I tried Princess Cruises’ new alcohol-free drinks package and I’m sold

There’s more to enjoy on a no-hangover holiday, especially when you’re cruising through Japan during cherry blossom season.

I’ve always considered myself an occasional drinker – the kind who can appreciate a good wine list but is just as likely to spend 20 minutes scanning a cocktail menu only to ask, “Do you have anything that’s non-alcoholic but looks amazing?” Cue a polite bartender smile and a boring drink in a tall glass with an umbrella.

When I signed up for a Japanese cruise aboard Diamond Princess, I was quietly dreading the same old struggle of wanting something festive in my glass without the hangover in my head. But this time things were different. Deliciously different.

Thanks to Princess Cruises’ new alcohol-free alternatives drinks package (for the sober-curious and social sippers), I was living my best cruise life one no-alc Mojito at a time. Mocktails, zero-proof wines, and alcohol-free beers that actually taste like beer? I didn’t feel like I was missing out. I felt smug, hydrated and bright and shiny the next morning.

Tokyo arrival vibes

Japan had me at “reclining airport limousine seat”. After a long-haul in economy, being able to nearly lie flat on the hour-long ride from Narita to Yokohama felt like my soft launch into the plush world of cruising. From my room at the InterContinental Yokohama Grand, I could spot Diamond Princess docked at Osanbashi Pier. She was shiny, serene and ready to whisk me into cherry blossom season.

The first hint of sakura was a fake tree in the cruise terminal (great for photos, not for fragrance). Boarding was smooth, the ship was gleaming and my mocktail mission was officially under way.

Thanks to Princess Cruises’ new alcohol-free alternatives drinks package, I was living my best cruise life. Picture:  Kerry Heaney.

First sip, big win

That first evening, with rough seas delaying our departure, I settled into the ship’s bar with a minty Mojito, zero-proof but convincingly real, and watched my husband challenge the bartender to recreate a neon-blue Tsunami cocktail he’d seen on social media. Spoiler: his blue concoction was a success, but round two and a late-night wine chaser did him no favours. I woke up feeling chipper, like I’d had a great night out without the baggage.

Rain delays and naked baths

Plans for a day off ship exploring Yokohama were washed away by relentless sideways rain. The Cup Noodles Museum and a local baseball game were out, but on board, things were warming up. I swapped sightseeing for soaking in the Izumi bathhouse, which is styled like a traditional Japanese onsen. It’s swimsuit-optional, which many find a little confronting, but I embraced the culture (and the steam) while my husband took one look and dubbed it “naked man soup” before bolting.

A formal night splash out meant hair, nails, and more hairpins than one updo should legally require. Spa-fresh and sparkling, I floated down for a non-alcoholic drink that tasted like celebration, not compromise, followed by a dining room dinner.

I swapped sightseeing for soaking in the Izumi bathhouse, which is styled like a traditional Japanese onsen. Picture: Supplied.

Castles, shrines and forest bathing

In Miyazaki, we explored the peaceful Obi Castle town and forest-bathed among the ruins. We missed the annual Naked Man Festival by a couple of months (my husband was relieved), but a visit to Aoshima Shrine was romantic enough for any couple seeking a little good fortune.

For dinner that night at on-board Sabatini’s Italian, I toasted our day with a sparkling apple cider that felt festive enough.

Volcanoes and vinegar

Kagoshima brought volcano views, ash warnings (bring a hat or umbrella just in case), and black vinegar that’s brewed in ceramic pots and hailed for its health benefits. Naturally, I bought three bottles. That night, a citrusy, zero-alcohol Margarita paired beautifully with a bowl of miso soup, sashimi and sushi, and a scoop of matcha ice cream. Who needs tequila?

That night, a citrusy, zero-alcohol Margarita paired beautifully with a bowl of miso soup, sashimi and sushi, and a scoop of matcha ice cream. Who needs tequila? Picture: Supplied.

History, heart and hot markets

In Nagasaki, the haunting exhibits of the Atomic Bomb Museum sat in stark contrast to the tranquil Peace Park. It was heavy, but beautifully balanced by quiet hope and an unspoken message.

Busan in South Korea, delivered the first sakura in full bloom, a sizzling DIY barbecue, and a market selling everything from socks to karaoke machines. Meanwhile, Sasebo surprised me with a cruise through the stunning islands of Kujukushima on a tall ship complete with a secret lift for lazy landlubbers like me.

Final sips and sacred stops

A day at sea let me peek behind the culinary curtain with a galley tour and indulge in The Sanctuary, a blissful, adults-only deck retreat complete with a pool, sun lounges and more faux-cocktails. I tried a non-alcoholic Mai Tai that tasted like summer vacation captured in a glass.

In Nagasaki, the haunting exhibits of the Atomic Bomb Museum sat in stark contrast to the tranquil Peace Park.

Our final port, Toba, brought spiritual serenity at the Ise Jingu Shrine, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. It felt like the perfect full-circle moment for a trip focused on light, wellness, and good vibes with great drinks.

Was it worth it?

Back in Yokohama, I capped off the trip with a debarkation tour through must-sees, including Ginza shopping district, the Meiji Shrine, and Tokyo’s Sensoji temple before heading to the airport, tired but clear-headed.

The verdict? I’m a convert. Mocktails that don’t disappoint are a game-changer. A cruise that supports mindful drinking without making you feel like you’re missing the fun? Absolute win for me.

I capped off the trip with a debarkation tour through must-sees, including Tokyo’s Sensoji temple before heading to the airport.

While I was happily discovering the joys of zero-proof living with the alcohol-free alternatives package, my husband indulged in his favourites with the premier beverage package, which includes cocktails, spirits, wine, specialty coffees and more. Both are included in the Princess Premier package. It meant we each got exactly what we wanted, without compromising the experience – or the bar bill.

Whether you’re anti-alcohol or just not up for the hangover, a no-booze cruise gives you everything. It’s a celebration without the crash, luxury without the fuzziness, and drinks that you can still pronounce at the end of the night.

When is the best time to sail to Japan?

Princess Cruises has three similar Japan voyages available in 2025, including a nine-day round-trip from Tokyo, departing September 4 (from $2699) or September 29 (from $2519) on board Diamond Princess.

The writer travelled as a guest of Princess Cruises.

Originally published as I tried Princess Cruises’ new alcohol-free drinks package and I’m sold