Final Results

RNS Number : 5466W
Carnival PLC
29 January 2013
 



January 29, 2013

RELEASE OF CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2012

Carnival Corporation & plc announced its fourth quarter and annual results of operations in its earnings release issued on December 20, 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc is hereby announcing that today it has filed its joint Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") containing the Carnival Corporation & plc 2012 annual financial statements, which reported results are unchanged from those previously announced on December 20, 2012.

The information included in the attached Schedules A, B and C is extracted from the Form 10-K and has been prepared in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. Schedules A and B contain the audited consolidated financial statements for Carnival Corporation & plc as of and for the year ended November 30, 2012, together with management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations. These Carnival Corporation & plc consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Within the Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc dual listed company arrangement the Directors consider the most appropriate presentation of Carnival plc's results and financial position is by reference to the U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements of Carnival Corporation & plc. Schedule C contains information on Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc's sales and purchases of their equity securities and use of proceeds from such sales.

 

The Directors intend to approve the Carnival plc 2012 IFRS Financial Statements on February 21, 2013, and these statements will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism ("NSM") in early March 2013.  The Carnival plc financial statements will exclude the consolidated results of Carnival Corporation and will be prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union. 




MEDIA CONTACT

  

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT

Jennifer De La Cruz

  

Beth Roberts

001 305 599 2600, ext. 16000

  

001 305 406 4832

The Form 10-K, including the portions extracted for this announcement, is available for viewing on the SEC website at www.sec.gov under Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc or the Carnival Corporation & plc website at www.carnivalcorp.com or www.carnivalplc.com. A copy of the Form 10-K has been submitted to the NSM and will shortly be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm. Additional information can be obtained via Carnival Corporation & plc's website listed above or by writing to Carnival plc at Carnival House, 5 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NE, United Kingdom.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).

Together, these brands operate 100 ships totaling 203,000 lower berths with nine new ships scheduled to be delivered between March 2013 and March 2016. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results

Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this 2012 Annual Report are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to us, including some statements concerning future results, outlooks, plans, goals and other events which have not yet occurred. These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like "will," "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "depends," "expect," "goal," "anticipate," "forecast," "future," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "target," "indicate" and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms.

Forward-looking statements include those statements that may impact, among other things, the forecasting of our non-GAAP earnings per share ("EPS"); net revenue yields; booking levels; pricing; occupancy; operating, financing and tax costs, including fuel expenses; costs per available lower berth day ("ALBD"); estimates of ship depreciable lives and residual values; liquidity; goodwill and trademark fair values and outlook. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this 2012 Annual Report. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 


general economic and business conditions;


increases in fuel prices;


incidents, the spread of contagious diseases and threats thereof, adverse weather conditions or other natural disasters and other incidents affecting the health, safety, security and satisfaction of guests and crew;


the international political climate, armed conflicts, terrorist and pirate attacks, vessel seizures, and threats thereof, and other world events affecting the safety and security of travel;


negative publicity concerning the cruise business in general or us in particular, including any adverse environmental impacts of cruising;


litigation, enforcement actions, fines or penalties;


economic, market and political factors that are beyond our control, which could increase our operating, financing and other costs;


changes in and compliance with laws and regulations relating to the protection of persons with disabilities, employment, environment, health, safety, security, tax and other regulations under which we operate;


our ability to implement our shipbuilding programs and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments on terms that are favorable or consistent with our expectations;


increases to our repairs and maintenance expenses and refurbishment costs as our fleet ages;


lack of continuing availability of attractive, convenient and safe port destinations;


continuing financial viability of our travel agent distribution system, air service providers and other key vendors in our supply chain and reductions in the availability of, and increases in the pricing for, the services and products provided by these vendors;


disruptions and other damages to our information technology and other networks and operations, and breaches in data security;


failure to keep pace with developments in technology;


competition from and overcapacity in the cruise ship or land-based vacation industry;


loss of key personnel or our ability to recruit or retain qualified personnel;


union disputes and other employee relation issues;


disruptions in the global financial markets or other events may negatively affect the ability of our counterparties and others to perform their obligations to us;


the continued strength of our cruise brands and our ability to implement our brand strategies;


our international operations are subject to additional risks not generally applicable to our U.S. operations;


geographic regions in which we try to expand our business may be slow to develop and ultimately not develop how we expect;


our decisions to self-insure against various risks or our inability to obtain insurance for certain risks at reasonable rates;


fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;


whether our future operating cash flow will be sufficient to fund future obligations and whether we will be able to obtain financing, if necessary, in sufficient amounts and on terms that are favorable or consistent with our expectations;


risks associated with the DLC arrangement and


uncertainties of a foreign legal system as we are not incorporated in the U.S.

Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange rules, we expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this 2012 Annual Report, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

 

2012 Executive Overview

This past year has been the most challenging in our history as a result of the Costa Concordia incident. The ship incident had a profound impact on each and every employee, both shoreside and shipboard, and has driven us to reinforce our commitment to the safety of our guests and crew. We have taken steps to identify lessons learned and best practices. In addition, we have and will continue to implement improvements to our already established procedures and training programs. We are also committed to rebuilding Costa's reputation and strengthening its trust with guests and travel agents. Accordingly, Costa launched a number of initiatives, including enhancements to existing safety and security procedures, training and related processes and a major international advertising campaign that targets consumers in its key markets. Over the next few years, we expect to fully recover and continue to build on our leadership positions.

Net income for 2012 was $1.3 billion, compared to $1.9 billion for the prior year. This decrease was caused by a 2.5% decrease in constant dollar net revenue yields, higher fuel prices and the Ibero goodwill and trademark impairment charges.

The 2.5% decrease in constant dollar net revenue yields was driven by our EAA brands as a result of the direct and indirect consequences of the ship incident and the challenging economic environment in Europe. Although our North America brands achieved a slight increase in net revenue yields, they were affected by the indirect consequences of the ship incident.

Our higher fuel prices in 2012 compared to the prior year were partially offset by lower fuel consumption, which continues our multiple-year fuel consumption savings trend. Implementing a combination of fuel saving initiatives has allowed us to reduce our rate of fuel consumption by 18% over the past seven years. In 2012, constant dollar net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD had a slight decrease compared to the prior year. On a longer-term basis, our constant dollar net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD have remained flat from 2008 through 2012 despite inflationary pressures.

During 2012, we generated $3.0 billion of cash from operations and used $1.8 billion to fund net capital expenditures, leaving us with $1.2 billion of free cash flow (defined as cash from operations less net capital expenditures). All of this free cash flow was returned to shareholders through our $0.25 per share regular quarterly dividend, our $0.50 per share special dividend and by repurchasing 2.6 million of Carnival Corporation common stock. This is the second consecutive year that we returned all our free cash flow to shareholders.

We believe that adding newer, more efficient ships, as well as improving our existing fleet, will have a positive impact on our profitability. During 2012, we ordered two new cruise ships - one 4,000-passenger capacity ship for our Carnival Cruise Lines brand and one 2,660-passenger capacity ship for our Holland America Line brand. These ships will be the largest ever constructed for these two cruise brands. As of January 22, 2013, we currently have nine cruise ships scheduled to enter service between March 2013 and March 2016, two of which will enter service in 2013 (see "Note 6 - Commitments" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements). Our current intention is to have an average of two to three new cruise ships enter service annually, some of which will replace existing capacity from the possible sales of older, less efficient ships. We are strategically timing the introductions of additional ships to our brands to allow ample time for those lines to further grow their guest base and absorb the new capacity. Our rate of growth is slowing in the more established regions of North America and Western Europe. We are committed to a measured pace of newbuilds to achieve an optimal balance of supply and demand to maximize our profitability in these established regions. In addition, we believe that we have significant opportunities to grow our presence in the emerging Asian cruise region and will continue to redeploy some of our existing ships to that region.

Outlook for the 2013 First Quarter and Full Year

On December 20, 2012, we said that we expected our non-GAAP diluted EPS for the 2013 first quarter and full year would be in the ranges of $0.03 to $0.07 and $2.20 to $2.40, respectively (see "Key Performance Non-GAAP Financial Indicators"). Our guidance was based on fuel prices of $674 per metric ton and $692 per metric ton for the 2013 first quarter and full year, respectively. In addition, our guidance was based on 2013 first quarter and full year currency rates of $1.30 to the euro, $1.61 to sterling and $1.05 to the Australian dollar. The fuel and currency assumptions used in our guidance change daily and, accordingly, our forecasts change daily based on the changes in these assumptions.

 

We believe it is more meaningful to evaluate our earnings performance by excluding the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives from non-GAAP diluted EPS. Therefore, we will not include any future estimates of unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives in our non-GAAP EPS guidance. However, we will forecast realized gains and losses on fuel derivatives by applying current Brent prices to the derivatives that settle in the forecast period.

The above forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to us. There are many factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed above including, but not limited to, general economic and business conditions, increases in fuel prices, incidents, spread of contagious diseases, adverse weather conditions, geo-political events, negative publicity and other factors that could adversely impact our revenues, costs and expenses. You should read the above forward-looking statement together with the discussion of these and other risks under "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results."

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our critical accounting estimates are those which we believe require our most significant judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. A discussion of our critical accounting estimates, the underlying judgments and uncertainties used to make them and the likelihood that materially different estimates would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions is as follows:

Ship Accounting

Our most significant assets are our ships, including ship improvements and ships under construction, which represent 79% of our total assets at November 30, 2012. We make several critical accounting estimates with respect to our ship accounting. First, in order to compute our ships' depreciation expense, which represented 10% of our cruise costs and expenses in 2012, we have to estimate the average useful life of each of our ships as well as their residual values. Secondly, we account for ship improvement costs by capitalizing those costs that we believe add value to our ships and have a useful life greater than one year, and depreciate those improvements over their or the ships' estimated remaining useful life, whichever is shorter, while the costs of repairs and maintenance, including minor improvement costs and dry-dock expenses, are charged to expense as incurred. Finally, when we record the retirement of a ship component that is included within the ship's cost basis, we may have to estimate the net book value of the asset being retired in order to remove it from the ship's cost basis.

We determine the average useful life of our ships and their residual values based primarily on our estimates of the weighted-average useful lives and residual values of the ships' major component systems, such as cabins, superstructure, main electric, engines and hull. In addition, we consider, among other things, long-term vacation market conditions, competition and historical useful lives of similarly-built ships. We have estimated our ships' weighted-average useful lives at 30 years and their average residual values at 15% of our original ship cost. Further, we determine the useful life of ship improvements based on estimates of the period over which the assets will be of economic benefit to us. In determining such lives, we also consider factors, including but not limited to, physical deterioration, obsolescence, regulatory constraints and maintenance requirements.

Given the large size and complexity of our ships, ship accounting estimates require considerable judgment and are inherently uncertain. We do not have cost segregation studies performed to specifically componentize our ships. In addition, since we do not separately componentize our ships, we do not identify and track depreciation of specific original ship components. Therefore, we typically have to estimate the net book value of components that are retired, based primarily upon their replacement cost, their age and their original estimated useful lives.

If materially different conditions existed, or if we materially changed our assumptions of ship lives and residual values, our depreciation expense, loss on retirement of ship components and net book value of our ships would be materially different. In addition, if we change our assumptions in making our determinations as to whether improvements to a ship add value, the amounts we expense each year as repair and maintenance expense could increase, which would be partially offset by a decrease in depreciation expense, resulting from a reduction in capitalized costs. Our 2012 ship depreciation expense would increase by an estimated $37 million for every year we reduce our estimated average 30 year ship useful life. In addition, if our ships were estimated to have no residual value, our 2012 depreciation expense would increase by approximately $190 million.

We believe that the estimates we made for ship accounting purposes are reasonable and our methods are consistently applied in all material respects and, accordingly, result in depreciation expense that is based on a rational and systematic method to equitably allocate the costs of our ships to the periods during which they are used. In addition, we believe that the estimates we made are reasonable and our methods consistently applied in all material respects (1) in determining the average useful life and average residual values of our ships, including ship improvements; (2) in determining which ship improvement costs add value to our ships; and (3) in determining the net book value of ship component assets being retired. Finally, we believe our critical ship accounting estimates are generally comparable with those of other major cruise companies.

Asset Impairments

Impairment reviews of our cruise ships, goodwill and trademarks require us to make significant estimates to determine the fair values of these assets or cruise brands. For our cruise ships, we perform our impairment reviews, if required, at the individual cruise ship level, which is the lowest level for which we maintain identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. See "Note 4 - Property and Equipment" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of impairment charges recorded in 2012 and 2011. We believe it is more-likely-than-not ("MLTN") that each of our cruise brands' estimated fair values that carry goodwill at November 30, 2012 exceeded their carrying values. We also believe that it is MLTN that the estimated fair values of each of our cruise brands' trademarks recorded at November 30, 2012 exceeded their carrying values. See "Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of our goodwill and trademark impairment tests.

The determination of fair value includes numerous uncertainties, unless a comparable, viable actively-traded market exists, which is usually not the case for cruise ships, cruise brands and trademarks. Our ship fair values are typically estimated based on individual or comparable ship sale prices and other comparable ship values in inactive markets.

In performing qualitative assessments of our cruise brands that carry goodwill, qualitative factors that we consider to determine their effect on each of the cruise brands' estimated fair values include industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions, changes to WACC, overall financial performance and changes in fuel. In determining the estimated fair values of cruise brands utilizing discounted future cash flow analysis for our quantitative goodwill impairment tests, if any, significant judgments are made related to forecasting future operating results, including net revenue yields, net cruise costs including fuel prices, capacity changes, including the expected deployment of vessels into, or out of, the cruise brand, WACC for comparable publicly-traded companies, adjusted for the risk attributable to the geographic region in which the cruise brand operates and terminal values. In addition, third party appraisers are sometimes used to help determine fair values of cruise brands and trademarks, and their valuation methodologies are also typically subject to uncertainties similar to those discussed above.

In addition, in performing our qualitative assessments of our cruise brands' significant trademarks, qualitative factors that we consider to determine their effect on each of the cruise brands recorded trademarks' estimated fair values include industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions, changes to the WACC, changes to the royalty rates and overall financial performance. In determining our trademark estimated fair values for our quantitative impairment tests, if any, we also use discounted future cash flow analysis, which requires some of the same significant judgments discussed above. Specifically, determining the estimated amount of royalties avoided by our ownership of the trademark is based upon forecasted cruise revenues and royalty rates that a market participant would use. The royalty rates are estimated primarily using comparable royalty agreements for similar industries.

We believe that we have made reasonable estimates and judgments in determining whether our cruise ships, goodwill and trademarks have been impaired. However, if there is a material change in the conditions or circumstances affecting fair values, or if there is a material change in assumptions used in our determination of fair values, then we may need to recognize a material impairment charge.

Contingencies

We periodically assess the potential liabilities related to any lawsuits or claims brought against us, as well as for other known unasserted claims, including environmental, legal, regulatory, guest and crew, and tax matters. In addition, we periodically assess the recoverability of our trade and other receivables and other counterparty credit exposures, such as contractual nonperformance by financial and other institutions with which we conduct significant business. Our credit exposure includes contingent obligations related to cash payments received directly by travel agents and tour operators for cash collected by them on cruise sales in most of Europe where we are obligated to extend credit in a like amount to these guests even if we do not receive payment from the travel agents or tour operators. While it is typically very difficult to determine the timing and ultimate outcome of these matters, we use our best judgment to determine if it is probable, or MLTN for income tax matters, that we will incur an expense related to the settlement or final adjudication of such matters and whether a reasonable estimation of such probable or MLTN loss, if any, can be made. In assessing probable losses, we make estimates of the amount of probable insurance recoveries, if any, which are recorded as assets. We accrue a liability and establish a reserve when we believe a loss is probable or MLTN for income tax matters, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). Such accruals and reserves are typically based on developments to date, management's estimates of the outcomes of these matters, our experience in contesting, litigating and settling other similar non-income tax matters, historical claims experience, actuarially determined estimates of liabilities and any related insurance coverages. See "Note 7 - Costa Concordia," "Note 8 - Contingencies," "Note 9 - Income and Other Taxes" and "Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning our contingencies.

Given the inherent uncertainty related to the eventual outcome of these matters and potential insurance recoveries, it is possible that all or some of these matters may be resolved for amounts materially different from any provisions or disclosures that we may have made with respect to their resolution. In addition, as new information becomes available, we may need to reassess the amount of asset or liability that needs to be accrued related to our contingencies. All such revisions in our estimates could materially impact our results of operations and financial position.

 

Results of Operations

We earn substantially all of our cruise revenues from the following:

 


sales of passenger cruise tickets and, in some cases, the sale of air and other transportation to and from airports near our ships' home ports and cancellation fees. The cruise ticket price includes accommodations, most meals, some non-alcoholic beverages and most onboard entertainment. We also collect governmental fees and taxes from our guests, and


sales of goods and services primarily onboard our ships not included in the cruise ticket price including, among other things, liquor and some non-alcoholic beverage sales, shore excursions, casino gaming, gift shop sales, photo sales, full service spas, communication services, cruise vacation protection programs and pre- and post-cruise land packages. These goods and services are provided either directly by us or by independent concessionaires, from which we receive either a percentage of their revenues or a fee.

We incur cruise operating costs and expenses for the following:

 


the costs of passenger cruise bookings, which represent costs that are directly associated with passenger cruise ticket revenues, and include travel agent commissions, air and other transportation related costs, governmental fees and taxes that vary with guest head counts and related credit card fees,


onboard and other cruise costs, which represent costs that are directly associated with onboard and other revenues, and include among other things, the costs of liquor and some non-alcoholic beverages, costs of tangible goods sold by us in our gift shops and from our photo sales, communication costs, costs of cruise vacation protection programs, costs of pre- and post-cruise land packages and related credit card fees. Concession revenues do not have significant associated expenses because the costs and services incurred for concession revenues are borne by our concessionaires,


fuel costs, which include fuel delivery costs,


payroll and related costs, which represent all costs related to our shipboard personnel, including deck and engine crew, including officers, and hotel and administrative employees,


food costs, which include both our guest and crew food costs, and


other ship operating costs, which include port costs that do not vary with guest head counts, repairs and maintenance, including minor improvements and dry-dock expenses, hotel costs, entertainment, freight and logistics and all other ship operating costs and expenses.

For segment information related to our North America and EAA cruise brands' revenues, expenses, operating income and other financial information, see "Note 12 - Segment Information" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Statistical Information

 


  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010


Passengers carried (in thousands)

  


9,829

  



9,559

  



9,147

  

Occupancy percentage (a)

  


105.5



106.2



105.6

Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands)

  


3,354

  



3,395

  



3,319

  

Fuel cost per metric ton consumed

  

$

710

  


$

646

  


$

489

  

Currencies

  












U.S. dollar to €1

  

$

1.28

  


$

1.40

  


$

1.33

  

U.S. dollar to £1

  

$

1.58

  


$

1.60

  


$

1.55

  

U.S. dollar to Australian dollar

  

$

1.03

  


$

1.03

  


$

0.91

  

 

(a)

In accordance with cruise business practice, occupancy is calculated using a denominator of two passengers per cabin even though some cabins can accommodate three or more passengers. Percentages in excess of 100% indicate that on average more than two passengers occupied some cabins.

2012 Compared to 2011

Revenues

Consolidated

Cruise passenger ticket revenues made up 76% of our 2012 total revenues. Cruise passenger ticket revenues decreased by $500 million, or 4.1%, to $11.7 billion in 2012 from $12.2 billion in 2011. This decrease was substantially due to a decrease in cruise ticket pricing, which accounted for $434 million, a stronger U.S. dollar against the euro and sterling, net of a weaker U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar (referred to as " the net currency impact"), which accounted for $282 million, and a slight decrease in occupancy percentage, which accounted for $82 million, partially offset by our 2.9% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $348 million (see "Key Performance Non-GAAP Financial Indicators"). Our cruise ticket pricing and occupancy were affected by the direct and indirect consequences of the ship incident and the challenging economic environment in Europe.

