An alternative and unusual way to spend your vacation—without clothes, but with strict hygiene rules—is how one man described his experience on a nudist cruise.

In a Reddit post, the passenger gives a clear picture of what it’s like to be naked with 2,000 other people on a ship at sea—and why the whole thing was a “fantastic” experience.

The trip is organized by the U.S.-based company Bare Necessities, known for its specialized nudist cruises, with the cheapest ticket starting at €2,000 and the most expensive reaching €29,000.

The company charters large cruise ships (such as those from Holland America or Celebrity Cruises) and turns their itineraries into fully-fledged nudist voyages.

The most frequent cruises take place in the Caribbean, but also venture to other exotic destinations like Mexico, Tonga, Tahiti, or the Mediterranean, usually lasting two to three weeks.

As the passenger clarifies, the cruise is not of a sexual nature. It’s a nudist experience, where all the guests are without clothing—but the crew remains fully dressed at all times.

According to the nudist, most passengers on such a cruise are older, generally between 50 and 70 years old, and “not particularly attractive, though there were some exceptions,” he notes. There were a few younger people, but not many.

He paid around €2,200 for a spot on the nudist cruise and had no regrets. The weather was excellent, the stops at beaches and landscapes were breathtaking, and the sense of freedom nudism provides was indescribable.
“It gives you the chance to do lots of fun things naked (beaches, resorts, dancing, bars, etc.),” he said.

Even though everyone on board is naked, there’s a strong emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene. “No one sits on any surface without a towel,” he points out, adding that nudists are often more mindful than the general population. As for sunscreen, “you apply as much as usual—maybe even a bit more,” he added.

When it comes to dining, things shift a bit. Some of the ship’s restaurants require guests to wear regular clothes in order to eat. Eating naked feels a bit strange, but “you only live once,” he admitted.

Why would someone choose to spend their vacation naked on a ship full of strangers?
The passenger offers a clear answer: because it’s a unique and liberating experience.

“The reason is that it feels good to be naked, just like it feels good for a man to go shirtless on the beach. Swimming naked is amazing. Being naked on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world is amazing.”