Sharla

Hello all,
After booking many cruises on my own, I have sen the errors in my way. It seems like many of you have had nothing but good things to say about your MEI TA. With that in mind, even though I am sure all of them are great, is there one that you recommend? Does location matter? If so, I am located in Virginia.
I am wanting to book  my first ever Alaska cruise for 2022 and want to make sure I do it right and get whatever help I will need since I'm a newbie to the Alaska cruises.
 
Thanks all!
Carlos

Hahaha "cabin people" maybe that's a thing? That describes our little family also, now I know what to call it!! I agree, and at least it has where the balcony door can be open as opposed to just the panoramic windows. Okay, just placed my deposit with @Sharla
I will take pics and do a decent unemotional review to share! Thanks again (well maybe pics,) hopefully @twangster will be on my sailing, this way I WILL find him and invite him to take his amazing shots!

I'm in let's go!
I have been able to sail on some partner cruises- like when a new ship comes out or when a ship is refurbished. I would love to be able to test protocols if they have non-revenue cruises. We'll see ?

I'm in let's go!
I have been able to sail on some partner cruises- like when a new ship comes out or when a ship is refurbished. I would love to be able to test protocols if they have non-revenue cruises. We'll see ?

I'm in let's go!
I have been able to sail on some partner cruises- like when a new ship comes out or when a ship is refurbished. I would love to be able to test protocols if they have non-revenue cruises. We'll see ?

I think TA’s should have the option of sailing on these “test” cruises so they can let all their customers know how the protocols work and what to expect. I mean they are the ones helping to sell these cabins! @Sharlaaren’t you ready for a free cruise? 

I have been stalking the Brilliance out of Tampa summer sailings & knew something was up when they added a bunch. Lone behold I sent Royal a message on Twitter & they were kind enough to let me know my 11/23/20 sailing had been cancelled. ( Lot's of FCC still to use) I contacted @Sharla and literally in minutes she secured for me the ONLY 2 bedroom grand cabin 1054 on the Brilliance for the date I was interested in. 19 June 2021 woot woot ? One day I will sail that VP on Mariner BUT heck lemons into lemonade I wanted to visit Belize forever and of course the 2 bathrooms, just WOW! 
I think "ATTENTION RCCL" when you sail the non revenue generating cruises they should be offered to our tirelessly working TA family who have yet to give up on them, or us! Free  sailings  for your loyal travel partners like @Sharla 
I still have some leftover FCC and with these additional cancellations I do wish for RCCL ( Attention Mr. Bailey, Mr. Fain) they should extend the dates to utilize into at least the summer of 2022 OR how about letting us combine at least 2 for one sailing? LET US SAIL SAFELY WE MISS YOU!

 

Hi! You can transfer to an agent within 60 days of deposit and not paid in full. If you want to L&S and then transfer that's fine, or you can transfer to the agent and they can process the L&S for you. It's not a new booking if you do the L&S, it's the same booking so the 60 days starts from deposit. 

Hi! You can transfer to an agent within 60 days of deposit and not paid in full. If you want to L&S and then transfer that's fine, or you can transfer to the agent and they can process the L&S for you. It's not a new booking if you do the L&S, it's the same booking so the 60 days starts from deposit. 

"Bad" is subjective, meaning if you prefer a particular deck or position on the ship you might not be happy with a GTY, but for the most part I've been lucky with them! 
If you're looking for refundable deposit option then GTY is not going to work because it's only a non-refundable deposit option. But it's a great way to save money if you're not picky about your room.

@NeesaI like the way you think!

"Bad" is subjective, meaning if you prefer a particular deck or position on the ship you might not be happy with a GTY, but for the most part I've been lucky with them! 
If you're looking for refundable deposit option then GTY is not going to work because it's only a non-refundable deposit option. But it's a great way to save money if you're not picky about your room.

Some people have preferences and when they get assigned outside of their preference it's "bad".  For example being the last cabin all the way forward or aft means more walking.  Some don't like that.  I see it an opportunity to eat more in the Windjammer.  

@Sharlawas specific with our request to RCG and it worked out! We L&S from Adventure Holiday out of Galveston (Grand Suite) to Oasis Holiday out of Miami (Crown Loft Suite). Both are Western Caribbean itins.

We did Mariner back last October. It was a spontaneous/last minute “let’s cruise” decision. We’re 2 hours to PC so we did a GTY balcony and ended up with an aft balcony. 

It also was the first cruise we’d taken “alone” since 1998! It was our first Diamond cruise, first on Mariner, first time to the new Perfect Day, first time taking only a roll on bag and our first booked with @Sharla
It was a cruise of many firsts! ❤️ 

We have 3 sailings booked in 2021 and am patiently waiting for the Odyssey itinerary for May & June 2022. I also totally enjoy the entire planning aspect of it, I thought about possibly doing the education and asking to join MEI but I know @Sharla makes it seem so effortless but I am sure her behind the scenes work is exhausting. I don't think I could deal with booking for me, or anyone like me and then multiply that? Nope,  I'm leaving it to my expert TA guru.  We usually sailed once a year, 2 the most on occasion, three is going to be amazing!

I would! Sounds like fun!

I would! Sounds like fun!

@Baked Alaska I have just started my wall and commandeered the former "Racing" area (one pic left!) I have four additional prints to frame and I found an amazing anchor to add. I love to reflect on the pics that are tethered to so many treasured memories. @Sharla had a great idea with Etsy, my goal is to continue to collect the ships we have personally sailed. I really wish RCCL would offer something like this on their ships, I would purchase the print the second I boarded! 

I hear she is pretty cool and she really likes wine. And champagne. ?
 

I wonder if someone on Etsy might paint some for you? Would be a cool thing to have. I love my DCL ones!

I wonder if someone on Etsy might paint some for you? Would be a cool thing to have. I love my DCL ones!

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/09/11/odyssey-of-the-seas-construction-photo-update-september-11-2020
 

Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.