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Other Assets
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Other Assets  
Other Assets

Note 6. Other Assets

Variable Interest Entities

        A Variable Interest Entity ("VIE"), is an entity in which the equity investors have not provided enough equity to finance the entity's activities or the equity investors (1) cannot directly or indirectly make decisions about the entity's activities through their voting rights or similar rights; (2) do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity; (3) do not have the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (4) have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and the entity's activities involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest.

        We have determined that Grand Bahama Shipyard Ltd. ("Grand Bahama"), a ship repair and maintenance facility in which we have a 40% noncontrolling interest, is a VIE. The facility serves cruise and cargo ships, oil and gas tankers, and offshore units. We utilize this facility, among other ship repair facilities, for our regularly scheduled drydocks and certain emergency repairs as may be required. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary of this facility, as we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the facility's economic performance. Accordingly, we do not consolidate this entity and we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the net book value of our investment in Grand Bahama, including equity and loans, was approximately $59.3 million and $61.4 million, respectively, which is also our maximum exposure to loss as we are not contractually required to provide any financial or other support to the facility. The majority of our loans to Grand Bahama are in non-accrual status and the majority of this amount was included within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We received approximately $5.5 million and $10.8 million in principal and interest payments related to loans that are in accrual status from Grand Bahama in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and recorded income associated with our investment in Grand Bahama. We monitor credit risk associated with these loans through our participation on the Grand Bahama's board of directors along with our review of the Grand Bahama's financial statements and projected cash flows. Based on this review, we believe the risk of loss associated with these loans was not probable as of December 31, 2012.

        In conjunction with our acquisition of Pullmantur in 2006, we obtained a 49% noncontrolling interest in Pullmantur Air, S.A. ("Pullmantur Air"), a small air business that operates four aircraft in support of Pullmantur's operations. We have determined Pullmantur Air is a VIE for which we are the primary beneficiary as we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact its economic performance and we are obligated to absorb its losses. In accordance with authoritative guidance, we have consolidated the assets and liabilities of Pullmantur Air. We do not separately disclose the assets and liabilities of Pullmantur Air as they are immaterial to our December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consolidated financial statements.

        We have determined that TUI Cruises GmbH, our 50%-owned joint venture which operates the brand TUI Cruises, is a VIE. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investment in TUI Cruises, including equity and loans, was approximately $287.0 million and $282.0 million, respectively, and the majority of this amount was included within other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, in conjunction with our sale of Celebrity Mercury to TUI Cruises in 2011, we and TUI AG each guaranteed the repayment of 50% of an €180.0 million 5-year bank loan provided to TUI Cruises (refer to further details below). This investment amount and the potential obligations under this guarantee are substantially our maximum exposure to loss. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of TUI Cruises. We believe that the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact TUI Cruises' economic performance are shared between ourselves and our joint venture partner, TUI AG. All the significant operating and financial decisions of TUI Cruises require the consent of both parties which we believe creates shared power over TUI Cruises. Accordingly, we do not consolidate this entity and account for this investment under the equity method of accounting.

        In connection with our sale of Celebrity Mercury to TUI Cruises in 2011, we provided a debt facility to TUI Cruises in the amount of up to €90.0 million. The outstanding principal amount of the facility as of December 31, 2012 was €68.6 million, or approximately $90.4 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2012. The loan bears interest at the rate of 9.54% per annum, is payable over seven years, is 50% guaranteed by TUI AG (our joint venture partner) and is secured by second mortgages on both of TUI Cruises' ships, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2. In addition, we and TUI AG each guaranteed the repayment of 50% of an €180.0 million 5-year bank loan provided to TUI Cruises, of which €153.0 million, or approximately $201.7 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2012, remains outstanding as of December 31, 2012, in connection with the sale of the ship. The bank loan amortizes quarterly and is secured by first mortgages on both Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2. Based on current facts and circumstances, we do not believe potential obligations under this guarantee are probable.

        During 2011, TUI Cruises entered into a construction agreement with STX Finland to build its first newbuild ship, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2014. TUI Cruises has entered into a credit agreement for financing of up to 80% of the contract price of the ship. The remaining portion of the contract price of the ship will be funded through either TUI Cruises' cash flows from operations or loans and/or equity contributions from us and TUI AG. The construction agreement includes certain restrictions on each of our and TUI AG's ability to reduce our current ownership interest in TUI Cruises below 37.5% through the construction period. In addition, the credit agreement extends this restriction through 2019. In 2012, TUI Cruises exercised their option under the agreement with STX Finland to construct their second newbuild ship, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2015. TUI Cruises has secured a bank financing commitment for 80% of the contract price of the second ship as well as a conditional guarantee commitment from Finnvera, the official export agency of Finland, for 95% of the bank loan facility. The remaining portion of the contract price of the ship will be funded through either TUI Cruises' cash flows from operations or loans and/or equity contributions from us and TUI AG.