SouthernWorldwide.com – Carnival Cruise Line is implementing stricter guidelines regarding bikini attire at a popular South Pacific destination, alerting passengers that local dress code expectations may be more conservative than what is typically permitted on board.
Passengers on the Carnival Splendor received a notice prior to the ship’s scheduled stop in Lifou, an island within New Caledonia. The advisory urged travelers to adhere to local customs and dress modestly while on shore, as reported by the blog Cruise Hive.
This reminder was disseminated before the ship’s visit to the island on June 2, which was part of an eight-night voyage departing from Sydney.
The notice specifically advised passengers against wearing G-strings, thongs, monokinis, and mankinis during their time on Lifou. The publication also stated that topless sunbathing is not permitted.
The dress code is not limited to beach areas but extends to public spaces such as markets, churches, and community gathering spots.
This enforcement of swimwear regulations aligns with guidance that Carnival already provides to its guests on its official website.
“We kindly ask guests to respect the local culture and rules in the ports we visit,” Carnival states in its dress code guidelines.
The cruise line specifically highlights Lifou as a destination where local customs necessitate more modest attire.
“Some destinations, such as Lifou, which is a tribal island, are populated by proud indigenous people whose culture is based on respect, and in many cases are highly religious,” Carnival explains on its website.
“The communities in these locations also request visitors to wear traditional one-piece or full-piece swimsuits and refrain from wearing bikini or monokini-type swimsuits [while] at the beach,” the website further elaborates.
Carnival has reportedly cautioned that a failure to respect these local customs could impact future visits to the island.
Guests were reminded that noncompliance could jeopardize the cruise line’s ability to continue featuring Lifou on its future itineraries, according to Cruise Hive.
This emphasis on destination-specific dress codes, which may differ from onboard policies, is becoming a more common practice among cruise lines.
While Carnival generally permits casual resort wear during the day, passengers are expected to ensure their clothing is respectful to fellow travelers and appropriate for the environment, as indicated on its website.
Carnival’s policies on swimwear have been a recurring subject of discussion among passengers on online forums.
“Wear what you want,” one Reddit user commented.
Another traveler suggested that revealing swimwear is already prevalent on many sailings, stating, “There [are] people wearing that type of swimwear on deck 24/7.”
Conversely, some individuals believe that guests should exercise greater discretion in family-oriented areas.
“Maybe wear it at adult-only excursions and the adult-only hot tub,” one commenter proposed.
“Carnival is for families, and there are a lot of kids on these cruises.”