The remaining 24% of 2012 total revenues were substantially all comprised of onboard and other cruise revenues, which increased by $156 million, or 4.6%, to $3.5 billion in 2012 from $3.4 billion in 2011. This increase was caused by our 2.9% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $96 million, higher onboard spending by our guests, which accounted for $51 million, and the change in the accounting for our North America cruise brands and Tour and Other segments (See "Note 12 - Segment Information" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a further discussion). These increases were partially offset by the net currency impact, which accounted for $58 million, and a slight decrease in occupancy percentage, which accounted for $23 million. Onboard and other revenues included concession revenues of $1.1 billion in 2012, which were flat compared to 2011.

North America Brands

Cruise passenger ticket revenues made up 74% of our 2012 total revenues. Cruise passenger ticket revenues increased by $123 million, or 1.8%, to $6.9 billion in 2012 from $6.8 billion in 2011. This increase was caused by our 3.4% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $229 million, partially offset by a decrease in cruise ticket pricing, which accounted for $59 million, and a decrease in air transportation revenues from guests who purchased their tickets from us, which accounted for $39 million. Our cruise ticket pricing was affected by the indirect consequences of the ship incident.

The remaining 26% of 2012 total revenues were comprised of onboard and other cruise revenues, which increased $214 million, or 9.9%, to $2.4 billion in 2012 from $2.2 billion in 2011. This increase was substantially due to our 3.4% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $73 million, higher onboard spending by our guests, which accounted for $42 million, and the change in the accounting for our North America cruise brands and Tour and Other segments. Onboard and other revenues included concession revenues of $727 million in 2012 and $681 million in 2011.

EAA Brands

Cruise passenger ticket revenues made up 82% of our 2012 total revenues. Cruise passenger ticket revenues decreased by $621 million, or 11%, to $4.8 billion in 2012 from $5.4 billion in 2011. This decrease was caused by a decrease in cruise ticket pricing, which accounted for $354 million, the net currency impact, which accounted for $282 million, and a 2.1 percentage point decrease in occupancy, which accounted for $110 million, partially offset by our 2.0% capacity increase in ALBDs, which also accounted for $110 million. Our cruise ticket pricing and occupancy were affected by the direct and indirect consequences of the ship incident and the challenging economic environment in Europe.

The remaining 18% of 2012 total revenues were comprised of onboard and other cruise revenues, which decreased $56 million, or 5.1%, to $1.0 billion in 2012 from $1.1 billion in 2011. This decrease was caused by the net currency impact, which accounted for $58 million, and a 2.1 percentage point decrease in occupancy, which accounted for $23 million, partially offset by our 2.0% capacity increase in ALBDs, which also accounted for $23 million. Onboard and other revenues included concession revenues of $356 million in 2012 and $397 million in 2011.

Costs and Expenses

Consolidated

Operating costs and expenses of $10.3 billion in 2012 were flat compared to 2011. Operating costs and expenses in 2012 increased due to our 2.9% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $289 million, and higher fuel prices, which accounted for $214 million. These increases were offset by the net currency impact, which accounted for $172 million, a decrease in commissions, transportation and other costs primarily as a result of our lower cruise ticket pricing, the change in our UK brands' commission structure and a decrease in air transportation costs related to guests who purchased their tickets from us, which together accounted for $158 million, lower fuel consumption per ALBD, which accounted for $89 million, and a slight decrease in occupancy percentage, which accounted for $27 million. In addition, operating costs and expenses in 2012 increased as a result of Costa Allegra's impairment charge and incident-related expenses, which together accounted for $51 million, and the ship incident-related expenses that were not covered by insurance, which accounted for $28 million, partially offset by Costa's excess insurance proceeds and a gain from Cunard's litigation settlement, which together accounted for $34 million, and the nonrecurrence in 2012 of $28 million of ship impairment charges recognized in 2011 related to the sale of Costa Marina and Pacific Sun (the net impact of these changes in operating costs and expenses are referred to as "the other net charges related to our EAA brands," which combined accounted for $17 million).

Selling and administrative expenses of $1.7 billion in 2012 were flat compared to 2011.

Depreciation and amortization expenses of $1.5 billion in 2012 were flat compared to 2011.

Ibero goodwill and trademark impairment charges of $173 million were recorded in 2012. See "Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of these impairment charges.

Our total costs and expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 89% in 2012 from 86% in 2011.

North America Brands

Operating costs and expenses increased $286 million, or 4.9%, to $6.1 billion in 2012 from $5.8 billion in 2011. This increase was caused by our 3.4% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $198 million, higher fuel prices, which accounted for $147 million, and the change in the accounting for our North America cruise brands and Tour and Other segments. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in commissions, transportation and other costs primarily as a result of our lower cruise ticket pricing and a decrease in air transportation costs related to guests who purchased their tickets from us, which together accounted for $46 million, and lower fuel consumption per ALBD, which accounted for $44 million.

Our total costs and expenses as a percentage of total revenues of 86% in 2012 was flat compared to 2011.

EAA Brands

Operating costs and expenses decreased $234 million, or 5.5%, to $4.0 billion in 2012 from $4.2 billion in 2011. This decrease was caused by the net currency impact, which accounted for $172 million, a decrease in commissions, transportation and other costs primarily as a result of our lower cruise ticket pricing, the change in our UK brands' commission structure and a decrease in air transportation costs related to guests who purchased their tickets from us, which together accounted for $103 million, lower fuel consumption per ALBD, which accounted for $45 million, a 2.1 percentage point decrease in occupancy percentage, which accounted for $36 million, and the other net charges related to our EAA brands, which accounted for $17 million. These decreases were partially offset by our 2.0% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $87 million, and higher fuel prices, which accounted for $67 million.

Ibero goodwill and trademark impairment charges of $173 million were recorded in 2012.

Our total costs and expenses as a percentage of total revenues increased to 93% in 2012 from 84% in 2011.

Operating Income

Our consolidated operating income decreased $613 million, or 27%, to $1.6 billion in 2012 from $2.3 billion in 2011. Our North America brands' operating income of $1.3 billion in 2012 was flat compared to 2011, and our EAA brands' operating income decreased $593 million, or 58%, to $433 million in 2012 from $1.0 billion in 2011. These changes were principally due to the reasons discussed above.

Key Performance Non-GAAP Financial Indicators

ALBDs is a standard measure of passenger capacity for the period, which we use to perform rate and capacity variance analyses to determine the main non-capacity driven factors that cause our cruise revenues and expenses to vary. ALBDs assume that each cabin we offer for sale accommodates two passengers and is computed by multiplying passenger capacity by revenue-producing ship operating days in the period.

We use net cruise revenues per ALBD ("net revenue yields"), net cruise costs per ALBD and net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD as significant non-GAAP financial measures of our cruise segment financial performance. These measures enable us to separate the impact of predictable capacity changes from the more unpredictable rate changes that affect our business. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors and expanded insight to measure our revenue and cost performance as a supplement to our U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements.

Net revenue yields are commonly used in the cruise business to measure a company's cruise segment revenue performance and for revenue management purposes. We use "net cruise revenues" rather than "gross cruise revenues" to calculate net revenue yields. We believe that net cruise revenues is a more meaningful measure in determining revenue yield than gross cruise revenues because it reflects the cruise revenues earned net of our most significant variable costs, which are travel agent commissions, cost of air and other transportation, certain other costs that are directly associated with onboard and other revenues and credit card fees. Substantially all of our remaining cruise costs are largely fixed, except for the impact of changing prices and food expenses, once our capacity levels have been determined.

Net passenger ticket revenues reflect gross cruise revenues, net of (1) onboard and other revenues, (2) commissions, transportation and other costs and (3) onboard and other cruise costs. Net onboard and other revenues reflect gross cruise revenues, net of (1) passenger ticket revenues, (2) commissions, transportation and other costs and (3) onboard and other cruise costs. Net passenger ticket revenue yields and net onboard and other revenue yields are computed by dividing net passenger ticket revenues and net onboard and other revenues by ALBDs.

Net cruise costs per ALBD and net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD are the most significant measures we use to monitor our ability to control our cruise segment costs rather than gross cruise costs per ALBD. We exclude the same variable costs that are included in the calculation of net cruise revenues to calculate net cruise costs with and without fuel to avoid duplicating these variable costs in our non-GAAP financial measures.

In addition, because our EAA brands utilize the euro, sterling and Australian dollar to measure their results and financial condition, the translation of those operations to our U.S. dollar reporting currency results in decreases in reported U.S. dollar revenues and expenses if the U.S. dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies and increases in reported U.S. dollar revenues and expenses if the U.S. dollar weakens against these foreign currencies. Accordingly, we also monitor and report these non-GAAP financial measures assuming the 2012 and 2011 periods' currency exchange rates have remained constant with the 2011 and 2010 periods' rates, respectively, or on a "constant dollar basis," in order to remove the impact of changes in exchange rates on our non-U.S. dollar cruise operations. We believe that this is a useful measure since it facilitates a comparative view of the growth of our business in a fluctuating currency exchange rate environment.

We believe that the impairment charges recognized in 2012 related to Ibero's goodwill and trademarks are nonrecurring and, therefore, are not an indication of our future earnings performance. As such, we believe it is more meaningful for the impairment charges to be excluded from our net income and earnings per share and, accordingly, we present non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS excluding these impairment charges.

Under U.S. GAAP, the realized and unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives not qualifying as fuel hedges are immediately recognized in earnings. We believe that unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives are not an indication of our earnings performance since they relate to future periods and may not ultimately be realized in our future earnings. Therefore, we believe it is more meaningful for the unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives to be excluded from our net income and EPS and, accordingly, we present a non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS excluding these unrealized gains and losses.

We have not included in our earnings guidance the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives because these unrealized amounts involve a significant amount of uncertainty, and we do not believe they are an indication of our future earnings performance. Accordingly, our earnings guidance is presented on a non-GAAP basis only. As a result, we did not present a reconciliation between forecasted non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance and forecasted U.S. GAAP diluted EPS guidance, since we do not believe that the reconciliation information would be meaningful.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presentation of our non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. There are no specific rules for determining our non-GAAP current and constant dollar financial measures and, accordingly, they are susceptible to varying calculations, and it is possible that they may not be exactly comparable to the like-kind information presented by other companies, which is a potential risk associated with using these measures to compare us to other companies.

Consolidated gross and net revenue yields were computed by dividing the gross and net cruise revenues, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows (dollars in millions, except yields):

 


  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2012 Constant
Dollar



2011



2011 Constant
Dollar



2010


Passenger ticket revenues

  

$

11,658

  


$

11,941

  


$

12,158

  


$

11,901

  


$

11,084

  

Onboard and other revenues

  


3,513

  



3,570

  



3,357

  



3,299

  



3,104

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Gross cruise revenues

  


15,171

  



15,511

  



15,515

  



15,200

  



14,188

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Less cruise costs

  




















Commissions, transportation and other

  


(2,292



(2,358



(2,461



(2,421



(2,272

Onboard and other

  


(558



(566



(506



(495



(474


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



  


(2,850



(2,924



(2,967



(2,916



(2,746


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Net passenger ticket revenues

  


9,366

  



9,583

  



9,697

  



9,480

  



8,812

  

Net onboard and other revenues

  


2,955

  



3,004

  



2,851

  



2,804

  



2,630

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Net cruise revenues

  

$

12,321

  


$

12,587

  


$

12,548

  


$

12,284

  


$

11,442

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


ALBDs

  


71,975,652

  



71,975,652

  



69,970,910

  



69,970,910

  



66,545,164

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Gross revenue yields

  

$

210.78

  


$

215.50

  


$

221.74

  


$

217.24

  


$

213.21

  

% (decrease) increase vs. prior year

  


(4.9

)% 



(2.8

)% 



4.0



1.9





Net revenue yields

  

$

171.18

  


$

174.88

  


$

179.35

  


$

175.56

  


$

171.94

  

% (decrease) increase vs. prior year

  


(4.6

)% 



(2.5

)% 



4.3



2.1





Net passenger ticket revenue yields

  

$

130.13

  


$

133.14

  


$

138.60

  


$

135.49

  


$

132.41

  

% (decrease) increase vs. prior year

  


(6.1

)% 



(3.9

)% 



4.7



2.3





Net onboard and other revenue yields

  

$

41.05

  


$

41.74

  


$

40.75

  


$

40.07

  


$

39.52

  

% increase vs. prior year

  


0.7



2.4



3.1



1.4





Consolidated gross and net cruise costs and net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD were computed by dividing the gross and net cruise costs and net cruise costs excluding fuel, without rounding, by ALBDs as follows (dollars in millions, except costs per ALBD):

 


  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2012 Constant
Dollar



2011



2011 Constant
Dollar



2010


Cruise operating expenses

  

$

10,166

  


$

10,338

  


$

10,095

  


$

9,952

  


$

8,880

  

Cruise selling and administrative expenses

  


1,713

  



1,749

  



1,696

  



1,666

  



1,583

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Gross cruise costs

  


11,879

  



12,087

  



11,791

  



11,618

  



10,463

  

Less cruise costs included in net cruise revenues

  




















Commissions, transportation and other

  


(2,292



(2,358



(2,461



(2,421



(2,272

Onboard and other

  


(558



(566



(506



(495



(474


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Net cruise costs

  


9,029

  



9,163

  



8,824

  



8,702

  



7,717

  

Less fuel

  


(2,381



(2,381



(2,193



(2,193



(1,622


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Net cruise costs excluding fuel

  

$

6,648

  


$

6,782

  


$

6,631

  


$

6,509

  


$

6,095

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


ALBDs

  


71,975,652

  



71,975,652

  



69,970,910

  



69,970,910

  



66,545,164

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Gross cruise costs per ALBD

  

$

165.04

  


$

167.94

  


$

168.51

  


$

166.05

  


$

157.23

  

% (decrease) increase vs. prior year

  


(2.1

)% 



(0.3

)% 



7.2



5.6





Net cruise costs per ALBD

  

$

125.44

  


$

127.32

  


$

126.11

  


$

124.37

  


$

115.96

  

% (decrease) increase vs. prior year

  


(0.5

)% 



1.0



8.8



7.3





Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD

  

$

92.36

  


$

94.23

  


$

94.76

  


$

93.02

  


$

91.59

  

% (decrease) increase vs. prior year

  


(2.5

)% 



(0.6

)% 



3.5



1.6





 

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was computed as follows (in millions, except per share data):

 


  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010


Net income - diluted

  












U.S. GAAP net income

  

$

1,298

  


$

1,912

  


$

1,989

(a) 

Ibero goodwill and trademark impairment charges

  


173

  



-

  



-

  

Unrealized gains on fuel derivatives, net

  


(6



(1



-

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Non-GAAP net income

  

$

1,465

  


$

1,911

  


$

1,989

(a) 


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted

  


779

  



789

  



805

  

Earnings per share - diluted

  












U.S. GAAP earnings per share

  

$

1.67

  


$

2.42

  


$

2.47

  

Ibero goodwill and trademark impairment charges

  


0.22

  



-

  



-

  

Unrealized gains on fuel derivatives, net

  


(0.01



-

  



-

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Non-GAAP earnings per share

  

$

1.88

  


$

2.42

  


$

2.47

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


 

(a)

For 2010, diluted net income included an add-back of interest expense on dilutive convertible notes.

Net cruise revenues decreased $227 million, or 1.8%, to $12.3 billion in 2012 from $12.5 billion in 2011. This was caused by a 2.5% decrease in constant dollar net revenue yields, which accounted for $321 million, and the net currency impact, which accounted for $267 million, partially offset by our 2.9% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $361 million. The 2.5% decrease in net revenue yields on a constant dollar basis was comprised of a 3.9% decrease in net passenger ticket revenue yields, partially offset by a 2.4% increase in net onboard and other revenue yields. The 3.9% decrease in net passenger ticket revenue yields was principally due to our EAA brands with a 7.6% yield decrease, which was affected by the direct and indirect consequences of the ship incident and the challenging economic environment in Europe. The 2.4% increase in net onboard and other revenue yields was primarily due to higher onboard spending by guests from our North America brands, partially offset by lower yields from certain of our EAA brands, driven by lower occupancy, principally at Costa. Gross cruise revenues decreased $344 million, or 2.2%, to $15.2 billion in 2012 from $15.5 billion in 2011 for largely the same reasons as discussed above.

Net cruise costs excluding fuel of $6.6 billion in 2012 were flat compared to 2011. Our 2.9% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $190 million, was offset by the net currency impact, which accounted for $135 million, and a slight decrease in constant dollar net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD, which accounted for $38 million.

Fuel costs increased $188 million, or 8.6%, to $2.4 billion in 2012 from $2.2 billion in 2011. This was caused by higher fuel prices, which accounted for $214 million, and a 2.9% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $63 million, partially offset by lower fuel consumption per ALBD, which accounted for $89 million.

Gross cruise costs increased $88 million, or 0.7% to $11.9 billion in 2012 from $11.8 billion in 2011 for principally the same reasons as discussed above.

2011 Compared to 2010

Revenues

Consolidated

Cruise passenger ticket revenues made up 77% of our 2011 total revenues. Cruise passenger ticket revenues increased by $1.1 billion, or 9.7%, to $12.2 billion in 2011 from $11.1 billion in 2010. This increase was substantially due to our 5.1% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $571 million, a weaker U.S. dollar against the euro, sterling and Australian dollar (referred to as "the currency impact"), which accounted for $257 million, an overall continuing recovery in cruise ticket pricing, which accounted for $155 million, and a slight increase in occupancy percentage, which accounted for $63 million. Our 2011 cruise passenger ticket pricing increase was affected by the close-in deployment changes resulting from the geo-political events in the Middle East and North Africa ("MENA"), and to a lesser extent, the earthquake and resulting nuclear disaster in Japan as well as the European debt crisis (see "Key Performance Non-GAAP Financial Indicators").

The remaining 23% of 2011 total revenues were substantially all comprised of onboard and other cruise revenues, which increased by $253 million, or 8.1%, to $3.4 billion in 2011 from $3.1 billion in 2010. This increase was principally driven by our 5.1% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $160 million, and the currency impact, which accounted for $58 million. Onboard and other revenues included concession revenues of $1.1 billion in 2011 and $958 million in 2010.

 

North America Brands

Cruise passenger ticket revenues made up 76% of our 2011 total revenues. Cruise passenger ticket revenues increased by $444 million, or 7.0%, to $6.8 billion in 2011 from $6.3 billion in 2010. This increase was substantially due to a continuing recovery in cruise ticket pricing, particularly in the second half of 2011, which accounted for $186 million, our 2.8% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $176 million, and a 1.1 percentage point increase in occupancy, which accounted for $66 million.

The remaining 24% of 2011 total revenues were comprised of onboard and other cruise revenues, which increased $98 million, or 4.8%, to $2.2 billion in 2011 from $2.1 billion in 2010. This increase was primarily driven by our 2.8% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $57 million. Onboard and other revenues included concession revenues of $681 million in 2011 and $628 million in 2010.

EAA Brands

Cruise passenger ticket revenues made up 83% of our 2011 total revenues. Cruise passenger ticket revenues increased $633 million, or 13%, to $5.4 billion in 2011 from $4.8 billion in 2010. This increase was caused by our 9.0% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $431 million, and the currency impact, which accounted for $257 million. Cruise passenger ticket revenues were impacted by the close-in MENA deployment changes.

The remaining 17% of 2011 total revenues were comprised of onboard and other cruise revenues, which increased $141 million, or 15%, to $1.1 billion in 2011 from $1.0 billion in 2010. This increase was caused by our 9.0% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $87 million, and the currency impact, which accounted for $58 million. Onboard and other revenues included concession revenues of $397 million in 2011 and $330 million in 2010.

Costs and Expenses

Consolidated

Operating costs and expenses increased $1.2 billion, or 13%, to $10.3 billion in 2011 from $9.1 billion in 2010. This increase was substantially due to higher fuel prices, which accounted for $535 million, our 5.1% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $457 million, the currency impact, which accounted for $143 million, and inflationary pressures on crew travel, food, freight and other hotel operating expenses.

