
Company's Series B Stock, which was issued in February 1999. The dividend in
fiscal 1998 relates to the Company's Series A Preference Shares which were all
converted into Common Stock during fiscal 1998.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
Revenues increased by $5,151,000, or 8.9%, for fiscal 1998 compared to
fiscal 1997, primarily due to higher passenger yields and an eight-day charter,
on the Company's New Orleans itinerary. Revenues also increased during fiscal
1998 due to the increase in load factors for the Alaska program which increased
from approximately 75% in fiscal 1997 to approximately 96% in fiscal 1998. The
increased loads yielded higher revenues.
The Company's operating expenses decreased by $1,606,000, or 3.6%, in
fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997. As a percentage of revenue, operating
expenses represented 68.6% of revenues in fiscal 1998, as compared to 77.5% of
revenue in fiscal 1997. The primary reason for the decrease in operating
expenses as a percentage of revenue is a result of the 8.9% increase in
revenues, as a majority of the Company's operating expenses are fixed costs.
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased by $2,740,000,
or 31.3%, in fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997. The higher expenses were
primarily due to increased salary and related expenses. Additionally, the
Company operated more WEC Alaska and Caribbean cruises during fiscal 1998 than
in fiscal 1997, which required additional advertising and promotional expenses.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $108,000, or 5.1%, in fiscal
1998 compared to fiscal 1997, due to the additional capital expenditures
incurred by the Company in conjunction with meeting its SOLAS requirements on
its two owned vessels. Interest expense, net, decreased by $109,000, or 8.0%,
from fiscal 1997 to fiscal 1998 due to lower outstanding principal amounts on
the Company's loans.
Seawise's interest in the Company's Sea-Comm joint venture is reflected
in the $7,000 and $1,420,000 line item for "Minority interest share of loss of
consolidated joint venture" for fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. Sea-Comm
lost $14,000 during fiscal 1998 as compared to $2,840,000 during fiscal 1997.
The decline in such loss was primarily due to the increase in load factors for
the Alaska Program, which increased from approximately 75% in fiscal 1997 to
approximately 96% in fiscal 1998. The increased loads yielded higher revenues
and a better net result. Seawise, through its minority interest, absorbs
approximately 50% of the Company's loss on the Sea-Comm joint venture.
23
The Company accounts for the Capri Cruises joint venture under the
equity method. The Company's 50% investment in Capri Cruises resulted in a net
loss of $769,000 for the period ended September 30, 1998. These losses were due
to costs related to the start up operation, including losses related to the late
delivery of the vessel and other expenses for which Capri Cruises was not
contractually responsible. The Company expects Capri Cruises to become
profitable in the future, however, Capri Cruises is expected to continue to
incur losses, on a declining basis, in the near future as it defines its market.
Such losses, if significant, could have a material impact on the Company's
operations.
The provision for preferred stock dividend decreased from $280,000 in
fiscal 1997 to $170,000 in fiscal 1998 as a result of the conversion of all of
the Company's Series A Preference Shares into Common Stock during fiscal 1998.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company had working capital of $5,749,000 at September 30, 1999 as
compared to a working capital deficiency of $10,426,000 at September 30, 1998.
The improvement in the Company's working capital position was primarily due to
the private sale of $4,000,000 of Series B Stock, the refinancing of the loan on
the Universe Explorer, as well as a change in the Company's FMC arrangement.
During fiscal 1999, the Company arranged for a surety bond to guarantee the
Enchanted Isle's FMC requirements thereby freeing the $4,629,000 long-term
deposit that had been securing the Company's FMC certificate.
Cash flows from operations provided $10,857,000, $7,752,000 and
$7,202,000 for fiscal years 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Cash flows for
fiscal 1999 consisted primarily of decreases in restricted cash due to the
Company's revised FMC arrangement and increases in accounts payable due to
payments owed for the construction in progress on the Enchanted Sun, which were
partially offset by increases in trade and other receivables related to a
cancelled cruise charter and a reimbursement on the Company's liability
insurance premiums which was paid subsequent to year-end.
The Company's cash flow used in investing activities in fiscal 1999
exceeded the fiscal 1998 outlay by $3,122,000. The primary reason was the
increase in capital expenditures related to the purchase of the Enchanted Sun,
the installation of the sprinkler system on the Universe Explorer, and the
improvements to the Company's existing fleet. This increase was partially offset
by the investment made by Viejas in Albuferra in September 1999 and the release
of the deposit securing the Company's FMC certificate.
The Company's cash flow provided by financing activities during fiscal
1999 was $15,848,000 compared to cash flow used in financing activities of
$1,859,000 and $3,210,000 for fiscal years 1998 and 1997, respectively. This
change was primarily due to approximately $1,100,000 in net proceeds from the
Key Loan used for the partial repayment of the EffJohn Loan and for the Universe
Explorer sprinkler system, $2,100,000 in proceeds from the NationsBank Loan for
the installation of the sprinkler system aboard the Universe Explorer, and
approximately $13,394,000 in proceeds from the Nordbanken Loan for the purchase
and renovation of the Enchanted Sun.
At September 30, 1999, the Company owed a total of $30,477,000 pursuant
to the EffJohn Loan, Key Loan, NationsBank Loan and Nordbanken Loan, which loans
bear interest at 6.97%, 9.14%, 7.30% and 7.79%, respectively. The EffJohn Loan,
Key Loan and Nordbanken Loan are secured by mortgages on the Company's vessels,
and the NationsBank Loan is secured by a letter of credit provided by Seawise.
The Key Loan and the EffJohn Loan also require the Company to meet certain
financial covenants.
In February 1999, the Company closed on a $4,000,000 private offering
of its Series B Stock. The Series B Stock accrues dividends at the rate of 10%
per annum and are convertible into the Company's Common Stock at the rate of
$5.50 per share beginning 18 months from the date of issuance. The net proceeds
to the Company were $3,670,000 after deducting brokers' commissions and expenses
of the offering.
24
The Company expects to fund the cash needs for its Capri Cruises
operation from cash from its established operations. Capri Cruises earned a
profit in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1999.
The Company's plans to expend approximately $12,000,000 for capital
improvements to the Enchanted Sun and the Crown Dynasty during the first half of
fiscal 2000. The Company will finance approximately $857,000 of that amount with
the remaining proceeds of the Nordbanken Loan, $4,500,000 of that amount through
the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to the general contractor and
its subcontractors for the renovations, and the balance from the Company's
operating funds.
During fiscal 2000, the Company anticipates that it may require
additional capital for acquisitions of additional vessels or new business
opportunities. The Company has reached an agreement to purchase the Crown
Dynasty for $86,200,000, subject to its approval of final documentation. The
Company currently anticipates that the purchase price will be funded through a
combination of seller-provided and third-party loans and approximately
$6,000,000 to $10,000,000 from the proceeds of an equity financing by the
Company. The Company has not reached an agreement with respect to any other
proposed ventures. In the event the Company proceeds with any additional
business opportunities, it anticipates that the capital requirements will be
funded from cash from operations or from financings arranged in connection
therewith.
In 1998, the AICPA issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting
for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP
98-1 establishes standards for accounting for internal use software projects.
This Statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1998 for costs incurred in those fiscal years for all
projects, including projects in progress when the SOP was adopted. Management
does not expect this Statement to have a material impact on the Company's
financial statements.
In 1998, the AICPA issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-5, "Reporting
on the Costs of Start-Up Activities." SOP 98-5 provides guidance on accounting
for start-up costs and organization costs, which must be expensed as incurred.
This Statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1998. As a result of this Statement, the Company will incur a
charge of approximately $229,000 as of October 1, 1999, which on a pro forma
basis would have decreased the fiscal 1999 earnings per share-basic by $.04 and
the earnings per share-diluted by $.02.
YEAR 2000
The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs being written
using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Computer
equipment and software and devices with embedded technology that are
time-sensitive may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the
year 2000. This could result in a system failure or a miscalculation, causing
disruptions of operations, including, among other things, temporary inability to
process transactions, send invoices, or engage in similar normal business
activities.
