MHW

I got off Mariner October 1st and still have charges pending from my cruise as of today. A few have fallen off but the bulk of it is still there. It is a pain but nothing we can do other than settle in cash and I prefer to earn the airline miles, lol.

I use Insuremytrip.com.

Well I emailed aback and forth with the MEI travel agent that I was assigned, Amanda Boardwine, and she got us a great rate! So if things go well with this trip then we will continue to use her, thanks for the advice.

If I can piggyback on this topic...I found MEI from being a lurker on this site and contacted them about a cruise we want for next year. The issue is that we have NextCruise certificates to use or they will expire in a month. The agent, who has been terrific so far, said that I can book the cruise and transfer it to her and she will see if she can place us under their group booking which would save hundreds of dollars. But she cannot be sure that she can put us in the group booking until AFTER we make the transfer. At that point we would then be getting the higher rate and the booking would be with an agent and not mine any longer. I see so many people here saying it is a no brainer to use a TA, regardless of rates or OBC or whatever, but what benefit is there really? Seems most are saying the benefit comes in only if there is a problem. I research the booking, make the booking, book my own flights, even when giving up the reservation, so I am confused. Not being a jerk, seriously trying to see what would be the benefit.