Friends of Bill W / Friends of Dorothy

[Fat Boy]

On the Holiday last week, there were a few meetings for groups called the Friends of Bill W and the Friends of Dorothy. I recall seeing similar groups (maybe the same ones?) on other cruises, though I never really took note of who or what they were...

Curiosity has gotten the better of me... What are these groups? Just friends sailing as part of a floating wake? That sounds like something I would like my wife to do when I kick it.

[haven001]

These are gatherings for gay and lesbian passengers. Most ships post these several times a week now.

[Crazeecat5]

Friends of Bill W are recovering Alcoholics. Friends of Dorothy are a gathering for gays & lesbians.

[Fat Boy]

Originally Posted by Crazeecat5

Friends of Bill W are recovering Alcoholics. Friends of Dorothy are a gathering for gays & lesbians.

Well, that's nothing like I was expecting... Not so keen on my wife mourning my passing with these groups. Then again, I can understand the drinking... and maybe the lesbian thing.

[bonniemari]

On the Fantasy's last cruise from NOLA,along with the meeting of Bill W, it also included Jimmy K. I knew what Bill W and Dorothy was but I still don't have a clue what (who) Jimmy K is.

[jessemon]

Originally Posted by bonniemari

On the Fantasy's last cruise from NOLA,along with the meeting of Bill W, it also included Jimmy K. I knew what Bill W and Dorothy was but I still don't have a clue what (who) Jimmy K is.

This might help......http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geus4DR_...i/Jimmy_Kinnon

Yahoo and google are a wonderful tool for learning new things.....

[G'ma]

Originally Posted by haven001

These are gatherings for gay and lesbian passengers. Most ships post these several times a week now.

That is incorrect.

Friends of Bill W is an AA organization; Friends of Dorothy is an organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual.

[jessemon]

Originally Posted by jessemon

This might help......http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geus4DR_...i/Jimmy_Kinnon

Yahoo and google are a wonderful tool for learning new things.....

Then again it could have been a polka cruise.....
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu7jMWf...mykpolkas.com/

http://www.jimmykpolkas.com/cruise.html

This is way too funny.....

[livestocruisetoo]

Originally Posted by Fat Boy

On the Holiday last week, there were a few meetings for groups called the Friends of Bill W and the Friends of Dorothy. I recall seeing similar groups (maybe the same ones?) on other cruises, though I never really took note of who or what they were...

Curiosity has gotten the better of me... What are these groups? Just friends sailing as part of a floating wake? That sounds like something I would like my wife to do when I kick it.

Wow, people partying at 8 a.m....my kind of folks. First time I had a Red Stripe. On the last sea day the bartender on the Lido deck apologized that they were all gone. I switched to 'Heinie' so all was good. I finally got to meet some of Bill's friends about a year before my fourth cruise. As good as the first one was, I think, I remember all of the last 8 much better...and they keep getting better.

[urbanhawk]

Originally Posted by Fat Boy

On the Holiday last week, there were a few meetings for groups called the Friends of Bill W and the Friends of Dorothy. I recall seeing similar groups (maybe the same ones?) on other cruises, though I never really took note of who or what they were...

Curiosity has gotten the better of me... What are these groups? Just friends sailing as part of a floating wake? That sounds like something I would like my wife to do when I kick it.

Someone asked this last year.....someone else replied thinking Friends of Bill W. were for men in A.A., and that Friends of Dorothy were for women in A.A......that still cracks me up!

[Relayer]

Friend of Bill is an informal way of identifying yourself as a member if AA. Bill W. was one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

[mudphud]

Has anyone ever seen an Al-Anon meeting on a cruise?

[marshhawk]

Never noticed an al-anon meeting, but you may be able to start one up by asking someone prior to the start of the Friends of Bill W meeting if they have a spouse or friend who would like to spend the hour without them in an al-anon meeting, and they could hook you up. Just like a Friends of Bill W meeting, it only takes two to have a meeting. I love meeting new people at AA when I am traveling. They always just say something I need to hear to stay sober another day.
Good luck organizing your own inpromptu al-anon meeting !

[jebl]

Just show up at a Friends of Bill W meeting and ask if anyone is a Friend of Doris. Doris was Bill's wife. I did this quite a few years ago right after seperating from my 1st DH and about four of us went back to my cabin and had our own Al Anon meeting.

When you are struggling with an addiction or related to one struggling, you don't know how much these meeting can help. I have never left a meeting without feeling better than I did when I came in. I think it is wonderful that these groups are available on all of the ships.

[TrevyMcShaw]

A cruise has got to be a dangerous place for an alcoholic to be! I'm not much of a drinker on dry land, but put me on a boat where I know there is absolutely no danger of me being asked to drive the ship, and I have a drink in my hand from the time I get on until the drag me off kicking and screaming!

[glrounds]

I quit drinking years ago, with one BIG EXCEPTION . . . cruising.

The only time I drink is on a cruise. Usually have one or two beers a day, but hell, I've been known to slam down 5 or 6 if its my birthday.

[marshhawk]

Someone who only drinks when they are cruising, should not say they have quit drinking. A person who has quit drinking, has quit drinking, no matter what the occasion, because they can no longer drink. At all. Living life on life's terms. No mind altering substance. Makes life a whole lot more fun. But it's not for everyone, and doesn't need to be. It's a way of life for people who want to live their lives without drinking.

[Flynlo]

Originally Posted by glrounds

I quit drinking years ago, with one BIG EXCEPTION . . . cruising.

The only time I drink is on a cruise. Usually have one or two beers a day, but hell, I've been known to slam down 5 or 6 if its my birthday.

We dont drink much either, but on the cruise look out!

[Fat Boy]

I don't drink anything harder than pop... Of course, Pop was a pretty hard drinker.

I say that in jest, and I hope none of our AA friends take great offense. Alcoholism goes back a few generations in my family. I seldom drink because I don't want to risk falling into that trap. I see the addictive side of my personality all the time (like when I can't help checking this board a dozen times a day).

[chicb]

For those who wondered who "Jimmy K" is, he was the person that Bill W gave the 12 step program of AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) to. Jimmy K the started NA (Narcotics Anonymous)

Chic B 11/16/76