Pricing for the Key starts at $24.99 per guest per day, depending on the ship. If you want to get your vacation started ASAP, this is an amazing perk. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');This letter also contains your Key luggage tags, ensuring that any bags you put outside your door on the last night arrive in the designated Key section in the terminal for pickup. According to one R&M Manager (that's the person on board responsible for overseeing The Key Program) being personally escorted to the front of the disembarkation line --literally to the Security Officer who scans the SeaPass-- was never a benefit. How to Get Free Drinks in the Casino on Royal Caribbean And More! My experience has mostly been the my luggage checked with The Key is already inside my room by the time the rooms are ready between 1pm & 1:30pm. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Royal Caribbean's VIP-access program, The Key, is being offered again on cruise ships and you might be wondering if it's worth it. 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. What we did find was that the meal was quite good. You may also like: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips. Worked out to be about $80 more than what I had paid for a 2 device internet package. Every passenger can buy access to WiFi. But on an RCI cruise, theres a way to get these perks without spending lots of cash on a suite or waiting years to build up your loyalty status: The Key! 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. Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore. For a prepaid fee, guest can access benefits that are usually reserved for suite guests or member of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program. I could see the benefit of stuff arriving at room open rather than say 7 pm. Although the internet quality isnt fantastic, its super helpful for communicating with people at home and other people on board the ship. Or, you might have small bags that could be damaged by the porters (have you ever watched them load up those big carts with suitcases?). I had it a few weeks ago. But I wouldn't pay any more than that the value just isn't there for me. My GF purchased the "key" for each of us. Lets go through the individual perks and see how they might translate into saving time and money, opening access and increasing your enjoyment during your cruise vacation. Private hours vary by ship and sailing, and the schedule is delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day. While your stateroom is receiving its final preparations, you can eat a leisurely meal with other Key holders in the main dining room. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. You aren't cheating the system, you are the earliest boarding time. The Voom Surf n Stream is included. Powered by Invision Community. There is currently no special seating in nightclubs and other smaller gathering event spaces. This terminology was super vague to us when we first came across it in the description of the Key Program. Key guests are then called to get on the ship quite early in the boarding process, with just two or three VIP groups called first. During our first experience with the Key program, we were with a large group and had a table to ourselves. We much preferred this meal instead of fighting our way through the buffet along with every other passenger onboard the ship. Select from chef-prepared VIP Key favorite dishes, egg and griddle creations, several sides, cereals or continental choices. It is built around the. Lets break it down to see what youd spend if purchased just some of the benefits of The Key individually: If both of your party are going to need access to the VOOM Surf & Stream Internet package, then youll already be spending roughly $18 per day per guest, for a total of $144. RCI cruisers who purchase The Key can enjoy expedited check-in, and are able to board the ship before the general boarding begins. What it actually means is that youll get to board the ship early. Internet access on Royal Caribbean is not cheap, and if you were already going to buy a wifi package, sometimes the additional cost to get The Key is not much more. Access to the fast lane at onboard activities (activities vary by ship)and private time at the Flowrider. How likely can I board if I arrive before my check-in time? - Royal Your previous content has been restored. For a daily fee (paid in advance of sailing) cruisers who join the program will have access to several exclusive perks throughout their cruise vacation. I'd want to keep that stuff with me. 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. I tried The Key out again on an Odyssey of the Seas cruise in 2021 to get a sense of what to expect for anyone sailing in 2022 and beyond. For a prepaid fee, guest can access benefits that are usually reserved for suite guests or member of Royal Caribbeans loyalty program. On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive la carte breakfast and choice departure. 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.. madoris, Thursday at 02:15 PM in Royal Caribbean International. Were giving you our detail, unbiased feedback about what the program is and how it works for the average traveler. Passengers with The Key are able to sit in a VIP seating area for many shows, including those in the main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70. Is the Royal Caribbean Key Program a must-do or a hard pass for your next cruise? You will have no priority boarding for transportation back to the ship. