SJackson Posted September 3, 2004 #1 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I did a few searches on this site because as I was looking back through some of my Daily Compass from January on Voyager I kept seeing this guy. Who is he? Was it a personal thing or is it something sponcered by the ship?:confused: If you get something for free can I bee Bill W's friend?!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toto2Kansas Posted September 3, 2004 #2 Share Posted September 3, 2004 AA Meetings! ;) You will see Bill's friends on EVERY ship and EVERY sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2threecuties Posted September 3, 2004 #3 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I was told that the "Friends of Bill W" meetings are AA meetings. Tricia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUSANITA Posted September 3, 2004 #4 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Bill W. was the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. I've been in the vicinity of some of the meetings, and they occasionally have quite a few people in attendance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria65 Posted September 3, 2004 #5 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I wondered what that was about. How would someone figure that out if they needed it though? I thought it was group on my cruise until I noticed in other compasses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbO1999 Posted September 3, 2004 #6 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Bill W is the founder of AA. I asked on the ship one time and they (Guest Relations) had no idea what it was. I later found out Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJackson Posted September 3, 2004 Author #7 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Wow thanks for the replys! I NEVER would have known that, but I think that if you are actually in AA you would. I'm sure it has come up in other meetings before. It is nice to see that they have something like that on there. Really cool of them. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailBolt Posted September 3, 2004 #8 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Friend of Bill is sort of a code for the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues or fees for AA membership. (Unless of course you count the possible loss of family, job, property, drivers liscense, self-respect, lawyers fees, yours or someone elses life, etc., etc., etc.) Personally, i think it is pretty awesome that folks in recovery get reinvolved in life and can go anywhere alcohol is served with in comfort and safety When you think about it, you NEVER read posts here about Bill's Friends being loud, obnoxious and having a negative impact on their fellow passengers. Only those who MIGHT POSSIBLY have a need to become acquainted with the Fellowship. HAPPY CRUISING!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbylook Posted September 3, 2004 #9 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I remember wondering too who Bill W was. Several months ago there was a similar thread and I was thrilled to come upon it. My brother, who is cruising for his first time w/us next March, is a recovering alcoholic and I know he was worried. He's been absolutely dry for almost three years now and I must admit, I worried about him being on the cruise too (as the entire group (family) do tend to tip a tad). When I read the thread and found out who Bill W was, I couldn't wait to tell my brother. I honestly think he's relieved that there will be support while he's on board. He's very active in AA and I will tell the world right now, I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!! And yes, I've told him personally many times. Cathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahoughton Posted September 3, 2004 #10 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I have seen the friends of Bill W. on different cruise lines and often wondered who he was so now I know and and proud of all his friends. Just keep being his friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria65 Posted September 3, 2004 #11 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I'm really impressed that RCI provides this. Cruising must be quite a challenge for those in recovery with servers walking around offering alcohol all over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colette5479 Posted September 3, 2004 #12 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I thought Bill W must be a old guy with a guitar singing songs....LOL!!!!:D I never knew this! What a great idea. They need a similar program for the gamblers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda/Ohio Posted September 3, 2004 #13 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I'm really impressed that RCI provides this. Cruising must be quite a challenge for those in recovery with servers walking around offering alcohol all over. Actually RCCL really only provides the room (and perhaps coffee and cookies). The members make the meeting. No one from RCCL is in attendance unless they are in recovery. As for the person who was worried that people who needed a meeting wouldn't find it--since it was listed as friends of Bill W., remember it is Alcoholics Anonymous--so it is always low key. I doubt if anyone would suddenly decide in the middle of a cruise to get "sober" in AA for the first time. As a side note--you might even hear at a airport sometime--"will a friend of Bill W. please come to the house phone". Sometimes a person who is travelling in a foreign areea needs to connect. The airports have been willing to provide that service too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnql Posted September 3, 2004 #14 Share Posted September 3, 2004 The common follow-up question is, "What is Friends of Dorothy?" In case anyone was wondering about this, too, it's an onboard meeting for gays and lesbians. I don't think these meeting are quite as ubiquitous as the Friends of Bill W., but I have run across them on several cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemingway Posted September 3, 2004 #15 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Every cruise line has Friends of Bill W. and Dorothy meetings. I am very impressed by anyone with this issue who can go on a cruise and not drink.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winkshouse Posted September 3, 2004 #16 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Once again this board has educated me!! :) What a GREAT place it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUSANITA Posted September 3, 2004 #17 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I'm really impressed that RCI provides this.I've seen these meetings on all other lines as well, except possibly Disney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelgrrl Posted September 3, 2004 #18 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Disney too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan-L Posted September 3, 2004 #19 Share Posted September 3, 2004 My husband attends the Friends of Bill meetings while we cruise. It does include ship staff too. It is suppose to be low key which is why it is not called an AA meeting.. He enjoys them, as a cruise is promoted to be a huge drinking party. Keeps him in line!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWog Posted September 3, 2004 #20 Share Posted September 3, 2004 I wondered what that was about. How would someone figure that out if they needed it though? I thought it was group on my cruise until I noticed in other compasses. If you are in the program you will know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pelletib Posted September 4, 2004 #21 Share Posted September 4, 2004 Guest Relations knows what "friends of Bill " is. They are just being discreet to keep their guest's privacy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adventure Girl Posted September 4, 2004 #22 Share Posted September 4, 2004 I thought the same thing on the first couple of cruises that I took......I was thinking, "who is Bill W. and how can I become his friend?" I said, "I want to have a gathering like that some day on a cruise ship.....friends of Kim G.!" Then, one of my girlfriends told me it was for Bill Wilson, (founder of AA). (I think Wilson is the correct last name....there was just recently a made-for-TV movie about his life and how he founded AA...very interesting). I think it is a great thing to have on a cruise ship...especially with all of the people partying around the ship...must be hard on a alcoholic in recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssminnow Posted September 4, 2004 #23 Share Posted September 4, 2004 I cant wait to attend my first shipboard meeting,it will be great to meet fellow drunks like me................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcboo Posted September 4, 2004 #24 Share Posted September 4, 2004 Friends of Dorothy always a fun time too. mcboo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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