What Not to Wear on a Cruise in 2026 (Updated Dress Codes You Need to Know)

Cruise dress codes have come a long way from the days of mandatory formal nights and strict dinner attire. These days, most cruise lines have relaxed things considerably, which is great news for those of us who prefer a more casual vacation vibe.

That said, there are still some rules in place, and a few of them have been updated recently in ways that might catch you off guard.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser trying to pack smart or a seasoned sailor who thinks they know the rules, there are some genuine surprises in here.

From new technology bans to freshly updated dining policies from Norwegian Cruise Line, it’s worth knowing what’s changed before you start throwing things into your suitcase.

Smart Glasses and Wearable Tech: Leave These at Home

This one might be brand new on your radar. Three cruise lines have now officially banned smart glasses, like Ray-Ban Meta glasses, in certain areas of the ship. In at least one case, the restrictions apply to a significant portion of the vessel.

The reason comes down to privacy. Guests and crew have raised concerns about being recorded without their knowledge, and cruise lines are taking that seriously.

Even if you were planning to wear them as a fashion accessory or use them for content creation, you’ll want to check your specific cruise line’s policy before packing them.

This is one of those items that’s genuinely better left at home to avoid any awkward situations at the gangway.

Footwear Mistakes That Can Actually Affect Your Cruise

The Flip-Flop Problem

Here’s something a lot of first-timers don’t realize: you can’t live in flip-flops and sandals on a cruise ship the way you might on a regular beach vacation.

Yes, they’re perfectly fine for the Lido deck, the buffet, and casual outdoor spaces, but most cruise lines prohibit flip-flops and slides in the main dining room and many specialty restaurants, especially in the evening.

This used to have an exception for Norwegian Cruise Line, which had a reputation for being one of the more casual lines around. That’s recently changed, and we’ll get into those specific updates shortly.

If you’re planning a sailing and wondering what the experience is like overall, 100 awesome reasons why you should take a cruise is a great read while you’re in the planning mindset.

Don’t Forget Sneakers

Even if you’re planning a purely relaxed cruise, closed-toe shoes are essential for certain activities. Ropes courses, sports courts, kids’ clubs, and similar onboard activities all require sneakers.

If you have children with you, this is especially worth remembering since they’ll likely want to participate in everything, and nothing is more frustrating than being turned away from an activity because of footwear.

Pack at least one solid pair of sneakers per person, and you’ll be set for whatever the ship has to offer.

Your Embarkation Day Bag: Don’t Make This Mistake

One of the most common complaints from new cruisers is arriving on embarkation day and realizing their checked luggage won’t arrive at their cabin until mid-afternoon or later.

This can mean spending your first few hours on the ship in the same clothes you traveled in, without access to a swimsuit or anything you need for the evening.

The fix is simple: pack a dedicated carry-on or embarkation day bag with everything you’ll need for the first several hours onboard. I always include a swimsuit, a change of clothes for the daytime, and my evening outfit.

That way, if anything is wrinkled from the journey, I can hang it up in the cabin right away and forget about it. We have a full guide on planning an amazing family cruise on a budget that covers smart packing tips alongside the money-saving side of things.

Graphic Tees, Political Messaging, and What’s Considered Appropriate

Cruise ships are shared spaces, and many are family-friendly environments. Cruise lines do have some guidance around what’s considered appropriate to wear, and common sense fills in the rest.

Anything with vulgar language or graphic imagery is a no-go, and that applies even in casual areas of the ship. Violent or offensive graphics fall into the same category.

As for political messaging, you’re technically not breaking a rule in most cases, though it’s worth considering that you’re on a floating vacation with thousands of strangers. It’s entirely your call, but many cruisers prefer to leave that kind of statement-making for home.

Camouflage Clothing: A Port-Specific Rule That’s Easy to Miss

This one surprises a lot of cruisers. Camouflage clothing, including shorts, t-shirts, and any camo-patterned items, is actually illegal for civilians to wear in certain Caribbean ports of call. Barbados is one of the most well-known examples, though it’s not the only one.

If you’re still building your knowledge of Caribbean ports and what to expect when you get there, the guide to the best of joyful Aruba is a good starting point for understanding how different islands each have their own entry rules and cultural norms.

The law around camouflage exists to prevent civilians from being mistaken for military personnel, and it applies to tourists just as much as anyone else. The consequences can include fines or being refused entry to the port, and there have been reports of cruisers being turned back to the ship entirely.

Some cruise lines include this information in their pre-departure materials, but it’s easy to miss. Leave the camo at home, just to be safe.

Main Dining Room Dress Code Rules

What’s Actually Expected

The main dining room on most cruise lines today has either a casual or smart casual dress code in the evenings, with the occasional formal night thrown in.

Formal nights have become much more relaxed in terms of enforcement, and you’ll find a wide range of outfits from full black tie to a nice collared shirt. Dress up if you enjoy it, and don’t stress if you don’t.

That said, the casual and smart casual nights still come with some expectations. Shorts at dinner are a common no on most major lines, and flip-flops in the dining room are generally not permitted. These rules tend to be enforced more consistently than formal night dress codes, so it’s worth paying attention.

If you’re sailing on Princess Cruises or Celebrity Cruises, both lines maintain smart casual standards in their main dining rooms that are pretty consistently upheld.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Updated Rules

Norwegian Cruise Line has recently made some significant changes to their dining dress code, and if you’ve cruised with them before under the assumption that anything goes, you’ll want to take note.

New signage has appeared at several Norwegian restaurants, and their official website has been updated to reflect the following restrictions for the main dining room and sit-down restaurants:

No tank tops (primarily for men)
No hoodies

The hoodie rule in particular has sparked a lot of conversation in the cruise community, since hoodies are very much in style right now, especially among younger travelers.

