Author: Mark Carlin

The bartender looked momentarily confused when I ordered my third Diet Coke of the afternoon.”Are you sure you don’t want something in that?” he asked, gesturing toward the rum shelf. After 22 years sober, I have learned to find these moments more amusing than awkward. I smiled, thanked him, and carried my glass out to the promenade deck, where the Atlantic stretched endlessly ahead. That small exchange set the tone for my two-week transatlantic crossing aboard Norwegian Luna’s inaugural voyage. Sobriety was not hidden. It was simply normal, part of a wider shift toward a more visible sober lifestyle. The…

Three deaths. Eleven confirmed or probable cases. A ship that spent weeks at sea under international health surveillance before docking in Tenerife under WHO supervision. The MV Hondius outbreak is serious — and it deserves to be treated that way. But serious is not the same as systemic. And for most people planning a cruise in 2026, the evidence supports a clear conclusion: mainstream cruise travel remains safe. Here is what the situation actually looks like, without minimizing what happened or inflating what it means. What Happened on the MV Hondius The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia,…

Cruises can represent very good value, but the headline price is rarely the full story. This guide breaks down flights, hotels, gratuities, excursions, drinks packages and hidden fees — with a sober traveller’s perspective on what’s worth paying for and what isn’t.

Gallup reports nearly half of U.S. adults now abstain from alcohol, and cruising is quietly reshaping itself around that shift. Sober cruising is emerging as a significant travel trend, driven by a growing number of travelers who want alcohol-free experiences while sailing on mainstream cruise ships. This guide explores the cruise lines that best support sober, non-drinking, and alcohol-free guests who still want the full cruise experience. These are not alcohol-free ships; they are well-known cruise lines where choosing not to drink is both comfortable and widely accepted. A common question is whether it’s possible to cruise without alcohol —…

One Day of History, Art, and Presence London is one of the world’s great walking cities, where centuries of history, world-class art, royal pageantry, and vibrant street life unfold block by block. For sober travellers, this city offers something deeper: the chance to move through it with clarity, presence, and intention. This route begins in recovery, passes London’s most iconic sights, and ends in the soft glow of Leicester Square as evening settles. It’s not just sightseeing — it’s a mindful journey through the heart of the city. Beginning in Recovery There’s no better way to start the day than…

Staying Grounded, Curious, and Present in One of the World’s Great Cities London is one of the world’s most rewarding cities to explore, especially when you’re sober. Beyond the pubs and nightlife, the city reveals itself to those who walk, wander, and pay attention: the curve of a bridge, the shimmer of the Thames, the echo inside a cathedral. For sober travellers, London offers quiet corners, bustling markets, world-class museums, and welcoming communities. This isn’t a guide to “avoiding alcohol”; it’s a guide to experiencing the city fully — grounded, present, and attentive. Whether you’re new to sobriety or have…

Belfast Playwright Explores AA, Mentorship, and Human Imperfection David Ireland’s “The Fifth Step” is a play that understands sobriety not as redemption, but as exposure. Set largely within the framework of Alcoholics Anonymous, it resists easy judgment — neither endorsing nor condemning the programme — and instead turns its attention to something more uncomfortable: what happens when flawed people are given moral authority over one another. Ireland, the Belfast-born playwright long fascinated by faith, guilt, and hypocrisy, brings his sharpest instincts to bear here. AA is not treated as a problem to be solved, but as a human structure —…

No Edits, No Retakes: Witnessing the Spiral from the Stalls Theatre has always loved alcohol. Glasses clink, bottles appear and disappear, and characters loosen their tongues under the warm glow of stage lights. But while drinking has long been a convenient dramatic device, addiction itself has rarely been portrayed with the same honesty. Only in recent decades has theatre begun to move beyond caricature and cautionary tale, toward something far more uncomfortable — and far more truthful. What makes addiction so potent on stage is its immediacy. There is no cinematic buffer, no softening edit, no distance. When a character’s…

For many in recovery, planning a holiday brings a particular set of considerations. Menus may be scanned in advance, local meetings noted, and the social atmosphere weighed carefully — will a destination feel welcoming, or might subtle challenges arise? Traditionally, cruises were often seen as the latter: ships dominated by drinks packages and lively poolside bars, environments that could feel at odds with a life lived clearly. As we enter 2026, travel is evolving alongside the sober lifestyle movement. “Dry Tripping,” a way of travelling that emphasises presence over excess, is steadily gaining traction. At the forefront is The Sober…

For years, cruises carried a reputation that didn’t suit everyone — a sort of floating pub drifting from one sunny port to the next. For those choosing a sober lifestyle or exploring a sober‑curious lifestyle, the idea of stepping aboard felt like walking into a party you’d already decided to leave. Yet as we enter 2026, sober travel adventures and international sober vacations have quietly entered the mainstream. The question is no longer “Will I manage without a drink?” but “Is this the kind of journey that fits the life I’m living now?” For many, modern cruising offers structure, calm,…

Cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel, but being sober on a ship surrounded by bars and drinks takes a bit of planning and the right mindset. Over the years, I have learned how to make it not just doable, but genuinely enjoyable. Here is my story and some tips for anyone thinking about a sober cruise. Falling in love with cruising My first cruise was in 2001, a seven-night Caribbean adventure. From the moment I stepped aboard, I loved it. The sunshine, the ship and the activities were incredible. At the time, I was drinking heavily, which…