Not following local dress codes can cause problems for travelers visiting popular destinations.
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Weather, onboard dress code, and length of trip are all important factors when preparing for a cruise, but the cultural norms of your destination are just as important.
Cruise passengers should consider the customs of the ports they are visiting when disembarking. This may differ from your home country’s customs. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, distributes guidance to guests on every voyage to New Caledonia’s Lifou Island, the cruise line told USA TODAY.
“Some destinations, such as the tribal island of Lifou, are home to proud indigenous peoples whose culture is based on respect and is often highly religious,” Carnival said on its website. “Such locations do not allow the wearing of swimwear in markets or other public areas that are not swimming areas. Communities in these locations also ask that visitors wear traditional one-piece or full-piece swimsuits and refrain from wearing bikini or monokini-type swimsuits while at the beach.”
That’s not the only place guests need to follow such guidelines. “The best way for guests to educate themselves is to research each port before departing,” Susan Guthrie, travel agent and owner of Cruisin’ with Susan and More, which partners with Travel with Sparkle, told USA TODAY.
Here’s what you need to know:
How to pack for a cruise considering local customs
Similar to Lifou, other destinations may have dress expectations for a variety of reasons.
▶ camouflage: For example, wearing camouflage is illegal in many countries, including popular Caribbean cruise destinations such as Jamaica, Barbados, and St. Lucia. Royal Caribbean said on its website: “In many cases, this is because governments want only military personnel to wear the colors.”
▶ Covering: “In (parts of) Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel and many parts of Southeast Asia, visitors may be required to cover their shoulders and knees when entering churches, mosques, temples and monasteries,” Guthrie said. “Some religious institutions require women to cover their heads, while others may require them to remove their hats.”
▶ Swimsuit: Wearing a bathing suit outside the beach or pool area may be frowned upon elsewhere as well. “In Spain, Croatia and some Mediterranean resorts, walking around the city center wearing only a bathing suit is considered rude and can result in fines in some municipalities,” Guthrie said.
Failure to dress appropriately may also result in you being denied entry to certain attractions or being allowed to participate in shore excursions. Royal Caribbean said on its website that in cases of fraud, travelers may have to report it to authorities.
Joanna Kusar, a New York City-based travel agent and owner of Portside Travel Consultants, told USA TODAY that such cases could result in fines as well, depending on the destination and its rules. But she said it was unlikely they would receive prison sentences.
Cruise lines often share information about these expectations in pre-cruise documents, mobile apps, and during port negotiations. Guthrie advised travelers to speak to tour operators and check official tourism websites and destination guides.
“Cruisers should remember that what’s appropriate on the pool deck or at the beach isn’t necessarily appropriate on land,” she said. “Researching local customs and having some versatile and modest clothing options can help ensure a respectful and comfortable visit at ports around the world.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
