A passenger who recently returned from a nude cruise has revealed the strict "golden rule" every guest is expected to follow onboard.

Nude cruises have become increasingly popular in recent years, attracting thousands of passengers who want to enjoy a clothes-free vacation at sea.

But despite what some people might assume, regular cruisers insist the trips aren't wild floating parties. Instead, they say there are strict rules designed to keep everyone comfortable and respectful.

A passenger who recently returned from a nude cruise has revealed the strict "golden rule" every guest is expected to follow onboard. Credit: Stefan Aue / Getty Images

No bare bottoms on shared surfaces

One experienced passenger recently took to Reddit to answer questions about life onboard.

When asked whether passengers carry towels around with them, the guest explained that sitting directly on public furniture is strictly off-limits.

"No bare butts on any surface in any public space. Ever. That's not a difficult concept. Nudists are as interested in hygiene as much as if not more than the next guy," they said.

The rule is also enforced by major nude cruise operator, Bare Necessities, who stated on their website: "Please sit on a towel at all times while nude, in a G-string, thong, or any time you are bare-bottomed."

The company says fresh beach towels are provided daily in cabins, while additional towels are available throughout the ship for guests who forget to bring them.

What happens if someone gets aroused?

Another common question is what happens if a passenger becomes aroused.

According to the Reddit user, it's something that rarely happens because nude cruises are intentionally designed to be non-sexual environments.

One curious commenter asked: "Maybe not specific to the cruise, but nudism in general... I'm assuming b*ners just happen, since it happens in everyday clothed life, too. Are they frowned upon or just accepted in this environment?"

The passenger responded: "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."

The reddit user also spoke about what happens if a passenger is aroused. Credit: Westend61 / Getty

Nude cruises aren't what many people expect

The passenger also stressed that nude cruises should not be confused with lifestyle or swingers cruises.

According to them, most people participate because they enjoy the freedom of being naked while doing normal holiday activities.

The cruiser compared it to skinny dipping, explaining that it feels "great" to swim, walk on the beach, or dance without clothing.

"If I'm candid, I don't mind seeing naked women, so that's nice too," they admitted. "It's the same reason men don't wear shirts to go swimming or on the beach. It's a great feeling. I'm sure some people have an exhibitionist thrill, but I don't.

"Also, I'm not sure that a naked person among 2,000 naked people could be considered an exhibitionist," he added.

Featured image credit: Jupiterimages / Getty

A man who experienced a nude cruise with 2,000 other people has revealed what happened aboard the ship.

You might be considering going on a cruise for your next vacation - but would you ever consider a nude cruise?

The trip, organized by Bare Necessities Tour and Travel, a Texas-based company, embarked from Tampa, Florida.

Over seven days, passengers enjoyed stops in Mexico and Honduras, all while embracing the unique dress code (or lack thereof) onboard.

Of course, with such vulnerability comes some very strict rules - and one passenger happily took questions on a Reddit thread.

The anonymous passenger called the trip “awesome,” emphasizing that it was “not a swingers’ cruise or a sex-positive environment,” but rather “a crowd with lots of nudist experience.”

Tickets for the cruise, he noted, were priced at around $2,500 per person.

Participation in nudity was not mandatory, he said, explaining that “most people were nude most of the time,” but that anyone could remain clothed if they preferred.

One curious Reddit user asked about cleanliness practices onboard, specifically if passengers were required to carry a towel with them.

“Yes,” the man replied. “One must only sit with a towel under one’s bare butt. There are clean towels all over the ship.”

A key part of the cruise guidelines was a schedule for clothing-optional areas.

According to the man, the captain would make an announcement about 30 minutes after departing from each port, letting passengers know when they could disrobe.

The same protocol applied when the ship approached its next destination, with announcements guiding passengers to cover up before arrival.

Perhaps the most strictly enforced rule on the cruise was a ban on photography, a policy that the man noted was one "everyone knew".

“I was much less worried here than I have been at nude beaches,” he wrote. “Almost no one had phones with them outside their cabin.”

He further explained that there were visible reminders around the ship prohibiting photography and that staff members from the charter company actively monitored for compliance to maintain “good naturist etiquette.”

“I’ve spent time online researching nudism, and I’ve never seen a single online photograph from the cruise except for the group shots that people voluntarily pose for,” he added. “For those reasons, I wasn’t concerned.”

If this has got you interested, how about an X-rated adults-only cruise?

Temptation Cruises, a popular option in this niche, are adults-only voyages featuring designated “playrooms,” “clothing-optional” areas, and themed events to encourage guests to unwind in an open, yet regulated, environment.

While not a free-for-all, these cruises offer spaces for sexual exploration and personal freedom.

