RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) – A number of cruise passengers are getting their money back after a multi-state settlement that includes North Carolina.
Attorney General Jeff Jacksons office reached a settlement with Norwegian Cruise Line following an investigation into the company’s sales tactics and cancellation procedures at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Norwegian lied to make sales,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson in a press release. “People deserve accurate information when they decide how to spend their money, and they didn’t get it. It’s right that Norwegian is paying them back.”
The allegations stemmed from Norwegian’s sales messaging to consumers at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Under direction from leadership, Norwegian misled potential customers to get them to book cruise vacations, including making statements about safety precautions the company was taking and providing incorrect information about the virus.
As part of the settlement, Norwegian represented that it issued more than $3 billion in reimbursements to consumers in the United States between March 13, 2020, until November 30, 2025, including more than $2.6 billion in credit card refunds and more than $500 million in future cruise credits. It was not clear how many North Carolinians will get those refunds and credits and how much.
Additionally, the settlement prevents Norwegian from using deceptive sales tactics and from prioritizing sales over consumer safety during a disaster declaration. The company is also required to implement mandatory training on appropriate sales tactics and to have senior management approve potential sales communications during future disaster declarations.
In the event of a disaster declaration, the company must ensure its website clearly lists its cancellation policy, its future cruise credits policy, and other remedies that are available to customers following the declaration.
Attorney General Jackson is joined in reaching this settlement by the Attorneys General of Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.