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LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

lindb20220930b_10q.htm
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                   to

 

Commission file number 001-35898

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

27-4749725

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

96 Morton Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York, 10014

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(212) 261-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

     

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

LIND

 

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No

 

As of April 24, 2023, 53,251,533 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

Quarterly Report On Form 10-Q

For The Quarter Ended March 31, 2023

 

Table of Contents

 

   

Page(s)

     

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

 
     

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2022 

1

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

2

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

5

 

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6

     

ITEM 2.

Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

27

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

28
     

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 
     

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

28

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

28

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

28

ITEM 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

29

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

29

ITEM 5.

Other Information

29

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

30
     

SIGNATURES 

31

 

 

PART 1.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  

March 31, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

 
  

(unaudited)

     

ASSETS

        

Current Assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $83,984  $87,177 

Restricted cash

  36,740   28,847 

Short-term securities

  -   13,591 

Marine operating supplies

  8,880   9,961 

Inventories

  2,221   1,965 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  44,101   41,778 

Total current assets

  175,926   183,319 
         

Property and equipment, net

  534,492   539,406 

Goodwill

  42,017   42,017 

Intangibles, net

  10,760   11,219 

Deferred tax asset

  2,121   2,167 

Right-to-use lease assets

  3,992   4,345 

Other long-term assets

  4,960   5,502 

Total assets

 $774,268  $787,975 
         

LIABILITIES

        

Current Liabilities:

        

Unearned passenger revenues

 $249,633  $245,101 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  53,388   71,019 

Long-term debt - current

  23,308   23,337 

Lease liabilities - current

  1,683   1,663 

Total current liabilities

  328,012   341,120 
         

Long-term debt, less current portion

  524,332   529,452 

Deferred tax liabilities

  1,486   - 

Lease liabilities

  2,582   2,961 

Other long-term liabilities

  89   88 

Total liabilities

  856,501   873,621 
           

Commitments and contingencies

  -   - 

Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock, 165,000 shares authorized; 62,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

  70,211   69,143 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

  25,698   27,886 
   95,909   97,029 
         

STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

        

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 62,000 Series A shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

  -   - 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 53,243,007 and 53,177,437 issued, 53,175,702 and 53,110,132 outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

  5   5 

Additional paid-in capital

  86,741   83,850 

Accumulated deficit

  (264,888)  (266,530)

Total stockholders' deficit

  (178,142)  (182,675)

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders' deficit

 $774,268  $787,975 

 

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

 

 
1

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the three months ended March 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Tour revenues

  $ 143,395     $ 67,846  
                 

Operating expenses:

               

Cost of tours

    72,050       57,947  

General and administrative

    26,419       20,637  

Selling and marketing

    20,652       12,329  

Depreciation and amortization

    11,808       11,178  

Total operating expenses

    130,929       102,091  
                 

Operating income (loss)

    12,466       (34,245 )
                 

Other (expense) income:

               

Interest expense, net

    (10,467 )     (8,715 )

Gain on foreign currency

    152       130  

Other income

    170       533  

Total other expense

    (10,145 )     (8,052 )
                 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    2,321       (42,297 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    1,543       (149 )
                 

Net income (loss)

    778       (42,148 )

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

    157       (427 )

Net income (loss) attributable to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

    621       (41,721 )

Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock dividend

    1,069       1,298  

Net loss available to stockholders

  $ (448 )   $ (43,019 )
                 

Weighted average shares outstanding

               

Basic

    53,128,100       50,757,126  

Diluted

    53,128,100       50,757,126  
                 

Undistributed loss per share available to stockholders:

               

Basic

  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.85 )

Diluted

  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.85 )

 

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

 

2

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the three months ended March 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Net income (loss)

  $ 778     $ (42,148 )

Other comprehensive income:

               

Cash flow hedges:

               

Reclassification adjustment, net of tax

    -       634  

Total other comprehensive income

    -       634  

Total comprehensive income (loss)

    778       (41,514 )

Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributive to non-controlling interest

    157       (427 )

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to stockholders

  $ 621     $ (41,087 )

 

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

 

3

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Deficit

(In thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

Common Stock

   

Additional Paid-In

   

Accumulated

   

Total Stockholders'

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Deficit

   

Deficit

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

    53,177,437     $ 5     $ 83,850     $ (266,530 )   $ (182,675 )

Stock-based compensation

    -       -       2,902       -       2,902  

Net activity related to equity compensation plans

    65,570       -       (11 )     -       (11 )

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

    -       -       -       2,090       2,090  

Series A preferred stock dividend

    -       -       -       (1,069 )     (1,069 )

Net income attributable to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

    -       -       -       621       621  

Balance as of March 31, 2023

    53,243,007     $ 5     $ 86,741     $ (264,888 )   $ (178,142 )

 

 

   

Common Stock

   

Additional Paid-In

   

Accumulated

   

Accumulated Other

   

Total Stockholders'

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Deficit

   

Comprehensive Loss

   

Deficit

 

Balance as of December 31, 2021

    50,800,786     $ 5     $ 58,485     $ (136,439 )   $ (634 )   $ (78,583 )

Stock-based compensation

    -       -       1,828       -       -       1,828  

Net activity related to equity compensation plans

    132,685       -       (6 )     -       -       (6 )

