A journalist who joined one of the world’s most talked-about adults-only cruises has shared an inside look at the experience, revealing how a week-long voyage costing up to $47,000 per cabin combines luxury cruising with an open-minded lifestyle community.
Sophia Money-Coutts sailed on the inaugural Killing Kittens cruise, organised by the lifestyle events company founded by Emma Sayle in 2005. The sold-out voyage travelled from Barcelona to Monaco before returning to Spain, welcoming 630 passengers for a week of themed entertainment and social events.
Killing Kittens describes itself as “the ultimate female empowerment brand”, although it is best known for hosting lifestyle parties across Europe. Speaking previously to The Times, founder Emma Sayle said she launched the business after realising “there was nowhere for women to go to feel empowered to explore their sexuality without being judged.”
With its expansion into cruising, the company has brought that concept to sea.
An Open-Minded Atmosphere At Sea
Money-Coutts said it quickly became apparent this was unlike any conventional cruise holiday.
Within an hour of leaving port, many guests had embraced the clothing-optional environment, with topless sunbathers and naked passengers becoming a common sight around the ship.
She wrote that conversations during the welcome drinks frequently turned to relationships and lifestyle preferences, with fellow passengers openly discussing subjects that would rarely come up on a mainstream cruise. She was also asked whether she intended to “play”, a term used by guests to describe participating in the cruise’s lifestyle activities.
Cabins on the sailing ranged from around £5,000 ($6,700) to £35,000 ($47,000), with the voyage selling out despite the premium pricing.
The cruise welcomed guests aged between 24 and 74, with passengers travelling from the UK, the United States and across Europe, as well as Canada, Ghana, Japan and Turkey.
Unlike many holidays, Killing Kittens only allows single women or couples to attend its events, with single men excluded under the company’s long-standing admission policy.
Guests also had access to a private social app called Wax, where they could chat before and during the sailing. Members could choose to upload recent STI test results to their profiles.
Despite the nature of the cruise, Money-Coutts said the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed and body-positive, with passengers appearing comfortable in their own skin regardless of age or body shape.
Consent And Safety Were A Major Focus
According to Money-Coutts, organisers repeatedly stressed that consent was central to every aspect of the cruise.
A team of 78 Killing Kittens staff members were on board throughout the week, with guests encouraged to speak to them if they ever felt uncomfortable. The company’s rules also state that women must make the first move, reflecting its female-led approach to interactions.
Dedicated playrooms and a dungeon were available for those who wished to take part in lifestyle activities, although participation was entirely optional. Around 2,000 condoms are reportedly used during a typical week-long sailing, with complimentary condoms and lubricant available in those areas.
Alongside more traditional cruise activities such as yoga and Zumba, the programme featured classes including beginners’ lap dancing, spanking fundamentals, boudoir photography and workshops exploring dominance and submission. Private sessions were also available for an additional fee.
Curious to see what happened inside, Money-Coutts visited the adults-only areas, where she observed demonstrations involving BDSM practices as well as couples engaging in intimate activities. She joked that watching events unfold made her feel like “David Attenborough standing in the jungle, surveying a bunch of horny gorillas.”
She also attended an introductory BDSM taster session with an experienced couple, where she learned about safe words, communication and agreed boundaries before trying a beginner demonstration herself.
Money-Coutts described the experience as “amusing and interesting”, but admitted she was equally happy to return to her cabin afterwards and spend the rest of the evening reading her book.
While she concluded the cruise would not appeal to everyone, she said it offered a fascinating insight into a community built around openness, consent and personal choice, making it one of the most unusual themed cruises currently available.
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