Renowned cruise dumps ‘NEW IDIOTIC RULE’ on its customers, gets asked if they know the meaning of ‘vacation’

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) customers are absolutely fuming after the company rolled out a brand-new, much stricter dress code for its formal dining spots. This change has sparked a firestorm of outrage on Facebook, with many long-time cruisers blasting the move as a major departure from the line’s signature relaxed vibe.

According to Daily Dot, the updated policy targets NCL’s upscale specialty restaurants like Palomar, Ocean Blue, Onda, Cagney’s, Le Bistro, and Haven. Under the new rules, you can’t wear shorts, tank tops, baseball caps, distressed jeans, or flip-flops in these venues. Instead, NCL now recommends “smart casual” attire. 

For women, this means slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts, or dressy tops. Guys should opt for jeans or slacks paired with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes. The good news is that children aged 12 and under still get a pass. It’s a pretty clear signal that they’re aiming for a more polished atmosphere during dinner service.

Cruises are usually about relaxing

This isn’t the first company to issue clothing guidelines. NCL, however, has always prided itself on its “freestyle cruising” philosophy. For years, they’ve actively encouraged passengers to embrace a casual style throughout the ship. Even now, their website still tries to project that “laid-back vibe,” which contradicts the new rule, and many customers are reacting.

Many travelers have responded to NCL’s Facebook post to make their complaints heard. One user, Abe Strashnick, who claims to have been on 15 Norwegian cruises, wrote, “Been on 15 cruises with Norwegian, loved the relaxed style. You will lose me as a customer going to this NEW IDIOTIC RULE.” Another critic pointed out the impracticality, posting, “Dressing up on vacation for dinner in 90-degree heat locations is stupid.” 

Despite the dissent, some passengers are defending NCL, arguing that it’s about time they elevated the dining experience. One supporter commented, “It’s amazing that a cruise line has to tell its passengers to not be slobs when dining in the nicer venues.”  It seems like some cruisers are tired of seeing overly casual attire in premium dining settings. 

This dress code overhaul comes right after a leadership change at NCL. The new CEO, John Chidsey, has stated that the company aims to “advance a disciplined approach to fleet growth that builds on the strength of our brands, defines the future of cruising and elevates the guest experience for years to come.” It looks like this dress code adjustment might be one of the first steps in that mission to “elevate the guest experience.” 

That said, a change in dress code is nothing compared to some of the drama you can catch on a cruise, like the world’s worst escape artist.