My experience is that this is true about a lot of things.
My grown son is in graduate school now and chose to attend a school much farther away from his friends than he has been before. He did this in large part to discover who he is when he’s unconstrained by the expectations of people who already know him.
If something makes you happy and causes no harm, go for it.
You did a great job describing exactly what I’ve experienced on cruises, especially Royal. Glad you had a good experience. It kills me the number of times you hear women say they wish their man would wear one or when guys say they wish they could wear one but are afraid to…..
I just got off a Royal Caribbean cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. I tell you it was a great trip. I was going to the beaches in Curaçao, Aruba, and Tortola. Before getting on the ship I spent four days in Puerto Rico. On the beaches of Puerto Rico nearly all the women were wearing thong bikinis. I saw only one man in a speedo type suit. Otherwise only board shorts. I wore thong swimsuits everyday day. I got a few looks but no negative responses.
On the ship I wore a thong on the pool deck. I did get a number of disapproving looks from men. The women were very friendly with me. I had many friendly conversation with many people. There was one gay couple that wore square cut and bikini cut swimsuits. They were great people. We shared many interests and were on a few beaches together. I walked up to the pool bar to get drinks. I rarely wore a coverup at the pool decks. Staff passed me by with a friendly hello. There were absolutely no problems wearing a thong on the ship.
In Curaçao I wore a thong with many other people at the beach. Nearly all the women were wearing thong bikinis. I was the only man in a thong. Between the soft sand and crystal blue water was an amazing experience. Only caution was the need to wear water shoes in the water due to the rocks below the surface.
I had two full days in Aruba. Once again nearly all the women were wearing thong bikinis while the men wore board shorts. I wore my thongs, a different one each day. Again it was a great experience. No one seemed to care what I wore and I made friends with those around me. Aruba was wonderful and I will return again.
Tortola/Virgin Gorda was the best. I did a tour with some of the most high energy young men in the world. They lead this tour with the motto of having fun. They liked my style. The beaches were beautiful with the best water I’ve ever seen. I wore a silver metallic thong this day. Again I was the only man in small swimwear. Every one had a good time.
I did see a few people sneak photos. It was to be expected. But most people were friendly, happy and respectful. I would do this all over again if I could.
For those of you that ask about wearing a thong on a cruise ship or in the Caribbean I say go for it. You will likely be the only man wearing a thong. At the same time you will likely be making new friends.
I do sometimes wonder if they’re envious that you have the confidence to go for it and they don’t. The only comments I’ve had from other men (and admittedly only a few times) are “I wish I had the guts to do that” or “I don’t have the confidence to do that”.
I’ve had those comments as well. Many times I’ve heard I wish I had your confidence.
What’s funny is that I don’t feel particularly confident. What is true is that, subject to local regulations, customs, and (increasingly un)common courtesy, I just don’t care what other people think. If there are women in thongs, that’s the green light on all of the above. It’s not confidence, it’s IDGAF.
This has been my experience, the envy and yearning to be as carefree as us who are bold enough to wear the thong. As I mentioned from my experience a few months ago, many are “stuck behind invisible rules they never actually agreed to”
Heading out on another cruise next week.
This time, my wife and I will be sailing on Utopia of the Seas, a slightly smaller ship than the one we took over New Year’s. We’re hoping to recreate some of that same energy and fun from the last trip.
As for me, I’m leaning fully into the “thong life” again, packing plenty of extras this time around. You never know… maybe a few curious travelers will be inspired to join in.
I’ll report back once we’re home.
Just returned from the Margaritaville at Sea Islander and thonged all week at the adult pool with no issues. Unfortunately I wasn’t brave enough to get up and get in the pool but I did stand and walk around my chair. There weren’t any comments but my lack of confidence stopped Me from getting in the pool. Hopefully next time.
I did spend the day at the Island Beach Club in Cozumel and was a little more brave there sunning and lounging and walking to the beach and enjoying the beautiful turquoise waters wearing my Skinzwear gstring. I asked the waiter if it was ok to wear a gstring and he said it was perfectly fine. All in all it was a good trip and hopefully I’ll encourage others to just do it. I hope next time I’ll have a thong friend to join me and boost my confidence.
Currently on Utopia of the Seas, through 2 days have been only wearing thongs and not a single comment nor a side eye. Plenty of compliments. Have worn them around the pool deck, to the pool bar and in the spa area.
Just wear the thong, nobody cares.
This is the way 
(I spent 8 days in a row on Puerto Rico at several public beaches wearing only M67 thongs. Nobody cares. I got a few compliments, which never happened before in my entire life while wearing board shorts.)
