Step into a captivating space where fantasies come alive, and inhibitions melt away in a sex progressive playground. As you explore this oasis, you’ll discover an intimate world where uninhibited sexual passion and desire take center stage. Lose yourself in the labyrinth, the rhythmic beats, and the tantalizing moans of fervor that hang in the air. Welcome to VACAYA’s Red Light District!
VACAYA’s RLD is a playground of sensuality, meticulously designed to fulfill your deepest desires. Hang out in the chill zone and enjoy the company of like-minded adults under the moonlight. When you’re ready, enter the play space to experience a decadent area adorned with furnishings to spice up the night, and dim lighting that casts an enticing glow. Allow yourself to be transported to a realm where pleasure knows no bounds.
Let’s hear from some of our guests who’ve experienced VACAYA’s RLD:
At VACAYA, we embrace and celebrate the entire spectrum of our human existence – tapping into each of our community members’ sublime human truths and realities. With only a few exceptions (we salute you, our Asexual siblings) we are ALL sexual beings. And for many in our community, sex is one of the most fundamental expressions of our humanity.
So, instead of pushing that reality into the shadows as many others have done, at VACAYA, we celebrate it with our groundbreaking late-night Red Light District on our big-ship cruises and at most of our resorts. Our “RLD” is just one of many aspects of the VACAYA experience. If this isn’t your proverbial cup of tea, you’ll be delighted with myriad other non-sexual options each and every night.
If you’d like to experience our RLD, understanding the foundational elements and etiquette is key:
When and Where.
Our Red Light Districts are located in spaces onboard or at our resorts that make the most sense. We look at safety, privacy, egress, etc. to determine the best location. On ships, the RLD is typically on the upper deck sports courts. At our resorts, the location is more fluid, but usually somewhat off the beaten path. On most big-ship/resort trips, our RLD opens sometime between 10pm-11pm and goes until the wee hours (“wee hours” is defined as when there are few people left in the play space and VACAYA RLD Guru Patrick is ready to go to bed. So, come when ready, come often, and enjoy!).
Sex Positive and Progressive spaces.
The sex-positive movement is a social and philosophical movement that seeks to change cultural attitudes and norms around sexuality, promoting the recognition of sexuality (and its countless forms of expression) as a natural and healthy part of the human experience and emphasizing the importance of personal sovereignty, safer sex practices, and consensual sex (free from violence or coercion). It covers every aspect of sexual identity including gender expression, orientation, relationship to the body (body-positivity, nudity, choice), relationship-style choice, and reproductive rights.
VACAYA’s sex progressive nature is “an attitude towards human sexuality that regards all consensual sexual activities as fundamentally healthy and pleasurable, encouraging sexual pleasure and experimentation. It challenges societal taboos and aims to promote healthy and consensual sexual activities. Our sex-progressive nature also advocates for comprehensive sex education and safe sex as part of its position. We generally make no moral distinctions among types of sexual activities, regarding these choices as matters of personal preference.
Consent is required.
When engaging in the RLD, seeking consent is not just a requirement, but a fundamental aspect of respect, dignity, and ethical conduct. It embodies the recognition of individual autonomy and the right to self-determination. Obtaining explicit consent establishes a foundation of trust and ensures that all parties involved are willing participants. It fosters a culture of mutual understanding, where boundaries are acknowledged and respected, ultimately fostering healthier and more meaningful connections. PLEASE SEEK AND OBTAIN CONSENT BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE RLD.
People seek and provide consent in various ways.
Whether through verbal communication or non-verbal cues like touch, recognizing diverse communication styles is crucial for fostering mutual understanding and ensuring all interactions are consensual and respectful. Additionally, it’s important to understand that anonymous groping and touching may occur in certain spaces, and individuals should be prepared to handle such situations assertively. No matter how consent is sought, everyone retains the ability to deny consent; if someone touches you, you can verbalize non-consent or gently rebuff them or move their hand away.
No means No.
