New Jersey to receive $138,999 in settlement with Norwegian Cruise Line over COVID practices
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey will receive $138,999.64 as part of a $2 million multistate settlement with Norwegian Cruise Line following an investigation into the company’s sales and cancellation practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials announced.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs said the investigation focused on allegations that Norwegian Cruise Line made misleading statements to consumers and provided confusing and conflicting information about cruise bookings, cancellations, refunds and future cruise credits.
“During the height of the pandemic, Norwegian Cruise Line was misleading consumers in order to boost its sales,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Corporations should not be able to take advantage of consumers, especially during a public health emergency. We are pleased that consumers have now received billions of dollars back in refunds and credits from Norwegian Cruise Line, and we will continue to work with our multistate partners to hold businesses accountable when they deceive consumers and siphon away their hard-earned money.”
According to the settlement, Norwegian Cruise Line, specifically NCL Bahamas Ltd., will pay $2 million to participating states. In addition, the company has already provided more than $3 billion in refunds and credits to consumers nationwide between March 2020 and November 2025, including more than $2.6 billion in credit card refunds and approximately $505 million in future cruise credits.
“This settlement sends the message that in times of crisis, companies need to put people before profits,” said Acting Division of Consumer Affairs Director Jeremy E. Hollander. “At all times, they must be truthful and their practices must remain fair to all consumers.”
Under the agreement, the company is prohibited from making deceptive or unsubstantiated sales statements and from prioritizing sales over consumer health and safety during declared emergencies. The company must also implement mandatory training for employees involved in sales and require senior management approval of sales communications during future disaster declarations.
Consumers who believe they were affected by fraudulent activity can file a complaint through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website.
