Given Up Alcohol? The Best Sober Vacations

These ideas prove that sober travel CAN be fun.

Published February 27, 2026

AARP (Miraval Austin Resort & Spa)

I remember when I took my first sober vacation. It was a few years into my now long-term sobriety. I took a cruise with my three young children and I was terrified! Would I want to drink? Could I actually have fun? What if a craving hit mid-dinner? I almost canceled the trip altogether because I couldn’t imagine vacation and sobriety coexisting. Looking back, I am so grateful that I didn’t let fear win. That cruise became one of the best vacations of my life — and the start of my new love of alcohol-free travel. Whether you are like me and fully abstinent, sober curious or just crave a more mindful vacation, there are plenty of travel itineraries where alcohol is not at the center of the experience. Here are a few great ideas to get you started:

Courtesy Celebrity Cruises

Cruise: Celebrity Xcel

Let’s be honest, even us sober folks want to join in on sunset toasts, and the bartenders at Celebrity definitely got the memo. The Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship to join Celebrity’s Edge class, delivers a sophisticated, culturally immersive experience that will have you buzzing on ocean air, an eclectic, jam-packed itinerary and mocktails, if that’s your jam. It is safe to say they have perfected the art of mocktail creation with a variety of drinks that tease your taste buds and look oh-so-glamorous. With menus that are updated frequently, they offer a wide range of zero-proof drinks, like The Strawberry Groove (a strawberry and white chocolate concoction made with zero-proof Tanqueray), a La Vida (zero-proof tequila mixed with Pathfinder, marigold, verjus and grapefruit) and the cleverly-named Seafoam Elixir (Seedlip Grove, white grape, orange blossom, lime and blue spirulina). Bring your favorite mocktail to dinner at one of the ship’s 15 restaurants or stop by The Bazaar, a three-deck, multisensory space (with to-die-for aft-facing views) that immerses you in the food, art and culture of the destinations to which you are sailing. It’s a big ship with serene energy — the perfect combo for a relaxing, sober and sophisticated vacation.

Group Travel: Hooked On Travel

If you are interested in traveling sober, you should know about Hooked, a travel company focused on global exploration and designed exclusively for those who want to explore the world with others and sans alcohol. Hooked offers a variety of trips and gatherings for “everyone — men, women, sober curious, in recovery, mocktail lovers, young, old and anyone who’s sober supportive.” Because sober travel encourages deeper presence and mindfulness, Hooked’s trips are built with awareness and self-growth in mind. They offer four different types of trips: full sensory (because being sober heightens the awareness of your senses), wellness (think healthy habits and personal growth), sober locals (meet up with local sober hosts) and excursions (one-off activities at various destinations). No matter which you choose, the focus is on community, authenticity and self-improvement. The trips are great for solo travelers who want to meet other like-minded individuals. Current offerings include an “On the Rocks” trip to Iceland in August 2026, a trip to Tanzania in April 2026 and an alcohol-free wine tour in Australia in October 2026. Join their Facebook group to learn more, see photos of previous trips and stay in the know.

Beach: Amelia Island

Sober pairs well with everything in my book, but one of the best pairings? If you ask me, it’s a sober, restful day with my feet in the sand and my face in a book. If you’re looking for a serene, private escape for a vacation, Amelia Island may, just 30 miles north of Jacksonville, be the secret gem for which you have been searching. Soft, white-sand beaches, clear water with surfable waves and a charming, quaint downtown strip for a nighttime stroll — it has all the vacation vibes with none of the party ones. There are several hotels, Airbnbs and charming bed and breakfasts, and the locals will make you feel right at home. Treat yourself to Fernandina’s Fantastic Fudge (made the traditional way in a copper kettle with all-natural ingredients), an ice cream cone or a round of mini golf. Stroll the streets and shop for souvenirs or embark on an official ghost tour if you dare. So much to do, but so little time! Speaking of time, many of the shops on Center Street close earlier than expected, so be sure to call ahead and plan accordingly. Then enjoy an early, sober but fun-filled night!

Courtesy Miraval Austin Resort & Spa

Wellness: Miraval Austin Resort & Spa

Sobriety and self-care go hand in hand, so why not spend your next trip at a resort and spa that promotes wellness and prioritizes intention? Miraval Austin Resort & Spa, a 220-acre natural sanctuary located in the Texas Hill Country, offers an experience that former guests rave about, describing it as “the most meaningful, joyful and memorable getaway” and “a truly healing resort.” The resort provides each guest with one very important task: set (and travel with) your intention. Intention is at the core of the Miraval philosophy and, as their website states, it is the basis for which to embark on an “inspiring, enriching and transformative journey.” Suggested intentions include support for the process of grief, reconnection for couples, culinary and nutrition exploration and self-connection. Once your intention is set, the customizing begins as you create an itinerary for each day of your stay. Daily activities include yoga classes, manifestation meditations, nature walks, cooking classes, sound baths and visits to their on-site farm. The on-site Life in Balance Spa offers all the usuals (mani, pedi, facials, etc.) with a more intentional, healing vibe. Specialties include Ayurveda (the art of self-healing) treatments, acupuncture, energy work and every type of massage you can imagine.

It’s hard to believe that there was a version of me somewhere, long ago, who didn’t think traveling sober could be fun. All it took was a few relaxing and intentional trips to show me a new way — and one that I love more than I ever could have imagined.

Suzanne E. Hayes is a freelance writer based in Simsbury, Connecticut, where she’s raising three children and finding plenty of real-life inspiration along the way. Her work explores family, identity, and the beautifully messy moments of modern womanhood. Suzanne’s writing has appeared in Working Mother, Woman’s World, Kveller, Guideposts, Under the Gum Tree Literary Magazine, and more. With honesty and heart, she brings stories to life that resonate long after the last line is read.