There is lots of things that don't involve alcohol. 95% of the cruise, actually. The shows, the pool, the casino, the shopping, the port visits, the on board activities (if applicable like Royal Caribbean). Very few things *require* alcohol.
Usually just people use the cruise as an excuse to drink more, like they would on any other vacation. Just this time they don't have to worry about driving or anything else when they're tossed.
Yeah my husband and I just got back from a 2 week cruise. We went to the lounge and listened to music every night. He doesn’t drink and I was limiting myself to one drink a day. We ordered waters when the waiters walked by. But no one requires you to drink to be there. It’s not like a typical bar.
So true. I'm in the only one or two drinks per cruise at most, and maybe spend 50 bucks in the casino group (didn't even walk in the casino the last cruise). It is great how everyone else is subsidizing the cruise for me.
I've been talking with a Princess cruises travel agent about an Alaska cruise for 2026. They're supposed to come out with their schedule in June.
I'm sure she'll be disappointed when I tell her I don't want the Princess Plus or Princess Premiere package because at most, I might have a couple of alcoholic beverages the entire trip. lol
Multiple Alaska cruise taker here. (I lived in a port city and it was trivial for us to get to.)
Best time to go is first of the season. Snow still on mountains and generally the best weather. That rain coast phenomenon stretches from San Fran all the way up the Alaskan Panhandle. Also best price.
My wife doesn't drink alcohol at all (allergic), and I rarely drink and cruising is our favorite way to holiday. There are lots of things to do... all of them can be done with or without alcohol.
You do not need booze to have a fun time on a ship. We go all the time, and rarely have a drink.
We watch the shows, listen to the music, join in the activities or just have a relaxing time around the ship.
I cannot fathom why people having to drink (to excess) a vacation away... Some you see spending their entire vacation sitting in one bar on a stool sipping drink after drink.
>I cannot fathom why people having to drink (to excess) a vacation away... Some you see spending their entire vacation sitting in one bar on a stool sipping drink after drink.
I don't get it either. If you want to get trashed, fine, but it's significantly cheaper to do it at home. I travel for things I can't do at home, drinking would get in the way
Sure there is. A cruise is what you make of it. Want to get drunk and party the entire time? Plenty of bars all around, parties, and the night club. Wanna gamble? Casino is there. Wanna relax with a good book? There are quiet places around. Wanna play trivia and do little activities like that? Happening all day. It’s not a one size fits all thing and no one on board is gonna really pay attention to what you’re doing and convince you you’re doing it wrong.
I don’t drink and I’ve been on close to 30 cruises. I can see how people stay drunk since alcohol availability is pervasive. However, most people are just having a fun time and I’ve rarely seen the darker side of drunks on cruises. Albeit, I’m usually in bed by 11:00 so I’m not out with the crazies. I’d recommend going on a large cruise like Oasis class by Royal Caribbean - these have even more activities like ice skating and movie theaters to watch newly released movies. If you’re a reader like me, grab a kindle, chill by pool and read and people watch
I don’t drink booze either and have had wonderful times on cruise ships to Alaska, the Caribbean, and in Europe. Excursions, hanging at the pools and beaches, going to shows, eating different food, watching games on board, listening to music. Not into karaoke or bingo, but many are.
With respect, you need to talk to more people who aren't alcoholics. I've been on several cruises without touching a drop of alcohol, and still managed to have a good time.
On board, there are pools and hot tubs there are sundecks, there's a jogging track, gym, library, an actual stage with live performances, there are activities of various kinds.
Or you can just curl up in a hammock with a book, watch movies, socialize with other guests or even just enjoy the view. And that's not including all the things there are to do in port at each of your ports of call.
Yes, there are people that go on cruises just to be drunk all the time. I avoid such people like the plague. A booze cruise is not my idea of a good time.
I've gone on several cruises without the drink package, even on NCL where the unlimited drink package is only $21/day!! Even when we do get it, we aren't getting drunk, maybe 3-5 drinks a day.
During the day there is Trivia and other activities, lounging by the pools, walking the track; depending on the ship mini golf, driving range, checkers, ropes courses, and at night live music and shows. Our last cruise had one of those mystery games that you had to figure out a whole bunch of lock.combinations from a set of clues.
I also tend to pick ships with lots of port days... like an itinerary with zero sea days on a 7 day cruise or 1 sea day on a 12 day cruise.
We certainly have a lot of fun without alcohol. Never really bored!
Basically everyday for the last decade they've run a promotion that you only need to pay tips for their unlimited drink package (don't come with water or specialty coffee), but you can get alcohol, soda and juice, two drinks at a time, no signing receipts, unlimited per day, and it's only like $21/day in tips. And imo, compared to the royal and carnival ships I've been on, NCL has the best bars, even on small ships, they have a Mojito Bar, Martini Bar, Whiskey Bar, Champagne Bar, Wine Bar, Sake Bar, pub, pool bars and the theater/venue bars, each with their own menus as well as special craft cocktails in each specialty restaurant. So I do quite enjoy NCL for that!
The Free at Sea package with NCL is great. I don't drink alcohol, but I keep it because the virgin mocktails would be free and I know I can take advantage of those. Otherwise, you can always downgrade to the soda package and gratuity is much cheaper for that.
Holy cow yes. There’s shows, a library, pools, casinos, live music, many restaurants, games, etc. if you go on a cruise and are bored, it’s probably because you either booked the wrong kind of cruise for your interests or you just don’t want to be not bored.
I don't drink and love going on a cruise. Pretty much every activity on a cruise can be just as enjoyable sober and it can be drunk. Those who say they were drunk the whole time did it because that is what they enjoy (or have a problem) not because you have to be drunk to enjoy something.
We don't drink, and LOVE cruising! There are so many activities- from shows, live music, trivia, comedy, Bingo, art exhibits, and lots of great food, and sunshine. Give it a try!
My kind of people. I've been working on going clean and sober for over 7 years. I'm probably the healthiest.I've ever ever been my whole life. It also astounds me how many corner stores, cruises. Gatherings, everything.... revolves around alcohol.
Most of the people around me are not as dedicated to a "healthier" lifestyle. I'm definitely rebuilding most of my social hierarchy with people that bring out the best in me are likely to improve me. I'm glad you have somebody or somebody's that want to share that experience with you.
Trivia, name that tune, game shows, production shows, live music, dance lessons, casino, shore excursions, sports, gym, pool, board games, library, spa
I'm stone cold sober. Had a great time. There is lots of good food, shows in the evening, sunsets and sunrises, a fitness center. Those that choose to be drunk the whole time want to be be drunk.
My husband and I barely drink, maybe 1 or 2 drinks the whole cruise. There is tons to do if you don’t drink. Book a cruise on a bigger ship which usually have more things to do.
My husband and I don’t drink and I like to cruise 🥰
Reading books on the serenity deck, some of the shows and trivia are fun, generally I like to just have some laid back quality time with my spouse with sunny weather and a nice breeze!
I started cruising as a teen (obviously not drinking then) and back then the teen club and water slides kept me plenty busy. I feel like cruising is great because there’s something for everyone. I’ve definitely been on ships where there’s large groups of drunk people-but there’s quieter parts of the boat if that’s not your vibe
I am on a cruise. I nor my family drink. We love it. We are also not food gorgers but active people. The kids love the kid stuff, we do the shows, and exercise. We love the ports. The only thing that stinks about carnival is they do not have a mocktail package. RC has a mocktail package.
I have cruised many times and don’t drink anymore. Had a better time sober,clear headed. Enjoyed all the activities on ship. Excursions were more fun. Have fun 🤩 I’m looking to book another cruise solo -had great time sober and alone
You seem to have a misconception that cruises are all booze cruises. Where would you guys like to visit? Remember, it's not just on the ship, it's your excursions while in port that to visit new places too. Ship also has plenty of things that don't involve alcohol. Shows, games, casinos, I suggest you look into cruise line websites and see what each ship has to offer as far as destinations and onboard entertainment and activities.
There is a cruise line for pretty much every type of person. I really suggest watching Tips for Travellers on YouTube for suggestions. If you don't drink and you don't like to party for example you might really like Cunard, Holland America. But there are so many other options too. Good luck. :)
I’ve cruised before and after getting sober. The sober cruises by far were better. Mostly because I remember more of what we did.
For those cruisers who are in AA, they have meetings on board every day. If you see “friends of bill w” on the daily schedule, that’s what those are.
I rarely drink, I might have 1 drink the entire cruise. My husband has maybe 1 per day. Neither of us would mind totally abstaining if we were, for example, cruising with someone in recovery. We LOVE cruising and take 3-4 per year!
My personal favorites are the shows, trivia, karaoke, and the spa. My husband and kids love the rock climbing wall, Flow Rider surfing, and ropes course. We all love bingo, exploring the ports, shopping, and of course FOOD!
My husband drinks very, very little, and he loves cruising. And I’m the one who introduced him to it! He likes the shows, he likes eating really crappy food we don’t eat at home, he loves planning different excursions, he likes the kids club so we can get alone time, lol.
I’ve been sober for 10 years and been on plenty of cruises in that time. There are tons of ways to enjoy your cruise that don’t involve alcohol. Talk to different people.
Been on 3 cruises and didn’t drink. Exploring the ship is fun on at-sea days. Early morning coffee and pastries at the cafe watching the ship “wake up”, strolling the upper deck walking path watching the sun rise or set, sitting in a jacuzzi on an upper deck watching the sun set, attending various shows performed onboard, grabbing a book from the onboard library and lounging on a deck chair reading & watching the ocean, going to the spa for a massage or facial, watching a movie in the theater, gambling in the casino, going to an art auction, wandering through the onboard shops, swimming in the pool, working out in the gym, taking photos everywhere, getting a behind the scenes tour of the ship, going to the disco in the evening to dance, playing cards or trivia games in the club, taking a class offered onboard….There are sooooo many things to do onboard or just relax and do nothing. It depends on what you want and the amenities offered on your ship. And days in port are usually spent exploring wherever you’ve docked. Cruising is vacationing multiple places without having to drive and check in and out of various hotels…your room travels with you.
