Cruise Shoes - how many is too many?

[BoozinCroozin]

Since this is the last long weekend before our cruise, I have been trying to figure out everything we are packing. I started to look at shoes and felt like I was loading up a camel for a 2-month trip across the Sahara. I don't see a way around having 4-pairs of shoes. It sounds crazy to me, but I can't seem to cut it down.

 

1. Formal shoes: for the two formal nights to go with the suit
2. Sneakers/hiking shoes: These are the shoes I wear all the time. I will wear them for pier walking, excursions, and walking around the ship
3. Flip Flops or water shoes
4. Informal slip on casual shoes: to wear to dinners, casino, etc.

 

Am I crazy or is this about normal?

[OCruisers]

Sounds like you have a good "shoe plan" because you need to take at least four pairs.

 

[defbref]

3 for me, your 2 and 4 options are combined

[clo]

And wear the largest ones.

[LHT28]

Sounds about right 

for us we do not have formal nights so #1  is not needed

[iancal]

2&4 combined - On my feet for travel.   3 is packed.  DW takes an additional pair.

 

 

[DirtyDawg]

I combine 1 and 4. My informal shoes can be worn with a suit.

Like Andy Dufresne said; "Seriously, how often do you really look at a man's shoes?"  

[klfrodo]

packing?

1 and 3 only.

 

Number 2 I'm wearing during travel and getting on the ship

 

[Reina del Mar]

I think you would be doing well to stick to four pairs of shoes/ sandals.

 

I never seem to manage less than seven.

 

But I admit, I am an over packer who likes to have options !!!

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, BoozinCroozin said:

Since this is the last long weekend before our cruise, I have been trying to figure out everything we are packing. I started to look at shoes and felt like I was loading up a camel for a 2-month trip across the Sahara. I don't see a way around having 4-pairs of shoes. It sounds crazy to me, but I can't seem to cut it down.

 

1. Formal shoes: for the two formal nights to go with the suit
2. Sneakers/hiking shoes: These are the shoes I wear all the time. I will wear them for pier walking, excursions, and walking around the ship
3. Flip Flops or water shoes
4. Informal slip on casual shoes: to wear to dinners, casino, etc.

 

Am I crazy or is this about normal?

Might I suggest nice khaki slacks/blazer for the “prom nights”😉? That will give you far more multi-use clothes combos. I assume you’re on a mass market line (re: “formal” nights) where you’ll find many folks dress far below formal. 
If you go the above route I suggest, a nice pair of Sebago or Sperry boat shoes (billfish or dockside type models) will do triple purpose: casual wear onboard, walking excursions, and the perfect mate to the khakis/blazer “yacht club uniform” which will work for every dinner situation.

 

If you’re going on a Polynesia or similar cruise, you’ll need only a single pair of multipurpose water shoes. OluKai makes the Imaka Trainer, which is standard issue for Hawaii’s public lifeguards. You can run in them, swim in them, etc. (Wide feet? Try Tevas instead.) At $150, they’re not cheap. But, like the Sperry or Sebago boat shoes for dry wear (also $100 +\-), they’ll serve many situations.

 

So, my suggestion is two pairs of shoes. BTW, travel in the boat shoes and pack the water shoes. 

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, BoozinCroozin said:

Am I crazy or is this about normal?

 

I combine your #1 and #4.  I have a pair of black Rockports that look like formal shoes and goes well with whatever I wear to dinner, including when I wear my tux.  I wear to the ship and around the ship and on shore excursions my walking shoes--your #2.  Don't forget a pair of slippers for walking around in your cabin/bathroom.

 

For a long cruise, I would probably add a pair of canvas type shoes just for variety when I am aboard the ship.  

 

I used to take a "boatload" of shoes and discovered most didn't get worn.  That has changed!  

[donaldsc]

Wear #2.  Pack #3.  Don't need any special formal shoes as long as you aren't barefoot on formal night. Just wear your sneakers w black socks and they are formal shoes.

 

DON

[Lois R]

We all have our own opinions about this topic. In my opinion, sneakers are not formal, even if you are wearing with them with black socks.

 

I think if you are comfortable with 4 pairs, that is good🙂.......actually that is the amount I brought on my recent Alaska cruise.

[BoozinCroozin]

6 hours ago, donaldsc said:

Wear #2.  Pack #3.  Don't need any special formal shoes as long as you aren't barefoot on formal night. Just wear your sneakers w black socks and they are formal shoes.

 

DON

So go Sunny Crockett style on formal night with my suit? 🙂 I am not adverse to that and not sure how many will get the reference.

