When you really want to throw your inhibitions to the wind and indulge your fantasy, an Alternative Lifestyle Cruise might be just the thing to make your passion sing.

“If you’re a swinging single or couple, gay or lesbian or a nudist who loves cruising the open waters and visiting exotic destinations, there are alternative lifestyle cruises designed especially for you!”

Let’s face it; the world is not a Norman Rockwell depiction and the traditional ‘family vacation’ doesn’t necessarily excite everyone. Some people long to indulge in an alternative lifestyle to release their inhibitions and get away from the monotonous routines of daily life. Fortunately, there’s an ideal vacation for just about every individual out there. It’s just a matter of deciding what you want, how you want it, then making it happen.

Perhaps a cross dressing singing stage diva would really make you think outside of the box. Maybe your motto is ‘two’s company three’s even better so put me in coach, I’m ready to play’. Possibly, your idea of exercise is a rousing game of sandy-bottomed naked beach volleyball with lots of jumping and embracing after every point. If you’re a swinging single or couple, gay or lesbian or a nudist who loves cruising the open waters and visiting exotic destinations, there are alternative lifestyle cruises designed especially for consenting adults like you.

For a Swinging Good Time
The chandeliers may be double bolted to the ceilings, but that’s not the kind of swinging we’re talking about here. Swinger’s Cruises offer all of the cruise ship amenities that one would expect and they visit exotic ports of call that support and encourage alternative lifestyles. On board, you’ll also find sassy theme parties, lively entertainment, steamy dance parties and of course plenty of fun in the sun. Some cruise lines even offer designated ‘play’ areas while others request that sexual activities take place within the confines of your cabin. Swinging cruises are offered to consenting, adult singles and/or couples who wish to partake in or to witness the swinging lifestyle. Reputable Alternative Lifestyle Cruise Lines will have a distinct set of rules supporting the privacy and respect of vacationers. Those who do not abide by the rules will be asked to leave the ship. Among the rules, first and foremost; ‘No means No’. Pushiness and deception are neither encouraged nor allowed. ‘Trickery’ is not welcome or tolerated – as all vacationers must be fully aware of the alternative lifestyle activities aboard. Some cruises are for couples only while others invite singles and couples alike. Members of married couples who wish to cruise without their spouse are often required to prove their spouse’s acknowledgement before the reservation is accepted. Some couples attend solely for voyeuristic or ‘research’ purposes but do not partake in swinging. The variety of available options swing wide from small privately owned and operated sailboat cruises only open to a small group of couples to large, luxury cruise lines that accommodate hundreds and thousands. To find a swinging cruise, contact your local travel agency, conduct a Google search online using key words “alternative lifestyle swinging cruises” or investigate memberships to alternative lifestyle clubs or groups online for more information. A word of advice, stick with the outfits that do enforce a set of rules or guidelines for your own safety and comfort – and have a swinging good time!

For an Au Natural Good Time
If you’re a naturalist or nudist who longs to feel the wind in your hair, set yourself free on a nude sailboat or cruise and really embrace the elements with every pore of your body. The old days of the hidden away Nudist Camp are making way for a modern approach to nudist cruises, beaches and resorts. Not to be confused with swinging cruises, nude and clothing optional cruises are becoming increasingly popular and widely available. In fact, USA Today says, “Driving the trend…is the growing number of mainstream vacationers who don't necessarily identify themselves as nudists but nevertheless are willing to shed their inhibitions at a nudist resort.” http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-05-12-nudist-tourism_x.htm
Some cruises are clothing optional in which case you may choose to be fully nude, partially clothed or fully clothed on these ships and sailboats – the choice is yours. Others have clear rules that designate certain areas as nude only and others such as dining areas are for clothing only. Most cruise lines have a set of rules geared toward mutual respect, sanitation and decency such as “don’t stare or gawk at others”, “refrain from lewd or sexual remarks about other guests”, “no photography”, “no sexual acts in public” and “keep a towel handy for sitting on furniture and other surfaces”. Most nudist cruises visit ports of call with nude and clothing optional beaches or private beaches. Two major sailing vessels that offer nudist cruises, departing from the Caribbean and Europe, are the Windjammer and Star Clipper Cruise Lines. Although there are many privately owned options available. Want to know more about the naturalist and nudist lifestyle? Check out the American Association for Nude Recreation website: http://www.aanr.com/top_featured_clubs.html or the International Nationalists Association: http://www.clothesfree.com/alllinks.html. If you want to find a nudist or clothing optional cruise, contact your local travel agency or conduct a keyword search online for “nudist, clothing optional, travel and cruises”.

