Norwegian Cruise Line sinks after outlook cut tied to higher fuel costs, weaker demand

Norwegian Cruise Line shares slid after the cruise operator cut its full-year outlook, overshadowing a first-quarter earnings beat.

The company lowered its guidance for full-year adjusted earnings per share to $1.45 to $1.79, down from its previous forecast of $2.38. It now sees adjusted EBITDA of $2.48 billion to $2.64 billion, below the company’s previous forecast of $2.95 billion and the $2.79 billion analysts were expecting.

The cut reflects a mix of macro and company-specific pressures. Higher fuel costs tied to the conflict in the Middle East are weighing on margins, while demand for European travel has softened and bookings remain below target level.

Norwegian said it entered 2026 “behind its targeted booking curve,” with geopolitical disruptions further slowing its ability to close that gap. The stock had already been under pressure, down more than 16% this year heading into the results.

On Monday morning before the open, the stock was down 6.7%.

The company’s first-quarter adjusted EPS came in at $0.23, topping estimates, but the beat was overshadowed by the guidance cut.

CEO John Chidsey said the company has already begun “taking decisive actions to strengthen execution and accountability,” including cost cutting and efficiency measures aimed at offsetting near-term pressures.

Shares of other cruise lines, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean, traded slightly lower after the report.

Separately, three people have died and at least three others are sick after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization said Sunday. Though that ship isn’t operated by one of the large publicly traded cruise liners, the news poses a potential reputational risk for the industry.