LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2022 September (Form 10-Q)

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

Quarterly Report On Form 10-Q

For The Quarter Ended September 30, 2022

Table of Contents

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

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

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

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

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

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

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit

(In thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity (continued)

(In thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

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

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

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

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1—BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Business

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.’s and its consolidated subsidiaries’ (the “Company” or “Lindblad”) mission is offering life-changing adventures around the world and pioneering innovative ways to allow its guests to connect with exotic and remote places. The Company currently operates a fleet of ten owned expedition ships and five seasonal charter vessels under the Lindblad brand, operates land-based, eco-conscious expeditions and active nature focused tours under the Natural Habitat, Inc. (“Natural Habitat”) and Off the Beaten Path, LLC (“Off the Beaten Path”) brands, designs handcrafted walking tours under the Classic Journeys, LLC (“Classic Journeys”) brand and operates luxury cycling and adventure tours under the DuVine Cycling + Adventure Company (“DuVine”) brand.

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “LIND”.

The Company operates the following two reportable business segments:

Lindblad Segment. The Lindblad segment primarily provides ship-based expeditions aboard customized, nimble and intimately-scaled vessels that are able to venture where larger cruise ships cannot, thus allowing Lindblad to offer up-close experiences in the planet’s wild and remote places and capitals of culture. Each expedition ship is fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools for in-depth exploration, and the majority of expeditions involve travel to remote places with limited infrastructure and ports, such as Antarctica and the Arctic, or places that are best accessed by a ship, such as the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, Baja California’s Sea of Cortez and Panama, and foster active engagement by guests. The Company has an alliance with National Geographic Partners, LLC (“National Geographic”), which provides for lecturers and National Geographic experts, including photographers, writers, marine biologists, naturalists, field researchers and film crews, to join many of the Company’s expeditions.

Land Experiences Segment. The Land Experiences segment includes our four primarily land-based brands, Natural Habitat, DuVine, Off the Beaten Path and Classic Journeys.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding unaudited interim financial information and include the accounts and transactions of the Company. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial statements for the periods presented. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year due to seasonality and other factors. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim reporting. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022 (the “2021 Annual Report”).

There have been no significant changes to the Company’s accounting policies from those disclosed in the 2021 Annual Report.

Ramp of Fleet Operations 

The Company resumed operation in June 2021 and, since then, has continually ramped its operations, providing immersive expeditions in 2022 across all ten of its owned vessels. During the third quarter of 2022, operations included trips to Alaska, the Arctic, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Canada's Northwest Passage, the Galápagos Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and South America. Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 have diminished dramatically, and the Company will resume operations in additional geographies in the remainder of 2022 and throughout 2023. Where travel restrictions remain, which primarily includes a limited number of itineraries impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Company is adjusting itineraries where possible, and working with guests to reschedule travel plans and refund payments or issue future travel certificates, as applicable. Previously, due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the effects of travel restrictions around the world, the Company had suspended or rescheduled the majority of its expeditions departing between March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2021.

The Company believes there are a variety of strategic advantages that enabled it to deploy its ships safely and quickly as travel restrictions were lifted. Most notably, the size of its owned and operated vessels, which range from 48 to 148 passengers, allows for a highly controlled environment that includes stringent cleaning protocols. The small nature of the Company’s ships also allowed it to efficiently and effectively test its guests and crew prior to boarding, or as otherwise needed. Additionally, the majority of expeditions take place in remote locations where human interactions are limited, so there is less opportunity for external influence.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $116.4 million in unrestricted cash and $29.5 million in restricted cash primarily related to deposits on future travel originating from U.S. ports and credit card reserves.

As of September 30, 2022, the Company had a total debt position of $572.4 million and was in compliance with all of its debt covenants in effect. The Company believes that it will be in compliance with all applicable covenants over the next 12 months. 

During May 2022, the Company further amended its senior secured export credit agreements to extend the waiver of its net leverage coverage ratio from March 2022 through December 31, 2022.

On February 4, 2022, the Company issued $360.0 million of 6.75% senior secured notes, maturing 2027, and entered into a new $45.0 million revolving credit facility. Proceeds from the senior secured note issuance were used primarily to pay the outstanding borrowings under the Company's prior credit agreement, including the term facility, Main Street Loan and the revolving credit facility. 

NOTE 2—EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings (loss) per common share is computed using the two-class method related to its Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.0001 (“Preferred Stock”). Under the two-class method, undistributed earnings available to stockholders for the period are allocated on a pro rata basis to the common stockholders and to the holders of the Preferred Stock based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and number of shares that could be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock.

Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the dilutive incremental common shares associated with restricted stock awards and shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, using the treasury stock method, and the potential common shares that could be issued from conversion of the Preferred Stock, using the if-converted method. When a net loss occurs, potential common shares have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share and such shares are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company incurred net losses from operations, therefore basic and diluted net loss per share are the same for each period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, approximately 0.8 million restricted shares, 1.4 million shares issuable upon exercise of options and 7.4 million common shares issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock were excluded from dilutive potential common shares for the periods as they were anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, 0.8 million restricted shares, 1.5 million shares issuable upon exercise of options and 9.5 million common shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock were excluded from dilutive potential common shares for the periods as they were anti-dilutive. 

Loss per share was calculated as follows:

NOTE 3—REVENUES

Customer Deposits and Contract Liabilities

The Company’s guests remit deposits in advance of tour embarkation. Guest deposits consist of guest ticket revenues as well as revenues from the sale of pre- and post-expedition excursions, hotel accommodations, land-based expeditions, and air transportation to and from the ships. Guest deposits represent unearned revenues and are reported as unearned passenger revenues in the condensed consolidated balance sheets when received and are subsequently recognized as tour revenue over the duration of the trip. Accounting Standards Codification, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) defines a “contract liability” as an entity’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the entity has received consideration from the customer. The Company does not consider guest deposits to be a contract liability until the guest no longer has the right, resulting from the passage of time, to cancel their reservation and receive a full refund. In conjunction with the suspension or rescheduling of expeditions, the Company provided guests an option of either a refund or future travel certificates, which in some instances exceeded the original cash deposit. The Company has recorded liabilities up to the amount of cash deposits. The additional value of any future travel certificates is being recognized as a discount when applied to future expeditions. The change in contract liabilities within unearned passenger revenues presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

The following table disaggregates our tour revenues by the sales channel it was derived from:

NOTE 4—FINANCIAL STATEMENT DETAILS

The following is a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the statement of cash flows:

Restricted cash consists of the following:

Amounts within prepaid expenses and other current assets in excess of 5% of current assets as of September 30, 2022 were prepaid tour expenses of $20.7 million and prepaid marketing, commission and other expenses of $12.9 million, and as of December 31, 2021, were prepaid tour expenses of $10.3 million. 

As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no individual amounts within accounts payable and accrued expenses were in excess of 5% of current liabilities.

In 2021, the Company received a $27.0 million grant under the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (“CERTS”) Act, which provided grants to eligible motorcoach, school bus, passenger vessel, and pilotage companies that have experienced annual revenue losses of 25 percent or more as result of COVID-19. The priority use of grant funds was required to be for payroll costs, though grants could be used for operating expenses and the repayment of debt accrued to maintain payroll. The Company had accounted for the grant as a current liability on its balance sheet, as any amounts not appropriately used within one year of the grant date would have to be returned to the U.S. Treasury. As expenses for the grant were incurred, the corresponding amounts were recognized in other income on the income statement. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized the remaining $11.6 million of the CERTS grant in other income for permitted payroll costs and ship operating expenses and, as of September 30, 2022, has no further liability recorded for the grant.

Loan Receivable

The Company’s loan receivable is recorded at amortized cost within other current assets. The Company reviewed its loan receivable for credit losses in connection with the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2022. In evaluating the allowance for loan losses, the Company considered factors such as historical loss experience, the type and amount of loan, adverse situations that  may affect the borrower’s ability to repay and prevailing economic conditions. Based on these credit loss estimation and experience factors, the Company realized no allowance for loan loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The following is a rollforward of the loan receivable balance:

NOTE 5—LONG-TERM DEBT

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, deferred financing costs charged to interest expense was $0.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, deferred financing costs charged to interest expense was $0.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, $9.0 million of deferred financing costs related to the repayment of the Company’s prior credit agreement, including the term facility, Main Street Loan and revolving credit facility were written-off to other expense.

6.75% Notes

On February 4, 2022, the Company issued $360.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% senior secured notes due 2027 (the “Notes”) in a private offering. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.75% per year, accruing from February 4, 2022, and interest on the Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The Notes will mature on February 15, 2027, subject to earlier repurchase or redemption. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to prepay in full all outstanding borrowings under its prior credit agreement, including the term facility, Main Street Loan, and revolving credit facility, to pay any related premiums and to terminate in full its prior credit agreement and the commitments thereunder. The Notes are senior secured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and secured by first-priority pari passu liens, subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions, on substantially all the assets of the Company and the Guarantors. The Notes may be redeemed by the Company, at set redemption prices and premiums, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. 

