NCL accused of hoodwinking consumers about coronavirus risk
News reports have emerged in the US accusing managers at Norwegian Cruise Line of encouraging their sales teams to give false information about the threat of coronavirus.
The Miami New Times says it has been sent emails from an anonymous employee detailing inaccurate ‘one liners’ designed to help persuade customers who are ‘on the fence’.
The Miami newspaper said the emails suggest a number of different talking points for the sales team, which include:
"The coronavirus can only survive in cold temperatures, so the Caribbean is a fantastic choice for your next cruise."
"Scientists and medical professionals have confirmed that the warm weather of the spring will be the end of the Coronavirus."
The newspaper says sales teams are also told to urge consumers to book quickly to avoid price rises.
Suggested sales scripts include: "Due to the coronavirus we have cancelled all of our Asia cruises on the Norwegian Spirit. This has caused a huge surge in demand for all of our other itineraries. I suggest we secure your reservation today to avoid you paying more tomorrow."
The brief tells them ‘DO NOT USE THESE unless the coronavirus is brought up’.
The Miami New Times said the member of staff claimed that during department meetings, ‘managers tell us that it isn’t a big deal, that more people die from other things’.
TravelMole has contacted NCL for a response. It’s PR firm said the enquiry has been logged.
TravelMole also approached CLIA for a comment, as NCL is a member.
The reports emerged within days of the US State Department advising citizens to avoid traveling on cruises, particularly those with underlying health conditions.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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