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. However, some recent passengers report up to 200 passes sold on their cruises. This cruise lines optional add-on called The Key is a relatively new program. The latter is the only circumstance where you will receive a full refund. In this day and age, having access to the internet is pretty vital on a cruise. Select from a menu of (typically three) appetizers, entres, sides and desserts. If your a Key guest that ends up with a later boarding window, we recommend contacting Royal Caribbean to confirm what time Key guests should arrive. But it was a one and done for us. The Voom Surf n Stream is included. 'The Key' laminated pass will allow you to use the special queue to access the check-in area. Enjoy! The Key on Royal Caribbean is a for-a-fee program offering priority boarding, private hours at onboard activities, preferred theater seating, and more. I couldnt imagine why anyone would carry on a bag, only to check it soon after boarding! Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Rockaway NY,Sonoma County,Ca. Or, you could reach a high level in the companys loyalty program. I did not find that the time was convenient and I do not know how many people showed up. Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean The Key, with the different benefits and basics of the priority program. On our latest sailing, we were asked to arrive at the terminal no later than 11:00 am. 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. Since we arrived before 2 pm, we had to wait for boarding to commence at 2 pm. It takes a lot of cruise days sailed to reach these high levels. You will each get one account. The Key program is Royal Caribbean's initiative to give guests access to premier and exclusive cruise services and activities while on board for a small additional fee. How to Get a Free Casino Cruise on Royal Caribbean Plus Free Perks! Agreed, I enjoyed it at $19.99, and now would only look if it was close to pricing for internet. RCI cruisers who purchase The Key can enjoy expedited check-in, and are able to board the ship before the general boarding begins. definitely. To many passengers, one of the most popular perks included in Royal Caribbean The Key program is WiFi. 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. Perk(s) number three! Great price, I'd likely jump on it at that price too! 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. Also, if you are booking a suite on any of the ships, many of The Key extras might be included during your itinerary. Weve got your full review of these purchased perks so you can decide for yourself if this extra is worth it on your next cruise. 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? If you dont see it, ask your Stateroom Attendant or go to Guest Services to apply the icon. * Priority access will not be offered in Vancouver, Canada, or at any ports in Australia. On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive la carte breakfast and choice departure. Since the program began in 2018, passengers have reported paying anywhere from $19.99 to over $35 per person per day. Swimsuit, acceptable dinner clothes for a few nights, acceptable day wear for a few days, and dop kit. Cruisers who have reached Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club status in RCIs Crown & Anchor Society also already get many of these perks as well. You could book a full suite, which is way out of the price range of the average cruiser. Or the benefits are simply not as lucrative as it sounds. (2023). That I can live with..certainly not $30+. Booking of the Key Program is non-refundable if YOU want to cancel it. We never found this experience to be very a la carte, since a specific menu was given to us each time. At tender ports, where the ship ferries passengers to shore using smaller boats, Key members can take advantage of priority boarding when going ashore. A much better value as I get 11:00am priority boarding. GoPort Fly, Snooze, Cruise package from Orlando to Port Canaveral. It is only sold to a limited number of passengers ahead of time for reasons we will explore below. (asking about suite too because we may upgrade to a suite and drop the key). This letter will list updated information about reserved hours for activities and info about reservations for show. 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. Im Louise. 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. Im thrilled to share all my ideas with you and hope you like what you find here in my little home on the internet. If so, what kind? Ultimately, the value of this program is subjective. The search will resume at first light on Friday morning local time. On the day you arrive back at your departure point, Royal Caribbeans Key Program guests can eat an exclusivea la carte breakfast in the main dining room. Were giving you our detail, unbiased feedback about what the program is and how it works for the average traveler. 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. Price The cost of The Key can vary from ship to ship, as well as itinerary. On this sailing, the price per person per day would have been a little over $12, the lowest price Ive ever heard of for the program! Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. 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. 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. If one person in a stateroom buys The Key, all other passengers in that stateroom age six and over need to also purchase the program. 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 reason behind this benefit is to lessen the hassle baked right into every cruise standing in line. Posted 1 hour ago. Hi! Guests need to purchase The Key before the cruise begins on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Posted on Last updated: September 25, 2022. Can you help me understand suite and key program priority embarkation? The Key program is controversial among some high-level Crown & Anchor members. If you want to get your vacation started ASAP, this is an amazing perk. All this and more. Rock climbing was also at 9am. So if we get an earlier check-in time through the app we can opt to use that or we can use the key if it's the earlier of the two? 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. As always though, if it's something you want, book now and cancel/rebook later if you find it cheaper or decide it isn't for you! Can anyone tell me if I purchase The Key for both myself and my wife, do we get two internet devices, 1 per person? As a Key Guest, you will enjoy your choice of the best seats. By Jodi Grundig I have three cruises coming up from June to July next year. 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! 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. Weve always enjoyed this luncheon. They also dont get upgraded amenities, exclusive gifts, or priority waitlist seating in the main dining rooms. 