Other comprehensive income, net

    -       -       -       -       634       634  

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

    -       -       -       (4,259 )     -       (4,259 )

Series A preferred shares dividend

    -       -       -       (1,298 )     -       (1,298 )

Net loss attributable to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

    -       -       -       (41,721 )     -       (41,721 )

Balance as of March 31, 2022

    50,933,471     $ 5     $ 60,307     $ (183,717 )   $ -     $ (123,405 )

 

 

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

 

4

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the three months ended March 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

               

Net income (loss)

  $ 778     $ (42,148 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    11,808       11,178  

Amortization of deferred financing costs and other, net

    681       701  

Amortization of right-to-use lease assets

    353       (9 )

Stock-based compensation

    2,902       1,828  

Deferred income taxes

    1,533       (149 )

Change in fair value of contingent acquisition consideration

    -       56  

Gain on foreign currency

    (152 )     (130 )

Write-off of unamortized issuance costs related to debt refinancing

    -       9,004  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

               

Marine operating supplies and inventories

    825       482  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (2,323 )     (4,890 )

Unearned passenger revenues

    4,532       29,563  

Other long-term assets

    (1,041 )     (261 )

Other long-term liabilities

    (1 )     845  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    (17,478 )     (908 )

Operating lease liabilities

    (359 )     -  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    2,058       5,162  
                 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

               

Purchases of property and equipment

    (6,425 )     (7,522 )

Sale of securities

    15,163       -  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    8,738       (7,522 )
                 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

               

Proceeds from long-term debt

    -       360,000  

Repayments of long-term debt

    (5,809 )     (334,684 )

Payment of deferred financing costs

    (21 )     (10,781 )

Repurchase under stock-based compensation plans and related tax impacts

    (266 )     (6 )

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (6,096 )     14,529  

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

    4,700       12,169  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

    116,024       172,693  
                 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

  $ 120,724     $ 184,862  
                 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

               

Cash paid during the period:

               

Interest

  $ 16,593     $ 3,613  

Income taxes

    89       58  

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

               

Non-cash preferred stock dividend

  $ 1,069     $ 1,298  

 

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

 

5

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

 

NOTE 1BUSINESS 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.

 

 

Natural Habitat specializes in conservation-oriented adventures, providing life-enhancing forays into the natural world that feature wild habitats and the animals and people who live there. Natural Habitat’s travel adventures provide unparalleled access to the planet's most extraordinary wildlife, landscapes and cultures. Natural Habitat’s unique itineraries include access to private wildlife reserves, remote corners of national parks and distinctive, secluded, and remote lodges and camps situated where wildlife viewing is best, such as 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 specializes in luxury cycling and adventure tours around the world, providing immersive cultural and culinary experiences through thoughtfully designed itineraries led by expert local guides. Offerings primarily include tours throughout Europe, the United States and South America. Examples of DuVine’s tours include cycling and culinary tours throughout the Bordeaux and Burgundy wine making regions, Tuscan truffle, porcini and chestnut harvest regions, Napa and Sonoma wine making regions and lakes and volcanos throughout Patagonia. DuVine’s trips include top-quality gear and support and are tailored to riders of all abilities with an emphasis on exceptional food and wine experiences, along with boutique accommodations.

   
 

Off the Beaten Path provides active small-group and private custom journeys around the world with a long-standing focus on offering unique adventures and experiences throughout United States (“U.S.”) National Parks. In addition to other U.S.-based adventures such as ranch vacations and fly-fishing expeditions, Off the Beaten Path’s small-group product offerings include international expeditions across Europe, Africa, Australia, Central and South America and the South Pacific, such as hiking through the Dolomites, family adventures in Patagonia’s Lake District and experiencing the culture of Morocco. All Off the Beaten Path expeditions are defined by a focus on outdoor activity led by experienced, friendly guides.

   
 

Classic Journeys offers highly curated active small-group and private custom journeys centered around cinematic walks focused on engaging experiences that immerse guests into the history and culture of the places they are exploring and the people who live there, led by expert local guides in over 50 countries around the world. Classic Journeys’ tours are highlighted by luxury boutique accommodations and handcrafted itineraries curated through years of local connections such as experiencing Tuscan farmhouse kitchens, exploring Minoan ruins in Crete, or eating and dancing around a Berber encampment campfire.

 

6

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, 2022 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023 (the “2022 Annual Report”).

 

There have been no significant changes to the Company’s accounting policies from those disclosed in the 2022 Annual Report.

 

 

NOTE 2EARNINGS 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.

 

7

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred net losses available to stockholders, therefore basic and diluted net loss per share are the same in each respective period. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, 0.8 million unvested restricted shares, 1.9 million shares issuable upon exercise of options and 7.6 million common shares issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock were excluded from the calculation of dilutive potential common shares for the period as they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, 0.8 million unvested restricted shares, 1.5 million shares issuable upon exercise of options and 9.3 million common shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock were excluded from the calculation of dilutive potential common shares for the period as they were anti-dilutive. 

