Cruises are often associated with drink packages and copious amounts of alcohol. But…what if you’re not drinking??? No matter why you’re avoiding alcohol, you can still have a great time with these non-alcoholic beverages.
Zero Proof Cocktails
Forget being limited to soda or overly sweet ‘virgin’ drinks…several cruise lines are curating specially designed zero proof cocktail menus! You’ll find lots of great non-alcoholic options on many of the newer ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon class and Disney’s Triton class.
Non-alcoholic Versions
If the cruise line doesn’t offer specific non-alcoholic mocktails on the menu, you can always ask the bartender to make one of their other drinks without alcohol. Note, though, that this is more successful with some drinks than others. Or…let the bartender get creative! Most can craft something special just for you if you let them know what kind of drink you’d like (sweet, sour, fruity, etc).
Non-alcoholic Beer and Wine
Even if they’re not listed on the drinks menu, it’s likely that your cruise line carries some non-alcoholic beer and wine on board. Ask your bartender or waiter to see if they have something available!
Specialty Coffees
Almost every cruise ship has a coffee shop where you can get lattes, iced coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and more. If specialty coffees are not included in your beverage package, check to see if your ship offers a coffee card or package for your sailing to receive a discount.
Energy Drinks
Though typically an additional charge, most cruise ships will stock at least one brand of energy drink.
Soda
From the buffet to the formal dining rooms to the bars, you can pretty much always find soda on a cruise ship. Most ships will serve *either* Coke or Pepsi products–if you have a *really* strong preference, you may want to ask prior to booking. For Disney cruises, soda is included as part of your cruise fare.
Tea and Coffee
Basic tea (hot and iced) and coffee is available 24 hours a day on most cruise ships! Provided cups, however, can often be quite small…consider brining your own insulated mug.
Water
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water!!!
Due to how it’s processed, ship water is almost always excellent! Bring a refillable water bottle and consider packing some of your favorite water flavorings or electrolyte packets. Many cruise ships also offer ‘enhanced’ or flavored waters as well.
Or, order a soda and lime…and no one will be any the wiser that you’re abstaining (and you’ll be getting that much needed H2O).
Bringing Your Own Beverages
Some cruise lines allow you to bring a small amount of drinks on board with you. Allowances vary based on cruise line, so always check the policies ahead of time to see what is permitted.
Keep an eye out for a future blog post about understanding cruise ship drink packages!
