Roughly ten years ago when the Millennium ships were introduced, the upper-most, forward passenger deck was designated as "European" with the understanding that topless/thong use was acceptable. With only one stairway and a sign announcing its Euro availability, it was somewhat secluded, only occasionally invaded by gawkers or groups of teenage boys during family vacation times. Frequently, the signs would disappear, stolen by college students eager to adorn dorm room walls.

According to crew members, while the signs disappeared, the policy remained even to the point of permitting discreet nude use, if no complaints, in this small, out-of-the-way area.

Now we come to our scheduled cruise, 3/15/16, and the question of topless/thong/nude use arrives. Any experience with this on Celebrity or other cruise lines outside of sanctioned nudist charters? As always, thanks for the vast knowledge of the TTOL community.

I'd love to help, but our next M cruise is to Alaska so I might not get any relevant info. But I'll check for the signage.

That is indeed true about that deck. I discovered it about 7 years ago. You have to climb 2 flights of outdoor stairs though. There is no elevator to get to that deck. Was last on the Celebrity Constellation about 4 years ago and the sign was no longer there. Pushed my lounger up into the front corner and sunbathed nude. One man showed up and wanted to take a picture to show his friends at home. I told him to get his wife up here and take her photo.
If you are daring, go for it. I would in a hearbeat. The most that could happen is security will tell you to put a bathing suit on. I don't think it is likely anything else would happen to you.

We were on Constellation in February and it was nude. Actually, the whole ship was nude as it was Bare Necessities Big Nude Boat! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Bajajmike, any updates for us?

Finally got to answer my own question earlier in April 2016. First of all, I made an error on my inquiry: the Equinox is a larger Solstice class ship, not the Millennium ship referenced earlier. Nonetheless, the Solstice class ships have an upper deck-forward reached only by a 2-deck stairway from the nearest elevator-accessible deck; this alone limits some of the traffic except on sea days.

On those days, getting a lounger is more difficult between 10-3, so even upper deck space is tight; on port days, not an issue. As stated in an earlier post about going to the forward corner, if you position yourself looking out over the sea, it MAY be possible to be nude. On one port day, I spied two older Dutch ladies who had evidently been topless and covered up as I approached. Sensing that I had like-minded folks near me, I moved from my Speedo (no problem anywhere on the ship) to a thong, and after having them return to toplessness, went nude. Even though they were behind me, and probably aware of my condition, unfortunately they didn't join me. However, the next day was also a port day and the whole thing repeated itself.

Summary: speedos and female thongs/rios OK throughout all sun areas, male thongs probably OK in crowded areas (but why risk the cat-calls?), male thongs OK (somewhat common)on the upper "Solstice" deck especially on port days, cautious Solstice deck-nudity possible on port days especially if someone breaks the ice.

On the e-mailed satisfaction survey sent to all pax, I reminded Celebrity (and, by implication, Royal Caribbean its parent company) that an "Euro" deck would provide a unique amenity at absolutely no cost to the company giving a competitive advantage. Especially on trips to St. Martin/Maarten, one sees fellow cruise pax attired in nothing or next to nothing on Orient Beach. In speaking with two ladies recognized from the next table at dinner, they allowed that they always booked itineraries with St. Martin/Maarten so they could go "naked."

As always, Celebrity provides generally excellent food and service (even better than its parent RCCL)and could likely increase its market share with a "Euro" area. My advice is to likewise make this suggestion during surveys/correspondence with Celebrity and other cruise lines. And even though some board members might suggest some of the nudist charters, I find these less-than-desirable because of the discomfort level of many of the crew. A better, and more convenient solution is some sort of a sanctioned area on general cruises.

Thanks for posting the update! I would be interested to hear if you actually receive any response to your survey answers. It's been my experience that I never receive a response to any of those that I respond to, and often wonder whether anyone even reads what I respond with.

Thanks so much for the update Bajamike.
After our numerous Cruises on at least 5 different Cruise lines, we were always given a "Comment Card" on which you recorded your reviews, complaints, and suggestions. We always thanked them for the "topless" deck availability (Carnival Holiday), and on Ships that had no such amenities, we suggested that they consider such a deck. We stated that we would look forward to Cruising on Ships that offered the "topless" venue over the ones that do not.
We never received any responses from any of the Cruise lines concerning our request, and have since (on our last 5 Cruises in two years) have no longer received the "Comment Cards". Maybe these decks are not so popular any longer, which is sad.