Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. They can frequently run in the hundreds of dollars. Embarkation day is here, and you arrived early at the terminal port, excited to set sail on your cruise vacation. I will say The Key has had the same security check point as the Suite guests and handicapped (and Pinnacle) and that line always seems to be super slow moving so eyeball the other lines before deciding which one to stand on. (Those who miss the window usually about 30 minutes on either side of check-in time may miss the benefit). The menus (ship specific, of course) are generous with options. RCI cruisers who purchase The Key can enjoy expedited check-in, and are able to board the ship before the general boarding begins. Cruisers who have booked any suite category (except Junior Suites) will already enjoy priority check-in, embarkation and tendering, private breakfast and lunch seating, reserved theater seating, and priority disembarkation. You still need to select a boarding time and arrive at that time. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4-0');Booked guests on most Royal Caribbean sailings have the choice to upgrade to The Key, a program that offers enhanced benefits. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Okay, thank you for that. Since you have carefully chosen your favorite vessel, you may already know the details. or is it only 1 internet device? Yes, for $2/day more than Voom, it's worth it because you get the boarding day lunch and debarkation breakfast. An interesting perk with The Key program is the ability to drop off carry on luggage (usually in the theater until 1:30 PM). With a lot of guests, the price tag for The Key could add up quickly. Can't forget the wine! For a lunch at Chops Grille, you can expect to pay at least $19 per guest for a total of $38. Learn about these types of VIP benefits for your specific ship in the welcome letter, which you will receive when boarding. The VROOM Surf & Stream package and a meal at Chops Grille are the only two benefits that are eligible for purchase individually. As for food, c'mon.its a cruise.you are not going to starve. If a large group of Key members and suite passengers enter just before you, it might be quicker going through a regular security line. Apparently on ships that require reservations for show, guests are allowed access early to pick their seats. Insider tip: Watch online for discount options to reduce the cost of the price per day for this add-on. On our first sailing with the Royal Caribbean Key Program, there was a designated area for Key guests to wait in the terminal for their turn to board. This is usually balcony seating, so if you want seats right up front youll need to arrive very early to beat the crowds in the general-access seating. September 2, 2010. nj. If youre traveling with a group in more than one cabin, group members in another room that havent purchased The Key wont be able to join you for preferred boarding, exclusive dining, or in the preferred seating at shows. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. I have three cruises coming up from June to July next year. My family is headed out on Oasis in June 2023. Crew often opens up the VIP seating area to all passengers a few minutes before the show begins. Passengers can drop off up to two pieces per person, and items cant weigh more than 25 pounds. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. Key guests are asked to be at the terminal early, so as not to miss the embarkation lunch. Worked out to be about $80 more than what I had paid for a 2 device internet package. But Carnival Cruise Line, whose Faster To The Fun program is very similar, determines how many passes they sell per cruise based on those figures. Boarding Day ART Test Photo credits: Cruise the World/ Facebook Suites were told they have a one-hour leeway on either side of their schedule arrival time. Priority departure from ship-to-shore at tender ports. Posted 1 hour ago. Once purchased, you will see a special image of a key on your SeaPass when you check-in for boarding. Also, its best to come early to take advantage of the carry on drop off service. This Surf + Steam VOOM would be the other reason why you would get the Key for your next cruise. Againcrowds, queues and waiting. Basically, it's your chance to get to the fun faster and receive VIP access to certain activities. How To Purchase Still need help? (Keep in mind that there will likely be another window of time to deposit your luggage. I just don't think you're going to get the bang for your buck that you think you will. That is why this is our first stop). However, this benefit has recently changed. Then, you can enjoy a private embarkation day welcome lunch rather than bustling around with the throngs of people learning their way around the ship. Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean The Key, with the different benefits and basics of the priority program. What did you think of the perks? Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, the lunch by Chops during embarkation day (this way underwhelming), luggage drop off at main dining room during embarkation day, Room service (according to the letter this was free), Priority Time at activities- these were at 9am, which is not a time that I normally wear a bathing suit to ride some waves. Key guests should keep a close eye on their schedules so that they dont miss out on the reserved hours for their favorite activities. Then again, Royal Caribbean wants you to arrive45minutesearly to the theater, which seems to negate the point of having a reserved seat, in my opinion. Guests in a suite, and those who are Diamond level or above also might not need to purchase The Key because many of the benefits are already included. But if youre already planning on purchasing the WiFi package for everyone in your stateroom, I think that upgrading to The Key is almost a no-brainerespecially if RCI is running a sale when you buy. Rather than queuing for (possibly) hours, you will be taken to an exclusive area reserved for Key Guests, loyalty program members and those who booked suites. The latter is the only circumstance where you will receive a full refund. Does this mean that it doesn't matter what our boarding time we get when we check in? It is $42.99/pp/day for my 5 day