Boys shoes

[JimmyJackJunior]

Dont know about the Princess Cruise, but on the Disney Cruise a couple of weeks ago there did not seem to be any rules. I brought my suit and dress suits and was then totally dismayed that others showed up in shorts. We basically packed an extra suitcase for nothing. By the semi formal night I was in shorts and tennis shoes and nobody said a thing. I didnt even catch a dirty look.

Dont get me wrong there were a lot of people in tuxes both nights but there was an equal amount of people totally ignoring that fancy nights were going on. I actually think there was a great deal of class shown by the fancy dressers not to look down on the non fancy dressers. A totally comfortable situation.

Clarabelle - well I am my church's Treasurer and on its Executive and I usually show up in track pants and sneakers. What makes you think God cares how you show up?(which is all that really matters) cause I dont remember that particular passage in the Bible.

As for Disney we asked the restaurant manager and they do not enforce formal night. They want it to be there for those that want it but they realize many people are travelling with limited luggage(especially those with children under 2 who have no airline allotment). The guides even say no shorts or jeans to the restaurants but no one said anything to me on the nights I wore them and no one made me feel uncomfortable either. I was expecting to hear something not so much from staff but from one of the many people in a tux, but did not. They wore the fancy clothes for their own enjoyment and to get their family portraits done.

 

[SeaSpray]

Already sprayed myself with flame retardent. Maybe it was the way I was raised, but here goes!!!

Does anyone go to church anymore, and if they do, don't your boys wear shoes? My parents would never have let us go to church in sneakers? So Ijust passed that on to my son, shoes it is! But am I in a time warp? Are sneakers acceptable? On formal night, is dockers and shirt and tie acceptable? (not picking on the OP, but just wondering). I thought formal night was just that, formal? Not questioning anyone other than am I living in the 1950's or some Leave it to Beaver re-run??? Because if people aren't dressing up anymore on these cruises, why hasn't Disney changed the theming?

Actually, my DSs, ages almost 17 and almost 14, wear a suit, tie, AND dress shoes to our religious meetings 3 times a week, so yes, some people do still dress up for "church". As you can see in the pic below, my DSs were dressed in suits on the formal nights during our cruise, but most teen boys don't already have suits.

I think that in most religions dressing up for church is not the norm these days anymore.

For our cruise, I simply packed DH's and DSs' suits, shirts, ties, and shoes that they wear all the time. But I realize that MOST teen boys these days do not usually own these items before going on a cruise (or a funeral or wedding, etc).

I was just answering the OPs question directly, because obviously if she and her family dressed up regularly for church, they'd already have dress shoes. Also, she had a luggage/packing issue which I totally understand. We already had all of the above mentioned items, but believe me, I hated packing them all just for a vacation, but since we knew there'd be two formal nights, we wanted to be dressed properly. I also wanted all of us dressed nicely for the professional pictures.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with teenaged boys wearing nice Docker pants, a dress shirt, and tie, for formal night on a cruise. I think most adults do still dress formally on formal nights.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Maybe I'm weird, but personally, I see nothing wrong for a boy to swear some nice sneakers with his suit. At our wedding, my husband and some of the groomsman actually took off their fancy shoes and put on their sneakers (suede Vans). This was after the ceremony, of course, but they all looked cool and it made for some memorable pictures. Then again, we're from California and in this neck of the woods, sometimes anything goes!

On past cruises I've seen girls wear very simple, casual sandals with fancy dresses, and boys with sneakers and suits. For our family, it took an entire suitcase to pack all of our shoes. If you have a large family it might not be worth it. My opinion is go with whatever makes you comfortable. I agree with what Jimmyjack said about the attitude on the ship. The cool thing is that it doesn't seem to matter whether you're dressed formally or dressed way down, everyone seems to blend in and noone really seems to notice. The formal's are too busy getting their pictures taken, and the casual's are too busy getting to their table at dinner!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Sorry, I just realized you meant dockers.....then sneakers would look even better!