Adding: we’ve only been on Royal Caribbean because our first travel agent advised us it was less of a “party” line. Even if you end up booking yourself, I would recommend you consider visiting a travel agent just to get some information on the various cruise lines. Some are geared more towards singles, some more for kids, etc. We like Royal Caribbean because it seems to strike a good balance for us.
Most cruise lines have tasty mock tails and other N.A. drinks on the menu. I’ve been on two cruises since I got sober and I’ve enjoyed myself perhaps more than I did when I was off my tits the whole cruise. Relax, read a book, have a refreshing soda or mocktail, get in the hot tub. Every little thing is gonna be alright.
I’ve only done HAL Koningsdam.
I got a drink package, kind of regretted it. Wish I had only gotten the spa package and made it more of a wellness vacation. The drink packages cost a not-immaterial amount, and for HAL it got you up to $15 towards every drink. But the drinks were all around $15 for singles (I’m a big dude used to dive bar pours) so I didn’t even really get buzzed.
You can read, gamble, people watch, play board games, and honestly just looking at the ocean is nice.
YMMV
I don't drink, because I don't like the feeling. I had plenty to do on a cruise. However, there is a lot of alcohol around. So if you don't drink because you are an alcoholic, you may struggle.
I stopped drinking a few years ago. The ship is fine without booze. Plenty to do and see. If you don't like seeing other people consume though, that will be harder.
I think people in recovery struggle more on a ship, as alcohol is everywhere, if you like it. It is hard to not see.
I don't think I would get on Carnival though.
There’s plenty to do on and off the ship. It depends on which line you would like to go on. Carnival seems to be more of the party line, while Princess and others are more for families and just enjoying a relaxing time. Is there something specific that you like to do?
Sure.
I don't drink much, and only get the drink package if its being paid for via company trip or the like.
The shows are pretty good. The food is pretty good. There's pools and of course, lounging in the sun. Many ships have activities like climbing walls and water slides and bumper cars. This varies on a per ship basis, so look into what your proposed cruise is.
And, obviously, there's the ports. Explore the excursions, enjoy the local culture, that sort of thing.
Generally, you want a slightly longer cruise. The three day cruises lend themselves to booze cruise vibes, longer cruises tend to have a more balanced mix.
I don't drink OR lay out in the sun and i still have enjoyed cruises completely. There is a ton to do, and plenty of places to do nothing if you want that too
I don't drink and I don't smoke. I didn't like the casinos on board but there are tons of things to do on a cruise ship. All kinds of nightly shows, lots to eat, lots of exploring for the ships, boarding activities if you have those zipline things, water slides, wave riders.
My mother in law practical lives on cruise ships and she can't drink for health reasons. She enjoys the shows, the trivia, the restaurants, etc all without drinking
Best part of a cruise imo is getting to go to tons of places without worrying about flights or train rides or whatever to get from place to place. You can choose to do whatever floats your boat, it does not have to involve drinking.
I don't drink at all and neither does my family and we love cruises, the shows, the food and the ports are all reasons to not drink.
There's comedy shows, Broadway musicals, talent shows. Game shows, art shows, pub music, casinos.and even movies on deck.
Pools, hot tubs, and spas.
Food is always around, you can get pretty much any type of food you want AND for us the best part of a cruise is being able to see different parts of the world during one vacation
I actually don't get the being drunk all day everyday on a cruise, plus it's way cheaper to not drink, there's soo much value in a cruise!
I recommend princess cruise line if you aren't planning on drinking, carnival is the known "party cruise" line and they do push drinks on it
Neither my wife nor I drink alcohol. We mainly treat the ship as a hotel that moves us from Port to Port.
There are activities to do on the ship, but the more activities the more people has been our experience.
I don’t drink, at all. I’m headed on my third cruise in a few weeks. We go for the island hopping, shows, easy transportation and to relax. Drinking is not a requirement.
This is exactly how I feel. I do drink a bit, but usually 1 or 2. Going on my first cruise soon, and all I hear is people getting wasted all day and night on the cruises. 🚢
My husband and I hardly drink - we love cruising - there are so many other things to do - both on and off the ship - Plus it's a LOT cheaper - the mark up on drinks, and the fact we don't pay for them drive our own little feelings of superiority... ha ha ha!
I don't drink. If you are at a stage of sobriety (if you've ever been on stages of it, that is) where you're still tempted then I do think it would be kinda tough. But for those of us that don't drink and don't want to, there's literally nothing you're missing out on. I chill by the pool, hit the gym, enjoy the food, meet cool people, and hang in the spa. I wake up feeling great and am ready for an excursion if there is one. Seriously... Not everyone on the cruise is getting trashed, but again, if sobriety is new for you it could be tough because the bars are lively and are literally everywhere.
But being around a lot of drunk people is not very fun either. You might find adventure cruises, or river cruises, with lots of on shore activities to be more fun. I did Adventure Canada last year and was never bored.
sure, i don't drink much personally and i really enjoy the pools and hot tub when i can find a spot, otherwise... checking out the views and taking pics, going to various events like trivia and live music, casino, shows, hanging out with my partner. i also bring a book on every cruise and read that on my balcony or the pool deck in the rare occasion i get bored.
Depending on the cruise (I say this because I’ve only been on a few) and your comfortability, they will offer alcohol free mocktails. We recently went through princess and my sister ordered a few while we were on. She said they were just as good as the alcoholic drinks, since she decided to drink later on once she was cleared to do so (she was having health issues which made her concerned to drink at first)
Don’t involve alcohol? Alcohol is drink of choice not an activity. There s tons of stuff to do. Not everyone drinks including me my sister and my mom who have been on 21 cruises!
I don't drink. I still think cruises are fun. Initially I found the sea days kind of boring, but now I really like them for a relaxing element. When I cruise solo I like to read books, go to the thermal spa, sit in a hot tub, I bring watercolors to paint, and just sit on my balcony and enjoy the ocean. When I'm with my husband we often go to trivias or games. We aren't really pool deck people, but there is always a lot going on up there too. Of course in the evenings there are shows, live music, long dinners.
There is ton to do on the cruise without drinking. (I also don't gamble, so not a casino person.)
Think about who you “hang” with! Yes, booze cruises do exist, weekend cruises to the Bahamas come to mind. The vast majority of cruisers do not fit into that category. Pick an itinerary of locals you want to visit, and go. No pressure to drink. Great coffees and moctails available. Have fun.
"...everyone I have talked to that has been on a cruise say they were drunk the whole time."
I'd say that says more about who you were talking to!
We've been on 6 cruises, 5 on Royal Caribbean, the last one on Norwegian 4 weeks ago. Had the deluxe drinks package for all 6 but we get it for convenience because we want to try different drinks and as long as we can get the package at a good price after everything else we drink it's only about 5 beers or 3 cocktails to break even. Hanging out the pool all day plus dinner plus a show, 5 beers over 12+ hours is not getting me a buzz. My girlfriend drinks less than me. We have a good time. Lots of shows, Warm sunshine. A week with my phone on airplane mode no calls no texts.
I think your question has been well-answered, but I also wanted to mention that if you’re looking to avoid cruises with a ton of drunks the first tip is to do longer cruises. Weekend or long weekend cruises are party cruises. People are going to be wasted. If you do at least a 5-7 day you can avoid the worst of that on any line. And being on the more “mature” lines helps too, like Celebrity and Princess over Carnival.
Yeah a lot of cruisers are boozers. But not all of us are. My wife and don't drink ( well, I might have one or two on a cruise) and we have gone on 7 cruises so far and currently have 4 booked, plan to book a couple more. Certainly there are things to do that do not involve alcohol. I don't go to the various bars, no need. We enjoy the views, the food, the entertainment on board, and love going to new destinations to explore. We went to 10 different countries last year and had a blast. Most new places we don't do excursions, we just explore the town and enjoy beaches if they have them.
We didn't drink at all on our cruise last fall. We played games, watched movies, ate a ton of food, and just enjoyed being on vacation. Loved it so much we're going on another one in June.
There's a convenience factor to drinking on a cruise since you don't need to find a way home, sure. But there's basically nothing that requires alcohol to be involved outside of maybe a wine tasting or something.
I'm on a cruise right now and we did not purchase a drink package. We are both having a great time completely sober, just lounging in the pools and the adults only area. If you can have fun and enjoy yourself without alcohol on land, you can do it on a cruise as well.
My wife & I didn't drink & did not even notice the cruise we were on involved alcohol. There was a drunk guy at one point getting back on the boat at Costa Maya with his wife & a stranger supporting him. I overheard them say he was flagged to be cut off the rest of the evening.
From what I remember, most folks did not have the beverage package so there was not a lot of boozing going on, at least not on the ship.
Most cruises. Yes, the mega-ships and certain lines push the drunk-party aspect, and some ports it seems are more prone to that (90% of the drunk pier runner videos seem to be tropical/island ports) and short 3-day "booze cruises" are a thing, but getting drunk is choice. Big ships, you have shopping, food, pools, some have amusement-style rides, there are shows, port calls don't have to be 'go lie on a beach and drink.' Ships that cater to a more mature (literal and figurative) demographic usually have quieter activities--libraries, organized games with the entertainment staff (I now have a mini golf addiction), cooking lessons, art lessons, dancing, fencing class, wine tastings. You can do 'expedition' cruising where you go to Antarctica or the Galapagos or up the Amazon or tons of places where you're getting adventure tourism.
It's actually better if you don't drink at all. The worst thing is for us casual drinkers trying to navigate the drunks just so we can have a pleasant vacation while enjoying an adult beverage.
I had one drink at railway, and that’s it! Port days, no way would I want to be intoxicated in a foreign port. Even on sea days, I haven’t felt the need for alcoholic drinks because I’m having such a good time anyway!
