You’ve probably heard about the new “clothing-optional” cruise that has sparked quite a heated debate on social media.

Many people say it’s shameful and disgusting, while others believe it’s only fair to give people the freedom and option to go without clothes if they feel comfortable doing so.

One question many have raised is how the staff, who have to deal with this particular type of cruise, have reacted.

Well, after some digging, we managed to interview a worker who told us what it’s really like to work in this setting and what actually goes on.

Insights From the Worker

Cruise ship bar

As already said, after some research, we got in touch with a bartender who worked on one of these cruises. For privacy reasons, she preferred to stay anonymous, but all you need to know is that she served on both the outdoor pool decks and the indoor bars.

“At first, I was a little scared at the idea,” she revealed. “But we were quickly reassured that it wasn’t a cruise with any ulterior motives, just a trip for people who like to spend their day without clothes.

“Of course, it can seem strange to anyone who’s not used to it, and there are bound to be some awkward moments at the beginning.”

She Then Explained What Life is like on Board These Cruises

Deck chair on the outside deck of the cruise
Deck chair on the outside deck of the cruise

“It’s actually quite straightforward, there’s nothing complicated or hidden. It runs like any other cruise; the only difference is that passengers are free to remove all their clothes.”

“One important thing to note is that there’s absolutely nothing shady going on. Since I often worked at the pool bar, I got to observe how passengers interacted quite closely.

Jacuzzi on a cruise
Jacuzzi on a cruise

Everyone just enjoys the cruise as if there’s nothing unusual about it. They sunbathe, relax, have a drink, and join in on onboard activities like dance lessons and yoga.

I think the positive side of not wearing clothes is that there’s no prejudice about the person in front of you. It makes getting to know people more natural, and once you get past the initial embarrassment, everything becomes much easier.

You Must Wear Clothes in These Occasions

Restaurant with an amazing view
Restaurant with an amazing view

Another thing to consider, and that many people don’t know, is that you do have to wear clothes in certain areas of the ship or at particular times of day.

For example, you have to be dressed when dining at the restaurant or when the ship is approaching port.

Also, passengers are expected to use towels when sitting down for hygiene reasons. Then there are the two rules that all passengers must abide by on these types of cruises, and the organizers are quite strict with monitoring.

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