This unique experience can undoubtedly raise some eyebrows and, well, potentially other things.
Navigating the nuances of arousal in such an open environment can be a bit of a challenge, particularly for men, since hiding such reactions isn’t exactly easy.
Kat Whitmire knows all about this.
She’s not just any employee; she organizes cruises for Bare Necessities, a company that specializes in nudist cruises.
Their offerings include a massive February voyage on the ‘Big Nude Boat,’ carrying 2,100 passengers, and a more intimate summer cruise.
It turns out there’s an actual rule on the ship: “men can’t be overly excited.”
To help men who might find themselves in a potentially embarrassing situation, Whitmire has some practical advice.
This advice aims to provide a quick and effective distraction, helping to diffuse any awkward moments before they become too noticeable.
He confirmed that incidents of arousal are rare, adding, “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.”
But managing arousal isn’t the only rule on board. Bare Necessities has several guidelines to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.
For example, passengers must get consent before snapping a photo that includes someone else.
“In the formal dining room, we have a dress code of ‘no nips, no bits and no butts’,” Whitmire explains.
This rule makes practical sense, especially considering the staff’s need to navigate the space safely with trays of hot food.
Initially, she and her husband dipped their toes into the nudist cruise world as models, recruited by a friend who was a photographer on their first voyage.
Over time, their involvement deepened, transitioning from general staff roles to Whitmire landing a job as a sales associate in 2010, eventually becoming a full-time team member.