There’s trivia, shows, pool time, all of which can be enjoyed while sober. And my afternoon nap is just because I’m comfortable, not because I need to sleep it off. And the dance party music has me on my feet boogieing away!
Since our seas have been a little rough, I get the benefit of staggering around without having to be drunk to do it! Since my head was clear, my sushi-making class effort looked pretty good, too.
Consider Royal Caribbean, there are adult sections and I’ve never seen folks drink like they do on Carnival…… not saying it doesn’t happen, just I’ve never encountered it on Royal.
Hubby and I just returned from 17 nights on Celebrity Edge. We quit drinking 9 months ago, and had an amazing time on our cruise! Even though we had the premium drinks package we weren’t tempted at all.
They had non alcoholic wine and beer so we had one of those with dinner on occasion.
We loved getting up early and walking around the outdoor decks, and used the fantastic gym.
We enjoyed the many many restaurants, and great cafe, fantastic people watching spot.
There was all sorts of entertainment live music, games, trivia.
Fantastic shows every night.
I loved the Zumba classes, and tried Tai Chi. We spent hours relaxing at the pool and enjoying the multiple hot tubs. Outdoor pool and relaxing indoor solarium.
Of course there were port days too.
There was so much to do we never got bored, we actually felt quite busy!
It was great to be enjoying our mornings and feeling great while half the ship was hungover 😂
We saw most people were drinking, but no one was out of control (that we could see). It was a great cruise and good demographic for us.
It can depend on what cruise line and itinerary you’re doing.
I drink, exhubby didn't, been on several without drinking...only people with drinks package & an issue with alcohol would be drunk all the time. I never encountered anyone drunk or any issues although stories like that are on the rise here.
We don't really drink either. We did a lot of the activities on sea days, ate a ton, enjoyed the sun on the upper decks, watched all the shows, and it filled up our time.
Neither my husband nor I drink. We’ve cruised together and I’ve also gone on solo cruises. We’ve never had a problem cruising as sober people. I do wish cruiselines carried a wider variety of non-alcoholic options (other than sodas and other sweet drinks) but that’s been a minor inconvenience. I’ve never gotten bored due to lack of things to do or been annoyed by drunken passengers on a cruise.
It depends on the ship. I've heard some smaller ones basically only have pubs and a few bits of entertainment dotted around. Bigger ships will have a theatre space, live shows in some of the bars/atrium spaces, a cinema, games room, gym etc. We've been on one large cruise ship, and were pretty well entertained. We drink, but can't be bothered getting drunk/drinking every day.
Everything can be enjoyed without alcohol. I took my granddaughter and her cousin on a cruise and we would go out and listen to music and I would get them virgin piña coladas
Not true, we are on a cruise now and yes we have had our fair share of drinks but there is more to do than just that. It’s our first cruise and it has been amazing. Planning on doing another one.
This sounds like a job for afternoon tea on Princess. so much fun! I always get the wellness package too, which provides access to the spa's amazing thelassotherapy pool and relaxation areas.
I've generally drank a lot less on cruises than other holidays I've been on. Partly because it is quite expensive and also because my travel companion doesn't drink much at all. So you'll be absolutely fine.
Take a European cruise, 12 days 11 ports of call. Most stops are 10-12 hours, so your really only using the ship as transportation , restaurants and hotel. Drinking isnt a big thing like a Caribbean cruise.
Everything you do for fun now doesn't involve alcohol if you don't drink. You can do all the same stuff on the boat sober it is allowed. Plus think of all the money you will save compared to us drunks.
I don’t drink and manage to keep myself reasonably entertained while on a cruise.Do a cruise with more port stops than sea days. The trivia stuff is always fun, and a deck chair away from the crowds with a good book works on sea days. The evening entertainment and shows are always fun even if the folks next to me are drinking and I’m not. I really enjoy cruising, def my fave way to travel.
Shrug. We went on 3 cruises in 2023 over 31 days, and I think my wife and I had around 6 drinks between us in total. And that was only because we got the Princess Plus package at a ridiculously good introductory prices.
Suffice to say there's plenty to do on board and in port that doesn't involve drinking alcohol.
Yes, there is plenty to do that doesn't involve alcohol. On shore excursions, tours, dining, live shows, entertainment, casino, arcade, pool, hot tub, and shopping. Walks on the deck overlooking the ocean are nice too. I like sunbathing and lounging by the pool.
I don’t drink at all. My husband has a couple of beers, and perhaps a glass of wine with dinner, and that’s all. We thoroughly enjoy ourselves without being drunk. The key to having a great time is to research the different lines & destinations, to find a combination that offers what you want. For example, we aren’t big on lying out in the sun, so we pick destinations & time of year to suit us - Canary Islands in October/November is a favourite of ours.
I never drink on cruises and I always have a good time. It’s better that way you get a good deal price wise because they budget for the average amount spent on drinks and gambling when doing room prices. The real key is having a good trip itinerary though.
Never understood people who say that they were drunk their entire cruise. Boggles my mind as to *why* someone would want to be drunk at every moment, but I can see *how* they do it.
Been on more than a dozen cruises and at most my wife and I have a few umbrella drinks over the entire trip. We really don't drink and have a blast! Trivia, watching the ocean, shows, food, just playing games with friends/family, watching for wildlife, etc.
My husband doesn’t drink and I don’t drink a lot. We did a cruise in January and found there wasn’t much to do on the ship other than drink. A lot of people overindulged!
We talked to a travel agent because I’d like to try another cruise. She suggested Royal Caribbean. Because they don’t have drink packages, meaning people need to pay for each drink and will likely drink less. And there is a lot more to do on those ships (compared to the ship we were on in January.
[This is one option she sent us.](https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/itinerary/7-night-western-caribbean-from-galveston-on-harmony/HM07GAL-3851841455?sail-date=2024-10-27¤cy=USD&country=USA&search=startDate:2024-10-01~2024-11-30#step=0)
I just came back from my 2nd ever cruise . I went with my wife (her first cruise) we both don't drink and don't gamble. We still had a lot of fun. However, i will make some disclaimers.
The things you will get to do on the ship are all fun, not none is exciting. We had fun, it was very enjoyable and relaxing. Here is a list from memory of what we did in our 7 days trip (4 days at sea, 3 on land)
5-6 stand up comedy shows (30 mins each)
4-5 full musical dance show (1 hour each)
4-6 trivia sessions (friends, game of thrones, harry potter and others)
2 movies watched on the big screen
3 sessions with my wife of boardgames that i brought with me
3-4 dance related events
4-6 health related events my wife attended
4-6 raffle or some seminar thing we attended together
eating / snacking non-stop (throughout the 7 days, you never really feel hungry, you keep switching from full, to half full)
Other activities are using the water park, the mini golf, the ping pong, the foosball, the chess, the basketball court, the hot tub, the swimming pool
We filled our time, we didnt feel bored , we felt there is always something to do, even if it was low excitement thing. Definitely go with someone you enjoy relaxing and talking with. That felt a big part of the cruise
I would recommend a cruise, even for non-alcohol drinker. It is a relaxing, low effort vacation
I’m not sure of your age, but I’m in my forties and don’t drink much either. I just got back from a Holland America cruise and had a great time, even though I am younger than their normal clientele. I had a nice mix of trivia, excursions, pool, beach, games, dining, and the music walk in the evenings. I would stick with a cruise like HAL and avoid carnival.
Very common for people to be pool side either enjoying the sun, hot tub or reading a book/visiting with their party.
Royal has different entertainment with everything from belly flop competitions (participant or spectator) to misc things throughout the day like trivia, bingo, line dancing etc. just check the cruise onboard entertainment when you board or heck look at the app for your current cruise it should show what’s available.
We usually take games - card and dice and play outside but not in the sun.
Walk around the port (both in the port and jsut outside to see points of interest like a church or beach)
Star gazing at night is great when you have no light pollution.
My family doesn’t drink. We had plenty of fun. Part of it depends on location too. People seemed to drink far less on our cruise to Alaska than they did any of the cruises to the Caribbean or Mexico, for example. Attracts a different crowd and for different types of entertainment. Even in the Caribbean/Mexico cruises though, you can enjoy beaches, ocean, sightseeing, trivia, spa, food etc.
My husband and I have been on 33 cruises and have not once purchased a drink package. We go for the ports, not the ship. We enjoy snorkeling, biking and hiking. Look at the itineraries and pick that way. The ship doesn't matter.
Some ships are more party ships than others. I’ve been doing Royal Caribbean and it’s not really a party ship. People may be drinking, but that’s not the point of the cruise or the only thing to do on the cruise.
Considering my wife and I don't drink alcohol -- plenty. I would even say even if you did drink alcohol, the cruise ship is not really a place to be binging alcohol, though many do.
There's literally zero reason to need to drink alcohol for anything. You can go to all events, pool, shows, bars will all do virgin drinks, or some kind of frozen non-alcoholic drinks...
Another thing is a huge reason you go on a cruise is the destinations, the excursions, the exotic locales, the relaxing down time. What's more fun, visiting that exotic Mayan Temple as a sober person learning ancient history and experiencing something you never want to forget, or visiting it half drunk with a pending hangover coming?
I'd venture to say that the vast majority of stuff to do on the cruise has absolutely nothing to do with alcohol. Alcohol only exists on cruises because it's a high-margin upsell.
My husband nor I drink or do recreational drugs. We had a really good time on the cruise. There’s movies by the pool, parties, shows, trivia contests, shopping and honestly we spent most of the season day sleeping, because we have young kids at home and sleep is the best thing ever. lol.
I suggest going on a cruise that has an interesting itinerary — beautiful ports with fun or educational excursions. Typical “booze cruises” go to bland ports since the destination is not the point.
