VWL Lovers & Groupies Thread: Meese-ka, Mice-ka MOOSE-kateers

[Inkmahm]

A little OT for help here. I know that several of our Groupies are Cruisin' Queens/Kings and can hopefully share some insights. It looks like our first cruise is going to be an Alaskan for my nephews wedding! It's on the Norwegian Pearl and I'm trying to figure out what part of the ship. I'm just guessing that mid ship, middle decks are some of the more stable area's and give good access to all amenities. Or is there a plus to an aft cabin? Or are upper decks a good way to go? The largest boat I've been on was an overnight ferry crossing from Sweden to England and it was on college fare so the cabin was inside, steerage class next to the engines. I smelled like diesel for days.

We have sailed Alaska 3 times so far and hope for more in the future. Yes, we try for mid-ship but I usually do a higher deck making sure there are other cabins under me and not a restaurant, bar, etc. For Alaska, the most important thing is a balcony to be able to watch scenery.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We book a room somewhat aft, near the elevators. Less crowds waiting for them, less people going up and down the hall. We do try to book a deck mid-way up from the bottom. However, Bonine is my friend, and I will never sail without taking it. If its your very first cruise, I would highly advise taking some. Let us know how the Pearl is!!

 

[Granny]

I am looking at the purchase of another resort and am considering VWL. It just so happens there is a contract with my exact use year that I would like to add. I am wondering though, if I really need the 11 month booking window at VWL. My preference would be for BWV and it's proximity to Epcot at DHS.

As others have said, go with your preference. You don't want to spend 30+ years thinking you "settled" on a non-favorite resort!

Also, since you own at BLT you've got the MK area covered with easy monorail access to EPCOT. So I'd probably go for BWV to take advantage of a different area and the low-point option of Standard View villas.

 

[Granny]

Stopher....thanks for the link to the WL music loop. I'm listening to Ave Maria right now, and it's quite beautiful.

 

[supernova]

Just a few general shots I took last week, to help others feel like they're "home" for the holidays:

Nothing says "Christmas" quite like a nice fall centerpiece. Wait... huh?

Sorry this one's blurry... shot it on the run:

Must... kill... Duffy...

Welcome home:

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

[Granny]

supernova...thanks for the WL holiday pix. Great shots, and even though we were there a few weeks ago, I'm already homesick!

My wife is with you on "Duffy"...we bought a bear when it was named "Disney". Not sure why they changed the name...maybe it had to do with rights to the name?

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Groupies:

DiznyDi ~ Welcome Back! Congrats on being the Flag Family! What an honor to have.

jimmytammy ~ It's nice that the owner recognizes employees anniversaries and making them feel special. Happy employees will lead to good customer service, dedication to the company, etc. It's nice to be treated with respect. Something like that can go a long way. I hope your daughter enjoyed her celebration.

MiaSRN62 ~ eBay is selling the pin for $6.95 + shipping. If you do a search on eBay, the item number is 360419004042. Looks like the seller only has one. Did you contact DVC? Maybe they'll be able to give you some ideas? Hopefully you'll be able to find something to surprise you daughter/future SIL while they are still on vacation. I'm amazed that the Contemporary didn't have any engagement pins. Maybe another resort does and would send them over? Just a thought. Good luck.

KAT4DISNEY ~ You are going to love AK!!! We cruised to AK in 2008 and loved it! We cruised with Royal Caribbean so I can't comment on Norwegian Cruise Line. Since this your first ctuise... book a cabin mid-ship. Make sure there are no public areas above/below you since you might hear some noise. It's rare but it can happen. If you are light sleepers... don't get a cabin right by the stairs/elevator (go a few cabins down) and try to get a cabin across from other cabins. Sometimes with the "blank areas" on a deck map are areas for the cabin stewards (store their housekeeping carts, supply closets) and doors leading to stairs for crew only, etc.. DH/I are very light sleepers so when I book a cruise for us... I study the deck plan before selecting a cabin. For AK, I suggest a balcony cabin due to the scenery. Prices are higher for balcony cabins but the view is stunning and worth the extra money if you can do it. If you have any questions please e-mail/PM me. I would love to help. What ports will you be stopping at and what time of year will you be going? I'm so excited for you!!!

