Shoes for Formal Nights

This one is for my dressy ladies out there. :)

We're headed out to Alaska on the Infinity in a few months, and we're trying to square away wardrobe options.

My husband and son are renting tuxes, because honestly, both of them have outgrown their suits, and it just seems easier to rent tuxes than go buy new suits and pack them and try to make them presentable. Plus, it's our ten year anniversary, so a little dressing up is called for and fun.

That leaves me wearing a dressy cocktail dress / evening gown. I have a high low chiffon skirted dress and am really stuck on shoes. Typically I would wear heels, but this is a massive ship, and that just doesn't seem smart. I'm not a slave to fashion, I know my limits with my typical evening wear heels, and walking the equivalent of a mile or more on a rocking ship just isn't smart for me. Especially if we're going to be doing this twice during the week.

What do people do? Do you just carry your heels and slip them on as needed? I was looking at flats, but they just look odd, and truth be told, I'll never wear them again and hate to spend the money on dressy flats for one night.

I was thinking of rhinestone sandals / flip flops, believe it or not. Is that okay? The sparkle would fit the theme, it would be a little odd, but it's a ship, surely the rules are just a bit different aren't they? I recall a no flip flops rule, but if they're really sparkly dressy flip flops, would I get a pass?

Something along these lines:

I know they're not a great choice, but surely barefoot isn't much better?

What do you ladies think? Or men too, if you are so inclined.

There have been a couple of reports that flip flop style footwear have caused problems....perhaps you can find some glittery sandals. Or pretty ballet flats. Either would be safer on a rocking ship.

This is a difficult one for us ladies! I have done both of your suggestions - carried my heels but usually at the end of the evening heading back to the cabin. I have also worn fancy flip flops and for the most part have had no problems with those, except one pair that I bought in Thailand which like to dismantle themselves as I walk.

I usually look at the forecast just as I'm packing and make a last minute decision dependent on the weather but it can never be 100% accurate. Oh, decisions, decisions!

I suck it up and wear a pair of Louboutin stilettos (my go-to for fancy occasions), though by the end of the night I'm usually carrying them.

Rhinestones or not, I wouldn't be caught dead anywhere in flip flops, but that's just my personal preference and style.

You do realize Celebrity does not have formal nights anymore.....Men don't need suits and quite frankly you would probably be better off saving your luggage space for bringing layers of clothing for Alaska. Very few people will be in suits or tuxes, not like cruise elsewhere. Your choice of course. First thing I did when reading your post was check the date to see if it was from a few years ago. I only bring this up because some don't know they don't have formal nights.

Having cruised Alaska last year, I don't recall anyone getting "dressed up". Alaska cruises tend to be much more casual than Caribbean or European cruises....just saying.

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Do not listen to the naysayers! The OP said that they wish to dress up for their Anniversary and so they should. Who cares what others do. We always take DH's tux - yes even last year on our Millie - Alaska cruise.

For the shoes - sorry but the flip flops are just that - not anything that I would wear with formal wear. Your beautiful high/low dress will showcase your shoes - I know because I just wore on one Infinity through the P.C. :) Get out those heels and ROCK IT!

Do not listen to the naysayers! The OP said that they wish to dress up for their Anniversary and so they should. Who cares what others do. We always take DH's tux - yes even last year on our Millie - Alaska cruise.

For the shoes - sorry but the flip flops are just that - not anything that I would wear with formal wear. Your beautiful high/low dress will showcase your shoes - I know because I just wore on one Infinity through the P.C. :) Get out those heels and ROCK IT!

I agree with above post.....those sandals ( pic #1) and wedged flip flops (#2) are pretty but not evening wear that go well with the dress you described. .Stores and women's clothes catalogs offer many dressy choices that are comfortable and not wobbly.

I wear low heeled dress shoes with a few small rhinestone insets open toe. Walking and dancing are not a problem..if stairs are too difficult, you can take the elevator....

Tuxes will be in the minority but you can dress how you wish. .Tuxes will be nice for a family photo. .Your husband and son could also do nice slacks with shirt and tie as an alternative,....that's what dh does now.,.enjoy !

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

I order glitzy ballroom dance shoes with a 1 or 1 1/2 inch heel. They are soft leather and wear like slippers! I spent years carrying shoes back to the cabin at night until I discovered these.

I take two pair that will match everything and I wear them every night.

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Not being a naysayer but the poster's title asked about formal nights which of course Celebrity hasn't done for years. This was born out when she said her husband and son didn't have suits as if she thought they needed them thus the decision to rent tuxes. Was she aware they don't need suits or tuxes. That's why I put in my post it's her choice but it could also be her choice to change direction after she knows what the reality of an Alaska cruise is. That's not being a naysayer but being informative to someone who may not know. Lots of info that perhaps the poster doesn't know what she may face in an Alaska cruise. Another poster mentioned about checking the weather which in a way becomes irrelevant in Alaska. You can go to a glacier where it will be 30 degrees and a few hours later you can be in a town where it is 75 degrees. Just trying to point out reality of what the poster may run into.

