Neesa

Sharla Manglass @ MEI has saved my family money twice since I booked. She is so kind and informative, the education she afforded me has been invaluable. Her contact information is [email protected] Direct Line 706-742-5358. Quickly responds to emails even after hours, I never expected that. She also treats us like family! Can't say enough about Sharla!

@WAAAYTOOO, @Fairlynew, @Lovetocruise2002 Just a quick update, I woke up this morning to an email from Jeremias confirming my requests, he sent it late last night like you predicted. Now @WAAAYTOOO have you heard from your concierge yet? Fingers crossed you will hear from them! Thanks so much everyone! Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful week!

@WAAAYTOOO Jermias & Elaine are the hosts for my sailing. I responded to their email with just the CK reservation request and then added a Hibachi reservation. Finally I asked that my pre-paid gratuity be redirected upstairs to CK because we have no plans to visit the MDR. My question is do they respond via email to your requests at least so I know they did in fact receive my requests or do they just take care of everything and you meet them formally on the ship? Thanks so much for your help with this, Denise (Enjoy your next sailing also, I have a feeling I may not be debarking without booking another to then transfer over to Sharla at MEI!!)

We don't do it but I would LOVE to do it. Every time I see a family doing it I spontaneously smile from ear to ear. My husband is the reason we don't do this as his personality (that has rubbed off on my daughter) (quiet, stoic, kind, disciplined, military) does not allow for me to participate and after 30 years together I'm leaving it alone lol!! It's your sailing, do what makes you happy. My mantra is do you, who are we to judge others? As long as we respect each other in this world, we should be joyous. Enjoy & have fun ! Happy Birthday grandpa! And yes, if we see a button or a shirt I most definitely recognize and articulate well wishes.

Hello everyone! Sailing this coming Sunday on the Harmony in an OS. Just wanted to update you that I in fact received an email from the concierge last night after 2100hrs. I responded to this email with my request for Coastal Kitchen reservations as well as WOW bands if they had them at their disposal. I also asked if they could/would transfer the automatic gratuity up to CK as we have no plans to dine in the MDR. First sailing with RCCL and we are pretty much low key. The Sky class benefits are pretty self explanatory I believe but is there anything you seasoned cruisers would request at this point? I have never heard from Royal Up regarding our bid on the 2 bedroom aqua so I will keep dreaming of Star Class.....one day. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Denise Oh by the way the concierge this sailing Jermias & Elaine

@AnnetteJackson you have been wonderful whenever I speak to MEI, can you help Shannon? @ShannonTo quote all of our friends on this blog, no question is silly! Hope you get the answers you seek, actually I know you will. Have a great week!

Hello again friends, Sailing in Sky class next week first time on RCCL in an OS. I am packing now and I will need some pressing especially of my husbands suit, (I really squished it) Does anyone know the cost of this service? Do I just ask the stateroom host after unpacking? On DCL it is hit or miss, sometimes whilst in concierge they charge sometimes they don't, do they offer this service every day or only on formal night days? Thanks so much, you guys are so helpful!

Hello friends! Sailing a week from today on a 7 night out of PC. Planning on dining within CK for the week does anyone know if they offer a special "Holiday" menu for Thanksgiving Day? Staying in an OS, never heard any feedback from Royal Up albeit I sent in a minimum bid, not even a thanks but no thanks we are full. Expecting our contact from the concierge sometime this week, most likely in a few days as @WAAAYTOOO explains. If you do not have the UDP would you prefer CK or pony up for a specialty restaurant that evening? Thanks so much

