NCL Corp. Ltd. said steps it's taken to improve its money-losing Hawai'i operations seem to be having a positive effect and are contributing to the company's overall increased booking levels and ticket prices.

The Miami-based cruise line made the comments yesterday in announcing a net loss of $8.6 million on revenues of $631.4 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30. The results compared with a $49 million net profit a year earlier on revenue of $597.5 million.

NCL said the loss in the recent quarter included a non-cash loss of $42.9 million due to the way it accounts for its Euro-denominated debt.

"Pricing in the Caribbean has stabilized and is improving," said Colin Veitch, NCL president and chief executive officer, in a press release.

"We are also encouraged that the measures we have taken with respect to our Hawai'i operations seem to be having a positive impact.

The company said the 5.7 percent increase in third-quarter revenue was the result of higher net yields and an increase in capacity. The yields improved as a result of higher ticket prices as demand for NCL's cruises rose.

In August, NCL had said the Hawai'i interisland cruises will come up for a review next year, at which time the company will decide whether to continue them.

Earlier this year, the company said it will pull one of its three Hawai'i-based ships — the Pride of Hawai'i — from the state in February. The ship will be renamed Norwegian Jade and sent to Europe for the summer of 2008.

Veitch said the company's previously announced $1 billion investment from Apollo Management LP is expected to close this quarter, allowing the company to continue its growth plans. The investment was announced during the summer, with Apollo saying it will become a 50 percent owner of NCL, which will use the money to pay down debt and help expand its operations.