calebandjess

Also, I think I may also end up ordering Birkenstock Arizonas in the waterproof EVA option. I can’t wear anything without an ankle strap for long periods of time, but I think something like that may be good for using in replacement of slippers on long flights and in hotel rooms/cabin, as well as work for trips to the hot tub/pool. I still don’t think I’d want to carry them around with me to change into for beach stops, but hopefully they’re light enough to keep in my personal item bag and be able to use for other purposes. I’ll also get lots of use out of them at home if I use them as a backyard/community pool shoe. 

I found and ordered a shoe that may just work and thought I’d share! It’s the OluKai Kāhiko Ko‘o (https://olukai.com/collections/womens-sandals/products/kahiko-koo-womens-leather-slingback-sandals?variant=27708000174179). 
 

It’s by far the closest thing I’ve found to the concept of my previous beloved SaltWater Sandals but with added support. They’re made of leather and water resistant (not completely waterproof, but this will work for what I had in mind). They have an anatomical footbed, and I’d say the fit is probably better for more narrow foot types but that the leather should stretch as well if you need a little extra room. Since the front straps aren’t adjustable, I have a little extra room in one of the straps, but not obnoxiously so, and it should provide a little extra room in case of swelling. I’d say it has moderate arch support, and the heel dips down a bit for good support there. I think the Aetrex sandal option I linked to previously probably offers a bit more arch support, but I’m hoping this sandal is a good compromise of all the features I was looking for and will do the job. I’ll have to wait awhile before giving them a true test since my right foot is still swollen and recovering from surgery (and I have another couple weeks left in a surgical shoe), but I hope to test them out on some good walks in time to order something else if I feel like the arch support is not adequate. They were much cheaper on Amazon, which is where I ordered them. Amazon Prime was showing one left in my size for $50, so I pulled the trigger since the next lowest price I’d seen was $79, and the retail is even higher. The tan color is lovely and will go with everything. Really hoping they work out!

1 hour ago, Hoyaheel said:

Well, the mystic isn't a sandal, and the other two have webbing straps, which OP said was too athletic for her in an earlier post, which is why I discounted their offerings. But I'm not the one shopping and OP likes all the recs so que sera sera 😉 

Correct, the more athletic looking sandals aren’t to my personal taste, but I know everyone’s taste is different and am going to get a lot of subjectivity in answers because of that. 😉

I do appreciate all the feedback! In addition to these “unicorn” shoes I’m looking for, I’ll also need another pair or two of sandals that don’t really need to be water friendly to round out my spring/summer wardrobe since I’m basically starting from scratch this year, so hearing what has worked for other people has been helpful.
 

I had my first bunion surgery last August and my second one just a month ago, and anyone who’s experienced major foot surgery understands the rough recovery that can come along with it. Being really thoughtful about my footwear choices moving forward is very important for me. When I decided to pull the trigger on the first surgery last August it was because we had recently booked our upcoming Med cruise for this summer, and I couldn’t bear the thought of walking around such beautiful places for miles a day with the pain I was experiencing last summer. Bunions are no fun, and it got to the point that I was in pain no matter what I wore. I’m so glad I moved forward with the surgery when I did to ensure that both feet had time to recover. I’ve experienced such a difference in my left foot (the first to undergo the surgery) and have just a little while longer before I’m back in a regular tennis shoe with my right foot. Quality over quantity with shoes is definitely going to be the priority with these new feet of mine! 😁 My feet aren’t completely fixed now (since I’m flat-footed and have ankles that roll in), but I’m glad to have the surgeries behind me and know that the other issues can be addressed with quality shoes/inserts. 

9 minutes ago, Hoyaheel said:

As someone with wider feet (but not "wide" in most brands...) Seibel and Clarks tend to be too narrow for me. So, might be a great option for someone with a narrower foot!

 

Birkis do have some options made from EVA - I looked at them prior to our Caribbean cruise last year - but decided I wouldn't be at the beach and didn't need them 😉 I live in my gizehs (have silver and black) so was looking at a nice cobalt version in that style. Maybe another time 😉 https://www.birkenstock.com/us/women/sandals/water-friendly/

I wish there was as a water friendly Birk with an ankle strap! That would be perfect!

