Setting sail with nothing but sunglasses and a towel can feel like the ultimate celebration of the human body for some people — and a fast track to a painful sunburn for others.
Nude cruises are becoming a go-to choice for travellers looking for something different, with thousands of passengers at a time heading out to sea so they can ditch their clothes and enjoy everything from ocean views to the buffet completely bare.
For anyone who isn’t used to social nudity, the idea of sharing a ship with 2,000 unclothed strangers might sound intensely uncomfortable. For seasoned naturists, though, being surrounded by likeminded people creates a judgement-free space where they can relax and feel closer to nature without worrying about gawking or stigma.
Even if the vibe seems like an ‘anything goes’ scenario at first glance, these trips still come with practical rules. Cruise operators set expectations around when clothing is required, how guests should behave in communal areas, and what’s considered appropriate regarding sex and personal conduct onboard.
So, is it as simple as stepping onto the ship and immediately getting naked? Not always.
These sailings are nudist-friendly, which means guests generally have the freedom to choose what they wear. If you’d feel more at ease keeping something on, you won’t be pressured to strip the moment you arrive.
That said, most people book a nude cruise because they actually want to be nude as often as possible. Guidance commonly shared by the American Association for Nude Recreation puts it this way: be ‘clothed when practical, nude when appropriate’.
If you’re new to it, many people ease in gradually — taking off layers over time until they’re comfortable. You won’t be treated like a troublemaker for wearing a t-shirt while you find your confidence.
Packing for an optional-clothing trip can be oddly complicated, but the basics are similar to any other holiday: bring what matches your plans and the ship’s schedule.
Even if you spend most of the day completely nude, there will likely be moments when clothing is required — such as organised shore excursions or more formal dining events onboard.
It’s also worth remembering that many operators expect passengers to get dressed when the ship docks, largely to avoid exposing non-participating members of the public in port areas.
Two items, however, are essentially non-negotiable: a towel and sunscreen. Nudist etiquette typically requires you to place a towel down before sitting on shared chairs or loungers, and sun protection is crucial when parts of your body that rarely see daylight are suddenly exposed for hours.
Without pockets, you also have to think about how you’ll carry the basics. Being nude doesn’t mean wandering around without the things you actually need.
You’ll still want your room key card, and most people also need somewhere for a phone, some money, sunscreen, and any small essentials they keep on them throughout the day.
That’s why many repeat cruisers bring a fanny pack or wear a lanyard — a simple way to keep valuables close while staying hands-free.
One persistent myth among people who don’t practise naturism is that nude cruises are all about staring at other guests’ bodies — but that misunderstands the entire point.
People book these trips to feel the sun and sea air on their skin without judgement — including judgement from others onboard. And crucially, naturism isn’t the same thing as swinging.
Some companies do advertise trips that blend nudism with a swinger element, but those are a separate niche. On mixed-focus sailings, many passengers may be participating primarily for the adult side of things, and might otherwise stay clothed much of the time.
Arousal can happen in any setting, whether clothed or not — but it becomes far more obvious when there’s literally nothing to conceal it.
Because naturism is about comfort and body acceptance rather than sex, erections and sexual activity are not treated as the purpose of being nude. As a result, organisers typically offer clear advice to male guests before and during the trip.
One immediate step, if someone finds themselves in an awkward moment, is to use a towel to cover up. That may solve the social issue, even if it doesn’t make the situation go away right away.
A veteran nude cruise organizer has previously described a common technique told to men should they find themselves in this situation. “We say that if they start to feel things around moving down there, jump in cold water, or think about baseball,” she explained.
Still, some guests say the concern is exaggerated by outsiders who assume nudity must be sexual. “This cruise is very non-sexual, so a man would want to hide it somehow. Non-nudists think about this a lot more than nudists do,” a nudist said.