 

Loss per share was calculated as follows:

 

  

For the three months ended March 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 
  

(unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

        

Net income (loss) attributable to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

 $621  $(41,721)

Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock dividend

  1,069   1,298 

Undistributed loss available to stockholders

 $(448) $(43,019)
         

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Total weighted average shares outstanding, basic

  53,128,100   50,757,126 

Total weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

  53,128,100   50,757,126 
         

Undistributed loss per share available to stockholders:

        

Basic

 $(0.01) $(0.85)

Diluted

 $(0.01) $(0.85)

 

 

NOTE 3REVENUES

 

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 certain air transportation. Guest deposits represent unearned revenues and are reported as unearned passenger revenues when received and are subsequently recognized as tour revenue over the duration of the expedition. Contract liabilities represent the Company's obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Company 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 value of future travel certificates in excess of cash received is being recognized as a discount to tour revenues at the time the related expedition occurs. Future travel certificates are valued based on the Company’s expectation that a guest will travel again. As of  March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has recorded $249.6 million and $245.1 million, related to unearned passenger revenue, respectively.

 

  

Contract Liabilities

 

(In thousands)

    

Balance as of December 31, 2022

 $178,198 

Recognized in tour revenues during the period

  (134,262)

Additional contract liabilities in period

  95,692 

Balance as of March 31, 2023

 $139,628 

 

8

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

 

  

For the three months ended March 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

Guest ticket revenue:

  (unaudited) 

Direct

  45%  45%

National Geographic

  14%  16%

Agencies

  23%  20%

Affinity

  7%  9%

Guest ticket revenue

  89%  90%

Other tour revenue

  11%  10%

Tour revenues

  100%  100%

 

 

NOTE 4FINANCIAL STATEMENT DETAILS

 

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

 

  

For the three months ended March 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

(In thousands)

  (unaudited) 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $83,984  $154,816 

Restricted cash

  36,740   30,046 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as presented in the statement of cash flows

 $120,724  $184,862 

 

Restricted cash consists of the following:

 

  

As of March 31, 2023

  

As of December 31, 2022

 

(In thousands)

  (unaudited)     

Credit card processor reserves

 $20,737  $20,400 

Federal Maritime Commission and other escrow

  14,739   6,882 

Certificates of deposit and other restricted securities

  1,264   1,565 

Total restricted cash

 $36,740  $28,847 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets are as follows: 

 

  

As of March 31, 2023

  

As of December 31, 2022

 
  

(unaudited)

     

(In thousands)

        

Prepaid tour expenses

 $25,914  $20,605 

Other

  18,187   21,173 

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets

 $44,101  $41,778 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses are as follows:

 

  

As of March 31, 2023

  

As of December 31, 2022

 
  

(unaudited)

     

(In thousands)

        

Accrued other expense

 $34,578  $54,418 

Accounts payable

  18,810   16,601 

Total accounts payable and accrued expenses

 $53,388  $71,019 

 

9

 

NOTE 5LONG-TERM DEBT

 

  

As of March 31, 2023

  

As of December 31, 2022

 
       (unaudited)                 

(In thousands)

 

Principal

  

Deferred Financing Costs, net

  

Balance

  

Principal

  

Deferred Financing Costs, net

  

Balance

 

6.75% Notes

 $360,000  $(8,440) $351,560  $360,000   (8,968)  351,032 

First Export Credit Agreement

  91,569   (1,764)  89,805   94,794   (1,829)  92,965 

Second Export Credit Agreement

  107,485   (2,140)  105,345   110,044   (2,207)  107,837 

Other

  930   -   930   955   -   955 

Total long-term debt

  559,984   (12,344)  547,640   565,793   (13,004)  552,789 

Less current portion

  (23,308)  -   (23,308)  (23,337)  -   (23,337)

Total long-term debt, non-current

 $536,676  $(12,344) $524,332  $542,456  $(13,004) $529,452 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of deferred financing costs were charged to interest 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, and interest 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. 

 

Revolving Credit Facility 

 

On February 4, 2022, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “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 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 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 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. The loan amortizes quarterly based on a twelve-year profile, with 70% maturing over twelve years from drawdown, and 30% maturing over five years from drawdown. 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. 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 8.65% over the borrowing period covering March 31, 2023. 

 

10

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. The loan amortizes quarterly based on a twelve-year profile, with 70% maturing over twelve years from final drawdown, and 30% maturing over five years from final drawdown. 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. 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 8.46% over the borrowing period covering March 31, 2023.

 

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 7.86% as of March 31, 2023. 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, 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. 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 March 31, 2023.

 

 

NOTE 6FINANCIAL 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. 

 

11

The Company held the following derivative instruments with absolute notional values as of March 31, 2023:

 

(In thousands)

 

Absolute Notional Value

 

Interest rate caps

 $100,000 

Foreign exchange contracts

  12,232 

 

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

 

  

As of March 31, 2023

  

As of December 31, 2022

 
  

(unaudited)

         

(In thousands)

 

Fair Value, Asset Derivatives

  

Fair Value, Liability Derivatives

  

Fair Value, Asset Derivatives

  

Fair Value, Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:

                

Interest rate cap (a)

 $316  $-  $683  $- 

Foreign exchange forward (b)

  -   434   -   572 

Total

 $316  $434  $683  $572 
 

(a)

Recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

 (b)Recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses. 

