The sober cruises trend: Best cruise lines for mocktails, plus alcohol-free charters

Cruises are sometimes seen as one huge booze fest at sea, and for good motive. As quickly as you step on board, pleasant servers make the rounds with trays teeming with rum punches and glasses of Champagne to rejoice the start of your trip. That get together vibe usually continues all through your time on the ship.

Nevertheless, many cruisers do not imbibe for numerous causes. They may be in restoration, pregnant, taking medicine that may’t work together with alcohol or abstaining from alcohol as a part of their wholesome way of life. The sober-curious motion is rising, and cruise traces are responding.

Sober cruises are sometimes organized by distributors specializing in them (extra on that under) and can be found on numerous main cruise traces corresponding to Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Princess Cruises. These cruises provide a bevy of cruise actions and leisure you’d discover on a standard cruise. The distinction is these sailings do not contain alcohol.

You need not guide a selected alcohol-free crusing, although. A number of cruise traces are becoming a member of the mocktail motion. Passengers have many extra nonalcoholic choices — from separate zero-proof menus to a couple nonalcoholic concoctions on the common beverage menu.

If you happen to’re in search of a very alcohol-free expertise at sea or simply need to pattern extra zero-proof cocktails throughout your cruise trip, we now have you coated. This is the whole lot it’s good to find out about sober cruises and which cruise traces provide one of the best alcohol-free drink choices.

Associated: More than a trend: How airlines and hotels are catering to sober travelers

Cruise traces with one of the best nonalcoholic cocktails

Planning a sober cruise or just need to combine up your consuming with some alcohol-free cocktails? A number of cruise traces stand out as offering incredible zero-proof drinks for nondrinkers. Whereas some traces provide a separate mocktail menu, others present a pleasant listing of nonalcoholic drinks on normal bar menus.

Carnival Cruise Line

You do not have to drink alcohol to take pleasure in your time on a Enjoyable Ship because of Carnival‘s partnership with Lyre’s, the world’s most awarded line of nonalcoholic spirits.

Passengers can order spirit-free variations of seven traditional cocktails within the line’s Alchemy Bar. This standard venue is on 19 ships in Carnival’s 27-vessel fleet. Choices embrace the refreshing Martini Seduction, made with Lyre’s White Cane, crimson ardour fruit nectar, freshly squeezed lime juice and a smidgen of orange. The Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini showcases Lyre’s Agave Blanco, handcrafted chipotle pineapple syrup, pineapple juice and mint leaves. Nonalcoholic variations of Restorative Basil Drop, The Treatment, The Excellent Storm, Hearts of Fireplace and Cucumber Dawn cocktails are additionally accessible. Nonalcoholic cocktails at Alchemy Bar value $10.

Each day E-newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day e-newsletter

Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists

Carnival’s most important eating rooms additionally serve Lyre’s alcohol-free Prosecco.

Mocktails and zero-proof frozen drinks are coated underneath the road’s Cheers drink package. Buy your package deal on-line earlier than you sail for a reduced value.

Movie star Cruises

Celebrity Cruises incorporates nonalcoholic choices inside its common cocktail menus. Zero-proof cocktails embrace Glowing Mint Lemonade (contemporary lemon juice, mint, agave nectar and soda water) and the Watermelon Tropic (watermelon syrup, pineapple juice and contemporary lime juice). It’s also possible to order O’Doul’s nonalcoholic beer on board.

Moreover, the road has a nonalcoholic drink package for zero-proof drinks. Water and sodas are included within the package deal and never provided as a separate package deal as some cruise traces do.

Each Movie star drink package deal consists of mocktails, premium coffees and teas. Nevertheless, the nonalcoholic drink package deal additionally consists of Vitamin Water, Purple Bull and premium waters like Evian and San Pellegrino, in addition to contemporary juices and smoothies from The Spa Cafe. If you happen to drink few, if any, alcoholic drinks however want your each day morning latte, this package deal is for you. Plus, you’ll be able to splurge on smoothies and virgin frozen drinks.

Holland America

Passengers on Holland America cruises will discover a choice of nonalcoholic drinks and mocktails all through the ship’s consuming and eating venues. Whereas the cruise line doesn’t provide separate zero-proof menus, mocktails are listed on the Lido, Seaview and Cabana bar menus. Select from the Ginger Mango Splash (made with mango puree and ginger), the Melon Mint No’jito (with contemporary mint, melon and Sprite) and a bevy of virgin frozen drinks (pineapple, pina colada, banana and extra.)

The fee for alcohol-free drinks (together with frozen drinks) is $7.50. If you happen to do not see one thing you want on the menu, bartenders can create a specialty mocktail to your liking, in line with the road.

Two nonalcoholic beverage packages can be found for Holland America cruisers: the Quench Package deal and the Coca-Cola package deal. Mocktails, together with limitless premium coffees (espresso and cappuccino), juices, Coca-Cola merchandise, Purple Bull and bottled water, are included within the Quench Package deal. Because the title implies, the Coca-Cola package deal consists of limitless fountain sodas however not mocktails.

