I Booked The Key to See if this Cruise EXTRA is Worth it. Mistake?
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- Опубликовано: 22 сен 2024
- Are you wondering if Royal Caribbean's The Key is worth it? I wondered too, as it definitely gets mixed reviews! This cruise extra cost me about $400 for a 4 day cruise. Despite the cost, I was looking forward to trying it out on our recent cruise onboard Freedom of the Seas.
In this review of Royal Caribbean's The Key, I share my experience, answer cruiser questions, share cruise tips that you can use if you're planning to cruise with Royal Caribbean.
We review what is included in The Key, from embarkation day to debarkation & everything in between. We look at the value and when this cruise line program is worth the extra cost, & when you may want to skip it.
Please let me know if you have questions about this Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas The Key review.
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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I just returned from RC 7 night Navigator to Mexico using The Key for the first time. For me, it was well worth it. As I have mobility issues and did not have to wait in a long line. Swooped right in utilizing the Key area, showed my documents and on the ship I went. Dropped off carry-on at the dining room. The lunch was okay but that’s not the reason for getting the key. As Cabo was a tender port, I was escorted directly onto the tender, no waiting and was one of the first to land at the pier. It was smooth sailing. Had great seating for the shows, did not have to queue up 30-45 mins before show time. Was let in right away and had excellent seats for all of the shows. We also used Voom and was well worth it. Streamed movies on my IPad and the speeds were great. Leaving the ship was also very quick. We had a dedicated escort directly off the ship. This was fantastic and didn’t have to pay for. Suite. No waiting. I will do this again.
We did the Key for the first time last month on Odyssey of the Seas....mostly because we booked last minute and received a 2:30 boarding time. The Key allowed us to board at 11:10. We did enjoy the lunch in the dining room. I'm so sorry they didn't get your steak right. I also liked the dropping of our carry on bags. They pointed out the two young men who were collecting the luggage. I gave them a tip and I think they were surprised. We did use the reserved seating in the theater one night. And the debarkation breakfast in the main dining room was really good. We were surprised. We had a nice leisurely breakfast and walked off at 9:30. I noticed the Key is the exact same price as Voom for our fall booking so I booked the Key again, and cancelled Voom. The other surprise we noticed with Key.....at the pool towel station, they usually scan our cards to get a towel, but when he saw our cards, he said we were suite and we did not need to scan. But we were not in a suite....I'm thinking the Key cards must be the same color as the suites. We had a junior suite. One thing to note for the embarkation lunch.....it said noon, but when we asked at the bag dropoff in the dining room, they said they were opening at 11:30 so they had us wait a minute or two and went ahead and seated us. I thought that was nice.
We do like the Key. We enjoy disconnecting from our digital life on cruises, so having the internet for only one device is more than enough for us. Our favorite aspect of the Key is the dedicated seating for the shows. The embarkation lunch is nice in that it avoids the crowds. As older cruisers, we do not do the flowrider or the rock wall so that is not a valuable benefit for us. We enjoyed the disembarkation breakfast and the easy exit. We live in Georgia and we drive to FL for our cruises and so it is a benefit for us to get to our car earlier for our drive home. For us, it is worth the cost.
Just purchased it for the first time for an upcoming Mediterranean cruise. However, it made sense as I am a solo traveler who would be buying the internet anyway. Got it for 30% off, so the additional $63 seems worth it for me. Between the lunch and breakfast, which adds tiny value, I have a couple tender ports (including nightmare port Santorini) so the early access to the tender is a huge plus in a port that can have huge delays just trying to get out of the port once you are on land. On a standard Caribbean cruise, I wouldn’t bother.
Just got back from 8 night cruise on RC on Anthem and purchased the Key after we booked and it went on sale for 30% off ( I think). We were definitely going to purchase internet anywsy; and as we are only Gold on Crown and Anchor so we don't get any discounts on internet. Both my husband and I felt it was well worth it. We jumped the security line at embarkation and had our own line; got our luggage brought to our room, had an excellent lunch. We loved priority seating at the shows, and the best was disembarking; leave your luggage in the hall by 10 p.m., wake up, go to the Key members breakfast ( not the long line of traditional breakfasts), then jumped the security line again; got our bags set aside and a fabulous guy named Leo took all our luggage to the curb and waited with me while my husband got the car. ( we gave him a good tip). If you hate lines, crowds and are going to get internet anyway, definitely worth it.
If you are a Crown and Anchor member and your level gives you discounts on the internet, it might not be worth as much. Just got back to Snowy Northeast today!
