Beci

Bob, I just saw this thread and wanted to say thanks for the amazing message and for supporting Michelle and MEI-Travel!  We truly appreciate it! 

If you really want to be the early bird, past trends have seen new releases open to travel agents Tuesday evening and public access on Wednesday mornings.  
Now is a great time to communicate what you are looking for to your favorite TA.

I am booking one immediately and most likely another one for about 9 months later...and will go from there!!!

If my husband let me it would be as many as I could.  But in reality it’ll probably be one or two.  

If I had more room on my credit card the answer would be c) --- as many as I can fit on the calendar!   (Dean is lonely)  

If I had more room on my credit card the answer would be c) --- as many as I can fit on the calendar!   (Dean is lonely)  

I wouldn't support them JUST because they were a sponsor. I support them because they make my life easier.
 

For those of you who are on the fence about using a Travel Agency, PLEASE READ. This past weekend we decided to book a 7 day cruise on the Anthem out of Cape Liberty, NJ and bring our daughter and her family along with us over Easter week departing on April 22, 2022. I spent a couple of days searching the Anthem for a JS for my wife and I and two balcony adjoining rooms for our daughter and her family. I did find some of what I was looking for on different decks, near the elevators or on deck 13 (below the WJ) and they all were not acceptable. So, I contacted Michelle, MEI Travel (they also sponsor this blog) told her what I wanted and VIOLA! Today I booked a JS on deck 10 and two adjoining cabins also on deck 10. None of those cabins were available when I searched. Moral of the story here is don't waste your time, get ahold of Michelle at MEI and let her know what you want. She can make miracles happen! ?

This.
Having a plan with my TA saved me time (and sleep) with the Adventure of the Seas sailings.

Typically, "week of" releases usually get loaded up on website Tuesday night and then "announced" Wednesday (if my memory serves me correctly).

"I know a huge secret that involves Vision of the Seas cruising from Bermuda... but I can't tell you."
I think you just did.
I'm in.  Here, take my money.

That's just selfie-videos in action. I would consider that LESS strange on a cruise than in everyday life.

It's truly my pleasure!!!

YIPPEE !!!  So happy that you are having a good experience.  

Just booked the May 15th, 2022 Alaska cruise on the Serenade.
I have some FCC from our cancelled cruise May 2020.
Kelley from MEI is my TA.
She has been excellent on getting my deposit extended due to RCCL error.
She has gotten me a better rate then advertised.
Then today, Sunday, I get an email from her that she got an even lower rate with a refundable deposit.
If anyone is on the fence about getting a TA please know I'm more than happy, Kelley is awesome!
First time ever using a TA

I hate when this happens...... ?

While I haven't used MEI to book a cruise (yet) I have used them for many Walt Disney World bookings and have found them very good. Being on the other side fo the world I find they are responsive and willing to go that 'extra mile' (Funny we still say 'extra mile' even though we use km's). The good thing is they will be as 'hands on' or 'hands off' as you would like. Sometimes I'll just use them for reservations bookings and others the whole 3,342 step process that is booking a Disney holiday (Fastpasses, dining, tours etc etc etc). 

For those not in the US considering using MEI I can't speak highly enough of them.

Thanks for supporting our sponsor!

I was also assigned Kathy some months back. She has been brilliant, quick response and great service.
John ?

I decided to give MEI a try after ready all the good recommendations on this site. Filled out the form on the blog’s home page and Sharla contacted me in less than an hour. She answered every question we had. Extremely happy with her work and knowledge. 

I started using MEI because I wanted to join a Group Cruise and never looked back.  They'e very responsive, are great at repricing without having to do anything and gave me some good tips when my cruise was cancelled.  Much better than some other agents I've used for family cruises in the past.  I use Dannett LeBlanc if you need a specific contact over there.

If they can handle Beci, they can handle anything. ?

Yes, they can absolutely handle other travel.

When I first went with MEI, I just filled out the form and was assigned Sharla; she's definitely been fantastic! I was trying to move my Thanksgiving cruise from Anthem to Harmony this year due to a change in my availability and location for that week, and she spent 80 minutes on hold just for me...and got it done without any fuss!
I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of MEI's folks, based on all the stories I've read. And as for them being full-service, I think they're a go-to for RCCL/Celebrity/Disney simply because of their extensive experience with those cruise lines, leading to a bit more specialization. While I haven't tried to book a cruise with one of the other "Big 3" cruise lines through MEI, I certainly see no reason why they wouldn't be able to help you!

MEI is awesome !  They are a full-service Travel Agency and actually began as Disney specialists so they handle all kinds of travel and service all of the cruise lines.
I use Michelle Cunningham
[email protected]
703-986-0661