Norwegian Cruise Investors’ Covid-Linked Suits Consolidated

Norwegian Cruise Lines investors who accused the company of lying about the coronavirus to boost sales had their proposed class actions consolidated in Florida federal district court.

Investors filed separate suits in March and April alleging the cruise company claimed to prioritize guest safety while simultaneously instructing salespeople to downplay the chances the virus, which causes covid-19, could survive in the Caribbean.

The cases “share common questions of law and fact,” Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida said in a Tuesday order consolidating the actions.

“Both assert the same causes of action against the same defendant” and are based on the same underlying events, Scola said. Scola previously consolidated the March case with a separate April case.

The Rosen Law Firm PA represents the investors in the March suit. Shepherd, Finkelman, Miller & Shah LLP represents the investors in the just-consolidated April action. Eggnatz Pasucci PA, Stull, Stull & Brody, and the Grant Law Firm PLLC represent the investors in the earlier-consolidated April matter. Holland & Knight LLP represents Norwegian Cruise Lines.

The consolidated case is Douglas v. Norwegian Cruise Lines, S.D. Fla., No. 20-cv-21107, cases consolidated 5/12/20.