I have purchased the Key in the past as I caught it on sail, about $21/day/person. At that price it was totally worth it, the internet, priority access to some things and not having to tote my carry on luggage around. If I can't catch it at a good price, I don't think the "juice is worth the squeeze." Totally subjective, as you noted about the food. Thanks again for all you do and share with all of us! 😎😎😎
We've had The Key twice...got it 50% off both times at around $20/day. We definitely boarded faster than other passengers both times. The first time we had The Key we were escorted from the MDR on the last day all the way to our luggage. The 2nd time we were escorted part way, but we still got off the ship quickly. We would NEVER leave our carry-ons with the crew to deliver to our cabin, but that's just us. We will get The Key every time if we get it at 50% off.
I have The Key for an upcoming cruise and I'm only paying $3 over the cost of the streaming Internet alone. It may not always work out that way, but $3 a day for the priority embarkation, debarkation and the Chops lunch is more than worth it.
That's what I was thinking--If internet is $25 and The Key is $33, it is worth the extra $7. Without the included internet, I might feel differently.
@@kathryncashner3294 course my husband burned thru ours in three days 🤣
Same here! It was only about $2 extra per day for mine. The embarkation, lunch and the breakfast were well worth the difference over Voom alone!
So if it’s per person and if there 2 of us will it be 2 devices or still only on device for internet?
I snagged the key on Black Friday for $18.99/day. Cheapest price for Voom has been $15.99/day. Totally worth it for me.
Since The Key started my husband and I always get it. We love it. So many perks! Priority embarkation and disembarkation is our top priority though. We have waited hours in line to embark before and I had a bad anxiety attack because of being in the middle of the crowd for so long. To us any amount of money is worth avoiding an anxiety attack. 😅
We are Diamomd Plus with Royal Caribbean, and therefore don't purchase The Key. We schedule early embarkation, go to Cafe Promenade - on Oasis Class ships. You can also get $25 off speciality dining. We get priority waitlist seating in the main dining room and a private departure lounge with free continental breakfast. We also get free WIFI for one one device for 2 days and discounts for the other days. If we attend the shows, Diamond Plus gets priority access and seating, but we have to sit in the handicapped section.
We've been to the islands so much that we don't need early disembarkation. We actually enjoy a quieter ship! While on the ship, we enjoy 10 free drinks per day, free laundry and free photos.
So, we don't use The Key. We are blessed to have sailed so much, we get lots of perks as Diamond Plus members. On Icon of the Seas in March, we're heading to Surfside Eatery first. We're staying on the ship during all the ports to have time to try out all seven pools and tons of restaurants!😅
I agree with you! The perks that come with being a loyal Diamond or Diamond Plus member really neutralizes benefits that the key might have. And as an experienced cruiser, you know your way around the RCL ships and how to navigate the system, so to speak! Congratulations on your status! I hope to reach Plus by this December. As for now, I call myself a Pinnacle in Training! LOL! Fair winds and following seas! 😎😎😎
@@csmith2435 Best wishes as you attain the different levels.
We've purchased the Key twice and both times, there was a beautiful plate of fresh fruit in our cabin waiting for us. I didn't see that mentioned in your list of benefits. My husband loves the Key and it takes away a lot of his "what am I supposed to do..." anxiety and that is 100% worth it for me. Letting him not work about embarking, disembarking or dealing with luggage is something I'll pay for!
Oh yes! I had forgotten the we got a nice fruit plate too.
Very true! Yes I included footage of it but forgot to mention
@@allie-b-608 My daughter is a fruit lover and wouldn't let me live it down if I didn't mention it!
@@LifeWellCruised I know most people might not care about that, but it's a small thing that means a lot to my teen daughter!
We always get the Key. Typically we board around 11:30 and the lines for non-Key and non-suite folks are long. We've been on Symphony twice, Anthem twice and Serenade this year and the luncheon has been excellent. On par with eating at Chops. All that being said, we wouldn't get it except for the wi-fi and you have to watch for the sale price. We've always got it for just a dollar or two more than wi-fi alone. On Anthem, the disembarkation was outstanding with the Key. You go to a specific room and they walk you off the ship in minutes. I'm not sure that benefit comes with every ship. There's always been seats at the shows without needing to make reservations which is another benefit I really appreciate. It also makes fnding our luggage easy when we get off. It's in a specific location that's well marked and easy to find. So yes, for us, we like the Key!
If for you it is important to have early embarkation and flexible debarkation hours, if you are going to get the internet package anyways, if having a reserved section of seating in shows is important to you, and finally if you want to try every activity on the ship which would cost money without the key; then yes it is worth it.
If you are the type pf cruisers that usually does not get internet and will typically avoid any extra activity onboard and do not mind the early debarkation times; then this is not for you…
Edited: We get the key once the price drops below $33 per person/day. We will always get it because we go to shows, always get the internet package anyways and do some of the onboard activities.
