Cruise Line Accused of Bias Against Blind

Norwegian Cruise Line refused to allow three blind people to go on cruises in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Justice Department charged in a lawsuit filed this month.

The company disputed the allegation. Spokeswoman Fran Sevcik said it “does not discriminate against people with special needs.”

The lawsuit charges that a blind couple planning their honeymoon lost their deposit when the cruise line sent forms requiring them to say they were at risk of injuring themselves and suggesting they see a doctor to determine whether they were competent to travel. In the other case, a Denver man, barred from boarding a Norwegian ship in Houston, was told he was denied access because he is blind and was traveling without an assistant, the suit said.

The Justice Department said it sued after the company failed to respond to a settlement offer.