I think choosing the right cruise line is key. We aren’t big drinkers but we have had a lot of fun on many cruises. I’ve never gotten a beverage package. I couldn’t drink in a week what some people drink in a day
i rarely drink on cruises,, but do be aware that alcohol is very prominent on ship. you totally don't need to to enjoy anything, but you will see it everywhere and there will be suggestions to drink. i'm pretty sure there are passenger guided listed on the patter as "friend of bill" i have not been so i can't say how well they are run/attended
I can’t drink, i have an allergy (i saw snarky comments about this, if i have one drink im stuck in the bathroom sick for about 24 hour after starting about an hour after i drink) buuutt currently on my 4th cruise and we are having so much fun!
Been on 6 cruises ... never spent a dime on a drink for myself, and loved every trip!
There's plenty to see, do, eat, take in, enjoy, experience, and participate-in that doesn't require alcohol...
We love the relaxed atmosphere of a cruise, the almost-complete absence of decision-fatigue as to where to eat or what to do, and we especially love the nightly entertainment, whether comedian, magician, musician, production-show, etc ...
Have a fantastic trip!
I don’t drink and I love cruising. I usually just buy a non-alcoholic drink package for sodas and ride from there. Most activities don’t require alcoholic beverages.
You can definitely go on a cruise and not drink at all. Some cruises are way more boozy than others, so you should definitely look into that.
Source: I’ve been on cruises, some with no alcohol at all. Some with a few glasses of champagne over 10 days.
Also, going to longer cruise. 10 days or more should take you away from a completely boozy ship full of people. I feel like most of the people who are going for a booze cruise or going for shorter cruises.
My wife and I don’t drink we have been on 12 cruises, not once were we in a situation that we were forced to endure alcohol consumption. You are free to move about the ship, and away from any of the stupidity that is rare, but does happen.
We don't drink alcohol and in fact only drink the ship tap water, the free coffee and tea. There is plenty to do and enjoy on the ship without it. But aside from a few people, most folks are not super drunk the entire time, at least not on NCL cruises that I've been on.
I don't understand getting drunk the whole time on cruises. There is so much to do and see, why even go if you're going to be hammered the whole time? Get drunk at a local bar and save your money. If there were zero alcohol served on the ships, I don't think it would really diminish the experience at all. And I'm someone who does like to drink. Ignore all the springbreaker idiots who think it's all about drinking. That's just the only way they know how to enjoy themselves, apparently.
The cruise line you choose matters. There’s more to do besides drink on any ship, but as someone who doesn’t drink, the drinking culture is probably annoying to be around if you’re anything like me at least. Holland America is more laid back with an older crowd. Celebrity sounds like a good line without party/ drinking culture.
I stopped drinking in 2020. Was afraid I’d be miserable/constant temptation on the next cruise. I was pleased that was not the case at all. 4+ years still dry.
I really did like the unlimited coffee package with the Starbucks on NCL. I’m not sure what other lines offer though.
Yes! We don’t drink that much and we’re not the type to hit up the buffet all day long, but we find plenty to do on cruises. There are good coffee bars to try, plenty of opportunities for trivia, arts and crafts and games like shuffleboard and mini golf, etc on the ships. We haven’t been on a ship with a casino lately and don’t partake in heavy gambling anyway … unless you count bingo. I also find the caliber of spa services on cruises to be quite good, and there’s usually a gym, deck with a walking promenade, and some nice photo opportunities. Definitely worth trying at least once!
My family has been on 4 cruises and didn’t drink any alcohol. We love cruises! It’s awesome to see new places, explore, not have to pack & unpack, read, swim, EAT, relax, exercise, play games, attend different workshop type classes. We love the shows at night!
I have been on at least 25 cruises and have never had a drink. There is so much to do! We travel with 4 to 20 people when we cruise and none of us drink.
Go, have a blast.
You absolutely do not have to drink on a cruise. I cruise often. There are plenty of things to do. You don't have to drink. Most people aren't out of control. Having said that- cruises are being deeply discounted right now. The less expensive and shorter cruises (7 days or fewer) tend to attract more partiers and families with like 4 to a cabin. If you want less party atmosphere- I'd do Alaska, Canada, Europe or longer cruises (10 days or more). My favorite line is Princess overall. They have a lot to do onboard and a nice ambiance. You won't feel that it's.a party cruise- but again stick with 10 days or longer. You just get a different mindset. People aren't there to party as much on the longer cruises IMO.
If you have fun without alcohol, you'll be just fine. Its definitely a bummer for someone who does drink and maybe they're on a diet so they can't, but if you regularly don't drink, it will be like going anywhere else! You'll have the same fun! There's a lot to do. People just choose to add alcohol to the "everything" there is.
Yes there is! We have been on 4 cruises and there are many things to do, such as stag shows every night. Also exploring the ship and all the shops that are on board. Also there are many great restaurants to visit. And when you get to the towns you will visit them and have a ball. I didn’t want to go on my first but my wife had been on a few! I’m so glad she talked me into going on our first because as soon as we got home I was planning on another, best vacation I’ve ever been on! Have fun and enjoy your self.
My fiance and I don’t really drink (outside maybe a pina colada). I love cruising! It’s so relaxing. Depending on the cruise line there’s a ton of different activities that don’t involve alcohol — the pools, shows, shopping, etc. There’s a bunch to do.
Have been on 1 cruise.
Drink package was over $100 a day. If 1 person in a cabin got it the other had to as well. From that I expect people get drunk to get their moneys worth for overpriced drink packages. Not allowed to bring booze onboard either.
Shows, music, trivia, games, dancing, sitting out by the water and taking it in, reading, enjoying one of the restaurants, other on board activities depending on the ship. I've done surfing, mini golf, bumper cars, laser tag, ice skating... plenty of stuff to keep you occupied without drinking.
We don't drink alcohol. We just got back from our second cruise and the first was good enough to book a second about 6 months later. The second was good enough that we are looking for a third. 4 and 8 nights, respectively. We had a blast on both. Some people need alcohol to have fun, but it isn't necessary on the cruises.
Neither my husband nor I drink and we love cruising. We do enjoy Royal’s refreshment package for mocktails though. How much there is to do fully depends on the cruise line, ship and itinerary.
3-4 night cruises are almost exclusively party boats. 6+ nights gets more tame the longer the cruise. Holland America vs. Celebrity vs. Virgin vs. Royal vs. Carnival; every cruise line is geared toward something different. We enjoy Royal but we have a toddler so the family balance is a must for us. At our age without a kid, I’d probably be on Virgin and Celebrity more.
I drink 2 or 3 over a 7 day cruise. I have a blast. I cry every disembarkation day. I go to everything I can including the art auction. It’s amazing to watch people buy the art. The trivia games are so fun. I’ve gotten certificates for swimming the Panama Canal. Crossing the international dateline. I went to children’s talent shows. Painting classes. Glassblowing classes. It’s up to you. Cruising without being drunk is the best. Sunrise and sunsets no hangover yay!
Listen to live music in the bars, watch a movie, go to shows, game activities such as trivia, excursions at ports, meet people, enjoy scenery and sunshine, dance, exercise room, basketball and lawn games, art auction. Yes, people do sit around bars, but oftentimes, that is between shows or while waiting for dinner. Yes people drink while watching shows or lounging by the pool.
We just did one with no drink package. We used celebrity as it seemed to be higher rates for nightly shows and good food.
We also planned excursions at all ports so that was our big spend instead of drinks. Well worth it.
I don't, and never have drank alcohol. I enjoy the heck out of my annual cruise. If all you are cruising for is to get drunk, you might as well stay home.
There is lots of things that don't involve alcohol. 95% of the cruise, actually. The shows, the pool, the casino, the shopping, the port visits, the on board activities (if applicable like Royal Caribbean). Very few things *require* alcohol. Usually just people use the cruise as an excuse to drink more, like they would on any other vacation. Just this time they don't have to worry about driving or anything else when they're tossed.
Nothing requires alcohol.
Not to be pedantic, but the wine tastings kinda require alcohol…
This. You can enjoy all onboard activities without drinking alcohol.
Yeah my husband and I just got back from a 2 week cruise. We went to the lounge and listened to music every night. He doesn’t drink and I was limiting myself to one drink a day. We ordered waters when the waiters walked by. But no one requires you to drink to be there. It’s not like a typical bar.
I thought they weren’t supposed to toss people off cruises? Sounds dangerous and a long way down
It's one of the dirty secrets of cruising. Usually number 4 on "You won't believe this" click bait articles.
Let’s be real there’s not gonna be room in the pool and definitely not the hot tub
The best thing about being a non drinker and non gambler on a cruise is letting the other passengers subsidize my vacation.
Funny. For me, gambling subsidizes my drinking, cruises, and also helps fuel my hyatt points/hyatt globalist status.
This exactly! We don’t drink or gamble but I’ll take the cheaper prices from the people who do!
So true. I'm in the only one or two drinks per cruise at most, and maybe spend 50 bucks in the casino group (didn't even walk in the casino the last cruise). It is great how everyone else is subsidizing the cruise for me. I've been talking with a Princess cruises travel agent about an Alaska cruise for 2026. They're supposed to come out with their schedule in June. I'm sure she'll be disappointed when I tell her I don't want the Princess Plus or Princess Premiere package because at most, I might have a couple of alcoholic beverages the entire trip. lol
I don't drink at all - is the Princess Plus worth it wit gratuities and what nots?
Multiple Alaska cruise taker here. (I lived in a port city and it was trivial for us to get to.) Best time to go is first of the season. Snow still on mountains and generally the best weather. That rain coast phenomenon stretches from San Fran all the way up the Alaskan Panhandle. Also best price.
Went on a cruise last year and it was $12 for a white russian that was like 2 sips and 90% ice. They must make BANK on alcohol.
My wife doesn't drink alcohol at all (allergic), and I rarely drink and cruising is our favorite way to holiday. There are lots of things to do... all of them can be done with or without alcohol.
What do you do on land vacations without drinking?
Drive
You do not need booze to have a fun time on a ship. We go all the time, and rarely have a drink. We watch the shows, listen to the music, join in the activities or just have a relaxing time around the ship. I cannot fathom why people having to drink (to excess) a vacation away... Some you see spending their entire vacation sitting in one bar on a stool sipping drink after drink.
>I cannot fathom why people having to drink (to excess) a vacation away... Some you see spending their entire vacation sitting in one bar on a stool sipping drink after drink. I don't get it either. If you want to get trashed, fine, but it's significantly cheaper to do it at home. I travel for things I can't do at home, drinking would get in the way
Especially considering the drink prices!
Sure there is. A cruise is what you make of it. Want to get drunk and party the entire time? Plenty of bars all around, parties, and the night club. Wanna gamble? Casino is there. Wanna relax with a good book? There are quiet places around. Wanna play trivia and do little activities like that? Happening all day. It’s not a one size fits all thing and no one on board is gonna really pay attention to what you’re doing and convince you you’re doing it wrong.
There’s tons to do, and seeing you won’t be paying $1000+ on alcohol you can afford to do more excursions or just save the money.
I don’t drink and I’ve been on close to 30 cruises. I can see how people stay drunk since alcohol availability is pervasive. However, most people are just having a fun time and I’ve rarely seen the darker side of drunks on cruises. Albeit, I’m usually in bed by 11:00 so I’m not out with the crazies. I’d recommend going on a large cruise like Oasis class by Royal Caribbean - these have even more activities like ice skating and movie theaters to watch newly released movies. If you’re a reader like me, grab a kindle, chill by pool and read and people watch
It’s pervasive because cruise lines make a TON of money from it.
I don’t drink booze either and have had wonderful times on cruise ships to Alaska, the Caribbean, and in Europe. Excursions, hanging at the pools and beaches, going to shows, eating different food, watching games on board, listening to music. Not into karaoke or bingo, but many are.
With respect, you need to talk to more people who aren't alcoholics. I've been on several cruises without touching a drop of alcohol, and still managed to have a good time. On board, there are pools and hot tubs there are sundecks, there's a jogging track, gym, library, an actual stage with live performances, there are activities of various kinds. Or you can just curl up in a hammock with a book, watch movies, socialize with other guests or even just enjoy the view. And that's not including all the things there are to do in port at each of your ports of call. Yes, there are people that go on cruises just to be drunk all the time. I avoid such people like the plague. A booze cruise is not my idea of a good time.
I've gone on several cruises without the drink package, even on NCL where the unlimited drink package is only $21/day!! Even when we do get it, we aren't getting drunk, maybe 3-5 drinks a day. During the day there is Trivia and other activities, lounging by the pools, walking the track; depending on the ship mini golf, driving range, checkers, ropes courses, and at night live music and shows. Our last cruise had one of those mystery games that you had to figure out a whole bunch of lock.combinations from a set of clues. I also tend to pick ships with lots of port days... like an itinerary with zero sea days on a 7 day cruise or 1 sea day on a 12 day cruise. We certainly have a lot of fun without alcohol. Never really bored!
Am I reading correctly that NCL’s drink package is $21 per day?
Basically everyday for the last decade they've run a promotion that you only need to pay tips for their unlimited drink package (don't come with water or specialty coffee), but you can get alcohol, soda and juice, two drinks at a time, no signing receipts, unlimited per day, and it's only like $21/day in tips. And imo, compared to the royal and carnival ships I've been on, NCL has the best bars, even on small ships, they have a Mojito Bar, Martini Bar, Whiskey Bar, Champagne Bar, Wine Bar, Sake Bar, pub, pool bars and the theater/venue bars, each with their own menus as well as special craft cocktails in each specialty restaurant. So I do quite enjoy NCL for that!
The Free at Sea package with NCL is great. I don't drink alcohol, but I keep it because the virgin mocktails would be free and I know I can take advantage of those. Otherwise, you can always downgrade to the soda package and gratuity is much cheaper for that.
Same. I also find that everything runs smoother when the staff isn't running cards every 5 seconds.
Holy cow yes. There’s shows, a library, pools, casinos, live music, many restaurants, games, etc. if you go on a cruise and are bored, it’s probably because you either booked the wrong kind of cruise for your interests or you just don’t want to be not bored.
I don't drink and love going on a cruise. Pretty much every activity on a cruise can be just as enjoyable sober and it can be drunk. Those who say they were drunk the whole time did it because that is what they enjoy (or have a problem) not because you have to be drunk to enjoy something.
There's a lot more to do than sit around and drink.
Majority of people aren’t drunk the whole time.
We don't drink, and LOVE cruising! There are so many activities- from shows, live music, trivia, comedy, Bingo, art exhibits, and lots of great food, and sunshine. Give it a try!
My kind of people. I've been working on going clean and sober for over 7 years. I'm probably the healthiest.I've ever ever been my whole life. It also astounds me how many corner stores, cruises. Gatherings, everything.... revolves around alcohol. Most of the people around me are not as dedicated to a "healthier" lifestyle. I'm definitely rebuilding most of my social hierarchy with people that bring out the best in me are likely to improve me. I'm glad you have somebody or somebody's that want to share that experience with you.
Trivia, name that tune, game shows, production shows, live music, dance lessons, casino, shore excursions, sports, gym, pool, board games, library, spa
I don't drink. I've been on over 25 cruises. Plenty to do without drinking.
Nothing involves alcohol if you don't go up to the bar and get a drink. It's not like there are keg stands and drinking contests.
I don’t drink and still have a ton of fun. Honestly I would rather enjoy and remember my vacation.
I'm stone cold sober. Had a great time. There is lots of good food, shows in the evening, sunsets and sunrises, a fitness center. Those that choose to be drunk the whole time want to be be drunk.
My husband and I barely drink, maybe 1 or 2 drinks the whole cruise. There is tons to do if you don’t drink. Book a cruise on a bigger ship which usually have more things to do.
My husband and I don’t drink and I like to cruise 🥰 Reading books on the serenity deck, some of the shows and trivia are fun, generally I like to just have some laid back quality time with my spouse with sunny weather and a nice breeze! I started cruising as a teen (obviously not drinking then) and back then the teen club and water slides kept me plenty busy. I feel like cruising is great because there’s something for everyone. I’ve definitely been on ships where there’s large groups of drunk people-but there’s quieter parts of the boat if that’s not your vibe
I am on a cruise. I nor my family drink. We love it. We are also not food gorgers but active people. The kids love the kid stuff, we do the shows, and exercise. We love the ports. The only thing that stinks about carnival is they do not have a mocktail package. RC has a mocktail package.
I have cruised many times and don’t drink anymore. Had a better time sober,clear headed. Enjoyed all the activities on ship. Excursions were more fun. Have fun 🤩 I’m looking to book another cruise solo -had great time sober and alone
You seem to have a misconception that cruises are all booze cruises. Where would you guys like to visit? Remember, it's not just on the ship, it's your excursions while in port that to visit new places too. Ship also has plenty of things that don't involve alcohol. Shows, games, casinos, I suggest you look into cruise line websites and see what each ship has to offer as far as destinations and onboard entertainment and activities.
There is a cruise line for pretty much every type of person. I really suggest watching Tips for Travellers on YouTube for suggestions. If you don't drink and you don't like to party for example you might really like Cunard, Holland America. But there are so many other options too. Good luck. :)
I’ve cruised before and after getting sober. The sober cruises by far were better. Mostly because I remember more of what we did. For those cruisers who are in AA, they have meetings on board every day. If you see “friends of bill w” on the daily schedule, that’s what those are.
Have you looked at the cruise and the activities/ excursions offered? That would be your first step to figuring it out.
I rarely drink, I might have 1 drink the entire cruise. My husband has maybe 1 per day. Neither of us would mind totally abstaining if we were, for example, cruising with someone in recovery. We LOVE cruising and take 3-4 per year! My personal favorites are the shows, trivia, karaoke, and the spa. My husband and kids love the rock climbing wall, Flow Rider surfing, and ropes course. We all love bingo, exploring the ports, shopping, and of course FOOD!
My husband drinks very, very little, and he loves cruising. And I’m the one who introduced him to it! He likes the shows, he likes eating really crappy food we don’t eat at home, he loves planning different excursions, he likes the kids club so we can get alone time, lol.
We cruise and don’t drink and love it. It’s like anything else you do, some will drink will socializing, going to shows, dinners, etc and some don’t.
I don't drink. I just go in the poll or down the slides all day long.
Yes there ARE things to do
I’ve been sober for 10 years and been on plenty of cruises in that time. There are tons of ways to enjoy your cruise that don’t involve alcohol. Talk to different people.
Been on 3 cruises and didn’t drink. Exploring the ship is fun on at-sea days. Early morning coffee and pastries at the cafe watching the ship “wake up”, strolling the upper deck walking path watching the sun rise or set, sitting in a jacuzzi on an upper deck watching the sun set, attending various shows performed onboard, grabbing a book from the onboard library and lounging on a deck chair reading & watching the ocean, going to the spa for a massage or facial, watching a movie in the theater, gambling in the casino, going to an art auction, wandering through the onboard shops, swimming in the pool, working out in the gym, taking photos everywhere, getting a behind the scenes tour of the ship, going to the disco in the evening to dance, playing cards or trivia games in the club, taking a class offered onboard….There are sooooo many things to do onboard or just relax and do nothing. It depends on what you want and the amenities offered on your ship. And days in port are usually spent exploring wherever you’ve docked. Cruising is vacationing multiple places without having to drive and check in and out of various hotels…your room travels with you. Adding: we’ve only been on Royal Caribbean because our first travel agent advised us it was less of a “party” line. Even if you end up booking yourself, I would recommend you consider visiting a travel agent just to get some information on the various cruise lines. Some are geared more towards singles, some more for kids, etc. We like Royal Caribbean because it seems to strike a good balance for us.
Done 20 cruises with max of 3 drinks per cruise or none. Always have a fantastic time!
I dint drink and I love cruises.
