Drinking alcohol is the norm in most social situations in our culture, but the peer pressure to drink escalates when on vacation. On a cruise, many drinkers can’t imagine abstaining from a fruity cocktail at the poolside, a glass of champagne at sunset, or a few rounds of margaritas on a shore excursion. Some find it a “buzz kill” if others at the party don’t wish to drink with them.
Cruise ships offer an unlimited quantity and variety of food and drink day and night. Typical package deals entitle each cruiser to up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day for a fixed, prepaid price, including tips. There is no impediment, financial or otherwise, to start drinking in the morning and continue into the night. Cruisers who drink moderately at home drink almost eight times more on average while cruising. Given this alcohol-drenched environment, is it safe for a person with substance use disorder in early recovery to take a cruise?
As in any environment, those in recovery are entirely responsible for their sobriety while on vacation. If this applies to you, it is wise to consider how you will respond if the temptation to drink increases when you are separated from your typical routines and support systems. How can you enjoy yourself without drowning your recovery in a glass or bottle? Thankfully, veteran sober travelers attest that it can be done with good preparation and planning before you embark. This article aims to help you never lose focus and all the hard work you’ve done with recovery by offering suggestions for those looking for options to cruise while maintaining sobriety.
Being Prepared For Your Cruise Environment
First, honestly evaluate the strength of your recovery. You can do this with a therapist, a sponsor, or an impartial friend who understands you and your triggers well. You should also consider the length of your sobriety, any slips or relapses you’ve had, your support system, your overall mental health, and your current stressors. Take time to discuss your most common and potent triggers to drink and how you cope with cravings with someone who will remind you to search for peace. Remember, a cruise environment doesn’t have to involve alcohol, and most people who go on cruises do so with drink packages built for their onboard tickets. There are plenty of ways to maintain sobriety with preparation.
You Don’t Have To Drink
That’s right, just because you’re out to sea with hundreds of other people who are probably letting off steam from life doesn’t mean you break your sobriety. Most people on a ship have a drink within the first 30 minutes of being settled. This won’t apply to you as you’ll probably be looking for more peaceful venues around the cruise away from bars or where complimentary drinks are given. You should know alcohol is not the focus of a cruise, and there are plenty of other activities that will help you stay on your program. And you should remember to practice mindfulness when you can. Here are some ideas to help you while traveling on water or stopping at excursions on your cruise:
- Bring all of the coping tools you have used successfully at home. If prayer and meditation are daily practices, continue them. Exercise daily. Get a massage. Do relaxation exercises, write, breathe, employ positive self-talk, listen to music, or read recovery literature. Use sensory distractions to counteract cravings.
- Always keep water with you. This keeps you hydrated without having to order a drink at the bar. It also gives you an easy out when someone offers you a drink: “I have my water, thank you.” Or, if you want something more festive, consider a “mocktail,” as long as this doesn’t trigger you to crave the “real thing.”
- Store in your phone the numbers of 2-3 people who commit to be available to you, day or night, to help you if you crave while cruising. Preferably, at least one is with you as a “sober buddy.”
- Inquire about “Friends of Bill W.” or “F.O.B.” Nearly every cruise company discreetly offers support meetings with this designation. There are bound to be dozens of others like you who want to stay on track. Make some new sober friends.
Avoid spending time with people, even family members, who don’t respect your commitment to sobriety. Cruise ships are enormous, so you may choose to keep some space between you and them. People who genuinely care about you will respect and support your sobriety.
Healthy Activities For Your Sobriety
Unfortunately, when you go on cruises, you are admonished with how much alcohol will be around, but a cruise is not just its drinks. For someone practicing sobriety, you have the opportunity to explore all the options you have. On cruise ships, there are on-board activities and activities for guests while out to see, and at the ports they hit. You can take the time to explore the natural habitats of beautiful islands. This helps you escape the cruise ship environment you’ve had no choice but to deal with. You can roam beaches or even go on nature trails as you explore nature. It’s the perfect chance to ground yourself because while most people are respectful, not everyone will care about your sobriety.
Beyond excursions, some ships offer sober programs and host meet-and-greet activities focused on getting to know fellow travelers. Of course, you can steer away from the alcohol here, take the chance to meet others on the cruise and relax just as you are. There are also facilities such as workout rooms, lounges, and even entertainment areas where you can get away on cruise ships. Try roaming and remembering that wasting your recovery for a drink is only just a moment, but there is so much you can do besides that.
Find A Cruise For You
If you are in early recovery and at high risk of relapse, consider postponing the cruise or finding one where there is no alcohol present. If that doesn’t work for your traveling companions, you may have to put your sobriety first and miss this one. Real friends who respect your sobriety journey would consider this, though, and there are plenty of options for sober cruises. To explore options for sober cruises, you can research online or speak with the sobriety team in your program. Specialists working at rehabilitation centers like Serenity Springs care enough to ensure their clients are set up to not fall off their paths. This relates to preparation and talking to those you trust about your travel plans.
An online search will link you to companies that offer sober cruises, which can be a great option. These companies cater to the recovery community, either scheduling entirely alcohol-free cruises or making special bookings on a ship where alcohol is available. Either way, the cohort of sober passengers support each other’s abstinence, take meals together, and attend sober activities. This option is worth investigating if some of your traveling companions wish to drink, but you need solid guardrails for your sobriety. No one has to miss out on the vacation they desire.
