Okay… we need to talk about something we discovered on a recent Temptation Cruise.
“Dirty vanilla.”
And honestly? The second we heard it, everything clicked.
We met a couple who proudly called themselves “dirty vanilla,” and the way they explained it was kind of perfect.
They love the lifestyle atmosphere.
They love the people, the openness, the energy.
They’ll go to the playroom…
…but they only play with each other.
No swapping. No pressure. No expectations.
Just a couple enjoying the vibe, on their own terms.
And suddenly we realized… this is a LOT of people.
Everyone assumes lifestyle travel is full of swingers.
But the reality is a little more nuanced.
On a Bliss Cruise, you’ll see a higher percentage of full lifestyle couples, around 90%.
On Temptation Cruises, it’s a different mix, closer to 60% lifestyle and 40% what we’d call “dirty vanilla.”
And that’s where things get interesting.
Because outside of the cruise world, the numbers tell a completely different story.
Only about 2% to 4% of couples are actually active swingers.
Meanwhile, studies show up to 20% to 30% of couples are curious about non monogamy, and even more are open to the idea in some form.
So what does that mean?
It means there’s a massive group of people who don’t fit neatly into either category.
Not fully vanilla…
Not fully lifestyle…
Just… somewhere in between.
This is the couple who:
• Loves being in a judgment free, open environment
• Feels comfortable around lifestyle energy
• Might flirt, explore, observe
• Might step into the playroom… together
• But isn’t looking to swap or fully jump in
They’re not sitting on the sidelines.
But they’re not going all in either.
They’re adding just a little flavor.
Think of those “dirty sodas”, you know, the ones where people add cream and flavors to a regular soda.
You start with something classic… then add a little something extra.
Still familiar. Still comfortable. Just elevated.
That’s dirty vanilla.
This couple told us something that stuck.
When they told friends they were going on a Temptation Cruise… some of those friends stopped talking to them.
Which is wild, but also kind of proves the point.
Because outside this world, even being near the lifestyle can feel “too much.”
But inside it?
They felt completely normal.
Completely comfortable.
Completely themselves.
If there’s one thing to take away, it’s this:
There’s no one way to fit into this world.
It’s not all or nothing.
It’s a spectrum.
And the best part?
You can move forward, take a step back, or stay exactly where you are.
There’s no timeline, no pressure, and no “next level” you have to reach.
It’s completely your call.
You might be:
• Dirty vanilla
• Soft play only
• Full lifestyle
And every single one of those is valid.
Even “full lifestyle” isn’t one fixed category.
It’s a spectrum within a spectrum, with different comfort levels, boundaries, and ways people choose to experience it.
“I like the idea of an adult only, clothing-optional cruise or resort… but I don’t know if I’d actually participate…”
You might already be a little dirty vanilla.
And that’s exactly why trips like Temptation Cruise or Hedonism Resort are so popular for first timers.
You can explore at your own pace, meet incredible people, and figure out what feels right for you… without ever stepping outside your comfort zone.