Selling and administrative expenses increased $103 million, or 6.4%, to $1.7 billion in 2011 from $1.6 billion in 2010.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $106 million, or 7.5%, to $1.5 billion in 2011 from $1.4 billion in 2010.

Our total costs and expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 86% in 2011 from 84% in 2010.

North America Brands

Operating costs and expenses increased $554 million, or 10%, to $5.8 billion in 2011 from $5.3 billion in 2010. This increase was principally due to higher fuel prices, which accounted for $328 million, and our 2.8% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $148 million.

Our total costs and expenses as a percentage of total revenues increased to 86% in 2011 from 84% in 2010.

EAA Brands

Operating costs and expenses increased $672 million, or 19%, to $4.2 billion in 2011 from $3.6 billion in 2010. This increase was caused by our 9.0% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $323 million, higher fuel prices, which accounted for $207 million, and the currency impact, which accounted for $143 million.

Selling and administrative expenses increased $71 million, or 12%, to $655 million in 2011 from $584 million in 2010. The increase was caused by our 9.0% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $53 million, and the currency impact, which accounted for $29 million.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $74 million, or 15%, to $579 million in 2011 from $505 million in 2010. The increase was substantially due to $46 million from our 9.0% capacity increase in ALBDs principally through the addition of new ships and the currency impact, which accounted for $26 million.

Our total costs and expenses as a percentage of total revenues increased to 84% in 2011 from 81% in 2010.

 

Operating Income

Our consolidated operating income of $2.3 billion decreased slightly in 2011 compared to 2010. Our North America brands' operating income of $1.3 billion decreased $74 million, or 5.5%, in 2011 compared to 2010, and our EAA brands' operating income of $1.0 billion decreased $43 million, or 4.0%, in 2011 compared to 2010. These decreases were principally due to the reasons discussed above.

Key Performance Non-GAAP Financial Indicators

Net cruise revenues increased $1.1 billion, or 9.7%, to $12.5 billion in 2011 from $11.4 billion in 2010. This was caused by a 5.1% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $589 million, the currency impact, which accounted for $265 million, and a 2.1% increase in constant dollar net revenue yields, which accounted for $253 million. The 2.1% increase in net revenue yields on a constant dollar basis was comprised of a 2.3% increase in net passenger ticket revenue yields and a 1.4% increase in net onboard and other revenue yields. The 2.3% increase in net passenger ticket revenue yields was driven by the continuing recovery in pricing at our North American brands as they achieved an almost four percent net revenue yield increase while our EAA brands net revenue yields were in line with the prior year despite all of their challenges, including MENA, the earthquake and resulting nuclear disaster in Japan and the European debt crisis. Gross cruise revenues increased $1.3 billion, or 9.4%, to $15.5 billion in 2011 from $14.2 billion in 2010 for largely the same reasons as discussed above.

Net cruise costs excluding fuel increased $536 million, or 8.8%, to $6.6 billion in 2011 from $6.1 billion in 2010. This was caused by our 5.1% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $314 million, the currency impact, which accounted for $122 million, and a 1.6% increase in constant dollar net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD, which accounted for $100 million. The 1.6% increase in constant dollar net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD was principally driven by inflationary pressures on crew travel, food, freight and other hotel operating expenses.

Fuel costs increased $571 million, or 35%, to $2.2 billion in 2011 from $1.6 billion in 2010. This was caused by higher fuel prices, which accounted for $535 million, and a 5.1% capacity increase in ALBDs, which accounted for $83 million, partially offset by lower fuel consumption per ALBD, which accounted for $46 million.

Gross cruise costs increased $1.3 billion, or 13% to $11.8 billion in 2011 from $10.5 billion in 2010 for principally the same reasons as discussed above.

Liquidity, Financial Condition and Capital Resources

Our primary financial goals are to profitably grow our cruise business, while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Our ability to generate significant operating cash flows allows us to internally fund all of our capital investment program and still have a substantial amount of free cash flow, which we intend to return to shareholders in the form of dividends and opportune share buybacks. During 2012, we generated $3.0 billion of cash from operations and used $1.8 billion to fund net capital expenditures, leaving us with $1.2 billion of free cash flow. All of this free cash flow was returned to shareholders through our $0.25 per share regular quarterly dividend, our $0.50 per share special dividend and by repurchasing 2.6 million of Carnival Corporation common stock. This is the second consecutive year that we returned all our free cash flow to shareholders. Other objectives of our capital structure policy are to maintain an acceptable level of liquidity with our available cash and cash equivalents and committed financings for immediate and future liquidity needs, and a reasonable debt maturity profile that is spread out over a number of years.

Based on our historical results, projections and financial condition, we believe that our future operating cash flows and liquidity will be sufficient to fund all of our expected capital projects including shipbuilding commitments, debt service requirements, working capital needs and other firm commitments over the next several years. However, as we intend to continue to return all of our free cash flow to shareholders, we expect to issue debt in the future to supplement our committed ship financings in order to repay certain of our debt as it matures. We believe that our ability to generate significant operating cash flows and our strong balance sheet as evidenced by our investment grade credit ratings provide us with the ability in most financial credit market environments to obtain such debt financing. However, our future operating cash flows and our ability to issue debt can be adversely impacted by numerous factors outside our control including, but not limited to, those noted under "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results." If our long-term senior unsecured credit ratings were to be downgraded or assigned a negative outlook, our access to, and cost of, debt financing may also be negatively impacted.

At November 30, 2012, we had a working capital deficit of $5.5 billion. This deficit included $3.1 billion of customer deposits, which represent the passenger revenues we collect in advance of sailing dates and, accordingly, are substantially more like deferred revenue balances rather than actual current cash liabilities. Our November 30, 2012 working capital deficit also included $1.7 billion of current debt obligations, which are substantially related to our export credit facilities, bank loans and other debt. We continue to generate substantial cash from operations and have a strong balance sheet. This strong balance sheet provides us with the ability to refinance our current debt obligations before, or as they become due in most financial credit market environments. We also have our revolving credit facility available to provide long-term rollover financing should the need arise, or if we choose to do so. After excluding customer deposits and current debt obligations from our November 30, 2012 working capital deficit balance, our non-GAAP adjusted working capital deficit was $709 million. Our business model, along with our unsecured revolving credit facilities, allows us to operate with a working capital deficit and still meet our operating, investing and financing needs. We believe we will continue to have working capital deficits for the foreseeable future.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Our business provided $3.0 billion of net cash from operations during 2012, a decrease of $767 million, or 20%, compared to $3.8 billion in 2011. This decrease was substantially due to less cash being provided from our operating results and customer deposits.

During 2012, our expenditures for capital projects were $2.3 billion, of which $1.7 billion was spent on our ongoing new shipbuilding program, including $1.5 billion for the final delivery payments for AIDAmar, Carnival Breeze and Costa Fascinosa. In addition to our new shipbuilding program, we had capital expenditures of $0.4 billion for ship improvements and replacements and $0.2 billion for information technology, buildings and other assets. Furthermore, in 2012 we received $508 million of euro-denominated hull and machinery insurance proceeds for the total loss of a ship.

During 2012, we repaid a net $224 million of short-term borrowings in connection with our availability of, and needs for, cash at various times throughout the year. In addition, during 2012, we repaid $1.1 billion of scheduled long-term debt payments. Furthermore, during 2012, we borrowed $946 million of new long-term debt substantially all under two export credit facilities. Finally, we paid cash dividends of $779 million and purchased $90 million of Carnival Corporation common stock in open market transactions during 2012.

Future Commitments and Funding Sources

At November 30, 2012, our contractual cash obligations were as follows (in millions):

 


  

Payments Due by


  



  




  

2013


  

2014


  

2015


  

2016


  

2017


  

Thereafter


  

Total


Recorded Contractual Cash Obligations

  




  




  




  




  




  




  




Short-term borrowings (a)

  

$

56

  

  




  




  




  




  




  

$

56

  

Long-term debt (a)

  


1,678

  

  

$

1,615

  

  

$

1,269

  

  

$

848

  

  

$

593

  

  

$

2,843

  

  


8,846

  

Other long-term liabilities reflected on the balance sheet (b)

  


90

  

  


113

  

  


79

  

  


50

  

  


65

  

  


279

  

  


676

  

Unrecorded Contractual Cash Obligations

  




  




  




  




  




  




  




Shipbuilding (c)

  


1,138

  

  


1,584

  

  


1,700

  

  


1,122

  

  


-

  

  


-

  

  


5,544

  

Operating leases (c)

  


43

  

  


41

  

  


38

  

  


34

  

  


25

  

  


179

  

  


360

  

Port facilities and other (c)

  


135

  

  


127

  

  


121

  

  


113

  

  


105

  

  


678

  

  


1,279

  

Purchase obligations (d)

  


770

  

  


99

  

  


63

  

  


53

  

  


24

  

  


33

  

  


1,042

  

Fixed rate interest payments (e)

  


309

  

  


247

  

  


182

  

  


134

  

  


110

  

  


605

  

  


1,587

  

Floating rate interest payments (e)

  


28

  

  


27

  

  


22

  

  


25

  

  


24

  

  


86

  

  


212

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Total Contractual Cash Obligations (f)

  

$

4,247

  

  

$

3,853

  

  

$

3,474

  

  

$

2,379

  

  

$

946

  

  

$

4,703

  

  

$

19,602

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


 

(a)

Our debt, excluding short-term borrowings, has a weighted-average maturity of 4.3 years. See "Note 5 - Debt" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding these debt obligations.

(b)

Represents cash outflows for certain of our long-term liabilities, including their current portion, that could be reasonably estimated. The primary outflows are for estimates of our compensation plans' obligations, crew and guest claims, uncertain income tax position liabilities and certain deferred income taxes. Other deferred income taxes have been excluded from the table because they do not require a cash settlement in the future.

(c)

Our shipbuilding contractual obligations are legal commitments and, accordingly, cannot be cancelled without cause by the shipyards or us, and such cancellation will subject the defaulting party to significant contractual liquidating damage payments. See "Note 6 - Commitments" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding these contractual cash obligations.

(d)

Represents legally-binding commitments to purchase inventory and other goods and services made in the normal course of business to meet operational requirements. Many of our contracts contain clauses that allow us to terminate the contract with notice, either with or without a termination penalty. Termination penalties are generally an amount less than the original obligation. Historically, we have not had any significant defaults of our contractual obligations or incurred significant penalties for their termination.

(e)

Fixed rate interest payments represent cash outflows for fixed interest payments, including interest swapped from a floating rate to a fixed rate. Floating rate interest payments represent forecasted cash outflows for interest payments on floating rate debt using the November 30, 2012 forward interest rates for the remaining terms of the loans.

(f)

Amounts payable in foreign currencies, which are principally the euro, sterling and Australian dollars, are based on the November 30, 2012 exchange rates.

 

As of November 30, 2012, our annual capital expenditures for ships under contract for construction, estimated improvements to existing ships and shoreside assets for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are expected to be $2.0 billion, $2.2 billion, $2.5 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively.

The year-over-year percentage increase in our annual capacity for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 is currently expected to be 3.5%, 1.7%, 4.8% and 4.6%, respectively. These percentage increases result primarily from contracted new ships entering service and exclude any unannounced future ship orders, acquisitions, retirements, charters or sales.

In September 2007, our Boards of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $1 billion of Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ordinary shares subject to certain restrictions under the Repurchase Program. The Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and may be discontinued by our Boards of Directors at any time.

During 2012 and 2011, we repurchased 2.6 million shares and 13.5 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock for $90 million and $413 million under the Repurchase Program, respectively. During 2010, there were no repurchases of Carnival Corporation common stock under the Repurchase Program. In addition, during 2011, we also repurchased 1.3 million ordinary shares of Carnival plc for $41 million under the Repurchase Program. During 2012 and 2010, there were no repurchases of Carnival plc ordinary shares under the Repurchase Program. At November 30, 2012, the remaining availability under the Repurchase Program was $244 million. There were 2.1 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock repurchased for $78 million under the Repurchase Program from December 1, 2012 through January 16, 2013. On January 16, 2013, the Boards of Directors increased the remaining authorization available under the Repurchase Program back to $1 billion, which was fully available at January 22, 2013.

In addition to the Repurchase Program, the Boards of Directors have authorized the repurchase of up to 19.2 million Carnival plc ordinary shares and up to 32.8 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock under the Stock Swap programs. Depending on market conditions and other factors, we may purchase shares of Carnival Corporation common stock and/or Carnival plc ordinary shares under the Repurchase Program and the Stock Swap programs concurrently. We use the Stock Swap programs in situations where we can obtain an economic benefit because either Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ordinary shares are trading at a price that is at a premium or discount to the price of Carnival plc ordinary shares or Carnival Corporation common stock, as the case may be. This economic benefit is used for general corporate purposes, which could include repurchasing additional stock under the Repurchase Program. Carnival plc ordinary share repurchases under both the Repurchase Program and the Stock Swap authorizations require annual shareholder approval. The existing shareholder approval is limited to a maximum of 21.5 million ordinary shares and is valid until the earlier of the conclusion of the Carnival plc 2013 annual general meeting or October 10, 2013. Finally, under the Stock Swap programs, any sales of the Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ordinary shares have been or will be registered under the Securities Act.

During 2012 and 2011, no Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ordinary shares were sold or repurchased under the Stock Swap programs. During 2010, Carnival Investments Limited sold 14.8 million shares of Carnival plc ordinary shares for total net proceeds of $545 million. Substantially all of the net proceeds of these sales were used to purchase 14.8 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock. During 2010, no Carnival Corporation common stock was sold and no Carnival plc ordinary shares were repurchased under the Stock Swap program. At January 22, 2013, the remaining availability under the Stock Swap programs repurchase authorizations were 18.1 million Carnival plc ordinary shares and 32.8 million Carnival Corporation common stock.

At November 30, 2012, we had liquidity of $6.0 billion. Our liquidity consisted of $195 million of cash and cash equivalents, which excludes $270 million of cash used for current operations, $2.5 billion available for borrowing under our revolving credit facilities and $3.3 billion under committed ship financings. Of this $3.3 billion of committed ship financings, $0.8 billion, $1.0 billion, $1.0 billion and $0.4 billion are scheduled to be funded in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Substantially all of our revolving credit facilities are scheduled to mature in 2016. These commitments are from numerous large and well-established banks and export credit agencies, which we believe will honor their contractual agreements with us.

In December 2012, we issued $500 million of unsecured publicly-traded notes, which bear interest at 1.9% and are due in 2017. We are using the net proceeds of these notes for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of portions of debt facilities maturing in 2013.

Substantially all of our debt agreements contain financial covenants as described in "Note 5 - Debt" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. At November 30, 2012, we believe we were in compliance with our debt covenants. In addition, based on, among other things, our forecasted operating results, financial condition and cash flows, we expect to be in compliance with our debt covenants for the foreseeable future. Generally, if an event of default under any debt agreement occurs, then pursuant to cross default acceleration clauses, substantially all of our outstanding debt and derivative contract payables could become due, and all debt and derivative contracts could be terminated.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements, including guarantee contracts, retained or contingent interests, certain derivative instruments and variable interest entities that either have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For a discussion of our hedging strategies and market risks, see the discussion below and "Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risks

Operational and Investment Currency Risks

We have $235 million of foreign currency forwards that are designated as hedges of our net investments in foreign operations, which have a euro-denominated functional currency, thus partially offsetting this foreign currency exchange rate risk. Based on a 10% hypothetical change in the U.S. dollar to euro exchange rate as of November 30, 2012, we estimate that these foreign currency forwards' fair values would change by $24 million, which would be offset by a corresponding change of $24 million in the U.S. dollar value of our net investments. In addition, based on a 10% hypothetical change in the U.S. dollar to euro, sterling and Australian dollar exchange rates as of November 30, 2012, which are the functional currencies that we translate into our U.S. dollar reporting currency, we estimate that our 2013 full year December 20, 2012 non-GAAP guidance would change by $0.20 per share.

Newbuild Currency Risks

In June 2012, we entered into foreign currency zero cost collars that are designated as cash flow hedges for a portion of Royal Princess' euro-denominated shipyard payments. These collars mature in May 2013 at a weighted-average ceiling rate of $1.30 to the euro, or $560 million, and a weighted-average floor rate of $1.19 to the euro, or $512 million. If the spot rate is between these two rates on the date of maturity, then we would not owe or receive any payments under these collars.

In July 2012, we entered into foreign currency zero cost collars that are designated as cash flow hedges for a portion of P&O Cruises (UK) newbuild's euro-denominated shipyard payments. These collars mature in February 2015 at a weighted-average ceiling rate of £0.83 to the euro, or $294 million, and a weighted-average floor rate of £0.77 to the euro, or $272 million. If the spot rate is between these two rates on the date of maturity, then we would not owe or receive any payments under these collars.

At November 30, 2012, the estimated fair value of our outstanding foreign currency zero cost collars was a net asset of $16 million. Based on a 10% hypothetical increase or decrease in the November 30, 2012 U.S. dollar and sterling rates to euro exchange rates, we estimate the fair value of these collars would increase $60 million or decrease $40 million, respectively.

At November 30, 2012, substantially all our remaining newbuild currency exchange rate risk relates to euro-denominated newbuild construction payments for Regal Princess and a portion of P&O Cruises (UK)'s newbuild. These newbuild contracts have remaining commitments of $1.1 billion. The functional currency cost of each of these ships will increase or decrease based on changes in the exchange rates until the payments are made under the shipbuilding contract, or we enter into a foreign currency hedge. Based on a 10% hypothetical change in the U.S. dollar and sterling to euro exchange rates as of November 30, 2012, the unpaid cost of these ships would have a corresponding change of $111 million.

Interest Rate Risks

At November 30, 2012, we have interest rate swaps that effectively changed $269 million of EURIBOR-based floating rate euro debt to fixed rate euro debt. Based on a 10% hypothetical change in the November 30, 2012 market interest rates, the fair value of all our debt and related interest rate swaps would change by $84 million. In addition, based on a 10% hypothetical change in the November 30, 2012 market interest rates, our annual interest expense on floating rate debt, including the effect of our interest rate swaps, would change by an insignificant amount. Substantially all of our fixed rate debt can only be called or prepaid by incurring significant costs, therefore it is unlikely we will be able to take any significant steps in the short-term to mitigate our fixed rate debt exposure in the event of a significant decrease in market interest rates.

Fuel Price Risks

Our exposure to market risk for changes in fuel prices substantially all relates to the consumption of fuel on our ships. We expect to consume approximately 3.3 million metric tons of fuel in 2013. Based on a 10% hypothetical change in our December 20, 2012 guidances' forecasted average fuel price, we estimate that our 2013 fuel expense, excluding the effect of zero cost collar fuel derivatives, would change by $230 million.

 

We use our fuel derivatives program to mitigate a portion of our economic risk attributable to potential fuel price increases. See "Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of our fuel derivatives program.

At November 30, 2012, we had fuel derivatives consisting of zero cost collars on Brent to cover a portion of our estimated fuel consumption through 2016. Based on a 10% hypothetical change in the Brent spot price used in our December 20, 2012 guidance, there would be no impact to our 2013 cash flows from realized gains and losses on our fuel derivatives as the resulting Brent price would remain within the ceiling and floor Brent prices established by these collars.

At November 30, 2012, the estimated fair value of our outstanding fuel derivative contracts was a net asset of $6 million. Based on a 10% hypothetical increase or decrease in the November 30, 2012 Brent forward price curve, we estimate the fair value of our fuel derivatives would increase $120 million or decrease $105 million, respectively.

