When you put a group of men on a boat for several days with no TV, something magical happens: conversations turn into adventures of their own. That’s exactly what unfolded when co-founder Dave sat down with Ray and Dean, a couple celebrating both twenty years together and a milestone birthday, during our Everything To Sea cruise. What started as a chat about what kind of “show” this trip would be (spoiler: White Lotus, but without the deaths) turned into reflections on naked firsts, unexpected camaraderie, and the kind of mental photos you can’t capture on an iPhone.

Dave:
Hey guys, we have a few questions, now that you’ve been on the boat for several days — about boating and the Everything To Sea experience. Let’s start with something we’ve not had for a while now… television. If this trip were a show, what would it be?

Ray:
I think White Lotus… [pauses] It’s definitely not Golden Girls.

Dave:
Oh wow, OK. White Lotus. Um, doesn’t something bad always happen in White Lotus?

Ray:
Yes — really bad.

Dean:
Nobody’s died yet. [laughs]

Dave:
Thanks — that’s really going to help this interview! Okay, let’s move on to something a bit less final, but still somewhat dire. If for some reason you’d get stuck on a remote island – of course, not from an Everything To Sea trip, but on your own – what would you do? 

Dean:
First, I’d save all the alcohol from washing up on the beach. Second, take the radio so we can play German EDM music the whole time. And third, I’d want to bring the crew from this boat — I’m sure these guys know how to start a fire. 

Ray:
I’d do the same. Dean’s plan sounds solid.

Dave:
Wow, that’s togetherness. How many years have you two actually been together?

Ray:
Twenty years — this year.

Dave:
Major anniversary! And I hear there’s a big birthday with a zero in it too this year?

Ray:
Yep — a big zero year. [laughs]

Dave:
 [laughs]  Will you two be doing anything special?

Ray:
This trip is it — this is our special trip!

Dave:
Cool! Tell me, what’s one thing you did naked this week that you never thought you would?

Dean:
[points to Ray] He actually took his swimsuit off!

Dave:
I’ve got to ask… you’d never snorkeled naked before this trip?

Ray:
Nope. Or hiked naked either — until now.

Dean:
We also did that naked photo shoot. That was new for us…

Dave:
How’d that feel?

Ray:
Great!

Dave:
I remember my first naked photo shoot — felt very freeing, like being on top of the world. Did you guys feel empowered?

Ray:
Yeah — especially doing it together. And pics with other guys too, that was real camaraderie.

Dave:
OK, it’s Mental Photo Time. Think back – what is the most beautiful “mental photo” you’ve captured?

Dean:
Um, maybe the photo shoot on the hill. Us standing naked together — we’ve never had photos like that before.

Dave:
There were some yoga moments, too. You know, I’ve got my own “mental photo” of you doing yoga, Dean…

Dean:
Ohhhh boy…

Dave:
Was there some time this week when you thought, “This is not your average vacation”?

Ray:
Yes, definitely. Actually, this is now one of our top vacations. Dean was hesitant at first, but it’s been fantastic.

Dean:
The variety… this cruise… I didn’t know what to expect, but these past five days have been perfect.

Dave:
You know, I never saw either of you as holding back. You both have looked like you belonged, from the get go — you’ve seemed totally at ease.

Ray:
Dean was actually the last person to get naked.

Dean:
True! I sold myself on the trip because there was “optional nudity.”

Dave:
That’s really cool. Say, was there a moment where you thought, “Damn, I really needed this”?

Ray:
Yes. You know, we’ve had more conversations than ever around sex. That’s something Dean is usually hesitant about.

Dean:
It’s still new to me. I sometimes feel like I don’t have anything worthwhile to add.

Dave:
Ah, but you do. I truly believe everyone’s story matters. Dean, can you give one tip for future Everything To Sea travelers?

Dean:
Pack light. Then remove three-quarters of it.

Ray:
Also… use the sarongs on the boat. And bring reef-friendly sunscreen — hard to find here.

Dave:
You’ve met a lot of different kinds of men on this trip. Any thoughts on that?

Ray:
It’s like a gay pool party — all body types, ethnicities, no judgment. Regular conversation, just without clothes.

Dean:
Much more open than something like an Atlantis cruise. Here, everyone talks. It honestly feels like one big family.

Dave:
What would you say to someone unsure about joining a trip like this?

Ray:
You only live once. If you’re thinking about it, try it.

Dean:
It helped for me to come with a friend or partner — a built-in safe space. But even solo, I’ve seen other guys bond quickly. You guys have been fantastic.

Dave:
Thank you so much, that’s really nice to hear. It’s been great fun talking with you guys on the back deck of our ship today. Thanks for taking time from your sprawled-out relaxation to have this chat!

Ray and Dean dove headfirst (and bare-bottomed) into new experiences — from snorkeling to photo shoots — and came out grinning. Now it’s your turn: what’s one thing you’d dare to do naked for the very first time?