Guide Book
The Basics
ITINERARY*
DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sun 02/25/24 Tampa, Florida 4:00 PM
Mon 02/26/24 Fun Nude Day at Sea
Tue 02/27/24 Costa Maya 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Wed 02/28/24 Fun Nude Day at Sea
Thu 02/29/24 Mahogany Bay** 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
Fri 03/01/24 Cozumel 10:00 AM 6:00 PM
Sat 03/02/24 Fun Nude Day at Sea
Sun 03/03/24 Tampa, Florida 8:00 AM
*Subject to change.
**Confirmed as an exclusive call for Bare Necessities providing there are no unforeseen circumstances or emergency calls by another vessel.
A valid passport is required for all passengers. If your passport expires before September 3, 2024, please renew it as soon as possible. US alien residents need a valid Alien Resident Card in addition to a passport. It is the responsibility of each guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available at check in. Bare Necessities assumes no responsibility for advising passengers of documentation requirements. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the nearest representative embassy or consulate office regarding required documentation.
Any guest without proper documentation (copies will not be accepted) will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued.
Please note: Citizens who are NOT U.S Residents (ARC- “Green Card” holders) must enter information into the following secure website at least 72 hours before arrival into the United States: www.cbp.gov/esta
Carnival’s current “Have Fun Be Safe” health and safety protocols are listed on the Carnival website. Please take some time to review these guidelines. Protocols continue to change over time so it’s best to check back for updates.
CRUISE TICKETS
Approximately 30 days prior to the cruise departure, Bare Necessities will email your unique booking number with instructions on how to access Carnival’s website to complete your online check in.
* All guests are asked to complete their check-in online prior to sailing.
Upon completing your online registration, you may begin reviewing and purchasing shore excursions. Only certain excursions are clothing optional. Clothing optional excursions will not be listed as “nude” on Carnival’s website. Bare Necessities will provide information on which excursions are designated as nude in advance with your booking number.
Shore excursions will also be available for purchase onboard the ship. Please do not assume a beach trip or snorkeling excursion will be clothing optional. The Shore Excursion desk will have “Fun Ashore” booklets indicating which excursions allow nudity. If the excursion is not listed as clothing optional, bathing suits are required. Please be aware clothing optional excursions tend to sell out online prior to sailing.
Sail & Sign is Carnival’s cashless onboard credit program, which allows guests to charge onboard purchases directly to a personal account during the cruise. You will be asked to provide your credit card information when completing your online check in. If needed, you can update your information during check-in at the terminal.
Personalized Sail & Sign cards will be provided to all guests outside their stateroom on embarkation day and act as your room key. While onboard, cash will not be accepted. Your cabin card must be utilized for all money transactions during the cruise. Carnival will place a $200 hold on each passenger’s credit/debit card for upcoming purchases. On the morning of March 3rd, a statement detailing all purchases will be delivered to your stateroom. The amount listed on your Sign & Sail invoice will be the actual amount charged to your credit card.
CRUISE PAYMENTS / PORT TAXES & PREPAID GRATUITIES
Bare Necessities has a scheduled payment plan which can be found in the terms and conditions. The amount due will automatically be charged to the credit card on file. A payment reminder will be emailed prior to each scheduled due date
Per our contract, port taxes and gratuities are paid in advance. Port taxes are estimated to be $150.55 per person. Prepaid gratuities are $115.50 per person for all suite guests and $101.50 per person for guests in all other categories. This amount will automatically be charged to the credit card on file on December 1, 2023.
This is required of all passengers and was agreed upon under our terms and conditions and is non-negotiable. Booking numbers will not be issued until this amount is paid.
The Ship is located within the Port of Tampa Bay – Terminal # 3
Address: 815 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida 33602
Embarkation will begin at approximately 12:00PM (EST) on Sunday, February 25th, 2024. The gangway will close at 3:00PM (EST) and the ship will sail at 4:00 PM (EST).
