Lifestyle cruises and lifestyle resorts are popular first-timer entry points because they bundle vacation with the scene, away from your hometown. Most attendees are couples in their 30s through 60s, primary-relationship oriented, and eager to welcome newcomers. Here's how to choose between the options.
Cruises
The two best-known lifestyle cruise lines are Bliss Cruise (multiple sailings per year out of US ports, full ship takeover) and Temptation Cruise (also full takeover, similar format). Both feature themed nights, dance parties, dedicated play areas, and clothing-optional zones. Pricing is typically $2,500-$5,000 per couple for a 4-7 night sailing including the cabin; food and most activities are included, drinks usually extra.
- Pros: 24/7 immersion, easy to attend without anyone at home knowing where you went, every other passenger is in the lifestyle.
- Cons: Higher cost, no escape if you decide it's not for you, the ship crowd skews to experienced lifestylers.
Resorts
The two flagship adult-lifestyle resorts are Hedonism II (Negril, Jamaica) and the Desire Resorts (multiple Mexico locations). Hedonism is older, more "anything goes", and has more lifestyle veterans. Desire is more polished, more couples-only, and more newcomer-friendly. Both are clothing-optional and have on-site play areas.
- Pros: Lower commitment than a cruise, fly in / fly out flexibility, mix of lifestyle and curious-vanilla guests, dedicated takeover weeks if you want full immersion.
- Cons: Need to pick the right week — a "regular" week is much more vanilla than a takeover week.
Hotel takeovers
A hotel takeover is a 3-5 day event at a regular hotel that has been booked exclusively (or nearly so) for swingers. Examples include Naughty in N'Awlins, Desire Pearl Naughty, and dozens of regional events. Cost is typically $800-$1,500 per couple including the room. Format blends conference, party, and play.
- Pros: Lower cost, regional options, shorter commitment.
- Cons: Smaller community than a cruise or resort week, sometimes less polished.
For first-timers
Most first-timers do best at a Desire Resort week or a regional hotel takeover. Both let you sample the lifestyle without committing to a 7-day ship from which there's no escape. Talk to your partner about a hard limit ("if either of us isn't enjoying it, we go to the beach and skip the night") before you go.
See also: Q&A on lifestyle cruises, on-premise vs off-premise clubs.