Why a Travel Advisor Makes All the Difference

Ah, the allure of life at sea! The thought of a cruise brings to mind balmy sea breezes, vibrant sunsets over the ocean, and the prospect of waking up in a new destination each day. But anyone who has navigated the maze of cruise bookings knows how choppy the waters can get. Here's how my family and I discovered the true value of having a skilled travel advisor by our side.

Back in 2017, my husband Chris and I excitedly booked our first family cruise aboard the Carnival Elation sailing from Jacksonville, Florida. This adventure was to celebrate our daughter’s high school graduation, so you can imagine how eager we were to make it a memorable one for us and our three teenagers. Eager but inexperienced, we dialed a number from a popular online travel website and spoke with a call center representative. The outcome? All five of us squeezed into a single Oceanview stateroom—a cozy arrangement with teenagers over our heads and under our feet! Lesson learned? Just because it’s possible, doesn’t mean it’s practical.

The cruise itself was a revelation. So much so, that we planned another to celebrate our wedding anniversary in 2018. This time with research in hand, thanks to Royal Caribbean Blog and Matt Hochberg’s invaluable tips, I confidently booked directly through Royal Caribbean for the Oasis of the Seas. I even managed to secure a better fare by monitoring price drops—a novice cruising success story!

But planning for a family? It’s a totally different sequel. With six of us for the next planned family cruise, the idea of managing three staterooms seemed daunting. Enter MEI-Travel, also recommended by Matt Hochberg. The brilliant advisor they matched us with was nothing short of a vacation savior. She coordinated our three rooms, synchronized our dining arrangements, and kept an eagle eye on price drops...all while I sat back and enjoyed the fun part of picking which shore excursions we would like to do.

We decided on an Alaskan adventure next, with Alaska being a bucket-list destination for me. But, as we all know, the world had other plans. When the pandemic hit, cruises were postponed, and like many, we were left with a tangled web of future cruise credits. Through social media, I read countless tales of traveler woes and long calls with cruise lines. Yet, I never experienced any of that stress. Why? My trusty travel advisor handled everything—from waiting on hold to protocol navigation—ensuring I could sit back without a worry. And the cherry on top? Her service didn’t cost me a dime, as MEI-Travel believes expert advice should be fee free.

Now, I cannot recommend a trustworthy travel advisor enough. For personalized, hassle-free travel planning and peace of mind, they’re the unsung heroes of the travel world. So next time you set sail, make sure you have a seasoned travel advisor on deck—a decision you’ll never regret.

Happy travels, adventurers! Here's to smooth sailing and unforgettable journeys. 🌊✈️🗺️

Contact me for all your Travel Needs Tanya.gilbert@MEI-Travel.com | 419-552-1063