This should go without saying, but “no means no” in all forms of communication. Whether someone expresses disinterest verbally, physically, or through body language, it’s essential to respect their boundaries and refrain from being pushy or disrespectful. Don’t try to initiate play if someone is walking away, shaking their head, pushing your hand away, or otherwise declining via body language. Don’t be pushy or rude. Be aware of your body language and the body language of others and remember that non-verbal consent gets harder to read when alcohol is involved. If you’re intoxicated, you’ll be asked to leave the space by the VACAYA RLD monitor whether someone has complained or not. For those who do seek consent in a non-verbal method, please keep this simple rule in mind: don’t be an asshole. Don’t push yourself on someone if they’re clearly denying consent. Doing so becomes assault. Disrespecting consent isn’t sexy; it’s harassment. And pushing it too far could be criminal.
Let’s hear from Marie and Steve, our sexperts, as they shed light on how consent varies between all-male and queer spaces:
If someone is blindfolded and on all fours, they’re likely giving you non-verbal consent to have sex with them. If a guy is standing there with his dick in his hand, he may be giving you non-verbal consent to approach and likely give him oral sex. Some events have Glory Holes. Glory Holes are another place where there is a certain amount of implied consent because part of the excitement for willing participants is that they cannot see the person on the other side of the Glory Hole. If, however, anyone pulls away or otherwise signals a change in intent, that means they’ve declined consent.
If unsure, ask. If something happens, tell someone.
It’s acceptable to ask for clarification from an RLD participant or the VACAYA RLD Monitor. And if you encounter a behavior that falls outside of the parameters above and you feel your space was violated, inform the VACAYA RLD Monitor or a V Team member. If there is a complaint, our RLD monitor will go inside and remind everyone what the policies are to make sure it doesn’t happen again. If it’s a serious issue, the monitor can shut down the RLD for the night. But in general, the RLD Monitor ensures the RLD is tidy, answers questions, and helps create a safe, sensual space for our guests.
Don’t let rejection ruin your night.
Some people will want to play with you, some simply won’t. The person you’ve been looking at all night may not be in to you, and that’s okay. Accept it and know that’s part of the reality of every play space.
Respect privacy. No photos or videography.
The Red Light District is a place people go to be uninhibited, to break loose from the morals and judgement of society, and fulfill their sexual fantasies. Respecting the privacy of others is key to maintaining that atmosphere. Talking about other attendees outside these venues reflects poorly on you and detracts from the purpose of the space. CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT.
If you choose to have unprotected sex, assume the risks.
All sex carries some risk of HIV/STI transmission, but that risk can be minimized if you take certain precautionary measures, like using condoms or taking PrEP. Even with condoms, you’re still at risk for common sexually transmitted infections, and PrEP only protects you from HIV. This is why the official PrEP page on the CDC’s website states you should use condoms in conjunction with PrEP to protect yourself from infections like syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
If you choose not to wear condoms, you obviously have a higher risk of getting an STI than your condom-wearing peers. That’s a simple fact. There’s no shame in it, however. It’s just a fact of sexual life today. If you enjoy anonymous play – no talk, no names, no chatter – you assume even higher risk, and such risk is absolutely part of this kind of experience.
Since risk is unavoidable, there’s no reason to let that reality prevent you from enjoying what you enjoy. Take necessary steps to keep yourself healthy. Get tested frequently. If you’re HIV+, get on meds as soon as possible and take them diligently. HIV+ people who take their medications as prescribed can become undetectable, meaning HIV antibody tests can’t detect the virus in their blood, and the likelihood of transmitting the virus to their partners is “exceedingly low.” Undetectable = Untransmissible (U=U).
Get tested for HIV and other STIs before AND after the event.
If doing anything more than observing, it goes without saying that everyone should be tested for sexually transmitted infections both before and after a VACAYA vacation where you plan to frequent the Red Light District. Frequent testing is how our community reduces the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Have fun and explore your past boundaries.
Most of all, have fun. The RLD is a safe place to explore and even push beyond past sexual boundaries, where individuals can freely embrace their desires and curiosities without fear of judgment or harm. It offers a supportive environment for personal growth and discovery, encouraging participants to engage in consensual experiences that fulfill their desires and broaden their sexual horizons. Whether seeking new adventures or deepening existing connections, the RLD fosters a culture of openness and acceptance, where individuals can authentically express themselves and embrace the pleasures of exploration.