Norwegian Cruise Line has come under fierce fire after it announced a strict new dining dress code aboard its ships.
The popular cruise company recently updated its policy regarding what people can and can't wear to its dining locations, announcing that a slew of casual clothing items like shorts or jeans are no longer allowed in some of its more upscale restaurants.
But many travelers were left furious by the change and took to social media to slam Norwegian, branding it as an 'idiotic' and 'tone deaf' rule.
According to Norwegian's website, the policy now states: 'Depending on the restaurant or bar you are attending, certain items such as tank tops, hoodies, robes, shorts, jeans with holes or tears and caps/hats may not be permitted.'
It adds: 'Shorts and flip-flops? Totally fine in most places - just not in the following restaurants: Palomar, Ocean Blue, Onda, Cagney's, Le Bistro and Haven Restaurant for dinner.'
Norwegian also notes on its FAQ page that while it 'wants guests to be comfortable, tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded, with holes or tears and worn below the hips are not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.'
It also boasts about allowing its travelers to enjoy the 'freedom of freestyle cruising' by having the choice to wear whatever they want, whether that means dressing casually or formally.
'When it comes to what to wear, you can go resort casual or get decked-out and look your best - it's your call. That's the freedom of Freestyle Cruising,' it reads.
Following the news of Norwegian's new dress code, some travelers took to Facebook to share their dismay.
'Do not like the new rules for some of the restaurant venues. I am on VACATION, in a warm weather climate, wearing a collared shirt and nice SHORTS,' raged one user.
'Been on 15 cruises with Norwegian, loved the relaxed style... You will lose me as a customer going to this NEW IDIOTIC RULE. I can see no tank tops, cut off jeans, but no shorts is ridiculous.'
'Not sure the new no shorts rule is really what your customers are looking for. The freestyle thing has always been a big draw for NCL and I think this change is rather [tone-deaf],' wrote another.
Someone else penned: 'Agreed! Nice shorts [and a] nice collared shirt should be allowed when on a Caribbean or other warm-weather cruise! Who wants to pack pants for only a couple [of nights] for just dinner?!'
'Dressing up on vacation for dinner in 90-degree heat locations is stupid,' read a fourth post.
A fifth user sarcastically said: 'I love wearing long pants and shoes when it’s 90 degrees outside.'
Others, however, praised the new policy.
'I fully support the updated dress code for the main dining room and specialty restaurants,' wrote one user.
'Part of what makes fine dining special - whether at sea or on land - is the sense of occasion.
A modest standard of dress elevates the atmosphere, enhances the experience for everyone, and respects the setting the culinary team works hard to create.
'Well done to Norwegian for maintaining a thoughtful balance between vacation comfort and dining elegance.'
'Yes, Kudos to the new dress policy. My husband and I celebrated an anniversary on a cruise and honestly a lot of people's choices for dress were offensive,' someone else chimed in.
'Thank you, Norwegian, for trying to bring back civility with the dress code for fine dining,' praised a different user.
'The last thing one needs to see while trying to enjoy a good meal and wine is the spectacle of disagreeable body parts.'
'I like the dress policy. Plenty of places to eat on the ship but if you want to walk into one of the fine dining establishments, show a little class,' read another post.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Norwegian for comment.
In response to the backlash, Norwegian told Fox News in a statement that it has 'always provided guests with the freedom and flexibility to dress in casual attire in most areas of the ship, with the exception of select restaurants on board.'
'These dress guidelines provide our guests with the flexibility to enjoy a more elevated dining experience in the venues where it is appropriate and a casual dining experience in others,' it said.
'While our guidelines remain largely unchanged, we recently made slight modifications to guidance for the Haven restaurant and select specialty restaurants to help clarify expectations for our guests.
'These adjustments allow our guests to better understand the dining experience they can expect in advance of their dining reservations, making for a smoother experience for all on board.'