I was curious as to the various reasons why cruise ship visitors pay a visit to the nude section of Orient Beach. Particularly first time visitors. I imagine the novelty of visiting such a beach would be one reason but would be interested if there are other reasons. I wonder if the reason would be different for male visitors and female visitors. Young visitors versus older visitors.

I suppose Ed & I would be considered 'older'. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> But we first visited St. Martin on a RC southern Caribbean cruise trip. We took a cab over to Orient Beach because we had heard it was one of the nicest beaches on the island and wanted to see it. I honestly can't remember, but I'm not sure we even knew about the nude section before we went, though it's likely we had at least heard about it. Not sure. In any event, we had lunch at Pedro's that day and saw the Club O section. Having visited other clothing-optional resorts before, we decided to take a walk and see if it was perhaps somewhere we might want to stay in the future. We first walked with our clothes on, as others were also doing, just to get a feel for the place, but ended up getting chairs and spending the day there (sans clothing). We had a wonderful time and did indeed return the very following year to stay on the property at Club O.

I have no doubt that a lot of first-time visitors are just curious. I also have no doubt that others (probably younger) visitors do it just to 'see what they can see' or to have a chuckle with their friends over all the naked people. Now, 10 years later, there are occasions when Ed gets annoyed at all the cruisers who gape at those on the beach. But I gently remind him that we were once among them and people might have thought the same about us. With that being said, at least Ed & I minded our manners, kept our eyes where they should be, and joined in on that first occasion.

Thanks for sharing your impression. This is partly my impression too. In part, this is the only time in their lives some people will have to visit a nude beach and are not going to miss the opportunity and some people simply want to see how other people look without their clothes on.

I agree with you, Irish. We have met many nice people who first visited Club O's beach from a cruise. Their next step is to return to the island, stay elsewhere, but visit the beach several times Next, they've stayed at the resort and found out why the regulars love it so much. Of course, there will always be those who just want to see as much as they can. I try to ignore them, unless they're taking photos. But, we always are friendly and polite to those in the first group, and love to answer any questions they may have.

Is there any truth to the story I remember hearing about how it was the complaints of these same cruiseship tourists that put an end to naked people making use of the whole beach for strolling or whatever? When we first went to Orient 10 years ago (time flies) I remember that you would see naked people all day strolling the length of the beach. Our next trip three year later this seems to have been curtailed and, except for the early mornings when we're all out for our early walk, naturists stick to the Club O area. I mean, as if these tourists were offended.

So if this is so, it's creepily ironic that these same people, once they get off the bus with their shiny sneakers and Disney sweatshirts leer across the boundary and take snapshots of the titillating view.

Please note the 27 days in my signature image. I am so excited I could pee my pants. Man I need a vacation.

People including nudist go to the nude beach to see other nude people. Most 1st timers are very nervous and decide after a few minutes whether it's for them or not. What you realize if you stay is that you will see the same people you would see anywhere else except they are nude. Most are surprised that it's an older crowd. The strange thing is that once many decide to go nude, they think everyone is going to stare at them, lol. Unless you have a figure like a super model or have some extraordinary feature it's not likely..Most after they calm down feel like kids again, discovering something new and can enjoy they're new found freedom and come back at a later time. For those who don't stay it's something to tell the folks back home about.

I have to disagree; for us it has never been about "seeing other nudists". We are not "naturists" at home. We enjoy getting an all over tan and enjoy the freedom of being naked at Orient where we don't have to worry about our bodies or how we are perceived by others. Everyone at Club O will probably agree that eye contact is the key here lol! We have found the most interesting and friendly people on the island and have established long lasting friendships there.

If I remember this correctly, I don't believe it was the cruise ship passengers who were offended, but rather the locals who visit the textile part of the beach with their families. I could be wrong about this, but it seems that was the case. I remember the gendarmeries patrolling the beach from time to time during that period, occasionally handing out warnings to those who were nude beyond the Club O section.

I started in on a treatise on bodies and self acceptance, but you know what? Is isn't about the people staying at Club O, it's about the rest of society. Religion teaches us that there is something inherently dirty about our bodies, and at the same time human nature is drawn to titillation. Since most of western "civilization" equates nudity to sin, you've got and irresistible draw to the nude beach.

