After our sailing season wrapped up last year, we waited a bit and then sent a message to some of the guys on each of our sails. The salt had washed off, the tan lines (or lack thereof) faded, and the guys were back in their routines — commuting, parenting, procrastinating, swiping, whatever it is they do.

We decided to check in. Not officially. No feedback forms or follow-up surveys. Just a simple message: “Hey, how’s life post-trip?”

The replies rolled in — honest, weird, beautiful. Here’s a look at what some of them said, completely unfiltered and unmistakably them.

Travis

Alright I’m just gonna say it — I f***ing miss you guys. Didn’t think I would. Thought I’d come home, go back to yelling at traffic and eating tacos over the sink. But man… that week on the boat? That was something.

I even caught myself staring at a pineapple at Trader Joe’s the other day, thinking of Pierre and his damn slicing technique.

Just wanted to say thanks. For showing up. For being weird and open and kind. And for not judging me when I snored that one night. Or cried a little that other night.

Y’all are alright. I mean that.

Matteo

I go back to my small apartment, my coffee routine, my cat. At the beginning, I was thinking, “Ok… it’s finished.” But now, I catch myself smiling when I remember these small, strange moments.

Like the quiet swim I did with the guy from Brazil — he was speaking almost no English. Or when we were all laughing, naked, eating watermelon like we were kids.

First I was thinking, maybe I don’t belong there… but now I understand, I did.

It’s funny — sometimes you see a good time only when you are already out from it. Like the picture is more clear when you step back.

Anyway… I’m happy I was part of it.

Daniel

If I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure about the trip when I left. I didn’t really connect with anyone right away and I thought, “Maybe this wasn’t for me.”

But now I look back and I see something else. I was quiet but people still made room for me. I wasn’t pressured to join every conversation or pretend to be more outgoing. That space meant something because it made me feel accepted, even without the noise. 

I had no idea I needed that. Thank you Max, for pulling it together. And thank you Pedro, for our “upper deck morning sunrise” talks.

Chase

Hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks — the trip was really something special. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure how it’d feel being one of the youngest there, but that worry didn’t last long.

It was just a good group of people. No weirdness, no ego, just easy conversations and plenty of laughs. Being naked made it all feel more honest — you kind of skip the small talk when there’s nothing to hide, literally.

I’m glad I pushed myself to go. It was the kind of experience that stays with you. So yeah — appreciate what you guys created. I’d definitely be up for sailing again.

Eli

I keep thinking about that night up on the roof deck. Dave, Adam — you know exactly the one I’m talking about 😉

The breeze was perfect, the sky was scattered with stars, and somehow we all just gravitated there, like it was inevitable. At first, it was quiet — almost like no one wanted to break whatever was unfolding. Then there was touching, then playing. But it wasn’t wild or chaotic. It was slow, intentional, playful, and curious.

There was something about how natural it felt — like it belonged to all of us, equally. No jealousy, no shame, no sense of rushing to any conclusion. Just men, being with men, without trying to claim or possess anything.

It didn’t even feel like sex, honestly. It felt like presence — like we were entirely there, together, without distraction.

I’ve already booked for next year — this time I’m doing the land trip. You know me, I can’t resist France, haha.

Malcolm

Look, I’m not a boat guy. I’m more of an aircon-and-coffee, “let me reply to this text before I move” kind of guy. But that boat? It got me. Sneaky.

Every morning I was up way too early — like, who even am I — just to watch the sun come up while we floated around like some Instagram reel. I’d sit there, hair doing its own thing, belly absolutely unbothered, and somehow I felt like royalty.

I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I wasn’t trying at all. I just… was. And the boat? The boat didn’t care. The sea didn’t care. Zero judgment.

Honestly? I haven’t felt that chill in years. So yeah — I’m coming back. Try to stop me.

Andy 

To be honest, I hesitated before booking. As someone who is closeted, I have always kept certain parts of myself hidden, so I was unsure if this was suitable for me. However, the discretion aspect of Your Private Journey seemed like an opportunity I should try. Dave was very considerate and gentle, which made it easier for me to feel at ease. When I was in the open water, I felt a quiet peace that surprised me. Snorkeling without anything on was strange at first, but soon it felt as though I was removing more than just clothing. I’ve returned home with thoughts that feel clearer. It is difficult to explain, but this was more than a simple trip.

I think it helped me. Thank you again.

Claude

I am 72 years old. Normally, people don’t expect me to be naked in public. Me also — I didn’t imagine that… surprise!

But after maybe one hour where I was not comfortable, something changed. My skin, my wrinkles, the parts of my body that fall — all this was no more something I must hide. It was just there… like part of the decor.

Nobody looked at me like I was “courageous” or “inspirant.” They just accepted me, like normal! And for me, this was more touching.

At my age, I have already removed many things from life — status, ambitions, the ego. But this? This was the last layer. I never felt myself so light before. Thank you!

Diego

So yeah, I’m just gonna say it. I hooked up several times on the trip. And each time time was amazing. But not in a cheap, grindr-on-a-cruise-ship way. It was connection. Real, honest, respectful.

There was this one night under the stars. No lights, just the moon, and one guy on our trip (I think you guys know who…) The one I’d been flirting with for days. Well, we didn’t rush it. We just let it happen.

And after? We stayed naked, talked for hours, shared snacks. I’ve had plenty of sex in my life. This was different. It was human.

And yeah, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Jim

There I was, on a boat with a bunch of naked dudes, thinking — if TMZ gets ahold of this, my career’s cooked. But you know what? Worth it. Every day was a comedy special: Claude cracked dad jokes like he was getting paid, Malcolm invented a game called ‘Whose Towel is That?’, and Rafael — bless him — tried yoga on deck and nearly invented the nude faceplant. By day four, we were like a brotherhood of weird, sun-kissed pirates who forgot what clothes were. Also, the sunsets? Stupidly gorgeous. The vibe? Chill, hilarious, and just the right amount of inappropriate — mostly thanks to several of you… and, let’s be honest, the ETS staff too. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Though next time, I’m bringing less modesty and more aloe vera – for my ego.

____________________

We always say these trips are more than a vacation. But hearing it in their words — scattered across time zones, languages, and phone screens — makes it feel even more true.

  • It’s not just the boat. Though for some, it really was
  • It’s not just the nudity. Though for others, it was the biggest shift they’ve ever made
  • It’s not even just the sex. Though yes — it happens, and when it does, it’s real

The thing that ties all these stories together? Men showed up as they are. And they were received, exactly as they are. And the wildest part? It stays with you.

Join a future voyage — and maybe later, your write up will be here too...