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial data presented below for 2008 through 2012 and as of the end of each such year, except for the other statistical data, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with those consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

 


  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010



2009



2008



  

(dollars in millions, except per share, per ton and currency data)


Statements of Income Data

  




















Revenues

  

$

15,382

  


$

15,793

  


$

14,469

  


$

13,460

  


$

14,947

  

Operating income

  

$

1,642 

(a) 


$

2,255

  


$

2,347

  


$

2,154

  


$

2,729

  

Net income

  

$

1,298 

(a) 


$

1,912

  


$

1,978

  


$

1,790

  


$

2,324

  

Earnings per share

  




















Basic

  

$

1.67

  


$

2.43

  


$

2.51

  


$

2.27

  


$

2.96

  

Diluted

  

$

1.67

  


$

2.42

  


$

2.47

  


$

2.24

  


$

2.90

  

Non-GAAP Net Income (b)

  

$

1,465

  


$

1,911

  


$

1,978

  


$

1,790

  


$

2,324

  

Non-GAAP earnings per share - diluted (b)

  

$

1.88

  


$

2.42

  


$

2.47

  


$

2.24

  


$

2.90

  

Dividends declared per share

  

$

1.50 

(c) 


$

1.00

  


$

0.40

  


$

-

  


$

1.60

  

Statements of Cash Flow Data

  




















Cash provided by operating activities

  

$

2,999

  


$

3,766

  


$

3,818

  


$

3,342

  


$

3,391

  

Cash used in investing activities

  

$

1,772 

(d) 


$

2,646

  


$

3,501

  


$

3,384

  


$

3,255

  

Capital expenditures

  

$

2,332

  


$

2,696

  


$

3,579

  


$

3,380

  


$

3,353

  

Cash used in financing activities

  

$

1,190

  


$

1,093

  


$

404

  


$

93

  


$

315

  

Dividends paid

  

$

779

  


$

671

  


$

237

  


$

314

  


$

1,261

  







Other Statistical Data

  




















ALBDs (in thousands)

  


71,976

  



69,971

  



66,545

  



62,106

  



58,943

  

Passengers carried (in thousands)

  


9,829

  



9,559

  



9,147

  



8,519

  



8,183

  

Occupancy percentage

  


105.5



106.2



105.6



105.5



105.7

Fuel consumption (metric tons in thousands)

  


3,354

  



3,395

  



3,319

  



3,184

  



3,179

  

Fuel cost per metric ton consumed

  

$

710

  


$

646

  


$

489

  


$

363

  


$

558

  

Currencies

  




















U.S. dollar to €1

  

$

1.28

  


$

1.40

  


$

1.33

  


$

1.39

  


$

1.49

  

U.S. dollar to £1

  

$

1.58

  


$

1.60

  


$

1.55

  


$

1.56

  


$

1.90

  

U.S. dollar to Australian dollar

  

$

1.03

  


$

1.03

  


$

0.91

  


$

0.77

  


$

0.87

  




  

As of November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010



2009



2008



  

(dollars in millions)


Balance Sheet and Other Data

  




















Total assets

  

$

39,161

  


$

38,637

  


$

37,490

  


$

36,835

  


$

33,400

  

Total debt

  

$

8,902

  


$

9,353

  


$

9,364

  


$

10,047

  


$

9,343

  

Total shareholders' equity

  

$

23,929

  


$

23,832

  


$

23,031

  


$

22,039

  


$

19,137

  

Total debt to capital (e)

  


27.1



28.2



28.9



31.3



32.9

 

(a)

Includes $173 million of impairment charges related to Ibero's goodwill and trademarks.

(b)

For a discussion of the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

(c)

Includes a special dividend of $0.50 per share.

(d)

Net of $508 million of euro-denominated hull and machinery insurance proceeds received for the total loss of a ship.

(e)

Percentage of total debt to the sum of total debt and shareholders' equity.

 

MARKET PRICE FOR COMMON STOCK AND ORDINARY SHARES

Carnival Corporation's common stock, together with paired trust shares of beneficial interest in the P&O Princess Special Voting Trust, which holds a Special Voting Share of Carnival plc, is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CCL." Carnival plc's ordinary shares trade on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "CCL." Carnival plc's American Depository Shares ("ADSs"), each one of which represents one Carnival plc ordinary share, are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CUK." The depository for the ADSs is JPMorgan Chase Bank. The daily high and low stock sales price for the periods indicated on their primary exchange was as follows:

 


  

Carnival Corporation


  

Carnival plc



  

Per Share


  

Per Ordinary Share


  

Per ADS



  

High


  

Low


  

High


  

Low


  

High


  

Low


2012

  




  




  




  




  




  




Fourth Quarter

  

$

39.40

  

  

$

34.41

  

  

£

25.76

  

  

£

21.24

  

  

$

40.78

  

  

$

33.82

  

Third Quarter

  

$

35.61

  

  

$

30.65

  

  

£

23.21

  

  

£

20.23

  

  

$

35.99

  

  

$

31.03

  

Second Quarter

  

$

33.23

  

  

$

29.22

  

  

£

21.18

  

  

£

18.31

  

  

$

33.43

  

  

$

28.88

  

First Quarter

  

$

35.23

  

  

$

29.15

  

  

£

23.14

  

  

£

16.00

  

  

$

35.91

  

  

$

28.87

  








2011

  




  




  




  




  




  




Fourth Quarter

  

$

37.31

  

  

$

28.52

  

  

£

23.78

  

  

£

18.23

  

  

$

38.59

  

  

$

28.85

  

Third Quarter

  

$

38.83

  

  

$

29.07

  

  

£

24.83

  

  

£

16.77

  

  

$

40.06

  

  

$

28.63

  

Second Quarter

  

$

42.58

  

  

$

36.90

  

  

£

27.88

  

  

£

23.42

  

  

$

44.49

  

  

$

38.54

  

First Quarter

  

$

48.11

  

  

$

40.52

  

  

£

32.34

  

  

£

26.04

  

  

$

50.35

  

  

$

41.58

  

As of January 22, 2013, there were 3,617 holders of record of Carnival Corporation common stock and 35,072 holders of record of Carnival plc ordinary shares and 93 holders of record of Carnival plc ADSs. The past performance of our share prices cannot be relied on as a guide to their future performance.

All dividends for both Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc are declared in U.S. dollars. If declared, holders of Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ADSs receive a dividend payable in U.S. dollars. The dividends payable for Carnival plc ordinary shares are payable in sterling, unless the shareholders elect to receive the dividends in U.S. dollars. Dividends payable in sterling will be converted from U.S. dollars into sterling at the U.S. dollar to sterling exchange rate quoted by the Bank of England in London at 12:00 p.m. on the next combined U.S. and UK business day that follows the quarter end.

The payment and amount of any future dividend is within the discretion of the Boards of Directors. Our dividends were and will be based on a number of factors, including our earnings, liquidity position, financial condition, tone of business, capital requirements, credit ratings and the availability and cost of obtaining new debt. We cannot be certain that Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc will continue their dividend in the future, and if so, the amount and timing of such future dividends are not determinable and may be different than prior declarations.

 

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Our revenues from the sale of passenger tickets are seasonal. Historically, demand for cruises has been greatest during our third quarter, which includes the Northern Hemisphere summer months. This higher demand during the third quarter results in higher ticket prices and occupancy levels and, accordingly, the largest share of our operating income is earned during this period. The seasonality of our results also increases due to ships being taken out-of-service for maintenance, which we schedule during non-peak demand periods. In addition, substantially all of Holland America Princess Alaska Tours' revenue and net income is generated from May through September in conjunction with the Alaska cruise season.

Quarterly financial results for 2012 were as follows (in millions, except per share data):

 


  

Quarters Ended



  

February 29



May 31


  

August 31


  

November 30


Revenues

  

$

3,582

  


$

3,538

  

  

$

4,684

  

  

$

3,579

  

Operating (loss) income

  

$

(82

) (a) 


$

253

  

  

$

1,295

  

  

$

176

  

Net (loss) income

  

$

(139

) (a) 


$

14

  

  

$

1,330

  

  

$

93

  

(Loss) earnings per share

  








  




  




Basic

  

$

(0.18


$

0.02

  

  

$

1.71

  

  

$

0.12

  

Diluted

  

$

(0.18


$

0.02

  

  

$

1.71

  

  

$

0.12

  

Non-GAAP net income (a)(b)(c)

  

$

13

  


$

159

  

  

$

1,194

  

  

$

98

  

Non-GAAP earnings per share - diluted (c)

  

$

0.02

  


$

0.20

  

  

$

1.53

  

  

$

0.13

  

Dividends declared per share

  

$

0.25

  


$

0.25

  

  

$

0.25

  

  

$

     0.75 

(d) 

 

(a)

Includes $173 million of impairment charges related to Ibero's goodwill and trademarks, which is excluded from Non-GAAP net income.

(b)

Excludes unrealized gains and (losses) on fuel derivatives, net of $21 million, $(145) million, $136 million and $(5) million for the February, May, August and November quarter-ends, respectively.

(c)

For further discussion of the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

(d)

Includes a special dividend of $0.50 per share.

Quarterly financial results for 2011 were as follows (in millions, except per share data):

 


  

Quarters Ended



  

February 28


  

May 31


  

August 31


  

November 30


Revenues

  

$

3,419

  

  

$

3,620

  

  

$

5,058

  

  

$

3,696

  

Operating income

  

$

235

  

  

$

279

  

  

$

1,433

  

  

$

308

  

Net income

  

$

152

  

  

$

206

  

  

$

1,337

  

  

$

217

  

Earnings per share

  




  




  




  




Basic

  

$

0.19

  

  

$

0.26

  

  

$

1.69

  

  

$

0.28

  

Diluted

  

$

0.19

  

  

$

0.26

  

  

$

1.69

  

  

$

0.28

  

Non-GAAP net income (a)

  

$

152

  

  

$

206

  

  

$

1,337

  

  

$

216

  

Non-GAAP earnings per share - diluted (a)

  

$

0.19

  

  

$

0.26

  

  

$

1.69

  

  

$

0.28

  

Dividends declared per share

  

$

0.25

  

  

$

0.25

  

  

$

0.25

  

  

$

0.25

  

 

(a)

For further discussion of the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

 

 

SCHEDULE B

 

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions, except per share data)

 















  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010


Revenues

  












Cruise

  












Passenger tickets

  

$

11,658

  


$

12,158

  


$

11,084

  

Onboard and other

  


3,513

  



3,357

  



3,104

  

Tour and other

  


211

  



278

  



281

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



  


15,382

  



15,793

  



14,469

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Operating Costs and Expenses

  












Cruise

  












Commissions, transportation and other

  


2,292

  



2,461

  



2,272

  

Onboard and other

  


558

  



506

  



474

  

Fuel

  


2,381

  



2,193

  



1,622

  

Payroll and related

  


1,742

  



1,723

  



1,611

  

Food

  


960

  



965

  



869

  

Other ship operating

  


2,233

  



2,247

  



2,032

  

Tour and other

  


154

  



204

  



212

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



  


10,320

  



10,299

  



9,092

  

Selling and administrative

  


1,720

  



1,717

  



1,614

  

Depreciation and amortization

  


1,527

  



1,522

  



1,416

  

Ibero goodwill and trademark impairment charges

  


173

  



-

  



-

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



  


13,740

  



13,538

  



12,122

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Operating Income

  


1,642

  



2,255

  



2,347

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Nonoperating (Expense) Income

  












Interest income

  


10

  



11

  



12

  

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

  


(336



(365



(378

Unrealized gains on fuel derivatives, net

  


6

  



1

  



-

  

Realized losses on fuel derivatives

  


(13



-

  



-

  

Other (expense) income, net

  


(7



10

  



(2


  

 

 



 

 



 

 



  


(340



(343



(368


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Income Before Income Taxes

  


1,302

  



1,912

  



1,979

  

Income Tax Expense, Net

  


(4



-

  



(1


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Net Income

  

$

1,298

  


$

1,912

  


$

1,978

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Earnings Per Share

  












Basic

  

$

1.67

  


$

2.43

  


$

2.51

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Diluted

  

$

1.67

  


$

2.42

  


$

2.47

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Dividends Declared Per Share

  

$

1.50

  


$

1.00

  


$

0.40

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

 















  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010






Net Income

  

$

1,298

  


$

1,912

  


$

1,978

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 






Items Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  












Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

  


25

  



(24



(664

Other

  


(23



69

  



(52


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  


2

  



45

  



(716


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Total Comprehensive Income

  

$

1,300

  


$

1,957

  


$

1,262

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except par values)

 











  

November 30,



  

2012



2011


ASSETS

  








Current Assets

  








Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

465

  


$

450

  

Trade and other receivables, net

  


270

  



263

  

Insurance recoverables

  


460

  



30

  

Inventories

  


390

  



374

  

Prepaid expenses and other

  


236

  



195

  


  

 

 



 

 


Total current assets

  


1,821

  



1,312

  


  

 

 



 

 


Property and Equipment, Net

  


32,137

  



32,054

  

Goodwill

  


3,174

  



3,322

  

Other Intangibles

  


1,314

  



1,330

  

Other Assets

  


715

  



619

  


  

 

 



 

 



  

$

39,161

  


$

38,637

  


  

 

 



 

 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  








Current Liabilities

  








Short-term borrowings

  

$

56

  


$

281

  

Current portion of long-term debt

  


1,678

  



1,019

  

Accounts payable

  


549

  



576

  

Dividends payable

  


583

  



194

  

Claims reserve

  


553

  



97

  

Accrued liabilities and other

  


845

  



832

  

Customer deposits

  


3,076

  



3,106

  


  

 

 



 

 


Total current liabilities

  


7,340

  



6,105

  


  

 

 



 

 


Long-Term Debt

  


7,168

  



8,053

  

Other Long-Term Liabilities

  


724

  



647

  

Commitments and Contingencies

  








Shareholders' Equity

  








Common stock of Carnival Corporation, $0.01 par value; 1,960 shares authorized; 649 shares at 2012 and 647 shares at 2011 issued

  


6

  



6

  

Ordinary shares of Carnival plc, $1.66 par value; 215 shares at 2012 and 2011 issued

  


357

  



357

  

Additional paid-in capital

  


8,252

  



8,180

  

Retained earnings

  


18,479

  



18,349

  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  


(207



(209

Treasury stock, 55 shares at 2012 and 52 shares at 2011 of Carnival Corporation and 33 shares at 2012 and 2011 of Carnival plc, at cost

  


(2,958



(2,851


  

 

 



 

 


Total shareholders' equity

  


23,929

  



23,832

  


  

 

 



 

 



  

$

39,161

  


$

38,637

  


  

 

 



 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

 















  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010


OPERATING ACTIVITIES

  












Net income

  

$

1,298

  


$

1,912

  


$

1,978

  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

  












Depreciation and amortization

  


1,527

  



1,522

  



1,416

  

Ibero goodwill and trademark impairment charges

  


173

  



-

  



-

  

Share-based compensation

  


39

  



46

  



43

  

Losses and (gains) on fuel derivatives, net

  


7

  



(1



-

  

Other, net

  


61

  



49

  



(15

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

  












Receivables

  


(15



(43



106

  

Inventories

  


(16



(54



(12

Insurance recoverables, prepaid expenses and other

  


148

  



18

  



(14

Accounts payable

  


(24



67

  



(36

Claims reserves, accrued and other liabilities

  


(192



(41



81

  

Customer deposits

  


(7



291

  



271

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Net cash provided by operating activities

  


2,999

  



3,766

  



3,818

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


INVESTING ACTIVITIES

  












Additions to property and equipment

  


(2,332



(2,696



(3,579

Insurance proceeds for the ship

  


508

  



-

  



-

  

Other, net

  


52

  



50

  



78

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Net cash used in investing activities

  


(1,772



(2,646



(3,501


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


FINANCING ACTIVITIES

  












(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net

  


(224



(450



626

  

Principal repayments of revolvers

  


-

  



(13



(350

Proceeds from revolvers

  


-

  



8

  



94

  

Principal repayments of other long-term debt

  


(1,052



(1,237



(1,842

Proceeds from issuance of other long-term debt

  


946

  



1,696

  



1,280

  

Dividends paid

  


(779



(671



(237

Purchases of treasury stock

  


(90



(454



(524

Sales of treasury stock

  


-

  



-

  



545

  

Other, net

  


9

  



28

  



4

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Net cash used in financing activities

  


(1,190



(1,093



(404


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  


(22



(6



(22


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  


15

  



21

  



(109

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  


450

  



429

  



538

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  

$

465

  


$

450

  


$

429

  


  

 

 



 

 



 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(in millions)

 






































  

Common
stock

  

Ordinary
shares

  

Additional
paid-in
capital

  

Retained
earnings


Accumulated
other  comprehensive
income (loss)


Treasury
stock


Total
shareholders'
equity

Balances at November 30, 2009

  


$

6


  


$

354


  


$

7,920


  


$

15,561




$

462




$

(2,264

)



$

22,039


Net income

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



1,978





-





-





1,978


Other comprehensive loss

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



-





(716

)




-





(716

)

Cash dividends declared

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



(315

)




-





-





(315

)

Purchases and sales under the Stock Swap program and other

  



-


  



1


  



174


  



-





-





(130

)




45



  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 




 

 




 

 




 

 


Balances at November 30, 2010

  



6


  



355


  



8,094


  



17,224





(254

)




(2,394

)




23,031


Net income

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



1,912





-





-





1,912


Other comprehensive income

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



-





45





-





45


Cash dividends declared

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



(787

)




-





-





(787

)

Purchases of treasury stock under the Repurchase Program and other

  



-


  



2


  



86


  



-





-





(457

)




(369

)


  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 




 

 




 

 




 

 


Balances at November 30, 2011

  



6


  



357


  



8,180


  



18,349





(209

)




(2,851

)




23,832


Net income

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



1,298





-





-





1,298


Other comprehensive income

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



-





2





-





2


Cash dividends declared

  



-


  



-


  



-


  



(1,168

)




-





-





(1,168

)

Purchases of treasury stock under the Repurchase Program and other

  



-


  



-


  



72


  



-





-





(107

)




(35

)


  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 




 

 




 

 




 

 


Balances at November 30, 2012

  


$

6


  


$

357


  


$

8,252


  


$

18,479




$

(207

)



$

(2,958

)



$

23,929



  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 


  


 

 




 

 




 

 




 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - General

Description of Business

Carnival Corporation is incorporated in Panama, and Carnival plc is incorporated in England and Wales. Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc operate a dual listed company ("DLC"), whereby the businesses of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc are combined through a number of contracts and through provisions in Carnival Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and Carnival plc's Articles of Association. The two companies operate as if they are a single economic enterprise, but each has retained its separate legal identity. Each company's shares are publicly traded; on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") for Carnival Corporation and the London Stock Exchange for Carnival plc. In addition, Carnival plc American Depository Shares are traded on the NYSE. See Note 3.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc and their respective subsidiaries. Together with their consolidated subsidiaries, they are referred to collectively in these consolidated financial statements and elsewhere in this 2012 Annual Report as "Carnival Corporation & plc," "our," "us" and "we."

We are the largest cruise company and among the largest leisure travel companies in the world. Each of our ten cruise brands is an operating segment that we aggregate into either the (1) North America or (2) Europe, Australia & Asia ("EAA") reportable cruise segments (see Note 12). As of January 22, 2013, our cruise brands' summary information is as follows:

 

Cruise Brands

  

Passenger
Capacity  (a)


  

Number of
Cruise  Ships


  

Primary Markets (b)





North America

  




  




  


Carnival Cruise Lines

  


61,968

  

  


24

  

  

North America

Princess Cruises ("Princess")

  


36,912

  

  


16

  

  

North America

Holland America Line

  


23,492

  

  


15

  

  

North America

Seabourn

  


1,986

  

  


6

  

  

North America


  

 

 


  

 

 


  


North America Cruise Brands

  


124,358

  

  


61

  

  



  

 

 


  

 

 


  






EAA

  




  




  


Costa Cruises ("Costa")

  


31,720

  

  


14

  

  

Italy, France and Germany

AIDA Cruises ("AIDA")

  


16,442

  

  


9

  

  

Germany

P&O Cruises (UK)

  


14,636

  

  


7

  

  

United Kingdom ("UK")

Cunard

  


6,672

  

  


3

  

  

UK and North America

P&O Cruises (Australia)

  


4,780

  

  


3

  

  

Australia

Ibero Cruises ("Ibero")

  


4,176

  

  


3

  

  

Spain and South America


  

 

 


  

 

 


  


EAA Cruise Brands

  


78,426

  

  


39

  

  



  

 

 


  

 

 


  



  


202,784

  

  


100

  

  



  

 

 


  

 

 


  


 

(a)

In accordance with cruise business practice, passenger capacity is calculated based on the assumption of two passengers per cabin even though some cabins can accommodate three or more passengers.

