Recently, one Carnival Cruise Line passenger expressed their frustration after receiving hurtful messages about their formal night footwear.
Though less formal than decades ago, cruise ships still have dress codes passengers are expected to abide by. Though you can't wear swimsuits into the buffet or Main Dining Room, casual attire—like t-shirts, jeans, and sundresses—is acceptable.
Of course, guests are encouraged to dress their best on formal night. While you don't have to dig out your tuxedo for a ballgown, many passengers opt for nicer attire, including dress shirts with slacks and cocktail dresses.
Even if the onboard atmosphere is more relaxed than in the past, dressing up on formal night adds a touch of elegance to your cruise vacation and helps to create a dining experience that feels special without being overly stuffy.
Even so, some passengers take offense to others' clothing options. After receiving harsh comments regarding their decision to wear flip-flops on formal night, one Carnival guest reached out to the cruise line's brand ambassador, John Heald, for clarification.
"John. Need your help please. I have a condition with my feet that does not allow me to wear any dress shoe or tennis shoe. Not for a long period of time anyway," the message begins.
Read more: Cruise Line Dress Codes: What to Wear on a Cruise
"I wear flip flops and sparkly style sandal style [flip-flops] at dinner each night in the MDR and if we go to the steak restaurant [for] supper. I was subjected to such rude hurtful comments on our Roll Call page when I said this I was called 'trash' and worse."
"I do not understand why people just cannot deal with it or turn the other way. My [flip-flops] have a cushioned bottom on the inside..., so they don't make noise unless they get wet. I was told that I should not wear these because I am a rule breaker and wearing my shoes is 'disgusting.'"
Heald is sympathetic towards the passenger, stating they should wear them as their feet will be underneath the dining room table.
"...nobody can really see them and if they can and your trotters are [encased] in a pair of sparkling sandals or a pair of knee high rumpy pumpy boots made of Cleveland leather…………who cares, really," he continues.
Read more: Cruise packing list: Essentials to bring on a cruise
Supportive comments encourage the anonymous user to ignore what others think
"I have the same problem. My feet swell terribly and my toes [go] numb! I can't wear any type of heal and closed toed shoes are quite uncomfortable. I wear nice sparkly sandals to dinner. Wear what makes you comfortable!!," said Jenny Bertrand.
Lynda Fraza Walker added, "I always wear sparkly sandals or [flip-flops] to dinner. My suggestion is—don’t ask people what they think! Stay off these “roll call” pages. From what I read, the people on these are very critical! Do what makes you comfortable without [feedback] from others!"
"I don’t understand why people need [others'] approval. She needs to walk [into] that steakhouse like she owns it!!!," wrote Vikki Shelton.
Cynthia McIntosh commented, "When I see someone wearing something that is "not traditional" to the MDR I just assume there must be a reason and continue my meal. I don't understand why some people find it necessary to judge people enjoying their vacation."
Shortly after the initial post, Heald responded to another user who raised concerns about Crocs being worn on formal night
"On your shoe post there are people saying they wear Crocs on formal night. [In my humble opinion], crocs are just too ugly to wear unless you're under the age of ten, or have foot problems that make wearing any other shoes extremely uncomfortable. Just saying," said David.
Heald wasn't nearly as kind in his response to David as to the first Facebook user: "Thanks mate, I don’t usually post the names of people but in this case I had to so I could [say], please David get a pair of Crocs so I can call you ……Davy Crockett….Oh FFS"
The comments were more diverse than on the first post, with some agreeing with David while others say it shouldn't matter what other cruisers wear.
"Not a Croc fan but it is an individual choice. Really don't care what a person has on their feet, as long as they are not barefoot in an eating area," wrote Nancy Koffler-Sartnurak.
John Higgins shared similar sentiments, agreeing that Crocs "...are about the ugliest footwear imaginable." However, he added that he doesn't care what other people wear to elegant night in the dining room: "I will still greet you warmly with a smile and a hand shake.... and then snicker a bit after you pass...!!!"
"I think they’re very ugly, but I also think it’s not my business what kind of shoes people wear. Doesn’t bother me in the least," said Robin Ziegler Suess.
Though plenty of users expressed their disdain for the popular shoe, many flooded to the comments to reassure others that their footwear wasn't of anyone else's concern. Some even said they love wearing Crocs!
"...I like the big chunky platform ones too. I don’t really care what other folks think / some of us love our crocs and some people hate them, and that’s your prerogative," explained Angie Moreau, "Variety is the spice of life my friends, to each their own!! 🙂".
"I fit into that category of foot problems... So picking shoes for cuteness is a thing of the past. Certain Crocs, tennis shoes with inserts, or my supportive Sketchers slipper are on my feet all day long. I can wear some dressy sandals for a short while, but honestly the evening on cruises [are] busy going from dinner to the shows (in time to get seats)...I get why people need/want to. To each their own as long as they have some type of footwear," said Shannon Driscoll Stout.
Tracey Furdge-Sawyer added, "I wear crocs. [It's nobody's] business of what i wear. Are they buying my shoes? People have medical conditions where they [can't] wear formal shoes. And even if they [didn't] these fashion police need to find them something else to do. Go buy their own MDR ship. I [don't] eat with my feet. I eat with my mouth.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
