What is a lifestyle cruise?

Lifestyle cruises are one of the most popular travel formats in the community because they combine the convenience of a cruise with the social density of a large lifestyle event. The entire ship is chartered, which means every passenger is part of the same community — no mainstream guests, no awkward explanations.

The best-known lifestyle cruise organisers include Bliss Cruise, which charters Royal Caribbean vessels, and Temptation Cruises, which sails the Caribbean on chartered ships. Both operate similar models: daytime activities and social time at sea or in ports, organised themed evenings, and the ability to dress and socialise in ways that would not be possible on a mainstream cruise.

On a lifestyle cruise, the pool and sundeck areas are clothing-optional during designated hours. Evenings feature themed parties (lingerie night, masquerade, club night) and social events organised by the cruise staff. The overall atmosphere is more like a large resort weekend than a typical vacation.

Booking a lifestyle cruise is typically done through a lifestyle-specialist travel agent rather than directly through the cruise line, because the booking process involves joining an organised charter rather than simply purchasing a standard cabin. Bare Getaways handles lifestyle cruise bookings and can walk you through the options for upcoming sailings.

For first-time cruisers, Bliss Cruise is often recommended because of its size (a full Royal Caribbean ship), its organised onboarding for newcomers, and its reputation for an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes couples at all experience levels.