Aft cabins are fantastic (we stayed in them) but you do feel more vibration and if the seas aren't as calm, you'll feel the motion back there as well. Pros to aft cabins... great exercise to walk off all the food you will be eating; quiet; less people traffic; panoramic view and depending on the ships' design you'll get a larger balcony.

I would pack Bonine for motion sickness to be on the safe side. You could also get bands for your wrist (not sure if they really work or not but I take them whenever we cruise). I also take Ginger which is more natural for your system and never had a problem with motion sickness. I basically pack CVS with me whenever we cruise. LOL DH/I had one bad storm and since then I don't take any chances.

Good luck with your planning and have a blast!

supernova ~ Thank you for posting the pictures of the Lodge... looks beautiful. I wish I was there..

Muushka ~ Hi. DH loves Miracle on 34th Street (original) and we watch that every year.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for all the great insights and tips on cruising and cabins!!! I hadn't even consider about what was directly above or below and what could be in the blank spaces so I'll keep that in mind and study the deck maps. I did figure we'd do something with a balcony since the scenery is a big part of the Alaskan cruise. Would it be really bad to be on the deck just below one of the cafe's which is also the deck with the pool? That is the area that has mid-ship mini suites that would give a little more space for just a few more dollars. And is it more sway up on the higher deck?

Ports on this trip are Juneau, Skagway, cruise Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria and the cruise is in May. Lucky thing is that I always thought an Alaskan cruise would be the first one we would try so I have to thank my nephew for choosing that for his big day!

I have had worries about motion sickness. I didn't have any problem on the ferry crossing and it was some rough weather but it was only 24 hours. I've sailed on a smaller boat with friends and did have a problems with that trip. I tried a couple different wrist bands without much success (devices that are supposed to take your mind off of your stomach by torturing you IMO) so Bonine (and probably ginger too) will be in my suitcase for our cruise.

I'm sure I'll have more questions along the way!

 

[jimmytammy]

SuperNova
Thanks for the WL shots. Helps to ease not being there this time of year

 

[I Book He Pays]

Good Morning Groupies:
Everyone ready for Christmas?

KAT4DISNEY ~ Is your cruise leaving out of Vancouver or Seattle? One cruise departs from Vancouver but returns to Seattle. The other cruise is round trip from Seattle. I'm on NCL's site now looking at your itinerary and studying the deck plans. Based on your post... you are interested in the MA class on Deck 11?

Since you'll be cruising in May, the pool areas won't be crowded like they would be on a Caribbean cruise. As long as you are not directly under a pool (kid's pool on Deck 12, port side) you shouldn't have any issues.

DH/I went to AK in May and stopped at the same ports that you are going to. Only difference is that we cruised Hubbard Glacier. If you would like some info. on what to do in port, see pictures to get the visual of the ports, any cruise questions please PM me and I'll be happy to help you out. AK is stunning and I can't wait to go back in the future. DH/I love to cruise and our AK cruise was the best! Enjoy your planning!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Muushka]

Supernova, thank you for posting the pictures! It was the VWL fix I
needed!

Kat4, a cruise! My heart is going pitter-patter just thinking about the pics you will take.

Looks like you have gotten some great advice on cabins.
About the Bonine, you get better results when you start it a day before you get on board the ship.

Merry Christmas to my Groupie buds.

 

[supernova]

supernova...thanks for the WL holiday pix. Great shots, and even though we were there a few weeks ago, I'm already homesick!

Hi Groupies:

supernova ~ Thank you for posting the pictures of the Lodge... looks beautiful. I wish I was there..

