Patt Whitmore

"I Survived the CDC Protocols" t-shirts.

My question is....will there be swag for the simulators?

If you were a cruise line and had to pass test cruises before revenue sailings, would you bank on the first or second volunteer option?  Wrong choice could potentially delay revenue sailings even longer for a cruise line, should an outbreak occur. 

I always park on property because off property doesn't save that much money, and I absolutely hate the tram service they provide.  Specifically, they are not run enough and I have no interest in waiting in a line for a bus.

Thanks twangster.  I hadn't noticed the cruise start days and thought all the 5 day sailings started on Monday.  Makes sense now that you clarified for me.

I always used a travel agent until last year, when covid hit New Jersey required that all non essential businesses close. We had a July 2020 cruise booked, I couldn't get in touch with my agent (agency laid her off) to pay the balance of the cruise and when I called RC, they wouldn't accept it directly. I eventually got in touch with the owner of the travel agency and completed my payment. I have since booked 4 cruises direct. I don't have a problem using an agent, just wasn't comfortable with what happened last year.
 

I've used Costco Travel a few times and their agents seem to be pretty knowledgeable.  I'm not sure if you can request any particular agent but I've always gotten the same rates as what the cruise lines were offering on their websites plus they will give you a Costco gift card per room booked and sometimes other perks.  The other side bonus is that your purchase also qualifies for the 2% back if you have an executive membership.  On our trip for this Summer I should get close to $500 in gift cards plus ~$160 back from the 2% portion for the 3 rooms that I booked for our family.

Travel agents can sometimes book at a lower rate than is offered on the cruise line website because they have access to group rates.  If any agent within their entire agency has booked a group for that particular cruise then your agent can usually put you in that group.  Group rates are typically a bit lower and they are also typically refundable fares.  I've found this to be a big advantage in addition to everything else mentioned above.

Another vote for @Sharla

Thank you to everyone for your replies.  I now see lots of advantages to transferring our booking to a travel agent.  Also, there are so many positive comments about MEI agents (both this and other topics) that I will contact them to help me.  Thanks again

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Accessible_Seas/10017348_AccessibleSeas_Brochure.pdf
 
I hope this helps.  We are in a grand suite and Scootaround never mentioned width of door, the one we are looking at is their lightest and smallest. Looks maybe 15 inches wide.

We brought a case of water with us the twice.  The first time it sucked lugging it around with us until our cabin was ready.  The second time it sucked even more.
We haven't brought water with us since the second cruise.  
 

Thank you to everyone for your replies.  I now see lots of advantages to transferring our booking to a travel agent.  Also, there are so many positive comments about MEI agents (both this and other topics) that I will contact them to help me.  Thanks again

I've found it to be 100 - 300? difference more for refundable. Worth it everytime.
 

Thank you to everyone for your replies.  I now see lots of advantages to transferring our booking to a travel agent.  Also, there are so many positive comments about MEI agents (both this and other topics) that I will contact them to help me.  Thanks again

Thank you to everyone for your replies.  I now see lots of advantages to transferring our booking to a travel agent.  Also, there are so many positive comments about MEI agents (both this and other topics) that I will contact them to help me.  Thanks again

I'm a big believer in letting people who are experts do the things they are experts in.   I work in a skilled trade.  Sure, anyone can do what I do, especially with the internet and YouTube, but I'm faster, neater, and more cost effective than someone who hasn't been doing it for decades.  You can't beat years of experience and the contacts that are developed over those years.
 
We are fairly new to using a travel agent.  We only started doing so after finding this site.  My wife was ambivalent, so I made contact with MEI through this site and very quickly heard from Michelle.  She is great.  ?  
My wife is no longer ambivalent and would not think of planning a vacation without Michelle being involved. 
 
Whether we have been booking a cruise, adding a person to an existing reservation, adding a cruise to an existing one to make it a back to back, lifting/shifting due to Covid, having to deal with a charter that canceled an existing booking, or simply repricing due to a price drop, the process for us is literally just a couple emails.
 
I hope Royal Caribbean (and any other company who works the same way) is making sure that travel agents who work on commission are not struggling financially during the time that cruises are not running.  We feel kind of guilty receiving the level of service we get knowing that no one is actually cruising right now.

In a word....YES!
Here's a good look at how much they can do for you https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/06/15/top-things-you-didnt-know-travel-agents-can-do-your-cruise-vacation

Hi Patt,
There are a lot of advantages! We will always offer the same price Royal Caribbean does, with a few exceptions. 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.    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!

Welcome to the boards Patt!
I too am an advocate of MEI (we are also looked after by @michelle).
I also used to book everything direct with RCCL (I am in the UK and thought at the time that it was the only option available) but, similar to @FionaMGI coincidentally made the switch to MEI not long before the world entered its current crazy phase.
It has been comforting to know that Michelle is in our corner throughout the rounds of cancellations, new bookings, further cancellations, etc, and all the ancillary activities that go with them (for example Michelle recently researched the visa requirements for a total of 10 islands/destinations that we hope to visit on 2021/22 sailings, which saved me a whole heap of time).
I don't know where you are based, but in short if you are willing/able to book in USD then I would recommend MEI all the way.

I agree with everything said on this topic.  I will give a personal endorsement for Sharla.  She has been awesome and patient in helping navigate these tricky times.

If everything goes 100% smoothly then the benefits may be limited (perhaps a bit of OBC or a bottle of wine in your stateroom, if anything). However, when things go awry, a good travel agent is a blessing because they will be on your side to help sort out the mess.
I used to be a travel agent myself and have a hard time giving up control of my bookings. Call it premonition if you will but when I booked our doomed Allure cruise for September 2020 I decided to go with the suggestions on this board and contacted one of the MEI agents (@michelle - [email protected]) to look after the booking for us. Best decision ever. When Covid kicked off and the option to Lift & Shift came out, I asked her to shift our cruise. Done deal within a few hours from the time I contacted her (and there's a 5-hour time difference!). I also enlisted her help to get the long-overdue refund we were owed for cruise planner purchases on the cancelled Allure sailing. In both cases, I would likely have been hanging on the phone to RC for ages and getting nowhere.
So, in the current climate I would say it is definitely worth your while transferring to a travel agent.
By all accounts, any of the MEI agents (who sponsor this board) are great to work with.