Each guest is required to arrive at their assigned boarding time that was selected during their online check-in. Upon entering the terminal, guests will make their way through security screening and proceed to the check-in counter. Make sure to have all necessary documents upon entering the cruise terminal. Once onboard, keep your boarding pass out since you’ll immediately head to your Muster Station to have it scanned and watch a brief demonstration as part of Carnival’s Mandatory Safety Briefing; additional instructions will be provided at the briefing. Afterwards, guest can make their way to the Lido deck for lunch. You may begin making purchases towards your shipboard account by scanning your boarding pass. As mentioned earlier, Sail and Sign cards (aka cabin key card) can be found outside each guest’s stateroom which will be ready by 1PM.
This information is subject to change, and we will continue to update our site as needed.
It’s important to remember that the cruise terminal will close at 3:00 pm; at that time embarkation will end and any guests arriving afterwards will not allowed to board.
The ship will return to Tampa, FL Sunday, March 3, 2024 with the debarkation process beginning at 8:00 am. A debarkation talk will be scheduled the day before so please make sure at least one person in your party attends. Check your Fun Times for time and location.
Travel Logistics
From Tampa: From I-275 North. Take I-4 East to Exit 1
From Orlando: Take I-4 West to Exit 1.
From Clearwater: Take Hwy 60 East across Tampa Bay & follow signs to I-275 North. I-275 will merge with I-4 East. Follow I-4 East to Exit 1.
Exit 1: Go south on 21st St, turn right on Adamo Dr (Hwy 60), left on Channelside Dr.
Parking is located directly across the street with valet services also available. Passengers can pre-purchase their parking pass or pay on site. Channelside Parking Garage utilizes the latest ChipCoin parking technology and provides easy access to all terminals. Parking is $15 a day. If you choose valet parking, it’s an additional $20 one-time fee.
Parking passes are available for purchase at https://www.porttb.com/parking. A detailed map can also be viewed here.
Parking Operator: 810 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602
Office: 813-906-1904
FLYING? – RECOMMENDATIONS
Passengers are responsible for arranging their own flight reservations. Please consider arriving at least one day prior to the cruise to avoid any unforeseen flight delays. If you do decide to arrive the day of embarkation, please schedule your flight to arrive no later than 12 noon. Again, when making travel arrangements, please be aware the terminal will close immediately at 3:00 pm. Please plan accordingly.
If choosing to fly home the day of debarkation, please book your return flight to depart after 12 noon on Sunday, March 3, 2024, to avoid any delays that may occur during disembarkation procedures. Disembarkation involves going through customs and can be delayed at times.
The Tampa International Airport is only 10 miles from the Port of Tampa Bay, and is a short ride (16 minutes without traffic) to the ship (via Taxi , Uber, or Lyft, etc).
Airport transfers are available for $21.99 per person* (Only on embarkation and debarkation day). Motor coaches depart once an adequate number of guests have arrived, approximately every 20-30 minutes beginning at 10:30 am until 2:00 pm on embarkation day and will be provided the duration of the debarkation process starting at 9:15 am. Transfers are available for purchase online through shore excursions closer to sailing. Return transfers can be purchased once onboard.
* Rates are one-way, per person & subject to change.
Passengers need to arrange their own accommodations. We recommend either calling the hotel directly or searching online travel sites such as Trivago, Expedia, Travelocity, etc., to find the best hotel to meet your needs. Below are properties that include airport shuttle service. These are only suggestions and not recommendations.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
5325 Avion Park Drive
Tampa FL
813-282-1950
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport Avion Park Westshore
5329 Avion Park Drive
Tampa FL
813-287-8500
DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 North Rocky Point Drive West
Tampa, FL
(813) 888-8800
TownePlace Suites Tampa Westshore/Airport
5302 Avion Park Drive
Tampa, FL
813-282-1081
La Quinta by Wyndham Tampa Central
3826 West Waters Avenue
Tampa, FL
813-490-9090
Comfort Suites Tampa Airport North
5421 West Waters Avenue Tampa, FL
813-880-8938
In the past, guests have opted to extend their vacation and stay at some of the local AANR nudist resorts in the area such as Cypress Cove and Lake Como either before or after the cruise. Please contact the resorts directly if interested in making a reservation.
