Latest news with #clothingoptional
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Naked cruise' coming to popular UK beach - with live music and bar
A one-of-a-kind cruise will set sail from Plymouth this week, where patrons can enjoy picturesque views, a glass of wine and lively entertainment... entirely in the buff. Naturists from across the region and beyond cast off on the city's first ever naked cruise on Friday, 13 June. The stately vessel departs The Barbican Landing Stage at around 4.45pm, whisking guests on three-hour-long voyage across the stunning Plymouth sound and along the peaceful River Lynher, before heading towards the quaint village of St. Germans. Along the way, passengers will enjoy views of Royal Navy ships moored along the River Tamar, all while taking in the evening sun. Organised by British Naturism's South West events coordinator Keith Bowman, the clothes-free cruise is the first of its kind in the area. Inspired by successful 'Naked Cruise' events held in the U.S., Bowman saw an opportunity to bring a special form of recreation to the South West coast. Speaking to Plymouth Live, he revealed he was taken aback by the enthusiasm he encountered after explaining his idea to the first boat hire business 'he could find' in Plymouth. He said: 'To my surprise, they jumped at the chance to provide a cruise around Plymouth Sound and along the local rivers. It's surprising how people become more interested when I mention the word "Naked."' In addition to breathtaking views, guests will be treated to an onboard experience complete with electric music and a fully licensed bar. Refreshments will be available for purchase via cash or card, meaning everyone can enjoy a drink or snack as they relax in their natural state. Boarding begins at 4.30pm, with the vessel expected to return around 7.45pm. Tickets are currently available at £25 for members of British Naturism and £30 for non-members. Bowman said: 'Organising the event has been a dream and the boat company couldn't have been more helpful. Tickets are selling steadily, and as normal with Naturist events, we expect a last-minute rush for tickets. Why not come and join us.' For those still unsure about whether to take the plunge, Bowman encourages curious adventurers to imagine a 'bright, sunny, warm evening with a glass of wine or cuppa in hand' watching the world go by as they navigate the waters 'NAKED!' Meanwhile, a keen traveler has shed light on what it is really like going on a nude cruise - with less luggage to pack being one of the major perks. Writing anonymously on Reddit the man, aged 67, invited other users to 'ask me anything' about the experience. He booked a cruise via the Texas-based travel company Bare Necessities, which has been operating clothing-optional ship charters since 1990. The unnamed man said he was on a 2,000 passenger Carnival cruise liner with his 61-year-old wife for a seven-day round trip from Tampa, Florida, with stops in Mexico and Honduras along the way. He reiterated to other Reddit users that the trip - his first ever nudist cruise - was 'not a swingers cruise or a sex positive environment' and 'this was a crowd with lots of nudist experience.' Explaining the ins and outs of nudist cruising, he revealed that the captain 'generally makes an announcement after exiting a port when clothes can be removed' and 'usually it's about thirty minutes.'
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The Independent
07-05-2025
- The Independent
I've visited nude resorts for 10 years – these are the benefits of naked vacations
"There's no stress over what to pack or wear — less is more, really." Linda Weber is the President of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), and is telling The Independent about perhaps one of the more obvious benefits of a naked vacation. But the 62-year-old, who has been visiting naturist resorts for the past 10 years, reveals that there are other, less observable plus points to a clothing-optional getaway (before covering some of the intriguing do's and don'ts, and rules for unwanted arousal). She says: "There is something deeply freeing about being able to truly be yourself without judgment or pretence. "Naturism accepts all those who want to participate and the body-positive aspects counter the media's artificial expectation of what 'normal' bodies look like. "We are all unique and there is no judgment." Linda, who was elected AANR president mid-2024, adds that "it's a privilege to advocate for a philosophy that brings such peace, confidence and connection to so many people". What first attracted her to naturist getaways? Linda — who splits her time between California and Utah with her husband, Stan – reveals: "My husband discovered an advertisement for a Bare Necessities cruise, and the idea of traveling among like-minded individuals while exploring new countries was instantly appealing. 'I'll admit, I was curious — and a little apprehensive — about what it would be like to be on a ship full of nude people. But that first cruise in 2015 opened the door to years of unforgettable experiences." Tempted to try a naturist vacation? You'd be joining a growing trend. A pre-Pandemic Tripadvisor survey revealed that 45 percent of Americans would like to try a nude vacation, up from 31 percent the year before. And while the AANR doesn't have data on the number of "room nights" occupied at its 200 or so affiliated resorts, it did conduct a snapshot study of nudism in Florida in 2017 that reveals the enormous economic contribution of nudism to the state. According to the study, over two million nudist vacationers book into 34 nudist resorts every year, making the nudist industry in Florida worth a staggering $7.4 billion dollars. Florida's first officially sanctioned nude beach – Haulover Beach in Miami – makes around $980,000 a year in parking fees alone. And the AANR points to the nude cruise industry as an indicator of how accepting of clothing-free vacations people are becoming – it's grown from one clothing-optional 500-passenger cruise liner in 1992 to a sector that accommodates between 15,000 and 30,000 "nakationers" annually. So, where to begin? Linda underscores that a resort is an "excellent place to start" because they have a "surprising" range of activities on offer — from tennis to volleyball and from yoga to karaoke — and a "safe and welcoming environment". She continues: "One of the most comforting aspects of visiting a naturist resort is the sense of safety and privacy. Most US-based resorts conduct background checks and have rules to ensure proper behavior. "Nude beaches are also wonderful, but since they're public, not everyone there may share naturist values. Once you're comfortable, beaches can be a great supplement to your resort experiences. "For first-time visitors, doing a bit of research is essential. Make sure you're choosing a clothing-optional resort rather than a lifestyle resort if your focus is naturism. "Look for affiliations with organizations like AANR, The Naturist Society Foundation (TNSF), or INF-FNI in Canada and Mexico." And once there, don't be afraid to ask questions, stresses Linda. She says: "When first-timers anticipate their trip, they often build up this expectation that everyone will know they are first-timers and their minds often come up with scenarios when the opposite is true. "Naturists are a friendly lot and you will be welcomed. First-timers don't ask questions out of fear when the front desk or fellow naturists would be glad to allay any fears they have." To save time at reception, Linda points out that reputable resorts post rules and guidelines online, and graciously reveals a few etiquette do's and don'ts to The Independent, regardless. She says: "Resorts have clear hygiene guidelines, like always sitting on a towel and no bathing suits in pools and spas. "These standards ensure that everyone respects the shared environment and each other. "Erections, while natural, are expected to be addressed respectfully in naturist settings. "If one occurs, the appropriate response is to discreetly roll over or enter the pool." Exhibitionist behavior is an absolute no-no. She says: "I've visited some incredible clothing-optional clubs across the US and Mexico, including Playa Sonrisa in Xcalak, Quintana Roo; Lake Como and Cypress Cove in Florida; Oaklake Trails in Oklahoma; Mira Vista and Shangri-La Ranch in Arizona; and Glen Eden and Laguna Del Sol in California. "Thanks to the American Association for Nude Recreation, there are many more resorts I hope to explore." Visit AANR for more information.
