While Carnival and Royal Caribbean have relaxed dress codes compared to higher-end lines, they still have some standards. Gone are the days when people wore tuxedos on formal nights and many people clean up, but don't really dress for dinner.
You will still see some people in true formal wear, but you will see as many people somewhat casually attired on a formal night as you will see people who noticeably dressed up. Both cruise lines, however, have some minimal standards of dress.
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On both Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. there are certain rules. You can't, for example, wear a wet bathing suit to the buffet and men need to put a shirt on while women are supposed to wear a coverup. Those rules are largely enforced, but mostly passengers simply observe the rules.
You may see passengers sent back because they are barefoot and men turned away because they're shirtless, but most passengers seem to abide by the basic rules.
The real challenge for both cruise lines seems to be in the main dining room (MDR). Both have similar rules that ban shorts, hats for men, and flip flops. In some cases, those rules are challenging because someone wearing nice shorts and a polo shirt has technically broken the rules while someone in ripped jeans and a ratty T-shirt has not.
Footwear can present an even bigger problem because the line between appropriate and inappropriate can be hard to judge.
Image source: Carnival
Carnival shares a dress code ruling
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald shared a recent message he got from a passenger related to the dress code.
"John. Need your help please. I have a condition with my feet that does not allow me to wear any dress shoe or tennis shoe. Not for a long period of time anyway. I wear flip flops and sparkly style sandal style flip flops at dinner each night in the MDR and if we go to the steak restaurant for supper. I was subjected to such rude hurtful comments on our Roll Call page when I said this I was called “trash” and worse," she wrote.
The passenger made it clear she was not trying to ignore the rules, she was simply wearing footwear that addressed her medical needs.
"I do not understand why people just cannot deal with it or turn the other way. My flip flops have a cushioned bottom on the inside also so they don't make noise unless they get wet. I was told that I should not wear these because I am a rule breaker and wearing my shoes is 'disgusting.' Help please John, what is the answer," she added.
Heald was compassionate in his answer.
"The answer is wear them. Your feet are under the table, nobody can really see them and if they can and your trotters are encased in a pair of sparkling sandals or a pair of knee high rumpy pumpy boots made of Cleveland leather, who cares, really?" he shared. "
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Carnival passengers have flip flop opinions
Most of the more than 1,300 comments on Heald's post were sympathetic.
"I also have a medical condition making wearing heels a non-option. I'm medically handicapped due to it. Wear the sandals. Someone will always have an opinion. Let them walk (or stroll) a mile in our shoes and they will realize that's the least of our concerns," shared Kristin Shadrick Ipok.
Some suggested that the best idea was avoiding online places that will be full of haters.
"I always wear sparkly sandals or flip flops to dinner. My suggestion is — don’t ask people what they think! Stay off these 'roll call' pages. From what I read, the people on these are very critical! Do what makes you comfortable without feed back from others," added Lynda Fraza Walker.
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Many also shared that people should focus on themselves and other others.
"I have never cared what anyone wears on their feet, nor does it affect my meal. I have worn nice sandals to dinner before. If someone is staring at someone else’s feet long enough to notice what they’re wearing, then perhaps they need more entertaining tablemates," wrote Ellen Everett.
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