Friends of Bill W/AA meetings

[Trent1984]

Sailing the Horizon on Sept 4 which will be my significant other’s first cruise sober. I’ve seen the “Friends of Bill W” meetings listed in the Fun Times on previous cruises, but wondering if anyone has any experience attending these. What is attendance like on average? Just curious as AA has been a big part of his recovery. 

[1025cruise]

There will be meetings posted. Obviously, attendance will be based on the number of friends on the cruise.

 

[Noami]

Congrats and best wishes to your SO!

[NW Native1]

Though I was not attending the meeting there was one going on while I was working one day in the library - there was around 10 people attending the meeting.

 

[Markmom18]

Hi Trent1984,

  My hubby & I are in AA and attend Friends of Bill Meetings onboard. We have a saying in AA, it only takes 2 people to make it a Meeting. 😁   Just connecting with other people (who share this disease of alcoholism) on a Ship, of all places, is crazy wonderful!
 

We used to get sooo drunk on our cruise vacations. Who knew there were so many fun things to participate in, besides hanging at the Bar(s) all day & night. 🤣 I discovered Trivia, and winning Ships On A Stick. My husband is coming up on 16 years and I’m 9 in a few.  Life IS Great💙🌌📘❣️
 

Please tell your friend to seek out the group onboard.  
🛳🛳

Bobbi

Edited August 2, 2021 by Markmom18

[Trent1984]

Thanks for your response! We will definitely be looking for the meeting times once we are onboard. Honestly,  I was hesitant at booking a cruise because of all the temptation, but realize that there’s always gonna be temptation no matter where you are. The program has been doing wonders for him so i sure hope there’s at least a couple others there for support. We’re looking forward to the winning some ships on a stick and stuffing our faces!  

[Markmom18]

20 hours ago, Trent1984 said:

Thanks for your response! We will definitely be looking for the meeting times once we are onboard. Honestly,  I was hesitant at booking a cruise because of all the temptation, but realize that there’s always gonna be temptation no matter where you are. The program has been doing wonders for him so i sure hope there’s at least a couple others there for support. We’re looking forward to the winning some ships on a stick and stuffing our faces!  

   
    Honestly, and we don’t mean to offend people who drink alcohol. But, yeah BUT ….. my hubby and I see drunk behavior now as an excellent example of why we no longer drink. Should say a minor example because our problems were way deeper than how we looked to strangers. 😁😁 

 

  The meetings we’ve attend usually just have a few people. IDK why either. Statistically we can’t be the only alcoholics onboard.  Anyway, enjoy your cruise and we’ll be with you in spirit!

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi

[Trent1984]

The last cruise we did (two years ago) was barely memorable. For him, because of the drinking and me fixating on the drinking. I hadn’t yet learned how to give up trying to control the situation.  But this cruise he is sober and we are taking his mom, who has never been on a cruise or traveled anywhere. So both us are planning to show her all the fun things to do and just enjoy all the things we’ve been missing out on. Can’t get here soon enough!

[xmasteach]

My friend is a member of the fellowship.  We will be on the 9/4 cruise.  

[Trent1984]

Hi XmasTeach!

glad to see there will be at least one other member aboard!  

[Joe817]

This is such an inspiring thread! Thank you al who contributed to this thread. May you all all always remember you are never, never, never alone. 

[K&RCurt]

My DW is a Friend of Bill W (15 years yesterday.)  She will always go to the meeting the first time it is held and will typically exchange contact info with a few other friends, just in case it is needed.  She will then attend as our schedule fits or if she feels a need to.  She say there are typically around 10 to 12 at the first meeting and fewer at any others she attends.

 

We are SO thankful for this program it has changed our lives for the better!

[Trent1984]

Congrats to your DW on 15 years!  The program is absolutely amazing and seems to be full of wonderful people. I figure my SO will at the very least attend the first meeting and maybe a few others throughout. We’ll make the time for him as needed.

[rabidstoat]

I still remember the first couple of cruises I was on, thinking that whoa, this guy Bill W is everywhere and has so many friends!

[evandbob]

Cruise Critic has a thread devoted to various "friends of Cruise Critic"......... and Bill is one of them.  There's also a thread for friends of Jimmy (NA).  Sometimes the ship's listing will merge the two groups, sometimes keep them separate.

 

The # of people vary widely, sometimes there is a contingent of sober travelers sailing as a group, which swell the mtg, sometimes just a handful or less attend.  

