Friends of Bill W

[Mr. Moose51]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but after two cruises, I see the frinds of Bill W in all the Navigators, yet have not yet dared visit the party. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

[georgina]

I believe Bill W was the founder of AA, and this refers to AA meetings onboard.

 

[Mr. Moose51]

Thankyou for the information. I'm sure you are correct.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

I believe Bill W was the founder of AA, and this refers to AA meetings onboard.

You are correct. Friends of Bill W is an AA meeting and is offered on every cruise line... Now if you see Friends of Dorothy (which some cruiselines offer) that is an "alternative lifestyle" get together

 

[jeannief]

thanks for asking the question... I spent the whole cruise wondering who the heck Bill W. was and how he managed to have his own events.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

thanks for asking the question... I spent the whole cruise wondering who the heck Bill W. was and how he managed to have his own events.

With my luck I'd decide to stop in at the party and ask where the bar is.

T&B

 

[jeannief]

 

[Rachie0507]

My husband and I wondered the same thing. We actually thought maybe it was some kind of memorial service for someone named Bill W. You learn something new everyday....

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

I wondered too. Since it was always in Animator's Palate I thought he might be a Disney animator. Since I don't drink and don't want to I imagine I wouldn't really need to be there.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought that maybe a DISer had died. Glad that's not the case!

After "visiting" Bill I'll make sure that I stop and say "hi" to Dorothy. Won't my DH be surprised if I meet a special someone.

T&B

 

[ChrisnSteph]

(Ok, after a taking a hormonal break and realizing how stupid it was, I'm back.... )

I'm so glad someone asked this question. I've wondered for three cruises about this Bill W. guy. Is he always on the ship? Does he just happen to be sailing when we are? What's the deal? I always felt weird about asking. Now I know! I think that's so cool to offer AA meetings on the ship. It's interesting how you have to pass a bar just to get to the meetings though!

 

[disneylover5]

ChrisnSteph

Welcome back.... I don't know you but I prayed you wouldn't quit. I think someone who has as much as you do on your shoulders....you need an outlet like this!

 

[DVCconvert]

It's interesting how you have to pass a bar just to get to the meetings though!

That's just a fact of life if you are a 'friend of Bill W's'.

 

[logan1_2000]

Our 2003 Eastern was a surprise cruise for DW's birthday. As part of the announcement to her, I had prepared a three ring binder with printouts of menus, deck plans, itinerary, sample navigators for the Eastern, even printouts of some threads from here on issues pertinent to our situation at time.

Then we got on board,got our Navigators, and noticed the same "Bill W. guy" was on our cruise as had been on the sample navigators. We knew that groups travel, but what were the odds, we thought? We decided to approach guest services and asked what it meant in a whisper.

Always feel better when I see a thread like this--and I guess those of us who have to ask likely have the blessing in life that no one is close enough to us who is an alcoholic and who attends meetings that we would have learned who Bill W. is through other channels.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

It's interesting how you have to pass a bar just to get to the meetings though!

What is even more interesting is that we have noticed that on most other cruise lines you don't have to Pass the bar to get to the meeting... the meeting is "IN" the bar. Hubby always finds great humor and a bit of irony in that one

 

[NYDisneyMom]

I kinda figured out the Bill W. thing on our Magic cruise..but one day this past cruise on NCL there was a "Friends of Dorothy.." meeting. ??? Anyone know what that is?? They had Friends of Bill W. too, but I'm still stumped on the Dorothy thing. Anyone??

 

[dbond]

Now, how could I explain the "Friends of Dorothy" thing to my kids. They might think I had a party and didn't invite them!

 

[pearlieq]

I kinda figured out the Bill W. thing on our Magic cruise..but one day this past cruise on NCL there was a "Friends of Dorothy.." meeting. ??? Anyone know what that is?? They had Friends of Bill W. too, but I'm still stumped on the Dorothy thing. Anyone??

Look upthread for the answer to that one. Friends of Dorothy is usually a discreet euphamism for gay/lesbian folks.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Look upthread for the answer to that one. Friends of Dorothy is usually a discreet euphamism for gay/lesbian folks.

Ooops!! You're right..I missed that reply on the thread!!
I never woulda guessed!! I swear I thought it was like a Weight Watchers thing!!!

 

[TheWog]

and Dorothy is Judy Garland's character in the Wizard of Oz.