Tipping the Boat: Cruise Ship Overdrinking Is a Serious Problem

Majestic glaciers, royal blue waters, and five cities in seven days—an all-inclusive cruise can provide the ultimate travel experience. But for those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or problem drinking, the generous boozy onboard offerings can be a slippery slope from a good time to overboard. 

Why Do People Drink Excessively On Cruise Ships?

Vacations can provide a much-needed break from a busy routine. For some, drinking on a cruise ship is a way to relax, let loose, and indulge. But for others, drinking while on a cruise can quickly get out of hand. 

Cruises often provide “all you can drink” packages where alcoholic beverages are unlimited, offering ease and convenience. Usually, cruise ship bars are open nearly round-the-clock. Because it’s seen as socially acceptable to start drinking earlier in the day while lounging poolside, you might not notice that your daily drink allotment quickly adds up. 

When others around you are drinking, it can be hard to turn down a beverage. The social pressure can undoubtedly encourage someone to overdrink. It can be easy to hide in plain sight when you have AUD on a cruise. 

Some people have a mentality on vacation that their ordinary rules don’t apply. While this mindset can be beneficial, such as not checking your work email when you are out of the office, overdrinking is a vacation mentality that can come with severe consequences. 

How Much Does the Average Cruise Passenger Drink?

The average person consumes an estimated 4.7 drinks per day and 33 drinks per week while on board (1). This meets the CDC’s criteria for both heavy drinking and binge drinking (2).

The Risks of Heavy Drinking on a Cruise

Drinking on a cruise can be dangerous due to the hot sun exposure and bouncy rhythm of water travel. It can be hard to keep your balance, especially while intoxicated, leading to potential injuries and falls. 

The risk of alcohol poisoning and medical emergencies is heightened when someone has a “what happens on a cruise stays on a cruise” mentality. Overboard accidents are the leading cause of death on cruises. As reported by the Washington Post, alcohol is a factor in 60% of overboard cases, and the safest cruise lines are only able to rescue 40% of people. 

In 2016, a 22-year-old cruise passenger was served 30 ounces of alcohol in 12 hours and had a blood alcohol level of .256 (3). Disastrously, he fell overboard and died. His story is a reminder of the dangers of cruise ship overdrinking and how a good time can quickly turn to tragedy when alcohol is involved. 

Recently, the major cruise giant Carnival noted that its staff will monitor abnormal behavior from passengers that could suggest overdrinking. Ironically, Carnvial’s Cheers beverage package includes 15 daily beverages, which they have no plans to reduce. 

Even with the generous amount, the drink package limit has faced backlash among passengers for being insufficient. Most people who hit their limit do not remember doing so. Plus, inebriation creates behavior someone wouldn’t usually have sober, such as wanting more drinks. Further, there are thousands of search results for hacks to sneak alcohol onto cruises, which can get someone kicked off. 

What Cruise Ship Overdrinking Really Means

For some, cruise ship overdrinking can be vacation overindulgence. But for others, it is a sign of a more severe problem. The following questions can help you determine whether cruise ship overdrinking is a sign of AUD. 

• Are you able to spend a day on vacation without drinking?
• When you get home from a cruise, how many drinks per day do you have?
• Do you set drink limits and break them?
• How much of your vacation did you prioritize for the ability to drink liberally?

The problem could be in the pattern. If you drink on vacation and return home to drink much less with ease, your experience may have been one of overindulgence. However, if you are still meeting the daily quota for problem drinking and feel occupied by cravings for more, you may have AUD. 

What to Do If You Think You Have AUD

If someone points out problem drinking to you on a cruise, or you think you might have AUD upon return, help is available. There are plenty of free online support groups for AUD and available specialists who treat addiction. We are happy to assist you with a free assessment to see if you qualify for medication to reduce or stop drinking. 

If you have never found drinking to be a problem but find yourself struggling to lessen your drinking after a cruise, you might consider getting support. 

Vacationing With AUD

If you have AUD and are considering a cruise, it’s wise to contemplate if your current recovery can support constant exposure to alcohol, being around others who are heavily drinking, and not much of an escape. If not, plenty of vacations can feel safer and more supportive for your recovery.  

If you are going to enjoy a cruise and have AUD, it’s helpful to have a plan in place for how you’ll manage. Your plan might include going with a sober or accountability buddy. It can consist of managing stressors and triggers, like not spending all day near a bar. Some cruises also have sober support groups on board, so checking ahead of time to see if this is an offering can help. 

If practicing alcohol moderation, you might consider tips like alternating between a nonalcoholic beverage and an alcoholic one or choosing a drink with less alcoholic content, like beer over a cocktail. For some, it can feel beneficial to have a plan for how much they will drink when returning from vacation. 

For anyone with AUD attending a cruise, medications like naltrexone can help you reduce drinking or stay committed to a path of alcohol abstinence. If you take naltrexone, don’t forget to pack it for a safer trip.

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