Words by Alice Hall<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/07\/alonso-reyes-haZNHEV2WXQ-unsplash.jpg” alt=”Jennifer Aniston” title_text=”alonso-reyes-haZNHEV2WXQ-unsplash” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”107px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Cruises have typically been the holiday of choice for couples seeking a romantic break away, from honeymoons right the way through to retirement.<\/p>\n Now, a fresh wave of cruises is promoting adults-only lifestyle experiences, with some catered to sexual exploration. On board, adventurous couples and singles can connect with like-minded individuals for a week of sun, sangria and, if they want, sex. This demand is fuelled by the growing popularity of non-monogamous lifestyles. A recent study in the UK found that a third of heterosexual men were open to having more than one spouse or long-term partner, along with 11% of women. Meanwhile, there are 371.1M posts under the term \u2018Swinger\u2019s Cruise\u2019 on TikTok, where couples are going viral for sharing their experiences of spicy vacations.<\/p>\n But what is it actually like to take to the high seas with hundreds of other open-minded couples? Despite people\u2019s preconceptions, it\u2019s not all about sex with strangers. Kate Shelor<\/a>\u00a0a hypnotherapist and pleasure coach, has hosted several couples-only sex seminars on Temptation Cruises<\/a>. Temptation Cruises are not specifically for swingers, but they offer \u2018adults-only (21+) party resorts and cruises.\u2019 <\/p>\n \u2018A lot of people think these cruises are only about having sex with other people. What people miss about the community is that, for the couples who are in it, they feel closer through these experiences, because you\u2019re trying something new and adventurous,\u2019 says Shelor. \u2018A lot of people go on the cruise and don\u2019t have sex. They just take in the atmosphere with their partner, and that alone is exciting and refreshing.\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-quote” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Libre Bodoni|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#333333″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”] Shelor describes her session as a \u2018sex journey using hypnotherapy\u2019 which takes place in the Red Room – \u2018a friendly space for those looking to experiment with their sexuality in a space where freedom reigns,\u2019 according to Temptation. \u2018The room has about 40 to 60 mattresses with clean sheets. It\u2019s lit with mood-lighting and there\u2019s music playing in the background,\u2019 she says. \u2018Couples come in and grab a mattress, before I guide them through a simultaneous sex journey, where everyone is orgasming together. Everyone\u2019s senses are heightened because their eyes are closed. The sexual energy in the room builds and everyone is feeling it, hearing it. It\u2019s a unique experience.\u2019<\/p>\n When it\u2019s not being used for workshops, The Red Room is open at night for couples, and singles who couples invite, to get intimate. Outside of the bedrooms, it\u2019s the one place where sex can take place. \u2018People do it differently. Lots stay together as a couple and have sex. Others are interested in swapping or having group sex,\u2019 she says. \u2018There are staff on hand who provide water and clean towels. As soon as a group leaves their mattress, one of the staff members will swoop in, spray clean it and put a fresh sheet on. Every mattress is brand new and covered in plastic.\u2019<\/p>\n Bella and Jase, both 32, are a couple from Austin, Texas, who document their adventures on adults-only cruises on their TikTok page<\/a>\u00a0and their podcast 4OurPlay<\/a>. They have been in the swinging lifestyle since 2014 and attended their first lifestyle cruise in November 2021. Like Shelor, they are keen to stress that the cruises are ‘open lifestyle and sexually liberating vacations\u2019 that cater to couples \u2018seeking a fun, sensual, and inclusive environment\u2019, alongside swingers. \u2018They aren’t \u201cswingers cruises per se – however, many people who attend are in the swinging lifestyle or could be \u201cswinging lifestyle adjacent,\u201d\u2019 they say. The cruises typically cater to both couples and singles, and all ages, ethnicities, and body types, but Bella and Jase explain the biggest demographic tends to be \u201845-55 with a bell curve on both sides.\u2019<\/p>\n The couple explain that some of the cruises require a waiver that state you won\u2019t be offended by nudity, and you must be over the age of 21 to attend. The couple explain that it\u2019s a \u2018huge misconception\u2019 that there are high rates of STIs, adding \u2018people in the swinging lifestyle generally take their sexual health very seriously, get tested regularly, openly communicate, and not everyone is having non-monogamous sex.