Lake Como Nudist Resort (Lutz, FL) www.LakeComoNaturally.com
877-879-5253 / 813-949-1810 ext. 0 / lakecomo@lakecomonaturally.com
Cypress Cove Nudist Resort (Orlando, FL) www.cypresscoveresort.com/events
1-888-683-3140 / (407) 933-5870
Be sure to tell the reservation specialist that you are sailing on the Big Nude Boat and confirm whether the club will be offering roundtrip bus transfers to the cruise port.
*Limited space available, may include free parking.
This cruise is Non-Refundable. All cancellations for the Big Nude Boat 2024 cruise must be received in writing (email is accepted). Except as expressly set forth elsewhere in the Terms and Conditions, written cancellations will not result in the refunding of any monies previously paid and will only operate to prevent the accrual of further charges to the extent set forth in the Terms and Conditions. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in the Terms and Conditions, any funds paid for this cruise are NON-REFUNDABLE for any reason other than the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Bare Necessities Tour & Travel Co., Inc. Travel insurance is STRONGLY recommended because it may provide insurance coverage for certain cancelations.
The terms and conditions agreed upon at booking can be found online under the Pricing page and were included in your confirmation letter that was emailed at the time of the reservation.
Please send any cancellations to cancellations@cruisebare.com.
Some passengers will find themselves needing to cancel or disembark the cruise early due to unexpected events. Because these occurrences are usually unpredictable, we highly encourage our passengers to research and consider purchasing travel insurance.
For US and Canadian residents, more information is available at the Travel Insurance link.
Bare Tips
To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the activities while onboard, please make sure to read your “Fun Times” each day. Delivered to your stateroom the night before at “turn down;” this pamphlet will provide you with “up to date” information on all the activities and nightly entertainment. Make sure to tune in to the daily show with our Cruise Director. This segment is shown throughout the day on Channel 13 which allows our passengers to hear more about the events scheduled for that day.
If you are traveling solo, check your “Fun Times” for our “Your Time” meet and greet. This is a great way to get to know other single passengers and perhaps even find a roommate for next year’s cruise! We will also have a single’s table at both dining times to provide you with even more opportunity to meet your fellow passengers.
We also offer “Your Time” gatherings for other organizations and groups, such as LGBT. Please check your “Fun Times” for times and locations.
The Carnival Hub is an app created for Carnival passengers. It’s a great way to access cruise information, such as what time meals are being served and when and where events are taking place. Unfortunately, Bare Necessities events are not shown so please refer to the Fun Times for times and locations.
You can also communicate with fellow passengers onboard with their “Chat” feature. There is a nominal fee ($5 USD) for the Chat, however the Hub itself is free.
We invite our passengers to join our Exclusive Message Board created to allow our guests to share information as well as communicate with your fellow bare cruisers prior to sailing. To join, visit http://www.bareharbor.com/. Create a username and password and we’ll get you approved if you are not already registered. Please make sure to use the email address linked to your reservation when creating your account.
This Forum is for Bare Necessities passengers only and is not to be used to promote or solicit services or alternative chat rooms.
DECORUM RULE*
To assure our partnership with the cruise lines remains intact, all passengers are to observe the following common-sense guidelines while aboard our Bare cruises (these were agreed upon in our terms and conditions at booking):
- Clothing is required upon arrival into port and when the ship is docked. This includes all balconies.
- Clothing is required in the main dining room & specialty restaurants. Casual attire is fine. Breasts, bottoms, and genitalia must be covered by clothing at all times while dining.
- Lingerie, fetish-wear, and excessive genital jewelry are not appropriate at any time. Bathrobes are not permitted in the dining room.