The Notes contain covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability, and the ability of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries, to incur certain additional indebtedness and make certain dividend payments, distributions, investments and other restricted payments. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Notes. 

New Revolving Credit Facility 

On February 4, 2022, the Company entered into a new senior secured revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Credit Facility”), which provides for an aggregate principal amount of commitments of $45.0 million, maturing February 2027, including a letter of credit sub-facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $5.0 million. The obligations under the New Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Company and the Guarantors and are secured by first-priority pari passu liens, subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions, on substantially all the assets of the Company and the Guarantors. Borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Facility, if any, will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, an adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rate plus a spread or a base rate plus a spread.

The New Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as financial covenants and event of default provisions.

Senior Secured Credit Agreements

In January 2018, the Company entered into a senior secured credit agreement (the “First Export Credit Agreement”) making available to the Company a loan in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $107.7 million for the purpose of providing financing for up to 80% of the purchase price of the Company’s new ice class vessel, the National Geographic Endurance, delivered in March 2020. In September 2021, the Company amended its First Export Credit Agreement to, among other things, waive the net leverage coverage ratio through March 2022 and annualize EBITDA used in its covenant calculation through December 31, 2022. During May 2022, the Company further amended its First Export Credit Agreement to extend the waiver of its net leverage coverage ratio from March 2022 through December 31, 2022. Certain other covenants continue to be more restrictive during the extended covenant waiver period. The First Export Credit Agreement, as amended, bears interest at a variable interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50% per annum, for an aggregated rate of 6.75% over the borrowing period covering September 30, 2022. 

In April 2019, the Company entered into a senior secured credit agreement (the “Second Export Credit Agreement”), to make available to the Company and subject to certain conditions, a loan in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $122.8 million for the purpose of providing pre- and post-delivery financing for up to 80% of the purchase price of the Company’s new expedition ice-class cruise vessel, the National Geographic Resolution, delivered in September 2021, and borrowed $122.8 million under the Second Export Credit Agreement. In September 2021, the Company amended its Second Export Credit Agreement to, among other things, waive the net leverage coverage ratio through March 2022 and annualize EBITDA used in its covenant calculation through December 31, 2022. During May 2022, the Company further amended its Second Export Credit Agreement to extend the waiver of its net leverage coverage ratio from March 2022 through December 31, 2022. Certain other covenants continue to be more restrictive during the extended covenant waiver period. The Second Export Credit Agreement, as amended, bears a variable interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50% per annum, for an aggregated rate of 7.07% over the borrowing period covering September 30, 2022.

Notes Payable

In connection with the Natural Habitat acquisition in May 2016, Natural Habitat issued a $2.5 million unsecured promissory note, amended in May 2020, to Benjamin L. Bressler, the founder of Natural Habitat, with an outstanding principal amount of $0.8 million as of  September 30, 2022. The promissory note accrues interest at a rate of 1.44% annually, with interest payable every six months and the remaining principal payment due on December 22, 2022. 

Other

The Company’s Off the Beaten Path subsidiary has a loan maturing September 2023 for the purchase of guest transportation vehicles. The loan’s original principal was $0.3 million, is collateralized by the vehicles and bears an interest rate of 4.77% annually.

The Company’s Off the Beaten Path subsidiary has a $0.8 million loan under the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility, originated on December 11, 2020. For the first 12 months, interest was not payable and accrued to the principal balance, thereafter, monthly interest payments are required. The outstanding balance will amortize at a rate of 15% on both December 2023 and December 2024, with the remaining balance due December 2025. The loan bears a variable interest rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.00%, or 6.14% as of September 30, 2022. This loan may be voluntarily prepaid at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage costs” and fees for LIBOR-based loans.

The Company’s DuVine subsidiary has a EUR 0.1 million State Assistance Loan related to the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the purpose of employment preservation. This loan matures August 2025, with monthly payments, and bears an interest rate of 0.53% annually. 

Covenants

The Company’s Notes, New Revolving Credit Facility, First Export Credit Agreement and Second Export Credit Agreement contain financial and restrictive covenants that include among others, net leverage ratios, limits on additional indebtedness and limits on certain investments. The net leverage ratio covenant of the Company’s First Export Credit Agreement and Second Export Credit Agreement have been waived through December 31, 2022. On October 11, 2022, the Company amended the covenants of its Senior Secured Credit Agreements to use an annualized EBITDA calculation in its net leverage ratio covenant for the periods from March 31, 2023 through September 30, 2023. The Company was in compliance with its covenants in effect as of September 30, 2022 and believes that it will be in compliance for the next 12 months.

