Lost3000

I'm a little nervous. Already. And we haven't even booked. But we (DH and I) have decided to go on a cruise this May.

At first I was excited at the thought of seeing all those sights sober. But then I had this realization, fear. What will I do on the ship?

OK, ok, there are tons of things to do on a ship. But what I mean is, on my last cruise, I drank the entire time. Certain things like blackjack, which I LOVE, and comedy shows and discos --- well, those all included booze.

Should I avoid blackjack? I don't wanna!! But how do I handle it, what if I freak and go crazy over the booze or lack of??? agh.

WhySoSerious

i dunno. what does DH mean?

I know for me i wouldnt be strong enough to go, but thats just me.

One thing my mom always does on the ship is get a soda card as soon as we get on the boat. shes been sober 14 years (good bless her).

Best of luck to you whatever you decide!!

Lost3000

Hmm, a soda card. Interesting. They give ice tea out for free and lemonade. Not sure how much soda I'd want to drink.

You don't think you'd be strong enough for a cruise? I'm worried too but I feel that I can't live in a shell forever. I want to be like your mom, 14 yrs sober and traveling.

DH = dear husband

Anna

I just got back from a Cruise last Sunday and it was amazing.

I had so much fun and enjoyed every moment. There is nothing that beats sitting on the balcony at night and watching the moon and stars and the ocean. It's absolutely perfect and it brought me such peace. I also spent time every day on the sports deck doing power-walking.

My advice is to plan. Figure out what you will do each day and evening. If you think the casino is a trigger, stay away and find something else to do.

Lost3000

Well, that's a relief to hear! I'm glad you had fun, where did you go? Our trip is sure to bring some beautiful sights - Caribbean. A plan. Now, that's a great idea!! That and exercise. I always wanted to try their yoga and stuff but was always too hungover. We usually do a lot of activities while at port. I love blackjack but you might be right, it might be a trigger.

Also, I have 2 mos now under my belt and will have 5 by the time I cruise which I think will be a good thing.

sugarbear1

Often times there are "Friends of Bill W" who meet on cruises, you may want to ask if it's on yours. They are AA meetings!

Mom and grandma went on a cruise. Mom looked at Grandma one day (after hearing about the intercom message "Friends of Bill W. will meet at x time in the y room) and said, "Boy, this Bill W. has a LOT of friends!"

WhySoSerious

ya i forgot about those, my mom went to them on our cruises we went on (i was 16 and 18 at the time)

Lost3000

Oh wow!!!!!! I belong to a cruise forum, I will ask around. Thanks!!!

bryangt

The only thing that may be at risk is--you're on a boat. There is limited escape plan. You can divert to your room...and I would definetly check to see (ask travel agent or cruise line) if they usually have AA meetings aboard...with that you will also find instant friends aboard with common goals.

Lost3000

Yep. A ship. A HUGE ship. A 154,000 ton ship. But I get what you are saying. We are extremely active type people and so I'm hoping they'll be enough activities to keep me busy. Like the surf park. And the boxing ring. haha

mirage

Hi Lost..I recently got back from my first cruise. I loved it! Yes, there's booze everywhere on the ship, but you don't drink anymore, so that doesn't concern you. One nice thing on the cruise I was on, was that when the drink pushers walked around with those beautiful fruity drinks with the umbrellas, they often times had the tray in one hand and the bottle of rum or whatever went into it, in the other, so they were virgin till they added the booze. I got mine virgin and enjoyed it as much if not more. Oh and ours had a fruit smoothie place that was awesome. I'd probably stay away from the casino if you're not 100% comfortable. I got the soda card, too, just to have more options. You'll have a great time! Oh, and think of the money you'll save. Holy cow..I did the math of what it would have probably looked like if I were still drinking, and it was CRAZY!!! Buy yourself a souvenir or that jewelry they love to sell with the money you'll save on booze!

Lost3000

Hmm, I think our drink of the day on our last cruise was pre-made. I'll think about that though. And the soda card. Smoothie place!!! Yay!!! I'm so excited, really. I forget that I'm a planner. And so I'll plan for this too. Thanks everybody.

Elphaba

I indulge in lavish spa treatments with the money I save from not drinking.

Lost3000

Nice!!!!

doggonecarl

If it takes six months to a year to get a strong, solid base of recovery under your feet, and that means missing a cruise...that's hardly living in a shell forever.

I'm not that enamored with cruises, so it's easy for me to say skip it. You are going to do what you are going to do. It's just as easy to get drunk where you are now as it is on a boat. If you aren't drinking now, you should be able to not drink on the ship. But if you are struggling now...

Mark75

I play blackjack much better now Seriously.... I am not high stakes nor do I count (yet, LOL)... nor do I play for money often... but blackjack is meant to be played sober. The house prefers it's players under the influence... that's why those free drinks.

Enjoy. Have a great time. Look for a meeting on the cruise as was suggested. All that.

Lost3000

Hmm, interesting post. Well, firstly the cruise is not an option in front of me, it's something I'm avidly seeking. I travel a ton and just because I decided to get sober doesn't mean traveling is out for me. This will be our 2nd cruise. We didn't like the first but then in retrospect thought it actually was quite fun. We are used to independent travel.

What I meant by living in a shell is hiding, avoiding things, such as life. Life for me is traveling. Heck, I have a job just so I can travel. And pay the bills. LOL. But seriously, I live for travel.

Lost3000

Ha! And I thought I was good at blackjack because I was drunk. Now I'll take the house! A lot of the drinking challenges I come across I find I can handle as long as there's something in my hand. So I'll probably try it and if it gets iffy I'm outta there.

I'll look for a mtg and all the other stuff suggested.

Lost3000

This thread has made me realize I'm freaking for no real reason. I'll make a plan, like I do for all big events these days, and hope for the best. This vacation is going to be a big deal to me. I've never had one before without drinking.

laurie6781

They actually do have "Sober Cruises" now, lots of them:

Google

You might want to check some of them out, lol

Love and hugs,