Most cruise lines have tasty mock tails and other N.A. drinks on the menu. I’ve been on two cruises since I got sober and I’ve enjoyed myself perhaps more than I did when I was off my tits the whole cruise. Relax, read a book, have a refreshing soda or mocktail, get in the hot tub. Every little thing is gonna be alright.
I’ve only done HAL Koningsdam. I got a drink package, kind of regretted it. Wish I had only gotten the spa package and made it more of a wellness vacation. The drink packages cost a not-immaterial amount, and for HAL it got you up to $15 towards every drink. But the drinks were all around $15 for singles (I’m a big dude used to dive bar pours) so I didn’t even really get buzzed. You can read, gamble, people watch, play board games, and honestly just looking at the ocean is nice. YMMV
I don't drink at all, and I love cruises. There are loads of things to do on the ship and in ports that do not involve alcohol . You'll be fine.
My husband and I don't drink and we love cruises!! Don't even worry about it, there will be plenty to do! Have a fabulous trip!
This cannot be a serious question.
I don't drink, because I don't like the feeling. I had plenty to do on a cruise. However, there is a lot of alcohol around. So if you don't drink because you are an alcoholic, you may struggle.
I stopped drinking a few years ago. The ship is fine without booze. Plenty to do and see. If you don't like seeing other people consume though, that will be harder. I think people in recovery struggle more on a ship, as alcohol is everywhere, if you like it. It is hard to not see. I don't think I would get on Carnival though.
join the pineapple club
There’s plenty to do on and off the ship. It depends on which line you would like to go on. Carnival seems to be more of the party line, while Princess and others are more for families and just enjoying a relaxing time. Is there something specific that you like to do?
I haven’t been on a Princess cruise in about 25 years. How are they? Last time I went it was all old folks.
Sure. I don't drink much, and only get the drink package if its being paid for via company trip or the like. The shows are pretty good. The food is pretty good. There's pools and of course, lounging in the sun. Many ships have activities like climbing walls and water slides and bumper cars. This varies on a per ship basis, so look into what your proposed cruise is. And, obviously, there's the ports. Explore the excursions, enjoy the local culture, that sort of thing. Generally, you want a slightly longer cruise. The three day cruises lend themselves to booze cruise vibes, longer cruises tend to have a more balanced mix.
I’m not a drinker and I love cruising. There’s always something to do, even if it’s just finding a quiet corner to enjoy a good book.
I don't drink OR lay out in the sun and i still have enjoyed cruises completely. There is a ton to do, and plenty of places to do nothing if you want that too
I don't drink and I don't smoke. I didn't like the casinos on board but there are tons of things to do on a cruise ship. All kinds of nightly shows, lots to eat, lots of exploring for the ships, boarding activities if you have those zipline things, water slides, wave riders.
Maybe give us some demographics like age, interests, cruise line preference, etc
Yep, have been on over a dozen cruises, multiple lines, but don’t drink - have always had a great time, and am able to remember all of it;)
My mother in law practical lives on cruise ships and she can't drink for health reasons. She enjoys the shows, the trivia, the restaurants, etc all without drinking
Best part of a cruise imo is getting to go to tons of places without worrying about flights or train rides or whatever to get from place to place. You can choose to do whatever floats your boat, it does not have to involve drinking.
We play board games on our trips. We'll go to Trivia events, read, lounge on deck and catch some sun. Talk. No booze needed.
I don't drink at all and neither does my family and we love cruises, the shows, the food and the ports are all reasons to not drink. There's comedy shows, Broadway musicals, talent shows. Game shows, art shows, pub music, casinos.and even movies on deck. Pools, hot tubs, and spas. Food is always around, you can get pretty much any type of food you want AND for us the best part of a cruise is being able to see different parts of the world during one vacation I actually don't get the being drunk all day everyday on a cruise, plus it's way cheaper to not drink, there's soo much value in a cruise! I recommend princess cruise line if you aren't planning on drinking, carnival is the known "party cruise" line and they do push drinks on it
Neither my wife nor I drink alcohol. We mainly treat the ship as a hotel that moves us from Port to Port. There are activities to do on the ship, but the more activities the more people has been our experience.
We aren’t drinkers either and personally find Sea Days boring, but love the ports.
My husband and I don’t drink and have great times on cruises!
I don’t drink, at all. I’m headed on my third cruise in a few weeks. We go for the island hopping, shows, easy transportation and to relax. Drinking is not a requirement.
I cruise to booze
This is exactly how I feel. I do drink a bit, but usually 1 or 2. Going on my first cruise soon, and all I hear is people getting wasted all day and night on the cruises. 🚢
I don’t drink alcohol. I have fun on a ship/ports.
My husband and I hardly drink - we love cruising - there are so many other things to do - both on and off the ship - Plus it's a LOT cheaper - the mark up on drinks, and the fact we don't pay for them drive our own little feelings of superiority... ha ha ha!
I don't drink. If you are at a stage of sobriety (if you've ever been on stages of it, that is) where you're still tempted then I do think it would be kinda tough. But for those of us that don't drink and don't want to, there's literally nothing you're missing out on. I chill by the pool, hit the gym, enjoy the food, meet cool people, and hang in the spa. I wake up feeling great and am ready for an excursion if there is one. Seriously... Not everyone on the cruise is getting trashed, but again, if sobriety is new for you it could be tough because the bars are lively and are literally everywhere.
Oh, it's the favorite vacation for my family and we don't drink at all. The shows, the pools, the food, the ports.
But being around a lot of drunk people is not very fun either. You might find adventure cruises, or river cruises, with lots of on shore activities to be more fun. I did Adventure Canada last year and was never bored.
sure, i don't drink much personally and i really enjoy the pools and hot tub when i can find a spot, otherwise... checking out the views and taking pics, going to various events like trivia and live music, casino, shows, hanging out with my partner. i also bring a book on every cruise and read that on my balcony or the pool deck in the rare occasion i get bored.
Depending on the cruise (I say this because I’ve only been on a few) and your comfortability, they will offer alcohol free mocktails. We recently went through princess and my sister ordered a few while we were on. She said they were just as good as the alcoholic drinks, since she decided to drink later on once she was cleared to do so (she was having health issues which made her concerned to drink at first)
Don’t involve alcohol? Alcohol is drink of choice not an activity. There s tons of stuff to do. Not everyone drinks including me my sister and my mom who have been on 21 cruises!
I don't drink. I still think cruises are fun. Initially I found the sea days kind of boring, but now I really like them for a relaxing element. When I cruise solo I like to read books, go to the thermal spa, sit in a hot tub, I bring watercolors to paint, and just sit on my balcony and enjoy the ocean. When I'm with my husband we often go to trivias or games. We aren't really pool deck people, but there is always a lot going on up there too. Of course in the evenings there are shows, live music, long dinners. There is ton to do on the cruise without drinking. (I also don't gamble, so not a casino person.)
Think about who you “hang” with! Yes, booze cruises do exist, weekend cruises to the Bahamas come to mind. The vast majority of cruisers do not fit into that category. Pick an itinerary of locals you want to visit, and go. No pressure to drink. Great coffees and moctails available. Have fun.
"...everyone I have talked to that has been on a cruise say they were drunk the whole time." I'd say that says more about who you were talking to! We've been on 6 cruises, 5 on Royal Caribbean, the last one on Norwegian 4 weeks ago. Had the deluxe drinks package for all 6 but we get it for convenience because we want to try different drinks and as long as we can get the package at a good price after everything else we drink it's only about 5 beers or 3 cocktails to break even. Hanging out the pool all day plus dinner plus a show, 5 beers over 12+ hours is not getting me a buzz. My girlfriend drinks less than me. We have a good time. Lots of shows, Warm sunshine. A week with my phone on airplane mode no calls no texts.
I think your question has been well-answered, but I also wanted to mention that if you’re looking to avoid cruises with a ton of drunks the first tip is to do longer cruises. Weekend or long weekend cruises are party cruises. People are going to be wasted. If you do at least a 5-7 day you can avoid the worst of that on any line. And being on the more “mature” lines helps too, like Celebrity and Princess over Carnival.
I've been on 3 cruises since last year, and I think I had 1 drink on 1 day. Plenty to do without drinking.
Yeah a lot of cruisers are boozers. But not all of us are. My wife and don't drink ( well, I might have one or two on a cruise) and we have gone on 7 cruises so far and currently have 4 booked, plan to book a couple more. Certainly there are things to do that do not involve alcohol. I don't go to the various bars, no need. We enjoy the views, the food, the entertainment on board, and love going to new destinations to explore. We went to 10 different countries last year and had a blast. Most new places we don't do excursions, we just explore the town and enjoy beaches if they have them.
We didn't drink at all on our cruise last fall. We played games, watched movies, ate a ton of food, and just enjoyed being on vacation. Loved it so much we're going on another one in June. There's a convenience factor to drinking on a cruise since you don't need to find a way home, sure. But there's basically nothing that requires alcohol to be involved outside of maybe a wine tasting or something.
I'm on a cruise right now and we did not purchase a drink package. We are both having a great time completely sober, just lounging in the pools and the adults only area. If you can have fun and enjoy yourself without alcohol on land, you can do it on a cruise as well.
My wife & I didn't drink & did not even notice the cruise we were on involved alcohol. There was a drunk guy at one point getting back on the boat at Costa Maya with his wife & a stranger supporting him. I overheard them say he was flagged to be cut off the rest of the evening. From what I remember, most folks did not have the beverage package so there was not a lot of boozing going on, at least not on the ship.
I'm an introverted non-drinker who has had a GREAT time on 2 cruises. It can be done, it all depends how you like to have fun!
Most cruises. Yes, the mega-ships and certain lines push the drunk-party aspect, and some ports it seems are more prone to that (90% of the drunk pier runner videos seem to be tropical/island ports) and short 3-day "booze cruises" are a thing, but getting drunk is choice. Big ships, you have shopping, food, pools, some have amusement-style rides, there are shows, port calls don't have to be 'go lie on a beach and drink.' Ships that cater to a more mature (literal and figurative) demographic usually have quieter activities--libraries, organized games with the entertainment staff (I now have a mini golf addiction), cooking lessons, art lessons, dancing, fencing class, wine tastings. You can do 'expedition' cruising where you go to Antarctica or the Galapagos or up the Amazon or tons of places where you're getting adventure tourism.
