Princess Cruises has suspended shore leave in Canadian ports for all Zimbabwean crew members following a series of desertion incidents since the start of the Alaska cruise season. The decision was announced in a company memo dated June 3, 2025, from Elio Autiero, Vice President of Maritime HR Strategy & Operations.
The memo, addressed to Princess Captains, Hotel General Managers, and Human Resources Officers, cites multiple desertion cases involving Zimbabwean seafarers in Canadian ports as the reason for the suspension. The company states the measure is necessary to protect its business operations and ensure the safety of its team members.
“As a result, we made the difficult decision to suspend shore leave for all Zimbabwean teammates in Canadian ports,” Autiero wrote. He called on ship leadership to implement the directive with immediate effect.
Princess Cruises acknowledged the hardship the restriction may cause for Zimbabwean crew members. However, the company emphasized the need to maintain regulatory compliance and reduce risks associated with desertions.
The memo also noted that the affected crew will not be reassigned to other regions. Instead, Zimbabwean crew members will be disembarked at ports outside Canada when their contracts end. Crew planners and concession partners are reportedly working to reassign future Zimbabwean joiners accordingly.
For any concerns or questions, the company has directed staff to contact David Price, Senior Manager of GTP Management, who is coordinating with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
