The EEOC alleged that NCL America discharged seven Middle Eastern crew members from the Pride of Aloha, in a lawsuit filed in 2006. NCL America denied wrongdoing. In 2008, it agreed to pay $485,000 and implement workplace-policy, consultant and training measures under a two-year consent decree.
In its lawsuit, filed in 2006 under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the EEOC alleged that NCL America discharged seven Middle Eastern crew members from various positions on the cruise ship “Pride of Aloha.” NCL America denied that it had acted improperly against these crew members in agreeing to resolve the lawsuit.
In 2002, Norwegian Cruise Line signed a plea agreement admitting a felony violation after systematically falsifying oil record books to conceal overboard disposal of oil-contaminated bilge waste from the SS Norway and at least one other ship. The agreement provided for a $1 million criminal fine and $500,000 in community-service payments.
In a Joint Factual Statement and the plea agreement filed with the Court, NCL has admitted that it engaged in a practice of systematically lying to the United States Coast Guard over a period of years regarding the discharge of oil-contaminated bilge waste from the SS Norway and at least one other ship, according to court documents. The false statements were contained in the ship's Oil Record Books, a required log in which overboard discharges must be recorded. The intentional falsification of log books required to be carried by ships and regularly inspected by the Coast Guard was designed to conceal that oil contaminated bilge waste was being dumped overboard. The deliberate failure to maintain an accurate Oil Record Book violates the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, a law which implements an international environmental treaty known as the MARPOL Protocol.
In April 2026, NCL Bahamas, Ltd. agreed to pay $2 million to 12 states after an investigation into its COVID-era sales and cancellation practices. States cited reports of misleading statements and confusing information, as well as unfair refund and future-cruise-credit policies. The settlement bars deceptive sales statements and requires employee training and management review of certain future communications.
The multistate investigation followed reports that during the height of the pandemic "NCL representatives were discouraging cancellations by inaccurately telling consumers the virus could not survive tropical temperatures," according to a separate news release from Connecticut Attorney General William Tong's office.
The settlement resolves a multistate investigation opened during the early days of the COVID pandemic following reports that NCL representatives were discouraging cancellations by inaccurately telling consumers the virus could not survive tropical temperatures. Between March 13, 2020, and November 30, 2025, NCL issued refunds totaling over $2.6 billion dollars nationwide, as well as more than $500 million in future cruise credits.
Carson City, NV — Today, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced a settlement with Norwegian Cruise Line, specifically NCL Bahamas, Ltd., following the multistate investigation of NCL’s sales practices and cancellations procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic. The settlement prohibits NCL from generating or disseminating deceptive or unsubstantiated sales statements to consumers and prohibits NCL from incentivizing sales over the health and safety of consumers during disaster declarations.
The multistate investigation concerned allegations that NCL made misleading and false statements to consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers expressed that they received confusing and conflicting information about cruise bookings and cancellations, and they reported that NCL implemented unfair policies regarding future cruise credits and refunds associated with cruises cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. alleged that NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and NCL America LLC failed, from 2003 to 2007, to provide communication aids for deaf or hard-of-hearing guests and accessible U.S. bus transportation for guests with mobility disabilities. NCL denied violating the ADA. The consent decree required accessibility measures, $100,000 for nine complainants and a $40,000 civil penalty, while expressly making no admission or finding of liability.
3. The United States filed this action to enforce provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., against Defendants, NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., a Bermuda Corporation, and NCL America LLC f/k/a NCL America, Inc. (collectively "NCL"). Between 2003 and 2007, the United States alleges that NCL violated Title III of the ADA by failing to provide auxiliary aids and services to certain individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and accessible bus transportation to individuals with mobility disabilities within the United States, and by denying such persons the opportunity to fully participate in and benefit from the goods and services of NCL's cruise ships.
The United States alleged that NCL imposed extra travel requirements on passengers with visual impairments, including medical clearance and traveling with a nondisabled companion. NCL denied the allegations and disputed the ADA’s application. In a 2001 consent order, NCL agreed to policy changes and payments totaling $65,000; the settlement made no admission or finding of liability. The order lasted five years.
6. Specifically, the United States alleges that NCL requires persons with vision impairments, as a condition for traveling on NCL cruise ships, to: (a) obtain a doctor’s note declaring that they are "fit for travel"; (b) travel with a companion who is not disabled; (c) acknowledge that a cruise presents "inherent risks" for passengers with vision impairments; (d) release and/or waive any claims arising out of such risks; (e) consult with a physician regarding these risks; and (f) obtain travel insurance. NCL denies these allegations and contends that the United States has misapprehended its policies.
A court approved Norwegian Cruise Line’s parent company NCL Corp.’s $615,000 settlement of employee claims over 401(k) plan fees and investment options. The deal covers about 2,400 plan participants from 2016 to 2023; the parties settled without a ruling on the merits.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s parent company received final approval Tuesday for a $615,000 class settlement resolving litigation over fee levels and investment options in the company’s retirement plan.
Cruise company NCL Corp. Ltd. negotiated a $615,000 settlement with a proposed class of employees challenging the fees and investment options in its 401(k) plan.
CARB said the Norwegian Encore failed to use compliant fuel upon entering regulated California waters, alleging one day of violation. In November 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. agreed to an $8,500 penalty. CARB said NCL acted promptly after notification and cooperated in resolving the matter.
An investigation conducted by CARB Enforcement Division staff showed that the NCL vessel Norwegian Encore failed to operate on compliant fuel upon entry into Regulated California Waters in 2026. CARB alleged one day of violation for a penalty of $8,500, under Health and Safety Code section 39674. NCL took prompt action after being notified of this violation.
ProPublica’s FEC data listing records a $2,000 contribution by the NCL America Political Action Committee on August 17, 2006. The listing states that its data cover 1987 through 2018 and may omit contributions made in recent weeks.
A 2020 Wall Street Journal obituary said Norwegian Cruise Line founder Knut Kloster expanded onboard activities to include shopping, dining, entertainment and slot machines. It credited him with helping shape the cruise industry, while noting that his later plan for a floating resort nearly a quarter-mile long failed.
Knut Kloster, the founder of today’s Norwegian Cruise Line, expanded onboard activities far beyond shuffleboard to encompass shopping, dining, entertainment and slot machines. Norwegian Cruise Line