Clothing-optional cruises have been popular for several years, and now providers are branching-off into more specialized versions of this type of vacation. One fast-growing segment caters to well-heeled gay nudists. Source Events, in partnership with Gay Naturists International (GNI) are leaders in that end of the market . We called Craig Smith, president of Source Events in south Florida, to find-out a bit more about what they offer.

Their first gay naturist cruise sailed in 2004, Smith told us, and things have gone so well since then that this May the first ever Mediterranean nude gay cruise will depart from Italy. Each cruise accommodates anywhere from 70 to 150 passengers, who can be nude at all times except when dining or in the vicinity of a port of call. The mix on the almost always sold-out cruises is usually an even split between couples and singles, Smith says, and is a good way for single gay men to meet, his staff even organizing games and events onboard to facilitate mingling.
Guests’ ages typically range from 30 to 70, closely reflecting the demographics of any luxury nudist cruise. The minimum age allowed is 21. In case there was any doubt, gay naturist cruises also follow the same rules as any other nude cruise: no public sexual behavior is tolerated. The company also does not discriminate, thus heterosexuals and the opposite sex can and do occasionally participate, and some of the staff is female, Smith points-out.
Modern tall sailing ships are used, such as the Wind Star, which will carry guests during the Mediterranean trip from Rome to Athens with many stops in between, including several ports with nude beaches nearby.

Related Stories:

• Craving for a Clothes-Free Croatian Cruise?

Related Links:

• Source Events

• GNI

Photo courtesy of Source Events. Copyright Source Events