12 minutes ago, jcodes said:

Shoes are my passion and I've worked in multiple shoe stores and have to say... the more comfortable the shoe, the less cute it will be....but then again, cute is subjective!

 

Birkenstocks are a no-brainer. Yes, they are expensive, around $100 US/$150 CDN for the original Arizona model, but you can walk all day with them. The support is unbelievable. WARNING: They take time to break in, and you should break them in by wearing them a whole month before you pack them. But it'll be worth it!! Just don't expose these to water (the sealant that protects the cork will wear down). These are walking sandals for dry land, not the beach.

 

NAOT are another brand that I've sold to customers who come back every time for more (sometimes just for replacement insoles). They are around the same price as Birkenstocks, but have more styles and less time to break in (the insole is softer).

 

Rider sandals are good for water. They might look too sporty or casual, but perfect for the beach and for getting them wet.

 

Other brands I recommend: Josef Seibel and Clarks. Both have great support and feminine styles. I just haven't worn them all day to know how supportive they can be, but I've had customers rave about Josef Seibel for travel.

Thanks for the info! 

1 hour ago, Hoyaheel said:

I thought about suggesting Jambu but didn't see any on their site at this moment that would work for OP's requirements. I have a pair of wedge sandals that are so comfortable. Except I can't move in them. I fall off when I try to walk. Have owned 2 years because they're cute and I *want* to be able to wear them. But alas, I think this is the year they go to the thrift store.....[I've known I have problems with all heels - including wedges that others can handle easily - but I thought these would be different because they were so comfy when I tried them on. Boo hiss]

Maybe they’ll have more styles available as we get closer to summer...I’ll keep an eye out. I haven’t owned anything with a heel in years. Even when I owned them years ago, I rarely wore them. I have bad enough feet from genetics without throwing something else in the mix, haha. 

2 hours ago, slidergirl said:

Take a look at the Jambu website.  I have several pair of their sandals/shoes.  I have some of the ones that are vegan.  I've worn them all over the world.  The one time I was in a "beach" situation, I wore them to the beach, walks on the beach, and when I was done, just slapped them together to get the sand off.  The beach was about 8 years ago, with 3 trips to Europe since and those same Jambus are going strong.  I have taken a different pair of the same type of Jambus on cruises as my "dress" shoes and no one batted an eye or put their nose up in the air in horror of seeing them on my feet 😉  

 

Thanks for the recommendation!

1 hour ago, TwinMamainMN said:

I like the ones you posted above in the "cork" color. They will match everything and be easy to dress up or down. Like you, I do not like Keen/Teva or other "athletic styles." I just bought some Bob's on Zappos. They will match everything, have the straps you need, and can be dressy or casual, but they may not have enough arch support.

link: https://www.zappos.com/p/bobs-from-skechers-desert-kiss-off-white/product/9011164/color/527

My options would definitely be more numerous if I didn’t require the arch support, haha! Glad to know the cork ones I linked get another vote! I’m starting to think they’ll be my best option and will go with just about everything. 

2 hours ago, Hoyaheel said:

OK, are you ACTUALLY going to a beach on this trip?? Do you plan to do lots of walking on the beach or in the water? If not, honestly, I'd bring sandals that meet your other needs and just go barefoot if you go to the beach. I hate wearing shoes on sand, anyway, but I also hate sand in general, so maybe that's just me 😉 I agree with others it will be difficult to find sandals to wear with dresses AND be good in water/on the beach if you don't want something that is "sporty" looking at a minimum.... 

 

Yes, we do plan to actually go to the beach. We’ll have several opportunities, and we want to break up some of the major sightseeing with some beach time. I’ll likely be taking the sandals off for the majority of the time but want to at least be cautious with my footwear choice in regards to damage from sand and water. A lot of the more natural or microfiber footbeds seem like they’d get nasty pretty quick from those elements. I think the pair I found last night and linked above are a good option because the description specifically states that they’re water friendly, and they seem to hit all the criteria I’m looking for. I know shoes exist that meet my criteria...it’s just been a matter of finding them. 😉

5 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

Ooh, I like those in the "cork" color. I always really liked a sandal or shoe that "disappeared" with a beige top and like-colored sole, not a black one.

