DanielB

I absolutely love working with my MEI agent Beth Dickerson. Even though she is my agent and controls the reservation(s) I feel we work as a team. There are times I find a lower price and just send an email and there are times she surprises with an email saying she found a lower price. She is currently on vacation and I emailed her with a question, received an automated email back with contact info of another agent if needed. It was not anything earth shattering so was just gonna wait until she returns on Friday and low and behold she replied to the email from vacation. I have used travel agents in the past and they never work out as they are not prompt. That is certainly not the case with MEI and Beth.

Conrad still shows as available to book for my December stay. Shame as the Hilton Downtown is a poor example of a Hilton IMO.

I love the Conrad but unfortunately received email last night that my December stay was cancelled as the hotel was sold and no longer a Hilton/ Conrad. https://loyaltylobby.com/2021/10/07/conrad-miami-exits-hilton-system-on-october-18-2021/ Thought a few others here may find the info useful.

I sail Oasis this Sunday and got my upgrade email at 11:50a this morning. I see others on FB have posted that they have received theirs as well. I am no expert at all just sharing.

Oasis worked for me but did not work for Symphony last week. Part of the slow down in Miami seems to have been taking all the vaccination card photos.

Left hotel at 1130 and at port around 1145 for a 12p boarding time. 3 lines of people 12-1, 1-2 and 2-3 with long lines in each. Our line started moving promptly at 12p and we walked on the ship at 12:45. Outside the doors is a cluster and the check in was slow. Check in agent scanned passports and retook all photos…she was training someone and said she always does that to ensure they are correct. IMO this really slows the process down. I heard from many that shortly after the wheels fell off and the check in process was terribly slow with many noon check ins not boarding until we’ll after 1. All in all for us all it wasn’t horrible and but certainly areas of opportunity.

I know I have seen several people ask about the Key onboard as they are currently still selling it in Cruise Planner. I have a buddy sailing next week who purchased the Key and received the following email that he shared with me. I asked earlier in the cruise about the Key and was told that it was cancelled through 2020 but it appears to be starting again next week on Symphony. Hope this info helps someone.

Brian Leavitt- cruise director onboard currently posted on Facebook just today that they were doing show install for Flight. Not sure how long that takes but should be added soon enough. I am amazed at what they have been able to do with the restart…usually they practice at the studios in Miami for months before boarding. I love Flight myself!

I have a cruise leaving this Saturday (Symphony) and one in October (Oasis) and neither were updated to ask for a picture. I keep checking almost daily and still nothing and my app is the latest version.

I have, I used it in Chicago. Very easy to use, book online and drop off the luggage....usually it is in another business and you would never know they also store luggage, sometimes it is a hotel even. We were going to do this after our cruise this coming week as our flight is at 8p but I just asked the hotel that we are staying at pre cruise and they will keep for us, so I will just tip generously.

https://luggagehero.com/?lh_expID=Kv6a4vdUQgWwD6SHo-TNmg&lh_varID=0 Not sure where you are cruising from but this is a cheap option if you have a desire to do some sight seeing.

Agree! I will stick to my boarding time unlike many on FB and CC.

Any hotel reservations made yet? I know many recommend Embassy Suites but Hilton just went through a renovation and is same price basically. Thoughts? I have never cruised form FLL so only thing I know is I need to eat at LaBamba.

Symphony 9/18 is reported as 1800

Thats awesome and thanks for sharing! I have heard great reports about boarding but people reported the last Symphony was a mess. I will find out this Saturday for the Symphony....:)

Just packed for the cruise. Now I have to wait for the COVID tests and hope they are negative....ugh

How much is the discount? I am currently lowly gold but after my next cruise (sept 25) I will be Emerald and it appears there is a discount for balcony rooms....I will be diamond by the time this cruise comes around.

Is Oasis the only ship that has Portside BBQ? I was kinda surprised to not see this on Wonder but again the Chinese market would not go for that.....ok so now I am surprised an El Loco Fresh was onboard.

I am booked! Woo Hooo

I agree, I would love to meet in person. She is pretty darn awesome.

Sent my MEI agent @BethD my request for March 4th! I will hang onto my April 16th Symphony as a back up and then cancel with Cruise with Confidence if needed.

That a girl!

AMP'd to make her debut in Galveston. Seems like perfect timing. Fingers crossed....now to move my Symphony of the Seas April to Wonder

If you are vaccinated you only need to present vaccination proof to fly and enter Barcelona at appears at the moment. It then appears to get on the ship Royal is testing at the pier all guests, currently Right now it appears if you are vaccinated you just need to show proof and show up. Testing protocols change often and I would keep checking your air providers website for requirements as well as Royal. Have fun!

thank you