Laurac22

I agree that the few perks for the JS are hardly worth it UNLESS you can manage to get one of the aft balconies with the jinormous balconies.
 
Of course, the O class ships have NONE of these big balconies so it isn't even an option for that class.
 
Unless you really need the double points or getting into the Coastal Kitchen for dinner is a big incentive, there isn't really a huge benefit to getting the JS on the O class.  I think that is one reason why I see so many JS left unsold on so many of the O class sailings.  It seems that the big suites go REALLY fast (especially the Star class) but those JS sales are really lagging - at least, it seems that way to me.  The JS is nearly double the price of an oceanview balcony.  I don't see the value there.  Either they are going to have to add some perks to that suite class or lower the prices.  IMO.

I agree with Matt. $400 to $500 pp is reasonable for us on Oasis class. Of course you have to consider the hidden cost. The JS is the gateway drug to suite life and you will pay dearly down the road when you "just once" have to stay in a grand suite, then an owners suite... of a sudden you have a royal genie at your barefoot beach cabana on labadee while the consierge is coordinating a predinner party in your aqua theater suite.
 
Seriously though, we really enjoy the extra space! I'm a bit of a neatnik and it seems easier to keep up a larger area. The JS is just large enough to enjoy room service inside the cabin and the sitting area is nearest to the balcony which is important to me.

Billy is correct, the agent you book with will manage your reservation during the entire process.
 
THANK YOU for supporting our sponsor, MEI-Travel!

John was my MEI agent for the Sept Freedom group cruise (GC). It was a last minute decision for me and required multiple inquiries, emails and phone calls. John was very patient, professional and once I pulled the trigger he booked my cruise on a Sunday night.
 
As you get closer to the cruise Matt will post a page with all the details of the GC activities. Onboard MEI had a printout of the daily GC activities delivered to our cabin. In addition to that, Annette delivered a "welcome note" that included her cabin number, cell phone number and the location where we could find her every morning. Although we had zero issues, she told us to contact her instead of wasting vacation time in the Guest Services line. We have never experienced this exceptional service from previous agents.
 
I had an amazing time on the Freedom GC and look forward to booking another as soon as the 2018 date(s) are announced. Unfortunately I committed a year ago to two 2017 cruises and changes now would be too expensive.
 
Those that booked through an agency other than MEI, will not be invited to private GC activities. I will not hesitate to use MEI in the future.

When I did the blog group cruise back in febuary there were 4 MEI agents in total on board, althouh I think 2 were there mainly to learn about Royal. It doesn't matter if John is there or not you will have a team of agents at your disposal. I was really impressed with Annette and the other agents, they were always working and never on 'vacation'.

Not sure what/who MEI is. But, whoever you and your group book through, you want to have all of your reservation numbers linked to one person/couple from the group. If you are that person, then whatever you book for yourself (meal times, show time, excursions, etc) will also book those that are linked to your reservation number. And, no, you don't have to pay for the other folks in your group that are linked to you, they will. 
I would STRONGLY recommend not booking My Time Dining for a large group. We tried this earlier this year for a total of six of us on the Allure and it just did not work at all. We ended up waiting up to 30 minutes while they searched around for a table big enough to handle our group and that was for the 6:30 seating.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your cruise! 

As Jerel mentioned, on the Allure there were several agents from MEI, including Annette who is the Operations Manager for MEI.  While it isn't yet clear which agents will be on board the Harmony group cruise, what I can tell you is that your agent (in this case, John) will handle the details for your booking.  A bit before the sailing you'll likely get something from MEI, possibly Annette, confirming certain details.  
 
Prior to the sailing, while you correspond with John for any needs you have, Annette and others on the team will ensure that dining arrangements are made, group activities are organized, etc.  The agent(s) onboard the sailing have everyone's booking info and are there to help with any issues, special arrangements, etc - and of course help organize any group activities.  
 
I hope this clarifies things a bit.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  It really is a team effort, and MEI works hard to make it easy.

Have you contacted the special needs department? If not that would be the place to try, our Son is in a wheelchair and they have been very accommodating in addressing his needs. I agree with those that mentioned Muster drill being a problem. I would definetly try and get special arrangements made to avoid any problems with this. Muster can be stressful, crowded and long. They usually allow those with special needs to leave early, or be in a totally separate place from the crowds. I hope this all works out for you all. Please thank them for their service.