- Always sit on a towel or some article of clothing when bare bottomed or in a thong or G-string.This is standard nudist etiquette and is to be observed everywhere… your stateroom, on the pool deck, in the buffet area, all venues aboard, and even while on excursions.
- No photographs, videos or electronic images of any person may be taken without the express consent of that individual whether guests are clothed or nude.
- “NO PHOTO ZONES” means no photos! These areas are located around the pool and in dance venues. We will confiscate any photo capturing device if you are found taking them.
- Fondling or inappropriate touching of personal body parts or those of someone else, overt sexual activity or any form of solicitation for sexual acts is strictly prohibited.
- Displaying yourself nude in front of other ships in port (including on your balcony) or while port authorities are on board the vessel for clearance is strictly prohibited.
- Dangerous or rude behavior will not be tolerated at any time.
- Passengers must comply with US Federal law regarding the possession or use of illegal substances.
Bare Necessities also complies with the cruise line’s regulations, including the right to dismiss persons from the cruise for abusing alcohol and/or drugs, not obeying all safety rules including our decorum and attire, as well as not complying with the laws of the country we are visiting.
* Failure to comply with any of the decorum and etiquette described in this section will be grounds for dismissal from the cruise. There are no refunds for dismissal and transportation is not provided from the port of dismissal.
Carnival Policies
As a common courtesy to fellow passengers, please do not reserve deck chairs by placing towels or personal belongings on these chairs. Carnival Cruise Lines and Bare Necessities will be enforcing this policy and items will be removed if the chair has been unoccupied for more than forty minutes. Items will be placed in a bag and left at the towel stand located on the Lido deck. Carnival cruise lines and Bare Necessities are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
On Embarkation Day, guests may bring non- alcoholic beverages (12 pack per person) onboard (Cans or Cartons ONLY– No Bottles). Passengers are also allowed to bring 1 bottle of wine/champagne (750 ml) per person. This must be in your carry-on luggage.
All alcohol/hard liquor/beer (sealed, unopened bottles/cans), wine/champagne over the allowable 1-bottle per guest (sealed, unopened bottles) or excessive quantities of non-alcoholic beverages will be confiscated and stored until the end of the voyage.
The following links provides details on what packages are available from soda and wine to “In room” beverages:
- “Cheers!” (prepaid bar package)
- “Bottomless Bubbles”
- “Cruise the Vineyards”
- “In stateroom beverages”
Carnival also has a great water package available at a reasonable price.
NOTE – Packages can only be purchased once you have your booking number which will be emailed approximately 30 days prior to sailing.
“Cruise the Vineyards” (wine package) can only be purchased once onboard. There is a limit on “In stateroom” beverages and these must be ordered prior to sailing.
Alcoholic beverages of any kind purchased in any port of call will be retained at the gangway, stored onboard and held by Carnival until the end of the voyage. The same applies to alcohol purchased in the Carnival Pride’s Fun Shop.
Small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12”H x 12”L x 12”W for the purpose of housing medications are permitted as carry-on luggage.
Please note, each Stateroom is also furnished with a mini-fridge. Medi-coolers for temperature regulated medication are also available only upon request at Guest Services for a $70 refundable deposit. Qualities are limited and available on a first come first serve basis.
Our charters are Smoke-Free within the interior of the ship. Smoking is permitted in designated outside areas on Deck 3, Deck 9 and Deck 10 (Forward Starboard side). Deck 3 is completely covered and can protect passengers from inclement weather.
Smoking is NOT allowed in any of the staterooms/suites including outside balconies. This policy includes all forms of smoking: cigarettes, cigars, E-cigarettes, tobacco pipes and personal vaporizers.
Note: Guests who do not comply will be assessed a $250* cleaning/refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account and could potentially be subject to dismissal at the next port with no refund.
*Details included in Carnival’s cruise ticket contract.
