Who is Bill W.?

[JerseyMom]

I have noticed on the daily navigators for ships from several different cruise lines - in particular, I saw this for the morning of the Key West day of the Magic that there was an event listed as "Friends of Bill W." This morning I found for my Mom the navigators for the Norwegian Dawn for my Mom and it also listed a "Friends of Bill W." event. Does anyone know who Bill W. is and how you get to be his friend?


Karen

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by JerseyMom
I have noticed on the daily navigators for ships from several different cruise lines - in particular, I saw this for the morning of the Key West day of the Magic that there was an event listed as "Friends of Bill W." This morning I found for my Mom the navigators for the Norwegian Dawn for my Mom and it also listed a "Friends of Bill W." event. Does anyone know who Bill W. is and how you get to be his friend?


Karen

I believe those are like Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. (I had to Google it though, 'cause I couldn't figure it out either!!)

 

[Empire Day]

They are AA meetings
Bill W. started AA

 

[ivanova]

Yes, Bill W is the founder of AA I believe -- "friends of Bill W" means an AA meeting.

 

[JerseyMom]

That makes sense. I couldn't figure out why so many navigators had this listed.

Now I know.

 

[dianthus]

My daughter asked me that question on our last cruise- I told her he must be a friend of Walt's! LOL! Then I read on this board a while back it was AA. Boy did I feel stupid! It's good they provide that kind of support, with all those drinks of the day & tropical drinks running around the ship!

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by JerseyMom
Does anyone know who Bill W. is and how you get to be his friend?

Yes, but I don't think you want to go through what you need to go through to be Bill W's friend. Far easier to make friends from a shared interest in Bingo and Mickey Mouse than to become a recovering alcoholic to do so.

 

[inkkognito]

I think that it is for members of any 12-step group, which includes AA and things like Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[LisaGoeke]

In my younger days when we used to cruise a lot on RCCL, I thought it was awfully strange that Bill W. and his friends were ALWAYS cruising the same time as we were. Until one day I finally figured it out!

 

[paulmc80]

Goes to show how much I know! lol

I always just assumed Bill W. was Bill Gates' father. Kinda like George W., but in reverse. Thought it was some type of American family tradition.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by paulmc80
Goes to show how much I know! lol

I always just assumed Bill W. was Bill Gates' father. Kinda like George W., but in reverse. Thought it was some type of American family tradition.

And since when isn't Hawaii part of America, "Johnny Tsunami"?! After our multiple cruises together, I thought you knew everything!!!! Kaye sure makes you look good, Paul baby!

Rae

 

[dclwdwlover]

Originally posted by LisaGoeke
In my younger days when we used to cruise a lot on RCCL, I thought it was awfully strange that Bill W. and his friends were ALWAYS cruising the same time as we were.

Lisa - I can't stop laughing!!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I just did some research on this because I'm teaching a novel about a teenage alcoholic. Bill W. and "Dr. Bob" started AA realizing that if you really want to take a drink and have someone to talk with about it, a lot of the compulsion to drink goes away. Please forgive me if I've said that wrong, but that's why a big part of AA is having a sponsor that can be called any time the desire to drink comes up.
Last time I went to an English teacher's convention (sounds like fun, doesn't it ) they had "Friends of Bill W." there too! I think it's great that the organization makes sure there is support no matter where or when. And imagine the temptation on the cruises with the servers walking around with drinks all the time!
Robin M.

 

[inkkognito]

That's a good summary, Robin! As a counselor, I am a huge believer in 12-step programs, and personally I know of people who have totally turned around their lives through AA. And as you said, there can be a lot of temptation on a cruise ship, not only for alcoholics but for gamblers in Gamblers Anonymous (temptations bingo in DCL and casinos on others), food to tempt people in Overeaters Anonymous, and the drugs that are available in places like Nassau to tempt people in Narcotics Anonymous. I always think it's great to see the meetings in the Navigators, and they had 'em on RCCL's ships, too.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com