Perfect Day, Zero Hangover: Sober Cruising with Royal Caribbean

Let’s be real—cruises often get marketed as floating bars with endless drink packages and umbrella cocktails. But as someone who doesn’t drink—not just on this trip, but ever—I wanted to see if I could fully enjoy the cruise experience without feeling left out. Spoiler: I absolutely did. Whatever your reason for not drinking—whether it’s a lifestyle choice, faith-based, health-related, or you’re just not into it—there’s plenty of fun to be had on a cruise without a single sip of alcohol.

On our recent sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, we traded bar crawls for puzzle-solving in the ship’s escape room (a chaotic, hilarious experience with kids), and we booked a candy sushi-making class that was such a fun surprise for the whole family. Between the splash zones, ice shows, and late-night pizza stops, I never once missed a drink in my hand.

Tropical Crush poolside

That said—I love a good drink, just minus the alcohol. Royal Caribbean does mocktails right. A favorite was the Nojito—basically a minty mojito, but without the rum—light, crisp, and refreshing. Another standout? The Cucumber Cooler (available at Lime & Coconut), with cucumber, lime, and mint—super refreshing on hot pool days. If you want something fruity, go for a Tropical Crush—it’s pineapple, orange, and mango with a splash of grenadine for that fun “vacation drink” vibe.

The Nojito: minty, refreshing, and all fun—my go-to mocktail onboard Utopia of the Seas

And when we got to Perfect Day at CocoCay, we leaned into frozen lemonades and virgin strawberry daiquiris at Oasis Lagoon. We also grabbed coconut water straight from the coconut, which just feels like vacation, you know? Pro tip: The frozen mango lemonade is a must on a hot beach day.

Food was another win. The main dining room gave us those relaxing, sit-down dinners we looked forward to each night (and yes, the escargot appetizer is the move). We kept breakfasts and lunches casual at the Windjammer buffet, with plenty of stops at Sorrento’s for pizza breaks in between pool hopping.

Creamy, tropical, and 100% alcohol-free—the Virgin Piña Colada is basically a Caribbean vacation in a glass.

And then there’s CocoCay itself. While a lot of people head for the floating bars, we were all about Chill Island for beach time, Splashaway Bay for fun with the kids, and Oasis Lagoon for that huge freshwater pool scene. Also? Don’t miss the Snack Shack for the crispy chicken sandwich—order two if you’re hungry.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether you can cruise sober and still have an amazing time—I’m here to tell you: you absolutely can. I didn’t miss a thing. In fact, I think I enjoyed it more.

Mocktails worth trying: Don’t miss the Nojito or Cucumber Cooler from Lime & Coconut on the pool deck. For something fruity, ask for a Tropical Crush or Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri—fun, refreshing, and totally festive without the buzz.

Order early: Specialty activities like the escape room and sushi-making classes fill up fast. Book those in advance through the app to avoid missing out.

Skip the drink package: If you don’t drink, don’t feel pressured to buy a beverage package. Stick with mocktails, soda packages, or even just the included drinks—you’ll save money and still enjoy fun flavors.

Stay cool at CocoCay: Grab a frozen mango lemonade or coconut water at Oasis Lagoon. Pro tip: Get there early to snag prime chairs by the water.

Dining tip: The escargot in the main dining room is unexpectedly one of the best appetizers on board—don’t skip it, even if it sounds fancy or intimidating.

App must-have: Download the Royal Caribbean app before you sail—it’s your go-to for daily schedules, restaurant reservations, and tracking your kids’ activities.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.