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michelle

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Posts posted by michelle

  2. Hypothetically speaking...

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    22 minutes ago, DocLC said:

    Any MEI agent can also help you with any cruise booking, not just Royal Caribbean. I have had @michelle book Disneyworld and Holland America, Princess, and MSC cruises as well. I'm not advocating that anyone deviate from Royal, but if they're not sailing the itinerary you're looking for, your MEI agents can still help with your bookings.

    Yep - thank you DocLC - happy to help you with all cruises and tours around the world -

  7. Cancelled Cruise Update

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

    Bravo MEI !  SO happy that this is coming to a good end.  There are so many lessons here.  Twangbot's are extremely important - our children DO learn to handle life's disappointments (and joys !) from us and we don't know until WELL after it's too late that the way we handle crises is exactly the way they will handle crises.  Another important lesson here is to be persistent (well done, alamode123) and not accept the answers you sometimes get if it's not what you want !  The third lesson is one we hear over and over and over again on these boards.  A GOOD TA is worth waaay more during adversity than they are when things go the way you want them to go.  I LOVE my Agent (Michelle Cunnningham, in case there's a soul on this planet that doesn't know yet).  She works hard for us.  Very hard.  Believe it or not, I am NOT the easiest customer to have !  ?  I ask for stupid stuff and have her check prices WAAAYTOOO often.  I cancel and rebook, change rooms, overreact and whine.  But she couldn't be more professional and attentive. 

    To be completely honest (now that the crisis has passed) I did not expect this unfortunate scenario to end well for alamode123.  I have heard MANY such stories (there shouldn't even be ONE) and they rarely (never ?) work out in the passengers' favor.   Honestly, I think this might be the one and only time I've ever heard of Royal actually changing their minds and offering an alternative option to what their pathetic offers usually are.  So, hooray for this time.  The girls and you are going to have a great cruise.  It won't be long and you will not even remember that your cruise was originally booked on a different ship.  The truth is, you are getting a BETTER ship now and you will all have the time of our lives.  Good deal !

    Woo Hoo to Annette and Sharla - I know its always the best thing to hear when someone has your back and works out a problem for you
    We have a great team of agents here.

    Thanks Raye for always being so supportive - you are the best client - and keep 'em coming!  I can cancel, reprice and rebook
    All day long if you need me too

    HAPPY Weekend people

  10. Why I use a Travel Agent

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    One other thing for me is my relationship with people that entrust me with their trips

     - we take our clients and our friendships/bookings with them very serious - Certainly MEI Travel
    supports this blog and we are thrilled to be doing that. And WE CAN"T TELL YOU THANK YOU
    enough for entrusting us to handle your cruises - thank you - thank you - but its the relationship
    with Matt and the Blog that is also of great value as well to me.

    AND - I have many clients that after 10-12 years of booking with me are friends too
    They don't just book cruises- they book all trips with me - and now I'm moving down to their
    Kids Trips as well - its awesome!    And once I learn your likes/ etc.  I don't have to come ask
    you "what type of cabin?  what dining"  I try hard to get to know your likes/dislikes so we work
    as a Team - and other MEI Agents do this as well.

    TO me - besides all things listed here in the post about perks and supports -its about
    that relationship too!

  11. Why I use a Travel Agent

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

    Because I have no discipline !!!  LOL  It's just that simple !

    If this were 1987 and the interest rates on my checking and savings were 15% I could see holding onto that money but the interest on my accounts is not enough to influence my spending behavior and I would rather pay off the CC in smaller monthly increments rather than see a bill for a brazilian dollars.  It's just a habit that I have developed over a number of years and it works well for me.  I'm certain that it drives Michelle crazy but she never says a single word.

    I am no issues with doing this for you !!!  Love my Raye !  - some people just  like to have that control

    which I totally understand that as well.   

     

  12. Why I use a Travel Agent

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    4 hours ago, twangster said:

    Direct bookings can be switched to a TA but there are rules that have to be followed.  These are there to safeguard and respect each agency as well as the guest.  You wouldn't want an illicit travel agency slamming your booking over to them when you have never heard of said travel agency.  It generally has to be switched before final payment due date.  There are likely other rules that I don't know.  There is an exception process that I've had to use after final payment due date to effect a switch. 