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Swimsuit, acceptable dinner clothes for a few nights, acceptable day wear for a few days, and dop kit. Quantum of the Seas: Check-in and Boarding - The MileLion (Those who miss the window usually about 30 minutes on either side of check-in time may miss the benefit). I've seen just a line with a sign for The Key but not a dedicated entrance. September 2, 2010. nj. The priority for tendering is largely useless since Royal Caribbean ships rarely ever tender, thanks to more and more ports having piers. Passengers can drop off up to two pieces per person, and items cant weigh more than 25 pounds. Erin103 The system will time out after 30 minutes, so double check that you have everything below for each guest in your group before starting. But keep this in mind if youre looking forward to enjoying this perk. First time with Royal Caribbean "Key" question - Cruise Critic We got really lucky on the Allure last fall where the Key was $16.99 pp so we got it. VOOM Surf & Stream 1 of Device high speed internet per person who purchases the package. 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. Some feel that offering many perks (that used to be exclusive to them) to anyone willing to pay a bit extra is essentially selling loyalty status. Brisbane man missing after falling overboard from Quantum of the Seas An interesting perk with The Key program is the ability to drop off carry on luggage (usually in the theater until 1:30 PM). This was very helpful! Priority Embarkation is one of the best Key perks. Carnival Cruise Line Explains Controversial Beverage Policy Full suite guests already receive many of the benefits of The Key program as part of their booking. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Hi! With scheduled boarding times the key check in process is the same time wise as regular boarding. Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society What You Need to Know. Here is a list of the benefits you get with The Key: The early check-in isbetween 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM. This is so Key customers can take advantage of the Key lunch. The Key will usually show up as an option for purchase in your Cruise Planner about 90-100 days before your sailing. ** That is alcoholic drinks and indeed sodas, coffee etc is unlimited. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. Yes, for $2/day more than Voom, it's worth it because you get the boarding day lunch and debarkation breakfast. But, cruisers who buy The Key dont have access to lots of perks that elite loyalty members have. We ended up having to confirm at the front desk that reservations for shows were not necessary for this sailing. 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. Since you have carefully chosen your favorite vessel, you may already know the details. Harmony of the Seas | Boarding the Ship & The Key Program | Royal Of course, this benefit lasts just 2 hours on the first day of the cruise, so the value is quite limited. This option which is available 24 hours a day, every day has been recently offered in lieu of the complimentary embarkation lunch. What are the Benefits of The Key Program? | Royal Caribbean Cruises My assigned boarding time is 1:00. But I cannot recall as to the internet if there are 2 people in the room if each gets the use of one device, or it is one device per room. They may need something from it between porter drop off and Key drop off. Other benefits may apply at specific ports. 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. I also agree that its best to eyeball the dedicated security lines as you enter the terminal. I've seen it lower, and purchased once even lower than I've seen it. We can overlook the few miscommunications at the beginning of our cruise and say that overall, we really enjoyed being Key Guests during our sailings. If youre thinking about purchasing the program, its a good idea to check around this time because it does tend to sell out. I will be sailing on the Wonder on 2/25 and will keep an eye on the price for that cruise. The latter is the only circumstance where you will receive a full refund. If youre in any of these elite clubs, youll have priority check-in and embarkation, reserved theater seating, priority disembarkation, and a private departure lounge with continental breakfast. Of course your numbers can vary depending on the length of your cruise, but if youre planning to splurge on anything, we think this is a good one. Perk(s) number three! If Royal Caribbean cancels it for any reason, of course you can expect to get your money back. 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. There are only a certain number of days and many fun things to do on board the ship and, standing in line is certainly not one of them! Once you've done these things, sit back and enjoy your cruise! I have a 4 day cruise booked for nov. , the price for the key $36.99 per day. Im Louise. And that's not . Priority departure from ship-to-shore at tender ports. Againcrowds, queues and waiting. Pricing for The Key varies by itinerary. But if youre booking shore excursions directly through RCI, youll already have priority tendering for those excursions.