The sex lives of cruise passengers

Furthermore, increasing numbers of cruise lines are catering for solo
travellers with more affordable, single cabins, and dedicated areas for
singles to mix and mingle. And mingle they do. Another Cruise.co.uk survey
recently suggested that one in five passengers have cheated on their partner
during a cruise (see full details below).

Dr Richard Dawood, Telegraph Travel’s travel health expert, said the failure
to cater to amorous cruise passengers come as no surprise. “Medical
facilities on board today’s cruise ships are highly developed, but
contraception and STI prevention among passengers are a long way from being
the main focus.”

Unless, perhaps, you are travelling with an Italian line. MSC Cruises trumped
all those surveyed, ticking boxes for condoms, pregnancy tests and even
lubrication. The morning after pill is available on prescription.

Giles Hawke, MSC Cruises executive director UK Ireland, said: “We
are committed to ensuring that all of our guests have a safe and worry-free
holiday, and part of that means having on-board shops stocked for all
eventualities.”

^{Cruise lines are increasingly catering to the singles market}

Sexual health charity FPA said its research showed that many older people were
meeting new partners through dating websites and holidays but appeared to be
“oblivious” about the need for safe sex.

Cruise.co.uk cites a report from Government body NaTHNaC (The National Travel
Health Network and Centre) about the rise of STIs in the over 45s. Along
with tips about safe sunbathing and vaccinations comes the advice: “Remember
alcohol can lower your inhibitions, potentially putting you at risk of
sexually transmitted infections. If there is a chance you might have casual
sex, be prepared: take in-date, good quality condoms with you.”

“The message for solo travellers is very clear,” says Dr Dawood. “If
there is even the remotest prospect of a romance on board, pack condoms and
take careful precautions against unwanted pregnancy.”

With expedition cruising on the increase and lines such as Seabourn attracting
an increasingly younger clientele the rules don’t just apply to solo
travellers.

“We attract guests of all ages and want them to have a great time while they
are with us,” said Mr Hawke. “Away from the stress of everyday
life it’s easier for couples to make time for one another – whether that’s
in our spa, one of our restaurants or bars, the nightclub… or their cabin.

“All of our ships stock a selection of condoms and lubes, and the morning
after pill is available when prescribed by the ship’s doctor.”

Shockingly, one in five passengers confessed to cheating on their partner on a
cruise ship, with a further 80 per cent of these stating their partner was
on board at the time, according to the Cruise.co.uk
survey.

The website posted the “completely anonymous” adults-only poll on
its Facebook page to discover whether the “liberated” feeling
people have on a cruise holiday might be a contributing factor in the rise
of STIs reported by NaTHNaC.

“Following Government recommendations towards the end of last year for older
generations to take condoms on holiday we decided to survey our database of
over 200,000 cruise enthusiasts on their attitudes towards sexual health,”
said Seamus Conlon, managing director of Cruise.co.uk.

“Clearly the Government’s recommendation to iterate the importance of
cruisers protecting themselves against STIs is a very important one.”

^{MSC stocks condoms, morning after pills and lubrication (Photo: Getty)}

Comments on the page from customers ranged from: “I’m afraid to open link,”
and “Is this a wind up?” to “I had one foot on the quayside
at all times” and “What sad git comments on this?”

The survey, conducted via surveymonkey.com in December, comes with a warning: “Not
for the faint of heart.” To date fewer than 400 people have responded.
Of those who did, a third admitted they engage in regular sexual activities
while on board and some said they would not leave home without their sex
toys.

“We’d normally expect at least 1,000 responses to our survey requests,”
said a spokesperson for the company. “People are being a bit shy about
coming forward with opinions.”

• For the full list of cruise lines surveyed read Cruise.co.uk’s online
  comparison to sexual health on board.