Bliss Cruise

The largest lifestyle cruise operator sailing today, and the one most people mean when they say "the swinger cruise."

Bliss is not a naturist cruise. If you arrived here after reading about the Big Nude Boat, these are very different holidays and the section below explains how.

Verified against Bliss Cruise's published FAQ and schedule on 5 August 2026.

Is it a swinger cruise?

Yes, and to their credit they say so plainly rather than hiding behind "lifestyle." Straight from their FAQ:

"Yes. Bliss Cruise is a lifestyle cruise designed for open-minded couples. Bliss Cruise is also a wonderful environment even for those that aren't in the lifestyle but want a fun sexy clothing-optional environment."

That second sentence matters. A meaningful number of passengers are there for the atmosphere rather than to participate, and nothing is compulsory. But the ship is built around the lifestyle community and you should book knowing that.

Couples-focused. Bliss describes its market as couples "made up as one male and one female looking to interact with other couples of the same configuration." Single men and women are permitted when attending as part of a threesome, but they describe this as "an extremely small percentage." If you're solo, this is not the sailing for you.

Every sailing through 2028

Ships across the programme include Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Celebrity's Summit and Silhouette. Bliss charters the whole vessel, so you cannot book any of these through Royal Caribbean or Celebrity directly.

Fiesta at four nights is the shortest and the obvious first-timer option.

How clothing-optional is it, really

Less than the name suggests, and this is the most common misunderstanding.

Bliss offers clothing-optional areas, principally the upper exterior decks, and only when the ship is not in port. It is not a whole-ship nude experience. Elsewhere on board you're dressed like any other cruise.

They also run Bliss Signature clothing-optional excursions in port on almost every sailing, bookable in advance through the cruise line or the Bliss app.

Compare that to a Bare Necessities sailing, where you can be nude essentially anywhere except the dining rooms and while docked. Different products.

The dress code catches people out

There is one, and it's stricter than the marketing implies.

Dinner runs "resort casual" or "smart casual." Swimwear, tank tops and T-shirts are not permitted in restaurants at dinner. Shorts are allowed in the buffet only. Each sailing also has a formal night, optional, though plenty of guests dress for it.

So: pack actual clothes. More than you'd think.

Photography

Cameras and phones are not permitted in clothing-optional areas, the Playroom, workshops, or during theme nights.

Everywhere else, normal courtesy applies. Bliss asks guests to be respectful of privacy before taking pictures.

What's included, and what isn't

Included: accommodation, main dining, buffet, entertainment, and — usefully — prepaid gratuities are built into the cabin price along with taxes and fees. That's a genuine difference from Bare Necessities, where gratuities and port taxes are billed separately and mandatory.

Not included: alcohol and beverage packages, specialty dining, internet, excursions, spa. These are bought through the cruise line's own system once you receive your reservation number, roughly 125 days before sailing.

Bringing your own: no hard liquor, beer or outside soft drinks. You may bring two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom on boarding day, and there may be a corkage charge if you drink them in public areas.

Paying for it

Three options: pay in full, monthly instalments handled by Bliss, or Flex Pay financing.

Flex Pay is a third-party loan through Upgrade. APRs run 0% to 36% depending on credit, minimum $150 purchase, and not everyone qualifies. At the top of that range it's an expensive way to fund a holiday. Read the terms before you click it.

Suites cannot be booked online at all — you have to call.

Practical details

Boarding is typically 11:00am to 3:00pm, and Bliss asks that you don't arrive before 10:30am. Be aboard at least 60 minutes before sailing. Disembarkation runs 7:30am to 9:30am.

Documents. A valid US passport is strongly recommended, with at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates. On closed-loop sailings (starting and ending at the same US port) US citizens may use a government-issued birth certificate plus photo ID, but both must match the reservation name exactly. No refunds for anyone turned away over paperwork.

Name changes. One per reservation. Within 125 days of sailing there's a $125 fee.

Sold out? A balcony and interior waitlist opens once a charter sells out.

Common questions

Is Bliss the same as a nude cruise? No. Bliss has clothing-optional areas on the upper decks when at sea. A naturist charter like the Big Nude Boat is clothing-optional almost everywhere, almost all the time, and is explicitly non-sexual. Bliss is explicitly not.

Can I go if I'm not in the lifestyle? Yes, and Bliss says so directly. Plenty of guests come for the clothing-optional atmosphere without participating in anything else. Nothing is compulsory and consent governs everything.

Can singles book? Practically, no. Bliss is built around male-female couples. Singles are permitted only as part of a couple's threesome and make up a very small share of passengers.

Are gratuities included? Yes. Prepaid gratuities, taxes and fees are all in the cabin price. This is the opposite of Bare Necessities, where both are separate and mandatory.

Can I bring my own alcohol? Two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom, on boarding day only. No spirits, no beer.

What ships does Bliss use? Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Celebrity's Summit and Silhouette across the current programme. Bliss charters the entire ship each time.

Next

• How Bliss compares to Desire and Temptation
• The naturist alternative: Big Nude Boat
• Naturist or lifestyle? Ten questions.
• What these cruises cost

Compiled from Bliss Cruise's published FAQ, schedule and terms, verified 5 August 2026. We are an independent guide. We don't sell cabins and take no commission.

Last verified 2026-08-05. Operators change schedules and fares without notice. Confirm before booking.