The one time my son and I went on Royal, we had the Key. We always get an internet package, and that's a good chunk of the cost of the Key. The guaranteed seats at the Ice Show made the whole thing worth it to me. I agree with you about the embarkation lunch. It was just OK. I enjoyed the disembarkation breakfast much more. Will likely get the Key again on future
royal sailings.
I just came back from the Feb 4 sailing of Oasis of the Seas. I took my family, 6 of us in 3 state rooms and purchased the Key for us. I bought it when it was 40% off and we needed or wanted Wi-Fi. We were unimpressed with the lunch as well but I still think it is worth it. I will be on Icon in April and have purchased it. There are only 2 of us on that cruise. Thank you for your content. I enjoy it.
I have found the Key to be worth it just for the wifi. It is the 2nd tier wifi so you can stream, and the other parts are mostly just ‘gravy’. Although I will say on the Harmony OTS we enjoyed the Key show seating very much!
I have always purchased mainly for the early embarkation and disembarking. The reserved seat are fabulous unless the family you are traveling with do not purchase so you wind up sitting with them.
Never had an issue with the lunch so that was a surprise.
We have been on Liberty, Allure and Odyssey and have Harmony and Icon booked for this year.
We bought the key just for preferred seating for the shows. For our cruise, they actually had not arranged for any reserved seating for the Key, even though it was in the description . We were not able to get seating at all for one of the shows.
Another issue, I was injured during a shore excursion early in the cruise and had to leave the ship. We had travel insurance, we were reimbursed for everything BUT the key. We probably wouldn’t purchase it again.
We purchased the key on our Alaska cruise earlier this month (Ovation of the seas). We saved on internet and thoroughly enjoyed the lunch (steak melted in your mouth) and breakfast. Carry on bag drop off and delivery to our cabin was with ease. Pick up of our luggage in the "key" area upon disembarkation was super quick. We didnt take advantage of all of the perks offered, but will next time!
If we don't get a suite and do a balcony cabin, we get the Key. The biggest draw for us is the internet, seating in the theatre and priority embarkment. I purchased the Key again for our Odyssey June cruise, but will skip the lunch and instead decided to just purchase lunch at Giovanni's Kitchen.
You mentioned that the price dropped after you booked. Something for you to note the future: when I pre-purchase something on Royal or Celebrity and the prices drop, I cancel my order and re-purchase at the sale price.
I do as well. I've saved over $800 on my upcoming cruise between drops on the cruise, drink package and excursion. RCL is happy to fix it and credit me back!
Thanks for sharing! I may have mispoke - it was cheaper before I booked it
@@LifeWellCruisedyou did say that it was cheaper before you booked it
@@hollymommie6066I didn't know you could do that. Thanks for the info.
That's what we did. We are looking forward to using the key on our 2nd cruise in March for our anniversary.
The key on the Anthem included free time on I fly and the north star. Definitely worth it
The cabin wifi is the reason I always take a travel router. So often, there is only one place in the cabin with good wifi and that is often near the ceiling near the door or the bathroom (where there may be gaps in the Faraday cage we are travelling in). That way it rebroadcasts the best internet connection throughout your cabin and onto your balcony (if you have one).
What a fantastic idea! Is there a brand you recommend?
That’s interesting. Is it allowed? No judgement 😉😂
@@FLPeach00 The two I like the best are not available any more, the HooToo tripmate and the RAVPower FileHub Plus which have a built-in battery. The GL.iNet ones are great, but you need constant USB power. I like that you can plug a cell phone into the USB port and use them as a cellular hotspot in cities or on cruise that rarely get far from land (worked great on our Greek island cruise having the cellphone hanging against the window). They also have some WiFi 6 models. TP-Link are also pretty good.
@@LifeWellCruised It might be against the rules on some lines to get caught. But if their signal can't get in mine can't get out. That's one reason I always carry spares. There is a rule against extension cords, but there is no rule stating your USB adapter can't have a 5m power cord.
My wife and I bought the Key package. We got it at a really good price. It was only $1 more per person per day than the WiFi alone. The embarkation day lunch was excellent and the carry on drop off in the main dining room was great.
When we've purchased The Key it was always on sale 😊 we find the benefits to be helpful for us - we enjoy the lunch/priority embarkation and priority disembarkation and breakfast. We have however found, with the exception of the first day, some of the crew are unaware of the benefits. For example, there have been times when we asked about the priority seating for shows (and we arrived early) and the crew didn't know what we were talking about and on disembarkation day when we ask about where we go for The Key line, we're met with blank stares. Also just a note, and this might vary depending on sailings and individuals but some folks might find those special exclusive times for things like rock climbing, flow rider, zip line, Abyss slide, etc. to be inconvenient (like on a port day when they might have an excursion booked). Overall, we do enjoy the benefits of The Key if we can get it on a great sale!
