If you’ve ever wondered whether travel and sobriety can truly go hand in hand, episode 10 of the Sober Curator Podcast, “Hooked Travel with Darci Murray,” is about to open your eyes—and your heart. In this vibrant, laughter-filled discussion, host Alysse Bryson and co-host Tamar Routly welcome Darci Murray, founder of Hooked Alcohol Free Travel, for an inside look at adventuring around the globe—without booze.
Darci’s journey to sobriety is deeply personal, but her passion for redefining travel experiences is universal. As a mom of four boys and a veteran travel agent, she reached a pivotal moment when alcohol simply stopped serving her—and began hindering her day-to-day life, especially as a parent. Her decision to embrace sobriety wasn’t only about removing alcohol, but about actively choosing a fuller, richer life: “If I want to be the best mom possible, I need to quit drinking,” she says. This clarity led Darci not only to shed shame, but to channel her expertise and entrepreneurial spirit into creating Hooked Alcohol Free Travel—an inclusive community where like-minded explorers can discover the world, remember the journey, and truly enjoy every moment.
How Hooked Alcohol Free Travel Began
Hooked was born from a coffee date where Darci and a friend realized there was a gap in the travel industry for sober adventurers. Why should sober trips be limited or exclusive? Darci’s answer was simple: “Let’s launch like a completely sober travel company.” Given her 20-year background as a travel agent, creating unforgettable itineraries was already her forte. Hooked quickly grew, launching its first group trip after the pandemic lockdowns in 2022, and is now celebrated for its vibrant, inclusive approach to global exploration.
Through Hooked, Darci champions travel that isn’t about bar-hopping or waking up hungover, but rather about immersing yourself in new cultures, savoring authentic experiences, and forging deep connections with fellow travelers. In her words, “We all have that commonality, and it just kind of goes from there. It’s really a remarkable thing to watch.” Every trip—whether it’s Tanzania for safari adventures, the Maldives for stunning seascapes, or even vibrant Vegas—emphasizes true presence, genuine connection, and all the pinch-me moments that travelers actually remember.
Darci also dispels any notion that sober travel is limiting or less fun. She shares that sober travelers want the same adventurous destinations as anyone else—be it Ireland, Greece, or all-inclusive cruises—but with the support of a like-minded community. It’s about inclusion, adventure, and the joy of memory-making.
Upcoming Adventures and the Sober Love Boat
One of the major highlights discussed is the upcoming Sober Love Boat cruise to Alaska in 2025, with Alysse Bryson (celebrating her 50th) joining the festivities. Princess Cruises has leaned into the sober movement by offering outstanding alcohol-free beverage options, including Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz line and a variety of zero-proof spirits and mocktails. For Hooked travelers, this means the freedom to enjoy world-class amenities and dazzling destinations—minus the booze—with themed parties, games nights, group excursions, and even a murder mystery experience in the works.
Darci also reveals plans for other group trips, including a dry grad adventure to Thailand with an elephant sanctuary experience, and an alcohol-free wine tour through Germany and Austria—proving the demand and excitement for sober travel is on the rise.
Darci’s enthusiasm is palpable. Founding Hooked let her trade private shame for public pride: “Opening Hooked has completely changed me as a person…I’ve created a space for like-minded people to enhance their lives through travel.” For her, sobriety isn’t about giving things up, but gaining everything: family connection, adventure, laughter, and real memories. Her travel brand is about saying yes—to the world, to new friends, to wild experiences, and, most of all, to herself.
Ready to Join the Sober Adventure?
Learn more about upcoming Hooked trips (like the legendary Alaska Sober Love Boat cruise, Thailand dry grad, or the Germany-Austria alcohol-free wine experience) by heading to Hooked Alcohol Free Travel’s website or following Darci on Instagram at @hooked.alcoholfreetravel.