cruise. On disembarkation day, Key members can enjoy an exclusive breakfast in the main dining room before leaving the ship. What we did find was that the meal was quite good. I also agree that its best to eyeball the dedicated security lines as you enter the terminal. This can be quite a challenge in one particular circumstance tendering to shore. So you'll want to spend some time exploring the different things you can experience while onboard. In the past she said they had a line just . I'd want to keep that stuff with me. By You'll be able to stream or download movies and music, or make FaceTime or Skype calls on the ship and on RCI's private island CocoCay. When you get to the port there will be plenty of signs and dedicated lines for the Key. On debarkation day, enjoy a private la carte breakfast and choice departure. It is available on most of the ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet with the current exceptions of Majesty of the Seas, Voyager Class Ships and Quantum Class Ships. Select from chef-prepared VIP Key favorite dishes, egg and griddle creations, several sides, cereals or continental choices. Members who have a high-status level in Royal Caribbeans Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program automatically enjoy many VIP benefits. Boarding begins roughly between 10 and 11 a.m., depending on the ship's schedule and how long it takes everyone from the last cruise to debark. Powered by Invision Community. As we shall see, this requirement will affect several aspects of your time, access to places and expenses on the ship. The Key holders will board after Royal Suite Class guests and Pinnacle guests. Think of it like a way to pay extra to get VIP treatment, faster access, or otherwise nice to have extras. My GF purchased the "key" for each of us. Offerings usually include hot items like steak & eggs, crab Benedict, French toast, pancakes, and eggs made to order. This Key decal is how the ships crew knows that a guest is part of the program, so its important to have it on your SeaPass card. The package includes one device per person. Here are some examples: The only perk that is truly unobtainable on your own is the ability todrop off your carry-on luggage on embarkation day. The Key Guests will enjoy the following exclusive benefits during their cruise vacation: When you receive your SeaPass card, it will have an icon confirming your purchase of The Key. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. That is, you cannot cancel it, but the cruise line can. The experience is really all over the place. Also, if you are booking a suite on any of the ships, many of The Key extras might be included during your itinerary. For example, you can surf the waves at FlowRider; race through The Perfect Storm waterslides; zip line; slide on Tidal Wave; climb a rock wall; and, more without waiting in line. Rock climbing was also at 9am. But, (and this is an important one!) Please Note: The Key may not be available during all sailings, and some amenities/benefits may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. We are planning to purchase the key for our Allure cruise next year. I don't want most of the "perks" but for some that sets their cruise at a new level . That is a very long time to wait for a show. Or is the only benefit: priority embarkation mean you have your own line to enter terminal as opposed to the masses. Perk number eight! Some ports may have The Key folks enter the same place as the suites. VOOM Surf & Stream 1 of Device high speed internet per person who purchases the package. (2023). Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean testing VIP guest access program. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. Key members dont have access to the Diamond or Concierge Clubs, exclusive events, and behind-the-scenes tours. Other benefits may apply at specific ports. When The Key program was first rolled out, one of the perks was an exclusive embarkation day lunch at Chops Grille or Jamies Italian specialty restaurants. If so, what kind? You still have to do online check in, I get that part, but if I wanted to arrive early and my check in time is later, does the key (or say suite access) allow me arrive early because of the benefit? If no one offers this service, be sure to ask! You cannot paste images directly. Keep in mind that this benefit usually only applies to larger venues and their productions. How to Get a Free Casino Cruise on Royal Caribbean Plus Free Perks! 4.4k. i always try to get the earliest boarding. All guests over the age of 6 in the same room must purchase The Key. Breakfast room service is likely the most beneficial time to use room service, but there are so many easy grab and go breakfast options that I think in general, the idea of having room service is better than the actual thing. But there are a few considerations you should make that can help justify the cost of the Royal Caribbean Key Program. If high-speed Internet access is important for you and your family, VOOM Surf & Stream will be the key to keeping everyone happy. One of the nicest benefits of the Royal Caribbean Key Program is early access or reserved seating at these shows. While the check-in time advantage could be helpful to ensure you are among the first to board, Royal Caribbean says if you miss the 30 minute window of arrival right at the beginning, you will not be able to use this benefit. It is a straight breeze through the whole process. So for a 4 day cruise, to purchase the Key Package for two people, you can expect to spend around $200. And that's not . There's no point arriving at the cruise centre ahead of your boarding time, because you can't board until your official time slot. Dedicated seating at shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70.****. By This inclusion also offers us the opportunity to do a bit of price comparison with some simple math. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! RCI currently offers The Key on all sailings on all ships except for Quantum of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas. During our most recent trip, it was just the two of us, so we were seated with other Key Program guests for the meal. Whether or not The Key is worth the money really depends on your situation. While offerings can change at any time, and usually vary slightly between ships, benefits of the Key Program usually include: As soon as youve boarded the ship, you can proceed to a designated location (usually one of the main dining rooms) and drop off your carry on luggage. Upload or insert images from URL. On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive la carte breakfast and choice departure. Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society What You Need to Know. Initially, RCI set aside several one-hour blocks each cruise for VIP access to activities like FlowRider, rock wall climbing, ice skating, and the zip line. For example, if VOOM by itself is around $20/day (for one device for one person) and The Key is $25/day (for the same) and you definitely need WiFi, then you are getting all the other Key perks for only $5/day in our example. Activities like the FlowRider, the rock climbing wall, water slides, and such often involves SUPER long lines, and cruisers only get to experience them once or twice during their open hours. Can you help me understand suite and key program priority embarkation? I almost got shut out, as they do have a cap, and it sold out. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. You wont even have to hunt it down in the hallway like you usually have to do with your checked baggage. 37 Cruise Tips: What to Do Before Your Cruise, The 19 Best Cruise Accessories You Need to Pack, Priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day, Carry-on bag drop off and stateroom delivery, Welcome lunch with a menu featuring Chops Grille on embarkation day, Private hours for onboard activities, including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more, VIP seating for shows in the Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70, Exclusive la carte breakfast on disembarkation day, Choice of departure time at disembarkation. I really hope you didn't buy The Key just for the. Private time at some of our onboard activities such as rock climbing, FlowRider, etc. Not to worry. We are headed out on the Oasis of the Seas from Miami on Sunday. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. I have a 4 day cruise booked for nov. , the price for the key $36.99 per day. A somewhat Chop's-like lunch (the lunch menu was cut and reduced from last year) where most times the announcement that cabins are ready comes near the conclusion of lunch. Professional freelance writer and published indie author. Insider tip: Be sure that your time slot is early enough to take advantage of our next benefit embarkation day lunch. But, be aware that all the following perks will not be available across the entire fleet. Let me know in the comments below! Video: Is Royal Caribbean's The Key worth it? Key guests still have to make their way to the port terminal and through security just like everyone else. Some people just love the exclusive perks that the program includes, and the per-day cost is absolutely worth the money. This terminology was super vague to us when we first came across it in the description of the Key Program. On most cruise lines, there are only two ways to get priority status that lets you skip all of those long lines, enjoy exclusive dining, and generally be treated like the VIP you know you are. This is a super beneficial perk when traveling with children. This is just my own personal theory! (Be aware that some of the most popular spots may only be reserved for Key Guests a couple of times during your itinerary). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. So I cancelled the Voom and purchased The Key. Welcome to Chaotically Yours. All other benefits are either exclusive to the Key Program or only available to suite and loyalty program guests. A full list of benefits will be given to you once you board the ship with ship-specific benefits. If youre already a suite guests or a member of the loyalty program, these perks might not be up your alley since you already get so many. The VOOM family plans come with a significant discount if youre purchasing for three or more devices, so it may be cheaper to just buy the WiFi. 2K views, 27 likes, 7 loves, 18 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Dbstvstlucia: DBS MORNING SHOW & OBITUARIES 25TH APRIL 2023 APRIL 2023 No. While they are doing that, you will be doing something different enjoying an exclusive la carte breakfast. A couple reasons, first off, I needed the internet since unfortunately need to work a little bit during the week. Royal Caribbean Cruise The Key Benefits Surf + Stream VOOM Connection. But information emailed to us just a few short days before instructed us to arrive early. Recent RCI cruisers report that most sailings now only offer one private hour per week for each activity for Key members. This benefit doesnt apply to docked ports, or for tendering back to the ship. How to Get Free Drinks in the Casino on Royal Caribbean And More! Our designated boarding window was at 1 pm, which definitely would have made us miss the embarkation lunch. Why would someone want to drop their carry-on luggage off at The Key location? Welcome lunch with Chops Grille menu can be bought separately at the restaurant or at a different restaurant. That is alcoholic drinks and indeed sodas, coffee etc is unlimited. Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore. One thing I wonder about with The Key. Here you can sit and relax while the cruise ship employees attend to your final check-in procedures. If youre cruising with kids age six and up, youll need to also buy a Key package for them at the same price charged for adults. What we did learn was that reserved hours for each activity were typically only offered once during a sailing, and usually during a day at sea. Ultimately, your wait will be shorter, and you will be one of the first passengers on the ship. The Royal Caribbean Key Program guests each have a special key icon on their SeaPass card, indicating participation in the program. On the other hand, the only time I say its totally okay to arrive super early to port is if you have one of the first check-in times. * Priority access will not be offered in Vancouver, Canada, or at any ports in Australia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Also, you should be able to see when and how often the locations are reserved for Key Guests. We have a RoyalCaribbeanBlog