 

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:

 

  

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

  

2022

 
  (unaudited) 

Derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:

        

Interest rate cap (a)

 $(367) $(451)

Foreign exchange forward (b)

  152   130 

Total

 $(215) $(321)
 

(a) 

Recognized in interest expense, net. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, $0.6 million was reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense, net.

 (b) 

Gains (losses) related to derivative instruments are expected to be largely offset by (losses) gains on the underlying exposures being hedged and recognized in gain (loss) on foreign currency.

 

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 as of March 31, 2023 to be $541.8 million based on the terms of the agreements and comparable market data as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no other significant liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

 

NOTE 7STOCKHOLDERS 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 March 31, 2023.  

 

12

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 was $2.1 million as of March 31, 2023, recorded as reduction to preferred stock. The Company recorded accrued dividends for Preferred Stock of $1.1 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, the 62,000 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding and accumulated dividends could be converted at the option of the holders into 7.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

 

NOTE 8STOCK 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 March 31, 2023, 2.9 million shares were available to be granted under the Plan.

 

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $2.8 million and $1.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

2022 Long-Term Incentive Compensation

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company granted 273,656 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with a weighted average grant price of $9.57. 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 three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company awarded 96,757 performance-based restricted share units (“PSUs”) with a weighted average grant price of $9.56. The PSUs generally vest three years following the date of grant based on the attainment of performance- or market-based goals, all of which are subject to a service condition. The Company does not deliver the shares associated with the PSUs to the employee, non-employee director or other service providers until the performance and vesting conditions are met. 

 

Options

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company granted 500,000 options, with an average exercise price of $9.56. The options vest ratably over four years with a term of ten years. 

 

    Stock Option Grants  
    2023  
Stock price   $ 9.56  
Exercise price   $ 9.56  
Dividend yield     0.00 %
Expected Volatility     64.6 %
Risk-free interest rate     3.63 %
Expected term (in years)     6.25  

 

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, options to purchase an aggregate of 1.9 million and 1.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, with a weighted average exercise price of $13.64 and $15.10, respectively, were outstanding. As of March 31, 2023, 388,000 options were exercisable.

 

Natural Habitat Contingent Arrangement

 

In connection with the 2016 acquisition of Natural Habitat, Mr. Bressler employment agreement, as amended, provides Mr. Bressler, President of Natural Habitat, with an equity incentive opportunity to earn an award of options based on the future financial performance of Natural Habitat, effective as of  December 31, 2025, subject to certain conditions. Mr. Bressler has a one-time right to elect an early option award of 50% at  December 31, 2023, subject to certain conditions. 

 

13

 

NOTE 9INCOME TAXES

 

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits recorded. The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was an expense of 66.5%, versus a benefit of 0.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The effect tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was impacted by a $1.5 million discrete tax expense.

 

 

NOTE 10COMMITMENTS 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:

 

  

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

  

2022

 
  

(unaudited)

 

Beginning balance

 $27,886  $10,626 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

  157   (427)

Redemption value adjustment of put option

  (2,090)  4,259 

Distribution

  (255)  - 

Ending balance

 $25,698  $14,458 

 

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. 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 months ended March 31, 2023 was $1.3 million, and was $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

The royalty balance payable to National Geographic as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, and are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

 

14

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. This royalty fee expense was $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and  March 31, 2022.

 

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 March 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

Amount

 

(In thousands)

 (unaudited) 

2023

 $10,870 

2024

  12,914 

Total

 $23,784 

 

 

NOTE 11SEGMENT 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:

 

  

For the three months ended March 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

(In thousands)

  (unaudited) 

Tour revenues:

        

Lindblad

 $115,498  $50,274 

Land Experiences

  27,897   17,572 

Total tour revenues

 $143,395  $67,846 

Operating income (loss):

        

Lindblad

 $12,118  $(33,569)

Land Experiences

  348   (676)

Total operating income (loss)

 $12,466  $(34,245)

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 there was $2.5 million in intercompany tour revenues between the Lindblad and Land Experiences reportable segments, which were eliminated in consolidation. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, there was $1.6 of intercompany tour revenues between the Lindblad and Land Experiences reportable segments eliminated in consolidation.

 

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

 

  

For the three months ended March 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

(In thousands)

  (unaudited) 

Depreciation and amortization:

        

Lindblad

 $11,152  $10,741 

Land Experiences

  656   437 

Total depreciation and amortization

 $11,808  $11,178 

 

15

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

 

(In thousands)

 

As of March 31, 2023

  

As of December 31, 2022

 
  

(unaudited)

    

Total Assets:

        

Lindblad

 $628,968  $662,683 

Land Experiences

  145,300   125,292 

Total assets

 $774,268  $787,975 
         

Intangibles, net:

        

Lindblad

 $1,651  $1,680 

Land Experiences

  9,109   9,539 

Total intangibles, net

 $10,760  $11,219 
         

Goodwill:

        

Lindblad

 $-  $- 

Land Experiences

  42,017   42,017 

Total goodwill

 $42,017  $42,017 

 

 

NOTE 12SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

In May 2023, the Company issued $275.0 million of 9.00% senior secured notes, maturing 2028 (the “2028 Notes”), with proceeds used primarily to prepay in full all outstanding borrowings under its existing export credit facilities. The 2028 Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, and collateralized by certain of the Company’s assets.

