Thanks to a versatile tourist offer whose range expands with each passing year, Croatia is now known as a popular destination with many faces: health tourism and wellness, congress tourism, gastro tourism… Judging by the latest news from Dubrovnik, the growing list might soon be joined by another peculiar field: sex tourism!
The world's first sex cruise ship arrived to Dubrovnik this morning, reports Dubrovački dnevnik on September 29, 2017. 'Azamara Quest' is currently anchored near Lokrum island, and her 700 passengers are enjoying a round of sightseeing around Dubrovnik.
A couple of passengers didn't mind sharing their experience with reporters. A middle-aged married couple said they were enjoying the so-called Desire Cruise: "We're having a nice time, it's all very exciting. People are friendly, and tend to become way more approachable on board. Not having the kids around is a plus, so we can finally get some rest and relax. We often go on cruises; when we try to talk to someone in an elevator, people usually back away. That is not the case [on this ship]. Here, people want to meet you", said a male passenger for Dubrovački dnevnik.
This is the first time for the ship dubbed a 'sex cruiser' to sail out, but not the first time Dubrovnik has seen such a thing. A cruise ship specialised for swinging couples paid a visit to Dubrovnik in 2015.
The organisers guarantee identity protection and complete privacy to all their passengers, who prefer to remain anonymous. Some juicy details have been disclosed nonetheless: guests spend their days (and nights) enjoying versatile erotic performances, couple workshops and themed programmes in the evening. All nightly entertainment is provocative and charged with sex vibes; the ship is well-equipped with chambers intended for erotic play and orgies. Of course, there are also private rooms for couples who wish to keep to themselves and enjoy the intimate atmosphere.
Themed nights, costumed parties, light effects – you name it, the free-spirited cruise will deliver.
Most couples on board are approachable, decent and friendly middle-aged people , far from the stereotype of sex cruises packed with jacked men and young blondes named Silicone. No, these are average people, like those you meet on a daily basis and stop to talk to them on the street and in stores.
Owing to its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Dubrovnik is nowadays known as a coveted destination in many types of tourism. Judging by the current state of affairs, it might also get yet another face as a sex tourism destination pretty soon: apart from swingers, cruise ships have brought gay couples to Dubrovnik before. Kalamota and Lopud are already branded as gay-friendly destinations.
Željko Matušan, the owner of a sex shop in Dubrovnik, said his customers include locals and tourists in equal measure. "Everyone is welcome! All forms of tourism are good for Dubrovnik. My shop is visited by tourists on the regular, but the locals come in as well, maybe even equally. People are coming from all over the world, there are no rules. The only ones who experience complications are the guests from Dubai, as they aren't allowed to bring certain toys into their country, so they have to make use of them during their stay in Dubrovnik, he said, laughing.
Organised by the Mexican company Original Group, the 8-day cruise will take the passengers to Ravenna, Split, Zadar, Koper, and Venice. A ticket for the provocative adventure, described by the company as 'couples-only, clothing optional', can cost anywhere from $2.883 to $10.996 per person.
Translation of excerpts from Dubrovački dnevnik.
