Why Listen?
Sober travel is no longer a niche idea — it’s a growing movement. But if you’ve ever tried to plan an alcohol-free holiday, you know the options aren’t always obvious.
The Sober Cruise Podcast exists to change that.
Hosted by recovery coach Mark Carlin and travel expert Martin Ross, the show explores what it actually looks like to travel well while sober. From cruise ships and airports to all-inclusive resorts and group travel, each episode breaks down how to enjoy the world without the pressure to drink.
Early episodes focus on Virgin Voyages and the Scarlet Lady, widely considered one of the most sober-friendly cruise experiences at sea. But the podcast goes beyond one ship, expanding into the broader world of sober travel, dry-tripping, and alcohol-free adventure.
Listeners will discover:
Practical tips for navigating travel without alcohol
The rise of sober and sober-curious travel culture
Which cruise lines truly support alcohol-free experiences
How connection, wellness, and community are redefining luxury travel
If you’re sober, sober-curious, or simply interested in traveling with more presence and clarity, this podcast will help you discover a different way to explore the world.
Because the best trips are the ones you actually remember.
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Meet Your Host - Mark Carlin
Mark has been part of recovery circles for more than 22 years. After a 30-year career in corporate IT consultancy with IBM UK, he retrained as a CCAR-accredited Recovery Coach, bringing a blend of structure, curiosity, and lived experience to his work. More recently, he worked as a coach at a rehab facility in Southern Spain, where he also ran their aftercare Zoom programme for a year.
He is the co-founder of The Sober Cruise, a luxury travel experience created for people who want to enjoy cruising without alcohol being the focal point. At its heart, The Sober Cruise is about ease and permission — the ease of settling into beautiful ships, thoughtful itineraries, and good company, and the permission to enjoy it all without explanation. The next Sober Cruise will depart from Barcelona in August 2026.
Mark’s interests sit at the meeting point of recovery, travel — especially cruising — long-distance walking, and theatre, all of which inform the way he thinks about presence, connection, and how we choose to spend our time. He writes from lived experience and curiosity, always with an eye toward what helps people feel more at home in their own lives.
Learn more about Mark at:
- Website: thesobercruise.com
- Facebook: The Sober Cruise
- Instagram: @TheSoberCruise
- Podcast: The Sober Cruise
Articles by Mark Carlin
Sober Cruise Cost Breakdown: What a Cruise Really Costs in 2026
Cruising Without Drinking: The Best Cruise Lines for Sober and Alcohol-Free Travelers
A Sober Traveler’s Walking Tour of London: One Day of Culture, History, and Alcohol-Free Adventure
Sober Travel in London: A Personal Guide to Walking, Museums, and Alcohol-Free Experiences
“The Fifth Step” by David Ireland: A Raw, Funny, and Honest Look at Sobriety
