What It’s Really Like Working on a Cruise Ship with 2,000 Naked Passengers

Yes, it’s true—there are cruise ships where clothing is completely optional, and thousands of passengers embrace the freedom of going bare. One such voyage carries over 2,000 nude travelers, and now, Kat Whitmire—Vice President of Sales for Bare Necessities Tour and Travel—is sharing what it’s like to work behind the scenes of this unconventional adventure.

A recent viral thread on Reddit sparked major curiosity after a passenger detailed their experiences on one of these nude cruises. It quickly became clear that this type of trip is more popular—and surprisingly normal—than many might expect.

According to one Redditor who had just returned from the journey, “A big chunk of the passengers are regulars who reconnect year after year. Some are part of nudist organizations from across the U.S. It’s a mix of personalities—longtime hippies, serious naturists, and even a few adventurous couples.”

These nude cruises are run by Bare Necessities, a company that’s gained attention after cruisegoers began sharing candid Q&As online. Now, someone from inside the organization is lifting the curtain on what it takes to make it all happen.

Kat Whitmire, who has helped organize these cruises since 2010, spoke with Business Insider about her role with the company. “I help coordinate our two main cruises: our flagship February trip called the Big Nude Boat, which brings in over 2,100 people, and a more intimate summer cruise,” she explained.

Kat’s love for the cruise world started long before her work with Bare Necessities. Over the years, she’s volunteered on multiple ships and now plays a key role in sales strategy and cruise logistics.

Each voyage requires detailed planning. “I build out the schedules so our team knows when they need to staff the information desk, check for dress code compliance at dinner, or join evening events like dance parties to make sure everything runs smoothly,” she said.

As part of her job, Kat also handles excursion planning for each port of call, ensuring guests have enriching experiences on and off the ship.

Despite the stigma often attached to nudism, Kat is quick to clarify that these cruises are focused on comfort, community, and body positivity—not sexuality. “Being nude isn’t sexual or shameful to us,” she said. “It’s about being free of judgment. Without clothes, you can’t immediately label someone based on their income or politics—you have to actually get to know them.”

She adds that the cruise creates bonds that go beyond the surface: “People build friendships here that are much deeper than those I’ve seen on traditional cruises.”

Kat is also firm about distancing the cruise from swinger culture. “We’re not a lifestyle or swingers cruise,” she emphasized. “There are plenty of trips like that out there—but that’s not what we do.”

While some might picture this experience as entirely uninhibited, many participants say the atmosphere is more relaxed and respectful than provocative. According to one Reddit post, “Even though it’s a nude cruise, over 85% of people wore clothes a good portion of the time. Restaurants had dress codes, and some passengers dressed up—yes, even tuxedos! Most people wore something below the waist at the buffet.”

The nudity was most common during sunbathing on deck, lounging in pools and hot tubs, and on private island stops where full nudity was the norm. Evenings included lively dance parties where guests could let loose, sometimes in nothing but glow-in-the-dark accessories. “There was even a musical duo from France who performed completely nude on two nights,” a guest recalled.

In the end, the nude cruise seems to be more about personal freedom and breaking down barriers than about scandal or shock value. It’s a body-positive space where travelers enjoy being themselves without the weight of judgment.

So, would you ever consider a vacation like this? Is it a liberating retreat—or just a quirky trend not meant for everyone? Let the debate begin.