Jump to content

Getting a different MEI TA?


Pooch

Recommended Posts

3 minutes ago, MKSglitz said:

If you've never used a TA before and first connect to MEI, is it possible to request a specific TA?  

Yes, you can.  On the MEI website it lists all the agents and their direct e-mails. Just e-mail the person you want without going through the general booking link.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To be fair, let me say that my agent will always check my fares when a new sale comes along to see if I will save any money BUT she does not (nor do I expect her to) check daily to see if there has been a random price fluctuation.  It would be virtually impossible for any agent to do that.  There have been many times when I have found a random fair reduction and contacted Michelle.  She has always responded very promptly to let me know how the change would affect my fare.  Sometimes it works out to be a real savings but more often it does not.

So, if you are looking for someone to check every day to see if your fare could possibly be reduced, I think you will be sorely disappointed.  No agent has the time to do that for every client and every cruise.  If, on the other hand, you have an agent who is not responsive, then I say find a new one.  Even travel agents have personal lives !!  ...so it is possible that something in the "real world" can affect an agent's responsiveness but if it is a behavior that is repeated then it's time to find someone new.

Just remember that YOU are your best advocate and NOBODY is going to care more about finding price reductions than YOU.  For some people, saving a little money isn't worth the requirement to track prices every single day (sometimes more than once ?) and then there are those of us who make an obsession out of checking prices and we are a TA's worst nightmare !!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I totally agree, the TA is not my personal slave.  But he indicated he was putting me on a list to be contacted when the 2020 Alaska sailings opened.  I found out here that they were open and had to contact him.  I asked for advise and he sent a link to RCCL's cruise information.  I asked for quotes for Aug & May, he gave me Aug without telling me May would save over $1000 and when I asked for a May quote, he gave me June. 

I asked him to check when the discounts would be available for a late February WDW trip.  Again, I found out through a Disney forum that some came out and again had to contact him.  Got 3-4 incorrect quotes before he got it right.

Now I only know this because I do my research too but what if I hadn't?  I don't think I can trust him to check for anything at this point. 

I wanted to use a TA because I know NOTHING about Alaska cruising and was looking for information beyond what RCCL provides.  If all he can do is reiterate what's on RCCLs website, not sure what I need him for?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

+1 for Michelle! I don't know if it's because I booked 3 cruises within the coming year or not. Long-time members might get better service because they are repeat customers. However, Michelle has been great since day one and I put her through the wringer with the first cruise she did with me as she had to repeatedly go back to the Casino Royale folks. Hope she's enjoying her time on Symphony this week!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suggest getting a recommendation for a specific TA, not a general TA company. Large TA agencies have many agents that vary from outstanding to really bad. I talked to friends of mine that cruise very frequently for a recommendation and that TA turned out to be great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have had similar experiences with our TA where we are more aware of price changes than our TA even though we do not check every day. Also I think we have been on more sailings and listened to more of Matt's podcasts than our TA so from a general knowledge perspective there are times when I feel we know more about RCCL than our TA. Matt is always promoting TAs but I feel he gets exceptional service in part due to the number of cruises he goes on and because he promotes them so much. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, davidlap said:

We have had similar experiences with our TA where we are more aware of price changes than our TA even though we do not check every day. Also I think we have been on more sailings and listened to more of Matt's podcasts than our TA so from a general knowledge perspective there are times when I feel we know more about RCCL than our TA. Matt is always promoting TAs but I feel he gets exceptional service in part due to the number of cruises he goes on and because he promotes them so much. 

I don’t know if that is true. I contacted an MEI agent for my first cruise. I did not get the referral here but found her on a Disney TA list that noted she also could help with RCL. I never had to contact her about price decreases, they were always done automatically. As far as she was concerned I was just a new client, but I have booked with her again based on my first experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Clearly up and down experiences here.  I still want to book an Alaskan cruise but know I need help.  I haven’t heard from the MEI TA since I told him I didn’t think we were a good fit, no attempt to find out how he could be more helpful or offer to hand me over to someone else.  No contact from MEI at all.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were paired with Sharla from MEI when we transferred a booking to them that we booked onboard and she has been amazing!  We ended up cancelling that cruise and another one we booked onboard, but found a great deal for Allure and reached out to her to book.  She always gets back within a day and reaches out everytime RC has a sale letting us know if its a better deal for us or not.  Honestly, she is the best TA I have ever worked with and will continue to use her.  Maybe she would be a good fit for you?  I cannot recommend her enough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, KJ1231 said:

Checkout meitravel.com for current "perks". I have gotten gratuities covered on the 3 cruises I booked through MEI. Right now it looks like you get specialty dining when booking particular ships.

I would prefer gratuities better since I already booked Ultimate Dining packages from the Cyber Monday deal. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On ‎11‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 7:06 PM, Pooch said:

Is it possible?  I’m afraid I am not happy with the responses from the one I have.  How might I try someone else? Or maybe working with  a TA is just not for me?

So sorry!  Was so busy with the final prep on the group cruise I didn't check the boards.  Please email me [email protected] or call me 919 605 6282 - We have over 100 agents and sometimes the chemistry is not correct with the first agent you get.  I will get your preferences of how you like to plan and communicate and match you with a similar agent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
On ‎11‎/‎14‎/‎2018 at 11:15 AM, KJ1231 said:

+1 for Michelle! I don't know if it's because I booked 3 cruises within the coming year or not. Long-time members might get better service because they are repeat customers. However, Michelle has been great since day one and I put her through the wringer with the first cruise she did with me as she had to repeatedly go back to the Casino Royale folks. Hope she's enjoying her time on Symphony this week!

just catching up on reading these but thank you for the kind words!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, I really thought I was the only one having this problem! As a first time cruiser I really thought I'd be getting updates on when and what to look out for for better deals and advice in general concerning my trip. My TA hasn't called once to offer any advice or to let me know about any price decreases. Like you I've been doing my own leg work researching and regular checking of the cruise planner for deals after already buying internet and drink packages, and I found them! I saved almost $250 canceling and re buying on Black Friday! I'm not asking to have my TA hold my hand through this but at least show interest towards your customers especially your first time cruisers! My TA has practically been a mute since I've been with her and I'm sure i wont hear from her ever again. Until now I was willing to just bite the bad service bullet and just never use this company again but I think I'm going to have to have a conversation with their management.

BTW I've had my TA for over 2 months and leave in another 2 months ?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/25/2018 at 12:20 PM, vjfjohnson said:

We were paired with Sharla from MEI when we transferred a booking to them that we booked onboard and she has been amazing!  We ended up cancelling that cruise and another one we booked onboard, but found a great deal for Allure and reached out to her to book.  She always gets back within a day and reaches out everytime RC has a sale letting us know if its a better deal for us or not.  Honestly, she is the best TA I have ever worked with and will continue to use her.  Maybe she would be a good fit for you?  I cannot recommend her enough.

I'm seconding this post.  Sharla has been amazing.  She consistently checks on sales, alerts me to important deadlines and when we had a family emergency and had to race home from Paris, she handled all the airline changes.  She gets back to me promptly by email when I have questions.  I'm nothing but thrilled!  Jane

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

OP here, i was assigned a new TA, Danette.  She has been in constant contact with me.  I have still had to do some of my own legwork but at least she is responsive!  Much better than I had.

Glad to hear that. Danette is wonderful!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...