(b)

Represents the primary regions or countries where guests are sourced.

NOTE 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation 

We consolidate entities over which we have control, as typically evidenced by a voting control of greater than 50% or for which we are the primary beneficiary, whereby we have the power to direct the most significant activities and the obligation to absorb significant losses or receive significant benefits from the entity (see Note 3). We do not separately present our noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements since the amounts are insignificant. For affiliates we do not control but where significant influence over financial and operating policies exists, as typically evidenced by a voting control of 20% to 50%, the investment is accounted for using the equity method.

Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our financial statements. Actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing our consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include investments with maturities of three months or less at acquisition, which are stated at cost. At November 30, 2012 and 2011, cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash on hand, money market funds and time deposits.

Inventories

Inventories consist principally of food and beverage provisions, hotel and restaurant products and supplies, fuel and gift shop and art merchandise held for resale, which are all carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted-average or first-in, first-out methods.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization were computed using the straight-line method over our estimates of average useful lives and residual values, as a percentage of original cost, as follows:

 


  

Years

  

Residual
Values




Ships

  

30


15%

Ship improvements

  

Shorter of remaining ship
life or useful life (3-28)


0% or 15%

Buildings and improvements

  

5-40


0-10%

Computer hardware and software

  

3-10


0-10%

Transportation equipment and other

  

2-20


0-10%

Leasehold improvements, including port facilities

  

Shorter of lease term or
related asset life (3-30)


-

The cruise business is very capital intensive. Each year, a capital program is developed for the improvement of our ships, as well as asset replacements to enhance efficiency of operations, gain strategic benefits or provide newer improved product offerings to our guests. Ship improvement costs that we believe add value to our ships, such as those incurred for refurbishments, safety and operational efficiencies, are capitalized to the ships and depreciated over their or the ships' estimated remaining useful life, whichever is shorter, while costs of repairs and maintenance, including minor improvement costs, are charged to expense as incurred. We capitalize interest as part of the cost of acquiring ships and other capital projects during their construction period. The specifically identified or estimated cost and accumulated depreciation of previously capitalized ship components are written-off upon retirement, which may result in a loss on disposal that is included in other ship operating expenses.

Dry-dock costs primarily represent planned major maintenance activities that are incurred when a ship is taken out-of-service for scheduled maintenance. These costs are expensed as incurred and included in other ship operating expenses.

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the assessment of possible impairment is based on our ability to recover the carrying value of our asset, which is determined by using the asset's estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If these estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess, if any, of the asset's carrying value over its estimated fair value. As it relates to our ships, the lowest level for which we maintain identifiable cash flows that are independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities is at the individual ship level.

Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business acquisitions. We review our goodwill for impairment at least annually and, when events or circumstances dictate, more frequently. All of our goodwill has been allocated to our reporting units, also referred to as "cruise brands."

In 2012, we adopted new authoritative accounting guidance that allows us to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the more detailed two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. We would perform the quantitative test if our qualitative assessment determined it is more-likely-than-not that a cruise brand's fair value is less than its carrying amount. We may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative test for any cruise brand. When performing the quantitative test, if the fair value of the cruise brand exceeds its carrying value, no further analysis or write-down of goodwill is required. However, if the fair value of the cruise brand is less than the carrying value of its net assets, the estimated fair value of the cruise brand is assigned to all its underlying assets and liabilities, including both recognized and unrecognized tangible and intangible assets, based on their fair values. If necessary, goodwill is then written down to its implied fair value.

 

Trademarks represent substantially all of our other intangibles. For certain acquisitions, we have allocated a portion of the purchase prices to the acquiree's identified trademarks. Trademarks are estimated to have an indefinite useful life and, therefore, are not amortizable, but are reviewed for impairment at least annually and, when events or circumstances dictate, more frequently.

In 2012, we also adopted new authoritative accounting guidance that allows us to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a more detailed quantitative trademark impairment test. We would perform the quantitative test if our qualitative assessment determined it was more-likely-than-not that the trademarks are impaired. We may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative test. Our trademarks would be considered impaired if their carrying value exceeds their estimated fair value. The costs of developing and maintaining our trademarks are expensed as incurred.

A significant amount of judgment is required in estimating the fair values of our cruise brands and trademarks.

Revenue and Expense Recognition

Guest cruise deposits represent unearned revenues and are initially recorded as customer deposit liabilities when received. Customer deposits are subsequently recognized as cruise revenues, together with revenues from onboard and other activities, and all associated direct costs and expenses of a voyage are recognized as cruise costs and expenses, upon completion of voyages with durations of ten nights or less and on a pro rata basis for voyages in excess of ten nights. The impact of recognizing these shorter duration cruise revenues and costs and expenses on a completed voyage basis versus on a pro rata basis is not material. Future travel discount vouchers issued to guests are recorded as a reduction of cruise passenger ticket revenues when such vouchers are utilized. Cancellation fees are recognized in cruise passenger ticket revenues at the time of the cancellation.

Our sale to guests of air and other transportation to and from airports near the home ports of our ships and the related cost of purchasing these services are recorded in cruise passenger ticket revenues and cruise transportation costs, respectively. The proceeds that we collect from the sale of third party shore excursions and on behalf of onboard concessionaires, net of the amounts remitted to them, are recorded as concession revenues in onboard and other cruise revenues. All these amounts are recognized on a completed voyage or pro rata basis as discussed above.

Cruise passenger ticket revenues include fees and taxes levied by governmental authorities and collected by us from our guests. A portion of these fees and taxes vary with guest head counts and are directly imposed on a revenue-producing arrangement. This portion of the fees and taxes is expensed in commissions, transportation and other costs when the corresponding revenues are recognized. These fees and taxes included in passenger ticket revenues and commissions, transportation and other costs were $477 million, $405 million and $346 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The remaining portion of governmental fees and taxes are also included in passenger ticket revenues but are expensed in other ship operating expenses when the corresponding revenues are recognized.

Revenues and expenses from our hotel and transportation operations, which are included in our Tour and Other segment, are recognized at the time the services are performed or expenses are incurred. Revenues from the leasing of two of our ships to an unaffiliated entity, which are also included in our Tour and Other segment, are recognized ratably over the term of the charter agreement using the straight-line method.

Insurance

We maintain insurance to cover a number of risks including, among others, illness and injury to crew, guest injuries, pollution, damages to hull and machinery for each of our ships, war risks, workers' compensation, employee health, directors and officers liability, property damages and general liabilities for third party claims. All of our insurance policies are subject to coverage limits, exclusions and deductible levels. The liabilities associated with crew illnesses and crew and guest injury claims, including all legal costs, are estimated based on the specific merits of the individual claims or actuarially estimated based on historical claims experience, loss development factors and other assumptions. While we believe our estimated accrued claims reserves are adequate, the ultimate losses may differ.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling expenses include a broad range of advertising, such as marketing and promotional expenses. Advertising is charged to expense as incurred, except for media production costs. Media production costs are recorded as prepaid expenses and charged to expense upon the first airing of the advertisement. Advertising expenses totaled $527 million in both 2012 and 2011 and $507 million in 2010. Administrative expenses represent the costs of our shoreside ship support, reservations and other administrative functions, and include, among others, salaries and related benefits, professional fees and occupancy costs, which are typically expensed as incurred.

Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions

Each business determines its functional currency by reference to its primary economic environment. We translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign operations that have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.

Revenues and expenses of these foreign operations are translated at weighted-average exchange rates for the period. Their equity is translated at historical rates and the resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), which is a separate component of shareholders' equity. Therefore, the U.S. dollar value of these non-equity translated items in our consolidated financial statements will fluctuate from period to period, depending on the changing value of the U.S. dollar versus these currencies.

 

Our underlying businesses execute transactions in a number of different currencies, principally the U.S. dollar, euro, sterling and Australian and Canadian dollars. Exchange gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities and foreign currency transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are immediately included in nonoperating earnings, unless such monetary liabilities have been designated to act as hedges of net investments in our foreign operations. These net gains or losses included in nonoperating earnings were insignificant in 2012, 2011 and 2010. In addition, the unrealized gains or losses on our long-term intercompany receivables denominated in a non-functional currency, which are not expected to be repaid in the foreseeable future and are therefore considered to form part of our net investments, are recorded as foreign currency translation adjustments, which are included as a component of AOCI.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing adjusted net income by the weighted-average number of shares, common stock equivalents and other potentially dilutive securities outstanding during each period. For earnings per share purposes, Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ordinary shares are considered a single class of shares since they have equivalent rights (see Note 3). All shares that were issuable under our previously outstanding convertible notes that had contingent share conversion features were considered outstanding for our 2010 diluted earnings per share computations, if dilutive, using the "if converted" method of accounting from the date of issuance.

Share-Based Compensation

We recognize compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards using the fair value method. Share-based compensation cost is recognized ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period or to the retirement eligibility date, if less than the vesting period, when vesting is not contingent upon any future performance. For performance-based share awards, we recognize compensation cost over the vesting period based on the probability of the performance condition being achieved over the vesting period. If the performance condition is not met, compensation expense will not be recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense will be reversed. In addition, we estimate the amount of expected forfeitures, based on historical forfeiture experience, when calculating compensation cost. If the actual forfeitures that occur are significantly different from the estimate, then we revise our estimates.

Other Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

In June 2011, authoritative guidance was issued on the presentation of comprehensive income. The guidance allows an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity and requires retrospective application. We have elected to early adopt and, accordingly, have included Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in these financial statements.

NOTE 3 - DLC Arrangement

In 2003, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc completed a DLC transaction, which implemented Carnival Corporation & plc's DLC arrangement. The contracts governing the DLC arrangement provide that Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc each continue to have separate boards of directors, but the boards and senior executive management of both companies are identical. The constitutional documents of each of the companies also provide that, on most matters, the holders of the common equity of both companies effectively vote as a single body. On specified matters where the interests of Carnival Corporation's shareholders may differ from the interests of Carnival plc's shareholders (a "class rights action" such as transactions primarily designed to amend or unwind the DLC arrangement), each shareholder body will vote separately as a class. Generally, no class rights action will be implemented unless approved by both shareholder bodies.

Upon the closing of the DLC transaction, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc also executed the Equalization and Governance Agreement, which provides for the equalization of dividends and liquidation distributions based on an equalization ratio and contains provisions relating to the governance of the DLC arrangement. Because the equalization ratio is 1 to 1, one Carnival plc ordinary share is entitled to the same distributions, subject to the terms of the Equalization and Governance Agreement, as one share of Carnival Corporation common stock. In a liquidation of either company or both companies, if the hypothetical potential per share liquidation distributions to each company's shareholders are not equivalent, taking into account the relative value of the two companies' assets and the indebtedness of each company, to the extent that one company has greater net assets so that any liquidation distribution to its shareholders would not be equivalent on a per share basis, the company with the ability to make a higher net distribution is required to make a payment to the other company to equalize the possible net distribution to shareholders, subject to certain exceptions.

 

At the closing of the DLC transaction, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc also executed deeds of guarantee. Under the terms of Carnival Corporation's deed of guarantee, Carnival Corporation has agreed to guarantee all indebtedness and certain other monetary obligations of Carnival plc that are incurred under agreements entered into on or after the closing date of the DLC transaction. The terms of Carnival plc's deed of guarantee mirror those of Carnival Corporation's. In addition, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc have each extended their respective deeds of guarantee to the other's pre-DLC indebtedness and certain other monetary obligations, or alternatively have provided standalone guarantees in lieu of utilization of these deeds of guarantee, thus effectively cross guaranteeing all Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc indebtedness and certain other monetary obligations. Each deed of guarantee provides that the creditors to whom the obligations are owed are intended third party beneficiaries of such deed of guarantee.

The deeds of guarantee are governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Isle of Man. Subject to the terms of the deeds of guarantee, the holders of indebtedness and other obligations that are subject to the deeds of guarantee will have recourse to both Carnival plc and Carnival Corporation, though a Carnival plc creditor must first make written demand on Carnival plc and a Carnival Corporation creditor on Carnival Corporation. Once the written demand is made by letter or other form of notice, the holders of indebtedness or other obligations may immediately commence an action against the relevant guarantor. Accordingly, there is no requirement under the deeds of guarantee to obtain a judgment, take other enforcement actions or wait any period of time prior to taking steps against the relevant guarantor. All actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with the deeds of guarantee must be exclusively brought in courts in England.

Under the terms of the DLC transaction documents, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc are permitted to transfer assets between the companies, make loans to or investments in each other and otherwise enter into intercompany transactions. The companies have entered into some of these types of transactions and may enter into additional transactions in the future to take advantage of the flexibility provided by the DLC arrangement, and to operate both companies as a single unified economic enterprise in the most effective manner. In addition, under the terms of the Equalization and Governance Agreement and the deeds of guarantee, the cash flows and assets of one company are required to be used to pay the obligations of the other company, if necessary.

Given our DLC arrangement, we believe that providing separate financial statements for each of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc would not present a true and fair view of the economic realities of their operations. Accordingly, separate financial statements for both Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc have not been presented.

NOTE 4 - Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following (in millions):

 


  

November 30,



  

2012



2011





Ships, including ship improvements

  

$

40,774

  


$

39,764

  

Ships under construction

  


380

  



526

  


  

 

 



 

 



  


41,154

  



40,290

  

Land, buildings and improvements, including leasehold improvements and port facilities

  


901

  



898

  

Computer hardware and software, transportation equipment and other

  


1,146

  



1,016

  


  

 

 



 

 


Total property and equipment

  


43,201

  



42,204

  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  


(11,064



(10,150


  

 

 



 

 



  

$

32,137

(a) 


$

32,054

(a) 


  

 

 



 

 


 

(a)

At November 30, 2012 and 2011, the net carrying values of ships and ships under construction for our North America, EAA, Cruise Support and Tour and Other segments were $18.0 billion, $12.8 billion, $0.2 billion and $0.1 billion and $17.9 billion, $12.8 billion, $0.2 billion and $0.1 billion, respectively.

Ships under construction include progress payments for the construction of new ships, as well as design and engineering fees, capitalized interest, construction oversight costs and various owner supplied items. Capitalized interest, substantially all on our ships under construction, amounted to $17 million, $21 million and $26 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Repairs and maintenance expenses, including minor improvement costs and dry-dock expenses, were $832 million, $830 million and $797 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and are substantially all included in other ship operating expenses.

In February 2012, Costa Allegra suffered fire damage and, accordingly, we decided to withdraw this ship from operations resulting in a $34 million impairment charge, which is included in other ship operating expenses. In addition, during 2012 we incurred $17 million for Costa Allegra incident-related expenses, which are substantially all included in other ship operating expenses. In October 2012, we sold Costa Allegra.

 

See Note 7 for a discussion of the January 2012 Costa Concordia ("the ship") incident.

During 2011, we reviewed certain of our ships for impairment since there were indicators of impairment. As a result of these reviews, in August 2011 we included $28 million of estimated impairment charges in other ship operating expenses as a result of the possible sales of Costa Marina, which was sold in November 2011, and Pacific Sun, which was sold in December 2011. We operated Pacific Sun under a bareboat charter agreement until July 2012.

In 2010, we recognized a $44 million gain on the sale of P&O Cruises (UK)'s Artemis as a reduction of other ship operating expenses. We operated Artemis under a bareboat charter agreement until April 2011.

NOTE 5 - Debt

Unsecured long-term debt and short-term borrowings consisted of the following (in millions):

 


  

November 30,



  

2012(a)



2011(a)


Long-Term Debt

  








Export Credit Facilities

  








Fixed rate, bearing interest at 4.2% to 5.5%, due through 2020 (b)

  

$

2,009

  


$

2,340

  

Euro fixed rate, bearing interest at 3.8% to 4.5%, due through 2025 (b)

  


423

  



470

  

Floating rate, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 1.3% to 1.6% (1.9% to 2.0%), due through 2024 (c)

  


1,303

  



872

  

Euro floating rate, bearing interest at EURIBOR plus 0.2% to 1.0% (0.4% to 2.0%), due through 2026 (b)(d)

  


1,516

  



1,314

  

Bank Loans

  








Fixed rate, bearing interest at 3.5% to 4.4%, due through 2015 (b)(e)(f)

  


650

  



850

  

Euro fixed rate, bearing interest at 3.9%, due in 2021 (b)

  


296

  



350

  

Floating rate, bearing interest at LIBOR plus 0.7% to 1.0% (1.0% to 1.3%), due through 2016 (b)(f)

  


700

  



500

  

Euro floating rate, bearing interest at EURIBOR plus 0.6% (0.8%), due in 2014 (b)

  


132

  



135

  

Private Placement Notes

  








Fixed rate, bearing interest at 5.9% to 6.0%, due through 2016

  


116

  



121

  

Euro fixed rate, bearing interest at 6.9% to 7.3%, due through 2018 (b)

  


185

  



247

  

Publicly-Traded Notes

  








Fixed rate, bearing interest at 6.7% to 7.2%, due through 2028

  


517

  



528

  

Euro fixed rate, bearing interest at 4.3%, due in 2013

  


971

  



997

  

Sterling fixed rate, bearing interest at 5.6%, repaid at maturity in 2012

  


-

  



314

  

Other

  


28

  



34

  

Short-Term Borrowings

  








Commercial paper, with aggregate weighted-average interest rate of 0.3%

  


-

  



162

  

Euro bank loans, with aggregate weighted-average interest rate of 1.7%

  


56

  



119

  


  

 

 



 

 


Total Debt

  


8,902

  



9,353

  

Less short-term borrowings

  


(56



(281

Less current portion of long-term debt

  


(1,678



(1,019


  

 

 



 

 


Total Long-term Debt

  

$

7,168

  


$

8,053

  


  

 

 



 

 


 

(a)

All interest rates are as of the latest balance sheet date for which there is an outstanding debt balance. The debt table does not include the impact of our foreign currency and interest rate swaps. At November 30, 2012, 58% and 42% of our debt was U.S. dollar and euro-denominated, respectively, and at November 30, 2011, 56%, 41% and 3% of our debt was U.S. dollar, euro and sterling-denominated, respectively, including the effect of foreign currency swaps. Substantially all of our fixed rate debt can only be called or prepaid by incurring significant costs. In addition, substantially all of our debt agreements, including our main revolving credit facility, contain one or more financial covenants that require us, among other things, to maintain minimum debt service coverage and minimum shareholders' equity and to limit our debt to capital and debt to equity ratios and the amounts of our secured assets and secured and other indebtedness. Generally, if an event of default under any debt agreement occurs, then pursuant to cross default acceleration clauses, substantially all of our outstanding debt and derivative contract payables (see Note 11) could become due, and all debt and derivative contracts could be terminated. At November 30, 2012, we believe we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.

(b)

Includes $3.8 billion of debt whose interest rates, and in the case of our main revolver its commitment fees, would increase upon certain downgrades in the long-term senior unsecured credit ratings of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc.

(c)

In 2012, we borrowed $560 million under an unsecured export credit facility, the proceeds of which were used to pay for a portion of Carnival Breeze's purchase price and is due in semi-annual installments through May 2024.

(d)

In 2012, we borrowed $383 million under an unsecured euro-denominated export credit facility, the proceeds of which were used to pay for a portion of AIDAmar's purchase price and is due in semi-annual installments through May 2024.

(e)

Includes a $150 million bank loan that currently carries a fixed interest rate. However, the loan can be converted to a floating interest rate at the option of the lenders.