Thank you for all of your tips & these wonderfully informative videos! I am booked on a Carnival cruise later this year & I've been watching all of your previous playlists. Wow. Again, thank you for taking time to share your knowledge & experiences! 🛫⛴🎉
I booked The Key on Odyssey in Dec 2022. During Labor Day that year, the package went on say for $15.99/day and then $17.99/day before going above $20/day. We didn't get it on the cheapest, but snagged it on the $17.99/day, cheaper than the internet Surf+Stream cost. When we arrived at Port Everglades, we were a little early but still had an early embarkation slot so there really wasn't anything special about getting into the terminal. We still had to wait to board but were able to get on a little earlier than standard boarding folks...and by that I mean maybe 5 minutes. Aside from having the bag drop, the special lunch, I didn't find anything else had any intrinsic value to me...I don't rock climb, I don't use the Flow Rider, if I go to a show, I arrive in advance to get a seat I want, not one set aside for status guests. We didn't tender anywhere so that benefit was a non-issue. On disembarkation day, the breakfast was in the same place as the other folks who were eating before leaving, only thing was The Key line was shorter than the standard one. We didn't get any concierge assistance getting off the ship.
I wouldn't buy it again unless the price was significantly discounted and comparable to a 1 person, 2 device internet package per day.
The Key for early embarkation made sense pre-pandemic, when everyone got there at the same time. Now, since we book a time, we can book an early embarkation without They Key.
Thanks again for your videos! We purchased the Key for a cruise on Symphony of the Seas. Not worth it at all for us, even with the Wi-Fi. I purchased it at a discount but still could have purchased the Wi-Fi at a much better discount. If you get the unlimited dining package that’s just one more reason not to pay the $30 plus a day per person for the Key. The specialty restaurants you can eat at are much better than the Key lunch on embarkation day. On boarding, I usually have an early boarding time anyway so the special time for that isn’t a big plus either. I always hand over my luggage when I arrive at the port and only carry on a small “ carryon” bag with my valuables and medications. I would never hand that over anyway. The special times for the flow rider and rock wall weren’t convenient for us either. Special seating in shows, you still had to get reservations and could almost sit any place you wanted anyway. For my family, it isn’t worth it at all. Maybe Royal should add some extra perks, like one free drink a day or something similar. That would make it more desirable.
We booked the Key in December 2022 on Liberty and have booked it again for our cruise in March on Freedom. We like the early embarkation, luggage drop off, embarkation lunch, and disembarkation breakfast away from the crowds at the Windjammer… all that with the WIFI, makes this a deal for us at $26/pp/day.
I have been on 9 cruises with Royal and I think you are right... if you get an early boarding time, you don't need the Key. My last cruise in January I literally got out of the cab, brought my luggage to the porter, tipped, then walked straight thru to onboard without even having to wait in one line.
My husband and I are Crown and Anchor Diamond members. I also use a powered wheelchair so we do get some special attention when boarding. A few years ago, we did purchse the “Key”. Regardless, I think purchasing it was a good value. We would have purchased internet even without the key. One thing that I felt was a good value was the priority disembarkation. Unfortunately, something went wrong with that. We got off early and easily but our luggage didn’t. We got into the terminal and then had to wait for over 45 minutes before our luggage came off. We also totally enjoyed the Chops Grill lunch in the dining room on embarkation day. So, for a little bit of special treatment, it did make it worth it in my opinion.
I did a YT video back in December 2019 when RCCL first introduced "The Key" in response to Carnival's Faster to the Fun. Some the crew on the Mariner didn't understand what "The Key" was as it was new, so it wasn't worth the price I paid back then. We couldn't take advantage of the Perks with the exception to the Chops Grill lunch when you first came onboard. Even back then this lunch was in a sectioned off part of the main dining room and not in Chops Grill. We did "The Key" on Allure of the Seas our Feb 2nd cruise this year with much better results. The price for "The Key" was heavily discounted right before the cruise (30% off) which helped! We boarded with Pinnacle and Diamond Plus in record time! Internet access included. We were able to enjoy almost all of the perks of "The Key" this time. My next cruise on Allure I booked "The Key" again with a great discount at 25% off!
We are going on Wonder of the Seas in June. We purchased it because it's our first cruise. We have a 10 year old, so I hope the onboard perks are great for her. Fingers crossed, we will enjoy the Key.
This is what I tell everyone.. "worth it" is subjective. For me it is. It is only my wife and I. I am a flow addict. A private rental of the wave is 500. this last cruise my cost for the key while on sale was 500. Everything else is a bonus. I had the wave to myself for about 45 minutes. Yes it was the same time as the advanced session on the other flow (oasis class ship) there was a line about 8 deep over there. Reserved seating was nice and internet was a plus (but I would not have purchased internet if I didnt get the key), being able to walk off anytime on disembarkation day was nice. luggage was the first available. But again, for me the value was in the flow time.