 

The cruiselines vary in the timing and venues, so one might see noon meetings listed on a port day, or the mtg  runs into dinner time.  If it is truly inconvenient, the "members" can approach GS and request a more suitable time.

 

I don't know if these meetings will still be scheduled in post COVID sailings....Anyone know?

Edited August 29, 2021 by evandbob

[EngIceDave]

This reminds me that it would be very nice is the cruise lines would provide a non-alcoholic drink menu at the bars.

 

I don't want to always drink a pepsi, water or juice, but I am also quite intimidated to walk up to a bar and explain I want something non-alcohol, sort of fruity, but not too fruity with a little spice....WHAT A PITA!!

 

Menu would be nice

[Homosassa]

OP, Check with Guest Services if any meetings are already on the schedule.

 

If not, you can make a request and the cruise director will add a meeting to the daily schedule.

[Markmom18]

9 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

This reminds me that it would be very nice is the cruise lines would provide a non-alcoholic drink menu at the bars.

 

I don't want to always drink a pepsi, water or juice, but I am also quite intimidated to walk up to a bar and explain I want something non-alcohol, sort of fruity, but not too fruity with a little spice....WHAT A PITA!!

 

Menu would be nice

  
    I went to the Alchemy Bar on a Dream cruise (2019).  My 1st time asking the bartender to be creative with a berry n.a. drink.  She made a fresh purple berry mixture with some other ingredients. Served in, of course, “fancy” cocktail glass.
 

😁😁 Quite delicious, way beyond just a smoothie without the alcohol. I don’t even order those anymore.   But, the cost of $9.00 & I added buck tip . So, while lovely, I don’t want to pay $10 to sip on mocktail. 
 

Friends of mine in AA were married and had a professional bartender (who met with the couple beforehand and came up with the best n.a.menu!) 

 

 What a difference willingness, imagination and fresh quality ingredients make 😋😋😋.  
 

I vote for the Menu too ❣️❣️❣️
 

🛳🛳

Bobbi 

Edited August 30, 2021 by Markmom18

[EngIceDave]

I have Cheers package from casino, so I can get anything

 

Thanks

[Markmom18]

2 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

I have Cheers package from casino, so I can get anything

 

Thanks

  When you don’t drink alcohol, I find the cost too high. Oh, and I don’t drink coffee (or smoke) 😁😁.  One of VERY few people in my Home Group who don’t. 🤣

  My hubby is also sober, and loves both coffee & ciggies. So, it might be worth getting CHEERS! — but I then am forced to buy too. 😟

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi 

[Trent1984]

11 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

This reminds me that it would be very nice is the cruise lines would provide a non-alcoholic drink menu at the bars.

 

I don't want to always drink a pepsi, water or juice, but I am also quite intimidated to walk up to a bar and explain I want something non-alcohol, sort of fruity, but not too fruity with a little spice....WHAT A PITA!!

 

Menu would be nice

ive thought the same thing recently. It would be nice for those in recovery to have more choice when it comes to “mock tails” and the like.

[HillBilly Bob]

On 8/3/2021 at 6:02 PM, Markmom18 said:

enjoy your cruise and we’ll be with you in spirit!

I feel the same and NO spirits on our cruise.    😊

[beanie315]

I will be on the Sept. 13th and 18th sailing of the Magic and will look for the meetings. I remember going to the scheduled meeting twice on an NCL cruise back in 03 and I was the only one there lol

Edited August 30, 2021 by beanie315
sp

[bstel]

On 8/3/2021 at 6:02 PM, Markmom18 said:

   

  The meetings we’ve attend usually just have a few people. IDK why either. Statistically we can’t be the only alcoholics onboard.  

 

there are probably hundreds of alcoholics on board but they are at the bar because they haven't reached that step yet.

[Jamesatgsu]

On 8/29/2021 at 11:08 AM, EngIceDave said:

This reminds me that it would be very nice is the cruise lines would provide a non-alcoholic drink menu at the bars.

 

I don't want to always drink a pepsi, water or juice, but I am also quite intimidated to walk up to a bar and explain I want something non-alcohol, sort of fruity, but not too fruity with a little spice....WHAT A PITA!!

 

Menu would be nice

Carnival has mocktails on their bar menus. We've ordered them for our kids several times.  And most mixed drinks can be had virgin.