One member of our Facebook group said they were genuinely caught off guard by it, having packed mostly casual loungewear for their Norwegian sailing. It’s a good reminder that even casual-forward cruise lines have some standards, and checking Norwegian’s updated dress code before you pack is always a smart move.

Specialty Dining: Dress It Up a Little

If you’re planning to dine at any specialty restaurants, you’ll want to pack at least one outfit that’s a step above your everyday cruise casual. This doesn’t mean a suit or a formal gown. A pair of dark jeans and a collared shirt works well for most venues, as does a simple dress or khakis with a button-down.

What’s interesting is that some cruise lines will allow nicer shorts in the main dining room but will not permit them in specialty restaurants, even on the same ship. The specialty dining experience is designed to feel elevated, and the dress code supports that atmosphere.

For a sense of what upscale dining at sea actually looks like, the Celebrity Cruises Tuscan Grille review is a great example of the kind of environment where that slightly dressier outfit will feel right at home.

You can also find more on what’s included and what costs extra on a cruise to help plan your dining budget alongside your wardrobe.

Bathrobes and Pajamas in Dining Areas

Bathrobes: Hard No

This one is straightforward. Bathrobes are not permitted in the main dining room, and cruise lines do enforce this. There are documented cases of guests being turned away at the door and asked to return to their cabin to change. It may seem like an obvious rule, but it comes up enough that it’s worth mentioning.

Pajamas: A Growing Gray Area

Pajamas are a different story, and they’ve become a genuine topic of debate in the cruise community. Wearing pajamas in the buffet, particularly for breakfast, is becoming increasingly common. It’s not technically against the rules on most ships, though opinions vary widely.

When the topic was recently discussed in the Life Well Cruised Facebook community, the responses covered the full spectrum. Some members felt it was poor etiquette and even a hygiene concern in a food setting. Others felt strongly that it’s their vacation and they can dress however they like.

Cruise lines haven’t stepped in with a hard rule yet, though given how much this conversation is coming up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some guidance introduced down the line.

Pool Wear Stays at the Pool

Bathing suits are for pool and deck areas only. If you head into any dining venue, bar, or lounge in your swimwear, you’ll likely be asked to cover up or leave. A mesh coverup that shows your swimsuit underneath doesn’t count as being covered, and crew members have the unenviable job of enforcing this.

One maître d’ shared that this is something they’re dealing with more frequently, with guests sometimes heading straight from the pool to the dining room without changing. When pushed back on, some guests threatened to complain to guest services, only to receive the same response. It’s not worth the hassle on either side.

Throw on a coverup that actually covers, or take five minutes to change. If you want to understand more about how onboard policies work and what cruise staff can and can’t do, the guide on how to handle a complaint on a cruise gives a really useful behind-the-scenes look.

Water Slide Rules: What You’re Wearing Matters

Water slides on cruise ships are strictly regulated for safety, and some of those regulations relate to what you’re wearing. Swimwear with exposed metal, including zippers, grommets, and exterior hardware, is typically not permitted on water slides. This applies to both adults and children.

It’s also worth knowing that jewelry needs to come off before you ride. Bracelets and necklaces in particular will need to be removed, and if you forget, you’ll be asked to take them off at the top of the stairs, which means either heading back down or finding someone to hold them for you.

Neither option is fun after climbing several flights up. If you’re bringing a GoPro or selfie stick, check the specific ride rules before you head up, since they’re often not permitted.

The Upside-Down Pineapple Situation

This one is more of a heads-up than a rule. Upside-down pineapple clothing and accessories have become associated with a particular lifestyle choice that signals openness to meeting other like-minded adults, sometimes called “the pineapple lifestyle.” It’s not against any cruise line rules to wear pineapple prints, and nobody is going to stop you at the door.

That said, if you’re wearing upside-down pineapple items without knowing their current cultural association, you may be sending a signal you didn’t intend. Flamingo prints have also reportedly been picked up as a similar symbol in some circles. Wear whatever makes you happy, just go in with full information.

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A Few More Things Worth Knowing

Heavy cologne or perfume won’t get you removed from the dining room, but it can genuinely affect the people around you, particularly in enclosed spaces like elevators. Apply it lightly as a courtesy to fellow guests.

Baseball caps in the main dining room are technically against the rules on most cruise lines, though enforcement is inconsistent. If you see someone wearing one, or in flip-flops at dinner, it’s worth having a little grace about it. There are medical reasons and other personal circumstances you may not be aware of that influence what someone is able to wear.

If you’re still getting your head around everything that goes into planning a cruise, the guide covering 10 cruise misconceptions that keep first-timers from booking is a great place to start. And if you’d love to explore some beautiful destinations where evenings tend to lean a little dressier, our Mediterranean cruise planning guide walks you through what to expect from port to port.

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The Bottom Line on Cruise Dress Codes in 2026

Cruise fashion has never been more flexible, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. The rules that do exist tend to center around a few key areas: dining venues, specific activity requirements, and a basic standard of shared courtesy with other guests.

Pack a versatile mix, including at least one slightly dressy outfit for specialty dining, a good pair of sneakers, and evening footwear that isn’t sandals. Check your cruise line’s current dress code before you sail, especially if you’re on Norwegian, and leave the smart glasses, camo, and pool coverups that don’t actually cover at home.

For a complete picture of what Princess Cruises and other lines offer alongside their dress code expectations, the cruise reviews on this site are a great resource to bookmark before you sail.

Have you ever been turned away from a dining room for what you were wearing, or seen something that made you do a double-take? Share your experience in the comments below!

Happy cruising!

Ilana

What Not to Wear on a Cruise in 2026 (Updated Dress Codes You Need to Know)