Worth it is subjective, Yes! Also everyone opinion based on their preferences. For me anything that will help me avoid some of the chaos on boarding day, is worthy. 👍
Thank you for your great and honest review. After a recent nightmare worthy experience with embark/debark on another cruise line, I will do whatever I have to do to avoid that experience again. That is the only reason we purchased the key (35% off) on our upcoming cruise. I would pay just for that one perk alone. Thank you again for your great videos!
You’ve got a great point, and if the price is right it’s super worth it! Enjoy
@@LifeWellCruised 💜
16 more days until Allure. We never get The Key, but would consider it over just buying the internet. We tend to disconnect from the internet on ships and don’t pay for wifi 💁🏾♀️
We bought The Key for our upcoming April Oasis of the Seas cruise. We enjoyed The Key on the Serenade of the Seas. I particularly like the early embarkation and debarkations as we are drivers to the Florida ports of call. It was nice to have lunch in the main dining room the first day without all the crowds. The breakfast service was a bit slow but still good on last day.
I had the Key once before. I think it's worth it if you were already going to purchase wifi and can get it for $2-4 over the Voom price. That's actually not that hard to do, as RC has many sales during the year. Per usual with RC, book now, then cancel and rebook if the price goes down. Also, ALWAYS check the prices in $ amounts. Don't be deceived by the % discount. Sometimes, the % discount is higher, but so is the original price, so it is more expensive than what you paid. The disembarkation breakfast typically has a few nicer options than the main dining room. My RC transportation didn't get me to the ship early enough to catch the embarkation lunch, so I don't know how that is.
Spot on review. We usually do get it primarily for the little extra pampering at the start and end, we need the internet as well, but always wait for the sale price. The rest, as you note, is extra pluses depending on the ship and ports.
We've purchased the key several times in the past and have always enjoyed the steak at embarkation lunch. We think the carry on luggage drop off is great along with the preferential seating at the shows.
On RCL you can get 1 person and up to 4 devices and everyone uses the same log in and password just like at home for your modem. Everyone can access their own phone for WiFi calling, messaging, and email. It's much less expensive than buying the key for everyone on your reservation
We’ve bought the Key for our last three cruises and feel it’s worth it. We definitely do the cabin drop off, lunch and breakfast. It made things very simple and fast for us. We are only two in the cabin and I only buy it on sale.
Exactly!
We are Diamond Plus so we get 2 days each free suf & stream. On a 7N cruise the first day we still have our land service; in ports we do as well as our provider charges $10. for the exact service we get at home and with the 4 days we have comped there is no need for additional internet. So, the internet benefit isn’t worth it for us. As D+ we also have special areas for embarkation , with continental breakfast, and special debarkation areas. We have special seating in the suites area for shows. I simply can’t justify the cost for special lunch because we avoid the buffet crowds by going to one of the several open free or specialty dining locations. As for tenders: we have never had a problem boarding one when we wanted. Maybe we have just gotten lucky. Having someone escort our carry on luggage for boarding and debarking would be nice but we can’t justify the cost. Royal use to treat everyone special but they have lowered the standards (food, service, etc.) for all but the suite guests and not even the junior suite guests!
I am a solo and was buying the WFI anyway, so, it was worth it for me. OF course my first cruise is next week, so I’ll know more if it truly is.
If you are a person who usually gets wifi and can get it on sale then it is definitely worth it. We definitely had a faster embarkation, our luncheon was delicious (I had the steak medium rare and my husband got the fish and both were perfect) on Allure of the Seas. Loved dropping off our carry-ons (gets put IN your room not in the hall), the priority seating at shows, the breakfast AND on the Oasis class ships you have you own place to disembark. Will always get it. If you don't normally use wifi then i wouldn't recommend.
Just returned from an RC cruise on Oasis and purchased the Key. There was a Coast Guard inspection on boarding day so there was a horrible delay getting onto the ship that created a very long line. The Key came in so nice to bypass that long line. We walked to the MDR to drop off our carry on suitcases and had a great lunch and avoided the crowd in the Windjammer. We did use the reserved seating for the Aqua Show which was nice. When it was time to leave the ship, the breakfast was nice and we could walk off the ship without waiting for a group to be called. Our suitcases were placed in a special area for the Key guests so it was very easy to find our luggage. Would I do it again - yes only if I wasn’t staying in a suite.
We are planning for our first cruise next year. I appreciate all the information shared by everyone. It's been so helpful. Could you kindly please elaborate on why you would get the Key if not in a suite? Are all these perks included with a suite?
