AA/Friends of Bill W

[Fan2007]

I have heard that there were AA meetings on the ship, but the posts I found are all a few years old. Does anyone know if there are still meetings on the ship? We will be on the Wonder in a few weeks, and it would be great if DH could go to meetings.

Any thoughts on how I could find out? Do you think there is a phone number to call for Disney cruise info that would tell me, or is it too anonymous/informal?

Has anyone been to an AA meeting on the cruise? I saw one poster complain that she showed up to a meeting, but no one was there.

Please pm me if you would rather. This is a hard topic for my family that we are just starting to really struggle with, and we could use all the help we can get.

Thanks.

 

[WDWLVR]

First off welcome to the DIS and the DCL forums.

They still have meetings on the ship each day. It is listed in the Navigator as Friends of Bill W. Sorry never been to a meeting. I hope someone does give you their experience either here or in pm.

 

[nordkin]

The meetings are in the Navigator everyday and on our last cruise they were at 8 AM everyday. I have not been to a meeting so I can not help you there either.

 

[sewfruf1221]

There is usually an AA meeting available..........check w/ guest services or look in the Personal Navigator..........
You can call DCL at 800-WDW-CRUISE

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

WOW WOW WOW, Disney is just awesome, having AA meetings in amazing, so glad people can go on a cruise and still stick with their program!!! Kudos to Disney!

 

[luvcruisn]

I saw that on our Navigators the last two cruises, but didn't know that that was. I am so glad that Disney offers that to their guests! I have a coworker with a struggling family member and I know how important his meetings are. Way to go Disney!

 

[Mickey_loves_Minnie]

I've seen them listed in the daily bulletins of the other lines I've been on; it's certainly not exclusive to DCL. It seems pretty commonplace to have an AA meeting on a cruise, what with all the alcohol being sold everywhere you turn. Definitely a good thing to have!

Fan2007, I hope someone can let you know how many people attended their meetings on board, but I would guess it just depends on who happens to be cruising at the time.

 

[Empress Room]

It seems pretty commonplace to have an AA meeting on a cruise, what with all the alcohol being sold everywhere you turn. Definitely a good thing to have!

There does seem to be a bit of irony involved, doesn't there? What with all the selling of basic and premium wine packages the minute you step onto the ship, the servers with Bahama Mamas at the sail away party, martini, margherita and beer tastings...yikes!

I know that many guests' (not to mention my own onboard charges) would be more manageable without all of these adult beverage opportunities. Everything in moderation, as they say.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I looked this info up for another thread. Here you go! And remember to check your Navigator as the times can change (location seems to stay the same).
FRIENDS OF BILL W. INFORMATION - FOR LOCAL AND ON DCL
Originally Posted by Miss Jasmine (thanks Miss Jasmine)

3-day Cruise
Day 2 (Nassau)
Friends of Bill W. 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate.

4-day Cruise
Day 2 (Nassau)
Friends of Bill W. 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate.
Day 3 (Castaway Cay)
Friends of Bill W. 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate.
Day 4 (Day at Sea)
Friends of Bill W. 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate.

7-Day Cruise - Eastern
Day 2 (Day at Sea)
9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 3 (Day at Sea)
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 4 (St. Maarten)
9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 5 (St. Thomas)
9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 6 (Day at Sea)
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 7 (Castaway Cay)
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate

7-Day Cruise - Western
Day 2 (Key West)
9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 3 (Day at Sea)
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 4 (Grand Cayman)
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 5 (Cozumel)
9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 6 (Day at Sea)
9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Animator's Palate
Day 7 (Castaway Cay)
9:00 AM to 9:30 AM - Animator's Palate
Remember to check your Navigators as these times can change.

LOCAL BILL W.
http://www.aaspacecoast.org/images/header_02.jpg
http://www.aaspacecoast.org/WhereWhen.htm

 

[tecdavidt]

The do offer all of the alcohol of the day beverages when you board but they also offer non-alcohol versions of the fruity concoctions. In fact we were asked if we wanted the alcohol or not. The meetings are important for AA members. Kathy

 

[Pirate Mike]

We are going to be cruising mid October, and I was glad to see they have Friends of Bill meetings scheduled on the ship. Being on past cruises, the alchohol is definately promoted (not sure about DCL, 1st time cruising with them). I am planning on going to the meeting/s, even if I'm the only one there. I figure can have some quiet time, pray, and still work my program. And if there are others attending... all the better. Hope your DH finds his way there!

 

[global_mom]

My DH attened Bill W. on our DCL cruise this past March. He has 8 years sober!!!! There was only one other person there each day but it was still good. The other was a CM and they became instant support for each other. We were on the 3 night cruise so he went 3 days and was just the 2 of them each time.

Though there is tons of alcohol on the ship DH did not find the atmoshpere to be terribly challenging. It is such a family enviroment that the drinking takes a back seat to the family fun. I am sure that there are people who get snookered but it was not overly obvious. We still vacation frequently and he just goes to his meetings wherever we are. Take it one day at a time.....

 

[cmash95]

I have been on princess cruises and carnival as well and they each had friend of bill w meetings onboard. I would be surprised if most if not all lines have them of course some cruiselines promote the drinking of alcohol more than others.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

Global mom, I congratulate your husband and you! What an accomplishment. Eight years sober is something to be very proud of.

 

[Fan2007]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. It is very reassuring knowing there are people out there who are supportive. I think early morning meetings will work really well.

Thanks also to the person who pm'd me - I can't pm back, because I haven't posted enough yet, but we are on the Oct. 7 cruise.

I've been on a Disney cruise before, although DH hasn't, and I think we will be so busy doing family friendly stuff that for the most part it will be fine. But he is in the early stages of recovery, so knowing meetings are out there for him every day is wonderful.

 

[jns]

do they have any other 12 step meetings onboard

 

[Grandma4ever]

do they have any other 12 step meetings onboard

To the best of my knowledge AA is the only meetings offered. You may be able to ask permission to set in due to a different addiction as the steps are all the same. As a person who is recovering from several addictions I would not have an issue with it however I can not speak for those who might be in attendance on any given day.

 

[global_mom]

do they have any other 12 step meetings onboard

An attendee at one of DH's meetings on the Wonder was actually in OA. She adjusted the program accordingly.

 

[Pluto 2]

im glad i didnt go there. i would of felt stupid. i seen it on the navigator everyday but i didnt know what it was. it was in animators palate everyday so i figured it was a drawing class or something of that nature.

 

[festus105]

I would assume that since all of the AA meetings are "open" that people in other 12 step programs would be welcome.