Princess Cruises has reportedly halted the hiring of Brazilian crew members, becoming the latest cruise line to do so after mounting legal concerns. The decision, which has not yet been officially confirmed by the company, comes in the wake of a broader industry shift away from recruiting Brazilian nationals. The popular channel ShipLife broke the story, reporting that thousands of potential job opportunities for Brazilians have now been lost.
“If you are at the beginning of the recruiting process, then you are dismissed and prevented from boarding,” ShipLife reported in a video.
While Princess Cruises has yet to release an official statement, several groups shared the news, reinforcing its credibility. One shared notification read:
“It is with great sadness that I share an important announcement from Princess Cruises, which directly affects our nationality—Brazilians. Since the beginning of 2024, several cruise lines have progressively stopped hiring Brazilians, mainly due to the large number of labor lawsuits filed against these companies.”
The message further stated that Brazil is now considered a "high-risk country" for employment due to legal and compliance concerns. As a result, ongoing applications from Brazilian candidates are being canceled, although their information will remain in the database for future opportunities with other cruise lines.
Legal Disputes at the Root of the Issue
The shift stems from a 2024 ruling by Brazil’s Superior Labor Court, which sided with Brazilian crew members who argued that cruise lines were violating their labor rights. The court ruled that cruise companies hiring in Brazil must comply with Brazilian labor laws, rather than the more lenient international standards previously applied.
This legal victory for workers, however, triggered a backlash. Multiple cruise companies began to view Brazil as a legal and financial risk, leading them to halt recruitment from the country altogether.
RELATED ARTICLE: After Suing for Fair Labor Treatment, Brazilian Crew Face Hiring Bans from Major Cruise Lines
Growing List of Cruise Lines Halting Brazilian Recruitment
Princess Cruises now joins a list of cruise lines that have stopped hiring Brazilian nationals, including:
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea
Reports suggest that Disney Cruise Line has stopped hiring new recruits from Brazil, though this has yet to be confirmed.
