These days, it seems like there's the perfect themed cruise for every traveler. Do you love Broadway and want to sail amongst Tony Award winners? Perhaps you are interested in Comic Con and want to cosplay at sea.
While on most cruises, clothing is required, there are some sailings that encourage passengers to be comfortable in their own skin and show off their birthday suit.
Have you ever wanted to take a clothing-optional cruise? If so, you might want to consider a nude cruise!
What is a nude cruise?
Nude cruises allow passengers to wear as little clothing as they'd like. Of course, there might be some restrictions, like when eating in the main dining room; however, it is a chance to experience something other than a conventional family-friendly cruise in a judgment-free zone.
They are not all about adult activities, either. In fact, some companies, such as Castaways Travel, explicitly state that any public sexual misbehavior could result in forced disembarkation from the ship.
A great perk to nude cruises is that they're child-free. Even if you choose to remain clothed, you will not have to worry about children screaming and running around the lido deck.
Do any mainstream cruise lines have topless sunbathing decks?
Topless sunbathing used to be allowed on most cruises on a designated deck. Now, most mainstream cruise lines have banned this practice, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises.
The relatively new adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages is different from competitors in many ways. For starters, there's no buffet or main dining room onboard. All specialty restaurants are included in the cost of your cruise fare, meaning that one night you can dine at the Mexican restaurant and get Korean BBQ the next.
Additionally, they have a topless sunbathing deck called "The Perch" on Deck 17.
What companies offer nude cruises?
Bare Necessities advertise themselves as the first company to offer clothing optional cruises. In 1991, they set sail with only 36 passengers. By 2013, they had grown so much that they had to charter the 110,000 gross registered ton Carnival Freedom, which has a passenger capacity of 2,980 people based on double occupancy. They also claim that 75% of first-time nude cruisers return.
Called the "Big Nude Boat" cruise, they offer a big-ship sailing each year. In the past, they have been close to two weeks in length; however, the sailing in 2024 is shorter!
The cruise will be onboard Carnival Pride and take place February 25-March 3, 2024, visiting the Western Caribbean ports of Costa Maya, Mexico; Mahogany Bay, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. Pricing starts at $1,200 per person for an interior room and goes all the way up to $8,400 for a Grand Suite.
Bare Necessities has already opened their 2025 Big Nude Boat cruise for booking, too. It's an 11-night voyage onboard Norwegian Pearl that will visit San Juan, Puerto Rico; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten; Roseau, Dominica; Fort-de-France, Martinique; and Castries, St. Lucia. Plus, you'll get to spend two days at Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in The Bahamas. The dates are February 3-14, 2025.
They even have small-ship offerings for those who want a more intimate cruising experience. They're offering a two week cruise that sails around the Greek Isles in May 2024 onboard the Star Clipper, a ship that's only 379 feet long and can accommodate less than 200 guests. According to their website, though, it's already sold out!
Castaways Travel is another company that charters cruise ships to host clothing optional sailings. These cruises are also lifestyle friendly, meaning that you will be more likely to find swingers onboard.
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When thinking about taking a nude cruise, it is important to be aware that they have a policy that states no singles are allowed onboard: "All cabins and bookings require double occupancy, one male one female. In the event a client arrives at the dock unannounced as a single, they may be denied access with no refund. Single passengers shall be allowed on the ship in a cabin only when accompanied by a couple and staying in their cabin."
Currently, they have five adults-only nude cruises planned, with the first in November 2023 onboard Celebrity Equinox. This 6-night cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and sail to Labadee, Haiti and Cozumel, Mexico.
There are two more cruises in 2024, both onboard Royal Caribbean ships. The first is a 5-night cruise in April onboard Mariner of the Seas that'll visit Labadee, Haiti and The Bahamian island of Bimini. Pricing starts at $775 per person before taxes, port fees, and gratuities.
The second option in 2024 is a weeklong cruise onboard Symphony of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, in November. An interior room costs $1,250 per person. If you want an ocean view balcony, you'll pay about $650 more, or $1,900 each.
The cruises in 2025 are offered again in April and November, with the first being a 6-night cruise onboard Explorer of the Seas sailing to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Labadee, Haiti. The latter is a 7-night cruise onboard Celebrity Reflection that visits Phillipsburg, St. Maarten and St. John's, Antigua.
There's a third option in 2025 if you wish to cruise to the Galapagos Islands. This one, however, is not a standard nude cruise. Per Castaways Travel's website, “Nudity shall be permitted …. in such areas of the vessel as may be designated by the Xpedition’s Captain and only while the ship is at sea. No sexual activity is to take place in any public areas under any circumstances....Clothing is required elsewhere and inside the ship.”
Temptation and Desire Cruises both offer clothing-optional cruises; however, they are more of a lifestyle cruise than a nude cruise. Temptation offers programming like "streamy workshops" and "sexy theme nights." Plus, the 2024 ship has an R-Rated Red Room, allowing guests to "...expand, experiment, and explore their sexuality in an uninhibited, intimate safe space.
Similarly, Desire Cruises says that they offer "provocative pool parties, erotic theme nights, seductive daytime activities, and sexy workshops," in addition to clothing optional areas.
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.
