September 26, 2023, 2:29 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Be careful when packing your suitcase–taking the wrong clothes on vacation can lead to serious trouble. In some island nations, you could even face jail time. TRAVELBOOK knows which outfits you should leave at home for your next cruise.
If you’re going on a Caribbean cruise, you’ll likely pack for a vacation with high temperatures. Swim trunks, flip-flops, T-shirts, and maybe something elegant for dinners on board. However, there’s one type of clothing you should definitely not bring on a Caribbean cruise.
We’re talking about clothing with military camouflage colors and/or patterns. Wearing such attire is prohibited for civilians in some Caribbean countries. The German Foreign Office explicitly mentions this ban in its travel and safety advisories for Barbados. It states: “It is forbidden to wear clothing in military camouflage colors or patterns in public; this is reserved exclusively for the military.” The same ban exists in Trinidad and Tobago. Here, too, the Foreign Office warns against wearing “any kind of military-like camouflage clothing.”
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From Fines to Jail Time
The ban also applies on St. Kitts, according to the site “Karibik Urlaub.” On Antigua, wearing such clothing can even result in a fine of $2,000 (about 1,755 euros) or, in the worst case, a year in prison, according to the “Antigua Observer.” But it’s not just in the Caribbean; wearing camouflage clothing is also punishable in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, according to the “Telegraph.”
But do cruise lines inform their guests about this ban? When asked by TRAVELBOOK, all contacted companies initially responded with amused surprise. Many said they had never heard of this issue before.
A spokesperson for TUI Cruises finally said: “Our guests are already informed in writing about the camouflage ban before traveling to the relevant regions, and we also remind them on board before each shore excursion.” None of the contacted cruise lines reported any incidents where guests got into trouble for wearing camouflage clothing. Either way, to avoid any hassle, it’s best to opt for other clothing on a Caribbean cruise. Better safe than sorry!