@Harper I'm not sure I understand your question. What transportation option are you going with? Is it a ship sponsored excursion? Also, (we live in close proximity to the Disney area) the time they calculate to get to the doorstep within Disney Springs is an hour, depending on the actual day and date that time will be longer. The sheer volume of vehicles on the road to include all of the snow birds as well as unfamiliar tourists make the drive an excruciating test of one's patience, I can attest that unless you are extremely lucky the pace is SLOW going, at least 90 minutes especially if the Disney Springs area with all of her traffic lights is congested and backed up. Are you then trying to make dining reservations within the Springs? I personally would aim for 3 hours from the time you exit Port Canaveral, allowing for the drive, then locating the facilities within the Springs to freshen up (usually better then what are available at the restaurants) and then finally navigating the foot traffic within the Springs to arrive at your dining venue at or close to your appointed time. I really hope this helps and you have an amazing visit, just pack your patience and a smile Also I would look to the archived cruise compass here similar to your sailing you MAY be able to get an idea as to the docking times you were referring.

@Kellyrich Yes there is a fee but they provide back half of it in a food/drink voucher, I believe it was $40.00 per adult $20.00 per child. I purchased my passes at Resortforaday.com but while researching it on line I observed that the hotel also provides day passes for cruise passengers through their website. I can tell you from experience it was very clean and not all that crowded, it seems they may keep the amount of passes they sell limited. I believe they do this to respect their paying overnight guests comfort which I know I appreciate when taking land based vacations. Enjoy whatever you choose! ***Please note, right now there is construction at the property next door (a huge endeavor) but it was quite separate, full disclosure there was some construction noise which didn't bother us at all but I did wish I knew going in. The food was tasty, the drinks were nice and the views so ahhhmazing so this did not impact our enjoyment, but I did want to let you know. The last time we visited was July 2019.

+1 following also, thanks so much for sharing

@Fairlynew I'm sorry just to clarify, if we are dining in CK as guests in an OS we may request the World to be brought up to conclude our meal for a $10.00 charge? Is that each or per person? This being our first RCCL sailing we have NOT booked specialty dining this time around, thanks so much!

I have personally used Jaital.com & Resortforaday.com when I wanted to explore beyond my ships offerings. I can tell you that they were wonderful & when I needed to cancel a booking my deposit was credited back promptly. Not exactly what you are asking for above but maybe you will see something you didn't know you would be interested in, enjoy what ever you choose. We have used these in Aruba, Barbados, Bahamas, St. Kitts, St Martin & Cozumel so far.

We walked over to the British Colonial Hilton Nassau and spent the day. It was 2 summers ago but we spent an amazing day on the beach and the pool, I'm not sure if they offered spa amenities but it was relaxing and close enough to walk to, taking in the local establishments on the way (heavy tourist area) We took the best pictures as you can see the ships from the beach, everything was super clean as well. Enjoy your Holiday what ever you choose to do!

@twangster Amazing, thank you so much for posting this. I enjoyed it so much, as the very last time we were there we went on a DCL sponsored "Beach break" with the masses and wanted to venture out a bit on our own, this gives me appropriate comfort. I really appreciate it, have a great rest of your day!

Anyone experience this excursion? I booked through Resortsforaday and was trying to figure out how close it is, (says 5 minute walk from ship) and if it is worth the cost? Thanks so much!

@Matt We will be visiting Coco Cay for the very first time 11/25/19, will there be more then just the Harmony there? Better yet, where may I research this for my future cruises on RCCL? I am relieved your estimation is the island can handle everyone, as you may know we are coming over from DCL and the private island when the bigger ships are in is hectic and nothing like they profess it to be, the water is people soup and if not early your not getting a chair or shade, period. Thanks so much!

Wow, Thanks @R.T. our first RCCL sailing is in 20 days, and your questions was one I would have asked if I had known I hadn't known it! I would have dreaded walking around with that cup all day. Thanks so much for asking....I LOVE this blog, the posters here are so kind a full of information. I know I will have a great experience due to some amazing advice, non descript thin lanyards check, luggage tag holders/protectors check, #Team CK check, lobster vs champagne lobster check, educated Royal up bidding check, MEI, check, check, check!! This community is awesome, from our family to yours, a huge THANK YOU! Enjoy your sailing @R.T.