Unlike common misconceptions, Temptation Cruises aren’t “fully-blown sex parties,” but they are distinguishable from family cruises.

You can read more about Temptation Cruises and their list of rules HERE.

Featured image credit: David Sacks/Getty

Those people setting sail on an 11-day naked cruise will have some strict rules to follow!

I imagine most of us would be keen to go on a luxurious cruise at some point in our lives because it's a good way to see a few places in one trip.

For some, the biggest worry would be sea sickness... but worrying about people judging their naked body would never cross their mind.

That is, of course, unless they found themselves on a nude cruise where people are encouraged to release their inhibitions.

Well, passengers aboard the Norwegian Pearl set sail from Miami on Monday for an 11-day nude cruise, embracing a clothing-optional getaway through the Caribbean.

Organized by Bare Necessities in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Lines, the voyage offers a unique experience for travelers seeking uninhibited relaxation.

For the occasion, the 968-foot vessel - capable of accommodating up to 2,300 guests - has been temporarily renamed The Big Nude Boat.

The itinerary includes stops in Martinique and St. Lucia, allowing passengers to enjoy tropical destinations without the constraints of clothing.

While the cruise welcomes nudity in most areas, passengers must adhere to specific rules. Clothing is required in the ship’s indoor dining rooms, though a designated “large buffet area for nude outdoor dining” is available.

To maintain hygiene, guests are also instructed to place a towel down before sitting “in the stateroom, pool deck and buffet area.” Additionally, Bare Necessities enforces a strict code of conduct, stating that “fondling or inappropriate touching is prohibited.”

Ticket prices for the nude cruise started at approximately $2,000 per person, while those seeking more luxurious accommodations spent upwards of $33,000 for a deluxe three-bedroom villa.

Bare Necessities has been organizing nude cruises for decades, having already chartered more than 75 similar voyages.

If you still aren't sold on the idea, then perhaps one man's experiences will give you some clarity.

In a Reddit thread, the anonymous passenger described the trip as “awesome” and emphasized that it was “not a swingers’ cruise or a sex-positive environment,” but rather “a crowd with lots of nudist experience.”

While nudity was encouraged, participation was not mandatory. “Most people were nude most of the time,” he explained, though guests could remain clothed if they preferred.

Cleanliness was a key concern, and all passengers were required to follow specific hygiene guidelines. “One must only sit with a towel under one’s bare butt,” he confirmed, adding that “there are clean towels all over the ship.”

According to the passenger, the ship’s captain would make an announcement about 30 minutes after leaving each port, signaling when guests could disrobe. Similarly, passengers were required to cover up before arriving at the next destination, with another announcement serving as a reminder.

One of the most strictly enforced rules onboard was the prohibition of photography. The passenger noted that this policy was widely understood among guests.

“I was much less worried here than I have been at nude beaches,” he wrote. “Almost no one had phones with them outside their cabin.”

He also pointed out that visible signage reinforced the rule, and staff actively monitored compliance to uphold “good naturist etiquette”.

“I’ve spent time online researching nudism, and I’ve never seen a single online photograph from the cruise except for the group shots that people voluntarily pose for,” he added. “For those reasons, I wasn’t concerned.”

Featured image credit: David Sacks/Getty Images

Most men have perfected the art of concealing an unfortunately-timed stiffy: whether it be tucking one’s tumescence into their waistband or simply wearing baggier trousers, the acquisition of such techniques is often acquired in those awkward formative years – but what about if covering that untimely event wasn’t an option? Well, people who enjoy “nude cruises” have no such luxury.

Those who work on nude cruise ships really do see everything, leaving nothing to the imagination, so what happens if passengers are left nursing an erection?

For some, the idea of setting sail with nothing more than sunscreen and a towel sounds freeing—especially if you dislike packing and feel confident in your own skin. Still, there are clear boundaries onboard, even in such a relaxed, body-confident environment.

The golden rule for men on board cruise ships

The most important rule is that passengers must avoid becoming visibly aroused while onboard. These cruises aren’t about sexual activity or staring at others’ bodies; rather, they’re meant to promote body positivity and a sense of connection.

Credit: Jupiterimages / Getty

Of course, with thousands of naked people in one place, awkward situations can occasionally occur. Kat Whitmire, an organizer for the nudist cruise company Bare Necessities, explained how this is handled. Speaking to Business Insider, she noted that it’s an official rule that “men can't be overly excited.”

A nude cruise employee's advice for those with erections while onboard

She also shared the advice she gives to anyone who finds themselves in that situation: “We say that if they start to feel things around moving down there, jump in cold water, or think about baseball.”

