Nudist cruises are advertised as an opportunity to let it all hang out. But clothing-optional sailings don’t require you to be completely naked. It’s your choice whether to cover up.
Adults of all ages, shapes and sizes can enjoy a nude cruise. The sailings do include all sorts of rules, though. For instance, you must be clothed in the dining rooms.
Nude cruises are not about sex but rather about body acceptance. Don’t confuse clothing-optional nude cruises with the more targeted couples-only swingers cruises, which typically are also clothing-optional.
Here’s what you need to know before embarking on a nude sailing.
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Who offers nude cruises?
The Big Kahuna of nude cruises is Austin-based Bare Necessities, founded in 1990. The company pioneered clothing-optional ship charters, and its trips take over entire vessels. Bare Necessities has worked with cruise lines that include small-ship lines Star Clippers and Paul Gauguin Cruises, as well as the more well-known Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America.
Nude cruise vacations with Bare Necessities tend to be in warm-weather spots, such as the Caribbean and Mediterranean, but they have also included Alaska.
On any sailing, about 70% of passengers have cruised with the company before. Cruises are for ages 18 and older. On its website, Bare Necessities makes clear that its cruises are not for vacationers looking to get busy while naked: “Social nudity is not a sexual activity, and we strive to dispel the misconception that it is anything but natural and beautiful.” Anyone overtly sexual could be kicked off the ship.
It’s important when booking a nude cruise to decide if you are a nudist or swinger. There are cruise operators for both.
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Upcoming sailings
At the time of writing, Bare Necessities had two sailings scheduled for 2025.
Big Nude Boat 2025
Embark on a Big Nude Boat 2025 sailing Feb. 3-14. The cruise takes place on Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,300-passenger Norwegian Pearl, where you can hang out by the pool or hit the casino — all in the buff. The 11-night voyage sails round trip from Miami and calls on San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roseau, Dominica; Fort-de-France, Martinique; and Castries, St. Lucia. The vessel will also make two stops at the line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.
Prices for this sailing start from $2,000 for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy (not including taxes, rates and fees). Dates for the February 2026 Big Nude Boat sailing were not announced at the time of writing.
Great Barrier Reef to Vanuatu
Travelers who want an upscale cruise experience should consider Bare Necessities’ charter of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours’ Great Barrier Reef to Vanuatu sailing.
The 14-night round-trip voyage aboard 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse II will depart Oct. 26, 2025, from Cairns, Australia. Stops include the Whitsunday Islands, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Five sea days provide ample opportunities to enjoy the large heated plunge pool, sample cocktails at the Sky Bar and check out the thermal complex, complete with a sauna, a steam room and a salt therapy room.
Prices for this sailing start from $13,660 for a Verandah Suite, based on double occupancy.
Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Facts about nude cruises
Considering a nude cruise? Here are some things you should know.
- Bring copious amounts of sunscreen and liberally apply it on areas of the body not often exposed to the sun, where you would tend to burn.
- Pack some clothes. All guests are required to dress for meals in the dining room and at specialty restaurants. You will also need to put on clothes to attend the captain’s cocktail party. You don’t need to be fancy, though. Nudist cruises are typically casual. (You may show up wearing shorts and a T-shirt if you want.)
- You are required to put on clothes when your ship pulls into a port or whenever the captain announces you must. Crew members remain in their normal clothes at all times.
- Check the planned events for your sailing. You might want to pack gear for costume parties or theme nights.
- Once on board, you are free to go as clothing-optional as you like in the fitness center (try naked yoga), in the casino, at the pools and at most other indoor and outdoor areas, including the bars and the buffet.
- When you sit naked on any furniture — such as sun loungers or bar stools — you must place a towel under your naked bottom or G-string.
- Nudist cruises are open to couples, friends and family traveling together, as well as solo travelers. Bare Necessities has a roommate match service for solos who don’t want to pay a high single supplement.
When possible, your ship will provide the option to visit nude beaches, which could include the cruise line’s own private island or beach resort.
If you do want to swing
If you are looking for a clothing-optional swingers cruise, complete with erotic movie showings, naughty theme parties and playrooms, Bliss Cruises has upcoming charters in 2025 and 2026 for like-minded “swinger couples, nudists, voyeurs and exhibitionists.”
Options include:
- A six-night sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, embarking in Miami and sailing to the Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico, April 24-30, 2025. Prices start from $800 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy (excluding port charges, taxes and other fees).
- A seven-night sailing on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection, embarking in Fort Lauderdale and sailing to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and St. John’s, Antigua, Nov. 8-15, 2025. Prices start from $1,275 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy (excluding port charges, taxes and other fees).
- A six-night sailing on Celebrity Silhouette, embarking in Fort Lauderdale and sailing to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Cozumel, Mexico, April 26-May 2, 2026. Prices start from $1,450 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy (excluding port charges, taxes and other fees).
The sailings are for adults (age 21 and older), and they’re for couples only.
Related: What does an upside-down pineapple mean on a cruise ship?
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