NOTE 6—FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company’s derivative assets and liabilities consist principally of foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate caps and are carried at fair value based on significant observable inputs (Level 2 inputs). Derivatives entered into by the Company are typically executed over-the-counter and are valued using internal valuation techniques, as quoted market prices are not readily available. The valuation technique and inputs depend on the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying exposure. The Company principally uses discounted cash flows along with fair value models that primarily use market observable inputs. These models take into account a variety of factors including, where applicable, maturity, currency exchange rates, interest rate yield curves and counterparty credit risks.

Currency Risk. The Company uses currency exchange forward contracts to manage its exposure to changes in currency exchange rates associated with certain of its non-U.S. dollar denominated receivables and payables. The Company primarily economically hedges a portion of its current-year currency exposure to the Canadian and New Zealand dollars, the Brazilian Real, the South African Rand, the Euro and the British pound sterling. The fluctuations in the value of these forward contracts largely offset the impact of changes in the value of the underlying risk they economically hedge.

Interest Rate Risk. The Company previously used interest rate caps to manage the risk related to its previously existing variable rate corporate debt.

The Company recorded the effective portion of changes in the fair value of its cash flow hedges to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and subsequently reclassified these amounts into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction was recognized. Any changes in fair values of hedges that are determined to be ineffective are immediately reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings. The Company reclassified $0.6 million from other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings for the period ended March 31, 2022 due to the termination of a cash flow hedge relationship between the Company’s interest rate caps and the Company’s underlying corporate variable rate debt, which was repaid during February 2022. 

The Company held the following derivative instruments with absolute notional values as of September 30, 2022:

Estimated fair values (Level 2) of derivative instruments were as follows:

Changes in the fair value of the Company’s hedging instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The effects of derivatives recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements were as follows:

In connection with the acquisition of Classic Journeys, the purchase agreement includes a contingent consideration earnout, see Note 11—Acquisitions, which is required to be recorded at fair value at each period. The possible contingent acquisition consideration earnout is either zero or $0.6 million, depending on the achievement of certain average annual net profits targets for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 by the acquired operation. As of September 30, 2022, the contingent liability had a value of $0.3 million using a Level 3 valuation method, which was recorded in other long-term liabilities. 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company estimates the approximate fair value of its long-term debt to be $495.3 million as of September 30, 2022, based on the terms of the agreements and comparable market data as of September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had no other significant liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

NOTE 7—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Repurchase Plan

The Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock and warrant repurchase plan (“Repurchase Plan”) in November 2015 and increased the repurchase plan to $35.0 million in November 2016. The Repurchase Plan authorizes the Company to purchase, from time to time, the Company’s outstanding common stock and previously outstanding warrants. Any shares purchased will be retired. The Repurchase Plan has no time deadline and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. These repurchases exclude shares repurchased to settle statutory employee tax withholding related to the exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards. The Company has cumulatively repurchased 875,218 shares of common stock for $8.3 million and 6,011,926 warrants for $14.7 million, since plan inception. The remaining balance for the Repurchase Plan was $12.0 million as of September 30, 2022. The Repurchase Plan is suspended due to restrictions related to the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility program that continue for one year upon repayment. The Company repaid the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility in February 2022. 

Preferred Stock

In August 2020, the Company issued and sold 85,000 shares of Preferred Stock for $1,000 per share for gross proceeds of $85.0 million. The Preferred Stock has senior and preferential ranking to the Company’s common stock. The Preferred Stock is entitled to cumulative dividends of 6.00% per annum, and for the first two years the dividends were paid-in-kind. After the second anniversary of the issuance date, the dividends may be paid-in-kind or be paid in cash at the Company’s option. At any time after the third anniversary of the issuance, the Company  may, at its option, convert all, but not less than all, of the Preferred Stock into common stock if the closing price of shares of common stock is at least 150% of the conversion price for 20 out of 30 consecutive trading days. The Preferred Stock is convertible at any time, at the holder’s election, into a number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the then-current accrued value by the conversion price of $9.50. The Preferred Stock deferred issuance costs were approximately $2.1 million as of September 30, 2022, recorded as reduction to preferred stock on balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2021, 5,000 shares of Preferred Stock and related accumulated dividends were converted by the holder into 566,364 shares of the Company’s common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, 18,000 shares of Preferred Stock and related accumulated dividends were converted by the holder into 2,109,561 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company recorded accrued dividends for Preferred Stock of $1.0 million and $3.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and $1.3 million and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, the 62,000 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding and accumulated dividends could be converted at the option of the holders into approximately 7.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

NOTE 8—STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company is authorized to issue up to 4.7 million shares of common stock under the 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“the Plan”) which was approved by shareholders in September 2021. As of September 30, 2022, approximately 3.6 million shares were available to be granted under the Plan.

