Sharla

I never want to eat traditional dining again, I choose MyTime so I can do specialty dining or pizza or Windjammer. 
As someone who likes to stay on the ship if at all possible I never want to get off the ship in Nassau or Cozumel again if I can help it!

I never want to eat traditional dining again, I choose MyTime so I can do specialty dining or pizza or Windjammer. 
As someone who likes to stay on the ship if at all possible I never want to get off the ship in Nassau or Cozumel again if I can help it!

I never want to eat traditional dining again, I choose MyTime so I can do specialty dining or pizza or Windjammer. 
As someone who likes to stay on the ship if at all possible I never want to get off the ship in Nassau or Cozumel again if I can help it!

I never want to eat traditional dining again, I choose MyTime so I can do specialty dining or pizza or Windjammer. 
As someone who likes to stay on the ship if at all possible I never want to get off the ship in Nassau or Cozumel again if I can help it!

We will eat in the MDR on occasion, usually with friends but that's about it. However, this gave me another reminder...
I'll never do traditional dining again. Don't like to be locked to a time & we had a bad match with table mates. They spoke a different language most of the time. They were friends and speaking natively was easier for them... It made it awkward for us unfortunately.

I visit the spa on every cruise, and a couples massage is fun, though other posters are correct, you're not getting great bonding time, there's no talking you're just in the same room. That being said we do enjoy this type of thing, it's just fun.
And agreed, no bamboo, especially not your first massage! 

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

Got a notice by text this evening that anyone over 65 that wants to be vaccinated only has to call and make an appointment. There is apparently a 1 week lead time.  Surprised that they are getting to us so quickly.

You can replace her, that's no problem. There is a deadline- it's more than 24 hours before sailing, the exact time frame varies a bit- it depends on when Royal Caribbean sends the manifest to the government. But like 3 days before sailing is likely fine, it will take a lot of work to do a name change after that. It can be done, just takes work!
As to the beverage packages/excursions- you'll lose them for her, once her name drops off her purchases will be cancelled and you'll have to redo them. It's a different system so there's just no replacing on that part to my knowledge. 
If the person you replace her with is over 21 and you two have already purchased, not sure. Technically everyone over 21 must purchase but if you've already done it I don't know.
@Baked Alaskayes a person in a suite can be replaced too. One guest must remain the same.

You can always start a debate with these ones !!!!
A pack of two, one is labeled Captain and the other First Mate. You tell me who is going to get the Captains Lanyard or should you ask your wife first ? ?
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Retractable-Organizer-Essential-Accessories/dp/B07S851HTB/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=2-Pack%2BCruise%2BLanyard%2B%26%2BWaterproof%2BID%2BKey%2BCard%2BHolder%2BClip.%2BMatching%2BRetractable%2BBadge%2BReel.%2BTravel%2BOrganizer%2BBag.%2BEssential%2BCruise%2BShip%2BAccessories.%2BCaptain%2BFirst%2BMate%2B1%2BBlue%2B%26%2B1%2BLite%2BBlue&qid=1609338173&sr=8-2&th=1
 
2-Pack Cruise Lanyard & Waterproof ID Key Card Holder Clip. Matching Retractable Badge Reel. Travel Organizer Bag. Essential Cruise Ship Accessories.

Got the Pfizer vaccine today. So far so good. 

Here's hoping!

After listening to @Matt recent podcast about wishes for 2021, I thought of a couple of my own. How about you?
1. Ok I'll put this one in since I'm starting the topic and I'm pretty certain everyone on here wants the same thing..... CRUISES TO START BACK UP
2. RCG to rework their website: Fix some of the weird glitches & ALLOW MORE OPTIONS WHEN BOOKING(or mock booking) like allowing you to put in the max guests that rooms allow.
3. More west coast cruises including more short cruises out of Seattle(this is probably more like an unrealistic dream)

I'll get mine whenever our state gets to Phase 1B.  I have zero trepidation with getting it.

As much as I really, really, really want to cruise again, I want even more to start putting this pandemic behind us.

No it won't!

Here's hoping!

I get my Covid 19 Vaccine on Wednesday. I feel cautiously optimistic about cruising starting up in the 2nd quarter of next year. At least a few ships at least. It looks like by April anybody in the general public should be able to receive the vaccine. Lets just keep our fingers crossed! 

I’m just here to say @Sharlarocks! ?

Hi Paul- Full disclosure here- I am a Travel Agent. 
We will always offer the same price Royal Caribbean does, with a few exceptions (and those exceptions are special contracted group rates that are lower than you could get booking direct). The benefit to booking with us is that you have an advocate in your corner to help you plan your trip. This means: 
- You have someone to continue to look for and apply discounts should any be released (which is very often with RCCL), so that you do not have to spend time doing the same, or potentially missing a better offer. 
- You have someone to help you navigate the Cruise Planner program.
- You have someone to help you make your dining reservations if you'd like. 
- You have an expert in all things cruising and travel to help you plan the best vacation you can. 
- You have someone you can come to directly to ask questions to instead of spending time looking around on the internet for your answers. 
- You have someone to turn to should something go wrong while you are traveling. This has been key for 2020/ early 2021 bookings. 
And the best part is, we provide all of this for FREE to you. You get our concierge level service at no extra charge. The difference when you book with me is the difference between information and expertise. Anyone can look up information on the internet. When booking your trip with me you know you have an expert in your corner that can help tailor your trip to your desires and make sure you see everything you want to do!