\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”] Their packing lists consists of what you might expect for a normal cruise, plus some \u2018sexy or scantily clad\u2019 outfits. \u2018We also always pack fun lights and a small speaker to create a sexier vibe in our cabin as well as some of our favourite sex toys, protection, lubricant,\u2019 they say. \u2018Another thing that differs from normal cruises is packing \u201ccouples cards\u201d to give out to other people – which is like a \u201cbusiness card\u201d of a couple but it includes photos and their cabin number and how to contact them, such as social media handles and e-mails. You meet so many people on these cruises so that’s a way to help people keep in touch both on board and afterwards.\u2019<\/p>\n One of the \u2018fun\u2019 things that surprised Shelor about the cruises were the door decorations. \u2018Couples will often put pictures of themselves, sometimes with social media handles and what they\u2019re interested in, such as \u201cDM us if you want to swap\u201d\u2019, she says. Plus, you can expect to see upside-down pineapples everywhere – a symbol that has come to be associated with the swinger community. <\/p>\n \u2018On our door, we personally print and put memes about the swinging lifestyle, a photo of ourselves with our information. We have a small bin that has free stickers for people to take as well as our \u201ccouples cards,\u201d all attached by magnets, and twinkle lights to decorate,\u2019 say Bella and Jase. \u2018It’s also very normal to have whiteboards to leave messages on. Some people go all out; people give out other kinds of freebies, some will make their door a photo-op space, and we’ve even seen a tablet on a door that had scrolling pictures of the couple at fun parties and lifestyle vacations.\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-quote” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Libre Bodoni|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#333333″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”] There\u2019s plenty of entertainment on offer too. Depending on the ship, Shelor explains there are designated areas where guests can be topless or fully nude (although no sex is allowed in these areas) and there\u2019s DJs, spa and sauna services, pool parties, ice-breaker events, themed nights, and workshops led by sex educators, such as rope tying sessions. \u2018It\u2019s a very high energy environment that feels very freeing,\u2019 she says. <\/p>\n Shelor says one of the things that surprised her is how friendly and open to connecting everyone is. For Bella and Jase, friendship is a big part of the lifestyle cruise experience. \u2018We have countless platonic friends who we meet on these vacations, and while we may not connect sexually, the friendship connection is deeper than some we have in \u201cvanilla\u201d life since you’re able to feel free to be yourself in this type of environment,\u2019 they say. \u2018It’s really about enjoying time with your partner and making friends, and for most, the sex with others is just an added bonus when it happens.\u2019 <\/p>\n If you\u2019re tempted to take the plunge and attend an adults-only lifestyle cruise, Shelor says it\u2019s crucial to do your research beforehand, to make sure you find a cruise that matches the atmosphere you\u2019re looking for. \u2018There\u2019s different personalities and temperaments. Some cruises tend to have much more of a party atmosphere, while others place more emphasis on education and workshops,\u2019 she says. <\/p>\n Having now been on six lifestyle cruises, Bella and Jase know a thing or two about navigating the experience. They recommend having an \u2018open and honest\u2019 conversation with your partner and creating \u2018boundaries and expectations\u2019 beforehand. \u2018You also don’t ever have to participate in anything you don’t want to and there’s no pressure to do anything,\u2019 they say. \u2018And remember that these cruises are a marathon, not a sprint, and you’ll learn something new every time you go on a cruise like this. You may not get to experience everything you want to, and that’s okay.\u2019<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]‘Their packing lists consists of what you might expect for a normal cruise, plus some \u2018sexy or scantily clad\u2019 outfits.’<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
‘for most, the sex with others is just an added bonus when it happens.’<\/span><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]