Booked the Key from Rome for Greece sailing, Odyssey of the Seas, worth it then and only then because - We all wanted the internet, good lunch (with luggage drop off) and breakfast, saved seats at the shows, priority for tender used once, iFly scheduled and free, North Star scheduled and free. Would have used more for tenders, but we had a dock in Naples and excursions that allowed priority as well. So if you want the internet, want to go to shows but can't schedule them (like on Oasis ships), use tenders and get a discount its worth the 1st class experience.
We had the key on our last cruise in November and have bought it for a cruise up coming in April. We bought due to I am recovering from broken ankle and walked with cane. It just made sense to make several things easier. My steak was perfect. Lucky I guess but buffet is a nightmare that day and balancing plates and cane is crazy. Any cruises after April not sure at this point
We had the key on Quantum from Hawaii. The ship was just finishing debarking previous guests. The treminal was packed at 11AM. We got to get on quickly but heard several people passed out waiting for more than an hour. Our lunch and breakfast were both delicious. We were happy with reserved seating and special times for activities we did. Wifi was good for our purposes.
We paid $19.99 per day. It was worth it at that price. No way would I pay $40 a day.
Have booked it again for a transatlantic at the same price. I'm thinking about booking a specialty restaurant lunch with the 20% discount the say you get if you book the first day when you have the key.
We have purchased The Key in the past and have purchased it again for our upcoming cruise on the Oasis of the Seas leaving September 8th, 2024 from Barecelona, Spain. Our embarkation lunch on the Freedom of the Seas was wonderful. My steak was cooked prefect! I like mine medium rare and the fries were actually hot. Having the seats reserved is definately worth the money, as well as having priority for tenders at the ports of call, if needed. Disembarkation was a breeze, too. I feel it's worth the money.
I was on Voyager of the Seas last year, got the Key. I got the steak at the embarkation lunch and had no problems with it. And Internet I really didn’t have any issues anywhere in the ship that I went. If I sail RC, I would get it again if I get it for around the price of internet again.
Just so you know MSC lets you drop off your carry on for free. Thanks for this overview. We are sailing Royal Caribbean next year.
Great to know
We have purchased the key for the last 2 cruises. It was worth it for us including traveling w 2 teens. It was worth it for the WiFi and embarkation that included a quiet lunch after hectic traveling and on the last day fir a leisurely breakfast before leaving the ship. Check sales.
We are cruising in November for the first time with Royal and did purchase the key.
We purchased the key before and found it to be worth it only if discounted. It was great to embark early and having the luggage delivered to our room. I enjoyed the breakfast more than the lunch
We are first time cruisers in April, we just couldn't get ourselves to pay $430.00 for our 8 day cruise for The Key. By the time we paid for deluxe beverage package, pre paid gratuities and 5 excursions at our ports, we decided it wasn't worth it. We don't play on our phones nor do FB. Don't need phones. Don't need a welcome lunch and we won't mind carrying our small bags for carryon!
This is good knowledge as my friends and I purchased The Key for the first time for a Symphony of the Seas cruise! I'm hoping we like it!
For the Chops Grill lunch, always get the burger. It's tasty.
I have had the key on two of my five Royal Caribbean cruises and I think it’s totally worth it, but I am a solo traveler. I don’t know if it would be worth it if there were more in the cabin.
We just got back from cruise on January 29 and got the key and we like it. We have used it the last few times.
I completely agree about booking a specialty restaurant for embarkation day instead of the Key. I started doing this a few years ago on most cruises as I literally can’t deal with the windjammer lol and weirdly , most people don’t even know you can book the restaurants on embarkation day . What I find great is that it is quiet and even though you still have your hand luggage with you , there is ample space to put them near the table and you can just relax in the restaurant until it’s time to go to your cabins .
Great point
Every cruise blogger I have read or watched has said The Key is not worth the money. That includes Matt at Royal Caribbean, who writes exclusively on Royal Caribbean ships
I do think it’s still a matter of price & what people value (especially if they don’t have a higher loyalty status)
It's strange that I've watched many vloggers that say it is worth it when the price is right. They won't pay at full price. When we got it for $20 a day for a 12 night cruise, it was worth it.
we just purchased the key for our cruise. when we looked at the price for the wifi. to me it was worth it.
There was a recent article in CNN about companies seeing a business opportunities in offering "skip the line services" for customers for a fee. These aren't loyalty perks. They even had them for ski slopes.
Interesting
Your tips were so helpful on our first cruise this week! We would have been lost if not for several of your suggestions.
We just booked another RC cruise today, so this was perfect timing! We're getting a suite again, so I don't really think it would be worth it. I love your videos, Ilaina, and we have the same taste in dresses and handbags.
