P&O Cruisers Australia has warned raunchy bikinis on the New Caledonian island of Lifou could mean ships could be banned because of a lack of respect for local customs.
One passenger took to Facebook to note that despite a warning in P&O’s daily newsletter Good Times, cruisers were still wearing ‘bikinis’ and ‘g-strings’.
Emma Godfrey said: “For anyone doing a South Pacific cruise that includes Lifou, please read the Good Times about the wearing of bikinis. It was so disappointing to see women sitting, eating and shopping today in g-strings with no respect to the culture and that it may cause the cancellations of ships there.”
What the cruisers say
Other cruisers like Rosie Milners have reported the same ignoring of warnings.
“We were at Lifou in December. I saw at least a dozen females in g-strings and they had either see-through clothes or no covering over them, despite it being advertised in Good Times. I think it is time for staff members to be checking passengers off the ship, and to tell the offenders to go back to their cabins and put some kind of cover over their itsy bitsy swimwear.”
Cruiser Cindy Brennan has seen this behaviour persist over many years. She wouldn’t be surprised if this could soon spell the end of cruising in Lifou.
“I’ve been to Lifou many times on different ships and different cruise lines. Unfortunately, I see this disrespect every single time. They’re not asking for much. It’s a privilege to visit these beautiful islands, yet people just don’t care, and wear whatever they want every time. I will not be surprised when the day comes when they’ve had enough and tell us all to bugger off permanently.”
Clear guidelines required, say cruisers
However, many other cruisers suggested that this should perhaps be made more clear to cruise passengers.
Suze Carroll wrote “Maybe they should tell you when you book, so you take appropriate swimwear”, with Esther Lepherd adding “Perhaps the cruise company need to make this very evident during the booking process?”
P&O’s warning on raunchy bikinis
Under the heading cultural respect, P&O wrote in Good Times: “As you probably know, Lifou is a tribal island vastly populated by the proud Kanak Indigenous people. The Kanak culture is based on respect and is highly religious in its majority.
“As such, the wearing of bathing suits at the markets or inside churches is not permitted. The local community has asked that guests should only wear traditional one-piece or full-piece swimsuits. Refrain from wearing lingerie, or monokini-type swimsuits whilst ashore in Lifou, even on the beach.
“This can cause cultural frictions that may lead to unwanted attention ashore. In the long term, cause the cancellation of ships in Lifou. We thank you for understanding.”
P&O similarly has advice on their website on how to dress on the island.
“To observe the local customs of the South Pacific islands a respectful dress code is required. Swimwear should only be worn at the beach or pool and should be modest. G-strings, thongs, and mankinis should not be worn. Topless sunbathing is also not permitted at any time. When exploring the Islands and the local communities casual clothing should be worn. As a visitor to these beautiful islands please respect the wishes of residents.”
Other P&O passengers have reported the handing out of flyers containing the same information, as well as signage on the island.
Many are saying the cruise line should make it clear about dress codes on the islands, there is plenty of information on the PandO web site as well as on the ship and there was a lot of media attention when a cruise was denied lading at Lifou Island due to these dress rules being ignored, even on the ships particularly in the buffet cruisers are ignoring the direction to cover up, but still go half naked to have a feed, the entitled age is upon us unfortunately, I for one don’t want to see half naked people while I am eating or sit in a chair where they have been sitting, it is just common decency to cover up when in a place where food is served and also where it has been requested.
We have found this attitude all over the World for more than 50 years! When will people realise that tourists DON’T own the world. We are fortunate enough to have been allowed to share their world… for goodness sake, think about what you are doing to this wonderful place we share.
Their country, follow their rules.
But to be honest Ive been to Lifou a few times and didn’t know this so this definitely should be something the cruise lines let passengers know on booking.
When travelling one should always observe the laws, wishes and cultures of the land one travels in. My husband and I travelled to several European and Asian countries where a dress code was required for entry into Churches, Sacred, and certain other special cultural places. It is not hard to abide by their wishes and to be respectful to places one visits. The same goes for general behaviour.I am very embarrassed when I hear of my countrymen and women behaving in a manner which would be frowned on in our own land simply because they are on holiday.
I agree that the cruise companies should make it very clear on booking websites and documents that one-piece swimmers are compulsory on some destination to ensure people can’t say they were not provided with the information.
I have been on many cruises and know that I am getting older, I found the dress code of many young Australian women to be shameful. They walk around the island with their bums exposed and a towel over their head to keep the sun off their scalp. It really is horrendous to see in any location. I did post on my media at the time a picture of one group with a heading to say, “Aussie Mums- teach your daughters how to dress.”
Perhaps these disrespectful cruisers would respond to a day spent in a police cell. Get the shops to arrange to be met by local police with the authority to arrest anyone disembarking in inappropriate attire. A few well publicised cases should do the trick.
I’ve been on two Royal Carribean cruises to Lifou and neither mentioned any restrictions regarding bathing wear. Not that it was an issue for me as I wear a one piece anyway. But apparently this recommendation is not made across all cruise lines.
I have travelled a few times to the islands on cruises an yes the behavior of some leaves not much to the imagination. Now we are guests in there country they make us more than welcome but it not bondi beach the islanders are not used to woman practically naked not only at the beach but on tours so please yes wear appropriate swim wear an casual clothes .
Here’s me wearing a rashie and boardshorts over my one piece because i’m worried about skin cancer. Meanwhile these other people may ruin our chances to visit one of the places we’re keen to visit.
It’s not that hard to cover up. I spent three weeks in Fiji. We were invited to attend church in a village in the Yasawas. They told us we needed to be respectfully dressed, and every single person who went made the effort to cover up.
I agree we should show these people the respect,we are guess on their Island and we should respect their rules and customs the ship is only there usually for one so people should dress accordingly