JayJay1908 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Hi all! Newbie to RC here! Is MEI the preferred TA of these boards? Would like to use an agent who comes recommended by previous travelers of RC. TIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Michelle Cunningham from MEI is the agent who puts up with me :) tiny260 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolariumSnoozer Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 MEI Travel is a sponsor of this blog. Many posts contain positive reviews of their agents. I recently started using Michelle Cunningham (@michelle) and can give a her a very positive recommendation. You can email her at [email protected]. tiny260 and SpeedNoodles 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThyriC Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 I use Pam Richter from MEI and she's been amazing for me. She's in my same timezone and puts up with all of my questions and swapping of credit cards to make payments. SpeedNoodles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 +1 for Michelle. If she puts up with me, she MUST have the patience of Job. I am such an airhead. I had her book a cruise for me while I was on Anthem last week....and then realized that it was for the wrong date and had to have her change it to the correct date. It was a suite so this was particularly problematic. NO PROBLEM for Michelle ! She got them to waive the $200 suite cancellation fee (in fairness, it was within 24 hours that we had to cancel/reschedule). I can't say enough good things on Michelle's behalf ! SpeedNoodles and tiny260 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayJay1908 Posted March 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2019 Thank you all! I booked with Michelle and she’s been wonderful! So happy I found this site - everyone is so helpful! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd W Posted March 7, 2019 Report Share Posted March 7, 2019 +3, 4, 5...i lost count but I use @michelle as well. ironically had some correspondence with her about 20 min ago! Awesome to work with as always! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Can you switch travel agencies after deposit has been made? I got screwed by AAA and I need to know what my options are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 36 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said: Can you switch travel agencies after deposit has been made? I got screwed by AAA and I need to know what my options are. Yes, but you have to get AAA to agree, call MEI or someone else and confirm. It's been awhile back, but I had AAA release it to me and then I re-assigned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baked Alaska Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Or, cancel with AAA and then book with MEI (I'm assuming refundable deposit, here). Sharla is our TA at MEI. She is super fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 On 3/4/2019 at 7:33 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: +1 for Michelle. If she puts up with me, she MUST have the patience of Job. I am such an airhead. I had her book a cruise for me while I was on Anthem last week....and then realized that it was for the wrong date and had to have her change it to the correct date. It was a suite so this was particularly problematic. NO PROBLEM for Michelle ! She got them to waive the $200 suite cancellation fee (in fairness, it was within 24 hours that we had to cancel/reschedule). I can't say enough good things on Michelle's behalf ! I had Michelle going awhile back, I think I might have actually sensed some frustration in her voice. Of course in the end it was me not realizing the facts and she was right all along. She is a godsend to an OCD person like me. WAAAYTOOO and SpeedNoodles 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Bah ...it is non-refundable. They saved me quite a bit on the cost of the one cruise but cost me $50 in OBC, then on the next one only saved me $14 but cost me $100 OBC. I just asked them to look at it and they re-booked it. Said that there was nothing they could do as that offer that the original booking was done under had expired. Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd W Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 2 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said: Bah ...it is non-refundable. They saved me quite a bit on the cost of the one cruise but cost me $50 in OBC, then on the next one only saved me $14 but cost me $100 OBC. I just asked them to look at it and they re-booked it. Said that there was nothing they could do as that offer that the original booking was done under had expired. @Jolly Ogre just to be clear, are you referring to AAA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Just now, Todd W said: @Jolly Ogre just to be clear, are you referring to AAA? yes AAA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd W Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 1 minute ago, Jolly Ogre said: yes AAA. ok thats what i was thinking but didn't want anyone new jumping in on this and get the impression you were referring to MEI. Thanks for the clarification sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DublinFC Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Ok, so I have heard Matt talk about it on the podcast. But, why use a travel agent? I mostly hear about the checking of several cruises and pricing them all. I personally don't mind the legwork. I plan out all our vacations, I enjoy the legwork/research actually. So what other benefit comes with a seasoned TA? I am open to using one for the next time we book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 