I would get either the cork or white. Wouldn’t have thought of cork myself, but I kind of like the idea of it! It’s been a lot harder to find what I had in mind than I anticipated, so I’m happy to have a viable option! 

I guess I should clarify that I’m not really interested in an athletic (or athletic-looking) sandal. I did find these tonight which seem to tick all the boxes and may work:

https://www.aetrex.com/carrie-sandal-white-AE853W.html?lang=en_US
 

I’m going to keep looking but will definitely keep these in mind. I’m a bit of a minimalist so am super particular about the purchases I make. My husband keeps telling me I’m being way too thoughtful about sandals, but I can’t help myself, haha. 

36 minutes ago, ams1130 said:

I did carry-on to GB a few years ago, and while I was only planning on taking the shoes on my feet, it was recommended I pack a second pair. I was really glad I did; even 'good' shoes didn't feel so good 24/7. No recommendations on brands for you; just thought I would share my experience. 

ETA okay, not 24/7; I took them off to sleep lol.

 

Yes, I plan to take three pairs of shoes...definitely a sneaker, probably a nicer sandal for the MDR, and a versatile supportive sandal. It’s just the latter option where I’m struggling with finding the perfect option. I really don’t want to have to pack a fourth solely for beach wear. 

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Hi try Vionics …...they make some cute and very supportive sandals. They  are actually made

for a high arch. I have at least 10 pairs of sandals/shoes from them.   I also have some sandals called ABEO.

They can be purchased at "The Walking Company". I have several pairs from them as well.  Both brands

can be a bit pricey but when it comes to my feet? I pay what I need to pay...…...Had a case of PF a couple

of years ago and donated a bunch of my old shoes and bought new...….Both brands are more feminine

looking than Keens.

I’ve looked at both brands but can’t seem to find something beach-friendly. Any specific recommendations? Maybe there will be more options when we get closer to summer?

I’m on the hunt for a versatile sandal and can’t quite find what I’m looking for. For context, I’m flat-footed, in my early 30s, and doing a 12-night Med cruise leaving in June with a couple extra days in Rome on the front end and Dubrovnik on the back end. I want a sandal that:

-is supportive/has good arch support

-has an adjustable ankle strap (my feet run on the more narrow side, and I get foot pain without an ankle strap)

-can be worn casually for sightseeing, also works well with dresses, and can be worn to the beach without getting destroyed 
-is cute

Basically I want the best of all worlds with both form and function? 🤷‍♀️ I had major foot surgery on both my feet recently and am slowly replacing all my old shoes, so I don’t have any options in my current wardrobe. (Not only am I much more concerned with arch support now than pre-surgery, but my old bunions really misshaped my sandals anyway, so they all need to be replaced to better fit my “new” feet.)

Before I realized how much better care I need to take care of my feet, I LOVED my Salt Water Sandals. They ticked all the boxes of versatility and aesthetics I’m looking for, but they do not provide the support I truly need. I’ve looked at Vionics, Naot, etc. and just can’t seem to find anything that doesn’t seem like they’ll get destroyed by sand/sea water. I’m packing carry-on only and really need to get a lot of mileage from the shoes I’m taking, plus I really want to be able to switch from sightseeing to beach time without having to carry a separate pair of beach sandals. (For the record, I am personally not a fan of Keens and am looking for a more traditional looking, feminine sandal.)

Any suggestions are welcome! There’s got to be something out there! I really wish Salt Water Sandals had arch support. 

I’m assuming there is a typical formula for how many gala nights to expect? We’re doing our first HAL cruise (a 12-night in the Mediterranean) this summer but booked last summer and don’t recall being told the number of gala nights to expect. We’ll only have one sea day and end with an overnight in Venice. 

Following along, as I have multiple food allergies/sensitivities and will be on the NA this summer as well! I have already filled out the online form to inform HAL, and our TA noted them as well during booking. I was very impressed with Carnival’s ability to adapt dishes for me last summer on a family cruise and am hoping for the same with HAL. 