 

[cjsmith]

We live here in Naples Florida and though my husband wears a suit every day to work and we do go to a lot of formal/black tie functions, on a whole Naples is very casual. You will see a lot of golf shorts around, not short shorts or denim shorts, but Ralph Lauren type golf shorts along with shirts out at night. That's at restaurants as well. Both men & women will wear this along with a sweater tied around their shoulders or a golf/wind cover up for the men. We really don't go to church, I know, it'a a terrible thing, but the church we do sometimes attend is very low key. At the country club we belong to as well as the others in town you will see the young men more in khakis and a blue blazer rather than suits. My one son does have dress shoes because he's required to wear them for his band performances but I'm sure by July he'll be on to the next size. My 12 year old wears shorts and flip flops to school every day (hi PE sneakers are kept in his PE locker along with his uniform) so just putting on pants and shoes are going to be a shock for him!
I really want to thank everyone. I'll probably get them a pair of the leather or suede vans and we'll go from there.
You guys have the been the greatest, thanks.....

 

[Par8hed]

I'm in agreement with Clarabelle. It is Formal Night. Its unfortunate that DCL does not enforce it .They should. My son (7) will not be showing up in sneakers, shorts, etc on formal or semi-formal night. The other nights.....fine.

 

[cjsmith]

I'm in agreement with Clarabelle. It is Formal Night. Its unfortunate that DCL does not enforce it .They should. My son (7) will not be showing up in sneakers, shorts, etc on formal or semi-formal night. The other nights.....fine.

My questions was the shoes on their feet. My two boys won't be in shorts, they'll be khakis, a Brook brothers dress shirt & tie and possible a blue blazer!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We're planning on a 4 night for our first cruise, but last night I told my DH that if we were going on a 7 night that there is a formal and semi-formal night. He looked shocked. He pointed to his t-shirt and jeans and said that's how he ws dressing on a cruise so I had to break the Dockers polo shirt/dress shirt code. Boy did he wonder (excuse the pun) what I was signing him up for. I don't know if I'll ever get him on the 7 night cruise now, though. lol

We do have dress clothes, btw, but our kids don't always have nice shoes that fit (darn those growing feet!). Sounds like at least on the 4 night cruise that nice sneakers will be fine.

T&B

 

[tchoney]

I'm in agreement with Clarabelle. It is Formal Night. Its unfortunate that DCL does not enforce it .They should. My son (7) will not be showing up in sneakers, shorts, etc on formal or semi-formal night. The other nights.....fine.

I completely disagree with both you and clarabelle. You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that. Yes, it is formal night, but as much as DCL costs anyway, give me a break. I realize that a lot of people really do enjoy formal nights, and even look forward to it on their cruise. But for those of us that don't look forward to it and don't find formal night a "highlight" in their cruise, it should not be enforced. I think that everyone should be able to wear whatever they are comfortable in, with the exception of bathing suits and shorts - of course. Whether or not you choose to dress up should be a personal preference not mandatory.

Clarabelle, I'm afraid you are stuck in a time warp. My family dresses nice for church, but we are also comfortable. In our church, the Holy Spirit comes no matter what we wear! From the children to the elderly, everyone wears whatever they want to. Some people wear suits and ties, some where jeans and tennis shoes. We are just all very happy to see each other and have the opportunity to worship and fellowship.

 

[jrabbit]

Here's what we've done.

Black tennis shoes (that DS will wear) and Teva's with black socks.

Here's a link to some Teva Sandals. We buy them at our local sporting good store.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Already sprayed myself with flame retardent. Maybe it was the way I was raised, but here goes!!!

Does anyone go to church anymore, and if they do, don't your boys wear shoes? My parents would never have let us go to church in sneakers? So Ijust passed that on to my son, shoes it is! But am I in a time warp? Are sneakers acceptable? On formal night, is dockers and shirt and tie acceptable? (not picking on the OP, but just wondering). I thought formal night was just that, formal? Not questioning anyone other than am I living in the 1950's or some Leave it to Beaver re-run??? Because if people aren't dressing up anymore on these cruises, why hasn't Disney changed the theming?

