A research report says Norwegian Cruise Line and two other major U.S.-headquartered cruise companies use complex international structures and tax havens to evade U.S. labor regulations, taxes and environmental controls. It also alleges this can complicate justice for passengers harmed aboard ships. The companies did not respond to Univision’s interview requests.
Every year thousands of people fly to ports all over the world to board cruises that take them to exotic journeys and distant seas. Many don't realize that even though the ships they’re boarding are owned by big companies headquartered in US, they do not necessarily remain under the protection of American law. They...enter a world ruled by three big corporations [Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line]. Though those companies are based in the United States, they have complex operational structures in multiple countries and tax havens, designed to sidestep U.S. labor regulations and avoid taxes and environmental controls. That means that victims of an accident or crime aboard a cruise ship face a potentially painful ordeal when attempting to investigate a case, seek damages and bring those responsible to justice...[T]ogether [these three corporations] control 82 percent of the world market and reported $2.8 billion in profits last year...[T]hey also have a powerful influence in Washington D.C. Various critics have long suggested their lobbying and donations allows the blockage of stricter laws and regulations – enabling them to continue to offer blissful vacations to thousand of clients who are unaware of the reality behind their cruise...[On top of that, this research found that] about 40 percent of the ships operated by most cruise lines are old and sail the seas with defects and problems unknown to the majority of their passengers... [includes responses from Carnival executives and the industry’s Cruise Lines International Association, but the other companies did not respond to Univision's requests for interviews]
On June 6, 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it would pursue supplier standards for chicken, eggs, pork and seafood, including 100% targets for specified products by 2024 or 2025. The company described these as goals, said it was working with suppliers, and noted progress depended on product availability.
MIAMI, June 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (the "Company"), a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced today that it has expanded its commitment to responsible sourcing practices including the legal, ethical and humane treatment of animals within its supply chain. In support of the Company's global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, the Company strengthened its efforts with new standards and goals to promote animal welfare and sustainable sourcing across four key areas: chicken, eggs, pork and seafood.
A doctor sued Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in federal court in Florida, alleging he lost his job after objecting to practices he believed fraudulently overcharged passengers for unnecessary medical services. The report, published October 1, 2026, describes allegations in a whistleblower lawsuit; it does not report an outcome.
By David Minsky ( October 1, 2026, 8:11 PM EDT) -- A doctor has brought a federal whistleblower lawsuit against Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings Ltd. in Florida federal court, alleging he lost his job after speaking out against what he believed were fraudulent practices to overcharge passengers for medical services that weren't necessary. . . .
In 2002, Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. pleaded guilty to keeping a false log and admitted lying to the Coast Guard for three years about illegal discharges from the Norway. The company acknowledged dumping untreated wastewater and disguising oily discharges; it agreed to a $1.5 million penalty and said it had corrected the violations.
MIAMI -- The world's fourth-largest cruise line agreed Wednesday to pay a $1.5 million penalty for dumping waste oil and untreated waste water into the ocean and covering it up with mechanical tricks and false logs.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced in 2022 that it would pursue net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and value chain by 2050. In 2023, it set targets to reduce emissions intensity 10% by 2026 and 25% by 2030 against 2019, and outlined efficiency, innovation and collaboration initiatives. These are company commitments, not reported results.
MIAMI, April 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (the "Company"), a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, today announced its commitment to pursue net zero emissions by 2050 across its operations and value chain. The Company has also committed to develop short- and near-term greenhouse gas ("GHG") reduction targets to support its path to net zero. In addition, the Company has published its first Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD") Report which provides critical transparency to its stakeholders.
MIAMI, April 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (the "Company"), a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, today launched its revamped climate action strategy along with short- and near-term greenhouse gas ("GHG") targets to support the Company's ambitious pursuit of net zero by 2050. These actions underscore the Company's robust commitment to decarbonization as part of its global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain.
In its 2025 Sail & Sustain report, released June 8, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings described initiatives on environmental stewardship, safety, workforce development, destination communities and supplier oversight. The company cited shore-power work, alternative-fuel readiness, training, local partnerships and enhanced supplier due diligence as progress during 2025.
MIAMI, June 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) today released its 2025 Sail & Sustain® Report, highlighting progress across the Company's global sustainability strategy and its five foundational pillars: Caring for Nature, Sailing Safely, Empowering People, Strengthening Our Communities, and Operating with Integrity & Accountability. Throughout 2025, the Company continued advancing initiatives across its operations, workforce, supply chain, and destinations through a focus on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
On April 13, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line’s subsidiary NCL Bahamas Ltd. agreed to pay 12 states $2 million after an investigation into alleged misleading sales statements and cancellation practices during COVID-19. The settlement requires sales safeguards and employee training. The company said it cooperated and strengthened practices; it did not admit legal violations.
Norwegian Cruise Line agreed to pay $2 million to a dozen U.S. states, following an investigation into its allegedly deceptive sales practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings sued Florida’s surgeon general in July 2021, arguing the ban on requiring customers to show COVID-19 vaccination proof violated federal law and could disrupt its planned sailings. A federal appeals court rejected the challenge in October 2022, reversing a ruling that had blocked enforcement against Norwegian; one judge dissented. The company had dropped its passenger vaccine, testing and mask mandates days before.
Florida’s ban on requiring customers to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination violates federal law, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. says in a complaint filed Tuesday in federal court.
The ruling came just days after Norwegian announced that it was dropping the vaccine, testing and mask mandates for passengers that it had adopted last year.
The cruise operator is sticking with its policy to require full vaccinations for all crew and passengers, including children, for initial sailings through Oct. 31 after more than a yearlong hiatus and billions of dollars in losses. That policy, if maintained in Florida, would result in the company being fined as much as $5,000 for each passenger affected, it said.
FEC records list Norwegian Cruise Co. Inc. Political Action Committee (NCLH Cruise Forward PAC) as an active, qualified corporation PAC, registered June 5, 2024. For Jan. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026, it reported $109,951.79 in receipts, $46,143.94 in disbursements and $43,750 in contributions to other committees.
In an Oct. 31, 2023 email to travel agents, Oceania Cruises, a Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings unit, said it was canceling Israel stops on 2024 itineraries amid the Israel-Hamas war, substituting ports such as Trieste. Barron’s reported Norwegian canceled all Israel stops and some regional stops for the rest of 2023; the company did not immediately comment to Reuters.
Oct 31 (Reuters) - A unit of cruise operator Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH.N) is making changes to its 2024 itineraries, canceling stops in Israel due to the Israel-Hamas war, according to an email sent to travel agents seen by Reuters.
OpenSecrets reports $12,478 in 2024-cycle political contributions associated with Norwegian Cruise Line: $7,478 from individuals and $5,000 from PACs. The organization itself did not donate; the figures include PACs, employees, members, owners, immediate family and affiliates. OpenSecrets says the totals reflect FEC-released data and cover contributions of $200 or more.
imore infoNOTE: The organization itself did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's PACs, their individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate family members. Organizations themselves cannot contribute to candidates and party committees. Totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.
The California Air Resources Board said Norwegian Encore entered regulated California waters in 2026 without compliant fuel, alleging one day of violation. In November 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings agreed to an $8,500 settlement. CARB said the company 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.
An open NLRB case filed Sept. 28, 2026, names NCL America, LLC and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings as charged employers. The listed allegations concern concerted-activity retaliation or discharge and discipline under sections 8(a)(1) and 8(a)(3). The case is assigned to Region 12 in Tampa; no docket activity is available.