Man who went on 2,000-passenger nude cruise explained what it was really like onboard

You either love or hate cruises, and one man has shared his experience on Reddit of what it was like travelling the seas with 2,000 other people on a nude cruise.

Yes, you read that right, all 2,000 passengers were starkers. At least it made deciding what clothes to pack in your suitcase a lot easier... although we imagine you'd need a LOT more sunscreen.

Posting anonymously, the 67-year-old man offered to answer any questions anyone had about the unconventional holiday.

He booked the trip with a Texas-based travel company, Bare Necessities, for the 'clothing optional' seven-day round trip. It departed from Tampa, Florida, before stopping off in Mexico and Honduras.

He insisted it wasn't a swingers cruise, but that it was simply 'a crowd with lots of nudist experience,' but no funny business.

Would you ever be tempted by a nude cruise? (Getty Stock)

The man answered one query about when everyone gets their kit off, saying that the Captain 'generally makes an announcement after exiting a port when clothes can be removed' and said it is 'usually about thirty minutes' after leaving.

They then warn 30 minutes or so before arriving at the next port.

As for the average demographic, he said: "Unquestionably, there were relatively few younger couples [and] it definitely skewed older.

"Certainly most were in their 50s to 70s. Many gay men. Not many gay women that I could tell, but I would think they would be comfortable. It's an accepting crowd."

He said said the majority of people on board took 'advantage of the opportunity to be nude since that's the point of the cruise'.

All of the cruise workers apparently remain clothed throughout.

He said as far as he knew, no employee is 'obligated' to work the nude charters if they do not want to, and said most seem happy about it.

The man confessed that "cruises seem to be for people who like to eat and lie around, so there were a lot of large people," and said the clientele was '20 per cent attractive, 20 per cent average, 60 per cent unattractive'.

Ouch!

Clothing is optional on board the ship, but must be put back on before they get to the next port (Getty Stock)

We have all gotten used to photographing every second of our holidays, but phones and cameras are (unsurprisingly) a major no-no on board these nude cruises.

"Everyone knows you can't take pictures of other people. I was much less worried here than I have been at nude beaches. Almost no one had phones with them outside their cabin.

"There were many signs posted. There were a lot of staff from the charter company whose job it was to enforce good naturist etiquette."

Many people had questions around dining and hygiene.

The man replied saying that 'clothes were required in the main dining room and in the specialty restaurants', and after the sun goes down there was a 'strange mix' of nudity and also sexy sheer clothing.

As for nudist novices who might be considering it, he had this nugget of wisdom: "Have you ever gone skinny dipping? It's great to be nude to go swimming, dancing, walking along the beach, etc. For me, that's the main thing.

"It's the same reason men don't wear shirts to go swimming or on the beach. It's great feeling. I'm sure some people have an exhibitionist thrill, but I don't."