I received my Royal Up bid opportunity 9/26/19 for my 11/24/19 7 night sailing on the Harmony. There were 4 separate offers, I am currently booked in an OS. I researched knowing our specific criteria and decided to place a minimal bid on a 2 Bedroom Aqua Suite. We are 23 days out and have not heard back yet, when I receive any response I will update but no communication as of now. I know this is a near sold out sailing so I am not that enthusiastic that our bid will be accepted but the process was neat, so much better then the way DCL handles begging for even eye contact at the "supervisors desk" . I enjoyed the anticipation and research that went along with the process, I will continue to stand by....

MEI, my TA Sharla is the best! Saved me money 2X so far and my sailing isn't until June 2020. Another vote for MEI!!

Ugh, that's are hard lesson. I utilized everyone here especially @WAAAYTOOO and @Love2cruise2002 and refined my bidding knowing exactly what I would be "winning" (If I won!) You are correct sometimes "winning" isn't all it's cut out to be. Huge lesson learned but FEEL BETTER, you are going on a cruise! Enjoy your breakfast out there, a glass of wine in the evenings before dinner, (bring it in your carry on) as stipulated by the RC rules and make the very best of it. The money is spent, can't change it don't let it take away from what will be your best vacation yet. Enjoy your sailing :) ** I just looked you are mid-ship starboard now instead of being port aft. I think your updated location now is much better too!!

@WAAAYTOOO you are my cruise God Mother! The way you explained everything to me I am clear and comfortable with my decision not to place that bid. There are 2 adults plus my 13 year old and we are sailing November 24 to December1, 2019 I paid a big price for the 3 of us in the OS. So much so that when I called to possibly switch rooms to a Crown Loft (it came available after final payment) the CL was close to $3,000.00 cheaper and they had no problem making the switch but they were keeping the entire $3,000.00 I could not wrap my head around that so we stayed put. The way you explained the possibility of basketball courts also helped, my luck I would be outside and hear the bounce of the ball and it would drive me crazy. (used to live in a City very sensitive to certain noises) for the added price of $2600.00 if we "won" and then to possibly be miserable, ah no way no how. In addition for our first RC sailing we are #team CK and the refreshment package so not so much savings there either. Thanks so much, have a great evening!

This just happened to me and I lost my 150.00 OBC BUT I saved an extra $500.00 so at the end of the day I was up. My TA keeps an eye for me and when there are more savings to be had well she gets it done. I am sure before February 2021 you will see additional flash sales but I do think every sale is inclusive of themselves and can't be combined, I believe. I am sure some wonderful other cruisers will chime in shortly. Good Luck and happy sailing!!

I just received a Royal Up bid possibility for our sailing in a few weeks. As of now we are in an Owners Suite with a minimal bid in for a 2 Bedroom Aqua (really would prefer 2 bathrooms) but nothing was available at time of booking. My question is two fold, does anyone know the stateroom numbers of the Star Loft Suites so I can see their location and your thoughts if you have stayed there? ie part balcony in proximity to the basketball court etc. The minimum bid requested is $1300.00 so even if we bid that my CC gets hit for $2600.00 if we "win" Planning on staying low key so we will be in stateroom a great deal. Your thoughts would be so appreciated, what would you do? Thanks a bunch Sailing Harmony

MEI, MEI! I felt most comfortable when I used this travel agency, my TA is Sharla. They are experts at the RCCL vacation and believe me that makes a huge difference. Since I have booked I have received two price adjustments without lifting a finger, just turned on my computer to the email from Sharla, guess what you just saved money as there was a sale. I had used another TA previous due to booking with a group of friends and there is no way I would ever use someone not as familiar again. Any question I have I send off to her (or ask on here) the answers are kind and come fast and furious LOL. Go with the TA that is invested in your not only enjoying your vacation but that respects your needs, MEI. (No I do not work for them, not affiliated at all just a very satisfied customer) Good Luck and enjoy your planning, sometimes that can be just as much fun! I have previously said a trusting relationship and ability to communicate with an expert TA is better then a little amount of OBC any day.