When someone offers you a drink you say:

“No Thank You.”

Or, “Yes, wonderful, I am really thirsty. I will have an Ice Tea please.”

The First Day

For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, maybe workout clothes, and any medications you may need. This will allow you to begin enjoying your vacation immediately, because you won’t have to wait for your bags to arrive at your stateroom. It could take a while until your bags to arrive. It is important that you do not pack your passport, visas, driver’s license, medications, cruise documents or airline tickets in luggage. Keep them in a purse, jacket or backpack.

• Pack a written list of your medications, including the name of the drug, dosage and times taken, in case they are lost.
• If you booked an air/sea package through a cruise line and you missed the ship because of late/cancelled flight, the cruise line will get you to the next port. Be sure to request a receipt if you hand over your passport.
• Put a card with your name and address inside your luggage, as well as on the outside.
• Footwear should include walking/running shoes and sandals.
• Purchase some guidebooks so you can read about the ports of call you will be visiting.
• If you’re traveling to warm weather destinations, do not forget sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Consider bringing a small amount of detergent for washing clothes within your own cabin. Almost all ships have laundry-facilities, but they can be costly – especially dry cleaning.
• Most ships have powerful air conditioning. A sweater/sweatshirt may come in handy.
• Complete the immigration/embarkation and the onboard credit card application forms before you register at the check-in desk.
• If you want to grab a bite to eat when you first get onboard, head up to the Buffet. They’ll be serving.

Friends of Bill W.

On almost every cruise ship there is a “Friends of Bill W.” meeting listed on the daily itinerary. Attend the meetings. Just in case you are the only one who shows up, (this happens regularly) bring your literature to read and know that there is a meeting going on at that very same moment somewhere in the world.

If anyone else shows up, ask if they would like to exchange cabin numbers. If you feel like drinking, dial their room immediately. If you are on a “sober cruise”, go to the 24 Hour Fellowship Station if they have one.

When you are on the Gratitude Cruise, you are guaranteed other guests in recovery �will be at the private Gratitude Cruise meetings as they have registered and �supported this event and helped chip in for the expenses. �Anyone at the public�Friends of Bill W. meetings onboard a Gratitude Cruise�always benefit because our guests attend their meetings also.

Excursions

Shore & Land Excursions are fun, full of adventure and very popular, so they book up fast. You have 3 options: book them online (up to 10 days before departure), book them onboard the first day at the Explorations Desk or on your TV in your stateroom using your remote control. Book early so you won’t miss out on any of the fun.

Read the offshore excursions carefully. Stay away from ones that have drinking activities planned as part of the excursion. They will usually read something like, “Tiki Hut Rum Beach Party”.

Dinner

Tell your waiter the first night at dinner that you are severely allergic to alcohol. Ask him to please not set your place every night with wine glasses, nor to offer you the drink menu. The staff on cruise ships work very hard to provide good service.

Meditation

Bring your meditation literature and get connected to God as you understand Him in the morning before you leave your cabin, or go up to the sports deck to say your prayers while contemplating God’s great gifts. It is glorious in the morning.

Sober Friends

If you meet other sober folk, try to make arrangements to do some activities together like go to the fabulous shows before or after dinner, pick out some offshore excursions, or go have goofs for prizes at bingo games, or take a steel drum class!

Cabin Information

Inside Cabins are the least expensive. They are comfortable but do not have any windows.

Oceanview Cabins are the same as inside cabins, but have a window so you know when you wake up whether it’s day or night!

Balcony Cabins are an indulgence. If you have never take a cruise before, save your money and get an inside as once you have had a balcony cabin, there is not going back! If you think you have suffered enough, indulge in a balcony cabin as you will not regret it and be able to see all of the paradise we visit, day or night.

What is a SeaPassSM?

Royal Caribbean ships use the SeaPass signing system. This system allows you to charge all onboard purchases by presenting the Cruise Card that is issued to you upon boarding. On the last morning of your cruise vacation, an itemized statement will be delivered to your stateroom for verification. Your SeaPass charges will be billed automatically to the credit card you selected upon check-in.

Spa

If the spa is your thing, try to make your appointments on the first day, as the most popular treatments and times fill up fast.

Getting on and off the Ship

Depending on the port, there are two ways to get on and off the ship. In some ports, we dock right in the port so you can get on and off whenever you want via the gangplank. And in other ports, a tenders (small ferry-like boats) will take you to the port; tenders run frequently between the ship and the port. But remember to ALWAYS bring your SeaPass from your room with you, as you will need it to get off and back on the ship.

Photographs

Ship’s photographers are everywhere. They take beautiful pictures which are available to look at in the photo gallery, usually daily. You are not obligated to purchase any of them.

Emergencies

Give relatives and friends the ship’s telephone number, in case of an emergency.

Everyone, including staff, must participate in the Muster Drill at 4:00. You will be required to put your life preserver on and go to your assigned life boat station. Please pay attention to all safety precautions.

Most of all, don’t forget to have a blast! Do the Macarena by the side of the pool, swim with the dolphins, go ice skating, eat lobster and enjoy your friends and family! Celebrate your recovery. Life is so short and a sober vacation is one you will remember for the rest of your life!