Also- you're paying for our services anyway- what we are paid comes out of the cruise line's pocket. So it's factored in whether you use a TA or not. 

Hi Paul- Full disclosure here- I am a Travel Agent. 
We will always offer the same price Royal Caribbean does, with a few exceptions (and those exceptions are special contracted group rates that are lower than you could get booking direct). The benefit to booking with us is that you have an advocate in your corner to help you plan your trip. This means: 
- You have someone to continue to look for and apply discounts should any be released (which is very often with RCCL), so that you do not have to spend time doing the same, or potentially missing a better offer. 
- You have someone to help you navigate the Cruise Planner program.
- You have someone to help you make your dining reservations if you'd like. 
- You have an expert in all things cruising and travel to help you plan the best vacation you can. 
- You have someone you can come to directly to ask questions to instead of spending time looking around on the internet for your answers. 
- You have someone to turn to should something go wrong while you are traveling. This has been key for 2020/ early 2021 bookings. 
And the best part is, we provide all of this for FREE to you. You get our concierge level service at no extra charge. The difference when you book with me is the difference between information and expertise. Anyone can look up information on the internet. When booking your trip with me you know you have an expert in your corner that can help tailor your trip to your desires and make sure you see everything you want to do!

Also- you're paying for our services anyway- what we are paid comes out of the cruise line's pocket. So it's factored in whether you use a TA or not. 

Hi Paul- Full disclosure here- I am a Travel Agent. 
We will always offer the same price Royal Caribbean does, with a few exceptions (and those exceptions are special contracted group rates that are lower than you could get booking direct). The benefit to booking with us is that you have an advocate in your corner to help you plan your trip. This means: 
- You have someone to continue to look for and apply discounts should any be released (which is very often with RCCL), so that you do not have to spend time doing the same, or potentially missing a better offer. 
- You have someone to help you navigate the Cruise Planner program.
- You have someone to help you make your dining reservations if you'd like. 
- You have an expert in all things cruising and travel to help you plan the best vacation you can. 
- You have someone you can come to directly to ask questions to instead of spending time looking around on the internet for your answers. 
- You have someone to turn to should something go wrong while you are traveling. This has been key for 2020/ early 2021 bookings. 
And the best part is, we provide all of this for FREE to you. You get our concierge level service at no extra charge. The difference when you book with me is the difference between information and expertise. Anyone can look up information on the internet. When booking your trip with me you know you have an expert in your corner that can help tailor your trip to your desires and make sure you see everything you want to do!

Also- you're paying for our services anyway- what we are paid comes out of the cruise line's pocket. So it's factored in whether you use a TA or not. 

I used AAA to book 2 cruises.  I was pleased with my first experience and much less so with the second.  After that, I switched to MEI (Sharla) and have had excellent advice and service.  I highly recommend her.

I'm not a scientist or health expert. I barely can put on my shirt on the right way every day.  But I'd advise skeptics to look into the stringent protocols and methodologies any vaccine goes through before it can reach the public.
Then remind yourself that more than 3,000 people die every year from taking Aspirin.

Good question! We get paid when the cruise sails (or is cancelled but paid in full). However it's not a waste of time to quote, book, or anything and change it. It's all part of the services we provide. MEI-Travel is not the only agency out there and we get that, but we do personalized service and I don't ever pressure you to book if you're not ready.
 
So ask us to quote or anything, that's not a problem at all! 

Hi Paul- Full disclosure here- I am a Travel Agent. 
We will always offer the same price Royal Caribbean does, with a few exceptions (and those exceptions are special contracted group rates that are lower than you could get booking direct). The benefit to booking with us is that you have an advocate in your corner to help you plan your trip. This means: 
- You have someone to continue to look for and apply discounts should any be released (which is very often with RCCL), so that you do not have to spend time doing the same, or potentially missing a better offer. 
- You have someone to help you navigate the Cruise Planner program.
- You have someone to help you make your dining reservations if you'd like. 
- You have an expert in all things cruising and travel to help you plan the best vacation you can. 
- You have someone you can come to directly to ask questions to instead of spending time looking around on the internet for your answers. 
- You have someone to turn to should something go wrong while you are traveling. This has been key for 2020/ early 2021 bookings. 
And the best part is, we provide all of this for FREE to you. You get our concierge level service at no extra charge. The difference when you book with me is the difference between information and expertise. Anyone can look up information on the internet. When booking your trip with me you know you have an expert in your corner that can help tailor your trip to your desires and make sure you see everything you want to do!

Also- you're paying for our services anyway- what we are paid comes out of the cruise line's pocket. So it's factored in whether you use a TA or not.