Lucky you!! Thanks for watching & for your kind words ☺️
I've used the Key and have also sailed without it, the time I was without I got on very early so I was lucky, but I look at the difference between the Zoom only price and the Key price, which includes Zoom internet. If it's not too much more, I just buy it. I agree with your comment the bigger the ship, probably the more advantage the key provides, with skipping lines, reserved seats, etc.
I have purchased The Key on a couple of shorter cruises in the past & it was good. I did it for the priority embarkation & the lunch in the MDR on the first day. I don't feel it's the best deal on most sailings since it is expensive.
we're boarding FotS next month on the same itenerary. We didn't do the Key because all the youtubers said the same as you. But we're still excited none-the-less.
Enjoy!
I’m going on my very first cruise in August going on harmony of the sea and we did purchase the key. I’m a pretty little person so I did not want to haul around my luggage everywhere. This is the reason why I bought it in for the Internet, I hope it was worth it.
We have this included for our upcoming cruise as part of the internet package. It’s a longer cruise across the Atlantic. Hoping to get value from it! Thanks!!
Definitely worth it!
We have four cruises booked for 2024 and were on four in 2023, all RCI. Never have we booked the key. It just doesn't add up for us. I do keep checking, tho.😊😊
I love the idea of priority EMBARKATION -- I just want to get on board and start enjoying my holiday, especially grabbing that first cocktail :)
Likewise, I love the idea of the special lunch (shame yours didn't meet expectations) and the Carry On Luggage is a great idea that other cruise lines could implement.
But to be perfectly honest, I'd pay A LOT EXTRA to have a DELAYED DISEMBARKATION -- The one thing I loath about cruising is the insanely early time you have to up and ready (this is coming from a night owl who thinks 10am is too early to be awake at the best of times, let alone on the last day of my holiday :) ) So I love the idea of the special breakfast in the MDR... It would be even better if that could be later... happy to clear my cabin by a set time (maybe 9am, but understand that may possible as the crew have start getting it ready for the next guests), but would love to relax over a leisurely breakfast, maybe have one last celebratory drink and disembark around 10:00am/10:30. Happy to be restricted to the MDR or one designated lounge
I do understand the logistics involved in Change Over day for the crew... so I understand why my dream of a late disembarkation mightn't be feasible -- but one CAN dream :)
One of the good things on virgin is late Debarkation. I also hate being out so early unless I need to, to catch a flight
Thank you, I was thinking about the Key, and now I definitely don't want to waste the money on it. I'd rather spend the money else where. Going on The Utopia of the Seas on Nov 1st with a bunch of family and family friends. Can't wait
The Key was better prior to to the pandemic. The lunch was in the Chops restaurant. Also it was well worth it when boarding in Miami on large ships like Oasis class ships. You have to compare the price of the wyfi on your sailing to see the value.
Good points
My wife and I are cruising on Freedom of the Seas in November, and I've booked The Key for us to "test drive." Since we were planning to get an internet/data package as part of the cruise, adding The Key didn't seem like an excessive additional expense. I'll watch for any more price reductions/promotions and cancel/re-book if the opportunity comes up. I can understand that The Key might become a bit expensive if you have more than one or two kids in the room. Might be nice if RCCL would consider reducing the rate for younger cruisers (or simply not requiring it) as a way to better sell this to their customers, especially since any children on a cruise will be with their parents or other relatives at all times anyway. If you'd like, I'll share my thoughts when we're back from the November cruise.
Keep up the great work, your videos are always entertaining and informative!
I’m going solo in September to Alaska and am trying The Key for the first time. Internet, Chops lunch (hoping they cook my steak correctly 😉), the reserved seating and disembarkation breakfast, I think it’ll be worth it for me.
We get the key and we really like it. We have done 5 cruises and have not built up a lot of points so for us the benefits of the Key make our cruises much better.
On our last cruise the line for embarkation was so long it was out of Texas. We walked up to the Key area and they walked us right past the very very long line, that in itself was worth it. People were saying why do they get to by pass the lines? We will buy the key every time.😁
😂😂😂😂 I know it felt good to bypass that long line on embarkation day !!!
I've always wondered what the Key gives you - I chose not to take it on any of my Royal Caribbean cruises last year, but I would actually think about it going forward. It seems worth it for the wi-fi largely, providing your ship has decent enough signal. Great video!
We are trying The Key for the first time on our 3- night cruise on Allure of the Seas this weekend. Figured it would be a good time to see for ourselves what we think. We’ll find out soon!
My daughter got it when she went with her Daugherty, and what she did like the mist was dedicated time for the floweider, ice skating and rock climbing
Many of the benefits of the key are in the loyalty programs. However the Internet is only 1-2 days. We got special meals on a transpacific, but I think that was a unique feature.