(f)

In 2012, we borrowed $200 million under a bank loan, which is due in 2014. This bank loan was used to repay an existing $200 million unsecured fixed rate bank loan at maturity in 2012.

At November 30, 2012, the scheduled annual maturities of our debt were as follows (in millions):

 


  

Fiscal


  



  




  

2013


  

2014


  

2015


  

2016


  

2017


  

Thereafter


  

Total










Short-term borrowings

  

$

56

  

  




  




  




  




  




  

$

56

  

Long-term debt

  


1,678

  

  

$

1,615

  

  

$

1,269

  

  

$

848

  

  

$

593

  

  

$

2,843

  

  


8,846

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 



  

$

1,734

  

  

$

1,615

  

  

$

1,269

  

  

$

848

  

  

$

593

  

  

$

2,843

  

  

$

8,902

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


In December 2012, we issued $500 million of unsecured publicly-traded notes, which bear interest at 1.9% and are due in 2017. We are using the net proceeds of these notes for general corporate purposes, including repayments of portions of debt facilities maturing in 2013.

Debt issuance costs are generally amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, over the term of the debt. In addition, all debt issue discounts are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the notes.

Committed Ship Financings

We have unsecured long-term export credit committed ship financings, for which we have the option to draw in euros and/or U.S. dollars depending on the facility, in order to pay for a portion of our ships' purchase prices. These commitments, if drawn, are repayable semi-annually over 12 years. We have the option to cancel each one at specified dates prior to the underlying ship's delivery date.

At January 22, 2013, our committed ship financings are as follows:

 

Cruise Brands and Ships

  

Fiscal Year
Scheduled  for
Funding


  

Amount



  



  

(in millions)


North America

  




  




Princess

  




  




Royal Princess

  


2013

  

  

$

523

  

Regal Princess

  


2014

  

  


523

  


  




  

 

 


North America Cruise Brand

  




  


1,046

  


  




  

 

 





EAA

  




  




AIDA

  




  




AIDAstella

  


2013

  

  


310

  

Newbuild

  


2015

  

  


440

  

Newbuild

  


2016

  

  


440

  

P&O Cruises (UK)

  




  




Newbuild

  


2015

  

  


539

  

Costa

  




  




Costa Diadema

  


2014

  

  


508

  


  




  

 

 


EAA Cruise Brands

  




  


2,237

  


  




  

 

 



  




  

$

3,283

  


  




  

 

 


 

Revolving Credit Facilities

Carnival Corporation, Carnival plc and certain of Carnival plc's subsidiaries are party to a five-year multi-currency revolving credit facility for $2.4 billion (comprised of $1.6 billion, €450 million and £150 million) (the "Facility"), which expires in May 2016. The Facility currently bears interest at LIBOR/EURIBOR plus a margin of 65 basis points ("bps"). The margin varies based on changes to Carnival Corporation's and Carnival plc's long-term senior unsecured credit ratings. We are required to pay a commitment fee of 35% of the margin per annum on any undrawn portion. If more than one-third or if more than two-thirds of the Facility is drawn, we will incur an additional 15 bps or 30 bps utilization fee, respectively, on the total amount outstanding.

At November 30, 2012, we also had one other undrawn revolving credit facility for $78 million, which expires in 2015. At November 30, 2012, $2.5 billion was available under all of our revolving credit facilities.

NOTE 6 - Commitments

Ship Commitments

At November 30, 2012, we had nine ships under contract for construction with an aggregate passenger capacity of over 29,800. The estimated total cost of these ships is $5.9 billion, which includes the contract prices with the shipyards, design and engineering fees, capitalized interest, construction oversight costs and various owner supplied items. We have paid $0.4 billion through November 30, 2012 and anticipate paying $1.1 billion, $1.6 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.1 billion of the remaining estimated total costs in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Operating Leases, Port Facilities and Other Commitments

Rent expense under our operating leases, primarily for office and warehouse space, was $57 million, $59 million and $61 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

At November 30, 2012, minimum amounts payable for our operating leases, with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year, and for the annual usage of port facilities and other contractual commitments with remaining terms in excess of one year, were as follows (in millions):

 


  

Fiscal


  



  




  

2013


  

2014


  

2015


  

2016


  

2017


  

Thereafter


  

Total










Operating leases

  

$

43

  

  

$

41

  

  

$

38

  

  

$

34

  

  

$

25

  

  

$

179

  

  

$

360

  

Port facilities and other

  


135

  

  


127

  

  


121

  

  


113

  

  


105

  

  


678

  

  


1,279

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 



  

$

178

  

  

$

168

  

  

$

159

  

  

$

147

  

  

$

130

  

  

$

857

  

  

$

1,639

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


NOTE 7 - Costa Concordia

During 2012, we wrote-off the net carrying value of the ship in the amount of €381 million (or $515 million) and received €395 million (or $508 million) of hull and machinery insurance proceeds for the total loss of the ship. As a result, in 2012 we recognized €14 million (or $17 million) of proceeds in excess of the net carrying value of the ship as a reduction of other ship operating expenses. In addition, during 2012 we incurred $28 million for ship incident-related expenses that were not covered by insurance, including a $10 million insurance deductible related to third party personal injury liabilities. These ship incident-related expenses are principally included in other ship operating expenses.

As a result of the ship incident, litigation claims, enforcement actions, regulatory actions and investigations, including, but not limited to, those arising from personal injury, loss of life, loss of or damage to personal property, business interruption losses or environmental damage to any affected coastal waters and the surrounding areas, have been and may be asserted or brought against various parties, including us. The existing assertions are in their initial stages and there are significant jurisdictional uncertainties. The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time. However, we do not expect these matters to have a significant impact on our results of operations because we have insurance coverage for these types of third-party claims.

Since the ship incident, we have separately presented short-term insurance recoverables and short-term claims reserve in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At November 30, 2012, substantially all of our aggregated short-term and long-term insurance recoverables relate to crew, guest and other third party claims for the ship incident. At November 30, 2012, primarily all of our aggregated short-term and long-term claims reserves also relate to the ship incident. At November 30, 2012 and 2011, our long-term insurance recoverables and long-term claims reserve are included in other assets and other long-term liabilities, respectively, and are not material.

 

NOTE 8 - Contingencies

Litigation

In the normal course of our business, various claims and lawsuits have been filed or are pending against us. Most of these claims and lawsuits are covered by insurance and, accordingly, the maximum amount of our liability, net of any insurance recoverables, is typically limited to our self-insurance retention levels. Management believes the ultimate outcome of these claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 7 for a discussion of loss contingencies related to the ship incident.

Contingent Obligations - Lease Out and Lease Back Type ("LILO") Transactions

At November 30, 2012, Carnival Corporation had estimated contingent obligations totaling $429 million, excluding termination payments as discussed below, to participants in LILO transactions for two of its ships. At the inception of these leases, the aggregate of the net present value of these obligations was paid by Carnival Corporation to a group of major financial institutions, who agreed to act as payment undertakers and directly pay these obligations. As a result, these contingent obligations are considered extinguished and neither the funds nor the contingent obligations have been included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In the event that Carnival Corporation were to default on its contingent obligations and assuming performance by all other participants, we estimate that we would, as of November 30, 2012, be responsible for a termination payment of $40 million. In 2017, we have the right to exercise options that would terminate these LILO transactions at no cost to us.

In certain cases, if the credit ratings of the financial institutions who are directly paying the contingent obligations fall below AA-, then Carnival Corporation will be required to replace these financial institutions with other financial institutions whose credit ratings are at least AA or meet other specified credit requirements. In such circumstances, we would incur additional costs, although we estimate that they would not be material to our consolidated financial statements. For the two financial institution payment undertakers subject to this AA- credit rating threshold, one has a credit rating of AA and the other has a credit rating of AA-. If Carnival Corporation's credit rating, which is BBB+, falls below BBB, it will be required to provide a standby letter of credit for $43 million, or, alternatively, provide mortgages for this aggregate amount on these two ships.

Contingent Obligations - Indemnifications

Some of the debt contracts that we enter into include indemnification provisions that obligate us to make payments to the counterparty if certain events occur. These contingencies generally relate to changes in taxes and changes in laws that increase lender capital costs and other similar costs. The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms and were entered into in the normal course of business. There are no stated or notional amounts included in the indemnification clauses, and we are not able to estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these indemnification clauses. We have not been required to make any material payments under such indemnification clauses in the past and, under current circumstances, we do not believe a request for material future indemnification payments is probable.

NOTE 9 - Income and Other Taxes

A summary of our principal taxes and exemptions in the jurisdictions where our primary businesses are located is as follows:

U.S. Income Tax

We are primarily foreign corporations engaged in the business of operating cruise ships in international transportation. We also own and operate, among other businesses, the U.S. hotel and transportation business of Holland America Princess Alaska Tours through U.S. corporations.

Our North American cruise ship businesses and certain ship-owning subsidiaries are engaged in a trade or business within the U.S. Depending on the itinerary of any particular ship, that ship may generate income from sources within the U.S. We believe that our U.S. source income and the income of our ship-owning subsidiaries, to the extent derived from, or incidental to, the international operation of a ship or ships, is currently exempt from U.S. federal income and branch profits tax.

In general, under Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code, certain non-U.S. corporations (such as our North American cruise ship businesses) are not subject to U.S. federal income tax or branch profits tax on U.S. source income derived from, or incidental to, the international operation of a ship or ships. Applicable U.S. Treasury regulations provide in general that a foreign corporation will qualify for the benefits of Section 883 if, in relevant part, (i) the foreign country in which the foreign corporation is organized grants an equivalent exemption to corporations organized in the U.S. (an "equivalent exemption jurisdiction") and (ii) the foreign corporation meets a defined publicly-traded test. Subsidiaries of foreign corporations that are organized in an equivalent exemption jurisdiction and meet the publicly-traded test also benefit from Section 883. We believe that Panama is an equivalent exemption jurisdiction and Carnival Corporation currently qualifies as a publicly-traded corporation under the regulations. Accordingly, substantially all of Carnival Corporation's income is exempt from U.S. federal income and branch profits tax.

 

Regulations under Section 883 list items that the Internal Revenue Service does not consider to be incidental to ship operations. Among the items identified as not incidental is income from the sale of air transportation, transfers, shore excursions and pre- and post-cruise land packages to the extent earned from sources within the U.S.

We believe that the U.S. source transportation income earned by Carnival plc and its Italian resident subsidiary currently qualifies for exemption from U.S. federal income tax under applicable bilateral U.S. income tax treaties.

Our domestic U.S. operations, principally the hotel and transportation business of Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, are subject to state and federal income taxation in the U.S.

Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc and certain of their subsidiaries are subject to various U.S. state income taxes generally imposed on each state's portion of the U.S. source income subject to U.S. federal income taxes. However, the state of Alaska imposes an income tax on its allocated portion of the total income of our companies doing business in Alaska and certain of their subsidiaries.

UK and Australian Income Tax

Cunard, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Cruises (Australia) are divisions of Carnival plc and have elected to enter the UK tonnage tax regime through 2021. Companies to which the tonnage tax regime applies pay corporation taxes on profits calculated by reference to the net tonnage of qualifying ships. UK corporation tax is not chargeable under the normal UK tax rules on these brands' relevant shipping income. Relevant shipping income includes income from the operation of qualifying ships and from shipping related activities.

For a company to be eligible for the regime, it must be subject to UK corporation tax and, among other matters, operate qualifying ships that are strategically and commercially managed in the UK. Companies within UK tonnage tax are also subject to a seafarer training requirement.

Our UK non-shipping activities that do not qualify under the UK tonnage tax regime remain subject to normal UK corporation tax. Dividends received from subsidiaries of Carnival plc doing business outside the UK are generally exempt from UK corporation tax.

P&O Cruises (Australia) and all of the other cruise ships operated internationally by Carnival plc for the Australian market are exempt from Australian corporation tax by virtue of the UK/Australian income tax treaty.

Italian Income Tax

Costa, AIDA and Ibero have elected to enter the Italian tonnage tax regime through 2014 and intend to reapply for an additional ten-year period beginning 2015. Companies to which the tonnage tax regime applies pay corporation taxes on shipping profits calculated by reference to the net tonnage of qualifying ships.

Most of Costa's and AIDA's earnings not considered to be shipping profits for Italian tonnage tax purposes will be taxed at an effective tax rate of approximately 6% under the Italian tax regime since all of their ships are Italian registered.

In 2010, AIDA and Costa recognized a $30 million income tax benefit from an Italian investment incentive related to certain of their newbuild expenditures.

Portuguese, Spanish and German Income Tax

All of Ibero's ships are registered in Portugal. Provided certain local employment requirements are satisfied, most of Ibero's income that is not considered to be shipping profits for Italian tonnage tax purposes is subject to Portuguese income tax at effective rates of 5% or less through 2020. After 2020, such income will be subject to the normal Portuguese tax rate.

Ibero's Spanish operations are minimal and, therefore, its Spanish income taxes are minimal.

Substantially all of AIDA's earnings are exempt from German corporation tax by virtue of the Italy/Germany income tax treaty.

Brazilian and Chinese Income and Other Taxes

From November through March, Costa and Ibero charter certain of their ships for operation in Brazil to Brazilian subsidiaries. The subsidiaries' earnings are subject to Brazilian resident income tax, and we believe that payments these subsidiaries make to Costa and Ibero are exempt from Brazilian income tax under Brazilian domestic law and the Italy/Brazil income tax treaty.

Substantially all of Costa's income from its operations in China is exempt from Chinese corporation tax by virtue of the Italy/China Maritime tax treaty.

 

Other

We recognize income tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, based solely on their technical merits, when it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the relevant tax authority. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate resolution. All interest expense related to income tax liabilities is included in income tax expense. Based on all known facts and circumstances and current tax law, we believe that the total amount of our uncertain income tax position liabilities and related accrued interest are not material to our financial position.

We do not expect to incur income taxes on future distributions of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, no deferred income taxes have been provided for the distribution of these earnings. In addition to or in place of income taxes, virtually all jurisdictions where our ships call impose taxes and/or fees based on guest counts, ship tonnage, passenger capacity or some other measure, and these taxes and fees are included in commissions, transportation and other costs and other ship operating expenses.

NOTE 10 - Shareholders' Equity

Carnival Corporation's Articles of Incorporation authorize its Board of Directors, at its discretion, to issue up to 40 million shares of preferred stock. At November 30, 2012 and 2011, no Carnival Corporation preferred stock had been issued and only a nominal amount of Carnival plc preference shares had been issued. In September 2007, our Boards of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $1 billion of Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ordinary shares subject to certain restrictions (the "Repurchase Program"). The Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and may be discontinued by our Boards of Directors at any time.

During 2012 and 2011, we repurchased 2.6 million and 13.5 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock for $90 million and $413 million, respectively, under the Repurchase Program. During 2010, there were no repurchases of Carnival Corporation common stock under the Repurchase Program. In addition, during 2011, Carnival Investments Limited, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, also repurchased 1.3 million ordinary shares of Carnival plc for $41 million under the Repurchase Program. During 2012 and 2010, there were no repurchases of Carnival plc ordinary shares under the Repurchase Program. At November 30, 2012, the remaining availability under the Repurchase Program was $244 million. There were 2.1 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock repurchased for $78 million under the Repurchase Program from December 1, 2012 through January 16, 2013. On January 16, 2013, the Boards of Directors increased the remaining authorization available under the Repurchase Program back to $1 billion, which was fully available at January 22, 2013.

In addition to the Repurchase Program, the Boards of Directors have authorized the repurchase of up to 19.2 million Carnival plc ordinary shares and up to 32.8 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock under the Stock Swap programs described below. Depending on market conditions and other factors, we may purchase shares of Carnival Corporation common stock and/or Carnival plc ordinary shares under the Repurchase Program and the Stock Swap programs concurrently. We use the Stock Swap programs in situations where we can obtain an economic benefit because either Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ordinary shares are trading at a price that is at a premium or discount to the price of Carnival plc ordinary shares or Carnival Corporation common stock, as the case may be. This economic benefit is used for general corporate purposes, which could include repurchasing additional stock under the Repurchase Program. Carnival plc ordinary share repurchases under both the Repurchase Program and the Stock Swap authorizations require annual shareholder approval. At January 22, 2013, the remaining availability under the Stock Swap programs repurchase authorizations were 18.1 million Carnival plc ordinary shares and 32.8 million Carnival Corporation common stock.

During 2012 and 2011, no Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ordinary shares were sold or repurchased under the Stock Swap programs. In 2010, we sold 14.8 million shares of Carnival plc ordinary shares held as treasury stock for $545 million of net proceeds. In 2010, substantially all of these net proceeds were used to fund the repurchase of 14.8 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock. We sold Carnival plc ordinary shares held in treasury, only to the extent we were able to purchase shares of Carnival Corporation in the U.S. on at least an equivalent basis under the Stock Swap program.

At November 30, 2012, there were 25 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock reserved for issuance under its employee benefit and dividend reinvestment plans. In addition, Carnival plc shareholders have authorized 18.8 million ordinary shares for future issuance under its employee benefit plans.

On November 15, 2012, our Boards of Directors declared a special dividend to holders of Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ordinary shares of $0.50 per share, or $0.4 billion, which was paid in December 2012. The special dividend was in addition to our $0.25 per share regular 2012 quarterly dividend.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss was as follows (in millions):

 


  

November 30,



  

2012



2011





Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments, net

  

$

(98


$

(123

Unrecognized pension expenses

  


(125



(96

Unrealized loss on marketable security

  


(13



(17

Net gains on cash flow derivative hedges

  


29

  



27

  


  

 

 



 

 



  

$

(207


$

(209


  

 

 



 

 


NOTE 11 - Fair Value Measurements, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Fair Value Measurements

U.S. accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 


Level 1 measurements are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Valuation of these items does not entail a significant amount of judgment.


Level 2 measurements are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active or market data other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities.


Level 3 measurements are based on unobservable data that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between independent and knowledgeable market participants at the measurement date. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, our own assumptions are set to reflect those that we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

The fair value measurement of a financial asset or financial liability must reflect the nonperformance risk of the counterparty and us. Therefore, the impact of our counterparty's creditworthiness was considered when in an asset position, and our creditworthiness was considered when in a liability position in the fair value measurement of our financial instruments. Creditworthiness did not have a significant impact on the fair values of our financial instruments at November 30, 2012 and 2011. Both the counterparties and we are expected to continue to perform under the contractual terms of the instruments. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, certain estimates of fair values presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current or future market exchange.

Financial Instruments that are not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The estimated carrying and fair values and basis of valuation of our financial instrument assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in millions):

 


  

November 30, 2012


  

November 30, 2011



  

Carrying
Value


  

Fair Value


  

Carrying
Value


  

Fair Value



  

  

Level 1


  

Level 2


  

  

Level 1


  

Level 2


Assets

  




  




  




  




  




  




Cash and cash equivalents (a)

  

$

269

  

  

$

269

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

358

  

  

$

358

  

  

$

-

  

Long-term other assets (b)

  


39

  

  


1

  

  


36

  

  


42

  

  


2

  

  


39

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Total

  

$

308

  

  

$

270

  

  

$

36

  

  

$

400

  

  

$

360

  

  

$

39

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 









Liabilities

  




  




  




  




  




  




Fixed rate debt (c)

  

$

5,195

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

5,825

  

  

$

6,251

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

6,715

  

Floating rate debt (c)

  


3,707

  

  


-

  

  


3,706

  

  


3,102

  

  


-

  

  


3,057

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Total

  

$

8,902

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

9,531

  

  

$

9,353

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

9,772

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


 

(a)

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash on hand and time deposits and, due to their short maturities, the carrying values approximate their fair values.

(b)

At November 30, 2012 and 2011, substantially all of our long-term other assets were comprised of notes and other receivables. The fair values of notes and other receivables were based on estimated future cash flows discounted at appropriate market interest rates.