Due to the expansion of the Company's business, the Company purchased a
new AS400 for its reservations system in fiscal 1999, along with the operating
systems, that were the latest versions available. The Company also installed new
workstations for most of its non-reservations staff. Additionally, the Company
installed a new general ledger and accounts payable system in May 1999. The
Company has undertaken various initiatives intended to ensure that its computer
equipment and software will function properly with respect to dates in the Year
2000 and thereafter. The Company has evaluated its on-board point of sale
computer equipment and reservations computer software and made the changes and
25
upgrades necessary, based on the opinion of the consultants and vendors it has
hired for such purpose, to assure that such equipment will function properly in
the Year 2000. The Company believes that it has identified all Year 2000
problems with respect to its own computer equipment and software. All of the
Company's systems functioned properly on September 9, 1999, a date that was
commonly used by computer programmers as a default date for an expiration or
termination date in many older programs and systems.
The Company also contacted its significant vendors, customers and
service providers, including its technical manager, to determine the extent to
which such entities are vulnerable to Year 2000 issues and whether the products
and services purchased from or by such entities are Year 2000 compliant.
The Company has incurred an immaterial amount in costs associated with
the identification and remediation of its Year 2000 issues as it has
reprogrammed its reservations system using in-house personnel. The cost of the
AS400 system, internal network of workstations and the accounts payable/general
ledger system was approximately, $162,000, $55,000 and $50,000, respectively.
The Company believes that both it and its significant vendors and
service providers are Year 2000 compliant. However, the difference in the
interpretations of "compliant with Year 2000" may lead to different levels of
compliance by the Company, its vendors and service providers. As a result, the
Company has developed a contingency plan for its business and each of its
vessels that identifies and sets forth how it will handle its most reasonably
likely worst case scenario in the event of any system failures. This plan
assesses the impact of system failures on the Company's operations and provides
for back-up and alternative procedures to be followed if a failure should occur.
The Company has identified the following areas as those that could be
affected by such failures: (i) passenger air transportation to the Cruise Ships'
points of embarkation (especially Aruba, to which virtually all of the Company's
passengers rely on air transportation); (ii) shipboard systems; (iii) shipboard
revenue points; (iv) third party supplied items; and (v) reservations. The plan
provides for the Company to (i) establish a central operations center at the
Company's principal offices during the Year 2000 rollover; (ii) assign key
internal personnel to be on-call during the Year 2000 rollover; (iii) provide
for key external suppliers, such as the Company's technical manager, to be
on-call during the Year 2000 rollover, (iv) operate the Company's shipboard
systems, shipboard revenue points and reservations systems manually, if
necessary; (v) use various airlines and flights to carry passengers to the
Company's cities of embarkation to ensure that the maximum number of passengers
are able to reach such cities in the event of cancellation of some flights; and
(vi) stockpile food, fuel and other consumable essentials, to the extent the
Company is able to do so, prior to the Year 2000 rollover. As part of the
Company's plan, the Company has completed United States Coast Guard mandated
drills on board its vessels with its shipboard personnel and Company training
sessions with its shoreside reservations personnel to simulate the conditions
that may occur during the rollover.
If the Company ultimately relies upon a portion of its contingency plan
because either the Company or its vendors and service providers have failed to
identify and remediate all of their respective Year 2000 issues, there can be no
assurance that the Year 2000 issue will not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's operations or its relationships with its customers, vendors and
service providers, or that a partial lack of compliance will not lead to claims
against the Company, the magnitude of which are not currently estimable. No
assurance can be given that such claims will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations.
INFLATION
The impact of inflation on the Company's operations has not been
significant to date. There can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in
the future would not have an adverse effect on the Company's operations.
26
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company's major market risk exposure is to changing interest rates.
The Company's policy is to manage interest rate risk through the use of a
combination of fixed and floating rate instruments, with respect to both its
liquid assets and its debt instruments.
The Company maintains a portion of its cash and cash equivalents in
financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less. These
financial instruments are subject to interest rate declines. An immediate
decline of 10% in interest rates would reduce the Company's annual interest
income by $105,000.
The Key Loan is a variable rate loan; however, the Company has
purchased interest rate protection for such loan in the form of an interest rate
swap. As a result, although the Key Loan bears interest at the prime rate plus
80 basis points, the interest rate swap provides that the rate shall effectively
be fixed at 9.14% over the term of the loan. The NationsBank Loan is also a
variable rate loan; however, the Company has also purchased interest rate
protection for such loan in the form of an interest rate swap. As a result,
although the NationsBank Loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 150 basis points, the
interest rate swap provides that the rate shall effectively be fixed at 7.3%
over the term of the loan.
The EffJohn Loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 2%, and thus is affected
by changes in interest rates. In the event that interest rates increased by 10%,
the Company's interest obligation would increase by $34,000, $20,000, and
$6,000, respectively, in each of its fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Item 14(a) hereof.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
27
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information concerning the directors of the Company set forth under
the caption "Election of Directors" in the definitive Proxy Statement of the
Company for its 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2000 Proxy Statement")
is incorporated herein by reference.
Information concerning the executive officers of the Company is
included in Part I herein under the caption "Executive Officers of the
Registrant."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information set forth in the 2000 Proxy Statement under the caption
"Compensation of Officers" and "Board of Directors--Compensation" is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information set forth under the caption "Principal Stockholders and
Security Ownership of Management" in the 2000 Proxy Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information set forth under the caption "Transactions with
Management and Others" in the 2000 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) 1. Financial Statements
See "Index to Financial Statements" on Page F-1.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted because they are not
applicable or the required information is shown in the financial
statements herein.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of fiscal
1999.
(c) Exhibits
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------ ----------------------
3a Memorandum of Association of the Company, as amended (1)
3b Bye-Laws (1)
4a Form of Common Stock Certificate (2)
4b Form of Warrant Certificate (3)
4c Form of Warrant Agent Agreement (3)
4d Form of Underwriter's Warrant Agreement (3)
4e Stockholder Rights Plan (4)
4f Assignment and Assumption of Underwriter's Warrant Agreement (8)
10a Employment Agreement dated May 3, 1995 between the Company and
Jeffrey I. Binder (1)
28
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------ ----------------------
10b Employment Agreement dated May 3, 1995 between New Commodore and
Frederick A. Mayer, as amended (1)
10c USD $24,500,000 Loan Facility Agreement, dated July 14, 1995 among
the EffJohn Lender, Almira, Azure, New Commodore and the Company (1)
10d 1995 Stock Option Plan (1)
10e Joint Venture Agreement dated October 30, 1995 between the Company,
Seawise and Sea-Comm (1)
10f Management Services Agreement dated July 5, 1995 between New
Commodore and IMC (3)
10g Sublease for Office Space at 4000 Hollywood Boulevard dated June 30,
1995 between EffJohn and New Commodore (3)
10h Sublease of computer equipment and software between Old Commodore
and New Commodore (IBM Sublease) (3)
10i Assignment of Financing and Berthing Agreement dated June 29, 1995
between New Commodore and Old Commodore as consented to by the Board
of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (2)
10j Warrant Certificate for 250,000 shares of Common Stock of the
Company dated October 30, 1995 in favor of Seawise (3)
10k First Priority Panamanian Mortgage on the Enchanted Isle dated July
14, 1995 between Almira and the EffJohn Lender (3)
10l First Priority Charge over the shares of Almira dated July 14, 1995
between the EffJohn Lender and New Commodore (3)
10m First Priority Tripartite Deed in respect of the Enchanted Isle
dated July 14, 1995 between Almira, New Commodore and the EffJohn
Lender (3)
10n Second Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between New
Commodore and Frederick Mayer dated May 3, 1997 (5)
10o First Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between the Company
and Jeffrey I. Binder dated July 15, 1997 (6)
10p First Amendment to USD $24,500,000 Loan Facility Agreement dated
December 4, 1998 among the EffJohn Lender, Azure, Almira, New
Commodore and the Company (8)
10q Modification Agreement dated December 4, 1998 among Sea-Comm,
Seawise, WEC, HCT, Azure, New Commodore and the Company (8)
10r Extension of the Financing and Berthing Agreement between New
Commodore and the Port of New Orleans dated August 24, 1998 (8)
10s Restated Warrant Certificate for 520,455 Shares of Common Stock of
the Company dated October 15, 1998 in favor of Jeffrey I. and
Rosalie Binder (8)
10t Restated Warrant Certificate for 545,455 Shares of Common Stock of
the Company dated April 15, 1998 in favor of JeMJ Financial
Services, Inc. (8)
10u First Preferred Marine Mortgage dated December 4, 1998 executed by
Azure in favor of Key (8)
10v Assignment of Mortgage in respect of the Enchanted Isle (8)
10w Joint Venture Agreement of Capri Cruises dated April 17, 1998
between the Commodore Cruises Limited and Isle of Capri (7)
10x Loan and Security Agreement dated December 4, 1998 between Azure and
Key (8)
10y Promissory Note dated December 4, 1998 executed by Azure in favor of
Key (8)
10z ISDA Master Agreement dated December 4, 1998 between Azure and Key,
and the Schedule and Confirmation thereto (8)
10aa Corporate Guaranty Agreement dated December 4, 1998 between the
Company and Key (8)
10bb Charter Agreement dated March 1, 1999 between Crown Dynasty, Inc.