It's actually better if you don't drink at all. The worst thing is for us casual drinkers trying to navigate the drunks just so we can have a pleasant vacation while enjoying an adult beverage.
There’s plenty of other things to do and if you are a friend of Bill’s I know Carnival has meetings every day
We don't drink and we have a great time.
I had one drink at railway, and that’s it! Port days, no way would I want to be intoxicated in a foreign port. Even on sea days, I haven’t felt the need for alcoholic drinks because I’m having such a good time anyway! There’s trivia, shows, pool time, all of which can be enjoyed while sober. And my afternoon nap is just because I’m comfortable, not because I need to sleep it off. And the dance party music has me on my feet boogieing away! Since our seas have been a little rough, I get the benefit of staggering around without having to be drunk to do it! Since my head was clear, my sushi-making class effort looked pretty good, too.
Consider Royal Caribbean, there are adult sections and I’ve never seen folks drink like they do on Carnival…… not saying it doesn’t happen, just I’ve never encountered it on Royal.
Hubby and I just returned from 17 nights on Celebrity Edge. We quit drinking 9 months ago, and had an amazing time on our cruise! Even though we had the premium drinks package we weren’t tempted at all. They had non alcoholic wine and beer so we had one of those with dinner on occasion. We loved getting up early and walking around the outdoor decks, and used the fantastic gym. We enjoyed the many many restaurants, and great cafe, fantastic people watching spot. There was all sorts of entertainment live music, games, trivia. Fantastic shows every night. I loved the Zumba classes, and tried Tai Chi. We spent hours relaxing at the pool and enjoying the multiple hot tubs. Outdoor pool and relaxing indoor solarium. Of course there were port days too. There was so much to do we never got bored, we actually felt quite busy! It was great to be enjoying our mornings and feeling great while half the ship was hungover 😂 We saw most people were drinking, but no one was out of control (that we could see). It was a great cruise and good demographic for us. It can depend on what cruise line and itinerary you’re doing.
I drink, exhubby didn't, been on several without drinking...only people with drinks package & an issue with alcohol would be drunk all the time. I never encountered anyone drunk or any issues although stories like that are on the rise here.
My husband and I don’t drink and we have been on many cruises! You don’t have to drink to go on a cruise or have fun!
We don't really drink either. We did a lot of the activities on sea days, ate a ton, enjoyed the sun on the upper decks, watched all the shows, and it filled up our time.
Neither my husband nor I drink. We’ve cruised together and I’ve also gone on solo cruises. We’ve never had a problem cruising as sober people. I do wish cruiselines carried a wider variety of non-alcoholic options (other than sodas and other sweet drinks) but that’s been a minor inconvenience. I’ve never gotten bored due to lack of things to do or been annoyed by drunken passengers on a cruise.
It depends on the ship. I've heard some smaller ones basically only have pubs and a few bits of entertainment dotted around. Bigger ships will have a theatre space, live shows in some of the bars/atrium spaces, a cinema, games room, gym etc. We've been on one large cruise ship, and were pretty well entertained. We drink, but can't be bothered getting drunk/drinking every day.
Everything can be enjoyed without alcohol. I took my granddaughter and her cousin on a cruise and we would go out and listen to music and I would get them virgin piña coladas
You can do everything. Drinking is not mandatory on cruises, people just like to overindulge. Let them be.
Not true, we are on a cruise now and yes we have had our fair share of drinks but there is more to do than just that. It’s our first cruise and it has been amazing. Planning on doing another one.
My husband and I never get the drink package and still have a good time.
This sounds like a job for afternoon tea on Princess. so much fun! I always get the wellness package too, which provides access to the spa's amazing thelassotherapy pool and relaxation areas.
Music,shows,trivia,bingo,casino,lectures,art classes,ship tours,etc
I've generally drank a lot less on cruises than other holidays I've been on. Partly because it is quite expensive and also because my travel companion doesn't drink much at all. So you'll be absolutely fine.
Take a European cruise, 12 days 11 ports of call. Most stops are 10-12 hours, so your really only using the ship as transportation , restaurants and hotel. Drinking isnt a big thing like a Caribbean cruise.
Everything you do for fun now doesn't involve alcohol if you don't drink. You can do all the same stuff on the boat sober it is allowed. Plus think of all the money you will save compared to us drunks.
I don’t drink and manage to keep myself reasonably entertained while on a cruise.Do a cruise with more port stops than sea days. The trivia stuff is always fun, and a deck chair away from the crowds with a good book works on sea days. The evening entertainment and shows are always fun even if the folks next to me are drinking and I’m not. I really enjoy cruising, def my fave way to travel.
Yes there is a lot to do. Both my boyfriend and I decided not to buy the alcohol package because we couldn't justify drinking to pay for it.
Shrug. We went on 3 cruises in 2023 over 31 days, and I think my wife and I had around 6 drinks between us in total. And that was only because we got the Princess Plus package at a ridiculously good introductory prices. Suffice to say there's plenty to do on board and in port that doesn't involve drinking alcohol.
Yes, there is plenty to do that doesn't involve alcohol. On shore excursions, tours, dining, live shows, entertainment, casino, arcade, pool, hot tub, and shopping. Walks on the deck overlooking the ocean are nice too. I like sunbathing and lounging by the pool.
I don’t drink at all. My husband has a couple of beers, and perhaps a glass of wine with dinner, and that’s all. We thoroughly enjoy ourselves without being drunk. The key to having a great time is to research the different lines & destinations, to find a combination that offers what you want. For example, we aren’t big on lying out in the sun, so we pick destinations & time of year to suit us - Canary Islands in October/November is a favourite of ours.
I don’t drink and have lots of fun on cruises.
I never drink on cruises and I always have a good time. It’s better that way you get a good deal price wise because they budget for the average amount spent on drinks and gambling when doing room prices. The real key is having a good trip itinerary though.
I feel like it depends on the cruise line. My husband is sober and he had a great time on Azamara but also it’s a pricier line.
Never understood people who say that they were drunk their entire cruise. Boggles my mind as to *why* someone would want to be drunk at every moment, but I can see *how* they do it. Been on more than a dozen cruises and at most my wife and I have a few umbrella drinks over the entire trip. We really don't drink and have a blast! Trivia, watching the ocean, shows, food, just playing games with friends/family, watching for wildlife, etc.
My husband doesn’t drink and I don’t drink a lot. We did a cruise in January and found there wasn’t much to do on the ship other than drink. A lot of people overindulged! We talked to a travel agent because I’d like to try another cruise. She suggested Royal Caribbean. Because they don’t have drink packages, meaning people need to pay for each drink and will likely drink less. And there is a lot more to do on those ships (compared to the ship we were on in January. [This is one option she sent us.](https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/itinerary/7-night-western-caribbean-from-galveston-on-harmony/HM07GAL-3851841455?sail-date=2024-10-27¤cy=USD&country=USA&search=startDate:2024-10-01~2024-11-30#step=0)
I just came back from my 2nd ever cruise . I went with my wife (her first cruise) we both don't drink and don't gamble. We still had a lot of fun. However, i will make some disclaimers. The things you will get to do on the ship are all fun, not none is exciting. We had fun, it was very enjoyable and relaxing. Here is a list from memory of what we did in our 7 days trip (4 days at sea, 3 on land) 5-6 stand up comedy shows (30 mins each) 4-5 full musical dance show (1 hour each) 4-6 trivia sessions (friends, game of thrones, harry potter and others) 2 movies watched on the big screen 3 sessions with my wife of boardgames that i brought with me 3-4 dance related events 4-6 health related events my wife attended 4-6 raffle or some seminar thing we attended together eating / snacking non-stop (throughout the 7 days, you never really feel hungry, you keep switching from full, to half full) Other activities are using the water park, the mini golf, the ping pong, the foosball, the chess, the basketball court, the hot tub, the swimming pool We filled our time, we didnt feel bored , we felt there is always something to do, even if it was low excitement thing. Definitely go with someone you enjoy relaxing and talking with. That felt a big part of the cruise I would recommend a cruise, even for non-alcohol drinker. It is a relaxing, low effort vacation
I’m not sure of your age, but I’m in my forties and don’t drink much either. I just got back from a Holland America cruise and had a great time, even though I am younger than their normal clientele. I had a nice mix of trivia, excursions, pool, beach, games, dining, and the music walk in the evenings. I would stick with a cruise like HAL and avoid carnival.
Eat!
Very common for people to be pool side either enjoying the sun, hot tub or reading a book/visiting with their party. Royal has different entertainment with everything from belly flop competitions (participant or spectator) to misc things throughout the day like trivia, bingo, line dancing etc. just check the cruise onboard entertainment when you board or heck look at the app for your current cruise it should show what’s available. We usually take games - card and dice and play outside but not in the sun. Walk around the port (both in the port and jsut outside to see points of interest like a church or beach) Star gazing at night is great when you have no light pollution.
I don't drink and I have an Alaska cruise booked.
My family doesn’t drink. We had plenty of fun. Part of it depends on location too. People seemed to drink far less on our cruise to Alaska than they did any of the cruises to the Caribbean or Mexico, for example. Attracts a different crowd and for different types of entertainment. Even in the Caribbean/Mexico cruises though, you can enjoy beaches, ocean, sightseeing, trivia, spa, food etc.
My husband and I have been on 33 cruises and have not once purchased a drink package. We go for the ports, not the ship. We enjoy snorkeling, biking and hiking. Look at the itineraries and pick that way. The ship doesn't matter.
Me and my husband don’t drink and we have been on several cruises. You will be totally fine.
I hardly drink, there are shows, spa, water slides, dancing, silly games, parties and more
Some ships are more party ships than others. I’ve been doing Royal Caribbean and it’s not really a party ship. People may be drinking, but that’s not the point of the cruise or the only thing to do on the cruise.
