Hot Topic

Trip · #1 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 08:52 PM

You can find the most interesting pov, about cruising, and I wonder where you all stand, [no pun intended] on this subject.

How do you feel about people being barefoot in the buffet line? They ask you to coverup, and most comply, but covering the tootsies is another story. They don't ask, so, some don't.

My feeling is, unless they are picking up the food with their feet, it doesn't bother me.

fun2cruiz · #2 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 09:12 PM

Barefoot is dangerous....possible slipping, cutting foot on possible breakages, etc..... sandals. flip flops, etc.... as well as coverups for men and women should be required and enforced !

Trip · #3 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 09:26 PM

Well, it probabaly won't be, would it bother you?

Henry43 · #4 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 09:34 PM

Its very unsanitary

Trip · #5 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 09:41 PM

Being poolside, I think many just don't think to put something on. I don't walk barefoot anywhere, not even in my house! Sometimes just getting up off the chaise onto the hot deck, can make you howl, so walking across that far,would really hurt!

Henry43 · #6 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 09:46 PM

The ONLY time I am barefoot is when showering . I have not been in the ocean for nearly 40 years and a pool for 25 years .

Aerogirl · #7 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 09:57 PM

no shoes, no shirt , no service!!

Trip · #8 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 10:18 PM

Robin, off a ship, that is aways a given, in most places,and, if someone tried to go into a place barefoot,and, they got noticed, they would be told to go out and get your shoes on!!

Pool side, I guess maybe some cruisers just have a different mindset?

Henry43 · #9 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 10:20 PM

The cruise line should mandate that this is not a sanitary practice .

fun2cruiz · #10 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerogirl

no shoes, no shirt , no service!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

Robin, off a ship, that is aways a given, in most places,and, if someone tried to go into a place barefoot,and, they got noticed, they would be told to go out and get your shoes on!!

Pool side, I guess maybe some cruisers just have a different mindset?

Totally agree... No Shoes, No shirt, No service !

Why should a ship be excluded from this sanitary policy ???

Many cruiselines are watching closely the use of sanitary gel when entering a buffet and some staff really push this...so why not push the attire requirements more diligently ?

Does it bother me ??? Yes it does
Do I let it ruin my cruise experience ??? Not to the extreme that I will stop cruising, but it's just another "RULE" that seems to get broken alot and the cruiselines just turn the other cheek !

Post a sign... if a passenger does not follow the rule, ask politely to adhere to the policy or they will not be allowed to enter in the future w/out proper attire....pretty simple as I see it !

Henry43 · #11 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 10:37 PM

I agree 100%

Trip · #12 (**permalink**) July 15th, 2011, 10:59 PM

I think that if a cruise line cannot, or will not, prevent someone from walking into the dining room in shorts, getting cruisers by the pool to put on shoes, is might be a stretch. I think they are in the minority though.

This was The Brand Ambassaor, John's responce in part, to the complaint made. I have never really noticed this in the buffet, enough to remember it anyway. You cans see, he is making note of it.

I don’t think we will ever stand at the many entrances to the lido deck for the many hours that food is served there demanding that guests put something on their feet. We don’t have the staff to do this and I was surprised that the other cruise lines you mentioned all do this as I have never heard this before. Anyway, we must do a better job in making note of this and getting the message across but honestly, people do come from the pools and while we must, absolutely must make sure they all have cover ups and or T-shirts on, I am not sure we will ever get to the place where everyone has shoes on. I will remind my colleagues though and thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Henry, when you cruise to Bermuda..let us know if this is an issue.

green_rd · #13 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 07:48 AM

What is unsanitary about bare feet? Food and Feet do Meet

Dhill · #14 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 09:05 AM

I am surprised someone would end up at the buffet with nothing on there feet. It seems you would put something on your feet before you left your room.A pair of Sandals or something.And what would be their thinking just because they are on a cruise it is alright? I wonder if they would go bare foot to a resturaunt when they are on dry land?

anniegb · #15 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 09:30 AM

Cruiselines,IMHO, should enforce footwear on feet rule.

Now I know in the US, no-one sues anyone. Just imagine:

1. Someone slipping on debris and injuring back etc

2. Someone dropping plate of food on someone's foot etc

3. Someone accidentally standing on someone's foot.

I know I am a cynic.

Annie

johnthed0g · #16 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 09:51 AM

Agree with Annie, but again like a lot of things this just comes down to good manners, people just don't seem to know how to behave. It won't spoil my cruise but I wish they wouldn't do it...same as inappropriate dress off the ship, short-shorts & Bra tops in places where this is not approved of.

Trip · #17 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 09:52 AM

Annie, easy to imagine every scenario you mentioned. Just crossing from the deck area into the buffet area shoeless, because of the different surfaces could be very tricky.