and Crown Cruises Limited *(9)
10cc Form of Stock Purchase Agreement (9)
10dd Loan Agreement dated February 12, 1999 between the Company and
NationsBank, N.A. (9)
10ee Promissory Note dated February 12, 1999 in the principal amount of
$2,100,000 executed by the Company in favor of NationsBank, N.A. (9)
29
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------ ----------------------
10ff ISDA Master Agreement dated February 12, 1999 between the Company
and NationsBank, N.A., and the Schedule and Confirmation thereto (9)
10gg Employment Agreement dated March 1999 by and between New Commodore
and Ronald Kurtz (10)
10hh Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1999 by and between New Commodore
and Alan Pritzker (10)
10ii Employment Agreement dated May 17, 1999 by and between New Commodore
and James Sullivan (10)
10jj Rosarito Pier Docking Contract dated April 6, 1999, between
Inversiones Rosarito, S.A. de C.V., Coronado Seas, LLC, Playas de
Rosarito Marina Resort, S.A. de C.V. and Banco Internacional, S.A.*
(10)
10kk Bareboat Charter Agreement dated May 13, 1999, between Capri Cruises
and Norsong Shipping, Ltd.* (10)
10ll Loan and Guarantee Facility Agreement dated April 23, 1999, by and
between Albuferra Investments, Inc. and Nordbanken AB (publ) (10)
10mm Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement dated April 23, 1999, executed by
the Company in favor of Nordbanken AB (publ) (10)
10nn Amended and Restated Operating Agreement for Coronado Seas, LLC
dated September 17, 1999 by and among Commodore Day Cruises Limited,
Promociones Turisticas de Rosarito, S.A. de C.V. and Viejas Band of
Kumeyaay Indians**
10oo First Amendment to Pier Docking Agreement dated September 17, 1999,
by and among Inversiones Rosarito, S.A. de C.V., Playas de Rosarito
Marina Resort, S.A. de C.V., Coronado Seas, LLC and Banco
Interncional, S.A.
10pp Space Charter dated July 12, 1999, by and between Crown and Atkinson
and Mullen, Inc. d/b/a Apple Vacations**
10qq Bermuda Berthing Agreement dated July 14, 1999, between the
Government of Bermuda and Crown
10rr 1999 Stock Plan
10ss Loan and Security Agreement Amendment No. 1 dated September 30, 1999
between Azure and Key
21 Subsidiaries of the Company
24 Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
27 Financial Data Schedule (11)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-01270) filed on February 12, 1996.
(2) Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 2 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-01270) filed on June
18, 1996.
(3) Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-01270) filed on May
28, 1996.
(4) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Current Report
on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 1998.
(5) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.
(6) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1997.
(7) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998.
(8) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1998.
30
(9) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.
(10) Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.
(11) Included only in electronic filing.
* Portions of this document omitted pursuant to an order by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") granting confidential treatment pursuant to
Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"). Confidential portions of this document have been filed separately with
the SEC.
** Portions of this document omitted pursuant to an application for an order
for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Exchange Act.
Confidential portions of this document have been filed separately with the SEC.
31
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
Hollywood, Florida on the 28th day of December, 1999. The registrant and each
person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Frederick A.
Mayer as attorney-in-fact to sign and file on behalf of the registrant and each
such person in each capacity below, any and all amendments to this report.
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED
BY /S/ FREDERICK A. MAYER
------------------------------------
Frederick A. Mayer, Vice-Chairman
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.
[Enlarge/Download Table]
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
-------------------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------
/S/ JEFFREY I. BINDER Chairman of the Board December 28, 1999
---------------------
Jeffrey I. Binder
/S/ FREDERICK A. MAYER Vice-Chairman of the Board December 28, 1999
---------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
Frederick A. Mayer
/S/ RALPH V. DE MARTINO Director December 28, 1999
-----------------------
Ralph V. De Martino
/S/ MARK J. MAGED Director December 28, 1999
-----------------
Mark J. Maged
/S/ JEFFREY B. RABIN Director December 28, 1999
--------------------
Jeffrey B. Rabin
/S/ ALAN PRITZKER Vice President, Finance and December 28, 1999
----------------- Chief Financial Officer
Alan Pritzker (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
32
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PAGE
------------
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants....................... F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets--September 30, 1999 and 1998............... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Earnings-- Years Ended September 30, 1999,
1998 and 1997...................................................... F-3
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity--September 30, 1999..... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-- Years Ended September 30, 1999,
1998 and 1997........................................................F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................. F-7
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Commodore Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Commodore
Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999 and 1998 and the
related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders' equity and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 1999. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above, present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Commodore Holdings
Limited and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999 and 1998 and the consolidated
results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended September 30, 1999 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
Miami, Florida
December 3, 1999
F-1
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30,
ASSETS
[Enlarge/Download Table]
1999 1998
----------- -----------
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $20,504,000 $ 3,172,000
Restricted cash 977,000 2,326,000
Trade and other receivables 1,044,000 482,000
Due from affiliates 2,903,000 1,061,000
Inventories 2,614,000 1,751,000
Prepaid expenses 2,214,000 2,580,000
Other current assets 69,000 77,000
----------- -----------
Total current assets 30,325,000 11,449,000
Property and equipment, net 49,722,000 38,296,000
Investment in joint ventures 1,974,000 1,481,000
Long-term receivable-affiliates 4,973,000 2,550,000
Investments restricted -- 4,629,000
Other assets 1,693,000 732,000
----------- -----------
$88,687,000 $59,137,000
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $ 3,652,000 $ 4,393,000
Note payable -- 1,300,000
Accounts payable 8,692,000 6,457,000
Accrued liabilities 1,695,000 710,000
Due to affiliates 1,564,000 1,201,000
Customer and other deposits 8,720,000 7,741,000
Accrued interest 192,000 73,000
Capital lease obligations 61,000 --
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 24,576,000 21,875,000
Long-term debt, including capital lease obligations of $171,000 26,996,000 12,445,000
Minority interests in subsidiaries 2,940,000 228,000
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock - authorized 10,000,000 shares
of $.01 par value; issued and outstanding,
400,000 in 1999 and 0 in 1998 4,000 --
Common stock - authorized 100,000,000 shares of $.01 par
value; issued 7,647,618 in 1999 and 7,264,821 in 1998 76,000 72,000
Additional paid-in capital 21,481,000 16,348,000
Retained earnings 12,614,000 8,169,000
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 34,175,000 24,589,000
----------- -----------
$88,687,000 $59,137,000
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
F-2
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
[Enlarge/Download Table]
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
Revenues $ 61,488,000 $ 63,128,000 $ 57,977,000
Expenses
Operating 40,793,000 43,306,000 44,912,000
Marketing, selling and administrative 12,669,000 11,481,000 8,741,000
Depreciation and amortization 2,265,000 2,216,000 2,108,000
------------ ------------ ------------
55,727,000 57,003,000 55,761,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Operating income 5,761,000 6,125,000 2,216,000
Other income (expense)
Other income -- 80,000 6,000
Interest income 629,000 436,000 483,000
Interest expense (1,764,000) (1,686,000) (1,842,000)
Minority interest share of loss
of consolidated joint ventures 354,000 7,000 1,420,000
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated
joint ventures (107,000) (769,000) --
------------ ------------ ------------
(888,000) (1,932,000) 67,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Earnings before provision for
preferred stock dividend 4,873,000 4,193,000 2,283,000
Preferred stock dividend 267,000 170,000 280,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Net earnings available for
