Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) saw its stock price plummet 11.02% in intraday trading on Tuesday, following the release of its third-quarter 2025 financial results and forward guidance. The cruise operator's performance fell short of market expectations, sparking concerns among investors about the company's near-term prospects and the overall demand for cruise vacations.
For the third quarter, Norwegian Cruise reported revenue of $2.94 billion, missing analysts' estimates of $3.02 billion. While the company's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.20 surpassed the expected $1.15, the revenue shortfall overshadowed this positive result. Adding to investor worries, Norwegian Cruise's outlook for the fourth quarter disappointed the market, with the company forecasting Q4 adjusted EPS of $0.27, below the analyst consensus of $0.30.
The sharp decline in Norwegian Cruise Line's stock price reflects growing concerns about softening demand for cruises, as budget-conscious consumers may be cutting back on spending for sea-based vacations following the post-pandemic travel boom. The company's performance also seems to be part of a broader market selloff affecting the cruise industry, with shares of peers Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation also down about 5% in sympathy. This suggests that investors are reassessing the near-term outlook for the entire cruise sector amid economic uncertainties and persistent inflationary pressures.