Living the High Life on Gay and Lesbian Cruises
If you’re looking for a venue through which you can embrace a gay or lesbian lifestyle, try a small ship, luxury cruise line, sailboat or riverboat that offers alternative lifestyle cruises for homosexuals. Many floating resorts are reserved for and cater to gay and lesbian vacationers. Most offer plenty of music, dancing, casinos, feature films and theme nights such as Margarita night or Mardi Gras night. You will likely island hop to your heart’s content and you can always count on live entertainment such as gay comedians, cabaret acts and drag queen contests to keep you entertained. Women, representing anywhere from 5%-25% of the guest population, are welcome on most of these cruises but some are reserved only for men and some cruises considered “gay friendly” in which there is a mix of homosexual and heterosexual vacationers aboard. Staff on both gay and gay friendly cruises will be homosexual or “gay and lesbian friendly” and always highly accommodating. There are a number of cruising options available for gay and lesbian travelers. Here are some links to websites offering a plethora of information and choices:
RSVP Vacations: http://www.rsvpvacations.com/
Atlantis Gay Cruises: http://www.atlantisevents.com/
GayTravel.com: http://www.gaytravel.com/cruisefaq.cfm
Cruises Only: http://www.cruisesonly.com/gaycruises/default.asp

As you can see, the phrase “Alternative Lifestyle” is a far reaching concept indeed. We hope the information here has provided an overview of what to look for, where to look and what to expect. Now it’s up to you to choose the options and accommodations that personally appeal to you and that will help you leave it all behind and embrace the alternative lifestyle of your choice! Happy cruising!

Off-season sailings are always less expensive and less crowded, with a more “mature” clientele. The phrase “off season” is not congregated in one time of the year. For certain sailings, such as Alaska and the arctic regions, the season only lasts a few months. There are sometimes several seasons within one season. For Alaska sailings, the beginning and end of the season are possible times to sail. For other itineraries, such as those going to places like the Amazon, where it’s too hot or rainy most of the year, opportunities for savings are slight due to the shortened sailing season. Transatlantic sailings are often discounted when ships are repositioning, say from Europe back to the US and vice versa. Don’t forget that there are reasons why off-season travel is discounted. In most cases the reasons are weather related—it’s too hot, cold or rainy for the average traveler.

Officially, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) does not apply to cruise lines. Most ships are not subject to adherence and regulation with U.S. construction and design laws. However, most cruise lines, including RCCL Celebrity, Carnival, Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines make special accommodations for individuals with disabilities. RCCL and Celebrity, for example, have specially designed staterooms with wider doors, level entrances and wheelchair accessible showers. Be sure to check with your travel agent about a cruise line’s rules regarding passengers with physical disabilities—they do have the right to refuse passage to anyone they deem could be a hazard to other passengers. Travelers who require service animals also should verify rules regarding such situations. RCCL and Celebrity allow approved service animals for the visually impaired. Pregnant women have special consideration and may be considered a person with a disability and denied passage should she be in advanced stages of pregnancy.

Nothing spoils a good trip like a trip to the infirmary.

We’ve all heard stories on the news about Norwalk Virus. What you may not know is that it’s more common than you think and you don’t contract it the way most commonly thought. Unless an outbreak of Norwalk Virus reaches an epidemic level (around 200 people) it does not have to be reported. Most sailings encounter at least one instance of the illness, however passengers do not contract the disease from a bite of bad food. Instead they contract it from other passengers who were previously exposed to the virus and brought it on to the ship. The incubation period for symptoms is 48 hours, which explains why a sick person could board the ship and then think he or she got sick on board. By that point this individual would have come into contact with other passengers and an outbreak occurs. If you feel nauseous or are experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, it is best if you do not board the ship. Most cruise lines are more than willing to offer a credit or a refund if you arrive at the port and report these symptoms. Even though it’s no fun to miss your vacation, it’s also no fun to spend it in the infirmary or be escorted off the ship.

With upwards of 500+ meals served in one sitting, food poisoning can happen, though it is rare. The Centers for Disease Control monitors hygiene and sanitation conditions on ships and in their kitchens, however these inspections only occur twice a year and are voluntary. You can go to CDC website and search for participating cruise lines’ scores at http://www2.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/vspmain.asp.

Food has long since been a focal point of cruises for many travelers. While many cruise lines have added healthier options to their menus, there still are plenty of folks who enjoy a hearty steak and potatoes laden with rich sauces. Cruising attracts people from all walks of life, including many senior citizens who may experience severe heartburn or indigestion, which can be confused with chest pains and other serious symptoms. If you know you are prone to heartburn and indigestion or have other health-related sensitivities, consult your physician prior to your cruise for vaccinations (if traveling to an exotic location such as Southeast Asia or Africa) and for travel recommendations. If you have a health condition, let your cabin attendant, chief purser, server captain and ship doctor know about them, as well as medications that you need in case you are unresponsive. Many newer, large ships have helicopter landing pads in the event of a serious health emergency that cannot be addressed by the ship’s medical staff.

Heat stroke and sunburn are other safety concerns on boards cruise ships. It’s easy to fall asleep poolside in a comfortable lounge chair with the sun kissing your skin. But too much sun exposure can leave you wishing you’d stayed in your stateroom. To beat the heat but still have a good time, get up and walk around, go inside periodically and stay hydrated. Load up on sunscreen and use it. Another danger on board that many people don’t think about are rolled ankles from jogging, climbing the rock wall or from a drunken stumble. Be sure to follow on board safety guidelines and common sense. Don’t brave the rock wall after you’ve spent half the day in the cocktail lounge swigging Long Island Ice Teas.