video today, discussing the merits of if The Key program is worth the money!The Key offers, If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked, then you probably have logged into the Cruise Planner website to peruse, Guests sailing on Symphony of the Seas this week noticed a new option to allow select guests faster boarding back, Royal Caribbean is testing out a newlimited quantity VIP guest experience on select Liberty of the Seas and Oasis of, Is The Key worth it? you still select a boarding time at check in but a couple weeks before the cruise you will get an email that tells you you can board with the Key at (usually 11:30 after suite guests) or keep your scheduled time. Can we use whichever one is better? On our sailing, Key guests needed to show up no later than 15 minutes before the start of the show, where they were allowed to sit in a reserved section with great views of the action. November 15, 2022 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. Pricing for the Key starts at $24.99 per guest per day, depending on the ship. That said, it's not worth it to me at full price. One thing I wonder about with The Key. **, Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring The Key signature menu.***. If you decide that Royal Caribbean The Key is something you would like to add to your next cruise vacation, keep in mind that it is non-refundable. If your Key says that then take screenshots. *, Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom. Guests could choose an appetizer, an entree, a side, and a dessert. Access to the fast lane at onboard activities (activities vary by ship)and private time at the Flowrider. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. For an extra price per day/per person, passengers can purchase The Key to enjoy nicer extras before, during and at the end of the cruise. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Skip The Key, and instead focus on how to get an early check-in time, buy a dining package, pre-purchase wifi, and I think you will find yourself still having a great time onboard. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! However, if you check the cost which is calculated by the number of devices and which package the price of just buying VOOM as a stand-alone option is often close to the price of the entire Key package per day. To many passengers, one of the most popular perks included in Royal Caribbean The Key program is WiFi. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. If . The Key program was first introduced in 2018, and this package add-on must be purchased prior to boarding via Royal Caribbean. All rights reserved. As for Sales/Price Drops, as with most other add-ons, there's no reason for RCI to drop prices for cruises far in the future: However, when there's a big sale on everything, The Key will be discounted, though not necessarily a great discount. At the end of the day, it becomes your decision if you find enough value in the amenities and services that The Key Program offers. A relaxed and carefree way to end a memorable vacation at sea. Even if you have an earlier time, still use the key lines. But our sailing wasnt taking reservations for shows at all, so there was lots of confusion among Key Guests about this. I take that to mean if you have a 12 pm boarding time, you'll "jump ahead" of others with a 12 pm boarding time. The other benefit is that they give you lunch at chops on boarding day and deliver fruit to your room. 10 Rookie Cruise Mistakes to Avoid When Booking, Cruise Sweepstakes You Can Enter to Win a Free Cruise! Or, in the alternative, Royal Caribbean may offer free room service for the entirety of your cruise along with a percentage off the cost of all onboard dining. Everyone is packing and trying to figure out how to disembark in the quickest way possible. I had it a few weeks ago. Looking for more travel content? You will have no priority boarding for transportation back to the ship. But, cruisers who buy The Key dont have access to lots of perks that elite loyalty members have. Ah, I see. Powered by Invision Community. Attendants will deliver it directly to your stateroom. The Key allows you to board at that time, but only if you have a time that is before it. Carry on luggage can be left in the MDR and delivered to cabin. This can be confusing for guests, since Royal Caribbean indicates in several places that Key guests get priority access during their designated boarding window. These windows can range in start times from 10 am to 3 pm. We are so excited . You can! Read more, Copyright 2023 Chaotically Yours | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Complimentary room service for your entire cruise, along with 25% off all onboard dining purchases Private time at some of our onboard activities such as rock climbing, FlowRider, etc. when I got it I wasnt thinking about capacity numbers. I think with a little bit of footwork, you can get similar results on your own and save money on your cruise vacation. Look for signs in the cruise terminal on embarkation day and around the ship, or let a crew member know that you have The Key to take advantage of your benefits. The cruise line has brought back The Key for sailings, albeit with some notable changes. While at first glance some of these benefits may not seem that great. Private time at onboard activities tends to be very few (just two times on our Odyssey of the Seas cruise), and at less than ideal times. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. ** With scheduled boarding times the key check in process is the same time wise as regular boarding. Or the benefits are simply not as lucrative as it sounds. However, some recent passengers report up to 200 passes sold on their cruises. But I wouldn't pay any more than that the value just isn't there for me. 1 hour ago, madoris said: I have a 4 day cruise booked for nov. , the price for the key $36.99 per day. It had its pros For my next cruise in July I decided to cancel the key because I did not feel that it was worth that much money as we would not need to use priority boarding or disembarkation. Having the higher end internet package included with the Key program is one of our favorite benefits. Manage Settings I don't think it means you can show up at 10:30 am.
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