 

16

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

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 Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 10, 2023 (the “2022 Annual Report”). 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:

 

  events and conditions around the world, including war and other military actions, such as the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, inflation, higher fuel prices, higher interest rates and other general concerns about the state of the economy or other events impacting the ability or desire of people to travel;
     
 

suspended operations, cancelling or rescheduling of voyages and other potential disruptions to our business and operations related to the COVID-19 virus, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the political unrest in Peru or another unexpected event;

     
 

the impacts of inflation, the COVID-19 virus and/or the Russia-Ukraine conflict on our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, cash flows, employees, plans and growth;

     
 

increases in fuel prices, changes in fuels consumed and availability of fuel supply in the geographies in which we operate or in general; 

     
 

the impacts of inflation and negative economic conditions or negative economic outlooks on the demand for expedition travel;
     
  the loss of key employees, our inability to recruit or retain qualified shoreside and shipboard employees and increased labor costs;
     
  the impact of delays or cost overruns with respect to anticipated or unanticipated drydock, maintenance, modifications or other required construction related to any of our vessels;
     
 

unscheduled disruptions in our business due to travel restrictions, weather events, mechanical failures, pandemics or other events;
     
 

changes adversely affecting the business in which we are engaged:
     
  management of our growth and our ability to execute on our planned growth, including our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions;
     
 

our business strategy and plans;

     
 

our ability to maintain or renew (on favorable terms or at all) our relationship with National Geographic and/or World Wildlife Fund;

     
  compliance with new and existing laws and regulations, including environmental regulations and travel advisories and restrictions;
17

     
 

compliance with the financial and/or operating covenants in our debt arrangements;

     
 

the impact of severe or unusual weather conditions, including climate change, on our business;

     
  adverse publicity regarding the travel and cruise industry in general;
     
 

loss of business due to competition;

     
  the inability to meet or achieve our sustainability related goals, aspirations, initiatives, and our public statements and disclosures regarding them;
     
 

the result of future financing efforts; and 

     
 

those risks discussed herein and in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2022 Annual Report.

 

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.

 

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2023 Highlights

 

During the first quarter we provided immersive expeditions to our guests across all of our ships including voyages to Antarctica, Patagonia, Baja California’s Sea of Cortez, the Galápagos Islands, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and elsewhere and generated $143.4 million in revenue, $12.5 million in operating income and $27.2 million in Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP financial measure defined below). 

 

We have substantial advanced reservations for future travel with bookings for the full year 2023 45% ahead of the bookings for 2019 at the same point in 2019.

 

During May, we issued $275.0 million of 9.00% senior secured notes, maturing 2028, with proceeds used primarily to pay the outstanding borrowings under our existing export credit agreements. 

 

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

 

 

a description of certain line items and operational and financial metrics we utilize to assist us in managing our business;

     
 

results and a comparable discussion of our consolidated and segment results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022;

     
 

a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including future capital and contractual commitments and potential funding sources; and

     
 

a review of our critical accounting policies.

 

Financial Presentation

 

Description of Certain Line Items

 

Tour revenues

 

Tour revenues consist of the following:

 

 

Guest ticket revenues recognized from the sale of guest tickets; and

     
 

Other tour revenues from the sale of pre- or post-expedition excursions, hotel accommodations, air transportation to and from the ships and excursions, goods and services rendered onboard that are not included in guest ticket prices, trip insurance, and cancellation fees.

 

Cost of tours

 

Cost of tours includes the following:

 

 

Direct costs associated with revenues, including cost of pre- or post-expedition excursions, hotel accommodations, and land-based expeditions, air and other transportation expenses, and cost of goods and services rendered onboard;

     
 

Payroll costs and related expenses for shipboard and expedition personnel;

     
 

Food costs for guests and crew, including complimentary food and beverage amenities for guests;

     
 

Fuel costs and related costs of delivery, storage and safe disposal of waste; and

     
 

Other tour expenses, such as land costs, port costs, repairs and maintenance, equipment expense, drydock, ship insurance, and charter hire costs.

 

Selling and marketing

 

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

 

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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.

 

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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 recorded during the second and third quarters from their spring and summer season departures.

 

Results of Operations - Consolidated

 

   

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

   

2022

   

Change

   

%

 

Tour revenues

  $ 143,395     $ 67,846     $ 75,549       111 %
                                 

Cost of tours

    72,050       57,947       14,103       24 %

General and administrative

    26,419       20,637       5,782       28 %

Selling and marketing

    20,652       12,329       8,323       68 %

Depreciation and amortization

    11,808       11,178       630       6 %

Operating income (loss)

  $ 12,466     $ (34,245 )   $ 46,711       136 %

Net income (loss)

  $ 778     $ (42,148 )   $ 42,926       102 %

Undistributed loss per share available to stockholders:

                               

Basic

  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.85 )   $ 0.84          

Diluted

  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.85 )   $ 0.84          

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 — Consolidated

 

Tour Revenues

 

Tour revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $75.5 million, to $143.4 million, compared to $67.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Lindblad segment tour revenues increased by $65.2 million, and the Land Experiences segment increased $10.3 million, primarily due to the ramp of expeditions and trips, and higher pricing. 

