After a day of hanging out in the Mediterranean or Caribbean sun on a cruise, it makes sense that travelers would want to keep their shorts on for dinner. That might be a challenge on Norwegian Cruise Line ships.
According to a Tuesday report from AL.com, the 58-year-old cruise line just updated its dress code. New, stricter rules might come as a bit of a surprise, since NCL has marketed itself as a line that emphasizes “comfort and flexibility,” the outlet noted.
Just last month, Norwegian Cruise Line posted an ad on its YouTube channel depicting a man entering what looks like a fancy restaurant and being told that his flips flops are “cool” for entry. They even note “no formal dress codes” as something that makes the line stand out in the “about” section of the NCL website.
While the cruise line does stress in its dress code policy for restaurants and bars that it loves “a laid-back vibe,” it also did include some guidelines. Attire with offensive language or images is not allowed and cover-ups, shirts and footwear are required in most restaurants and bars.
Some of the restaurants might also block patrons from entry for wearing tank tops, hoodies, robes, shorts, jeans with holes or tears, and caps or hats, NCL added. Flip flops and shorts are specifically prohibited at Palomar, Ocean Blue, Onda, Cagney’s, Le Bistro and Haven Restaurants.
“When it comes to what to wear, you can go resort casual or get decked-out and look your best – it’s your call,” said the NCL frequently asked questions page. “That’s the freedom of Freestyle Cruising. We even have special ‘Dress-Up or Not Night.’ It’s the perfect opportunity to get your portrait taken with your family, that special someone or even with the ship’s Captain.”
It also explained that “cruise casual” means summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops for women. For men it means khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts.
“Swimwear is acceptable at the buffet and outdoor restaurant, but a shirt or a cover-up and footwear are required,” explained NCL. It also said that “tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded, with holes or tears and worn below the hips are not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.”
In those restaurants, NCL requests “smart casual.” For women, that means slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts and tops. Jeans or slacks with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes are expected attire for men. Kids 12 and under are welcome to wear shorts in all our restaurants, the cruise line added.
A few days after AL.com’s report, complaints about the dress code cropped up in the comments section of a Facebook post by NCL.
“Been on 15 cruises with Norwegian, loved the relaxed style. Tell the fuddy daddies where to go. You will lose me as a customer going to this NEW IDIOTIC RULE,” said one Facebook user cited by The New York Post.
“We appreciate your feedback as it is valuable to us,” said the cruise line in response.
However, some Reddit commenters had a different take on the dress code situation, and one claimed that attitude plays a part the cruise experience.
“Most of these are not changes, specifically for the specialty restaurants,” said the comment. “I showed up that the Bistro once in shorts, not grubby shorts, nice dress shorts as it was 90 outside. They told me shorts were not allowed, which at the time I was not aware of. As I apologized and got ready to go back to my room to change, then told me ‘Oh, so your luggage was temporarily lost and this is all you had to wear, then we can make an exception.’ Then they showed us to our table.”
Still, it might be good to throw a pair of long pants in your luggage, just in case, if you book a Norwegian cruise.