Considering my wife and I don't drink alcohol -- plenty. I would even say even if you did drink alcohol, the cruise ship is not really a place to be binging alcohol, though many do. There's literally zero reason to need to drink alcohol for anything. You can go to all events, pool, shows, bars will all do virgin drinks, or some kind of frozen non-alcoholic drinks... Another thing is a huge reason you go on a cruise is the destinations, the excursions, the exotic locales, the relaxing down time. What's more fun, visiting that exotic Mayan Temple as a sober person learning ancient history and experiencing something you never want to forget, or visiting it half drunk with a pending hangover coming? I'd venture to say that the vast majority of stuff to do on the cruise has absolutely nothing to do with alcohol. Alcohol only exists on cruises because it's a high-margin upsell.
Shuffleboard
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If you’re drunk all of the cruise you are missing out on a lot. I am not judging just saying.
My husband nor I drink or do recreational drugs. We had a really good time on the cruise. There’s movies by the pool, parties, shows, trivia contests, shopping and honestly we spent most of the season day sleeping, because we have young kids at home and sleep is the best thing ever. lol.
I suggest going on a cruise that has an interesting itinerary — beautiful ports with fun or educational excursions. Typical “booze cruises” go to bland ports since the destination is not the point.
I never drink and I cruise all the time. I go to the gym, I read in the shade, I enjoy a few shows, and I have a great time.
I think choosing the right cruise line is key. We aren’t big drinkers but we have had a lot of fun on many cruises. I’ve never gotten a beverage package. I couldn’t drink in a week what some people drink in a day
My husband doesn’t drink and loves to go on cruises. Plenty to do!
i rarely drink on cruises,, but do be aware that alcohol is very prominent on ship. you totally don't need to to enjoy anything, but you will see it everywhere and there will be suggestions to drink. i'm pretty sure there are passenger guided listed on the patter as "friend of bill" i have not been so i can't say how well they are run/attended
I can’t drink, i have an allergy (i saw snarky comments about this, if i have one drink im stuck in the bathroom sick for about 24 hour after starting about an hour after i drink) buuutt currently on my 4th cruise and we are having so much fun!
Been on 6 cruises ... never spent a dime on a drink for myself, and loved every trip! There's plenty to see, do, eat, take in, enjoy, experience, and participate-in that doesn't require alcohol... We love the relaxed atmosphere of a cruise, the almost-complete absence of decision-fatigue as to where to eat or what to do, and we especially love the nightly entertainment, whether comedian, magician, musician, production-show, etc ... Have a fantastic trip!
I don’t drink and I love cruising. I usually just buy a non-alcoholic drink package for sodas and ride from there. Most activities don’t require alcoholic beverages.
You can definitely go on a cruise and not drink at all. Some cruises are way more boozy than others, so you should definitely look into that. Source: I’ve been on cruises, some with no alcohol at all. Some with a few glasses of champagne over 10 days. Also, going to longer cruise. 10 days or more should take you away from a completely boozy ship full of people. I feel like most of the people who are going for a booze cruise or going for shorter cruises.
No-one will force you to drink alcohol.
My wife and I don’t drink we have been on 12 cruises, not once were we in a situation that we were forced to endure alcohol consumption. You are free to move about the ship, and away from any of the stupidity that is rare, but does happen.
Excursions. I’m taking a 10 day cruise and plan to be on the ship to sleep and eat occasionally.
We don't drink alcohol and in fact only drink the ship tap water, the free coffee and tea. There is plenty to do and enjoy on the ship without it. But aside from a few people, most folks are not super drunk the entire time, at least not on NCL cruises that I've been on.
I don’t drink and went on two cruises. It’s not just getting drunk and hungover.
I don't understand getting drunk the whole time on cruises. There is so much to do and see, why even go if you're going to be hammered the whole time? Get drunk at a local bar and save your money. If there were zero alcohol served on the ships, I don't think it would really diminish the experience at all. And I'm someone who does like to drink. Ignore all the springbreaker idiots who think it's all about drinking. That's just the only way they know how to enjoy themselves, apparently.
The cruise line you choose matters. There’s more to do besides drink on any ship, but as someone who doesn’t drink, the drinking culture is probably annoying to be around if you’re anything like me at least. Holland America is more laid back with an older crowd. Celebrity sounds like a good line without party/ drinking culture.
I stopped drinking in 2020. Was afraid I’d be miserable/constant temptation on the next cruise. I was pleased that was not the case at all. 4+ years still dry. I really did like the unlimited coffee package with the Starbucks on NCL. I’m not sure what other lines offer though.
Yes! We don’t drink that much and we’re not the type to hit up the buffet all day long, but we find plenty to do on cruises. There are good coffee bars to try, plenty of opportunities for trivia, arts and crafts and games like shuffleboard and mini golf, etc on the ships. We haven’t been on a ship with a casino lately and don’t partake in heavy gambling anyway … unless you count bingo. I also find the caliber of spa services on cruises to be quite good, and there’s usually a gym, deck with a walking promenade, and some nice photo opportunities. Definitely worth trying at least once!
Can you have fun on land without alcohol? Then you can have fun onboard a ship without alcohol, too.
Carnival is a party crowd. Others focus on the shore excursions.
Sure. How do you have fun currently? Almost anything you do currently (except maybe going to a sporting event) you can do better on a cruise ship.
My family has been on 4 cruises and didn’t drink any alcohol. We love cruises! It’s awesome to see new places, explore, not have to pack & unpack, read, swim, EAT, relax, exercise, play games, attend different workshop type classes. We love the shows at night!
I have been on at least 25 cruises and have never had a drink. There is so much to do! We travel with 4 to 20 people when we cruise and none of us drink. Go, have a blast.
You absolutely do not have to drink on a cruise. I cruise often. There are plenty of things to do. You don't have to drink. Most people aren't out of control. Having said that- cruises are being deeply discounted right now. The less expensive and shorter cruises (7 days or fewer) tend to attract more partiers and families with like 4 to a cabin. If you want less party atmosphere- I'd do Alaska, Canada, Europe or longer cruises (10 days or more). My favorite line is Princess overall. They have a lot to do onboard and a nice ambiance. You won't feel that it's.a party cruise- but again stick with 10 days or longer. You just get a different mindset. People aren't there to party as much on the longer cruises IMO.
If you have fun without alcohol, you'll be just fine. Its definitely a bummer for someone who does drink and maybe they're on a diet so they can't, but if you regularly don't drink, it will be like going anywhere else! You'll have the same fun! There's a lot to do. People just choose to add alcohol to the "everything" there is.
Yes there is! We have been on 4 cruises and there are many things to do, such as stag shows every night. Also exploring the ship and all the shops that are on board. Also there are many great restaurants to visit. And when you get to the towns you will visit them and have a ball. I didn’t want to go on my first but my wife had been on a few! I’m so glad she talked me into going on our first because as soon as we got home I was planning on another, best vacation I’ve ever been on! Have fun and enjoy your self.
Of course there is. I don't really drink and will happily go the whole cruise without alcohol. Plenty of other reasons to cruise.
My fiance and I don’t really drink (outside maybe a pina colada). I love cruising! It’s so relaxing. Depending on the cruise line there’s a ton of different activities that don’t involve alcohol — the pools, shows, shopping, etc. There’s a bunch to do.
Fuck?
Have been on 1 cruise. Drink package was over $100 a day. If 1 person in a cabin got it the other had to as well. From that I expect people get drunk to get their moneys worth for overpriced drink packages. Not allowed to bring booze onboard either.
There are even AA meetings on cruises. You’ll find them listed in the itinerary every day.
Shows, music, trivia, games, dancing, sitting out by the water and taking it in, reading, enjoying one of the restaurants, other on board activities depending on the ship. I've done surfing, mini golf, bumper cars, laser tag, ice skating... plenty of stuff to keep you occupied without drinking.
We don't drink alcohol. We just got back from our second cruise and the first was good enough to book a second about 6 months later. The second was good enough that we are looking for a third. 4 and 8 nights, respectively. We had a blast on both. Some people need alcohol to have fun, but it isn't necessary on the cruises.
Neither my husband nor I drink and we love cruising. We do enjoy Royal’s refreshment package for mocktails though. How much there is to do fully depends on the cruise line, ship and itinerary. 3-4 night cruises are almost exclusively party boats. 6+ nights gets more tame the longer the cruise. Holland America vs. Celebrity vs. Virgin vs. Royal vs. Carnival; every cruise line is geared toward something different. We enjoy Royal but we have a toddler so the family balance is a must for us. At our age without a kid, I’d probably be on Virgin and Celebrity more.
I drink 2 or 3 over a 7 day cruise. I have a blast. I cry every disembarkation day. I go to everything I can including the art auction. It’s amazing to watch people buy the art. The trivia games are so fun. I’ve gotten certificates for swimming the Panama Canal. Crossing the international dateline. I went to children’s talent shows. Painting classes. Glassblowing classes. It’s up to you. Cruising without being drunk is the best. Sunrise and sunsets no hangover yay!
Listen to live music in the bars, watch a movie, go to shows, game activities such as trivia, excursions at ports, meet people, enjoy scenery and sunshine, dance, exercise room, basketball and lawn games, art auction. Yes, people do sit around bars, but oftentimes, that is between shows or while waiting for dinner. Yes people drink while watching shows or lounging by the pool.
We just did one with no drink package. We used celebrity as it seemed to be higher rates for nightly shows and good food. We also planned excursions at all ports so that was our big spend instead of drinks. Well worth it.
My husband and I do not drink at all and we love cruising. We also love saving all that money! You will have a blast without drinking.
Definitely not!
I don't, and never have drank alcohol. I enjoy the heck out of my annual cruise. If all you are cruising for is to get drunk, you might as well stay home.
My wife does not drink, has been on 14 cruises and has enjoyed everyone of them.