 

Cost of Tours

 

Total cost of tours for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $14.1 million, or 24%, to $72.0 million, compared to $57.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Lindblad segment cost of tours increased by $9.5 million, and the Land Experiences segment increased $4.6 million, primarily due to the ramp of expeditions and trips. 

 

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General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $5.8 million, or 28%, to $26.4 million, compared to $20.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. At the Lindblad segment, general and administrative expenses increased $3.3 million from the prior year period, primarily due to higher personnel costs associated with the ramp in operations and higher credit card commissions due to the strong booking environment. At the Land Experiences segment, general and administrative expenses increased $2.5 million, primarily due to increased personnel costs related to operating additional trips and higher credit card commissions due to the strong booking environment. 

 

Selling and Marketing

 

Selling and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $8.3 million, or 68%, to $20.7 million, compared to $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. At the Lindblad segment, selling and marketing expenses increased $6.3 million, primarily due to higher commissions related to the ramp in operations and increased marketing spend to drive future bookings. At the Land Experiences segment, selling and marketing expenses increased $2.0 million, primarily due to increased marketing spend to drive future bookings.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $0.6 million, or 6%, to $11.8 million, compared to $11.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023, increased $2.1 million to $10.1 million from $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to a $1.8 million increase in interest expense, primarily due to higher rates across our debt facilities.

 

Results of Operations — Segments

 

Selected information for our reportable segments is below. 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.

 

   

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

   

2022

   

Change

   

%

Tour revenues:

                               

Lindblad

  $ 115,498     $ 50,274     $ 65,224       130 %

Land Experiences

    27,897       17,572       10,325       59 %

Total tour revenues

  $ 143,395     $ 67,846     $ 75,549       111 %

Operating income (loss):

                               

Lindblad

  $ 12,118     $ (33,569 )   $ 45,687       136 %

Land Experiences

    348       (676 )     1,024       151 %

Total operating income (loss)

  $ 12,466     $ (34,245 )   $ 46,711       136 %

Adjusted EBITDA:

                               

Lindblad

  $ 26,083     $ (20,981 )   $ 47,064       224 %

Land Experiences

    1,103       (239 )     1,342       562 %

Total adjusted EBITDA

  $ 27,186     $ (21,220 )   $ 48,406       228 %

 

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Guest Metrics — Lindblad Segment

 

The following table sets forth our Available Guest Nights, Guest Nights Sold, Occupancy, Maximum Guests, Number of Guests and Voyages:

 

   

For the three months ended March 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Available Guest Nights

    83,184       48,546  

Guest Nights Sold

    67,057       32,184  

Occupancy

    81 %     66 %

Maximum Guests

    8,990       5,414  

Number of Guests

    7,354       3,661  

Voyages

    113       83  

 

The following table shows the calculations of Gross and Net Yield. Gross Yield is calculated by dividing Tour Revenues by Available Guest Nights and Net Yield is calculated by dividing Net Revenue by Available Guest Nights:

 

Calculation of Gross and Net Yield per Available Guest Night

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands, except for Available Guest Nights, Gross and Net Yield per Available Guest Night)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Guest ticket revenues

  $ 102,614     $ 45,502  

Other tour revenue

    12,884       4,772  

Tour Revenues

    115,498       50,274  

Less: Commissions

    (7,816 )     (4,405 )

Less: Other tour expenses

    (7,458 )     (9,989 )

Net Yield

  $ 100,224     $ 35,880  

Available Guest Nights

    83,184       48,546  

Gross Yield per Available Guest Night

  $ 1,388     $ 1,036  

Net Yield per Available Guest Night

    1,205       739  

 

The following table reconciles operating income to our Net Yield Guest Metric for the Lindblad Segment:

 

   

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 12,118     $ (33,569 )

Cost of tours

    57,095       47,571  

General and administrative

    18,566       15,248  

Selling and marketing

    16,567       10,283  

Depreciation and amortization

    11,152       10,741  

Less: Commissions

    (7,816 )     (4,405 )

Less: Other tour expenses

    (7,458 )     (9,989 )

Net Yield

  $ 100,224     $ 35,880  

 

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The following table shows the calculations of Gross and Net Cruise Costs:

 

Calculation of Gross and Net Cruise Cost

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands, except for Available Guest Nights, Gross and Net Cruise Cost per Avail. Guest Night)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Cost of tours

  $ 57,095     $ 47,571  

Plus: Selling and marketing

    16,567       10,283  

Plus: General and administrative

    18,566       15,248  

Gross Cruise Cost

    92,228       73,102  

Less: Commissions

    (7,816 )     (4,405 )

Less: Other tour expenses

    (7,458 )     (9,989 )

Net Cruise Cost

    76,954       58,708  

Less: Fuel Expense

    (8,351 )     (5,924 )

Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel

    68,603       52,784  

Non-GAAP Adjustments:

               

Stock-based compensation

    (2,803 )     (1,828 )

Other

    (10 )     (19 )

Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel

  $ 65,790     $ 50,937  

Adjusted Net Cruise Cost

  $ 74,141     $ 56,861  

Available Guest Nights

    83,184       48,546  

Gross Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night

  $ 1,109     $ 1,506  

Net Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night

    925       1,209  

Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Available Guest Night

    825       1,087  

Adjusted Net Cruise Cost Excluding Fuel per Available Guest Night

    791       1,049  

Adjusted Net Cruise Cost per Available Guest Night

    891       1,171  


Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 at the Lindblad Segment

 

Tour Revenues

 

Tour revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $65.2 million to $115.5 million, compared to $50.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The 130% increase in 2023 was driven by higher guest ticket revenues primarily from an increase in available guest nights and from higher pricing and occupancy compared with the first quarter of 2022. 