The “baseball” trick might sound amusing, but it’s just one of several rules enforced by Bare Necessities. For example, passengers must always ask permission before taking photos that include others.

There are also specific clothing requirements in certain areas. In the formal dining room, guests must follow a dress code described as “no nips, no bits and no butts.” This rule exists partly for safety reasons, as staff frequently carry hot food and drinks.

Before becoming an organizer, Whitmire and her husband first joined a cruise as models after being invited by a photographer friend. They later returned as general staff, and in 2010, she officially joined the company full-time as a sales associate.

Ultimately, this balance of freedom and respect defines the experience. While the setting may be unconventional, there is simple etiquette around erections.

Featured Image. Credit: Jupiterimages / Getty

A woman who works on a nude cruise welcoming over 2,000 guests on board has opened up about the rules that make these vacations unique. Kat Whitmire, an organizer for the nudist cruise company Bare Necessities, shared insights on what it’s really like to take part in these specialized vacations. She described the experience in a first-person piece published in Business Insider in 2024, clearing up common misconceptions and revealing what passengers can expect during their trip.

Though often surrounded by curiosity and misconceptions, Whitmire stressed that these cruises are not meant to be sexual in nature. The attention they receive is often due to public interest in what goes on behind closed doors, and she provided details on the rules that guests must follow to ensure a respectful and non-sexual atmosphere onboard.

Key rule for passengers on nude cruises

According to Whitmire, the most important rule on these cruises is that passengers must ask permission before taking photos with someone else in them. This policy helps maintain a respectful environment where guests can feel comfortable without the concern of being unintentionally photographed.

She also mentioned that men are asked to be mindful of their behavior, especially when it comes to arousal, suggesting they "jump in cold water" or think about baseball if they find themselves feeling excited. Dinner in the formal dining room also comes with a dress code, primarily for safety reasons, as the waitstaff handles trays of hot food.

Not everyone is cut out for nudist travel

Whitmire explained that while nudist cruises offer a unique type of vacation, they are not for everyone. She acknowledged that not everyone understands the concept of nudism, but for those who are curious, these cruises can be an appealing way to travel. Whitmire quipped that “skinny-dipping is our gateway drug,” referring to the common entry point for many guests who are interested in trying a nudist experience.

Despite the niche nature of the cruise, Whitmire pointed out that about 70% of guests aboard the Big Nude Boat are repeat visitors, a clear sign that the company’s approach resonates with those seeking this kind of experience. She also noted that their small-ship sailings tend to sell out quickly, indicating a strong demand for this unique style of vacation.

In addition to her role as a cruise organizer, Whitmire shared her personal journey within the nudist cruise world. Before taking on her current position, she and her husband worked as models on their first cruise after being invited by a photographer friend. They continued to return to work as staff members, and Whitmire later joined Bare Necessities as a sales associate in 2010, becoming a full-time employee.

As the demand for alternative travel experiences grows, the nudist cruise industry continues to thrive, offering a space for those interested in a relaxed, clothing-free environment.

Credit: Jonathan Knowles / Getty

A woman who worked on a nude cruise carrying 2,000 passengers has opened up about what happens when people allegedly “get excited” on board. She says the cruise’s nude policy is strictly non‑sexual and passengers are warned against showing any signs of arousal. According to her, the rules don’t just exist on paper; staff actively remind guests what is expected if things get awkward.

The woman, organizer Kat Whitmire of the nude‑cruise company Bare Necessities explained to Business Insider the steps staff use to keep the vibe calm. She said that when a man starts to “feel things around moving down there,” the advice is simple and blunt.

Inside life aboard the nude cruise

Whitmire said: "We say that if they start to feel things around moving down there, jump in cold water, or think about baseball." That advice reflects the cruise’s strict approach to nudity: there is no tolerance for sexual displays or arousal.

According to a former passenger who posted on Reddit, erections “almost never happen” on board. He wrote: "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."

This isn’t just about covering up. The cruise enforces a set of rules for all passengers. One rule demands permission before taking photos that include other people. Another rule concerns attire - or the lack thereof - in certain contexts.

For example, in the formal dining room there is a neutral dress code. Whitmire explained the rule there as "no nips, no bits and no butts" because staff carry trays of hot food and someone naked would not want to risk burns or spills.

From models to cruise staff

Whitmire and her husband first joined the cruise as models, after being approached by a friend who worked there as a photographer. They returned later as general staff. In 2010 Whitmire became a sales associate, and then moved into her current role as a full-time cruise organizer.

Her experience gives her a unique view of how a nude cruise of 2,000 people can operate while trying to keep things relaxed yet respectful.

Featured image credit: cdwheatley / Getty