Some cruise passengers seem to really like rules.
That makes sense when the rule being enforced affects their ability to enjoy the trip. If a cruise line, for example, gets involved when a passenger makes too much noise late at night, it solves a problem.
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But many rules generally don't get enforced because when a cruiser breaks them, it does not harm anyone else. Dress codes, for example, have gotten less strict over the years.
That's partly because overall dress has become more casual and partly because the Covid pandemic showed us that maybe it's not necessary to wear a suit to work every day.
Many people learned that they could do their jobs wearing a nice top and sweatpants, and that approach has carried over to other areas of life.
Image source: Carnival Corporation.
Carnival does have a dress code
Carnival Cruise Line technically has a dress code for its main dining rooms and specialty restaurants.
"At any restaurant and any time of day, you at least need to cover up your swimsuit and wear water shoes," the cruise line says on its website. "Avoid having to go back to your stateroom to change between pool and restaurant by bringing along cover-ups like sundresses or shorts and T-shirts."
The rules are slightly stricter at night.
"In the evenings, some of our ships enforce a 'cruise casual' dress code," it adds. "For men, this dress code can call for longer dress shorts or pants (jeans are OK too) and a collared polo shirt. For women, the dress code may ask for sundresses, skirts, and blouses; dress shorts and capri pants are acceptable. Don’t wear sleeveless shirts (for men), cut-off jeans, T-shirts or gym shorts."
The cruise line is fairly loose in its enforcement of the dress code —and one angry passenger took this up with Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald.
"You say that jeans are allowed in the main dining hall but what is your definition of 'jeans' Heald?" she asked.
"Does this mean only BLUE denim jeans? There was a lady at our table on the Pride Journey cruise that wore a pair of blue jeans on a formal night that were cottony with some spandex in them. Are these jeans? Are these allowed to be worn?"
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Carnival essentially says 'relax'
The woman who was complaining said she tried to get the cruise line involved.
"Nobody told her she could not and after I complained to ------- he just laughed and made a joke about them," she continued.
"Why should this damage our cruise experience? Why is this not enforced? Are you saying that your dress code is a dress suggestion? You seem to be a legend in your own mind, yet you cannot give an honest answer to a question I have asked twice now."
If this passenger was expecting Heald to consider someone out of line because they were wearing jeans that might not be denim, she clearly does not follow the brand ambassador closely.
"Honestly, I do not know what constitutes a pair of jeans. Are they as you described? Or are they only blue denim?" Heald asked.
"Or perhaps the real question comes from Bob who asks 'How the sodding heck did what this lady was wearing damage your cruise? Her legs were under the table. She did not put her spandex jeaned legs on the table and ask you to take a selfie with her."
Carnival does enforce the dress code in certain situations.
"We have to do better in dress code enforcement. I spoke about this yesterday with the most senior people at Carnival," Heald wrote.
"There are things that are not appropriate such as T-shirts with rude or aggressive statements on them. People that have something on that is, well, not family friendly let's say and we will be looking at this and seeing what we can do."
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In most cases, Heald says, leniency is the best policy.
"There are though things that we should all stop worrying about," he says. "Jeans, veterans in baseball caps – I mean really to let yourself get all upset about these things seems such a waste of your time.
"There are things worth being worried about, things that make you upset but what someone else is wearing I think should not be one of them. Life is just too short."
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