(c)

The net difference between the fair value of our fixed rate debt and its carrying value was due to the market interest rates in existence at November 30, 2012 and 2011 being lower than the fixed interest rates on these debt obligations, including the impact of changes in our credit ratings, if any. The net difference between the fair value of our floating rate debt and its carrying value was due to the market interest rates in existence at November 30, 2012 and 2011 being slightly higher than the floating interest rates on these debt obligations, including the impact of changes in our credit ratings, if any. The fair values of our publicly-traded notes were based on their unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets. The fair values of our other debt were estimated based on appropriate market interest rates being applied to this debt.

Financial Instruments that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The estimated fair value and basis of valuation of our financial instrument assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in millions):

 


  

November 30, 2012


  

November 30, 2011



  

Level 1


  

Level 2


  

Level 1


  

Level 2


Assets

  




  




  




  




Cash equivalents (a)

  

$

196

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

92

  

  

$

-

  

Restricted cash (b)

  


28

  

  


-

  

  


11

  

  


-

  

Marketable securities held in rabbi trusts (c)

  


104

  

  


16

  

  


98

  

  


18

  

Derivative financial instruments (d)

  


-

  

  


48

  

  


-

  

  


6

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Total

  

$

328

  

  

$

64

  

  

$

201

  

  

$

24

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 







Liabilities

  




  




  




  




Derivative financial instruments (d)

  

$

-

  

  

$

43

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

12

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Total

  

$

-

  

  

$

43

  

  

$

-

  

  

$

12

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


 

(a)

Cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds.

(b)

Restricted cash is comprised of money market funds.

(c)

Level 1 and 2 marketable securities are held in rabbi trusts and are primarily comprised of frequently-priced mutual funds invested in common stocks and other investments, respectively. Their use is restricted to funding certain deferred compensation and non-qualified U.S. pension plans.

(d)

See "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" section below for detailed information regarding our derivative financial instruments.

We measure our derivatives using valuations that are calibrated to the initial trade prices. Subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs and other variables included in the valuation models such as interest rate, yield and commodity price curves, forward currency exchange rates, credit spreads, maturity dates, volatilities and netting arrangements. We use the income approach to value derivatives for foreign currency options and forwards, interest rate swaps and fuel derivatives using observable market data for all significant inputs and standard valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount, assuming that participants are motivated, but not compelled to transact. We also corroborate our fair value estimates using valuations provided by our counterparties.

Nonfinancial Instruments that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The reconciliation of the changes in the carrying amounts of our goodwill, which goodwill has been allocated to our North America and EAA cruise brands, was as follows (in millions):

 


  

North America
Cruise Brands


  

EAA
Cruise Brands



Total






Balance at November 30, 2010

  

$

1,898

  

  

$

1,422

  


$

3,320

  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  


-

  

  


2

  



2

  


  

 

 


  

 

 



 

 


Balance at November 30, 2011

  


1,898

  

  


1,424

  



3,322

  

Ibero goodwill impairment charge (a)

  


-

  

  


(153



(153

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  


-

  

  


5

  



5

  


  

 

 


  

 

 



 

 


Balance at November 30, 2012

  

$

1,898

  

  

$

1,276

  


$

3,174

  


  

 

 


  

 

 



 

 


 

(a)

At February 29, 2012, given the current state of the Spanish economy and considering the low level of Ibero estimated fair value in excess of its carrying value, we performed an interim impairment review of Ibero's goodwill. The interim discounted future cash flow analysis that was used to estimate Ibero's fair value was primarily impacted by slower than anticipated Ibero capacity growth. As a result, Ibero's estimated fair value no longer exceeded its carrying value. Accordingly, we proceeded to step two of the impairment test and recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $153 million during the first quarter of 2012, which represented Ibero's entire goodwill balance. At November 30, 2012, accumulated goodwill impairment charges were $153 million.

 

At July 31, 2012, all of our cruise brands carried goodwill, except for Ibero and Seabourn. We performed our annual impairment test as of July 31, 2012, which included performing a qualitative assessment for all cruise brands that carried goodwill, except for Costa. Qualitative factors such as industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions, changes to the weighted-average cost of capital ("WACC"), overall financial performance and changes in fuel were considered in the qualitative assessment to determine how changes in these factors would affect each of these cruise brands' estimated fair values. Based on our qualitative assessments, we determined it was more-likely-than-not that each of these cruise brands' estimated fair values exceeded their carrying values and, therefore, we did not proceed to the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test.

As of July 31, 2012, we also performed our annual goodwill impairment test of Costa's goodwill. We did not perform a qualitative assessment but instead proceeded directly to step one of the two-step goodwill impairment test and compared Costa's estimated fair value to the carrying value of its allocated net assets. Costa's estimated cruise brand fair value was based on a discounted future cash flow analysis. The principal assumptions used in our cash flow analysis related to forecasting future operating results, include net revenue yields, net cruise costs including fuel prices, capacity changes, including the expected deployment of vessels into, or out of, Costa, WACC for comparable publicly-traded companies, adjusted for the risk attributable to the geographic regions in which Costa operates and terminal values, which are all considered level 3 inputs. Based on the discounted cash flow analysis, we determined that Costa's estimated fair value significantly exceeded its carrying value and, therefore, we did not proceed to step two of the impairment test.

The reconciliation of the changes in the carrying amounts of our intangible assets not subject to amortization, which represent trademarks that have been allocated to our North America and EAA cruise brands, was as follows (in millions):

 


  

North America
Cruise Brands


  

EAA
Cruise Brands



Total






Balance at November 30, 2010

  

$

927

  

  

$

384

  


$

1,311

  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  


-

  

  


2

  



2

  


  

 

 


  

 

 



 

 


Balance at November 30, 2011

  


927

  

  


386

  



1,313

  

Ibero trademarks impairment charge (a)

  


-

  

  


(20



(20

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  


-

  

  


6

  



6

  


  

 

 


  

 

 



 

 


Balance at November 30, 2012

  

$

927

  

  

$

372

  


$

1,299

  


  

 

 


  

 

 



 

 


 

(a)

At February 29, 2012, we also performed an interim impairment test of Ibero's trademarks, which resulted in a $20 million impairment charge, based on the reduction of revenues primarily as a result of slower than anticipated Ibero capacity growth and a lower estimated royalty rate, which are all considered level 3 inputs. At November 30, 2012, Ibero's remaining trademark carrying values are not significant.

At July 31, 2012, our cruise brands that have significant trademarks recorded include AIDA, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK) and Princess. We performed our annual trademark impairment reviews for these cruise brands as of July 31, 2012, which included performing a qualitative assessment. Qualitative factors such as industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions, changes to the WACC, changes to the royalty rates and overall financial performance were considered in the qualitative assessment to determine how changes in these factors would affect the estimated fair values for each of our cruise brands' recorded trademarks. Based on our qualitative assessments, we determined it was more likely-than-not that the estimated fair value for each of these cruise brands' recorded trademarks exceeded their carrying value, and therefore, none of these trademarks were impaired.

The determination of our cruise brand and trademark fair values includes numerous assumptions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. We believe that we have made reasonable estimates and judgments in determining whether our goodwill and trademarks have been impaired. However, if there is a material change in assumptions used or if there is a material change in the conditions or circumstances influencing fair values, then we may need to recognize a material impairment charge.

There have not been any events or circumstances subsequent to July 31, 2012, which we believe would require us to perform an interim goodwill or trademark impairment test.

At November 30, 2012 and 2011, our intangible assets subject to amortization are not significant to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We utilize derivative and nonderivative financial instruments, such as foreign currency forwards, options and swaps, foreign currency debt obligations and foreign currency cash balances, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in certain foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate exposure in order to achieve a desired proportion of fixed and floating rate debt. In November 2011, we implemented a fuel derivatives program to mitigate a portion of the risk to our future cash flows attributable to potential fuel price increases, which we define as our "economic risk." Our policy is to not use any financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

All derivatives are recorded at fair value. The changes in fair value are immediately included in earnings if the derivatives do not qualify as effective hedges, or if we do not seek to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, such as for our fuel derivatives. If a derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, then changes in the fair value of the derivative are offset against the changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged item. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, then the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized as a component of AOCI until the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings or the forecasted transaction is no longer probable. If a derivative or a nonderivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of our net investment in a foreign operation, then changes in the fair value of the financial instrument are recognized as a component of AOCI to offset a portion of the change in the translated value of the net investment being hedged, until the investment is sold or liquidated. We formally document hedging relationships for all derivative and nonderivative hedges and the underlying hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transactions.

We classify the fair values of all our derivative contracts as either current or long-term, depending on whether the maturity date of the derivative contract is within or beyond one year from the balance sheet date. The cash flows from derivatives treated as hedges are classified in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same category as the item being hedged. Our cash flows related to fuel derivatives are classified within investing activities.

The estimated fair values of our derivative financial instruments and their location on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):

 


  


  

November 30,



  

Balance Sheet Location

  

2012


  

2011


Derivative assets

  


  




  




Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

  


  




  




Net investment hedges (a)

  

Prepaid expenses and other

  

$

1

  

  

$

-

  


  

Other assets - long-term

  


6

  

  


3

  

Foreign currency zero cost collars (b)

  

Prepaid expenses and other

  


11

  

  


-

  


  

Other assets - long-term

  


5

  

  


-

  

Interest rate swaps (c)

  

Prepaid expenses and other

  


-

  

  


2

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 



  


  


23

  

  


5

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 


Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

  


  




  




Fuel (d)

  

Other assets - long-term

  


25

  

  


1

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 


Total derivative assets

  


  

$

48

  

  

$

6

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 






Derivative liabilities

  


  




  




Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

  


  




  




Net investment hedges (a)

  

Accrued liabilities and other

  

$

-

  

  

$

1

  

Interest rate swaps (c)

  

Accrued liabilities and other

  


7

  

  


5

  


  

Other long-term liabilities

  


17

  

  


6

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 



  


  


24

  

  


12

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 


Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

  


  




  




Fuel (d)

  

Accrued liabilities and other

  


16

  

  


-

  


  

Other long-term liabilities

  


3

  

  


-

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 



  


  


19

  

  


-

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 


Total derivative liabilities

  


  

$

43

  

  

$

12

  


  


  

 

 


  

 

 


 

(a)

At November 30, 2012 and 2011, we had foreign currency forwards totaling $235 million and $183 million, respectively, that are designated as hedges of our net investments in foreign operations, which have a euro-denominated functional currency. At November 30, 2012, $91 million of our foreign currency forwards matured in January 2013 and $144 million mature through July 2017.

(b)

At November 30, 2012, we had foreign currency derivatives consisting of foreign currency zero cost collars totaling $842 million that are designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges for a portion of our euro-denominated shipbuilding payments. See "Newbuild Currency Risks" below for additional information regarding these derivatives.

(c)

We have euro interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges whereby we receive floating interest rate payments in exchange for making fixed interest rate payments. At November 30, 2012 and 2011, these interest rate swap agreements effectively changed $269 million and $320 million, respectively, of EURIBOR-based floating rate euro debt to fixed rate debt. These interest rate swaps mature through February 2022. In addition, at November 30, 2011 we had both U.S. dollar and sterling interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges whereby we received fixed interest rate payments in exchange for making floating interest rate payments. These interest rate swap agreements effectively changed $510 million of fixed rate debt to U.S. dollar LIBOR or GBP LIBOR-based floating rate debt. The U.S. dollar and sterling interest rate swaps matured in February 2012 and June 2012, respectively.

(d)

At November 30, 2012, we had fuel derivatives consisting of zero cost collars on Brent crude oil ("Brent") to cover a portion of our estimated fuel consumption through 2016. See "Fuel Price Risks" below for additional information regarding these fuel derivatives. At November 30, 2011, we had fuel derivatives consisting of zero cost collars on Brent to cover 10% of our estimated fuel consumption for the second half of 2012 through 2015.

The effective portions of our derivatives qualifying and designated as hedging instruments recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in millions):

 


  

November 30,



  

2012



2011



2010


Net investment hedges

  

$

48

  


$

(13


$

84

  

Foreign currency zero cost collars - cash flow hedges

  

$

16

  


$

76

  


$

(58

Interest rate swaps - cash flow hedges

  

$

(11


$

(4


$

(6

In 2010, we recognized a gain of $18 million on foreign currency forwards that were not designated as hedges, which we entered into for treasury management purposes. The gain on these foreign currency forwards included in nonoperating other income was offset by the loss incurred on the remeasurement of a non-functional currency monetary liability, which was also included in nonoperating other income.

There are no credit risk related contingent features in our derivative agreements, except for bilateral credit provisions within our fuel derivative counterparty agreements. These provisions require interest-bearing, non-restricted cash to be posted or received as collateral to the extent the fuel derivative fair value payable to or receivable from an individual counterparty, respectively, exceeds $100 million. At November 30, 2012 and 2011, no collateral was required to be posted to or received from our fuel derivative counterparties.

The amount of estimated cash flow hedges' unrealized gains and losses that are expected to be reclassified to earnings in the next twelve months is not significant. We have not provided additional disclosures of the impact that derivative instruments and hedging activities have on our consolidated financial statements as of November 30, 2012 and 2011 and for the years ended November 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010 where such impacts were not significant.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risks

Overall Strategy

We manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates through our normal operating and financing activities, including netting certain exposures to take advantage of any natural offsets and, when considered appropriate, through the use of derivative and nonderivative financial instruments. Our primary focus is to manage the economic foreign currency exchange risks faced by our operations, which are the ultimate foreign currency exchange risks that would be realized by us if we exchanged one currency for another, and not accounting risks. Accordingly, we do not currently hedge foreign currency exchange accounting risks with derivative financial instruments. The financial impacts of the hedging instruments we do employ generally offset the changes in the underlying exposures being hedged.

Operational and Investment Currency Risks

Our European and Australian cruise brands subject us to foreign currency translation risk related to the euro, sterling and Australian dollar because these brands generate significant revenues and incur significant expenses in euro, sterling or the Australian dollar. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations of the euro, sterling and Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar will affect our reported financial results since the reporting currency for our consolidated financial statements is the U.S. dollar. Any strengthening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies has the financial statement effect of decreasing the U.S. dollar values reported for cruise revenues and expenses. Any weakening of the U.S. dollar has the opposite effect.

Most of our brands also have non-functional currency risk related to their international sales operations, which has become an increasingly larger part of most of their businesses over time, and primarily includes the euro, sterling and Australian, Canadian and U.S. dollars. In addition, all of our brands have non-functional currency expenses for a portion of their operating expenses. Accordingly, these brands' revenues and expenses in non-functional currencies create some degree of natural offset for recognized transactional currency gains and losses due to currency exchange movements.

 

We consider our investments in foreign operations to be denominated in relatively stable currencies and of a long-term nature. We partially mitigate our net investment currency exposures by denominating a portion of our foreign currency third-party debt and foreign currency intercompany payables in our foreign operations' functional currencies, generally the euro or sterling. As of November 30, 2012 and 2011, we have designated $1.8 billion of our foreign currency intercompany payables and $3.6 billion for our foreign currency third-party debt and intercompany payables, respectively, as nonderivative hedges of our net investments in foreign operations. Accordingly, we have included $243 million and $204 million of cumulative foreign currency transaction nonderivative gains in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI at November 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which offsets a portion of the losses recorded in AOCI upon translating our foreign operations' net assets into U.S. dollars. During 2012, 2011 and 2010, we recognized foreign currency nonderivative transaction gains of $39 million, $21 million and $271 million, respectively, in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI.

Newbuild Currency Risks

Our shipbuilding contracts are typically denominated in euros. Our decisions regarding whether or not to hedge a non-functional currency ship commitment for our cruise brands are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the amount and duration of the exposure, market volatility, currency exchange rate correlation, economic trends, our overall expected net cash flows by currency and other offsetting risks. We use foreign currency derivative contracts and have used nonderivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk for some of our ship construction payments.

In June 2012, we entered into foreign currency zero cost collars that are designated as cash flow hedges for a portion of Royal Princess' euro-denominated shipyard payments. These collars mature in May 2013 at a weighted-average ceiling rate of $1.30 to the euro, or $560 million, and a weighted-average floor rate of $1.19 to the euro, or $512 million. If the spot rate is between these two rates on the date of maturity, then we would not owe or receive any payments under these collars.

In July 2012, we entered into foreign currency zero cost collars that are designated as cash flow hedges for a portion of P&O Cruises (UK) newbuild's euro-denominated shipyard payments. These collars mature in February 2015 at a weighted-average ceiling rate of £0.83 to the euro, or $294 million, and a weighted-average floor rate of £0.77 to the euro, or $272 million. If the spot rate is between these two rates on the date of maturity, then we would not owe or receive any payments under these collars.

At November 30, 2012, substantially all of our remaining newbuild currency exchange rate risk relates to euro-denominated newbuild construction payments for Regal Princess and a portion of P&O Cruises (UK)'s newbuild, which represent a total commitment of $1.1 billion.

The cost of shipbuilding orders that we may place in the future that is denominated in a different currency than our cruise brands' or the shipyards' functional currency is expected to be affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. These foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations may affect our desire to order new cruise ships.

Interest Rate Risks

We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through our investment and debt portfolio management strategies. These strategies include purchasing high quality short-term investments with floating interest rates, and evaluating our debt portfolio as to whether to make periodic adjustments to the mix of fixed and floating rate debt through the use of interest rate swaps and the issuance of new debt or the early retirement of existing debt. At November 30, 2012, 61% and 39% (65% and 35% at November 30, 2011) of our debt bore fixed and floating interest rates, respectively, including the effect of interest rate swaps.

Fuel Price Risks

Our exposure to market risk for changes in fuel prices substantially all relate to the consumption of fuel on our ships. We use our fuel derivatives program to mitigate a portion of our economic risk attributable to potential fuel price increases. We designed our fuel derivatives program to maximize operational flexibility by utilizing derivative markets with significant trading liquidity and our program currently consists of zero cost collars on Brent.

These derivatives are based on Brent prices whereas the actual fuel used on our ships is marine fuel. Changes in the Brent prices may not show a high degree of correlation with changes in our underlying marine fuel prices. We will not realize any economic gain or loss upon the monthly maturities of our zero cost collars unless the average monthly price of Brent is above the ceiling price or below the floor price. We believe that these derivatives will act as economic hedges, however hedge accounting is not applied. As part of our fuel derivatives program, we will continue to evaluate various derivative products and strategies.

 

At November 30, 2012, our outstanding fuel derivatives consisted of zero cost collars on Brent to cover a portion of our estimated fuel consumption as follows:

 

Maturities (a)

  

Transaction
Dates

  

Barrels
(in  thousands)


  

Weighted-Average
Floor  Prices


  

Weighted-Average
Ceiling  Prices


  

Percent of Estimated
Fuel  Consumption
Covered

Fiscal 2013

  


  




  




  




  



  

November 2011

  


2,112

  

  

$

74

  

  

$

132

  

  



  

February 2012

  


2,112

  

  

$

98

  

  

$

127

  

  



  

March 2012

  


4,224

  

  

$

100

  

  

$

130

  

  



  


  

 

 


  




  




  



  


  


8,448

  

  




  




  

40%


  


  

 

 


  




  




  








Fiscal 2014

  


  




  




  




  



  

November 2011

  


2,112

  

  

$

71

  

  

$

128

  

  



  

February 2012

  


2,112

  

  

$

88

  

  

$

125

  

  



  

June 2012

  


2,376

  

  

$

71

  

  

$

116

  

  



  


  

 

 


  




  




  



  


  


6,600

  

  




  




  

32%


  


  

 

 


  




  




  








Fiscal 2015

  


  




  




  




  



  

November 2011

  


2,160

  

  

$

71

  

  

$

125

  

  



  

February 2012

  


2,160

  

  

$

80

  

  

$

125

  

  



  

June 2012

  


1,236

  

  

$

74

  

  

$

110

  

  



  


  

 

 


  




  




  



  


  


5,556

  

  




  




  

26%


  


  

 

 


  




  




  








Fiscal 2016

  

June 2012

  


3,564

  

  

$

75

  

  

$

108

  

  

17%


  


  

 

 


  




  




  


 

(a)

Fuel derivatives mature evenly over each month within the above fiscal periods.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

As part of our ongoing control procedures, we monitor concentrations of credit risk associated with financial and other institutions with which we conduct significant business. Our maximum exposure under foreign currency and fuel derivative contracts and interest rate swap agreements that are in-the-money, which were not significant at November 30, 2012, is the replacement cost, net of any collateral received, in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the contracts, all of which are currently our lending banks. We seek to minimize credit risk exposure, including counterparty nonperformance primarily associated with our cash equivalents, investments, committed financing facilities, contingent obligations, derivative instruments, insurance contracts and new ship progress payment guarantees, by normally conducting business with large, well-established financial institutions, insurance companies and export credit agencies, and by diversifying our counterparties. In addition, we have guidelines regarding credit ratings and investment maturities that we follow to help safeguard liquidity and minimize risk. We normally do require collateral and/or guarantees to support notes receivable on significant asset sales, long-term ship charters and new ship progress payments to shipyards. We currently believe the risk of nonperformance by any of our significant counterparties is remote.

