Cruise passengers could be jailed for wearing one surprising item of clothing
Topics: Fashion, Travel, US News, World News, Africa
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
Topics: Fashion, Travel, US News, World News, Africa
Cruise passengers could land themselves in major trouble if they're caught wearing a certain style of clothing on vacation.
Of course, we want any trip abroad to be as smooth sailing and stress-free as possible - that's the point of getting away, right?
So, it's safe to assume that getting thrown into jail for unknowingly wearing the wrong items of clothing isn't exactly on your bucket list.
No matter where you are - at sea or on land, on a nude cruise (in which case, you wouldn't have to worry about this law...), or something a little more conventional, there are always rules and regulations to follow.
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This particular rule applies to people visiting the Caribbean, so Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise passengers should pay special attention.
It can also impact people traveling to the Philippines, parts of Africa and South America.
So, what is this all-important fashion rule that could see your dream vacation upended?
Turns out, it's wearing camouflage print; a popular pattern sported in the US and beyond.
But be caught donning it in the wrong country, and you could be fined thousands of dollars, or even thrown behind bars.
In many Caribbean countries, wearing camo could be seen as attempting to impersonate a military official - something you definitely don't want to be accused of, especially abroad...
But just how strictly the law is enforced depends on where you are, what you're wearing and, apparently, the judge overseeing your case.
In Grenada, for example, only the military can wear camouflage.
Tourists wearing camo may be stopped by police, have items seized, or face fines of up to 10,000 East Caribbean dollars, or $3,700, reports the BBC.
There are similar laws in Barbados; camouflage clothing of any kind is strictly reserved for the Barbados Defence Force.
Tourists wearing camo can be stopped, made to change, and have items confiscated.
The law allows penalties up to 2,000 Bajan dollars, or $993, and one year in prison, though tourists usually receive warnings or confiscation.
Last year, judges and other law officials spoke out on their wishes to see the law abolished, reports Barbados Today.
Other countries with similar laws include Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Dominica, Jamaica and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
In Saint Lucia, you might get away with brightly colored camo but should steer clear of 'realistic' green and brown color schemes. Or, maybe just don't risk it at all!
Similar laws apply in Saint Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago and the South American country of Guyana.
Over to Africa, and people vacationing in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe or Madagascar are better off leaving the camo at home.
People heading to Saudi Arabia, Oman the Philippines and Azerbaijan should also heed the same advice.
The more you know!