Cruise company bans recruitment of Zimbabweans

Princess Cruises has suspended shore leave privileges for all Zimbabwean crew members aboard its vessels docked in Canadian ports, following a series of desertion incidents that have raised security and compliance concerns.

In an internal memo dated June 3 and circulated to ship captains, hotel general managers, and human resources officers, Elio Autiero, the company's Vice President of Maritime HR Strategy & Operations, cited multiple desertion cases involving Zimbabwean nationals during the current Alaska cruise season.

"Desertion poses serious risks to our business and the safety of our teammates," Autiero wrote. "Unfortunately, since the start of our Alaska season, there have been several desertion incidents in Canadian ports by seafarers from Zimbabwe."

The directive calls for the immediate implementation of the shore leave ban for Zimbabwean crew members aboard all Princess Cruises vessels operating in Canada. The memo acknowledges that the policy may be "challenging" for those affected but stresses its necessity for regulatory compliance and safety.

"It's important for us to keep our teammates safe, stay in regulatory compliance, and reduce risks when we become aware of them," Autiero said.

Under the new policy, Zimbabwean crew members will not be permitted to disembark at Canadian ports for personal shore leave. They will also not be transferred to other cruise regions and are instead set to be disembarked in non-Canadian ports upon the completion of their contracts. The company is also reviewing future assignments for Zimbabwean nationals, signaling potential limitations on future hires from the southern African country.

"Our crew planners and concession partners are working to reassign future joiners from Zimbabwe," the memo stated.

The decision comes amid heightened monitoring from Canadian immigration authorities and increased coordination between Princess Cruises, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Crew members seeking further information were directed to contact David Price, the company's Senior Manager of GTP Management, who is managing communications with border agencies.

While Princess Cruises has yet to issue a public statement on the matter, the move is likely to spark criticism from seafarer rights groups and migrant worker advocates, who may view the suspension as collective punishment targeting crew members based solely on their nationality.

With Zimbabwe's ongoing economic challenges driving many citizens to seek employment abroad, cruise ship work has become a significant avenue for job-seeking Zimbabweans. However, desertions in pursuit of asylum or permanent residency have drawn scrutiny from immigration officials in various countries.

It remains to be seen how long the suspension will last and whether Princess Cruises will adjust its recruitment strategies for Zimbabwean nationals in response to the ongoing issue.