Hello Sue
 
Thank you so much!!! Yes I am a very high spirt person, especially with Cruising!!!
My DH husband is the Same way as yours.
I have done so much planning with this Cruise. I i'm not the most crafty person in the world, but I do like creating things to show my enthusiasm!!! This is a Sign I have made for our Cabin Door. It was a plain chalkboard frame at the start of it. I painted the frame, and hot glued Sandollar's around the edge, that's blue aqua sand the bottom, and fun with cruising stickers, and puffy letters.
Our CC roll call group is very active, and pumped. I think we have over 100 members attending the meet and mingle. We have scheduled two events as well, a cabin crawl, and a slot pull. We Also have a very active Facebook Group, made up of Mostly CC members, and other Facebook users. We will all be wearing Mardi Gras beads on embarkation day, to find each other in the terminal, to come up to each other, and say hi.
I will do my best to periscope anything and everything. I want to be able to share my experience, and make it fun for people watching along. I will also be writing on a live review on the blog, and CC.
I am doing the same thing as you, watching everybody's periscopes to get me through, until it's my turn to cruise!!!!
Will you be Pericoping from your cruise?
Look forward to hearing about yours as well.

Thank You, WAAAYTOOO.I don't think I have ever been this excited on my past Cruises!!! Don't get me wrong, I was excited to go on the cruises, just not THIS excited!!
I think the main driving force, behind this level of excitement, is becoming a member, on the Blog site.
Finding out more information that I have ever known about Cruising. Making new Friends, on the Rc Blog, as well as My fellow Cruisers on the same Cruise as myself.
Being able to Periscope my Cruise, and share the Experience with other Cruising enthusiasts!!!

Cute picture Kat! I remember that same excitement from our first cruise. Still get that excited, but usually blow right by those photographers now.... More important things to do, like get that first roast beef sandwich. I have my priorities straight right?

Cute picture Kat! I remember that same excitement from our first cruise. Still get that excited, but usually blow right by those photographers now.... More important things to do, like get that first roast beef sandwich. I have my priorities straight right?

Yes I can blame the passenger for lying and filling out a form saying that they require an accessible cabin when they DO NOT, and are just doing it to get a larger cabin. I can't believe you feel that is justified.
 
There are 2700 cabins on an Oasis class ship. Only 46 are accessible cabins. I don't think it is to much to ask that able-bodied persons pick from the 2645 that are still available and leave the 46 to the people that have to have them in order to cruise!!

Yes I can blame the passenger for lying and filling out a form saying that they require an accessible cabin when they DO NOT, and are just doing it to get a larger cabin. I can't believe you feel that is justified.
 
There are 2700 cabins on an Oasis class ship. Only 46 are accessible cabins. I don't think it is to much to ask that able-bodied persons pick from the 2645 that are still available and leave the 46 to the people that have to have them in order to cruise!!

I have to agree with Laurac22, if you purposely book an ADA cabin because you want a bigger cabin, than you are falsely booking a cabin that a person with a disability might not be able to get because someone who isn't disabled took it because they wanted a larger room. I am sorry the person that is not disabled should look at an Ocean View, Balcony or Suite, I understand it will cost more but they are being deceiving in booking a ADA cabin. The person that booked this ADA cabin is wrong, not the cruise line.
 
You have to make out paperwork stating you are ADA, but these people just lie, It might be better if the cruise lines required a doctor's statement saying the passenger is ADA. That would solve the problem. I know more paperwork for the cruise line but at least ADA passengers would have a chance to get the cabin.
 
I agree if the cruise line offers it to you near final or after, yes, then take it. 

Please go out and do a mock booking for the SAME CATAGORY cabins one regular and one accessible. They will be the same price. The accessible will not be more because of the larger cabin size.
 
If able bodied persons are booking accessible cabins "because they want a larger cabin" (before final payment and they are opened to the general public), Then they are horribly selfish and should be ashamed!

Well I spent an hour on the phone with rccl and talked to 3 different people. And I was told that the reason behind the pricing difference was because the accessible room had a different letter than the regular inside room. I do not really understand the letter system but I guess I will go with it. Thanks for all information. And to clarify the cruise line said it had nothing to do with size or accessiblity.

Perhaps it varies around the globe, but I just priced an accessible room for our trip out of Florida in 2017 and the prices are identical to the non-accessible rooms in the same category.    Make sure you're comparing the exact same category of room, not just 'balcony'.  I don't believe they can charge more for an accessible room in the US.
 
Now, if you book today in a certain category and then come back two months from now, the prices can change.  Depending on the demand or current sales offers, that same room could have increased or decreased in price, but it should still be equal to the same non-accessible room in the same category.
 
For anyone booking an accessible room that doesn't need it, you need a good smack upside the head.  There are a lot of people in wheelchairs that must have that space to maneuver, fit in the bathrooms, have the wider door, etc.  The space isn't a luxury, its a necessity.  I promise its not an extra frill.  If you want more space, go buy a suite and save the room for someone that needs it.