As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, options to purchase an aggregate of 1.4 million and 1.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, with a weighted average exercise price of $15.10 and $10.30, respectively, were outstanding. As of September 30, 2022, 388,000 options were exercisable.

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $1.6 million and $5.3 million, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and $1.4 million and $4.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

2022 Long-Term Incentive Compensation

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company granted 342,602 restricted stock units ("RSUs") with a weighted average grant price of $13.27. The RSUs will primarily vest equally over three years on the anniversary of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued employment or service with the Company on the applicable vesting date. The number of shares were determined based upon the closing price of our common stock on the date of the award.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company awarded 56,209 market performance share units (“MSUs”) with a weighted average grant price of $15.08. The MSUs are market-based equity incentive awards based on a performance-multiplier of change in the stock price of the Company’s common stock between the grant date and March 31, 2025. The number of shares that will eventually be earned and vest may be more or less than the number of MSUs that are awarded, depending on the Company's common stock price, at a level ranging from 0% to 150%. The number of MSUs earned shall be determined and shall vest on March 31, 2025, subject to the recipient’s continued employment or service with the Company on the vesting date.

Natural Habitat Contingent Arrangement

In connection with the acquisition of Natural Habitat, Mr. Bressler, the founder of Natural Habitat, has an equity incentive opportunity to earn an award of options based on the future financial performance of Natural Habitat, where if the Final Year Equity Value of Natural Habitat, as defined in Mr. Bressler's amended employment agreement, exceeds $25.0 million, effective as of December 31, 2023, Mr. Bressler will be granted options with a fair value equal to 10.1% of such excess, subject to certain conditions. 

NOTE 9—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In May 2016, in connection with the Company's acquisition of Natural Habitat, Natural Habitat issued an unsecured promissory note, amended May 2020, to Mr. Bressler, the founder of Natural Habitat. See Note 5—Long-term Debt for more information.

NOTE 10—INCOME TAXES

As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits recorded. The Company's effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was an expense of 46.0% and 0.8%, respectively, versus an expense of 12.1% and a benefit of 2.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

NOTE 11—ACQUISITIONS

To further expand the Company’s land-based experiential travel offerings and increase its addressable market, the Company completed three acquisitions during 2021. On February 1, 2021, the Company acquired 80.1% of the outstanding common stock of Off the Beaten Path, a land-based travel operator specializing in authentic national park experiences, on  March 3, 2021, the Company acquired 70% of the outstanding common stock of DuVine, an international luxury cycling and adventure company focused on exceptional food and wine experiences, and on October 13, 2021, the Company acquired 80.1% of Classic Journeys, a leading luxury walking tour company. 

The acquisitions had an aggregate purchase price of $23.6 million, including $1.8 million in Company stock and $0.2 million in deferred contingent consideration. The deferred contingent consideration has an earnout potential between zero and $0.6 million. The acquisitions were accounted for under purchase accounting and are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisitions. The Company preliminarily recorded $10.4 million in intangible assets related to tradenames and customer lists and $19.9 million in goodwill related to these acquisitions. The amount recorded for the intangible assets and goodwill is subject to possible adjustment when the valuation of Classic Journeys is finalized. 

NOTE 12—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest

The Company has controlling interests in its Natural Habitat, Off the Beaten Path, DuVine and Classic Journeys consolidated subsidiaries. The noncontrolling interests are subject to put/call agreements. The put options enable the minority holders, but do not obligate them, to sell the remaining interests to the Company. The Company has call options which enable it, but does not obligate it, to acquire the remaining interests in the subsidiaries, subject to certain dates, expirations and similar redemption value purchase measurements as the put options.

Since the redemption of the noncontrolling interests are not solely in the Company’s control, the Company is required to record the redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of stockholders’ equity but after its total liabilities. In addition, if it is probable that the instrument will become redeemable, as such solely due to the passage of time, the redeemable noncontrollable interest should be adjusted to the redemption value via one of two measurement methods. The Company elected the income classification-excess adjustment and accretion methods for recognizing changes in the redemption value of the put options. Under this methodology, a calculation of the present value of the redemption value is compared to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest and the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is adjusted to the redemption value’s present value. Any adjustments to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest, up to the redemption value of the noncontrolling interest, are classified to retained earnings. Adjustments in excess of the redemption value of the noncontrolling interest, are treated as a decrease to net income available to common stockholders.

The redemption value of the put options were determined using a discounted cash flow model. The redemption values were adjusted to their present value using the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. 