 

Operating Income

 

We generated $12.1 million of operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to a $33.6 operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to the increase in tour revenues, partially offset by higher cost of tours and personnel costs due to the ramp in operations, increased commissions related to the revenue and bookings growth and increased marketing spend to support future growth initiatives.

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 at the Land Experiences Segment

 

Tour Revenues

 

Tour revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased $10.3 million to $27.9 million compared to $17.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily as a result of operating additional trips during the first quarter 2023 and higher pricing.

 

Operating Income 

 

We generated $0.3 million of operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to an operating loss of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to the increase in tour revenue, partially offset by higher operating and personnel costs related to operating additional departures, increased commissions related to the revenue and bookings growth and increased marketing spend to support future growth initiatives.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA — Consolidated

 

The following table outlines the reconciliation of net loss to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. 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.

 

Consolidated

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 778     $ (42,148 )

Interest expense, net

    10,467       8,715  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    1,543       (149 )

Depreciation and amortization

    11,808       11,178  

Gain on foreign currency

    (152 )     (130 )

Other income

    (170 )     (533 )

Stock-based compensation

    2,902       1,828  

Other

    10       19  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 27,186     $ (21,220 )

 

The following tables outline the reconciliation for each reportable segment from operating income to Adjusted EBITDA.

 

Lindblad Segment

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 12,118     $ (33,569 )

Depreciation and amortization

    11,152       10,741  

Stock-based compensation

    2,803       1,828  

Other

    10       19  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 26,083     $ (20,981 )

 

Land Experiences Segment

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2023

   

2022

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 348     $ (676 )

Depreciation and amortization

    656       437  

Stock-based compensation

    99       -  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 1,103     $ (239 )

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $84.0 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $36.7 million in restricted cash primarily related to deposits on future travel originating from U.S. ports and credit card reserves.

 

As of March 31, 2023, we had $560.0 million in long-term debt obligations, including the current portion of long-term debt. We believe that our cash on hand and expected future operating cash inflows will be sufficient to fund operations, debt service requirements and necessary capital expenditures. 

 

Sources and Uses of Cash for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2022. The $3.1 million decrease is primarily due to higher costs during 2023 as we returned all vessels to operations. 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $7.5 million used in investing activities in the same period in 2022. 2023 primarily included divesting of marketable securities, partially offset by vessel capital expenditures, while 2022 primarily included routine capital vessel maintenance across the fleet and renovations to the National Geographic Islander II for its launch during the third quarter of 2022.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities was $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $14.5 million provided by financing activities for the same period in 2022. 2023 primarily included repayments under our export credit agreements, while 2022 primarily included the issuance of new senior secured notes which were used to repay the prior credit agreement, including the term facility, the Main Street Loan and the revolving facility.

 

Funding Sources

 

Debt Facilities 

 

6.75% Notes

 

On February 4, 2022, we 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 and interest 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. We used the net proceeds from the offering to prepay in full all outstanding borrowings under our prior credit agreement, including the term facility, Main Street Loan, and revolving credit facility, to pay any related premiums and to terminate in full our prior credit agreement and the commitments thereunder. The Notes are senior secured obligations and are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by us and certain of our subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and secured by first-priority pari passu liens, subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions, on substantially all of our and the Guarantors’ assets. We may redeem the Notes at set redemption prices and premiums, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. 

 

The Notes contain covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability and the ability of our 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. 

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On February 4, 2022, we entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “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 Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by us 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 Revolving Credit Facility, if any, will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, an adjusted SOFR rate plus a spread or a base rate plus a spread.

 

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

 

Senior Secured Credit Agreements

 

Our first senior secured credit agreement (the “First Export Credit Agreement”) made available a loan for the purpose of providing financing for up to 80% of the purchase price of our new polar ice class vessel, the National Geographic Endurance. During March 2020, upon delivery, we borrowed $107.7 million under the First Export Credit Agreement for the final contracted payment of the National Geographic Endurance.

 

Our second senior secured credit agreement (the “Second Export Credit Agreement”) made available a loan for the purpose of providing pre- and post-delivery financing for up to 80% of the purchase price of the National Geographic Resolution. We borrowed $122.8 million under the Second Export Credit Agreement, drawing approximately $30.5 million in 2019, $30.6 million in 2020 and $61.7 million in 2021, with the ship delivered in September 2021. 

 

The First Export Credit Agreement, as amended, bears interest at a variable interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.50% per annum, or 8.65% over the borrowing period covering March 31, 2023. The Second Export Credit Agreement, as amended, bears a variable interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.50% per annum, or 8.46% over the borrowing period covering March 31, 2023. On October 11, 2022, we amended the covenants of our export 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. We were in compliance with our covenants in effect as of March 31, 2023. 