common stockholders $ 4,606,000 $ 4,023,000 $ 2,003,000
============ ============ ============
Earnings per share - Basic $ .62 $ .64 $ .36
============ ============ ============
Earnings per share - Diluted $ .52 $ .54 $ .33
============ ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
F-3
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
[Enlarge/Download Table]
PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK
------------------------ ------------------------- ADDITIONAL
NUMBER NUMBER PAID-IN RETAINED
OF SHARES PAR VALUE OF SHARES PAR VALUE CAPITAL EARNINGS TOTAL
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at September 30, 1996 1,006,979 $ 10,000 5,581,933 $ 56,000 $ 13,869,000 $ 2,262,000 $ 16,197,000
Fair value of warrants to nonemployees -- -- -- -- 63,000 -- 63,000
Preferred stock dividend (Note H) 20,251 -- -- -- 81,000 (282,000) (201,000)
Net earnings -- -- -- -- -- 2,283,000 2,283,000
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at September 30, 1997 1,027,230 10,000 5,581,933 56,000 14,013,000 4,263,000 18,342,000
Fair value of warrants to nonemployees -- -- -- -- 277,000 -- 277,000
Preferred stock dividend (Note H) 14,825 -- -- -- 59,000 (287,000) (228,000)
Conversion of preferred stock
to common stock (Note H) (1,042,055) (10,000) 1,042,055 10,000 -- -- --
Conversion of subordinated
debentures to common stock (Note F) -- -- 537,500 5,000 1,391,000 -- 1,396,000
Exercise of employee stock options -- -- 3,333 -- 9,000 -- 9,000
Issuance of common stock (Note H) -- -- 100,000 1,000 599,000 -- 600,000
Net earnings -- -- -- -- -- 4,193,000 4,193,000
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at September 30, 1998 -- -- 7,264,821 72,000 16,348,000 8,169,000 24,589,000
Fair value of warrants to nonemployees -- -- -- -- 943,000 -- 943,000
Issuance of common stock upon
exercise of stock options and warrants -- -- 382,797 4,000 524,000 -- 528,000
Issuance of preferred stock, net
of offering cost of $330,000 400,000 4,000 -- -- 3,666,000 -- 3,670,000
Preferred stock dividend (Note H) -- -- -- -- -- (428,000) (428,000)
Net earnings -- -- -- -- -- 4,873,000 4,873,000
---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at September 30, 1999 400,000 $ 4,000 7,647,618 $ 76,000 $ 21,481,000 $ 12,614,000 $ 34,175,000
========== ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement
F-4
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
[Enlarge/Download Table]
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 4,873,000 $ 4,193,000 $ 2,283,000
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment 2,220,000 2,171,000 2,082,000
Amortization of deferred dry-dock 1,546,000 1,521,000 1,283,000
Amortization of organization cost 45,000 45,000 45,000
Amortization of deferred loan costs 100,000 -- --
Fair value of options to nonemployees 263,000 222,000 63,000
Undistributed equity in loss of joint venture 107,000 769,000 --
(Increase) decrease in operating assets
Restricted cash 1,349,000 (2,135,000) 1,222,000
Trade and other receivables (562,000) (160,000) 8,000
Insurance claim receivable -- 305,000 2,165,000
Due from affiliates (1,842,000) (778,000) (28,000)
Inventories (1,148,000) 404,000 (40,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (624,000) (1,576,000) (1,870,000)
Other assets (151,000) -- --
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
Accounts payable 2,235,000 945,000 245,000
Accrued liabilities 985,000 (866,000) 88,000
Due to affiliates 363,000 626,000 (175,000)
Customer and other deposits 979,000 2,066,000 (165,000)
Accrued interest 119,000 -- (4,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 10,857,000 7,752,000 7,202,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (13,691,000) (3,274,000) (2,362,000)
Long-term receivable - affiliates (2,423,000) (1,032,000) (1,518,000)
Decrease in investments restricted 4,629,000 -- --
Investment in joint ventures (600,000) (2,038,000) --
Minority interest in subsidiaries 2,712,000 93,000 (58,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (9,373,000) (6,251,000) (3,938,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on debt (12,872,000) (4,592,000) (3,009,000)
Proceeds from long term debt 25,494,000 -- --
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock, net 3,670,000 -- --
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants 528,000 9,000 --
Proceeds from issuance of note payable -- 1,500,000 --
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures, net -- 1,452,000 --
Payment of capital lease obligations (51,000) -- --
Payment of loan costs (493,000) -- --
Preferred stock dividends paid (428,000) (228,000) (201,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 15,848,000 (1,859,000) (3,210,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease ) in cash and cash equivalents 17,332,000 (358,000) 54,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3,172,000 3,530,000 3,476,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 20,504,000 $ 3,172,000 $ 3,530,000
============ ============ ============
(continued)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
F-5
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - CONTINUED
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
[Enlarge/Download Table]
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest $ 1,771,000 $ 1,686,000 $ 1,846,000
============ ============ ============
Cash paid during the period for taxes $ -- $ -- $ --
============ ============ ============
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
In March 1998, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock to acquire
a leasehold interest in a vessel. The market value of the common stock at
the date of issuance was $600,000.
In January 1998 and 1997, the Company issued 14,825 and 20,251 shares,
respectively, of its Series A preference shares in partial payment of its
preferred share dividend.
In May 1998, the Company exercised its right to demand conversion of
$2,150,000 of convertible debentures. As a result, the debentures were
converted into 537,500 shares of the Company's common stock.
During fiscal 1998, all of the Series A preference shares were converted to
1,042,055 shares of the Company's common stock.
During fiscal 1999, the Company's Chairman completed a noncash exercise of
stock options in which the Chairman delivered options to purchase up to
312,821 shares of the Company's common stock in lieu of a cash payment to
exercise stock options to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company's common
stock.
In fiscal 1999, the Company acquired approximately $283,000 of computer
equipment under leasing arrangements which are classified as capital lease
obligations as of September 30, 1999.
In fiscal 1999, the Company capitalized $129,000 of interest expense to
construction in progress.
In fiscal 1999, the Company issued warrants to Promociones Turisticas de
Rosarito, S.A. de C.V. ("Proturo") to purchase up to 250,000 shares of the
Company's common stock as part of obtaining a leasehold interest. As a
result, the Company recorded $538,000 as part of other assets and paid-in
capital as of September 30, 1999.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
F-6
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION
Commodore Holdings Limited ("CHL") and its wholly owned subsidiary New
Commodore Cruise Lines Limited ("NCCL") were organized under the laws of
Bermuda in April 1995. In October 1995, the Company entered into a joint
venture agreement with the Seawise Foundation, Inc. ("Seawise"), a Liberian
Corporation. The Company has chartered the Universe Explorer to Sea-Comm,
Ltd., a Liberian Corporation ("Sea-Comm") formed pursuant to the joint
venture agreement, for a fee equivalent to all operating costs plus
principal and interest on its ship mortgage. The Company owns 50.005% of
Sea-Comm and Seawise owns the remaining 49.995%. In June 1999, the Company
formed Albuferra Investments, Inc., ("Albuferra"), for the purpose of
purchasing and renovating the Enchanted Sun. In September 1999, the Company
entered into a joint venture agreement with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay
Indians ("Viejas") in which 49.8% of Albuferra was sold to Viejas for
approximately $4,000,000. In September 1999, the Company received the
proceeds for the sale of 31.2% of Albuferra from Viejas with the remaining
proceeds received in October 1999.
CHL, NCCL, Sea-Comm and Albuferra and their wholly owned subsidiaries are
collectively referred to as the "Company."
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CHL, its
wholly owned subsidiaries and majority owned subsidiaries. All material
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation. The Company reflects its investments in its 50%-owned joint
venture at cost plus/(minus) its equity in undistributed net
earnings/(loss).
SEA-COMM
Sea-Comm has chartered the Universe Explorer to Seawise for 200 days per
year for an educational program. The terms of the charter provide that
Seawise has the use of 76% of the cabins in exchange for payment of 76% of
the operating costs, including 76% of the labor, 100% of food costs and 76%
of the principal and interest due calculated based on the Company's
original ship mortgage. Sea-Comm will earn additional revenue from onboard
revenues and has sold the remaining 24% of the cabins on the vessel to
Seawise. Seawise has purchased these cabins from Sea-Comm for $3 million
per year. During the summer, Sea-Comm operates the Universe Explorer in
Alaska.
