I Give Up! Who The Heck Is Bill W?

[umber]

The first time I cruised I saw "Friends of Bill W" on the navigator, taking place at one of the dining rooms at 8:30am. I thought he must be a big hot shot to have his own private gathering announced in the Navigator.

The second cruise, there it was again, I thought... GEESH! That guy is on our cruise again!!! What an ego he must have in insisting on having his little get together announced publically! Man, do you think I could get the fact I'm taking a shower at 9:30 printed in the Navigator?!!!!

Well, I just stopped over to the Carnival Cruise Line site (don't flame me... I'm taking my first non-Disney cruise - don't kick me out!!!) and there he is AGAIN!!! Man, this guy does A LOT of cruising!!!

OK, so could someone please tell me who he is and why he has so many friends on cruise ships????

 

[myboysmom]

This is the code word for AA.

 

[JJsmama]

Once upon a time, I wondered the same thing. When I found out, I was impressed that these were offered. I would imagine a cruise could be a struggle for a recovering alcoholic.

 

[milestogo]

Hi, Bill W. is the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA.) The W. is his initial for his last name because it is anonymous. When AA began in 1935, it began as a small group of friends of Bill W. and a doctor named Dr. Bob Smith. The phrase "Friends of Bill W." is a code for Alcoholics Anonymous, so that alcoholics can find a meeting everyday anywhere in the world. It is a mutual support group, so it doesn't mean that the people attending may be in trouble on the cruise, it is so that people can find each other to maintain their sobriety and help others. However, if someone did need help or realized they were in trouble they would find a welcome chair in that meeting. On the Disney cruise you don't see a lot of drunken mayhem, which is one reason why it is so popular. Disney should be and is praised for their very impressive acknowledgment of the need for these meetings helping thousands each year. I hope that answers your confusion. I'm sure that many people look at this and think wow Bill W. is popular, I should go see who he is and get to know him too!

 

[Bellybones]

The guy who founded Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s was named Bill Wilson. In the spirit of anonymity that underpins the AA program, he is known as Bill W. Recovering alcoholics in AA attend meetings to help keep sober. Some people attend a meeting every day, even though they've been sober for many years (in fact, that may be WHY they've been sober for many years).

 

[umber]

Ohhh I see, thank you for the enlightenment!
Aren't the meeting at 7:30am or something??? Man, You'd have to seriously sober to be able to attend that early on a cruise

 

[Dreamer04]

I have cruised on four different cruise lines. Everyone of them had "Friends of Bill W." meetings. Usually they are about 9:00 am or so.

 

[Lisabell]

Thank you so much for asking this question!! I have always wondered the same thing!