Take 'em or leave 'em me.... but if there is a code we respect it, & wouldn't go on a cruise or anywhere else that had any rules we couldn't stick to.
Mind you I do sympathise with those who just don't know about these things, this happens more often as cruises become more available. Happened to us once in Jamaica, didn't even cross our minds the hotel would have a dress code for dinner in a laid back place like that!