Several years back I was on a cruise, where there I witnessed several slip and falls. It's a tough thing to watch someone go down

One was a crew member, who went down extremely hard

Barefoot on a hot deck in the Caribbean, you would see people hopping! That's why I don't think it's that common of an issue.

johnthed0g · #18 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Those decks sure get hot!! On our first ever cruise I wanted to cool off so tried to get to the pool... never made it.

anniegb · #19 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 10:23 AM

My favourite beach holiday country in the world is Italy. The sand is so hot - you had to wear sandals to get to the sea. Everyone left their sandals at the water's edge and they were all there when you came out.

You could not get served in a beach cafe unless you wore at min a cover-up and footwear.

I agree with JTD, when I eat lunch etc - I don't want to be put off by some sights that are painful to my eyes.

I think it is Diano Marina on the Ligurian Riviera that does not allow bikini-clad women to stroll the streets unless they possess a model figure. That may be extreme but they have a point.

Anyway back to the thread, I would have thought the Health and Safety QA systems would require everyone to wear footwear on entering a food establishment.

Can I finish off by reminding everyone of Serena Williams - broken glass - cut foot - nearly died of blood clot in lungs?

Annie

johnthed0g · #20 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 02:32 PM

Hairy armpits exposed by a vest/tank top.....
Another thing someone in a clothes shop said to me was....leggings should not be sold over a size 10!!

anniegb · #21 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

Hairy armpits exposed by a vest/tank top.....
Another thing someone in a clothes shop said to me was....leggings should not be sold over a size 10!!

IMHO no leggings should be sold.....

Annie

Mike M · #22 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 08:48 PM

Shoes, sandals or flip flops should be worn in the buffet area. It's more of a safety issue than a sanitary issue.

I was amazed at the number of people on my last Carnival Liberty cruise that were not wearing cover ups in the buffet area. Bathing suits and bare chests were quite common and I never saw anyone asking to cover up.

Take care,
Mike

Trip · #23 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 08:53 PM

I think your eyes are first drawn to what a person is wearing in the buffet area, rather than down to the feet. Wearing a coverup up, for the bits and pieces others would prefer not viewing, while dining should be, the first thing you think of when the stomache starts to growl.

Dhill · #24 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M

Shoes, sandals or flip flops should be worn in the buffet area. It's more of a safety issue than a sanitary issue.

I was amazed at the number of people on my last Carnival Liberty cruise that were not wearing cover ups in the buffet area. Bathing suits and bare chests were quite common and I never saw anyone asking to cover up.

Take care,
Mike

Bare chest thats just wrong and disgusting at a buffet even if it is the female kind

GrannyLorr · #25 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2011, 02:37 AM

It really wouldnt bother me as I dont think I go around looking at peoples feet! Im afraid I dont "get" the unsanitary thing. Bare feet have probably been soaking in pool water, wouldnt have a clue where some shoes have been!! Anyone got a dog? I know whats on my shoes sometimes!

I never walk even in my house bare footed....just cos I dont like too....but I also think I would be more likely to slip in shoes than I would in bare feet. Someone mentioned about having your foot stood on....well I can assure you shoes dont protect that much....a bloke in the Lounge one night, a very BIG bloke, a very HEAVY bloke, pushed past me and stomped on my foot with his very HEAVY shoes.....poor Granny was in pain for days! (and this was one of those well behaved Seabourn passengers!!)

Manuel · #26 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2011, 04:44 AM

I really have enjoyed all of my cruises and have not payed much attention to people's feet.

TM

johnthed0g · #27 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2011, 08:12 AM

All the above & other dress matters usually come down to good manners.

Skipper's Mom · #28 (**permalink**) July 18th, 2011, 08:52 AM

If people ever knew what possible diseases can be contracted by bare feet, they'd put their shoes on. I now never get a pedicure in a salon due to contracting mosaic warts on the sole of my foot. It was very painful and costly to cure. I always wear something on my feet as a result.

green_rd · #29 (**permalink**) July 18th, 2011, 01:25 PM

Most flip flops provide less traction than bare feet. Quite frankly if you hit a wet spot on a slick surface like tile with your hands full you are likely to go down no matter what you have on your feet.

That said, if is often those wet bare feet coming out of the pool that create the slick spots.

Bruce Chafkin1 · #30 (**permalink**) July 18th, 2011, 03:34 PM

The US Public Health Service sets all the rules for sanitation and cleanliness on cruise ships.
There are rules about what types of shoes can be worn in the galley.
There are no rules about passengers wearing shoes - or not - in the buffet or dining room.

Is it smart to wear no shoes in a food service area? No.
But there are no urgent sanitation worries about it.

Is it smart to wear a baseball cap in a dining room? No.
Aside from bad taste, there are no worries there either.

I do see many passengers without shoes in the buffet areas on my ship.
I just went over our onboard accident reports for the past 3 years.
During that period we had hundreds of passengers slipping on wet floors. They wore all sorts of footwear; primarily sandals, flip-flips, and sneakers.
But we have zero cases of a barefoot person slipping and falling anywhere on the ship.