(continued)
F-7
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
REVENUE AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION
Deposits received on sales of passenger cruises are recorded as customer
deposits and are recognized, together with revenues from shipboard
activities and all associated direct costs of a voyage, upon completion of
voyages with durations of 10 days or less and on a pro rata basis for
voyages in excess of 10 days.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
RESTRICTED CASH
In fiscal 1998, the Company entered into an escrow agreement whereas the
Company maintains certain advance passenger deposits in an escrow account
until the completion of the associated voyage. In May 1999, the Company
stopped placing passenger deposits in the escrow account due to a change in
the Company's Federal Maritime Commission ("FMC") arrangements (See Note
I). In addition, commencing in November 1996, the Company had entered into
an agreement with a credit card processor, which requires a chargeback
reserve account that equals approximately 2.5% of the Company's Visa/Master
Card deposits. The amounts in the escrow account and the reserve account
are classified as restricted cash.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
by the first in, first out method.
DRY-DOCKING
Costs associated with the dry-docking of the vessels are charged to prepaid
expenses when incurred and expensed over the estimated period until the
next scheduled dry-dock (not to exceed two years). Prepaid dry-docking
costs of $394,000 and $1,502,000 (net of accumulated amortization of
$1,900,000 and $2,744,000) were recorded in prepaid expenses and other
assets as of September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
(continued)
F-8
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
MANAGEMENT ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at
September 30, 1999 and 1998 and revenues and expenses during the reporting
periods. The actual outcome of the estimates could differ from these
estimates made in the preparation of the financial statements.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and
accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short term maturities of
these instruments. The carrying value of the long-term receivable
affiliates approximates fair value as the interest rate earned on the
receivable approximates the current market rate.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Significant vessel refurbishing
costs are capitalized as additions to the vessel, while costs of repairs
and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation has been
provided using the straight-line method over original useful lives of 18 to
25 years after a reduction for the estimated salvage value for vessels and
five to ten years for furniture and fixtures, improvements and other
property and equipment. In February 1999, the Company changed its estimate
for the original useful life of the Universe Explorer from 18 years to 25
years due to the installation of a sprinkler system, as the ship is now
SOLAS compliant. The effect of this accounting change on the statement of
earnings for the year ended September 30, 1999 was $207,000, which results
in $.03 per share - basic and $.02 per share - diluted.
ADVERTISING COSTS
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in marketing,
selling and administrative expenses. Total advertising costs for the years
ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997 totaled approximately $777,000,
$548,000 and $683,000, respectively.
INCOME TAXES
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference
between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts
for financial reporting purposes. In addition, the current or deferred tax
consequences of a transaction are
(continued)
F-9
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
measured by applying the provisions of enacted tax laws to determine the
amount of taxes payable currently or in future years.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (FAS 128),
"Earnings Per Share" in fiscal 1998. FAS 128 requires dual presentation of
basic and diluted earnings per share on the face of the statement of
earnings as well as the restatement of prior periods presented.
Basic net earnings per share equals net earnings divided by the weighted
average shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted net
earnings per share includes dilutive common stock equivalents in the
weighted average shares outstanding. The reconciliation between the
computations is as follows:
NET
EARNINGS - BASIC BASIC DILUTED DILUTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED BASIC SHARES EPS SHARES EPS
----------------- ----------- --------- ------- --------- -------
1999 $4,606,000 7,487,000 $ .62 9,292,000 $ .52
1998 $4,023,000 6,296,000 $ .64 7,937,000 $ .54
1997 $2,003,000 5,582,000 $ .36 6,876,000 $ .33
Included in diluted shares are common stock equivalents relating to
options, warrants and preferred stock of 1,805,000, 1,641,000 and 1,294,000
for fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Added back to net earnings
for diluted EPS purposes are the preferred stock dividends of $267,000,
$170,000 and $280,000 for the years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively, as well as interest expense on convertible debentures
of approximately $58,000 for the year ended September 30, 1998. Warrants to
purchase 209,000 shares of the Company's common stock ranging from a per
share exercise price of $6.59 to $8.00, which were outstanding during
fiscal 1999, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because
the warrants' exercise prices were greater than the annual average market
price of the common shares. These warrants are all exercisable as of
September 30, 1999. In addition, in March 1999, the Company entered into an
agreement with a general contractor related to completing improvements to
one of its vessels. In accordance with this agreement, the Company is
required to issue 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock upon the
adequate completion of these improvements. As the issuance of these shares
is contingent, they were not included in the computation of diluted EPS.
(continued)
F-10
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In 1998, the AICPA issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for
the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP
98-1 establishes standards for accounting for internal use software
projects. This Statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1998 for costs incurred in those fiscal
years for all projects, including projects in progress when the SOP was
adopted. Management does not expect this Statement to have a material
impact on the Company's financial statements.
In 1998, the AICPA issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-5, "Reporting on
the Costs of Start-Up Activities." SOP 98-5 provides guidance on accounting
for start-up costs and organization costs, which must be expensed as
incurred. This Statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1998. As a result of this Statement, the
Company will incur a charge of approximately $229,000 as of October 1,
1999, which on a pro forma basis would have decreased the EPS - Basic by
$.04 and the EPS - Diluted by $.02.
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(FAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities." FAS No. 133 establishes standards for accounting and reporting
for derivative instruments, and conforms the requirements for treatment of
different types of hedging activities. This statement is effective for all
fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. Management does not expect this
standard to have a significant impact on the Company's operations.
NOTE B - INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES
In April 1998, the Company formed a joint venture, Capri Cruises, with Isle
of Capri Casinos, Inc., to operate the Enchanted Capri on 2- and 5-day
cruises from New Orleans. The Company assigned its rights for the charter
of the Enchanted Capri to Capri Cruises. Pursuant to the agreement, Capri
Cruises and the Company will jointly operate cruises in strategic markets.
The Company is accounting for the joint venture under the equity method.
In April 1999, the Company formed a joint venture, Coronado Seas, LLC,
("Coronado") with Promociones Turisticas de Rosarito, S.A. de C.V.
("Proturo") to operate the Enchanted Sun on day cruises between San Diego,
CA and Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. In September 1999, the joint
venture added Viejas as an equal partner. The Company is accounting for the
joint venture under the equity method.
(continued)
F-11
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE B - INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES - Continued
A condensed summary of the assets and liabilities and results of operations
of the joint ventures (Coronado had no operations for the year ended
September 30, 1999) follows:
AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
Current assets $4,246,000 $2,735,000
Property and equipment, net 4,302,000 3,973,000
Other assets 382,000 865,000
---------- ----------
Total assets $8,930,000 $7,573,000
========== ==========
Current liabilities $4,048,000 $4,299,000
Other liabilities 363,000 312,000
Capital accounts 4,519,000 2,962,000
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and capital $8,930,000 $7,573,000
========== ==========
PERIOD FROM
APRIL 16, 1998
YEAR ENDED THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
----------- ----------
Revenues $23,137,000 $6,166,000
Expenses 23,351,000 7,704,000
----------- ----------
Net loss $ 214,000 $1,538,000
=========== ==========
The Company performs certain administrative services on behalf of the joint
ventures. As a result, the Company charges certain expenses related to
these administrative services to the joint ventures. For the year ended
September 30, 1999 and the period ended September 30, 1998, the Company
charged approximately $735,000 and $239,000 to the joint ventures which is
included as a reduction in marketing, selling, and administrative expenses.
Included in the Company's retained earnings is approximately $876,000 of
accumulated deficit relating to these joint ventures.
F-12
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE C - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Vessels $ 50,001,000 $ 42,637,000
Equipment and other 2,479,000 1,211,000
Construction in progress 5,554,000 470,000
------------ ------------
58,034,000 44,318,000
Accumulated depreciation (8,312,000) (6,022,000)
------------ ------------
$ 49,722,000 $ 38,296,000
============ ============
As of September 30, 1999, the Company capitalized $129,000 of interest
expense related to the improvements to the Enchanted Sun. There was no
capitalized interest as of September 30, 1998.
