Passengers slam popular cruise line for ‘idiotic’ dress code rule – Cruises – Travel

Some Norwegian Cruise Line passengers are slamming the company for tightening its dress code, calling it “idiotic.” 

The popular cruise line, which is understood for its “freestyle cruising” mannequin that enables visitors to create their good vacation, is going through backlash for banning sure clothes objects at some of its on-board eating places.

Previously, passengers have been allowed to put on informal, laid-back clothes in eating places, however now Norwegian Cruise Line is banning shorts and flip-flops in six of its upscale eating places.

What is Norwegian Cruise Line’s new dress code? 

The cruise line not too long ago up to date its dress code web site for restaurant and bar apparel, the place it states, “We love a laid-back vibe, with just a few easy guidelines.” Passengers are required to put on cowl-ups, shirts, and footwear in eating places and bars, however there are additional restrictions.

According to the new guidelines, apparel with offensive language or photographs will not be allowed, and sure eating places and bars received’t allow tank tops, hoodies, robes, shorts, denims with holes or tears, or caps or hats.

The rule receiving probably the most backlash is that flip-flops and shorts are no longer allowed for dinner at Palomar, Ocean Blue, Onda, Cagney’s, Le Bistro, and Haven Restaurant.

“Been on 15 cruises with Norwegian, loved the relaxed style. Tell the fuddy daddies where to go. You will loose me as a customer going to this NEW IDIOTIC RULE,” one Facebook person fumed.

Norwegian Cruise Line passengers are outraged over the new dress code rule

The crackdown on the dress code is coming as a shock to many passengers, because the cruise line — which anticipated to serve 3 million visitors throughout 34 ships in 2025 — has been identified for its informal, laid-back dress code, no matter the placement onboard.

According to the company’s “freestyle cruising” overview from 2015, “Freestyle Cruising applies to the dress code on Norwegian ships. Guests have much more relaxing cruise vacations when they are comfortable.”

“Resort casual is the norm throughout the fleet, so guests can leave their tuxedos and party dresses at home if they wish,” the company beforehand suggested. However, the pliability of the passengers’ dress code has not too long ago been restricted, and cruise-goers are raging over the adjustments.

“Cruise ship food is nowhere near good enough to warrant this,” one person wrote on Reddit.

Another stated, “No shorts or flip flops in the Haven is not a fair or reasonable change, especially for Summer/hot weather ports. I straight up don’t agree that shorts are inappropriate or informal.”

Some passengers assist the new dress code adjustments, writing on Facebook, “kudos on the new dress policy. As someone who prefers to dress well for dinner in the main dining room and specialty restaurants I support this policy.”

Are flip-flops allowed in Norwegian Cruise Line’s eating places? 

Other cruise-goers have introduced up Norwegian Cruise Line’s new advert marketing campaign, “It’s Different Out Here,” which touts the company’s flexibility, even in terms of sporting “flippy-floppies,” because the industrial states.

“The history of seafaring is littered with rules,” the company wrote on its advert, which was launched on Jan. 22, 2026. “But those days are long gone. Isn’t it time to cruise how you want? Yes. The answer is yes. Out here, rules don’t rule. Cruisers do.”

Passengers say this advert is “sending mixed signals.” One Reddit person wrote, “I guess flippy floppy aren’t so accepted.”

While there are dress code adjustments in some of the cruise line’s upscale eating places, the cruise line’s web site states that informal cruise apparel continues to be welcome during the day, within the buffet, and in different specialty eating places. 

Additionally, kids 12 and below are allowed to put on shorts in all eating places, in response to the company.