Nude cruises: Voyages where you can take it all off

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.

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 various cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line on large-capacity nude cruises, and Scenic for more intimate, luxury experiences.

Nude cruise vacations with Bare Necessities tend to be in warm-weather spots, such as the Caribbean and South Pacific, but they have also included Alaska.

The minimum age to sail is 21 years old. 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. As part of the American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR), the company has strict rules on decorum and etiquette to ensure the safety and respect of all passengers.

It's important when booking a nude cruise to decide if you are a nudist or swinger. There are cruise operators for both.

Related: The 10 best cruises for couples seeking romance and together time at sea

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Upcoming sailings

At the time of writing, Bare Necessities had one sailing scheduled in 2025 and another one in 2026.

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 initially started from $13,660 for a Verandah Suite, based on double occupancy, but cabins are selling quickly.

Big Nude Boat 2026

Embark on a Big Nude Boat 2026 sailing Feb. 9-20. 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 Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. 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 and fees).

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 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 when the ship is docked in port, any time locals perform on board (on smaller charters) and 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.)
• 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 wear as much or as little clothing as you like in the fitness center (try naked yoga), casino, pools and 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 four-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, sailing from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas, Feb. 23-27, 2026. Prices begin at $625 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 week on board one of Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships, Wonder of the Seas, from Nov. 9-16, 2026. The sailing from Miami, which will visit Aruba and Curacao, has a starting price of $1,670 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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