The following is a rollforward of redeemable non-controlling interest:

Royalty Agreement – National Geographic

The Company is party to an alliance and license agreement with National Geographic, which allows the Company to use the National Geographic name and logo. In return for these rights, the Company is charged a royalty fee. The royalty fee is included within selling and marketing expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fee is calculated based upon a percentage of certain ticket revenues less travel agent commission, including the revenues received from cancellation fees and any revenues received from the sale of pre- and post-expedition extensions. Royalty expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $1.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively, and was $0.7 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

The royalty balance payable to National Geographic as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $1.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Royalty Agreement – World Wildlife Fund

Natural Habitat has a license agreement with WWF, which allows it to use the WWF name and logo. In return for these rights, Natural Habitat is charged a royalty fee and a fee based on annual gross sales. The fees are included within selling and marketing expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. This royalty fee expense was $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

Charter Commitments

From time to time, the Company enters into agreements to charter vessels onto which it holds its tours and expeditions. Future minimum payments on its charter agreements as of September 30, 2022 are as follows:

NOTE 13—SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is primarily a specialty cruise and experiential travel operator with operations in two reportable segments, Lindblad and Land Experiences. The Company evaluates the performance of the business based largely on the results of its operating segments. The chief operating decision maker and management review operating results monthly, and base operating decisions on the total results at a consolidated level, as well as at a segment level. The reports provided to the Board of Directors are at a consolidated level and contain information regarding the separate results of both segments.

The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments based largely on tour revenues and operating income, without allocating other income and expenses, net, income taxes and interest expense, net. Operating results for the Company’s reportable segments were as follows:

Depreciation and amortization are included in segment operating income as shown below:

The following table presents our total assets, intangibles, net and goodwill by segment:

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 there was $1.7 million and $5.3 million, respectively, in intercompany tour revenues between the Lindblad and Land Experiences reportable segments, which were eliminated in consolidation. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, there was $1.0 and $1.1 million, respectively, of intercompany tour revenues between the Lindblad and Land Experiences reportable segments eliminated in consolidation.

NOTE 14—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 11, 2022, the Company amended the covenants of its Senior Secured Credit Agreements to use an annualized EBITDA calculation in its net leverage ratio covenant for the periods from March 31, 2023 through September 30, 2023.

The following discussion and analysis addresses material changes in the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”), as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 28, 2022. Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Form 10-Q, “Company,” “Lindblad,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “ours” refer to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this Form 10-Q about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook” and similar words. You should read the statements that contain these types of words carefully. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. There may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or over which we have no control. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

We urge you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or uncertainties after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Business Overview

We provide expedition cruising and land-based adventure travel fostering a spirit of exploration and discovery, using itineraries featuring up-close encounters with wildlife and nature, history and culture and promote guest empowerment, human connections and interactivity. Our mission is to offer life-changing adventures around the world and pioneering innovative ways to allow our guests to connect with exotic and remote places. 

We currently operate a fleet of ten owned expedition ships and five seasonal charter vessels under the Lindblad Expeditions, LLC (“Lindblad”) brand. Each expedition ship is fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools for in-depth exploration and the majority of our expeditions involve travel to remote places, such as voyages to the Arctic, Antarctic, the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, Baja’s Sea of Cortez, the South Pacific, Costa Rica and Panama. We have a longstanding relationship with the National Geographic Society (“National Geographic”) dating back to 2004, which is based on a shared interest in exploration, research, technology and conservation. This relationship includes a co-selling, co-marketing and branding arrangement whereby our owned vessels carry the National Geographic name and National Geographic sells our expeditions through its internal travel division. We collaborate with National Geographic on voyage planning to enhance the guest experience by having National Geographic experts, including photographers, writers, marine biologists, naturalists, field researchers and film crews, join our expeditions. Guests are able to interface with these experts through lectures, excursions, dining and other experiences throughout their voyage.

We operate land-based nature adventure travel expeditions around the globe, with unique itineraries designed to offer intimate encounters with nature and the planet’s wild destinations and the animals and people who live there.

Natural Habitat, Inc. (“Natural Habitat”) provides eco-conscious expeditions and nature-focused, small-group experiences that include polar bear tours in Churchill, Canada, Alaskan grizzly bear adventures, small-group Galápagos Islands tours and African safaris. Natural Habitat has partnered with World Wildlife Fund (“WWF”) to offer conservation travel, which is sustainable travel that contributes to the protection of nature and wildlife. 