    Do perks change with volume?  Sure.  Like most companies, repeat customers tend to be rewarded.  As far as MEI - they sponsor this site.  There are costs to running this site, posting cruise compasses, storing photos that some people like myself post a lot of, etc.  It is not insignificant to operate this site.  MEI through their sponsorship helps towards that.   While one TA might give you OBC or a dinner or a bottle of wine in your cabin, MEI helps to keep the lights on at RoyalCaribbeanblog.com. 

    All things be equal, since there are no downsides to using a TA that I've found, if nothing else using MEI allows this wonderful site to exist.  Eventually once you build a relationship with them as a repeat customer,  what ever you work out is between you and them. 

    Twangster - great points - and Lights On !

     

  13. Why I use a Travel Agent

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    6 hours ago, coneyraven said:

    I can't give Michelle at MEI enough credit here ..... granted, we are new to her, but the ability to remove the stress from my shoulders has been priceless.  Full disclosure, my next cruise was too far along for her to takeover, the two after that, on Brilliance & Freedom, I was more than happy to transfer over to her.

    She has been incredibly fast and even more importantly, patient with Tyna and I, with all the questions we have. 

    I know when it comes to clients, I'm sure there are many more that do a lot more business with her than we could ever do, but you would never know it by the Royal treatment she gives us.

    Thank You Michelle for restoring our faith in travel agents (our local one was a total bomb),

    Mark

     

    Mark - you are too kind!  but so happy we connected and I can help you with your cruises! 

    It's My Pleasure - and MEI TEAM rocks!

  14. Casino Royale Defined Tiers 2018

    in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors

    Posted

    I only play a little but a Casino agent confirmed to me that even if you scan your card during cruise and spend like $5
    you are now pretty much eligible to get casino discount rates.  Just keep in mind these are based off of current pricing
    (the day you call) and your level of player.  Many times the current promo out will beat their rates.  If Royal then raised rates
    and they do this ALL the time - the casino rates also fluctuate.  Its worth calling at least and comparing.

     

  16. Tell me this MSC Seaside video doesn’t look... off

    in Celebrity & SilverSea

    Posted

    On ‎2‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 11:39 AM, DocLC said:

    The buffet was difficult to navigate with a gluten allergy, but they did have gluten free bread available. In the dining room, however, they had a dedicated gluten-free menu for all meals, so there was no need to order ahead. They also had gluten-free bread, pastries, and muffins. 

    One of the reasons we cancelled the Seaside is because MSC has a very hard time getting their new ships up to par based on reviews of the Meraviglia. 

    Just had clients sail with MSC Seaside last week and they liked the food overall, but said service was not the same and the staff seemed to be annoyed with all questions they asked, no towel animals in room so the kids were bummed but they said the Ship was beautiful.  Staterooms (they had a balcony) were a little smaller.  They like Disney and RCI better

  19. Travel agent or not?

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    On ‎3‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 4:41 PM, JLMoran said:

     

    Just to briefly expand on this -- Several of us here use an agent from MEI and are perfectly happy with them. They don't tend to get us the absolute rock bottom rate compared to some other agencies (well, unless you're @michelle getting a casino booking for @WAAAYTOOO :10_wink:), but what they do give us is reliable service with frequent follow-up and regular comparisons against the current promotions; when they find a better deal, they apply it right away and you just get the happy feeling of opening an email that says, "I just saved you money / got you some extra OBC!"

    They also have lots of experience with Royal and several other cruise lines, and are a good resource if you're not sure which line might be best for a particular destination or itinerary you're interested in, or want some ideas on something new to try out, or need some advice about picking a room (without being pressured into getting that Grand Suite when your budget allows for an Ocean View).

    Hey JLMoran - thanks for having my back!  and I'm now getting casino notices for deals  not sure if that is because Casino is
    sick of me calling in or what?  lol.  Be well..l   And MEI takes it serious to help you have the best cruise at the most affordable offer
    we can't always give away the farm in pricing but hope we make up for it other ways...

  20. Upcoming Celebrity Cruises

    in Celebrity & SilverSea

    Posted

    YES _ I was just on the Equinox for a 3 night cruise and they had the Silent Disco - it was so funny to watch
    I really like the Solstice Class ships but got to see a lot of the EDGE and that ship is going to be awesome
    AND they have some 3 night sailings on the Edge end of Nov 2018 / early December 2019
    if anyone wants some rates - this ship is going to be amazing

     

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