What travel agency (agencies) do you recommend

[SewerUrchin43]

I’m back to the board with questions after a few months off lol. 
I’ve searched and read older posts about travel agents and after booking everything myself through RC for our next cruise I was thinking about using a TA. I’m just not sure where to start with it all and was looking for some TA recommendations so I don’t get burnt by them. 

[Va4fam]

We use MEI travel and our agent is Michelle.   Very knowledgeable and responsive.  

[Jill]

I use Sharla at MEI since October 2019 with 5 sailed with 3 booked. She was awesome through all the Covid crap with those blasted FCC’s. What a nightmare but she handled it all with grace! 

[FloatyBoaty]

I have used @Jenn Greene at MEI for my 2023 and 2024 bookings and find her to be very efficient and responsive.

[Cactus527]

I use MEI as well and have Brock Taylor. Definitely recommended.

[SpeedNoodles]

I've been using MEI (Michelle Cunningham) since 2019.  Love her!

[SewerUrchin43]

Thank you all!  Looks like I will be checking with MEI to book our next cruise. 

[Xaa]

MEI Kristin O'Brien.  Top notch

[Biaggio]

Costco, next cruise on ship, RCL website. One of these usually gives me the best price.

[Bowen]

I might have to try MEI for our next one. What is the transfer time frame? I have one booked for next month that I booked on February 16. Still time to transfer?

[WAAAYTOOO]

15 minutes ago, Bowen said:

I might have to try MEI for our next one. What is the transfer time frame? I have one booked for next month that I booked on February 16. Still time to transfer?

30 days.  You should be good as long as you haven’t paid in full

[Bowen]

13 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

40 days.  You should be good as long as you haven’t paid in full

I have paid in full, and for the one I have in September as well. I’ll have to do it for the next one I book though. Do they handle Royal Up requests as well?

[Ampurp85]

So, it cannot be paid in full or past final payment to get transferred to a travel agent. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

29 minutes ago, Bowen said:

I have paid in full, and for the one I have in September as well. I’ll have to do it for the next one I book though. Do they handle Royal Up requests as well?

Sorry….I corrected my fat finger mistake.  It’s 30 days, not 40.

Yes !  RoyalUp is available with MEI.

[WAAAYTOOO]

20 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

So, it cannot be paid in full or past final payment to get transferred to a travel agent. 

Correct

[FSUFAN]

I have used Costco Travel and they have been good.  I don't get to bid on Royal Up, but I am an executive member with 2% cash back and have a Costco credit card for another 3% cash back.  So, 5% total plus they always have a Shop Card add-on. I got $190 shop card for a cruise on Quantum and $340 for a cruise on HAL.

I have not really run into any issue where I need a real hands-on TA so maybe I've been lucky with Costco Travel. 

We took an anniversary trip and booked a Costco resort trip.  Weather (Ice Storm) messed up the first leg/day of the flight.  Costco TA got us a big refund (over $500) for the delay, got us upgraded to a suite at the hotel and the trip insurance purchased thru them got me another $550 back for the delay.  So, I am happy with them.

[ChessE4]

AAA as we already pay for auto club. 3% cashback on our travel, etc. We established a relationship with a local agent. Absent that, we would try MEI.

[Jenn G-MEI Travel]

On 2/28/2023 at 9:40 PM, FloatyBoaty said:

I have used @Jenn Greene at MEI for my 2023 and 2024 bookings and find her to be very efficient and responsive.

Thank You!! 

[Jolly Ogre]

On 2/28/2023 at 10:29 PM, SpeedNoodles said:

I've been using MEI (Michelle Cunningham) since 2019.  Love her!

+1

I used Danielle until she left and then Michelle took over and I have been more than satisfied with her since.

[Peter D]

On 3/1/2023 at 11:20 AM, FSUFAN said:

I have used Costco Travel and they have been good.  I don't get to bid on Royal Up, but I am an executive member with 2% cash back and have a Costco credit card for another 3% cash back.  So, 5% total plus they always have a Shop Card add-on. I got $190 shop card for a cruise on Quantum and $340 for a cruise on HAL.

I have not really run into any issue where I need a real hands-on TA so maybe I've been lucky with Costco Travel. 

We took an anniversary trip and booked a Costco resort trip.  Weather (Ice Storm) messed up the first leg/day of the flight.  Costco TA got us a big refund (over $500) for the delay, got us upgraded to a suite at the hotel and the trip insurance purchased thru them got me another $550 back for the delay.  So, I am happy with them.

I also use Costco Travel for the reasons you mentioned.  I didn't have any issues (other than long wait times on phone) during covid cancellations.  They do not do anything 'on their own', only when prompted to do so.  This is probably a major difference between them and others like MEI.

I also would recommend the Costco Travel sponsored travel insurance through Covermore (Zurich company).  Their coverages are quite good and the premiums are comparable to others I have looked at.  Their premiums are simple calculation of 5% trip cost.  Not sure if they have annual travel insurance plans.

[CruiseGus]

MEI supports this web site and the major manager watches it often.  I would belive any of their Agents would provide excellent service.

My personal one has already been named

[Angel Mann]

Thanks to this thread I just booked my next cruise using Ashley Bittenbender at MEI. She's super! Very patient answering all my questions and very quick to respond. 

[Gasman62]

We have used AAA for about 25 years. Most of the time with the same agent. Great relationship.

[WoodsTravels]

We use Harr Travel. They have been exceptional to us. 

[Marga]

I use ICruise.com  best pricing for the cruises we booked. 

Also not every travel agent accepts European clients.

[Vlad]

Harr Travel 

Prices with group rates are amazing 

[crazy4disney]

Wait, MEI Travel, the Disney travel specialists?? Or is there another company with the same name? Because anyone with mouse ears knows they're awesome -- I had no idea they do RC cruises as well if we're talking about the same company. I'm pretty Type A with my bookings, but I could maybe convince myself to give up the stress if it's the same company, lol.

 

 

[SpeedNoodles]

15 minutes ago, crazy4disney said:

Wait, MEI Travel, the Disney travel specialists?? Or is there another company with the same name? Because anyone with mouse ears knows they're awesome -- I had no idea they do RC cruises as well if we're talking about the same company. I'm pretty Type A with my bookings, but I could maybe convince myself to give up the stress if it's the same company, lol.

 

 

Yep, that's them!

[mac66]

We use Cru Con mostly but have used Costco as well. We've been with Cru Con long enough to get some pretty good loyalty perks i.e. additional OBC and specialty dining in addition to good prices.