DuVine Cycling + Adventure Company (“DuVine”) provides intimate cycling adventures and travel experiences, led by expert guides, with a focus on connecting with local character and culture, including high-quality local cuisine and accommodations. International cycling tours include the exotic Costa Rican rainforests, the rocky coasts of Ireland and the vineyards of Spain, while cycling adventures in the United States include cycling beneath the California redwoods, pedaling through Vermont farmland and wine tastings in the world-class vineyards of Napa and Sonoma.

Off the Beaten Path, LLC (“Off the Beaten Path”) provides small group travel, led by local, experienced guides, with distinct focus on wildlife, hiking national parks and culture. Off the Beaten Path offerings include insider national park experiences in the Rocky Mountains, Desert Southwest, and Alaska, as well as unique trips across Europe, Africa, Australia, Central and South America and the South Pacific.

Classic Journeys, LLC (“Classic Journeys”) offers highly curated active small-group and private custom journeys centered around cinematic walks led by expert local guides in over 50 countries around the world. These walking tours are highlighted by luxury boutique accommodations and handcrafted itineraries that immerse guests into the history and culture of the places they are exploring and the people who live there.

We operate two segments including the Lindblad segment, which consists of the operations of our Lindblad brand, and the Land Experiences segment, consisting of our Natural Habitat, DuVine, Off the Beaten Path and Classic Journeys brands.

2022 Highlights

During 2022, we have provided immersive expeditions to our guests, on all ten of our owned and operated vessels, to Alaska, Antarctica, the Arctic, Baja California’s Sea of Cortez, British Columbia, Canada's Northwest Passage, French Polynesia, the Galápagos Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Pacific Northwest, South America and elsewhere. During third quarter 2022, we launched the National Geographic Islander II, our spacious all-suite ship, for expeditions in the Galápagos Islands.

During May 2022, we amended our senior secured credit agreements to, among other things, extend the waiver of the net leverage ratio covenant through December 31, 2022. On October 11, 2022, we amended the covenants our senior secured credit agreements to use an annualized EBITDA calculation in our net leverage ratio covenant for the periods from March 31, 2023 through September 30, 2023.

During February 2022, we issued $360.0 million of 6.75% senior secured notes due 2027 and entered into a new $45.0 million revolving credit facility, which remains undrawn and matures February 2027. We used the proceeds from the notes to prepay in full all outstanding borrowings under our prior term loan, including the Main Street Loan, and revolving credit facility, and paid all related premiums, terminating in full our existing credit agreement and the commitments thereunder.

During February 2022, our cupos necessary for tours in the Galápagos Islands were contractually renewed for a 20-year period.

Ramp of Fleet Operations 

We resumed operation in June 2021 and, since then, have continually ramped our operations, providing immersive expeditions in 2022 across all ten of our owned vessels. During the third quarter of 2022, operations included trips to Alaska, the Arctic, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Canada's Northwest Passage, the Galápagos Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and South America. Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 have diminished dramatically, and we will resume operations in additional geographies in the remainder of 2022 and throughout 2023. Where travel restrictions remain, which primarily includes a limited number of itineraries impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, we are adjusting itineraries where possible, and working with guests to reschedule travel plans and refund payments or issue future travel certificates, as applicable. Previously, due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the effects of travel restrictions around the world, we had suspended or rescheduled the majority of its expeditions departing between March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2021.

We believe there are a variety of strategic advantages that enabled us to deploy our ships safely and quickly as travel restrictions were lifted. Most notably, the size of our owned and operated vessels, which range from 48 to 148 passengers, allows for a highly controlled environment that includes stringent cleaning protocols. The small nature of our ships also allowed us to efficiently and effectively test our guests and crew prior to boarding, or as otherwise needed. Additionally, the majority of expeditions take place in remote locations where human interactions are limited, so there is less opportunity for external influence. 

Bookings Trends

We have substantial advanced reservations for future travel despite some continued impact from the COVID-19 virus, including, but not limited to, elevated cancellations, as well as some impact related to itinerary changes due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Bookings for 2023 are 23% ahead of the bookings for the full year 2020 at the same point in 2019.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2022, we had $116.4 million in unrestricted cash and $29.5 million in restricted cash primarily related to deposits on future travel originating from U.S. ports and credit card reserves.

Our total debt position was $572.4 million as of September 30, 2022, and we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants currently in effect.

As we continue to ramp operations, we anticipate a significant increase in guest payments as we receive final payments for upcoming expeditions as well as deposits for new reservations for future travel. Our monthly cash usage will increase as we incur costs in operating expeditions, including the impact of higher fuel costs and inflation, and spending to market and advertise upcoming expeditions and trips. However, there can be no assurance that cash flows from operations will be available to fund future obligations or that we will not experience delays or cancellations with respect to the resumption of our operations.

The discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are organized as follows:

Financial Presentation

Description of Certain Line Items

Tour revenues

Tour revenues consist of the following:

Cost of tours

Cost of tours includes the following:

Selling and marketing

Selling and marketing expenses include commissions, royalties and a broad range of advertising and promotional expenses.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses include the cost of shoreside vessel support, reservations and other administrative functions, including salaries and related benefits, credit card commissions, professional fees and rent.

Operational and Financial Metrics

We use a variety of operational and financial metrics, including non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, Net Yields, Occupancy and Net Cruise Costs, to enable us to analyze our performance and financial condition. We utilize these financial measures to manage our business on a day-to-day basis and believe that they are the most relevant measures of performance. Some of these measures are commonly used in the cruise and tourism industry to evaluate performance. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide expanded insight to assess revenue and cost performance, in addition to the standard GAAP-based financial measures. There are no specific rules or regulations for determining non-GAAP measures, and as such, they may not be comparable to measures used by other companies within the industry.

The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. You should read this discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto also included within.

Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, other income (expense), income tax (expense) benefit, (gain) loss on foreign currency, (gain) loss on transfer of assets, reorganization costs, and other supplemental adjustments. Other supplemental adjustments include certain non-operating items such as stock-based compensation, executive severance costs, the National Geographic fee amortization, debt refinancing costs, acquisition-related expenses and other non-recurring charges. We believe Adjusted EBITDA, when considered along with other performance measures, is a useful measure as it reflects certain operating drivers of the business, such as sales growth, operating costs, selling and administrative expense, and other operating income and expense. We believe Adjusted EBITDA helps provide a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends and an enhanced overall understanding of our financial performance and prospects for the future. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of liquidity or cash flows from operations or a measure comparable to net income as it does not take into account certain requirements, such as unearned passenger revenues, capital expenditures and related depreciation, principal and interest payments, and tax payments. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other companies within the industry.

The following metrics apply to our Lindblad segment:

Adjusted Net Cruise Cost represents Net Cruise Cost adjusted for non-GAAP other supplemental adjustments which include certain non-operating items such as stock-based compensation, the National Geographic fee amortization, and acquisition-related expenses.

Available Guest Nights is a measurement of capacity and represents double occupancy per cabin (except single occupancy for a single capacity cabin) multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period. We also record the number of guest nights available on our limited land programs in this definition.

Gross Cruise Cost represents the sum of cost of tours plus, selling and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses.

Gross Yield per Available Guest Night represents tour revenues less insurance proceeds divided by Available Guest Nights.

Guest Nights Sold represents the number of guests carried for the period multiplied by the number of nights sailed within the period.

Maximum Guests is a measure of capacity and represents the maximum number of guests in a period and is based on double occupancy per cabin (except single occupancy for a single capacity cabin).

Net Cruise Cost represents Gross Cruise Cost excluding commissions and certain other direct costs of guest ticket revenues and other tour revenues.

Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel represents Net Cruise Cost excluding fuel costs.

Net Yield represents tour revenues less insurance proceeds, commissions and direct costs of other tour revenues.

Net Yield per Available Guest Night represents Net Yield divided by Available Guest Nights.

Number of Guests represents the number of guests that travel with us in a period.

Occupancy is calculated by dividing Guest Nights Sold by Available Guest Nights.

Voyages represent the number of ship expeditions completed during the period.

Foreign Currency Translation

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency in our foreign operations and re-measurement adjustments and gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are recorded as foreign exchange gains or losses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Seasonality

Traditionally, our Lindblad brand tour revenues are mildly seasonal, historically larger in the first and third quarters. The seasonality of our operating results fluctuates due to our vessels being taken out of service for scheduled maintenance or drydocking, which is typically during nonpeak demand periods, in the second and fourth quarters. Our drydock schedules are subject to cost and timing differences from year-to-year due to the availability of shipyards for certain work, drydock locations based on ship itineraries, operating conditions experienced especially in the polar regions and the applicable regulations of class societies in the maritime industry, which require more extensive reviews periodically. Drydocking impacts operating results by reducing tour revenues and increasing cost of tours. Our Natural Habitat, DuVine, Off the Beaten Path and Classic Journeys brands are seasonal businesses, with the majority of Natural Habitat’s tour revenue recorded in the third and fourth quarters from its summer season departures and polar bear tours, while the majority of Off the Beaten Path, DuVine and Classic Journeys’ revenues are recorded during the second and third quarters from their spring and summer season departures.

Results of Operations - Consolidated