Sober Cruises for Like-Minded Travellers
We host sober cruise experiences on regular ships, bringing together small groups of like-minded travellers who want the option of an alcohol-free holiday without compromise. Enjoy outstanding dining, inspiring destinations, and world-class entertainment, alongside a welcoming mix of guests who value presence, connection, and ease.
Designed for people who choose not to drink, and the friends and family they travel with — whether or not they drink themselves.
Mark Carlin, 22 years sober and a certified CCAR recovery coach, designs our cruises to be supportive, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable for every guest. His expertise has been published in The Sober Curator, a leading online publication on sober culture, recovery, and alcohol-free living.
Expert knowledge from lived experience
What Is a Sober Cruise?(And What It Isn't)
A sober cruise is not about removing alcohol from the ship.
It's about creating a different kind of experience by travelling as part of a sober group.
A sober cruise is:
- A regular cruise holiday on a mainstream cruise line
- Travelling with a small, like-minded group centred around an alcohol-free experience
- Optional alcohol-free social spaces and group meet-ups
- Freedom to enjoy ports, shows, dining, and relaxation without pressure to drink
A sober cruise is not:
- A dry ship or private charter
- A rehab programme or recovery retreat
- A meeting-led holiday
Max 25
Guests
What Makes a Sober CruiseDifferent
A sober cruise isn't about restriction.
It's about intention.
When you travel as part of a sober group, you experience cruising differently:
A shared commitment to alcohol-free living
No awkward explanations or social pressure
Optional group gatherings, meals, and activities
Space to enjoy the ship and destinations fully present
Next Sailing — Featured Sober Cruise
From
£1,445
per person
Virgin Voyages · Mediterranean · August 2026
Join a supportive group of sober travellers on a Virgin Voyages Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona in August 2026. Visit stunning ports including Palma, Marseille, Cannes and Tuscany. Enjoy exceptional dining across multiple restaurants, wellness facilities, gyms, yoga and fitness classes, and world-class entertainment.
Payment plans available · Book with confidence · Small group experience
About The Sober Cruise
The Sober Cruise exists because there are thousands of people who love travel — and even cruising — but no longer want alcohol to be the centre of their holiday.
We create sober cruise experiences on mainstream cruise ships, bringing together people who have chosen an alcohol-free life and want connection, ease, and enjoyment without explanation or pressure.
Built From Lived Experience
Run by people with long-term personal and professional experience of sobriety and peer support, combined with specialist cruise industry knowledge.
A Holiday First
Not a retreat. Not a programme. A holiday. Some guests join group meals daily; others simply enjoy knowing the group is there. Both are equally welcome.
Support When You Want It
Daily Friends of Bill W (AA) meetings available. Attendance is entirely optional. Support is present if you want it — invisible if you don't.
Expert Team
Alongside lived experience of alcohol-free living, the team includes a Virgin Voyages–approved travel agent, with first-hand experience of how the ships operate, how itineraries work, and how to design cruise holidays that genuinely suit sober travellers.
Thoughtful Design
This combined perspective shapes every decision we make — from the cruise lines we work with to the way group activities are offered: light-touch, optional, and designed to feel supportive without being intrusive.
What We're Not
Not a treatment programme — We don't offer therapy, clinical support, or structured recovery sessions.
Not a therapy group — While support is available, this isn't a group counseling experience.
Not a structured retreat — You have complete freedom over your schedule and how you spend your time.
Our cruises are holidays first.
Join us for as much or as little group interaction as feels right for you.
Is a Sober Cruise Right for You?
Your Choice
Your Holiday
Who a Sober Cruise Is For
People in recovery
People who no longer drink for health or personal reasons
Solo travellers and couples
Those newly sober or with decades behind them
Who It May Not Be Right For (Yet)
If you're not yet comfortable being around alcohol in social settings, this may not be the right time. These are regular cruise ships where alcohol is visible, even though you travel with a sober group.
Many people choose to talk this through with a sponsor or trusted friend before booking.
Ready to explore your next sober cruise adventure?
What Happens on a
Sober Cruise
Experience a sober cruise on a regular ship
Sail with a small (max 25), hosted group on a world-class cruise ship, visiting popular destinations and enjoying the full onboard experience — dining, entertainment, and activities — while staying alcohol-free and supported by a like-minded community.
On Your Sober Cruise
Destination-Led Itineraries
Carefully curated routes to enriching ports, designed specifically for alcohol-free travel.
World-Class Dining
Exceptional cuisine and entertainment, with social life centered around meals and shared experiences.
Wellness Facilities
Modern gyms, yoga, fitness classes, and quiet reflection spaces for your wellbeing.
Hosted Meetups
Optional daily gatherings and group activities fostering connection with like-minded travellers.
Complete Flexibility
Explore ports independently or engage with the supportive sober group at your own pace.
Our approach creates an alcohol‑free cruise experience that feels natural, relaxed, and genuinely enjoyable — never pressured, never performative. It's a sober cruise holiday that lets you travel freely, confidently, and fully present.
Discover Our Sober SailingsFrequently Asked Questions About Sober Cruises
Find answers to the most common questions about travelling on a sober cruise
A sober cruise is a cruise holiday designed for people who choose to travel alcohol-free. You sail on a regular cruise ship as part of a small sober group, enjoying destinations, dining, entertainment, and onboard activities without alcohol being the focus.
Support begins before you sail, with optional WhatsApp group access and pre-cruise Zoom calls so you can connect with others ahead of time. During the cruise, there are hosted meet-ups and optional group activities designed to feel supportive, relaxed, and inclusive.
Yes. These are regular cruise ships where alcohol is available. The sober cruise experience comes from travelling with a like-minded sober group and having alcohol-free social options built into the holiday.
No. All group activities are optional. You are free to enjoy the cruise in whatever way suits you.
No. Most sailings include daily Friends of Bill W (AA) meetings, but attendance is entirely your choice. The Sober Cruise is independent and not affiliated with AA or any recovery organisation. Some guests choose to attend Friends of Bill W meetings onboard, while others simply enjoy an alcohol-free holiday environment.
Guests enjoy everything available on a standard cruise, including shore excursions, world-class dining, live shows, fitness classes, wellness facilities, pools, and social events. Sober group meet-ups provide additional opportunities to connect without pressure.
Groups are intentionally kept small (max 25) and vary by sailing. This creates a supportive, social atmosphere without feeling overly structured or restrictive.
People who don't drink enjoy cruises by exploring destinations, focusing on food and entertainment, staying active, relaxing, and socialising. On a sober cruise, these experiences feel more natural because alcohol is not central to the group dynamic.
Yes. Many of our guests travel with partners or friends who still drink. The Sober Cruise focuses on creating alcohol-free group spaces and activities for those who choose not to drink. Outside of these hosted spaces, guests are free to enjoy the ship in whatever way feels right for them. What matters most is a shared respect for the alcohol-free environment we create together.
No. Drinks packages are optional and never required for sober cruise guests. Some cruise lines we work with, including Virgin Voyages, do not offer unlimited drinks packages, making it easier to enjoy an alcohol-free cruise without added cost or pressure.
Still have questions? We're here to help.
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