NOTE D - INVENTORIES
1999 1998
---------- ----------
Food, beverage and supplies $2,249,000 $1,582,000
Fuel 365,000 169,000
---------- ----------
$2,614,000 $1,751,000
========== ==========
NOTE E - DEBT
NOTE PAYABLE
On April 22, 1998, the Company borrowed $1.5 million on an unsecured basis,
from an unrelated third party. As of September 30, 1998, the unpaid balance
of this note was $1.3 million. This amount was paid in full in December
1998. The interest on the loan was 10% per annum. In connection with these
loans, the Company issued the lender warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of
the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $5 per share. These
warrants are exercisable commencing on April 22, 1999 and expire on April
23, 2003.
LONG-TERM DEBT
In July 1995 the Company entered into a loan agreement with an affiliate of
EffJohn (the "Lender") in the amount of $24,500,000. The loan was secured
by first
(continued)
F-13
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE E - DEBT - Continued
preferred ship mortgages on both the Enchanted Isle and the Universe
Explorer. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 2% per annum (6.97% at
September 30, 1999). In December 1998, the Company refinanced the portion
of the loan securing the Universe Explorer, thus paying down $8.5 million
of this loan. Commencing in February 1999, the remaining principal balance
is due in monthly installments which are in the amount of approximately
$172,000, plus accrued interest, continuing until maturity, in July 2002.
In the event that the Company is required to withhold tax on any interest
due to the Lender, the Company has agreed to pay the required amount to be
withheld and pay the Lender the full amount of interest due.
On December 4, 1998, the Company borrowed $10 million under a Loan and
Security Agreement with a leasing company. In conjunction with this loan
agreement, the Company entered into an Interest Rate Swap Agreement with an
affiliate of the leasing company, whereas the interest rate on the loan
agreement is fixed at 9.14% over the term of the loan. This financial
instrument was not entered into for trading or speculative purposes, but
rather as an interest rate hedge. The market value of the interest rate
swap was $324,000 at September 30, 1999, as determined by quoted market
prices. The monthly principal payments of the loan are fixed at
approximately $42,000 for the first 12 months, at which time the remaining
monthly principal and interest payments are fixed at approximately $97,000,
with the remaining unpaid principal and interest due on December 4, 2006,
the date of maturity. The proceeds from this loan were used to repay
$8,419,000 on the loan from EffJohn and for working capital. This new loan
is secured by a first mortgage on the Universe Explorer.
The terms of these loans places certain restrictions on the Company
including the limitation of the amount of dividends the Company can pay and
the maintenance of certain financial covenants.
On February 12, 1999, the Company borrowed $2,100,000 loan from NationsBank
to finance a portion of the sprinkler system installation aboard the
Universe Explorer (the "NationsBank Loan"). The NationsBank Loan, which is
secured by a letter of credit provided by Seawise, has a term of 5.5 years
and bears an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.5%. In conjunction with this
loan agreement, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement,
whereas the interest rate is fixed at 7.3% over the term of the loan. This
financial instrument was not entered into for trading or speculative
purposes, but rather as an interest rate hedge. The market value of the
interest rate swap at September 30, 1999 is not material.
On April 23, 1999, Albuferra purchased the Enchanted Sun for $5,000,000.
The purchase price was partially funded through a partial drawdown on a
$14,250,000 credit facility from Nordbanken AB (publ). The Company is
making significant renovations to the vessel's interior and exterior with
the balance of the proceeds from such loan. This loan is collateralized by
a first mortgage on the Enchanted Sun. The principal and interest is based
on
(continued)
F-14
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE E - DEBT - Continued
108 monthly installments of $184,000, commencing on October 15, 1999. The
loan bears interest at 7.79% per annum. Total expenditures for the vessel
and improvements are estimated to be approximately $22,250,000. Upon
completion of these renovations, Albuferra will charter the vessel to
Coronado, for use in its gaming cruises operating from San Diego to
Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico.
The minimum required principal payments as of September 30, 1999 on
long-term debt, are as follows:
2000 $ 3,652,000
2001 4,043,000
2002 3,855,000
2003 2,318,000
2004 2,458,000
Thereafter 14,151,000
-------------
$ 30,477,000
=============
NOTE F - CONVERTIBLE DEBT
In December 1997, the Company sold $2,150,000 of 7% convertible
subordinated debentures due December 31, 2003, at a 20% discount. In May
1998, the Company exercised its right to demand conversion of the
debentures into 537,500 shares of the Company's common stock. As a result
of this transaction, the Company's long-term debt decreased by $2,150,000
and stockholders' equity increased by approximately $1,400,000, after
deducting approximately $753,000 of deferred financing costs.
NOTE G - CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
In fiscal 1999, the Company leased computer equipment and software, which
the Company has classified as a capital lease. The following is a schedule
of equipment under capital leases:
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 1998
------------- -------------
Computer equipment $ 283,000 $ --
Less: Accumulated depreciation (70,000) --
--------- -----------
$ 213,000 $ --
========= ===========
(continued)
F-15
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE G - CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS - Continued
The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments under capital lease
obligations as of September 30, 1999:
FISCAL YEAR ENDING, AMOUNT
------------------- --------------
2000 $ 79,000
2001 74,000
2002 59,000
2003 53,000
2004 11,000
--------------
Total minimum lease payments 276,000
Less: Amount representing interest 44,000
--------------
Present value of minimum lease payments 232,000
Less: Current portion 61,000
--------------
Long-term obligation under capital leases $ 171,000
==============
NOTE H - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
COMMON STOCK
In June 1998, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock to acquire
a leasehold interest in the M/V Enchanted Capri.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS PLAN
In September 1998, the Company implemented a Common Stock Purchase Rights
Plan and declared a dividend of one Common Stock Purchase Right ("Right")
for each share of the Company's common stock outstanding. The dividend was
paid on November 2, 1998 to stockholders of record on that date and for
each share of the Company's common stock issued during the term of the
Plan. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the
Company one share of common stock at a per share price of $28.34, subject
to certain adjustments. The Rights are not exercisable or transferable,
apart from the Company's common stock, until after a person or group
acquires, or has the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15 percent
or more of the Company's common stock or announces a tender or exchange
offer to acquire ownership of 30 percent or more of the Company's common
stock. The Rights will expire in November 2008, unless earlier redeemed
(continued)
F-16
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE H - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Continued
by the Company at the option of the Company for $.01 per Right. In the
event that the Rights are not redeemed, become exercisable, and any person,
group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, as
defined by the agreement, the holder of a Right (other than an acquiring
person, whose Rights will be void) will have the right to receive, upon
payment of the exercise price, that number of shares of common stock having
a market value at the time of the transaction equal to two times the
exercise price.
PREFERRED STOCK
As part of the consideration for the sale of the cruise line, EffJohn
received 1,000,000 shares of 7% Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Series A
Preferred Stock at a value of $4.00 per share totaling $4,000,000. The cash
payment of the dividend was limited to 10% of the Company's net profits for
each year. The remaining portion of the dividend, if any, was payable in
preferred stock based on a value of $4.00 per share.
In fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company paid a dividend to the holders
of its Series A preference shares. The Company issued 14,825 and 20,251
shares, in January 1998 and January 1997, respectively, of Series A
preference shares in partial payment of the dividend and paid, in cash, an
additional $161,000, $228,000 and $201,000, respectively. During fiscal
1998, all the Series A preference shares were sold by the original holders
and converted to 1,042,055 shares of the Company's common stock.
On January 14, 1999, the Company sold 400,000 shares of its Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Stock") to an unaffiliated third
party for $4,000,000. The Series B Stock has a dividend rate of 10%, and is
convertible into common stock, beginning 18 months from the date of
issuance, at a rate of $5.50 per share, which was the fair market value of
the Company's common stock on January 14, 1999. The sale of Series B Stock
was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Series B Stock has a
liquidation preference equal to $10 per share plus accrued and unpaid
dividends.