Listen to the Episode Now
Hosted by Alysse Bryson & Tamar Routly, and produced by Podcast Impact Studio, The Sober Curator Podcast brings sober lifestyle, pop culture, & recovery to the mic. Alongside Alysse & Tamar, rotating global contributors join as co-hosts to explore zero-proof drinks, sober travel, quit lit, entertainment, & mental health. This is sober media with personality, perspective, & a glitter bomb of honesty. Sober-curious or living alcohol-free, we’ve got you! We’re not here to help you get sober. We’re here to help you live sober: and love it.
It starts in a hotel lobby in Orlando. It ends with an invitation to Scottsdale. In between: inflatable walkers, a steam-filled hotel bathroom, Dollywood in full Dolly drag, sumo suits bought in bulk, and every sober travel hack we actually use.
Alysse and Tamar are joined by ride-or-die Sober Curator Amy Liz Harrison (50+ articles, 8 kids, airline-executive husband, carry-on always over the weight limit) for a masterclass in traveling sober and loving it. Because here's the thing about sober travel: you remember everything. Including the reason you got kicked out.
In this episode:
The Golden Girls incident at PodFest Orlando, and how Amy steamed an entire hotel bathroom trying to inflate a walker (ADHD time blindness is real, friends)
Dressed as Dolly at Dollywood. You would think there would be more of us. You would be wrong.
The airport hack every sober traveler should know: asking the gate agent to page ”a friend of Bill W.” Tamar has done it three times. People showed up.
Amy's research on 26 airports with interfaith prayer rooms, meditation spaces, and sensory-friendly quiet rooms, born from wishing recovery had its own USO
Why wearing sober merch while traveling turns strangers into your people (it's a team jersey, and your team is sober)
Travel hacks: Amy's secret-compartment vest, Tamar's carry-on conversion, and the time we got kicked out of the Neon Museum gift shop with our arms full of merchandise
THE BIG ONE: Cover Story, The Sober Curator's first-ever retreat
Cover Story Retreat: October 15 to 18, 2026
You didn't get sober to sit in the back row. Four days and three nights at the brand-new Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas in Paradise Valley (Scottsdale), Arizona, in partnership with Evolve Retreats. All meals and NA beverages included. A 30-minute on-location photo shoot with photographer Barbie Hull. B-roll captured for you all weekend. A costume outing (it's Sober October, we will deliver). A group-built Sober in Scottsdale city guide. A live podcast recording. Sound baths and hikes for the wellness people, shopping and art galleries for the rest of us.
$3,299 single / $2,700 double. Prices go up August 21. Small group, think dinner party, not conference.
➤ Details + booking: https://evolveretreats.co/cover-story
Sober Shots from this episode:
”I've never had so much fun traveling as I have as a sober person because, wait for it, I remember everything.” (Alysse)
”What do we feel like doing today? Let's get in sumo costumes.” (Amy)
”It's the same thing as wearing a jersey. It's just your team sober.” (Amy)
”We don't need a lot of reason to do something dumb. Very little runway and we're taking off.” (Alysse)
”You didn't get sober to sit in the back row.” (Alysse)
Links + Goodies:
Cover Story Retreat: https://evolveretreats.co/cover-story
The Sober Curator luggage line (40% off for Backstage members): https://shopthesobercurator.com
Amy's 26 Airports article: https://thesobercurator.com/sober-travel-airport-quiet-rooms/
Golden Girls outing reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTjw5wpjUzB/
Inflatable walkers affiliate link, because of course: https://amzn.to/3S2r85s
The Sober Curator Rolodex: https://thesobercurator.com/the-sober-curator-rolodex/
The Sober Sip newsletter: https://www.thesobercuratornewsletter.com/
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WHAT A TRIP! Discover the Serenity of Alaska on the Boozeless Cruise with Hooked on Travel – July 2025 – CABINS STILL AVAILABLE!
SOBER UNBUZZED FEED: 25 Reasons Not to Miss the 2025 A.A. International Convention in July…Even if You’re Not in A.A.
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