Naturism

Naturism has a more codified definition than most casual readers expect. The International Naturist Federation adopted a working definition in 1974 calling it a way of life in harmony with nature characterised by communal nudity, intended to encourage self-respect, respect for others, and respect for the environment. Wikipedia notes that contemporary naturist organisations explicitly advocate that social nudity should not be linked with sexual activity, which is the load-bearing distinction from clothing-optional lifestyle resorts.

In American usage naturism and nudism are largely interchangeable, while British and continental European usage tends to keep them apart, with nudism describing the practice and naturism describing the philosophy that surrounds it. Mainstream encyclopaedic coverage like Britannica treats the cluster of terms together but flags the same non-sexual framing.

The reason this matters in lifestyle contexts is that some venues and cruises blend the two cultures and others do not. A traditional naturist resort enforces a no-touch, no-overt-sexuality code; a clothing-optional lifestyle resort allows nudity without that constraint. Properties that bridge the categories make the rules explicit on arrival, with separate areas, designated hours, or distinct event weeks for each audience. Reading the venue's posted code of conduct is the only reliable way to know which culture is in force at any given moment.