1 minute ago, DublinFC said: Ok, so I have heard Matt talk about it on the podcast. But, why use a travel agent? I mostly hear about the checking of several cruises and pricing them all. I personally don't mind the legwork. I plan out all our vacations, I enjoy the legwork/research actually. So what other benefit comes with a seasoned TA? I am open to using one for the next time we book. I was just like you, I researched and planned everything, but in the long run they can find deals we just cannot find. Plus I don't have to deal with Royal on the phone or through the web site, MEI does all of that for me. Travel is their job, I currently have 6 cruises booked out through 2021, I don't have to worry about any of them, I still do my research, but if I find something that might be different to have I just call or email MEI. Todd W, SpeedNoodles and Baked Alaska 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 10 minutes ago, DublinFC said: Ok, so I have heard Matt talk about it on the podcast. But, why use a travel agent? I mostly hear about the checking of several cruises and pricing them all. I personally don't mind the legwork. I plan out all our vacations, I enjoy the legwork/research actually. So what other benefit comes with a seasoned TA? I am open to using one for the next time we book. Of course you can do it on your own and it's not that difficult or demanding to manage it on your own. The reason to use a TA is they will save you time, maybe some money, and be your advocate should there be any issue. I often use the metaphor that having a TA is like having a lawyer. Of course you can represent yourself in court, but a lawyer knows the ins and outs of the system and everyone involved. tiny260, Todd W, NJCruisers and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd W Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 2 48 minutes ago, DublinFC said: Ok, so I have heard Matt talk about it on the podcast. But, why use a travel agent? I mostly hear about the checking of several cruises and pricing them all. I personally don't mind the legwork. I plan out all our vacations, I enjoy the legwork/research actually. So what other benefit comes with a seasoned TA? I am open to using one for the next time we book. same for me also. I was an extreme planner and was very hesitant to give up control. I still do a lot of my research on lower prices but i'm very confident in knowing our TA (Michelle @MEI) is also keeping an eye out for us as well. With all the challenges that Royal customer care has had lately, i'd rather let a professional handle any issues that may come up. If you can find a reliable TA (again MEI is awesome) there honestly isn't ANY reason not to use them that i've been able to figure out. If i screw something up without a TA, its a crap shoot if it will get resolved. If MEI has any issues, 99% of the time they can and will make it right (within reason of course). Matt, tiny260 and DublinFC 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baked Alaska Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 42 minutes ago, Matt said: Of course you can do it on your own and it's not that difficult or demanding to manage it on your own. The reason to use a TA is they will save you time, maybe some money, and be your advocate should there be any issue. I often use the metaphor that having a TA is like having a lawyer. Of course you can represent yourself in court, but a lawyer knows the ins and outs of the system and everyone involved. I think being an advocate for the traveler is the biggest reason to use a good TA. Matt, DublinFC and Todd W 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayJay1908 Posted March 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 In addition to what everyone said above, a TA is great if you’re cruising with a group. We may have more people traveling with us and there’s no way I’m being the point person for everyone! DublinFC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DublinFC Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 @tiny260 @Matt @Todd W Thanks for the clarification. Im used to being my own advocate and doing the research myself. We used a TA for a land and sea package for DCL and they only thing I felt they helped us with was the flights down to Orlando, she found a great deal and saved me around $500 on the flights. Again I am not against using a TA for the next sailing, but wanted some extra info. The comparison to the lawyer makes sense. All this leads me to the next cruise office on the ship. They offer perks/bonuses for agreeing to another cruise while on board from my understanding. Can I sign up with a TA there or is it all through RC? Again, newbie over here wanting to be more informed so thank you in advance. I do really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 3 hours ago, DublinFC said: All this leads me to the next cruise office on the ship. They offer perks/bonuses for agreeing to another cruise while on board from my understanding. Can I sign up with a TA there or is it all through RC? Again, newbie over here wanting to be more informed so thank you in advance. I do really appreciate it. You can transfer it to a travel agent within 60 days of booking if you don't have a TA on file with them already. DublinFC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DublinFC Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 10 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said: You can transfer it to a travel agent within 60 days of booking if you don't have a TA on file with them already. Good to know, I will keep that in mind. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.