A BRAVE traveller has revealed what it’s like letting it all hang loose on the world’s biggest nudist cruise where there’s a countdown to strip off.
Dubbed the “Bare Necessities” boat the trip offers an experience like no other, hosting 2,000 stark naked passengers.
Facebook/BareNecessitiesCruiseA Reddit user shared his experience on the world’s biggest nude cruise[/caption]
Instagam/cruisebare/The cruise is dubbed “bare necessities” and takes 2,000 passengers[/caption]
Instagam/cruisebare/The ship sets off from Tampa, Florida[/caption]
Instagam/cruisebare/The captain lets passenger know when it’s time to strip off[/caption]
Instagam/cruisebare/The man said his cruise consisted of experienced nudists[/caption]
The 67-year-old man took to Reddit anonymously inviting readers to “ask him anything” about his experience on the seven-day round trip.
Bare Necessities sails from Tampa, Florida, with stops in Mexico and Honduras along the way.
The plucky pensioner said he was accompanied by his 61-year-old wife for the unconventional trip which he said consisted of “experienced nudists”.
He booked the commando cruise via the Texas-based travel company Bare Necessities, which has been operating clothing-optional ship charters since 1990.
Explaining the ins and outs of cruising in the buff the man revealed that the captain “generally makes an announcement when clothes can be removed.”
And, fortunately, excited passengers don’t have to wait too long to ditch their clothes as “usually it’s about thirty minutes” after exiting a port.
The same then happens in reverse, when the ship starts nearing its next port of call.
I was much less worried here than I have been at nude beaches. Almost no one had phones with them outside their cabin.
Reddit user
He added that people “usually take advantage of the opportunity to be nude since that’s the point of the cruise.”
Although it may seem like anything goes on this vibrant vessel the staff maintain a strict level of professionalism and remain clothed at all times.
Although the man said there was one male/female duo who performed in the theatre.
He said that from his understanding, no employee from the cruise line is “obligated” to work the nude charters if they do not feel comfortable.
Many commenters were curious about what sort of characters embarked on this eccentric adventure.
The pensioner wrote: “Unquestionably, there were relatively few younger couples [and] it definitely skewed older.
“Certainly most were in their 50s to 70s. Many gay men. Not many gay women that I could tell, but I would think they would be comfortable. It’s an accepting crowd.”
Some people also questioned if there was any eye candy aboard the starkers ship.
The man answered: “Cruises seem to be for people who like to eat and lie around, so there were a lot of large people.”
His overall conclusion was the people were “20 per cent attractive, 20 per cent average, 60 per cent unattractive.”
He also said they had “alot of nudist experience”
In terms of nationalities, most of the cruise goers were American, he said, while there were also “some Europeans and Australians.”
Many Redditers were concerned about people taking “sneaky” snaps and videos of people in their birthday suits – but the man said everyone was “very respectful.”
He explained: “Everyone knows you can’t take pictures of other people.
“I was much less worried here than I have been at nude beaches. Almost no one had phones with them outside their cabin.
“There were many signs posted. There were a lot of staff from the charter company whose job it was to enforce good naturist etiquette.
“And 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.
“For those reasons, I wasn’t concerned.”
Hygiene was another worry among readers, but the man revealed that all cruise goers took a towel around with them to sit on and there were clean towels “all over the ship.”
It’s the same reason men don’t wear shirts to go swimming or on the beach. It’s great feeling. I’m sure some people have an exhibitionist thrill, but I don’t.
Reddit user
While the majority of the cruise was nude, the man explained that clothing was sometimes required.
“Clothes were required in the main dining room and in the speciality restaurants,” he said.
He also noticed that at the end of the day the novelty of nakedness seemed to wear off as many people dressed in glad rags after spending the day basking naked in the sun.
The man said: “So after 6pm, there was a strange mix of nude, normally dressed, and women dressed in sexy clothes, like see-through blouses.”
He added that the combination of some people nude and some people dressed at the bars was “weird” but “added to the charm.”
Shoes were the one item of clothing that were always required when wondering around the boat but “some folks went barefoot nonetheless”.
And, at dinner, everyone opted for casual flip flops or sandals.
Clothing had to be worn when the ship arrived in port but when they visited nudist beaches for excursions they could disrobe again.
Reviewing his first nude cruise experience, the man concluded: “It was awesome.
“Great weather and the opportunity to do a bunch of fun things nude (beaches, resorts, dancing, be at bars, etc.)”
“My partner enjoyed it very much.”
Although he found it an enjoyable experience the man says he probably won’t go again as there are other places he would like to visit.
Offering advice to novice nudists the man said: “It’s great to be nude to go swimming, dancing, walking along the beach, etc. For me, that’s the main thing.
“It’s the same reason men don’t wear shirts to go swimming or on the beach. It’s great feeling. I’m sure some people have an exhibitionist thrill, but I don’t.”
He added: “Yes, [being naked on a cruise] occasionally seemed a little silly, but you only live once… And yes, packing is easier.”
It comes as a nudist group says its membership almost tripled following a heatwave.
Naked Lincolnshire said its numbers shot up from 25 to 70 after UK temperatures topped 40C in 2022.
Group founder Chris Petchey said: “The heatwave has been great for us.
“People are much more inclined to shed their clothes when the sun is shining.
“Most of us are fairly well experienced naturists, so we do tend to carry an extra bottle of sun cream, which we’re quite happy to share with those new to naturism.”
Instagam/cruisebare/The man said some guests get dressed in the evening after a long day of sunbathing[/caption]
Instagam/cruisebare/Guests onboard are asked to put clothes back on when approaching ports[/caption]
Instagam/cruisebare/The man said hygiene wasn’t a problem on board as everyone was provided with a clean towel[/caption]