STOCK OPTION PLANS
In 1995 and in 1999, the Company adopted two Stock Option Plans (the
"Plans") pursuant to which 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock have been
reserved for issuance upon exercise of options designated as "incentive
stock options" within the meaning of Section 422A of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")or "non-qualified options". The
purpose of the Plans is to encourage stock ownership by certain officers
and employees of the Company, and give them a
(continued)
F-17
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE H - STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY - Continued
greater personal interest in the success of the Company. The Plans are
administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company, which determines among other things, the persons to be granted
options under the Plans, the number of shares subject to each option, and
the option price.
In October 1996, July 1997, and March 1999, the Company issued to its
employees and nonemployee directors options under the Plans to purchase
326,000, 60,000 and 772,012 shares, respectively, of the Company's common
stock at $2.75, $2.75 and $5.00 per share, respectively. The options vest
at variable rates based on each employee's length of service, and expire
ten years after issuance. Options to purchase 68,000 shares were cancelled
as of September 30, 1999.
The exercise price of all options granted by the Company to its employees
equals or exceeds the market price of the Company's common stock at the
date of the grant. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been
recognized.
Had compensation cost for the Plans and non-qualified options to employees
been determined based on the fair value of the options at the grant dates
consistent with the method of SFAS 123, the Company's net earnings and
earnings per share would have changed to the pro forma amounts below:
[Download Table]
1999 1998 1997
--------------- --------------- ----------------
Net earnings, available for
common stockholders
As reported $ 4,606,000 $ 4,023,000 $ 2,003,000
Pro forma $ 4,217,000 $ 3,492,000 $ 1,912,000
Basic earnings per share
As reported $ .62 $ .64 $ .36
Pro forma $ .56 $ .55 $ .34
Diluted earnings per share
As reported $ .52 $ .54 $ .33
Pro forma $ .48 $ .47 $ .32
The above pro forma disclosures may not be representative of the effects on
reported net earnings for future years as certain options vest over several
0 years and the Company may continue to grant options and warrants to
employees.
(continued)
F-18
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE H - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Continued
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the binomial option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997,
respectively: dividend yield of 0.0 percent for all years; expected
volatility of 61% for the fiscal 1999 grants 53% to 58% for the fiscal 1998
grants and 38% for the fiscal 1997 grants; risk-free interest rates of
4.75% for fiscal 1999 and 5.5% for fiscal 1998 and 1997; and expected
holding periods of 2 years for fiscal 1999 and 6 years for fiscal 1998 and
1997.
WARRANTS
During fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997 the Company issued warrants to purchase
481,663, 454,952 and 192,000 shares of common stock respectively, to
unrelated third parties. The warrants were issued with exercise prices
ranging from $2.75 to $8.00 per share. The total fair value of the options,
as determined under SFAS 123, was $943,000, $277,000 and $63,000,
respectively. A total of $263,000, $222,000 and $63,000 of those amounts
were recorded as expense in fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In fiscal 1998, certain antidilutive provisions of existing warrant
agreements were triggered as a result of the issuance of additional
warrants during the year, as well as the conversion of the convertible debt
into common stock. As a result of these transactions, the number of
outstanding warrants as well as the related exercise prices of certain of
the warrants were adjusted, resulting in the issuance of additional
warrants to purchase 604,709 shares of the Company's common stock. 590,910
of the 604,709 of additional shares were issued at an exercise price of
$2.75 per share, while the remaining shares were issued at exercise prices
ranging from $5.67 - $7.05 per share. In addition to the additional shares
issued, the exercise price of warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of the
Company's common stock was adjusted from $6.00 per share to $2.75 per
share.
(continued)
F-19
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE H - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Continued
A summary of the status of the Company's fixed stock options and warrants
as of September 30, 1999 and 1998, and changes during the years ending on
those dates is as follows:
[Enlarge/Download Table]
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
--------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
WEIGHTED - WEIGHTED - WEIGHTED -
AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE
SHARES EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE
---------- -------------- --------- -------------- --------- --------------
Outstanding at beginning of
year 3,361,000 $ 3.67 2,318,000 $ 4.57 1,800,000 $ 5.10
Granted 1,279,000 $ 5.51 1,059,000 $ 3.18 536,000 $ 2.75
Exercised (382,000) $ 2.75 (3,000) $ 2.75 -- --
Expired -- -- -- -- --
Cancelled (118,000) $ 2.75 (13,000) $ 2.75 (18,000) $ 2.75
---------- ---------- ---------
Outstanding at end of year 4,140,000 $ 4.30 3,361,000 $ 3.67 2,318,000 $ 4.57
Options exercisable at end
of year 3,241,000 2,885,000 1,585,000
Weighted average fair value
of options and warrants
granted during the year $ 2.38 $ 1.75 $ .89
The following information applies to warrants and options outstanding at
September 30, 1999:
[Enlarge/Download Table]
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
---------------------------------------------- --------------------------
WEIGHTED -
AVERAGE WEIGHTED - WEIGHTED -
RANGES OF REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES SHARES CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE
--------------- --------- ----------------- -------------- --------- --------------
$1.00 - $1.00 325,000 3.08 years $ 1.00 325,000 $ 1.00
$2.75 - $4.00 1,473,000 2.50 years $ 2.90 1,335,000 $ 2.92
$4.75 - $6.59 2,242,000 5.81 years $ 5.54 1,481,000 $ 5.82
$7.50 - $8.00 100,000 2.46 years $ 7.75 100,000 $ 7.75
--------- ---------
4,140,000 3,241,000
========= =========
F-20
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE I - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into employment agreements with all of its
executive officers that have a remaining term of between two and three
years. These agreements contain provisions for compensation, benefits and
certain covenants not to compete.
LITIGATION
In October 1995, the Company, along with its vice-chairman and EffJohn were
named in a lawsuit brought by an individual who had made an offer to buy
the cruise line from EffJohn in 1993. In fiscal 1999, the lawsuit was
settled for an immaterial amount. The Company is subject to other legal
proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business.
In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any,
with respect to these actions will either be covered by insurance or will
not materially affect the financial position of the Company.
FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION CERTIFICATES OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
In order to operate a passenger cruise vessel from U.S. ports, the Company
is required to obtain FMC Certificates of Financial Responsibility. The
Company has posted a surety bond in the amount of $15,000,000, which is the
maximum currently required by the FMC in the event of non-performance of
obligations to passengers. The Company had placed $4,629,000 on deposit
with a bank to secure the FMC Certificate for the Enchanted Isle and had
arranged, through a bank in New England, an escrow account for the purpose
of selling cruises from U.S. ports on the Universe Explorer and on the
Enchanted Capri. This escrow arrangement required the Company to deposit
all monies received for such sailings, plus a minimum cash amount as
defined by the escrow agreement. The Company has approximately $500,000 in
the escrow account at September 30, 1999. This amount will be unrestricted
by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2000.
ADVANCE DEPOSITS RELATED TO THE ENCHANTED CAPRI
NCCL acts as the sole operating and ticketing agent for the Enchanted
Capri. Accordingly, the Company maintains all of the Enchanted Capri
advance passenger deposits until the completion of the voyages, at which
time, the amounts are remitted to Capri Cruises. As of September 30, 1999,
and 1998, the Company has
(continued)
F-21
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE I - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Continued
approximately $1,933,000 and $1,919,000, respectively, of advance deposits
related to future sailings onboard the Enchanted Capri.
OPERATING LEASES
Commencing October 11, 1999 the Company chartered the M/V Crown Dynasty
from an unrelated third party under a noncancellable operating lease. The
payments under the charter are based on a minimum monthly rental plus a
percentage of the net income from the vessel. On October 13, 1999, the
Company notified the owner of the vessel that it intends to acquire the
vessel under the terms of the buy-out option in the charter agreement,
however, this purchase is subject to the completion of certain events,
including but not limited to obtaining the necessary financing.
In addition, the Company leases office space under noncancellable,
operating leases.
Future minimum annual lease commitments at September 30, 1999 are as
follows:
2000 $ 9,182,000
2001 9,027,000
2002 9,021,000
2003 9,005,000
---------------
$ 36,235,000
===============
Rental and lease expense for the years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and
1997, amounted to approximately $474,000, $450,000 and $442,000,
respectively.
SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA
During recent years, Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards have been
amended and require among other things, most passenger vessels not fitted
with sprinkler systems to install such systems and other safety
arrangements, including the addition of smoke detectors systems,
low-location lighting and enclosed escape stairwells by October 1, 1997. In
the event a vessel meets the SOLAS 1974 requirements, it will not be
required to be fitted with a sprinkler system until on or before October 1,
2005. In fiscal 1997, the ships were fitted with the safety arrangements
required by SOLAS and thus currently comply with SOLAS requirements.