MSC Cruises

If you happen to’re scaling again alcohol consumption on an MSC Cruises crusing, you may have a wide variety. The road encompasses a separate premium mocktails menu with seven artistic zero-proof drinks. Amongst them are the Truthful Girl, made with honey and apricot marmalade, lemongrass syrup, contemporary lemon juice and egg white; the Cucumber Mojito, with contemporary lime juice, mint leaves, brown sugar, membership soda, cucumber and lime slices; and the Paloma Fizz, a mix of contemporary grapefruit and lemon juices, rose syrup, tonic water and rosemary.

MSC’s alcohol-free drink package consists of nonalcoholic cocktails, contemporary fruit and protein smoothies, vitality drinks, sodas, flavored and bottled mineral water and a wide range of sizzling drinks. The road’s Straightforward Package deal provides each alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices. Select this selection if not everybody in your cruise group imbibes; MSC requires that everybody sharing a cabin purchases the drink package deal if one particular person does. The package deal consists of cocktails, spirits, beer, fountain drinks, specialty coffees, nonalcoholic cocktails and combined drinks.

Beverage package deal pricing is predicated on the size of your cruise, with longer voyages having a cheaper price per day. If you buy the package deal earlier than your cruise, it can save you at the least 15% on the worth you’ll pay when you board. Be aware that gratuities are already baked into the worth of the drink packages.

Associated: Cruise drink packages: A line-by-line guide

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian‘s mocktail sport is robust. In 2023, the road earned an award for Greatest Grownup Alcohol-Free Program on the Vibe Vista Awards, which distinguishes excellent beverage programs throughout the journey trade.

Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva function essentially the most intensive nonalcoholic beverage menus. Nevertheless, ships with a Vibe Seaside Membership even have nonalcoholic beverage choices. Vibe Beach Club is an unique adults-only sundeck on Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. Zero-free choices embrace the Espresso Notini, made with a nonalcoholic amaretto liqueur, and the Smoky Water, created with a nonalcoholic crimson vermouth.

Moreover, the road options a few mocktail choices on common bar menus.

The mocktails are included within the Limitless Open Bar drink package deal. Reap the benefits of the road’s More at Sea promotion to get this package deal without spending a dime (although you may nonetheless must pay a 20% gratuity, based mostly on the package deal’s listing value).

Oceania Cruises

These crusing with Oceania Cruises have a pleasant choice of nonalcoholic cocktails featured on lots of the line’s normal bar menus, in addition to a separate mocktail menu accessible at Aquamar Kitchen. Standouts embrace the Pure Amalfi Spritz, made with Lyre’s Italian Spritz, nonalcoholic glowing wine and membership soda; the NO-Groni, a mix of Lyre’s Dry London Spirit, Lyre’s Italian Orange and Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso; and Orchard Fizz, Lyre’s Amaretto, contemporary lemon juice, maple syrup, apple juice, tonic water and rosemary. The price of mocktails is $12.

Passengers can select between two beverage packages, each of which embrace nonalcoholic drinks. The Home Choose package deal comes with premium Champagnes and wines, beers, nonetheless and glowing water, premium coffees and teas, freshly squeezed juices, cocktails and spirits. Nevertheless, it may solely be used throughout meals or room service and never at onboard bars or lounges. The fee for the Home Choose package deal is $39.95 per visitor, per day. It’s included within the line’s SimplyMore program.

You’ll be able to improve your Home Choose package deal to the Status Choose package deal, which gives limitless drinks anyplace on the ship, for a further $30 per visitor, per day.

Princess Cruises

Nonalcoholic choices on Princess Cruises ships preserve getting higher. The road lately introduced the addition of Kylie Minogue’s No Alcohol Glowing Rose to the road’s “Love Line Premium Liquors Assortment.” The gathering features a bevy of celebrity-branded spirits and wines but in addition provides Blake Vigorous’s Betty Buzz (the nonalcoholic model of her Betty Booze merchandise).

Moreover, cruisers have a handful of nonalcoholic choices on bar and lounge menus. Do not miss the Key West Cooler (ardour fruit, watermelon, cranberry and Sprite) or Strawberries on Fireplace (strawberries, lime, agave syrup, jalapeno and soda).

Whereas No Alcohol Glowing Rose and Betty Buzz are each accessible with Princess’ Plus or Premier drink packages (or you’ll be able to get them organized a la carte and not using a package deal), they don’t seem to be included within the Zero Alcohol package deal.

The road’s Zero Alcohol package deal consists of mocktails, in addition to specialty or premium coffees and teas, sizzling chocolate, fountain and canned soda, contemporary juices and smoothies, bottled water, Purple Bull and bottled water (glowing and flat).