Good news; people without clothes are remarkably friendly people! And a lot of non-naked people discover that they like hanging out with such laid-back people and making friends, and truly relaxing.

I'd find a cruise ship limiting, but that's my world-traveled background. Of my friends who go on cruises; they're actually testing their boundaries as best they can.

I like to think, as they stand there at Pedros, or even *tittlegigglegiggle* venture onto Club O sand, they're looking and learning.

Yeah, most are irredeemable buffoons. But I know we have have some Traveltalk regulars who started with that walk, and are now Club O regulars. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Yes, you are correct. We discovered Club O and nudism, via a cruise ship visit to the island. That first time across the line was a bit intimidating, and I'll admit we were nervous, me more so that my dear wife.

But after the initial shock wore off, and we (I) discovered that the no one was paying any particular attention to us we relaxed and enjoyed our visit. The next year we came back, staying on the island this time, and visited the club O beach every day, and we have been coming back every year since.

In addition, when we cruise, and we still do quite frequently, the first thing we look for on the itinerary is a stop at SXM.

We have met, and made many lasting friendships at the Club O beach, and hope to continue doing so for many years to come.

Add us to the long list of couples who got our first taste of social nudity when we went to "check out this nude beach" while on a cruise ship stop back in 1997.

We became converts in our first half hour swimming nude in that crystal clear 82*F water and Man, we have NEVER looked back!

So yes, some boat people can be "glassbowls" as Carolyn Hax calls them, but a great many become enthusiasts like we did!

Thank you Jenni - once again a voice of reason! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We are mid 50s and I have wanted my wife to go with me to a nude beach/resort/campground/??? ever since I worked with a gent in '94 who was a nudist. It never happened.
I discovered Club O online around 2009 or so, and have followed the Club O forum ever since. Between my conversations in '94, and reading the forums, I had a very good idea what it would be like to go to Club O.
My wife likes to cruise, so finally March 2014, we took an NCL cruise, stopping in St Maarten. Our 30 yo daughter and her husband, and 2 of our friends were also on the cruise. They all knew where I was headed, and they wanted no part of it. I told my wife I was taking a taxi to Club O. I hoped she would join me, and I stressed to her that it was clothing optional. She would not be forced to go nude.
We got to Club O at 9:00 AM, were one of the first people on the beach, and my wife was completely nude within 10 minutes, and 30 minutes later was commenting about how relaxing it really made her feel. Completely NOT what she was expecting.

We enjoyed it so much, we went on another cruise in October 2014, and went back to Club O on that trip too.

So while we were cruiser visitors, we went to Club O with the intent of joining in before we even got there. And the farthest we have walked with our swimsuits on is from Pedro's to our Club O chairs.

I am desperately trying to figure out how to go spend a couple of weeks there. I know we would love staying at Club O, but it is pricey.

That's a great story RaleighToSXM! You can rent budget studios in the Orient Beach area or other parts of the island. Look at VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner).

Great stories everybody. To tell the truth, I wish I had the self confidence to disrobe, but sadly, I do not.

I understand what you are saying, Joy. On the other hand, I grew up skinny dipping in the Delaware River, so that I lost my inhibitions starting from the age of 12 or so. When I heard about Orient Beach I jumped at the opportunity to continue from my childhood.

JimDS- I'm not the one with inhibitions about disrobing on Orient, that would be Ritchard!

My apologies, Joy. I should have known!

LOL JimDS what's the clue?

For those with eyes it's not hard to SEE!

We know people that have stayed at Mt. Vernon and walked to Club O every day and enjoyed it a lot for less money. We also found that we can go in June to Club O and stay in the Mini Suite Deluxe models for less than $3,000 a week including the airline tickets! That would be eating in the room and relaxing on the beach. The Euro is very low and it is more affordable now than ever. That is $2500 less than the first time we went to SXM for the same length of time.

It always amazes me why people who are offended by nudity are the very ones who take the buses to see the naked people.

If I am offended by something...I would not want to be a part of it.

It makes absolutely no sense to me.