If you’re about to board a cruise ship heading to somewhere warm like Mexico or The Bahamas, no doubt you’re already picturing yourself sitting by the pool or hanging out on the beach.
Sun, pool, ocean, and beach are what cruising is built on.
Of course, that means you’re going to be spending a lot of time in a swimsuit. With thousands of people on the ship — including many kids and families — you might be wondering about what’s allowed when it comes to swimwear.
In that case, we have all the details you need to know.
No Specific Swimsuit Rules, But Covering Up Is Required
With thousands of people on the ship and everyone looking to get some sun, you’re going to see lots of swimsuits. So what’s allowed and what’s not on a cruise?
The straightforward answer is that pretty much any typical swimsuit is allowed, within reason.
Whether you want to wear a one-piece or a bikini, a thong or something more modest, the vast majority of swimwear is perfectly fine.
For example, searching through Royal Caribbean’s ticket contract there is no specific section for swimsuits. But it does say that “Public nudity is not permitted.” As well, it further clarifies that “topless sunbathing is not permitted except on selected itineraries, and in those itineraries will only be allowed in designated areas.”
Carnival Cruise Line similarly has a comment that says “items worn during the cruise should not contain any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity.”
In other words, as long as you aren’t exposing anything with your swimsuit — such as going topless — then it’s likely allowed.
What About Thong or Sheer Swimsuits?
Of course, there are some swimsuits that can blur the lines between showing a little skin and something a bit more.
For instance, you might be wondering about thong swimsuits. In the case of those, we can say they are definitely allowed. In fact, you’ll see them in just about any cruise you take to a warm weather destination. They can range from a little cheeky to nearly dental floss small in the back, and they are relatively common.
What about swimsuits that expose the body when wet, such as something that becomes see-through? Or what about sheer swimsuits that expose parts despite being clothed?
That’s a specialized case and frankly we’ve never seen this on a cruise. While technically you would be covered up, if the material is or becomes sheer in water, and clearly shows private parts, that would likely be against the rules on nudity. The case may depend on where you’re wearing it. If it’s in the adults-only area of the ship it might be fine, but you might be asked to cover up in spots on the ship with children around. Frankly, we’d suggest not wearing it just in case.
The same rules are likely for so-called “micro bikinis” that offer extremely limited coverage, not just in the back of the suit but also in front. Technically it isn’t public nudity, but we’d suggest leaving this sort of suit at home. In all our dozens of cruises, we have yet to see anyone try wearing one of these.
Swimsuit Etiquette on a Cruise
No matter whether you wear the most revealing bikini or the most modest one-piece swimsuit, there are a few items of etiquette you should know.
The most important is that swimsuits are for the pool area only. If you aren’t outside, then you should have something covering up. For ladies this can be a sarong or a wrap around the waist. For guys, you should put on a shirt.
This is especially the case when going to grab something to eat from the buffet, which is usually located near the pool. You don’t have to completely change clothes to go inside, but covering up is important.
Second, be mindful of wet swimsuits. Even if wrapped in a towel, a wet swimsuit can soak through. So if you wear this somewhere indoors or away from the pool, you don’t want to sit down and leave a wet chair for the next person.
Of course, laying down on a lounger with a wet swimsuit is perfectly fine, as is a poolside barstool. It’s just spots where people wouldn’t expect to have a wet seat you want to avoid until you’re in dry clothes.
“Adult” Cruises See Different Rules
There is one big exception to these guidelines regarding swimsuits. There are a number of cruises where companies charter ships to take a special niche sailing. This includes a number of nudist cruises or “lifestyle” cruises that revolve around being more sexually open.
If that’s the case, then normal swimsuit rules don’t apply. You’ll likely be able to wear whatever you want around the pool without running afoul of the rules.
Just keep in mind that ports of call might mean having to cover up a bit more.