Royal Caribbean

Cruisers on Royal Caribbean sailings could have an ideal choice of nonalcoholic drinks. The road first added a zero-proof menu to its fleet in 2021 and has since curated a artistic menu of specialty mocktails and added it to every bar’s drink menu. Among the many accessible drinks are the All Aboard Spritz, with lime juice, cranberry juice, desert pear syrup and membership soda; the Blueberry Nojito, with blueberry puree, lime juice, easy syrup and contemporary mint; and the Tropical Crush, a mix of pineapple juice, mango and Purple Bull Yellow Version. Zero-proof cocktails are priced at $7.

The road’s Refreshment Package and Deluxe Beverage Package embrace mocktails (together with premium coffees and teas, freshly squeezed juices, bottled water and milkshakes from Johnny Rockets). Buy a Royal Caribbean drink package deal on-line upfront of crusing for one of the best costs.

Seabourn

In 2024, Seabourn rolled out a strong new zero-proof mixology program referred to as Zero @ Sea. This system debuted a powerful choice of artistic alcohol-free variations of standard cocktails.

The menu options the Amalfi Spritz, made with nonalcoholic rose wine and Lyre’s Italian Orange; a Ginny ‘n Tonic, with Optimist Vivid (a botanical-forward alcohol-free spirit), grapefruit and elderflower; and Ginger Blossom, with Seedlip Groove 42 (a citrus-flavored nonalcoholic spirit), elderflower and ginger ale, amongst different mocktails.

Zero @ Sea cocktails can be found fleetwide in all bars and lounges aboard the ships. Moreover, Seabourn upgraded its choice of nonalcoholic wines, glowing wines and beers, offering extra choices for passengers who do not drink alcohol. Seabourn’s cruise fares embrace premium wines and spirits, plus Zero @ Sea cocktails.

Silversea Cruises

Identified for its SALT (Sea and Land Style) culinary program, luxurious line Silversea Cruises places as a lot consideration into what passengers drink because it does into what they eat. That ethos flows into its artistic mocktail choices.

Dubbed “Zero Levels however equally as scrumptious,” the road’s designated alcohol-free menu lists refreshing signature drinks made with nonalcoholic distilled spirits like Seedlip and Martini Vibrante. Choices embrace Latitude, a botanical-forward and smoky beverage made with Seedlip Backyard 108, Seedlip Grove 42, pink grapefruit, honey, lime and Amalfi lime tonic; and Equatorial, a citrusy, fizzy mocktail that blends Martini Vibrante, orange and pink citrus tonic.

Every of the road’s bar menus encompasses a choice of zero-proof cocktails on the final web page.

Silversea’s all-inclusive mannequin means passengers can take pleasure in complimentary drinks, together with zero-proof cocktails, anyplace on the ship with out buying a separate drink package deal to take action.

Virgin Voyages

It may be shocking that an adults-only cruise line that gives the power to get a bottle of Champagne with a easy shake of your cellphone would have such sturdy mocktail choices. Nevertheless, lots of the 20-plus eating venues on Virgin Voyages‘ Scarlet Girl, Valiant Girl and Resilient Girl provide separate drink menus that function handcrafted mocktails. It’s also possible to order spirit-free variations of traditional favorites like pina coladas, bloody marys and Moscow mules all through the ships.

The road’s Check Kitchen options an intensive mocktail menu curated by mixologist Julia Momosé, James Beard Award-winning creator and the brainchild behind Kumiko, Chicago’s acclaimed Japanese eating bar. Visitors may take pleasure in nonalcoholic choices in the course of the afternoon excessive tea service within the Sip Lounge.

The road would not promote conventional drink packages. Nevertheless, cruisers can prepurchase a Bar Tab (you’ll be able to’t purchase it when you’re on the ship) to make use of for themselves or purchase a spherical for fellow passengers. You should purchase the tab in increments of $100, $200 or $300 and use it to purchase fresh-pressed juices, barista-crafted specialty coffees and mocktails.

If you happen to’re in restoration and planning to take a cruise, search for “Friends of Bill W.” gatherings in your cruise line’s each day actions e-newsletter.

Invoice W. refers to Invoice Wilson, one of many founders of Alcoholics Nameless. “Mates of Invoice W.” is code for AA conferences, offering recovering alcoholics help throughout their sailings, particularly in the event that they discover it difficult to be round others consuming alcohol. Most sailings provide these meetups on board.

Whereas reserving a standard cruise may be superb for some, others would possibly want to be part of a gaggle of like-minded vacationers. If that is you, take into account reserving your cruise by way of a journey firm that focuses on sober cruising packages. These itineraries transcend onboard Mates of Invoice W. conferences and have extra programming like particular restoration audio system, workshops and occasions that help an alcohol-free way of life.

Sober Celebrations, Travel Sober, One Day at a Time Cruises, Sober Vacations International and Hooked are just a few firms price trying out. By way of them, you may discover itineraries on cruise traces like Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, AmaWaterways, MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises to varied locations. Itineraries embrace Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Christmas market river cruises are additionally accessible.