SuperNova
Thanks for the WL shots. Helps to ease not being there this time of year

Supernova, thank you for posting the pictures! It was the VWL fix I needed!
Merry Christmas to my Groupie buds.

Happy to do it, everyone. Now I wish I had taken more. I did try to get a shot of a worker putting some touch-up paint on the character totem pole outside the Trading Post, but the flash kept giving me trouble. It was in the middle of the night/early morning, so the lights were low and the painter was wearing a vest with reflector tape. I tried not to be so obvious about the shot, so it was difficult to get a good one without anyone asking what I was doing. Oh well.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Good Morning Groupies:
Everyone ready for Christmas?

KAT4DISNEY ~ Is your cruise leaving out of Vancouver or Seattle? One cruise departs from Vancouver but returns to Seattle. The other cruise is round trip from Seattle. I'm on NCL's site now looking at your itinerary and studying the deck plans. Based on your post... you are interested in the MA class on Deck 11?

Since you'll be cruising in May, the pool areas won't be crowded like they would be on a Caribbean cruise. As long as you are not directly under a pool (kid's pool on Deck 12, port side) you shouldn't have any issues.

DH/I went to AK in May and stopped at the same ports that you are going to. Only difference is that we cruised Hubbard Glacier. If you would like some info. on what to do in port, see pictures to get the visual of the ports, any cruise questions please PM me and I'll be happy to help you out. AK is stunning and I can't wait to go back in the future. DH/I love to cruise and our AK cruise was the best! Enjoy your planning!

Have a great day everyone!

It is the Seattle round trip that we'll be on. The MA class on deck 11 is the one I was considering or else the BA class on deck 9 or 10. Excellent point on the pool. Might be fun to be in the hot tub cruising past a glacier but I'm not planning much pool time myself! I'll send you a PM about the ports.

Kat4, a cruise! My heart is going pitter-patter just thinking about the pics you will take.

Looks like you have gotten some great advice on cabins.
About the Bonine, you get better results when you start it a day before you get on board the ship.

I can't wait to try and get some good pictures! And thanks for the tip on the Bonine. I think I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Stopper thanks for the link! Already burned a CD of it....

Supernova thanks for the pics! Nothing says Christmas like VWL!!!

 

[DiznyDi]

Thanks stopher for the link! I'll have DDad get it for me at work.

Merry Christmas all my Groupie friends!

 

[supernova]

Stopper thanks for the link! Already burned a CD of it....

Supernova thanks for the pics! Nothing says Christmas like VWL!!!

You're welcome!

Was hoping the link was something new, but I already had that track, unfortunately.

 

[DisneyNutzy]

Just wanted to drop in and wish all the groupies a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season.

Stopher - Thanks for the link. Listening now.

Super Nova - Great shots of the Lodge. What part of the SI are you from?

 

[horselover]

Hello groupies! Just popping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Our home looks as beautiful as always. All my room requests were met & more. I asked for upper floor pool view. We got a 5th floor corner room with 2 balconies. I love this room! Tons of space & a full sized dining table. Only negative is it has slightly less storage. I haven't taken too many pics from my phone but here's our view.

I'll try to post some tree pics later. Weather is phenomenal. We're going to Blizzard Beach on Christmas.

More to come later.

 

[Muushka]

HL, full size dining room????? That would be heaven! Enjoy the beautiful villa and awesome weather.

 

[supernova]

Hello groupies! Just popping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Our home looks as beautiful as always. All my room requests were met & more. I asked for upper floor pool view. We got a 5th floor corner room with 2 balconies. I love this room! Tons of space & a full sized dining table. Only negative is it has slightly less storage. I haven't taken too many pics from my phone but here's our view.

I was in that room LAST year and it was awesome. Walked in, kitchen was on the left, dining "room" was straight ahead. Then the TV/sitting area was off ahead to the left. It as more of a "U" shaped room, which was nice. Each portion was in its own section.