Some like to cruise around the Mediterranean. Some like to cruise around the Caribbean. Some like to cruise around naked.
Nude cruises are becoming more popular and cruise lines and tourism companies are starting to accommodate these freedom loving travelers who are looking for a relaxing "nakation."
Carnival Freedom will set fail from Florida to Panama in February for an eight-day adventure. The cruise has some basic cruise amentities; three pools, a dance club, a cigar bar, and a jogging track for the health-conscious.
However, the passengers on this vessel will be taking vacation relaxation to the next level and riding the 2.974 passenger ship while naked.
The cruise is only 70 percent booked, which is a low representation of the success of the nude tourism industry. The American Association for Nude Recreation claims that it brings in about $440 million a year, a 10 percent increase in the last 10 years.
Nancy Tiemann, owner of the nude tourism company Bare Necessities is arranging the Carnival Trip.
She told Reuters, "I think when we vacation, we would rather travel with like-minded people, whether nudists or jazz music lovers. It's not just about getting on a cruise ship and taking your clothes off."
This isn't Tiemann's first nude trip. She started booking nudie cruises 20 years ago, starting with a 600-person ship. Last year, the American Association for Nude Recreation celebrated its 80th anniversary.
Since it's start, nude tourism has evolved. Cruises are larger, resorts are more upscale and nude tourism companies don't seem to be in any danger of shutting down.
A survey of U.S. households with income of $50,000 or more last year showed that 17 percent of respondents would consider going on a nudist vacation. The survey of 2,539 households by the Ypartnership/Harrison group showed an increase in those who would travel naked. Last year, only 12 percent said they would be interested in a nude vacation.
Nude cruises have made stops at places like the Greek Islands, Croatia and the Italian and French Rivieras. There have even been stops at conservation lands like Egypt, but travelers were dressed upon leaving the ships.
Nudists are looking further than camp grounds to embrace their bare skin. They're booking trips at high-end resorts, like Cypress Cove. This Florida resort, run by a third generation nudist family, has a pool, a 50-acre freshwater lake with paddleboats and canoes and six tennis courts, as well as a children's playground.
Although they're completely naked, nude travelers are not completely free. On cruises and in resorts, they must abide by a strict code of conduct implemented by the American Association for Nude Recreation. Overt sexual activity is banned and erotic clothing and accessories are considered inappropriate.
Nude traveling may not seem like the most hygienic idea. However, nude travelers are advised to sit on towels so that they're not sitting naked on furniture.
The nudist cruise itineraries are continuously growing. Tiemann is looking into a naked cruise to Antarctica for the brave souls. This is following a past successful trip to Alaska.
"We are looking at ships right now," Tiemann said, "Probably in the next two years we'll be announcing it."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