I’m sailing in the Med on the NA this summer. Online it doesn’t mention anything about pressing being included with the unlimited laundry package. Is it customary even though it’s not listed, or could it be different for European/longer sailings? I do see the separate pressing option offered but obviously don’t want to double dip if pressing will be covered under the laundry package. 

It’s not yet listed, but we’ll be on the Nieuw Amsterdam for the 12-day Greek Odyssey cruise on June 27. We’ll be celebrating our ten year wedding anniversary, and, incidentally, Caleb’s birthday will also take place while we’re onboard. This will be our first HAL cruise, and we’re very much looking forward to it!

56 minutes ago, jennyumaa said:

 

There's another factor you may want to consider: Boats to Oia usually starts at 9am (let me know if that's incorrect). So if you get off the cruise ship earlier, you may lose the advantage over the next ship by waiting for the boat. Again, my information may be wrong, but timing is important there.

So many things to consider! Guess we’ll just have to get off the tender and see what the situation is that day. 🤷‍♀️ 

6 minutes ago, jennyumaa said:

 

But we still have to line up for the queue to come down from Fira via cable car. All the boat trips I know of only offer one way trip, and then they send you off to Fira.

Yes, I’m aware of this. If lines are long getting up to Fira at the cable car, it may at least expedite the process of getting to Oia. I’m still debating walking down the steps to get back down to tender. 

Yes, I’ve considered that. I was hoping to do lunch down in Ammoudi Bay, so the only downside would be having to backtrack down there later. We may have to play it by ear and see what the lines are like after we tender and make decisions for the best plan from there. I’m learning flexibility is important when planning for Santorini. 

6 hours ago, nicole.n.m.t. said:

We did this a few summers back. They hand out the tender tickets in the center of the boat below the atrium. We got there an hour early to be the first group to get tickets and off the boat. There were plenty of people waiting. While you don’t seem too concerned about off the boat I will warn you that there are only 3 ways up the hill, funicular, donkey or walk. The most popular is funicular and it only holds 30 people at a time. So you can imagine with 3 boats in port and thousands of people it is hard to get up the hill. So my advice is to be the first off the boat.

 

we did an amazing wine and photo tour with a private company. It was only $70 a person and held about 6-8 people in a luxury van. Those bus tours are crazy! The streets are not wide enough for them and it takes them forever to get around the island. For this port do something special not on the bus tour! It is still my favorite port of any cruise. We went in the height of the season and totally felt taken care of with our tour guide. We saw the whole island, had wine at 3 places, lunch and shopping. It was a perfect day! My number one advice is to get of the boat in the first set of people so you can get up the hill without riding those poor donkeys. 

We will wake up as early as we need to in order to get first tender tickets, for sure! And I agree...I am definitely not interested in a bus tour. We may just use public buses for transportation at times if taxis aren’t available. I definitely think this port would be worth splurging on private transportation though. 

28 minutes ago, Maya_C said:

To answer the question about tender tickets, this was our experience last May on the Veendam in Santorini. An announcement notified us when the tender  tickets would be distributed. I don't remember the exact time, maybe 7:30. People who wanted to take the first tender (like us because we were meeting a private tour guide) began lining up half and hour before the distribution time.The ticket indicates which group you are in, and each group is announced by number over the PA system when it is time to board. The tenders were quite large, and we easily got on the first one though we weren't near the front of the line for  tickets. Once on shore, we bought tickets for the cable car and got on with little or no wait. To get down on the cable car in the afternoon, we had to wait 30-40 minutes.   

Thank you so much for sharing! This is the information I was looking for!

2 hours ago, jennyumaa said:

 

 

Where did you see the information? I am thinking of renting a car to minimize the risk of not being able to find a taxi in the peak season, but water taxi sounds interesting!

Its not a taxi that takes you all over the island or anything like that, but, from my understanding, you can board near Akrotiri and it has stops to see black, red, and white beaches. You can get off and catch another “taxi” later if you wish at any of the stops. 

Here’s some information on Trip Advisor (also has a link to their Facebook page): 
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1189834-d11777498-Reviews-or10-Taxi_Boats_to_Red_White_and_Black_Beach-Akrotiri_Santorini_Cyclades_South_.html