Why You Shouldn’t Pack Camouflage Clothes for a Cruise Departing Maine or Massachusetts Ports

Packing for cruises isn't easy. Most have dress codes of some sort depending on the cruise line itself. There are formal nights, themed evenings, and certain areas where you can't wear your swimsuit, or where men must always wear a jacket.

Plus, you're packing for those off-ship excursions in the various ports your cruise is docking for the day or night. So what's the deal with camouflage clothing being a big no-no for cruise ship vacations departing from Maine or Massachusetts?

It has nothing to do with cruise ship attire recommendations and requirements at all, but rather camouflage clothing. According to Reader's Digest, camouflage clothing is banned in most Caribbean countries, so if you're saving airfare by starting your Caribbean cruise from a New England port, leave the camo at home.

It's not just camo print clothing, but also accessories like backpacks, hats, sunglasses, and handbags as well as swimsuits, shoes, etc. Any military-style clothing is illegal.

If you absolutely cannot live without your favorite camo hat or shorts, then feel free to use space in your suitcase to bring it. Just be aware that you can only wear those items on the ship itself.

According to the Life Well Cruised website, if staff aboard the cruise doesn't happen to stop you when you disembark, you will most likely receive a stiff fine or worse from local law enforcement, Only those in the military are allowed to wear such clothing.

As a side note, according to Reader's Digest, even standing on the balcony of the ship at port while wearing that camo is a sign of disrespect in the Caribbean (albeit not illegal since you're on the ship).

If you're planning a cruise anywhere outside the Caribbean, just double-check dress codes as well as rules and regulations, because if it's not military-style clothing, it could be something else.