A Popular Cruise Line Is Warning Passengers About What They Wear at This Island Destination—With Some Swimwear Off-limits Even on the Beach
A Popular Cruise Line Is Warning Passengers About What They Wear at This Island Destination—With Some Swimwear Off-limits Even on the Beach
Michael CappettaThu, September 10, 2026 at 12:21 PM UTC
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Cruise ship passengers in bikinis and cover-ups.Credit: michaeljung/Getty Images
Travelers preparing for certain Carnival Cruise Line voyages may need to pack extra layers before setting sail.
In a letter obtained by Cruisehive earlier this year, guests on the Carnival Splendor ship have been advised to cover up while visiting the Pacific island of Lifou, New Caledonia. “Swimwear should only be worn at the beach or by a pool and should be very modest in nature. G-strings, thongs, monokinis or mankinis should not be worn (even on the beach) and topless sunbathing is also not permitted at any time,” the letter, reportedly written by the ship’s captain, said. In addition to forgoing revealing beachwear, the memo asked guests to wear appropriate clothing, such as a sundress or shorts and a shirt, when sightseeing, shopping, and visiting local churches.
A photo of the letter, which encouraged passengers to “respect the wishes of local residents,” was also shared in the ship’s Facebook group.
A spokesperson for Carnival echoed the notice’s sentiment in a recent statement to Travel + Leisure.
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“Carnival Cruise Line respects the local cultures of the destinations we visit in the South Pacific and works to help our guests understand and appreciate local customs,” the spokesperson said. “For many years when visiting Lifou, New Caledonia, we have shared guidance with guests about appropriate dress, including avoiding swimwear in public areas, as a sign of respect for the local community. Travel plays an important role in building understanding between cultures, and we aim to support our guests to engage with the places they visit in a thoughtful way.”
New Caledonia is an archipelago located off the eastern coast of Australia, and sandwiched nearly equidistant between mainland Australia and Fiji. The destination is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites and boasts “unspoilt nature” by the region’s tourism department. It features stunning white-sand beaches with clear water, and is home to unique activities such as diving, whale watching, mountain biking, and horse riding.
Carnival has scheduled sailings to New Caledonia in February 2027 and March 2027, according to its booking website. Beyond the dress code restrictions in New Caledonia, other destinations have rules and regulations about how people can dress. For example, the cruise line notes that wearing camouflage clothing or accessories is illegal in several Caribbean ports of call, including Jamaica, Grenada, and Barbados.
on Travel & Leisure
Source: “AOL Breaking”
