In addition, all of NCLC’s export-credit backed facilities were amended to provide that, from the effective date of the amendments to and including December 31, 2022, certain of the financial covenants under such facilities will be suspended and the free liquidity test will be replaced by a covenant to maintain at least $200 million in free liquidity. The amendments also made certain other changes to the facilities, including imposing further restrictions on NCLC’s ability to incur debt, create security, issue equity and make dividends and other distributions.
In April 2021, an agreement was executed to defer certain newbuild related debt amortization to July 2022. The aggregate amount of debt amortization that was deferred was €31.2 million, or $36.1 million based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2021. The interest rate on the newbuild related debt was increased to 4.5% per annum.
The amendments of the agreements described above resulted in aggregate modification expenses of $52.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which is recognized in interest expense, net.
In May 2021, NCLC entered into a €28.8 million loan facility for newbuild related payments. The facility bears interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2021, €19.2 million, or $22.2 million based on the euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2021, was drawn under this facility, which matures on July 1, 2022.
In July 2021, we amended 9 credit facilities for our newbuild agreements and increased the combined commitments under such credit facilities by approximately $770 million to cover owner’s supply (generally consists of provisions for the ship), modifications and financing premiums. Subsequently, in September 2021, excess commitments totaling approximately $230 million were cancelled under 2 of the credit facilities as a result of hedging euro below the rate used to determine the maximum commitments in U.S. dollars.
Unsecured Notes
In December 2020, NCLC conducted a private offering of $850.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2026 (the “2026 Senior Unsecured Notes”). In March 2021, NCLC completed an add-on offering of $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of additional 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes. The 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes pay interest at 5.875% per annum, semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding March 1 and September 1, respectively. NCLC may redeem the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes, in whole or part, at any time prior to December 15, 2025, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date and a “make-whole premium.” NCLC may redeem the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes, in whole or in part, on or after December 15, 2025, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time and from time to time prior to December 15, 2022, NCLC may choose to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, subject to certain restrictions, at a redemption price equal to 105.875% of the principal amount of the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date, so long as at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes issued remains outstanding following such redemption. The proceeds from the March 2021 issuance were used to repay the $230.0 million Pride of America Credit Facility and the remaining $222.6 million of the Jewel Credit Facility. The repayment of these debt agreements resulted in losses on extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which is recognized in interest expense, net.
In March 2021, NCL Finance, Ltd., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of NCLH and NCLC, additionally conducted a private offering of $525.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2028 (the “2028 Senior Unsecured Notes”). The 2028 Senior Unsecured Notes pay interest at 6.125% per annum, semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding March 1 and September 1, respectively. NCL Finance may redeem the 2028 Senior Unsecured Notes, in whole or part, at any time prior to December 15, 2027, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date and a “make-whole premium.” NCL Finance may redeem the 2028 Senior Unsecured Notes, in whole or in part, on or after December 15, 2027, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time and from time to time prior to March 15, 2024, NCL Finance may choose to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Senior Unsecured Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity