Norwegian Cruise Line Managers Urged Salespeople to Spread Falsehoods About Coronavirus

Norwegian Cruise Line managers urged their sales teams to share false information about the novel coronavirus to help land bookings with potential customers, including that the virus can’t affect people in “tropical temperatures,” leaked emails from a company whistleblower show.

The emails, first reported by Miami New Times, show the lengths to which the U.S. cruise giant’s leaders have gone to protect the company against the devastating financial impact of the pandemic, which has infected more than 121,000 people around the world and killed more than 4,300.

The State Department has warned travelers against taking cruises during the pandemic, and U.S. health officials have prevented some ships from sailing. Cruise lines are expected to lose hundreds of millions of dollars this year because of mass cancellations and a slowing of new trips.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s stock plunged 26 percent Wednesday and has fallen nearly 75 percent from its January peak. The company did not respond to requests for comment.