Carnival welcomes guests with special needs and will assist such passengers throughout the cruise. To receive appropriate assistance, be sure to notify Carnival’s Special Needs Department in writing at: specialneeds@carnival.com or call 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025
Please be sure to inform Carnival of any special medical or physical needs you have, as well as any other relevant information once you receive your booking number. This includes those with wheelchairs, scooters, in need of embarkation/debarkation assistance, refrigerated medication, oxygen, CPAP, dietary needs or pregnancy. This will help Carnival provide you with the best vacation experience possible.
If an emergency arises back home, friends and family may call guests on board via Sea Mobile Shore-to-Ship telephone service. The rate is $9.50 per minute from the US; additional long distance charges may apply from outside the US.
From the US, the number is 1-877-CCLSHIP (1-877-225-7447) and from outside the US, the number is 1-732-335-3284.
The caller must provide the ship’s name and the guest’s name. The charges will be applied to the caller’s credit card: MasterCard; Visa; American Express; Discover Card; or Diner’s Club.
The ship’s telecommunications network offers direct dialing via satellite from the staterooms telephone. This is available 24 hours a day regardless of the ship’s location. This service is closed on the final day of the cruise at 4:00AM. The rate is $1.99 USD per minute, and charges are billed to the guest’s onboard Sail and Sign account. Since all communication is via satellite, the charges apply to all calls including calling cards, credit cards, 800 toll-free numbers and collect calls.
To keep you connected while at sea, the Carnival Pride provides satellite Internet access. A list of available internet packages can be found at: https://www.carnival.com/internet-plans. These plans can be purchased once you have your booking number or upon arrival onboard.
Coin operated laundry and valet laundry service is available onboard. For more information visit – https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1134/kw/laundry
Packing List
Casual Shorts and T-shirts are perfectly acceptable dining room attire. We also suggest packing casual dresses or skirt/slacks ensembles for women, khakis/slacks and open-collared shirts for men. The degree of dress is of course, in accordance with your personal preferences.
When going ashore, the climate calls for casual and comfortable clothing. Pack loose-fitting and natural fabrics as well as comfortable footwear. Make sure to pack a SWIM SUIT; nudity is illegal in the islands and not all excursions are clothing optional.
Every passenger is encouraged to bring sunscreen, brimmed hats, sunglasses, reef-walking shoes, bug repellent and any prescription medicine authorized by your physician.
Bare Fest Costume Parties & Events
BUCCANEERS & LEGENDS OF THE DEEP- We can’t get back to bare basics on the Big Nude Boat 2024 without a Pirate Night! What could be better than a throwback Bare Fest Event and homage to the most popular of all theme nights? Join us for a fabulous costume event to kick off a fabulous cruise. It will be an evening full of famous pirates and creatures that dwell below the surface of the sea – real and mythical – encountered while sailing the briny blue. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes! Guests can dance the night away under the stars while sailing the high seas.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT- One of our most popular events where passengers can shine brighter that the stars above. Passengers will dance the night away during our deck party wearing nothing but LED lights. Please note that Carnival does not permit the use of glow sticks.
LEAP YEAR- Relax au naturel during our stay in Mahogany Bay; however, once we set sail; things will start hopping as we celebrate this extra day of the year. Dress up ready to “leap or hop” the night away with our silent night dance party on the pool deck.
PASSENGER TALENT SHOW- As is our tradition, we will end the cruise with our annual passenger talent show. This is your time to spotlight your talent whether it’s singing, telling jokes, or putting on a magic show. You won’t want to miss it; it will amaze you to see how talented our passengers really are. Guests may sign up to audition at Guest Services.
Check your Fun Times for exact time for these evening events.
Have a nice trip!
We hope this will assist you in planning your vacation. If you have additional questions, please give us a call at 1 800 743 0405 / 512 499 0405. We are available Monday – Friday | 9am – 5pm Central Time Zone.
Thank you for choosing Bare Necessities Tour & Travel. We look forward to getting Back to Bare Basics and welcoming you on board!
Yours naturally,
The Staff of Bare Necessities Tour & Travel
