Norwegian “flip flops” on its relaxed dress code messaging, leaving cruisers confused

• Signs have been popping up on NCL ships outlining dress code rules.
• Some cruisers may be confused by this as just a month ago NCL ran an advertising campaign around relaxed dress codes on ships.
• The signs include a crackdown on tank tops, hoodies and jeans with holes in them.

Norwegian Cruise Line has tightened some of its dress code rules for specialty restaurants. The reason this could be seen as confusing is just a few weeks ago, NCL put out a new advertising campaign encouraging the use of flip flops in the dining room.

However, it appears the cruise line and some of its guests clearly felt that passengers were being too liberal in applying these ideas of relaxed dress codes. In an attempt to strike a middle ground, NCL appears to be tightening dress restrictions for certain specialty restaurants.

This news came out after cruisers photographed signs on NCL ships that outlined certain rules relating to attire.

While this sign doesn’t specifically outlaw flip-flops in the dining room, it certainly shows that NCL’s dress code isn’t quite as relaxed as their previous messaging might have made one think.

It also specifically ban flip-flops and shorts from a number of specialty dining rooms.

It also lists a range of clothing exclusions that appear to apply to the main dining room and specialty restaurants, including tank tops, hoodies, robes, jeans with holes or tears and caps/hats.

NCL’s ‘flip flop’ on this issue does appear to represent a divide between cruise passengers that cruise lines are attempting to balance between. While some cruise passenger’s carry the attitude of its their vacation and they should be able to dress how they like, particularly if their outfit isn’t anything offensive, for example, a tank top and flip flops.

However, other cruisers want to see higher levels of etiquette maintained and place a stronger emphasis on the traditional image of cruising as something more elegant and sophisticated.

It’s a tricky dilemma.

Onboard a cruise ship, you can find parts of the vessel that feel like a beach or waterpark holiday, where trudging over to the dining hall in flip flops and a tank top with your towel tucked under your arm would be the logical move. However, in other parts of the ship you have cruisers sampling wines, getting luxury spa treatments and dining in five-star restaurants.

NCL appears to be coming face-to-face with the difficulties in uniting these two worlds.

Cruise ship dress codes historically ranged from relaxed casual to strict formalwear, but this is evolving sharply in 2026.

Traditional luxury lines often had formal nights where guests wore tuxedos or evening gowns, and everyday dinner required “cruise elegant” outfits — slacks and collared shirts for men, dresses or skirts for women. These classic standards helped preserve a certain ambiance in main dining venues and formal lounges.

Today most mainstream lines still differentiate by venue and time of day:

• Daytime (around ship & pool): casual wear such as shorts, T-shirts, sundresses and swimwear (with cover-ups) is universally allowed.
• Evening in main dining or specialty restaurants: “smart casual” is the norm — collared shirts, chinos or dark trousers, dresses and skirts; swimwear, gym clothes, very casual sportswear, men’s tank tops, baseball caps and flip-flops are generally not permitted.
• Themed events & optional dress-up nights: Guests are encouraged to dress up (e.g., cocktail attire) but it’s not enforced.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) remains one of the most relaxed in the industry with its “Freestyle Cruising” philosophy prioritising personal choice and comfort.

There are no mandatory formal nights and casual, resort-style clothing is acceptable in most venues. Its core policy still encourages flexibility and smart casual standards for dinners, while daytime attire including shorts, jeans and casual tops is generally fine.

Specialty dining rooms may have stricter guidelines (e.g., collared shirts and closed-toe shoes) and very casual beachwear or swimwear is prohibited indoors.

What do you think? Is it time to let go of cruise dress code – or should ships maintain a certain level of sophistication?