We’ve been on 9 naked cruises as a couple – we spend most of our time nude & have raised our kids that way too
WHILE most people are used to a “no shoes, no shirt, no service” policy, one couple has sought the opposite for their vacations.
Michael Brown, 56, and his wife, Laurie Brown, 50, have been on a total of nine nude cruises since 2015.
The couple, who have been married for 20 years, described the experience as “liberating” and even vowed never to step foot on a ship wearing clothes again.
The pair spend the majority of their time at home in the buff — cooking, eating, and cleaning — even raising their two children, aged 12 and 14, the same way.
Michael, who joked about running around naked in his childhood, opened Laurie up to the lifestyle.
They even created a private backyard oasis to enjoy but in 2015, they wanted to go beyond their home.
When they were researching couple’s vacations they came across nude cruises and have gone every year since.
Michael and Laurie have spent roughly $40,000 traveling to places such as Aruba, Curacao, Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic on ships specifically chartered for nudists.
On board, they are surrounded by thousands of naked holidaymakers who sunbathe, party, and dine in the buff.
Their latest seven-day cruise, run by a company called Bare Necessities, left from Florida, touring around Mexico and Honduras, costing them $2,000 each.
Cruisegoers can strip off and do yoga, gym classes, photography sessions, comedy sets, shows, and gambling in the casino, all completely nude.
Michael said he won’t be going on a clothed cruise again, explaining that he found people to be “kinder and friendlier” on naked charters.
“It’s the polar opposite of a clothed cruise,” he explained.
“I find people to be rude on clothed cruises and everyone has their face in a phone.
“I told my wife that from here on out I won’t do any clothed cruises again.”
He explained that on nude cruises, “everyone is courteous and hyper-aware of being kind and friendly.”
Michael added that since the cruises are “clothing-optional” people tend to strip down to whatever they feel comfortable with.
While clothed cruises tend to be all about the amenities, he said most people on nudist charters prioritize socializing with each other.
“It’s not about the boat. You’re going because of the people and the friends you’re going to meet,” he explained.
“Two of our closest friends are two couples from the UK that we met on a nude cruise. You meet the best of friends and forge friendships.”
You can be eating dinner at the restaurant in clothes and you’re watching people marching naked outside, which seems a bit hypocritical.
Michael Brown
Michael, a retired government enforcement officer, from Delaware, U.S., said that the nature of a nudist cruise is not sexual.
“They are pretty strict on the fact that it’s a naturist environment and not a lifestyle cruise, so there’s no sexual activity at all,” he explained.
Some areas of the boat are open to photography and the restaurants have a firm clothing-must-be-worn policy.
“There are photo opportunities and there are also no photo zones,” he explained.
“The ninth deck where the pools and sun loungers are are no photo zones.
“If you’re in sit-down dining rooms or paid restaurants they ask you to be clothed but in the buffet, you’re welcome to be naked.
“You can be eating dinner at the sushi restaurant in clothes and you’re watching people marching naked back and forth outside, which seems a bit hypocritical.”
All other amenities are open to those without clothes, including the “casino, photography classes, yoga, crafting, theme nights, games, and comedy and Broadway shows.”
Michael added that there are also physical activities available such as “big slides, the waterpark, putt-putt golf, and a running track.”