 

During April 2023, we issued $275.0 million of 9.00% senior secured notes, maturing 2028, with proceeds used primarily to pay the outstanding borrowings under our First and Second Export Credit Agreements. The senior secured notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by us and certain of our subsidiaries and are collateralized by certain of our assets.

 

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Other

 

Our 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 annual interest rate of 4.77%.

 

Our Off the Beaten Path subsidiary has a $0.8 million loan under the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility, originated on December 11, 2020. 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 7.86% as of March 31, 2023. 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.

 

Our 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 annual interest rate of 0.53%. 

 

Equity

 

Preferred Stock

 

In August 2020, we issued and sold 85,000 shares of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.0001, (“Preferred Stock”) for $1,000 per share for gross proceeds of $85.0 million. As of March 31, 2023, 62,000 shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding. The Preferred Stock has senior and preferential ranking to our 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 our option. The Preferred Stock is convertible at any time, at the holder’s election, into a number of shares of our common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the then-current accrued value by the conversion price of $9.50. At the six-year anniversary of the closing date, each investor has the right to request that we repurchase their Preferred Stock, and any Preferred Stock not requested to be repurchased shall be converted into our common shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the then-current accrued value by the conversion price. As of March 31, 2023, the outstanding Preferred Stock and accumulated dividends could be converted, at the option of the holders, into approximately 7.6 million shares of our common stock. 

 

Funding Needs

 

We generally rely on a combination of cash flows provided by operations and the incurrence of additional debt to fund obligations. A vast majority of guest ticket receipts are collected in advance of the applicable expedition date. These advance passenger receipts remain a current liability until the expedition date, and the cash generated from these advance receipts is used interchangeably with cash on hand from other cash from operations. The cash received as advanced receipts can be used to fund operating expenses for the applicable future expeditions or otherwise, pay down debt, make long-term investments or any other use of cash. Traditionally we run a working capital deficit due primarily to a large balance of unearned passenger revenues. As of March 31, 2023, we had a working capital deficit of $152.1 million, and as of December 31, 2022, we had a working capital deficit of $157.8 million. 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. For a detailed discussion of our Critical Accounting Policies, please see our 2022 Annual Report, where we have discussed those policies and estimates that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application. There have been no significant changes to our accounting policies from those disclosed in the 2022 Annual Report.

 

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

There have been no material changes in our exposure to market risks from the information set forth in the “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” sections contained in our 2022 Annual Report.

 

We are exposed to a market risk for interest rates related to our variable rate debt instruments. We assess our market risks based on changes in interest rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis that measures the potential impact on earnings and cash flows based on a hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates. For additional information regarding our long-term borrowings see Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. Based on our March 31, 2023 outstanding variable rate debt balance, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in LIBOR interest rates related to our variable interest rate debt instruments would impact our annual interest expense by approximately $2.0 million.

 

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ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) were effective as of March 31, 2023 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART 2.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings arising from time to time in the ordinary course of business. We have protection and indemnity insurance that would be expected to cover any damages.

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 

We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of risks that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results, some of which are beyond our control. The risks and uncertainties that we believe are most important for you to consider are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the 2022 Annual Report.

 

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Recent Sales by the Company of Unregistered Securities

 

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

 

Stock Repurchase Plan

 

Our 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 us to purchase from time to time our outstanding common stock and our previously outstanding warrants. Any shares and warrants purchased will be retired. The Repurchase Plan has no time deadline and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated at the sole discretion of our 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. We have cumulatively repurchased 875,218 shares of common stock for $8.3 million and 6,011,926 warrants for $14.7 million, since plan inception. All repurchases were made using cash resources. The balance for the Repurchase Plan was $12.0 million as of March 31, 2023. 

 

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Repurchases of Securities

 

The following table represents information with respect to shares of common stock withheld from vesting's of stock-based compensation awards for employee income tax withholding for the periods indicated:

 

Period

 

Total number of shares purchased

   

Average price paid per share

   

Dollar value of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs

   

Maximum dollar value of warrants and shares that may be purchased under approved plans or programs

 

January 1 through January 31, 2023

    716     $ 10.70     $ -     $ 11,974,787  

February 1 through February 28, 2023

    307       12.34       -       11,974,787  

March 1 through March 31, 2023

    36,303       9.52       -       11,974,787  

Total

    37,326             $ -          

 

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable.

 

 

29

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

 

Number

 

Description

 

Included

 

Form

 

Filing Date

4.1   FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 2, 2023, by and among Lindblad Expeditions, LLC, the other parties listed as New Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.    Herewith        

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Herewith

       

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Herewith

       

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Herewith

       

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Herewith

       

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

Herewith

       

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

Herewith

       

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

Herewith

       

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

Herewith

       

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

Herewith

       

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

Herewith

       

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

           
   

 

 

30

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on May 3, 2023.

 

 

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

(Registrant)

     
 

By

/s/ Dolf Berle

   

Dolf Berle

   

Chief Executive Officer

   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
  By
/s/ Craig Felenstein
   
Craig Felenstein
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
     

 

 

 

31