US Cruise Giant Princess Cruises Bans Zimbabweans from Shore Leave in Canada
American cruise line Princess Cruises has decided to suspend shore leave for all Zimbabwean crew members when their ships dock in Canadian ports. This move comes after a noticeable rise in crew members from Zimbabwe abandoning their posts during the Alaska cruise season.
Princess Cruises Bans Zimbabweans from Shore Leave in Canada
In an internal memo, the company’s Vice President for Maritime HR Strategy & Operations, Elio Autiero, explained that several Zimbabwean seafarers had deserted ships while in Canadian ports. As a result, the company has immediately barred all Zimbabwean crew on Princess vessels from going ashore in Canada.
“Desertion poses serious risks to our business and the safety of our teammates,” Autiero wrote in a message addressed to ship captains, hotel general managers, and human resources officers.
Autiero emphasised that such desertions threaten both the company’s operations and the safety of other crew members. He urged ship captains and human resources staff to enforce this new rule strictly and without delay.
“We made the difficult decision to suspend shore leave for all Zimbabwean teammates in Canadian ports. We request your support in implementing this directive with immediate effect.”
Also read: Zimbabweans’ Cruise Ship Dreams Dashed: Dark Incident Triggers Strict Measures and Blacklisting
Measures to Limit Fallout for Affected Staff
Although the cruise line recognises that this restriction will negatively affect the Zimbabwean crew, it said the step is necessary to comply with regulations and minimise risk. Rather than moving these workers to other regions, Princess Cruises plans to have them disembark only at non-Canadian ports when their contracts end. Future Zimbabwean crew members will also be assigned to ships operating outside Canadian waters.
This decision comes as Canada intensifies efforts to control undocumented migration and addresses rising concerns about crew members abandoning international vessels. While Princess Cruises has not revealed how many crew members have deserted, insiders describe the problem as unusually severe and disruptive.
Princess Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, is one of North America’s leading cruise operators.
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The post US Cruise Giant Princess Cruises Bans Zimbabweans from Shore Leave in Canada appeared first on iHarare News.
