How Norwegian Cruise Line's Dress Code Is Changing Again

(KMDL-FM) For years, one of the most misunderstood aspects of a cruise ship vacation was the dress code. When I first started taking cruise vacations some 30 years ago, all of the cruise lines had specific lists of what you could and what you couldn't wear while onboard the ship. Fast forward three decades, and at least one cruise line's entire marketing campaign is built around "not having a dress code".

Oddly enough, the cruise line that is doing all the crowing in its advertising about things being "Different Out Here" is the one cruise line that is actually beefing up its dress requirements for guests on board its ships.

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Which Cruise Line is Updating Its Current On-Board Dress Code?

The line offers a great selection of itineraries around the world. I have actually sailed through Europe and Asia on this line. I even went to Iceland and Norway just a year ago on one of their larger vessels, and I have to admit, the reason I chose to book passage on that particular line was the lack of wardrobe requirements.

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I do realize that for some of you, the idea of putting on a fancy dress or rented suit is appealing. There are no rules on cruise ships that prevent that. If you want to wear a ball gown to the pickleball courts, you can do that. No one will stop you. But if you wear certain jeans to the wrong restaurant, you'll be sent back to your stateroom to change.

Such is the enigma that is a dress code. And now NCL, Norwegian Cruise Lines, which has spent a fortune on a new marketing campaign that boasts comfort and flexibility while onboard, is now cracking down on people who dress like they want to be on vacation.

When Do New Cruise Line Dress Code Changes Go Into Effect?

As of yesterday, guests on any NCL voyage, including those that sail from New Orleans and Galveston, may not wear certain clothing items in select restaurants and other areas of the ship.

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You may not look like a "commoner" if you plan to dine at Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Onda by Scarpetta, Palomar, or The Haven Restaurant. I have eaten at all of those places on an NCL vessel, not worth putting on pants for, but the food is certainly good.

Norwegian suggests that guests dress in a "cruise casual" style for those restaurants. Cruise casual includes nice jeans or slacks, collard shirts for men, closed-toe shoes for men, and basically any article of clothing that makes you feel as if you're not on vacation. Okay, those are my words, not NCL's. But you get the idea.

Of course, a dress code is like the speed limit on the Atchafalaya Basin and I-10. It only counts when someone chooses to enforce it. We will see if NCL is going to put any teeth into this dress code change, or if they just did it so we would talk about the fact that they spent a lot of money telling people they don't have a dress code.