I am going on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the fall. Allure of the Seas. I am looking at purchasing the Key for short lines for check in and check out, and shows
We purchased the Key for our January cruise on Voyager of the Seas. Unfortunately, we didn't get to enjoy the disembarkation breakfast and it was chaotic due to the storm the day before and flooding. We are going on Harmony of the Seas in June and purchased the Key for that.
We’ve done it and liked the lunch, drop-off and internet. We enjoyed the VIP access for water show but didn’t get to use it more. Embarkation access went well but it wasn’t crowded but I don’t want to take chances waiting. Disembarkation breakfast was a benefit with short wait and avoiding the buffet. We’re going on Celebrity in March but their version of the key was sold out.
Thank you, Ilana. We are leaving next Friday on a Royal Caribbean cruise on Explorer of the Seas. We did not purchase the Key but may look into for next time.
I had The Key once just before the thing and would have rather gone to the buffet for lunch and breakfast.
Once you hit Diamond, it's definitely not worth the upcharge since I'd get the Bev + Voom package.
Thanks for your review - we are frugal cruisers so that is not something we would purchase but your information helped me understand what is offered and the value of those items to me.
Do you have tips for frugal cruiser ? Please, share.
I booked a trip with Canival with their "vacation protection" but non-refundable deposit (since I want to go to this trip)
Then I shop around and find a better travel insurance plan, that costs less with better coverage.
Then, I called Carnival to cancel their "vacation protection" and was told I couldn't do it because it's been more than 10 days since I booked, which they never mention even in the fine print that 10 day rule.
The funny part is the customer operator told me:
_"if you cancel your trip, you got $100 penalty and you can claim to get that back, that's what protection for"_
Then I asked _"but I still lost the $129 vacation protection to get $100 back"_
She said _"that is correct"_
😂
Lesson learned. I'll never buy Canival "vacation protection" again and I hope everyone would think twice before buying it from Carnival or any cruise lines.
@@CL-mp4vn We have the advantage of lots of travel and living internationally to know some of our basic needs. We do purchase an annual travel insurance plan which in addition to our health insurance meets our needs. As far as being a frugal travel, we evaluate the value of money spent beyond our cruise fare plus gratuities. We decide what itinerary we want, check cabin prices and book as soon as the cruise is announced for best price. I will also note we are very happy in an interior cabin which usually lets me sail for a second week for the price of a veranda cabin (very personal decision). We rarely drink so do not need a beverage package and do not buy internet - these are very personal decisions. Having said that, the cruise line may not find us a very valuable guest that way but we have always had terrific service. We choose to board after the initial early rush because we can take our bag directly to the room - thus missing the mad rush to the buffet.
@@patti1044
Thanks for the good tips.
You are right about the price of varenda cabin vs interior cabin .
Last cruise, we booked balcony room and it was hot in Asia at the time (even when sailing at sea). So, we didn't come out to the balcony often 😀
That sounds like us 😁😁😁
I share the same sentiment as you and many others in the comments. I feel if you can get the key at a discount (30% like i did on black friday) and already planned on getting internet, then its worth it. I will agree the embarkation lunch isnt great, but its nice avoiding the crowds. I personally view the key as a convenience factor. Similar to how some people buy the drink package, knowing they wont actually consume enough drinks to make it worth it, but they'd rather not worry about cost at the end.
Thank you for this video, until now I heard about the key. 🔑 I had no clue before, very useful video.
Good point about the early embarkation!
Did you find the same Scott?
We are going on brilliance of the seas December 28, 2024 at New Orleans. This program sounds very interesting. I might consider purchasing it for the upcoming cruise.😊
We often get the Key if it is only a few dollars more than the Voom. It comes in handy on embarkations when we have the UPD as I can get the reservations done early.
We recently did a 15 night transatlantic where we had 10 sea days. I could see no benefit whatsoever to the key for that long a cruise, but it might be worthwhile for a short cruise like you did.
thankyou,,,, I just purchased the key, cause it was nearly the same cost as my WIFI, as a single person, it's got to be worth it, however my Alaskan cruise isnt til September 2024, so I am yet to experience it, hope it's worth it
The key and any priority option is worth every penny.
The price of the key changes frequently. I was able to get it at a great price. And the wifi and lunch made it worthwhile. It really wasn't any more expensive than if I had bought things separately. Plus boarding and debarkation went so well.
I agree that the lunch isn't the best and should be changed and offer different items. I truly think the benefits are worth it on bigger class ships, where they're are more activities to do and more shows to get seats at. Some ports are better than others on boarding times and such, If I was in line by 10-10:30, they would allow key guests in first before anyone else. It will always be different for each cruise, so its a give and take.
Only makes sense if you are already buying the wifi package