There are lots of churches today where "casual dress" is the standard dress code, only the minister and perhaps the ushers wear a suit. The main idea being "we don't care what you look like, it's more important that you come". In these churches, you'll see the older adults still dressed up for Sunday, but most of the adults wear the same thing they would for "bussiness casual" at work, and it such an atmosphere, there isn't a need to buy "dress" shoes for kids.

And speaking of which dress shoes, that's one of the frustrations we are currently having. We do want to get dressed up for formal nights, and we need to get some dress shoes for DS. But we can't seem to find any for him when ever we look at WalMart. He's currently an infants size 8. IF I do find any dress shoes, they are usually in a different size (7, 9, 10).

 

[Par8hed]

I completely disagree with both you and clarabelle. You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that. Yes, it is formal night, but as much as DCL costs anyway, give me a break. I realize that a lot of people really do enjoy formal nights, and even look forward to it on their cruise. But for those of us that don't look forward to it and don't find formal night a "highlight" in their cruise, it should not be enforced. I think that everyone should be able to wear whatever they are comfortable in, with the exception of bathing suits and shorts - of course. Whether or not you choose to dress up should be a personal preference not mandatory.

Well if your idea of comfortable includes jeans, tee-shirts, and such then I respectfully disagree with you.
The DCL website lists what is "suggested", "recommended", or "required" here.
"What do I bring for evenings?
Let's talk about dinner clothes: We kindly request that no shorts, T-shirts or jeans be worn in any of our restaurants in the evening. Evening attire for the Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay dining rooms is casual. Button-down, open collar shirts or polo shirts and slacks are recommended for men. Pants and a blouse or a casual dress are appropriate for ladies. For Lumière's and Triton's restaurants and our adults-only alternative dinner restaurant, Palo, it is suggested that men wear jackets or a button-down shirt and tie and ladies wear dresses or pantsuits. Aboard our 7-night cruises, one dinner is semi-formal. Another evening requires more formal - or "black-tie-optional"- attire. Tuxedo rentals are available, in advance. Other themed evenings aboard our 7-night cruises that adults might want to pack for include salutes to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s."
Gertainly the word mandatory is not used here. But any thesauraus will tell you that suggested, recommended, and required equate to "appropriate". And thats the point. People should dress appropriately. Jeans and such are no more appropriate at a formal dinner than they are at a wedding, funeral, and so forth.
As per DCL's guidelines, I'm adhering to their wishes by dressing in the manner my hosts (DCL) have requested. The same way I would respect a wedding invitation that "requests" a certain attire or even "No Children Please"
I fail to see where the price of the cruise is a factor in adhering to or disregarding the policies requested of you. Does the purchase of a Ferrari make it permissable to disregard the speed limit

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Par8head - I see we are on the same page, maybe alone, but atleast on a page!!! If it's formal night, that's how we dress, if its semi-formal, then that's how we dress. Casual same thing. Maybe I shouldn't have referenced church, but how about funerals, school concerts, weddings, nice dinners out, etc. If you invited to a event and it says "black tie please" would some of you show up dressed otherwise? I guess not many see what I am saying. If the cruise lines expect you to dress a certain way for events, and you don't choose to, there are other dining options. Heck, I was turned away years ago for dinner on a cruise for wearing a skort! (back in maybe 1993-94). When they said NO SHORTS ALLOWED, they ment it. Even though it was too my knees, had on stockings and shoes, nice blouse, etc!

Now, I really don't care how one dresses, but where I have a hard time is when suggestions/requests are made, (and everyone knows what they want), and you don't do it. I attempt to teach my kids right from wrong, rules are there for a reason, etc., etc., granted this is just a minor blip on the radar compared to some things, but If alot of people are saying, hey I know its formal night, but I don't really care, I personally don't feel that is right. Maybe a cruise isn't the vacation you should be taking, or maybe more of a "freestyle" cruise is better. Again, sure I am probably coming of snobbish or elitist, I don't mean to. (trust me, I'm a jeans and t-shirt beer drinking kind of girl!!) but in the right environment. Not right or wrong, just my own personal opinion. And I bet alot feel the same way, but don't wish to get flamed for it. Trust me, I have received a few e-mails regarding this thread!