In January 1999, the Company placed the Universe Explorer in drydock
primarily for the installation of a sprinkler system aboard the vessel. The
installation of the sprinkler system was completed in February 1999 and
brought the ship into compliance with SOLAS. The Company intends to install
a sprinkler system aboard the Enchanted Isle over the next several years
while the ship is in service. The expected cost of this installation is $3
million.
(continued)
F-22
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE I - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Continued
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
Effective October 1, 1996, the Company joined a group Retirement and
Savings Plan. The Plan is a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Service Code covering all eligible employees of the
Company. Employees who have attained the age of 21 are eligible to become
participants on the first day of the calendar month following the year of
service in which they have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours. The Company may
contribute a discretionary matching contribution equal to a percentage of
the employee's contribution. This percentage may vary from year to year.
The amounts charged to earnings for this plan during the three years ended
September 30, 1999 were not significant.
NOTE J - RELATED PARTIES
Sea-Comm operates cruises to Alaska through World Explorer Cruises and
Tours, Inc. (WEC). WEC and Seawise may be deemed to be under common
control. Sea-Comm and WEC are parties to an agreement whereby the Universe
Explorer enjoys certain permits issued by the U.S. Parks Service to cruise
in the Glacier Bay Alaska area. Pursuant to this agreement, Sea-Comm earns
all revenues and pays all of WEC's marketing and overhead expenses in
conjunction with the Alaska cruises. As of September 30, 1999 and 1998, the
Company has a receivable due from WEC of $1,739,000 and $1,140,000,
respectively, of which $400,000 is included in long-term
receivable-affiliates and the remaining amount is included in due from
affiliates.
The Company advanced Capri Cruises certain amounts during the year and pays
certain expenses on their behalf. As of September 30, 1999 and 1998, the
amount due from Capri Cruises was $500,000 and $511,000, respectively. This
receivable is included in due from affiliates.
During fiscal 1998 and 1997, the Company received a series of unsecured
loans totaling $500,000 and $575,000, respectively, from Seawise, its joint
venture partner as well as capital contributions totaling $100,000 and
$1,362,000, respectively. In fiscal 1999, an additional $85,000 is due
related to loans from Seawise who helped finance the installation of the
sprinkler system. The interest rate on these loans is 8% per annum and
these loans have no set maturity date. The liability of $1,160,000 and
$1,075,000 related to the loans is recorded as part of due to affiliates as
of September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Also, included in due to
affiliates is a payable of $0 and $126,000 due to WEC as of September 30,
1999 and 1998, respectively, and a payable of $185,000 and $0 due to
Seawise as of September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
(continued)
F-23
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE J - RELATED PARTIES - Continued
As part of the joint venture agreement with Seawise (Note A), the Company
is entitled to be reimbursed by Seawise for certain improvements made to
the Universe Explorer. The terms of the reimbursement are based on the
joint venture agreement. As of September 30, 1999 and 1998, the related
receivable from Seawise is $5,169,000 and $2,150,000, respectively, of
which $563,000 and $0, respectively is included as a due from affiliates
and the remaining amount is included in long-term receivable affiliates.
As part of the Coronado joint venture (Note B), the Company loaned Proturo
$436,000. This loan is evidenced by two notes receivable, one for $150,000
and one for $286,000. The note for $150,000 bears interest at an above
market rate, is payable over 3 1/2 years, and is collateralized by
Proturo's ownership interest in the joint venture. The note for $286,000
bears interest at the market rate, is due in two years and is
collateralized by Proturo's ownership interest in the joint venture. The
related loans are recorded in long-term receivable affiliates as of
September 30, 1999. In addition, Viejas advanced the Company $150,000 as
part of the Coronado joint venture. This advance is non-interest bearing
and has no set maturity date.
In September 1999,approximately $2,250,000 of expenses attributable to
Albuferra, were allocated to the joint venture, resulting in an increase in
minority interest in loss of consolidated joint ventures of approximately
$1,121,000.
On January 7, 1996, the Company entered into an agreement to space charter
the Universe Explorer to Seawise. The term of the charter agreement is ten
years. During the years ended September 30, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the
Company received $9,391,000, $10,571,000 and $9,313,000, respectively, from
Seawise related to this charter agreement, which is included in revenues.
NOTE K - INCOME TAXES
Certain entities are exempt from U.S. corporate income tax on U.S. source
income from their international shipping operations if (i) their countries
of incorporation exempt shipping operations of U.S. persons from income tax
(the "Incorporation Test") and (ii) they meet the "Ultimate Owner Test." A
foreign company meets the Ultimate Owner Test if its stock is primarily and
regularly traded on a U.S. stock exchange or on a stock exchange in a
foreign country that exempts U.S. persons from tax on shipping earnings.
The Company is involved in international shipping operations which meet the
Incorporation Test because the Company and its subsidiaries are
incorporated in Bermuda and Panama, respectively, which provide the
required exemption to U.S. persons involved in shipping operations, and the
Company believes it meets the Ultimate Owner Test due to its stock being
primarily and regularly traded on the NASDAQ National Market. The issue of
residence is, however, inherently factual and cannot be determined with
certainty. The Company is subject to U.S. income tax on its U.S. source
income that is not from the international operation of a ship.
(continued)
F-24
COMMODORE HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
NOTE K - INCOME TAXES - Continued
However, because there are no regulations to date interpreting this
exemption and because satisfying the requirements under the exemption
depends upon meeting certain factual tests, there is no assurance that the
Company will continue to qualify for the tax exemption.
Based on the foregoing, the Company expects most of its income to remain
exempt from United States income taxes. Also, as the earnings from shipping
operations are derived from sources outside of Panama, such earnings are
not subject to Panamanian taxes. Bermuda imposes no income tax on
corporations.
The Company has a deferred tax asset of approximately $119,000 as of
September 30, 1999 related to the domestic operations of Capri Cruises.
The temporary differences which cause the deferred tax asset are the
Company's portion of the net operating loss carryforward of Capri
Cruises of $298,000 and depreciation differences of $15,000. A 100%
valuation allowance against this deferred tax has been recorded as the
Company has determined that it's more likely than not that the asset
will not be realized. The net operating loss carryforward expires in
fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009.
NOTE L - SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA FOR
1999 AND 1998 (UNAUDITED)
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER YEAR
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE INFORMATION)
1999
Revenues $12,288 $11,978 $16,755 $20,467 $61,488
Operating income 649 1,814 2,799 499 5,761
Net earnings
Available
for common
stockholders 263 715 2,065 1,563 $ 4,606
Earnings per
share - basic .04 .10 .28 .20 .62
Earnings per
share - diluted .03 .09 .22 .18 .52
1998
Revenues $11,529 $13,858 $18,428 $19,313 $63,128
Operating income 403 840 3,267 1,615 6,125
Net earnings
available
for common
stockholders 111 563 2,410 939 4,023
Earnings per
share - basic .02 .10 .36 .16 .64
Earnings per
share - diluted .02 .08 .29 .16 .54
F-25
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------ ----------------------
10nn Amended and Restated Operating Agreement for Coronado Seas, LLC
dated September 17, 1999 by and among Commodore Day Cruises Limited,
Promociones Turisticas de Rosarito, S.A. de C.V. and Viejas Band of
Kumeyaay Indians
10oo First Amendment to Pier Docking Agreement dated September 17, 1999,
by and among Inversiones Rosarito, S.A. de C.V., Playas de Rosarito
Marina Resort, S.A. de C.V., Coronado Seas, LLC and Banco
Interncional, S.A.
10pp Space Charter dated July 12, 1999, by and between Crown and Atkinson
and Mullen, Inc. d/b/a Apple Vacations
10qq Bermuda Berthing Agreement dated July 14, 1999, between the
Government of Bermuda and Crown
10rr 1999 Stock Plan
10ss Loan and Security Agreement Amendment No. 1 dated September 30, 1999
between Azure and Key
21 Subsidiaries of the Company
27 Financial Data Schedule
Dates Referenced Herein and Documents Incorporated by Reference
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