Tag Archives: CBP

U.S. CBP: Crew Shore Leave Is Case-by-Case

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Carnival Breeze in New Orleans

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is determining shore leave permissions on a case-by-case basis for crew on cruise ship calls in U.S. ports, according to a spokesperson.

Missing crew in New York forced new rules in October, with new temporary restriction regarding crew shore leave put in place.

The new temporary rule said crewmembers had to have completed five contracts to be eligible for shore leave.

That restriction has since been rescinded, the CPB told Cruise Industry News.

Late in 2019, Crew Center also reported that some crew from Saga’s Spirit of Discovery were denied shore leave during an overnight call.

Missing Crew in NYC Force New Rules

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Manhattan Cruise Terminal

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has put in a new temporary restriction regarding crew shore leave in New York and New Jersey following a recent spike in desertions, according to a statement.

“During a two-week period in September 2019, seven crewmembers deserted after being granted shore leave while in the New York/Newark seaport,” a spokesperson said.

The new rules also coincide with the spike in cruise traffic in the Northeast with fall foliage season.

“Crewmembers must now complete five contracts prior to being eligible for shore leave,” the spokesperson said. “CBP recognizes the hardship this may place on crewmembers; however, this protocol is necessary to address the increase of desertions at this port.”

On a recent call overnight call in New York, a senior officer told Cruise Industry News that only 9 per cent of his ship’s crew met the new criteria, which is not in place in other U.S. ports.