 

[banderson]

Sorry for interrupting here, but how did a question about appropriate footwear for dinner get us to what one wears to church?

• Not all churchgoers dress up to do so.

• Not all people who dress up go to church.

The concept of Sunday's best hardly applies anymore. I'm probably much more dressed up Monday to Friday than I would ever be on a Sunday afternoon, church or no church.

Like someone else mentioned, it's a question of what's appropriate. Hey, if you want to eat the food served at the formal dinner, then dress accordingly. If not, there are other options. These are great occasions to show our kids how to dress for the occasion, no matter what it might be.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

banderson, and that is why I said I probably shouldn't have used church as an example.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I fail to see where the price of the cruise is a factor in adhering to or disregarding the policies requested of you. Does the purchase of a Ferrari make it permissable to disregard the speed limit

I see the point you are trying to make, but it's apples and oranges. Dressing down on a formal occasion isn't a hazard to anyone. It's plain and simple. The dress code is a request, NOT a policy. I do agree that it would be nice if more people dressed for the occasion, and it surprises me the number of people that don't. But it's never bothered me on any of our cruises, and I've never looked down on those who aren't dressed up. As for someone who suggested that people who aren't dressed up eat somewhere other than the dining room, well, I'm sorry, but that's just snobbish, and if DCL thought so too then the dress code wouldn't be suggested, it would be mandatory. If it bothers you so then maybe dining at Palo's on formal night would be a good choice for you.

And cost can be a factor for some, especially those with large families. It's hard enough these days to scrap together money for a nice family vacation. For us, it takes us a year to a year and half to pay off our cruise. I had a baby three months before our most recent cruise, and I still couldn't fit into my pre pregnancy clothes. I had to buy shorts, pants and other stuff for this cruise. There wasn't any money left for formal attire. I had to borrow my formal and semi formal night dresses from a friend because we were trying save enough just to cover tips and other cruise expenses. My MIL got my sons their outfits, and my mother bought their shoes. (Sears, btw, has great, affordable ,nice shoes for kids). Point is, for some of us, money can be an issue. Someone suggested that maybe something other than a cruise, or a more "freestyle" cruise, would be more appropriate for people who don't recognize the formal nights. I'm sorry, but I don't recall DCL having first or second classes on the ship. It's Disney, not the Titanic. (Sorry, it's the only ship that had classes that I can think of!)

What people wear to church is irrelevant to me. We're talking about a VACATION! Wear what you like, what you can, and what you're happy with, and just enjoy your cruise!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

banderson, and that is why I said I probably shouldn't have used church as an example.

Yeah, and what about Synagogue? Jewish people can't dress up???

T&B

 

[UMTerp]

How about this? Buy some dress shoes at a consignment or second-hand
store for cheap, take them and throw them away before you head home. More space in your luggage for goodies on the way home. Just an idea. I know some people don't like their children to wear used shoes (even if they are almost new and will only be worn a few hours).

Good luck with your decision and packing!

UMTerp

 

[becobscot]

Let the kids wear tennis shoes! Thank goodness there is no shoe police. If anyone is offended I'm sure they will get over it. You go on a cruise to chill out and have fun not to let every little thing bother you. Enjoy and don't feel bad about it!

 

[cjsmith]

Guys, I really was only asking about shoes, not outifts, appropriate attire or what's appropriate for church!
This had nothing to do with money or the cost of shoes, simply making my life a little easier. Because we're flying Jetblue into NY prior, I'm very limited on the weight of the suitcases. I need clothes for the day and clothes for dinner, plus jackets and other clothes. It's not just like a Caribbean cruise where you are in bathing suits or shorts during the day and only dressing up at night. It's touring through Europe, the weather will be on the chilly side and different in each country. I also need enough clothes for the 5 of us for 16 days, believe me, I'm not the best packer so it will be a lot!
I'm sorry that so many of you got PM's from some people when you showed your understanding my situation. I wasn't looking to start a big debate over what is appropriate attire for Disney~I simply asked about the shoes on my boys feet!!!!