Princess Cruises has announced a new appearance policy that will require all crew members to cover visible tattoos while on duty, starting 10th September 2025.
The change applies to roughly 30,000 staff across the line’s 17 ships and marks a significant shift from previous guidelines, which allowed visible tattoos provided they were not offensive or inappropriate.
According to the updated rules, tattoos on arms and legs may be covered with neutral or skin-tone sleeves, while makeup or bandages may be used for smaller areas.
The company has said the move is intended to create a more polished, consistent look across the fleet and support a “respectful and inclusive environment” for its wide-ranging guest base.
Supervisors and managers will be tasked with monitoring compliance, though Princess has not yet confirmed what disciplinary action might be taken for violations.
Crew members with concerns have been advised to contact Human Resources.
A Shift in Policy
Until now, Princess Cruises permitted tattoos that were considered “reasonable self-expression”, with restrictions only on neck and face tattoos or those featuring profanity, nudity or political and cultural references.
Smaller tattoos could be covered with makeup or bandages, but large wraps were discouraged.
The cruise line states that the stricter approach brings Princess more in line with Carnival Corporation, its parent company since 2003.
Ironically, Carnival Cruise Line reaffirmed just last year that its own crew members are still allowed to display tattoos onboard, highlighting a difference in corporate style.
Facial piercings remain banned for Princess crew, while jewellery is limited to discreet pieces that do not detract from the uniform.
The company maintains that all dress code rules are designed to ensure a polished image, with clean, pressed uniforms and visible name tags.
Exceptions may be made where tattoos hold religious or cultural significance, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Princess Cruises’ Shoreside Head of Entertainment.
Opposite Move to NCL
The move is in direct contrast to one made by rival Norwegian Cruise Line in 2023, which previously had tougher rules on tattoos, facial hair and jewellery for crew members.
But in July of that year, the cruise line announced that rules were being relaxed and that visible tattoos were accepted, provided they weren’t on the face, head or the front of the neck (and, of course, that they weren’t offensive).
Those rules also saw crew members permitted to wear more jewellery, as long as it didn’t interfere with their duties, and strict rules on facial hair were also relaxed to allow crew members to have a moustache, beard or goatee, provided they were well maintained.
Of course, those changes are now a couple of years old -perhaps NCL will reverse them if that’s the direction the cruise industry is going in.
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Personally I think it is discriminatory, in this day and age we should be better than that, does it make them do their job any worse or better – no, what does it matter? If they are clean and tidy and professional, tattoos shouldn’t come into question.
Jenni, I just sent a comment about your article on Celebrity, and after I submitted it, it was “flagged as spam/malicious.” I had always thought your website was one of the best about cruising, but labeling my objective comments as malicious, was over the top. Please delete my name from your mailing list. I am very disappointed in you.
Hi Kathy. Sorry to hear you received that message. I have an automated system that handles spam comments. I get thousands of comments per day (mostly spam) and it is very sensitive to certain words and sometimes it can be a bit trigger happy! Please feel free to submit the comment again. Thank you. Jenni
Sad day for humanity and the common man
Personal “adornment”, much like ear rings, the crucifix as a neclace, challenged by F1 (Lewis Hamilton and BA) – personal preference, provided it is not offencive or illegal is “fair” and reasonable.
What next – wedding rings?
Disney (used to?) ban facial hair, fair or an intrusion on human rights?
A couple of years after I left the Navy mid 2000s I applied for a position on an Australian cruse. I was successful. Then as we were going over things I was asked if I had any tattoos on arms or legs. Unlike most Navy guys I had my first and still only one on my lower leg. Lost me the position. Things seem to have relaxed a lot over the years but at least it happened to me before a started the job. How you can expect someone that has been allowed them for years to suddenly not be allowed to have them visible. I understand the reasoning but this is taking it too far. Move people around so it is only on certain ships and let the guests decide if they mind seeing them. If the service is good can’t see what the issue is.
Agree wholeheartedly with the ban on visible tattoos for crew.
Although I realise it can’t be enforced for passengers I wish it could be. We nicknamed our cruise on Arvia the “freak show tattoo cruise” because of the high number of people with grotesque ink over Arms, legs, necks, backs etc.
Just repulsive to see.