9 Things You Should Know Before Attending a Nude Boat Party
Nude beaches and nudist camps have been around for decades, but we’re seeing the dawning of a new trend: nude cruises. And the concept is more popular than you think. A Bare Necessities nude cruise that took place in early 2020 completely sold out, as has the one planned for 2022.
If you’re thinking of joining in on the fun and letting it all hang out, so to speak, at a nude boat party, you probably have a lot of questions. Is it just one big floating orgy? Do I need to watch where I sit?
Read on for nine things ou should know about these skin-filled cruises!
1. Nope, It’s Not About Sex
It may seem like thousands of cruise passengers walking around naked would be a walking advertisement for sex, but nude cruises aren’t about that at all. While there are a few swinger-themed cruises, most cruise ships and tour companies strictly forbid sex outside of the staterooms.
Instead, this is about embracing the nude lifestyle and the freedom it delivers. It’s a very similar vibe to strolling on a nude beach where everyone is respectful of each other. While hookups aren’t out of the question, you shouldn’t feel self-conscious about being on full display on a nude ship.
2. Leave the Kiddos At Home
Children aren’t allowed on nude cruises. That’s mostly because most people don’t think it’s acceptable for kids to be exposed to nudity, but it also has to do with the fact that these boat trips are for parents who want to get away from it all. And that includes their parenting duties.
So if you have kids, prepare for them to be disappointed when they realize they won’t be going on a cruise that might otherwise involve Mickey Mouse and a water slide. These cruises are for mom and dad to enjoy some me time and for other passengers to enjoy a tantrum-free trip.
3. Don’t Expect to Strip Down Right Away
The nude portion of the cruise doesn’t begin until the boat officially enters international waters. An announcement will be made then, and that’s when you can feel free to change into your birthday suit.
As you near a port, your captain will make an announcement that you need to put clothes back on. So don’t expect to be able to get naked all of the time.
Keep in mind that your cruise ship might be a little chilly at first, so it’s a good idea to bring a sweater or another cover-up until some interior parts of the ship are warmed up enough for nakedness.
4. You Can’t Bring Enough Sunscreen
Many first-time nude cruise passengers have learned this the hard way. You’re going to need extra sunscreen for every part of your body, and we mean every part. While you’ll want to bring a hat and sunglasses, they’re not going to offer that much protection for your nether areas.
Have your traveling companion help out with applying sunscreen to your shoulders, back, and the back of your neck. And yes, you’ll want to apply it to your genital area, especially if you’re waxed and have bare skin in the area. No one wants to come home with sunburned private parts!
5. You Won’t Sit Anywhere Without a Towel
There’s a certain ick factor when it comes to sitting down naked, but no worries on nude cruises. You can tote your own towel around with you, and the cruise ship will also provide them throughout the ship. It’s the right and sanitary thing to do.
6. Body Acceptance Rules on Nude Cruises
You can leave any hangups you have about your body back at home when you’re attending a nude cruise. You’ll notice that seasoned passengers don’t have an ounce of self-consciousness in their naked bodies. There’s no such thing as being too fat, or too skinny, or too old at a nude boat party.
It can be incredibly liberating to enjoy a trip without any self-judgment. Follow other passengers’ leads and love and accept your nekkid body!
7. Bring Clothes, Including a Costume
You won’t be naked every minute of your trip, so although you may think packing for a naked cruise may be easy, the truth is you’re still going to need some clothes. You’re not allowed to be naked during some parts of the journey and you’re still going to need clothing and footwear to do sightseeing at port stops.
Many nude cruises host costume parties, so bring your favorite get-up for some clothed fun. Pretty much anything goes, although your cruise may have a themed costume party that focuses on a particular decade or movie franchise.
These costume and dance parties usually feature pro speakers on the dance floor for a colorful lighting and auditory experience to really help you get down.
8. The Crew Wears Clothing
Despite a nude cruise ship’s theme, crew members are still required to wear clothing. Without their uniforms, it may be difficult to tell some of them apart from the passengers. Besides, sometimes a man in a uniform can be just as sexy or sexier than one without clothes on.
9. You Don’t Have to Go Naked
Perhaps the most surprising revelation about nude cruises is that you don’t have to actually get naked on one. Clothing is completely optional. Although, you may feel like a fish out of water if you’re the only one dressed and everyone else is in the nude.
You can also ease into the nudity by going topless at first or removing whatever clothing you feel comfortable discarding. Most people, once they finally go for the full monty, really get into it.
Now You’re Ready For Your First Nude Boat Party
Now that you know what to expect, are you ready to go on your first nude boat party? Don’t forget to talk to other passengers and make new friends. You’ll probably find that most of them are repeat customers.
Looking for more unique travel ideas? Visit our Travel section to learn about the latest trends in cruises.