12/02

I worked for almost eight years as a travel agent, and have taken many dozens of cruises. I feel it would be extremely good if all the women who believe in this site and this principle would notice this information.

#1. The cruise lines DO NOT want to offend ANY passenger ($$$) if at all possible. The only reason they will give you any problems is if other passengers complain. If they DO get complaints, they will send two security officers (2 for witness to each other's conduct) to talk to you very nicely, and ask you to put on certain attire. They will explain to you that someone complained.

#2. I have personally seen women go topless (face up) on nearly every ship I have been on. They generally try to stay out of the main 'path', but twice I have seen women go topless (face up) right next to the pool in the main crowded area, and once (on the Norway) I saw about two dozen women going topless on the upper deck.

#3. I can understand how some people might have bad experiences with gawkers on the topless deck. However, after being on many Carnival ships many times, I must say that I have had more good experiences than bad, and I do not like gawkers any more than anyone else. I feel that if we give in and cease to use the topless decks, then we give in to the hope of the freedom being extended. Carnival has influenced a couple of the other cruise lines, and they also are now putting in topless decks (or as they call them... "European Style Sunbathing Decks".) I feel that Carnival broke through some barriers and has begun a move towards more freedom on the ships.

#4. I have seen topless women (face up) on the regular decks of ships from the following lines.... Norwegian, Carnival, Royal, Regal, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess. So far, out of several dozen cruise trips, I can't recall many that I didn't see at least one woman or more sunbathing topless face up. I have found that when I too join in, quite often others seated nearby do as well. On one cruise, after about an hour, almost all the women on our deck were sunning topless. The bar attendants continued to stop and ask about drinks, and several ship's officers walked by (and looked), but didn't say a word. I don't believe the ship's officers (who are the only ones to make the rules) have any problems with topless sunning, as long as women do not let men rub sun lotion on in that manner, and as long as no one complains.

#5 I know for a fact that several ships (including Princess Cruises... I have seen it personally) have areas that the women in the crew are allowed to sunbathe topless... and in particular the dancers (they need to keep up even tans for their skimpy costumes). If they allow their own crew to do so, then why would they be concerned about others, unless some other passenger complains. My opinion is that most passengers won't complain, and if you are careful about who you are near, you may be just fine sunning topless most anywhere on the ship. I say that from personal experience.

--Laura, Lexington, Kentucky