I'll be wearing these rose gold leather sandals in July. Admittedly, we're not assigned to the MDR and none of the men in my party are wearing tuxes, but I'll be wearing a dress pretty much every night. These are reasonably priced at the Banana Republic right now. They are super comfortable!

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I find shoes like these are a good compromise for cruising. They look nice, have a small heel that is also sturdy, and are usually comfortable.

https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Street-Womens-Fantasia-Heeled/dp/B01N69MKKS

This. It's been a bit of a quandary. Doing a last minute review of clothes for our Coral Princess Alaska cruise next week. Have wished and washed about formal night. I've read much good advice to counsel we can dress up or not dress up. We like to "blend". For someone(s) who has recently cruised this ship/itinerary? What is the majority of style on formal nights, men and women?? Most specifically should I keep DH dark blazer in suitcase or no? (Dress shirt and tie stays. That's a minimum. ) I have long skirt and dressy top.

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How about a nice wedge heel? I bought these for our last cruise at Lord n Taylor and they were only about $50!

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The pictures you posted are both flip flops, especially the 2nd rubber pair. I don't think either pair would look good with the dress you described and I vote that you take your heals. I've often taken mine off once off the elevator after dinner. The ship is not necessarily going to be rocking and Infinity is not all that big compared to a lot of other ships.

You do realize Celebrity does not have formal nights anymore.....Men don't need suits and quite frankly you would probably be better off saving your luggage space for bringing layers of clothing for Alaska. Very few people will be in suits or tuxes, not like cruise elsewhere. Your choice of course. First thing I did when reading your post was check the date to see if it was from a few years ago. I only bring this up because some don't know they don't have formal nights.

Totally agree. I did exactly the same thing. And frankly, am amazed that they still rent tuxes on Celebrity. Judging from the limited number of tuxes seen on recent cruises, would wonder what CruiseLine Formals inventory would be like in Alaska. And what the quality would be (have to be pretty old).

And I also believe that the OP very possibly did not know that there are no formal nights. If it were me, I would much rather know in advance that I did not NEED formal wear before I shelled out $300 for 2 tuxes for 2 nights on a short cruise.

I wear heels every night on a cruise. If the seas are rough (rare), I wear the ones with the chunkier heel, and I take the arm of my handsome escort/DH (good excuse).

I don't think you will regret dressing for your special occasion.

I wear heels every night on a cruise. If the seas are rough (rare), I wear the ones with the chunkier heel, and I take the arm of my handsome escort/DH (good excuse).

I don't think you will regret dressing for your special occasion.

Ditto. Have always worn heels and never once had a problem.

I don't understand your post. :confused: Those are not flip flops...they are sandals. Although I would not wear them, why do you think they are banned from Celebrity? Could you elaborate please?

Celebrity dress code in the Elite Lounge prohibits "Sandals" on paper. Seems hit and miss if they enforce it.

Do not listen to the naysayers! The OP said that they wish to dress up for their Anniversary and so they should. Who cares what others do. We always take DH's tux - yes even last year on our Millie - Alaska cruise.

I don't see Naysayers, just posting reality. The OP only has 3 posts and may indeed not know that there are no formal nights and in Alaska, even less dressing up than usual. Seeing as they're putting out good money to rent Tuxes, they may want to know it's not necessary. If they choose to continue to want to rent the tuxes, then so be it, no one is stopping anyone from dressing formal on any night.

We heard Alaska was more casual and DH decided only at the last minute to take his tux. Turned out to be really glad he did as we had a invite to the Captain's table.

We always do formal still on chic nights and are never out of place.

Dress up and enjoy!

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I agree with others - the OP's photos are both flip flops.

I LOVE the silver shoes!

Other than that, my thoughts are...... heels are much nicer if you don't want to go with ballet flats. Heels don't have to be uncomfortable. No matter how cute they are, I won't buy them if they aren't comfy. I finally found some nice heels that don't hurt and I bought two pair - one beige and one black.

How about a nice wedge heel? I bought these for our last cruise at Lord n Taylor and they were only about $50!

 

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Just reiterating - I LOVE these shoes!

Just reiterating - I LOVE these shoes!

 

 

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Me too! Love the shoes

My take is that when there were designated formal nights, the anti formal people encouraged folks to wear what they pleased....in reverse now, even if there are no designated formal nites anymore...those who want to tux are free to do so on chic nites.,.and they still look stunning.

We go midway...shirt, dressy tie but no jacket for dh..dressy dress for me..no more gowns..

Me too! Love the shoes

 

My take is that when there were designated formal nights, the anti formal people encouraged folks to wear what they pleased....in reverse now, even if there are no designated formal nites anymore...those who want to tux are free to do so on chic nites.,.and they still look stunning.

 

We go midway...shirt, dressy tie but no jacket for dh..dressy dress for me..no more gowns..

That is the beauty of it, wear what you want. I wasn't advocating anything just trying to help her understand the options if not aware of them.