We also monitor the creditworthiness of travel agencies and tour operators in Europe and credit card providers to which we extend credit in the normal course of our business. Our credit exposure includes contingent obligations related to cash payments received directly by travel agents and tour operators for cash collected by them on cruise sales in most of Europe where we are obligated to extend credit in a like amount to these guests even if we do not receive payment from the travel agents or tour operators. Concentrations of credit risk associated with these receivables and contingent obligations are not considered to be material, primarily due to the large number of unrelated accounts within our customer base, the amount of these contingent obligations and their short maturities. We have experienced only minimal credit losses on our trade receivables and related contingent obligations. We do not normally require collateral or other security to support normal credit sales.

NOTE 12 - Segment Information

We have three reportable cruise segments that are comprised of our (1) North America cruise brands, (2) EAA cruise brands and (3) Cruise Support. In addition, we have a Tour and Other segment. Our segments are reported on the same basis as the internally reported information that is provided to our chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), who is the Chairman of the Boards of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc. Decisions to allocate resources and assess performance for Carnival Corporation & plc are taken by the CODM upon review of the segment results across all of our cruise brands and other segments.

Our North America cruise segment includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess and Seabourn. Our EAA cruise segment includes AIDA, Costa, Cunard, Ibero, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK). These individual cruise brand operating segments have been aggregated into two reportable segments based on the similarity of their economic and other characteristics, including types of customers, regulatory environment, maintenance requirements, supporting systems and processes and products and services they provide. Our Cruise Support segment represents certain of our port and related facilities and other corporate-wide services that are provided for the benefit of our cruise brands. Our Tour and Other segment represents the hotel and transportation operations of Holland America Princess Alaska Tours and two of our ships that we charter to an unaffiliated entity. The significant accounting policies of our segments are the same as those described in Note 2 - "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."

 

Selected information for our Cruise and Tour and Other segments as of and for the years ended November 30 was as follows (in millions):

 
































Revenues



Operating
expenses



Selling
and
administrative



Depreciation
and
amortization



Operating
income  (loss)



Capital
expenditures



Total
assets


2012





























North America Cruise Brands (a)


$

9,364

  


$

6,240

  


$

949

  


$

898

  


$

1,277

  


$

990

  


$

21,893

  

EAA Cruise Brands



5,827

  



4,010

  



650

  



561

  



433

(b) 



1,291

  



15,894

  

Cruise Support



86

  



22

  



114

  



28

  



(78



33

  



888

  

Tour and Other (a)



211

  



154

  



7

  



40

  



10

  



18

  



486

(c) 

Intersegment elimination (a)



(106



(106



-

  



-

  



-

  



-

  



-

  



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 




$

15,382

  


$

10,320

  


$

1,720

  


$

1,527

  


$

1,642

  


$

2,332

  


$

39,161

  



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 










2011





























North America Cruise Brands (a)


$

8,921

  


$

5,848

  


$

938

  


$

869

  


$

1,266

  


$

1,232

  


$

21,642

  

EAA Cruise Brands



6,504

  



4,244

  



655

  



579

  



1,026

  



1,380

  



15,626

  

Cruise Support



90

  



3

  



103

  



31

  



(47



68

  



795

  

Tour and Other (a)



392

  



318

  



21

  



43

  



10

  



16

  



574

(c) 

Intersegment elimination (a)



(114



(114



-

  



-

  



-

  



-

  



-

  



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 




$

15,793

  


$

10,299

  


$

1,717

  


$

1,522

  


$

2,255

  


$

2,696

  


$

38,637

  



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 










2010





























North America Cruise Brands (a)


$

8,379

  


$

5,294

  


$

902

  


$

843

  


$

1,340

  


$

1,082

  


$

21,239

  

EAA Cruise Brands



5,730

  



3,572

  



584

  



505

  



1,069

  



2,260

  



14,849

  

Cruise Support



79

  



14

  



98

  



27

  



(60



218

  



802

  

Tour and Other (a)



403

  



334

  



30

  



41

  



(2



19

  



600

(c) 

Intersegment elimination (a)



(122



(122



-

  



-

  



-

  



-

  



-

  



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 




$

14,469

  


$

9,092

  


$

1,614

  


$

1,416

  


$

2,347

  


$

3,579

  


$

37,490

  



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


 

(a)

In 2011 and 2010, a portion of Tour and Other segment revenues included revenues for the cruise portion of a tour when a cruise was sold along with a land tour package by Holland America Princess Alaska Tours. These intersegment cruise revenues, which were included in our North America cruise brands' segment, were eliminated directly against the Tour and Other segment revenues and operating expenses in the line "Intersegment elimination."

In 2012, the Tour and Other segment no longer includes revenues for the cruise portion of a tour. However, a portion of the North America cruise brands' segment revenues include revenues for the tour portion of a cruise when a land tour package is sold along with a cruise by Holland America Line and Princess. These intersegment tour revenues, which are included in our Tour and Other segment, are eliminated directly against the North America cruise brands' segment revenues and operating expenses in the line "Intersegment elimination."

This change in 2012 from prior years is referred to as "the change in the accounting for our North America cruise brands and Tour and Other segments" and did not have a significant impact on either of these segments' 2012, 2011 and 2010 operating income.

(b)

Includes $173 million of impairment charges related to Ibero's goodwill and trademarks.

(c)

Tour and Other segment assets primarily include hotels and lodges in the state of Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, motorcoaches used for sightseeing and charters, domed rail cars, which run on the Alaska Railroad, and our owned ships under long-term charter to an unaffiliated entity.

Non-U.S. revenues for our cruise brands represent sales generated from outside the U.S. principally by non-U.S. tour operators and non-U.S. travel agencies. Substantially all of our long-lived assets are located outside of the U.S. and consist principally of our ships and ships under construction.

 

Revenues by geographic areas, which are based on where our guests are sourced and not the cruise brands on which they sailed, were as follows (in millions):

 

  

  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012


  

2011


  

2010






North America

  

$

7,952

  

  

$

7,835

  

  

$

7,467

  

Europe

  


5,367

  

  


5,961

  

  


5,574

  

Australia and Asia

  


1,506

  

  


1,528

  

  


1,063

  

Others

  


557

  

  


469

  

  


365

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 



  

$

15,382

  

  

$

15,793

  

  

$

14,469

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


NOTE 13 - Compensation Plans

Equity Plans

We issue our share-based compensation awards under the Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc stock plans, which have an aggregate of 30.3 million shares available for future grant at November 30, 2012. These plans allow us to issue restricted stock awards ("RSAs"), restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance-based share ("PBS") awards and stock options (collectively "equity awards"). Equity awards are principally granted to management level employees and members of our Boards of Directors. The plans are administered by a committee of our independent directors (the "Committee") that determines which employees are eligible to participate, the monetary value or number of shares for which equity awards are to be granted and the amounts that may be exercised or sold within a specified term. These plans allow us to fulfill our equity award obligations using shares purchased in the open market or with unissued or treasury shares. Certain equity awards provide for accelerated vesting if we have a change in control, as defined.

Our total share-based compensation expense was $39 million, $46 million and $43 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of which $36 million, $42 million and $40 million has been included in selling and administrative expenses and $3 million, $4 million and $3 million in cruise payroll and related expenses in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

RSAs/RSUs and PBS Awards

RSAs generally have the same rights as Carnival Corporation common stock, except for transfer restrictions and forfeiture provisions. RSAs have been granted to certain officers and non-executive board members and either have three or five-year cliff vesting or vest evenly over five years after the grant date. In addition, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc grant RSUs that vest evenly over five years or at the end of three or five years after the grant date and accrue forfeitable dividend equivalents on each outstanding RSU, in the form of additional RSUs, based on dividends declared. The share-based compensation expense associated with RSAs/RSUs is based on the quoted market price of the Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares on the date of grant, and is amortized to expense using the straight-line method from the grant date through the earlier of the vesting date or the estimated retirement eligibility date.

In 2012 and 2011, the Committee approved PBS awards to be granted to certain key Carnival Corporation & plc executives. The share-based compensation expense associated with these PBS awards is based on the quoted market price of the Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares on the date of grant and the probability of our earnings per share growth over a three-year period being achieved. These PBS awards provide an opportunity to earn from zero to 200% of the number of target shares underlying the award achieved at the end of the third year. The PBS awards will accrue forfeitable dividend equivalents based on dividends declared.

During the year ended November 30, 2012, RSA/RSU and PBS activity was as follows:

 


  

RSAs/RSUs


  

PBSs



  

Shares



Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair

Value


  

Shares



Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair

Value







Outstanding at November 30, 2011

  


3,625,966

  


$

33.70

  

  


116,992

  


$

45.12

  

Granted

  


1,411,296

  


$

30.34

  

  


223,531

  


$

31.03

  

Vested

  


(1,887,063


$

27.51

  

  


(22,279


$

31.90

  

Forfeited

  


(88,316


$

36.33

  

  


(4,537


$

41.16

  


  

 

 






  

 

 






Outstanding at November 30, 2012

  


3,061,883

  


$

35.89

  

  


313,707

  


$

36.08

  


  

 

 






  

 

 






The total grant date fair value of RSAs/ RSUs vested was $52 million, $53 million and $28 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of November 30, 2012, there was $39 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSAs/RSUs and PBSs. As of November 30, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation costs related to RSAs/RSUs and PBSs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years and 2.4 years, respectively.

 

Stock Option Plans

In 2007 and 2008, the Committee decided to cease granting stock options to our employees and non-executive board members, respectively, and to instead grant them RSAs and RSUs. A combined summary of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc stock option activity during the year ended November 30, 2012 related to stock options previously granted was as follows:

 


  

Shares



Weighted-
Average

Exercise  Price


  

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual

Term


  

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (a)



  






  

(in years)


  

(in millions)







Outstanding at November 30, 2011

  


10,428,951

  


$

45.65

  

  




  




Exercised

  


(839,594


$

27.58

  

  




  




Forfeited or expired

  


(1,461,142


$

46.11

  

  




  





  

 

 






  




  




Outstanding at November 30, 2012

  


8,128,215

  


$

47.72

  

  


1.2

  

  

$

5

  


  

 

 






  

 

 


  

 

 


Exercisable at November 30, 2012

  


8,128,215

  


$

47.72

  

  


1.2

  

  

$

5

  


  

 

 






  

 

 


  

 

 


 

(a)

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the amount by which the fair value of underlying stock exceeds the option exercise price at November 30, 2012.

As of the dates of exercise, the total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $7 million, $18 million and $17 million, respectively. As of November 30, 2012, there is no unrecognized compensation cost as there were no unvested stock options. Our stock options will expire through 2016.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

We have several single-employer defined benefit pension plans, which cover some of our shipboard and shoreside employees. The U.S. and UK shoreside employee plans are closed to new membership and are funded at or above the level required by U.S. or UK regulations. Substantially all of the remaining defined benefit plans are unfunded. In determining all of our plans' benefit obligations at November 30, 2012 and 2011, we assumed weighted-average discount rates of 3.5% and 4.5%, respectively. The net asset or net liability positions under these single-employer defined benefit pension plans are not material.

In addition, we participate in two multiemployer defined benefit pension plans in the UK, the British Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (registration number 10005645) ("MNOPF"), and the British Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund (registration number 10005646) ("MNRPF"), which are referred to as "the multiemployer plans." The MNOPF is divided into two sections, the "New Section" and the "Old Section." The multiemployer plans are maintained for the benefit of the employees of the participating employers who make contributions to the plans. However, contributions made by employers, including us, may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers, and if any of the participating employers withdraw from the multiemployer plans or fail to make their required contributions, any unfunded obligations would be the responsibility of the remaining participating employers. We are contractually obligated to make all required contributions as determined by the plans' trustees. All of our multiemployer plans are closed to new membership, and the MNOPF Old Section is also closed to further benefit accrual and is fully funded. Based on the most recent actuarial review of the MNOPF New Section at March 31, 2011 and the MNRPF at March 31, 2012, it was determined that these plans were 86% and 72% funded, respectively. The multiemployer plans have implemented recovery plans, as appropriate, whereby their estimated funding deficits are to be recovered through funding contributions from participating employers.

We expense our portion of any multiemployer plan deficit as amounts are invoiced by, and become due and payable to, the trustees. In 2012 and 2011, our contributions to the MNOPF fund (and including the MNOPF Old Section for 2010) were not material and did not exceed 5% of total contributions to the fund. In 2010, we received and paid in full a special assessment invoice from the MNOPF trustee for our additional share of the MNOPF New Section deficit. Accordingly, we expensed the invoice of $41 million in cruise payroll and related expense in 2010, which exceeded 5% of total contributions to the fund. In 2012, 2011 and 2010, our contributions to the MNRPF were not material and did not exceed 5% of total contributions to the plan. It is possible that we will be required to fund and expense additional amounts for the multiemployer plans in the future, however, such amounts are not expected to be material.

Total expense for all defined benefit pension plans, including the multiemployer plans, was $45 million, $46 million and $85 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Defined Contribution Plans

We have several defined contribution plans available to most of our employees. We contribute to these plans based on employee contributions, salary levels and length of service. Total expense for these plans was $22 million, $21 million and $20 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

NOTE 14 - Earnings Per Share

Our basic and diluted earnings per share were computed as follows (in millions, except per share data):

 


  

Years Ended November 30,



  

2012


  

2011


  

2010






Net income

  

$

1,298

  

  

$

1,912

  

  

$

1,978

  

Interest on dilutive convertible notes

  


-

  

  


-

  

  


11

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Net income for diluted earnings per share

  

$

1,298

  

  

$

1,912

  

  

$

1,989

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Weighted-average common and ordinary shares outstanding

  


778

  

  


787

  

  


788

  

Dilutive effect of convertible notes

  


-

  

  


-

  

  


14

  

Dilutive effect of equity plans

  


1

  

  


2

  

  


3

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

  


779

  

  


789

  

  


805

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Basic earnings per share

  

$

1.67

  

  

$

2.43

  

  

$

2.51

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Diluted earnings per share

  

$

1.67

  

  

$

2.42

  

  

$

2.47

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share computations

  


8

  

  


9

  

  


10

  


  

 

 


  

 

 


  

 

 


NOTE 15 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest, was $347 million, $358 million and $361 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, cash (paid) received, net for income taxes was $(4) million, $9 million and $(15) million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

SCHEDULE C

 


Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

 


I.

Repurchase Authorizations

In September 2007, our Boards of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $1 billion of Carnival Corporation common stock and Carnival plc ordinary shares subject to certain restrictions (the "Repurchase Program"). The Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and may be discontinued by our Boards of Directors at any time.

During the three months ended November 30, 2012, purchases of Carnival Corporation common stock pursuant to the Repurchase Program were as follows:

 

Period

  

Total Number of Shares
of Carnival Corporation
Common Stock
Purchased (a)


  

Average Price Paid
per Share of
Carnival Corporation
Common Stock


  

Maximum Dollar Value  of
Shares That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the

Repurchase Program (b)



  



  



  

(in millions)


September 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012

  


-  

  

  

$

-  

  

  

$

265

  

October 1, 2012 through October 31, 2012

  


-  

  

  

$

-  

  

  

$

265

  

November 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012

  


565,561

  

  

$

38.36

  

  

$

244

  

 

(a)

No shares of Carnival Corporation common stock were purchased outside of publicly announced plans or programs.

(b)

During the three months ended November 30, 2012, there were no repurchases of Carnival plc ordinary shares under the Repurchase Program.

During 2012 and 2011, we repurchased 2.6 million and 13.5 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock for $90 million and $413 million, respectively under the Repurchase Program. During 2010, there were no repurchases of Carnival Corporation common stock under the Repurchase Program. In addition, during 2011, Carnival Investments Limited, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, also repurchased 1.3 million ordinary shares of Carnival plc for $41 million under the Repurchase Program. During fiscal 2012 and 2010, there were no repurchases of Carnival plc ordinary shares under the Repurchase Program. There were 2.1 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock repurchased for $78 million under the Repurchase Program from December 1, 2012 through January 16, 2013. On January 16, 2013, the Boards of Directors increased the remaining authorization available under the Repurchase Program back to $1 billion, which was fully available at January 22, 2013.

In addition to the Repurchase Program, the Boards of Directors have authorized the repurchase of up to 19.2 million Carnival plc ordinary shares and up to 32.8 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock under the Stock Swap programs described below. Depending on market conditions and other factors, we may purchase shares of Carnival Corporation common stock and/or Carnival plc ordinary shares under the Repurchase Program and the Stock Swap programs concurrently.

At January 22, 2013, the remaining availability under the Stock Swap programs repurchase authorizations were 18.1 million Carnival plc ordinary shares and 32.8 million Carnival Corporation common stock. Carnival plc ordinary share repurchases under both the Repurchase Program and the Stock Swap authorizations require annual shareholder approval. The existing shareholder approval is limited to a maximum of 21.5 million ordinary shares and is valid until the earlier of the conclusion of the Carnival plc 2013 annual general meeting or October 10, 2013.

 


II.

Stock Swap Programs

We use the Stock Swap programs in situations where we can obtain an economic benefit because either Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ordinary shares are trading at a price that is at a premium or discount to the price of Carnival plc ordinary shares or Carnival Corporation common stock, as the case may be. This economic benefit is used for general corporate purposes, which could include repurchasing additional stock under the Repurchase Program.

In the event Carnival Corporation common stock trades at a premium to Carnival plc ordinary shares, we may elect to issue and sell Carnival Corporation common stock through a sales agent and use the sale proceeds to repurchase Carnival plc ordinary shares in the UK market on at least an equivalent basis. Carnival Corporation may issue and sell up to 18.1 million of its common stock in the U.S. market, which shares are to be sold from time to time at prevailing market prices in ordinary brokers' transactions. Any sales of Carnival Corporation shares have been or will be registered under the Securities Act.

In the event Carnival Corporation common stock trades at a discount to Carnival plc ordinary shares, we may elect to sell existing ordinary shares of Carnival plc, with such sales made by Carnival Corporation or Carnival Investments Limited, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, through a sales agent, from time to time in "at the market" transactions, and use the sale proceeds to repurchase Carnival Corporation common stock in the U.S. market on at least an equivalent basis. Carnival Corporation or Carnival Investments Limited may sell up to 32.8 million Carnival plc ordinary shares in the UK market, which shares are to be sold from time to time at prevailing market prices in ordinary brokers' transactions. Any sales of Carnival plc shares have been or will be registered under the Securities Act.

During 2012 and 2011, no Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ordinary shares were sold or repurchased under the "Stock Swap" programs. During 2010, Carnival Investments Limited sold 14.8 million shares of Carnival plc ordinary shares for total net proceeds of $545 million. Substantially all of the net proceeds of these sales were used to purchase 14.8 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock. During the year ended November 30, 2010, no Carnival Corporation common stock was sold and no Carnival plc ordinary shares were repurchased under the "Stock Swap" program.

 


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