Mostly true — and the reasoning is practical, not ceremonial.

No hard-soled shoes on deck

Street shoes, sneakers, sandals with hard soles, and anything with a black rubber sole are not permitted on the deck or in the cockpit. Hard soles can scratch and scuff the deck surface, and dark rubber leaves marks that are difficult to remove. After a week of six guests in hard shoes, the deck would show it.

What is fine to wear

Bare feet are the norm — and honestly the most comfortable way to move around a boat. Soft-soled water shoes or sailing shoes (the kind with white non-marking soles) are perfectly fine on deck. If you plan to do any significant hiking ashore, bring a pair of closed-toe shoes in a bag and put them on when you step off the dinghy. They stay off the boat deck.

Below deck

Inside the cabins and the saloon, the same principle applies. Most guests go barefoot or wear light sandals below deck. It is cleaner, easier, and more comfortable.

This is normal on any yacht

The no-hard-shoes rule is standard practice across the charter industry and on private yachts worldwide. You will adapt to it immediately and will probably prefer it within the first hour. Bare feet on a warm teak deck is one of the small pleasures of a charter that guests consistently mention.