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by BoozinCroozin

[BoozinCroozin]

4 hours ago, Lois R said:

We all have our own opinions about this topic. In my opinion, sneakers are not formal, even if you are wearing with them with black socks.

 

I think if you are comfortable with 4 pairs, that is good🙂.......actually that is the amount I brought on my recent Alaska cruise.

I don't dress up often, but when I do, I do. I think my suit, shirt, tie, and shoes are more than all of my other clothes combined. It is crazy. Still trying to figure it out. My formal shoes weigh nothing, I mean 1Lb or less.

 

[c-boy]

Take all of em'

[shipgeeks]

My DH claims that I've taken as many as 17 pairs.  I do remember taking a lot, plus a different outfit for each night of a 12- to 14-night cruise, plus outfits for afternoon tea, going ashore dressed modestly, etc.

He now typically packs 4, plus what he wears to board.  I'd say I pack 6 pairs.  My feet swell in the heat, so it's important to me to have a lot of options.

Even in the early days, as well as now, we've never gone over one suitcase each, and under the airline weight limit.

[shipgeeks]

And don't forget your tap shoes.  Heavy, but so worth it when you want to attend tap dance classes.

On two of our three Cunard cruises, tap classes were offered, with several attendees well prepared.  Another Cunarder reported that at least 30 of the 80 or 90 passengers who showed up for a tap class had packed their own tap shoes.

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:

And don't forget your tap shoes.  Heavy, but so worth it when you want to attend tap dance classes.

On two of our three Cunard cruises, tap classes were offered, with several attendees well prepared.  Another Cunarder reported that at least 30 of the 80 or 90 passengers who showed up for a tap class had packed their own tap shoes.

Sounds fun if that is one of your hobbies/interests....but for some of us? I like to dance to but would never bring tap shoes with me---have no talent or inclination for it.

[clo]

6 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

My DH claims that I've taken as many as 17 pairs.  I do remember taking a lot, plus a different outfit for each night of a 12- to 14-night cruise, plus outfits for afternoon tea, going ashore dressed modestly, etc.

He now typically packs 4, plus what he wears to board.  I'd say I pack 6 pairs.  My feet swell in the heat, so it's important to me to have a lot of options.

Even in the early days, as well as now, we've never gone over one suitcase each, and under the airline weight limit.

I'm bowled over that y'all can take 10 pairs of shoes in only two suitcases. Plus everything else. Do you have small feet ?  🙂

[clo]

6 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

And don't forget your tap shoes.  Heavy, but so worth it when you want to attend tap dance classes.

On two of our three Cunard cruises, tap classes were offered, with several attendees well prepared.  Another Cunarder reported that at least 30 of the 80 or 90 passengers who showed up for a tap class had packed their own tap shoes.

I gotta say that this post has completely turned me off of EVER doing a Cunard cruise. Holey moley.

[Reina del Mar]

17 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

And don't forget your tap shoes.  Heavy, but so worth it when you want to attend tap dance classes.

On two of our three Cunard cruises, tap classes were offered, with several attendees well prepared.  Another Cunarder reported that at least 30 of the 80 or 90 passengers who showed up for a tap class had packed their own tap shoes.

 

10 hours ago, clo said:

I gotta say that this post has completely turned me off of EVER doing a Cunard cruise. Holey moley.

 

Have never cruised Cunard but don’t see why people decry tap shoes…it is whatever’s floats your boat(pun intended)

 

I am sure tap shoes weigh no more than snorkelling gear and no one seems to complain about people travelling with that…

 

I take neither tap shoes nor snorkelling gear.

 

There is no need to criticise the choices of others..we all have different priorities.

[Lois R]

Totally agree👍.........if you are into TAP,  then bring your tap shoes!.........

[awhfy]

I’ve had many (18) foot surgeries so I likely take more shoes due to swelling, etc. I bring my OOFOS beach sandal for beach excursion/pool. I wear my KEEN shoes for walking excursions. One pair of slip on shoes that  go with everything & one pair of dressy flat sandals. Gives me options if my feet swell uncontrollably 

[cruisemom42]

19 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

And don't forget your tap shoes.  Heavy, but so worth it when you want to attend tap dance classes.

On two of our three Cunard cruises, tap classes were offered, with several attendees well prepared.  Another Cunarder reported that at least 30 of the 80 or 90 passengers who showed up for a tap class had packed their own tap shoes.

 

Were these TA cruises?  If so I understand -- I think many on those cruises are just onboard for the shipboard life.