Meghan Montana named CFO

Meghan Montana will become the chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) on January 1, 2027, succeeding Mark A. Kempa, who has worked for the company since 1999. Kempa will continue as a consultant until June 2027.

Montana's background and role

Montana joined NCLH in January 2026 as chief strategy officer, leading the company's efforts to improve its financial performance. Before that, she was senior vice president of finance and development at American Airlines, where she also served as treasurer.

NCLH's financial performance

In the third quarter of 2026, NCLH reported revenue of $2.9 billion, with adjusted Ebitda of $937 million—$63 million more than analysts had predicted. The company has raised its full-year Ebitda target to approximately $2.55 billion for 2026.

Strategic focus and future goals

John W. Chidsey, CEO of NCLH, emphasized the company's focus on strengthening the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, improving marketing efficiency, and managing revenue more carefully. He mentioned early signs of progress and expects a net yield growth of 1 to 2 percent in 2027, with stronger results in the second half of the year.

Booking and debt challenges

The 12-month booking calendar for cruises is still below the level the company considers ideal. While prices for 2027 are higher than last year, occupancy rates in the first half of the year remain low. As of September 30, NCLH's total debt was $15.1 billion, and the company has since issued $950 million in bonds and sold the ship Oceania Sirena.