Completely agree, upon ripping off the bandaid 4 years ago I’ve converted more guys into thong wearers than I’ve had negative comments. So so many guys want to wear a thong yet feel trapped into societal dogma and some unwritten rule that they never agreed to.
Be bold, wear the damn thong.
I promote everyone to wear a thong bikini. Any person needs to feel comfortable wearing them and be respectful around others.
It’s quite amazing how such a small piece of fabric can elicit such a large response. I have to agree, you will get more compliments wearing a thong than wearing board shorts. I’ve had that same experience.
Wear your thongs with joy and confidence and people will respond in like. Wear your thongs on beaches, cruise ships, at resorts and anywhere else appropriate.
Day 3: today was CocoCay day. Naturally, we headed straight to Hideaway Bay, the adults-only area. Once again, I wore nothing but a thong. From 8:15 a.m. until around 1 p.m., I could feel the eyes and hear the comments, especially from the older crowd.
Around 10 a.m., my wife and I, both in thongs, were leaving the bay area and heading toward the pool complex. Two older women stopped their husbands before the stairs and let us go first. I knew exactly why. One of the women said, “I know what I’m getting you for your birthday, one of those skimpy swimsuits.”
I immediately turned around and said, “I’d be happy to give you one. I packed extras.”
She instantly turned red and tried denying she’d said anything. My wife jumped in and said, “He always packs extras. Your husband should wear one too.”
Again, they tried playing it off like we were imagining things. Then I said, “I’d be happy to take a picture with you all.”
The other woman in the group jumped at the opportunity, so we took some photos together. I told them it takes a ton of courage to wear something like this, and I was glad I could help make a memory for them.
Later, walking back and forth between our chairs and the pool was definitely an experience. So many stares. So many comments. But honestly, if you’re going to walk this path, it comes with the territory. So I owned it.
Granted, I’m a 45-year-old married dad, so take that for what it is. At one point, I started feeling like maybe I’d completely misread the room.
Then around 1:30 p.m., a smoking-hot woman approached me and complimented me on wearing a thong. She said, “All men should wear thongs. They’re hot,” followed by, “You’re rocking it, and your confidence is sexy.”
Then she asked if she could smack my ass. My wife immediately said, “Definitely.”
That moment completely flipped the script for me. My confidence shot through the roof, and from then on I fully owned the thong.
A little later, I left the pool to use the restroom. On my way back, I noticed an older guy nudging his wife to look at me. They both looked over and snickered. Normally I wouldn’t have cared, except it was obvious he was recording me as I walked back into the pool.
So I turned around and approached him.
Once again I said, “If you want a photo, just ask.”
Immediate denial. “What are you talking about?”
By that point, I had enough confidence, and enough alcohol, that I was over it. I said, “If you’re going to record me, let’s at least do it right and take a picture.”
He denied it again, but then his wife stood up, smiled, and said, “You look hot,” before asking for a photo herself.
He looked embarrassed and annoyed. She absolutely loved it.
Right about then, the same woman from earlier happened to be walking toward the restroom too. She came over, gave me a high five that turned into a hug, grabbed my ass, and said, “You’re so fuckin’ hot.”
Needless to say, my confidence was sky-high after that. In addition to that gentleman being what I assume to be highly envious. When you put yourself out there either you hit a home run or you strike out
The rest of the day flew by, and we reboarded the ship around 4:30 p.m. Honestly, it was a total rollercoaster of a day.
Again, boys: be bold, be brave. Wear the damn thong and own it. Tomorrow is a sea day, enough people have see me, going to wear a white thong and hope to convince others. I’m quite burned so my skin is rather red. Still I feel like I have a duty and a squad of females so full ambassador tomorrow. Thank you all for being a supportive community and to the mods for creating this group. I sincerely love you all.
I initiated a slow clap and a full blown applause after reading that epic account! Thank you for posting this experience!
Diaval, that is a fantastic report on your day. It’s super amazing how much positive feedback you received. I know your confidence was miles high with this day. Own it, you deserve it.
Great story, thanks for sharing.
This has to be the best story I have ever read on this forum. I hope to have this much success this coming summer and beyond. As I get older, my confidence has skyrocketed immensely. I guess it’s because most people really don’t mind seeing people in thongs these days or they secretly wish they had the same amount of courage to wear a thong in public. Provided it’s legal wherever you go, rock the thong and enjoy life.
Great story Diaval. Thanks for sharing it with us.