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. That is a very long time to wait for a show. When you get to the port there will be plenty of signs and dedicated lines for the Key. I have a 4 day cruise booked for nov. , the price for the key $36.99 per day. 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. That said, it's not worth it to me at full price. Passengers can drop off up to two pieces per person, and items cant weigh more than 25 pounds. Priority departure at ports where a tender is required ship-to-shore, A la carte breakfast and choice departure time on debarkation day. We then headed to The Key waiting area. You can remove the wristband when you finish the activity, and get a new one latertheres no need to keep the wristband on for your entire cruise. It is a straight breeze through the whole process. Can't forget the wine! Even if you have an earlier time, still use the key lines. Manage Settings We are planning to purchase the key for our Allure cruise next year. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. 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. Some of the terminals have dedicated suite entrances. I bought The Key for my upcoming sailing on Harmony 5/1. The cruise line has brought back The Key for sailings, albeit with some notable changes. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! As you walk around the ship, it will be on posters and signs. Perk number four! 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. (3:46 p.m. EDT) -- Royal Caribbean is reportedly bringing back one of its most popular pre-cruise purchases: a priority access program known as The Key. 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. Matt recently did an updated review of The Key, in our post-Covid cruising world. Then, you see rows and rows and rows of people However, if you bought Royal Caribbean The Key, welcome to your first VIP perk. 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. Lets take a look at what this program offers, and see if its worth booking for your next Royal Caribbean cruise. That brings your total for purchasing these benefits individually up to $182. If your Key says that then take screenshots. A premium section of each of the larger venues on each ship is reserved for The Key, loyalty club members and suite passengers. What is The Key on Royal Caribbean? Video: Is Royal Caribbean's The Key worth it? The food is scrumptious and included in the price of The Key. From his, Royal Caribbean's VIP guest experience, The Key, offers some perks and benefits not available to other guests onboard. Don't forget you have to buy The Key for all guests in the room over the age of 6, whether they will use all the benefits or not. By Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Planning to arrive at the cruise terminal a bit later in the day? Royal Caribbean ; Roll Calls ; Voyager of the Seas Roll Calls ; Voyager of the Seas - Jun 12, 2023 - Jun 17, 2023 (5 Night Western Caribbean) . An interesting perk with The Key program is the ability to drop off carry on luggage (usually in the theater until 1:30 PM). Not sure if even the most vocal supporter of the VIP pass would say it makes sense financially at that price. It took several trips between floors to find the appropriate place to drop it off. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. We had it in January because it wasn't too much more expensive than the internet and we enjoyed having it. Or is the only benefit: priority embarkation mean you have your own line to enter terminal as opposed to the masses. An attendant will place a special luggage tag with your stateroom number on it to make sure it gets placed in your room. Kids in the 6-10 age range (despite how much they use their tablets at home) probably wont be online too much on a cruise. Private time at some of our onboard activities such as rock climbing, FlowRider, etc. 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. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. A 9am Flowrider time and a 4pm rock wall session are both times of the day where competition for these venues is less to begin with. So you'll want to spend some time exploring the different things you can experience while onboard. If . I'm glad I saw your post. Some say priority boarding within your check in time. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. This was the only benefit of the program that we didnt experience, since all ports we visited had an appropriate sized dock for our ship, so we cant speak directly to this benefit. There is a wide variety of entertainment options to enjoy during your time at sea. On my canceled October 2020 repositioning cruise aboard Brilliance of the Seas, RCI was running a 45% off sale. Upload or insert images from URL. 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. Final Notes on Royal Caribbean - The Key The Basics of Royal Caribbean - The Key This cruise line's optional add-on called The Key is a relatively new program. Available for booking pre . Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 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? The welcome lunch for Royal Caribbeans Key Program guests is served in the main dining room during limited hours on your embarkation day. 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. The Key is an add-on program on Royal Caribbean cruises that allows any guest to obtain some VIP perks on board the ship. One thing I wonder about with The Key. Can we use whichever one is better? I really hope you didn't buy The Key just for the earlier boarding time it's really not worth the money, IMO, unless the price for The Key was within a dollar or two of the price for Voom. 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. This benefit only applied to the main theater and the ice show. But information emailed to us just a few short days before instructed us to arrive early. They get more time to actually have fun on each attraction. The letter said we had early access to reserved shows and to make a reservation for the shows wed like to see. (Keep in mind that there will likely be another window of time to deposit your luggage. When you receive your SeaPass card, you should see a small decal on the front indicating that youre a Key member. Obviously, in these instances, the time it takes to leave the ship and begin your onshore adventures could be hours. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Arriving after 11:30 you would have priority in your scheduled arrival time window. Members who have a high-status level in Royal Caribbeans Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program automatically enjoy many VIP benefits. I almost got shut out, as they do have a cap, and it sold out. What's "The Key? As for food, c'mon.its a cruise.you are not going to starve. I can see where theyre coming from! At some ports of call, a small boat (or tender) will carry passengers to and from the port. 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. Embarkation day is here, and you arrived early at the terminal port, excited to set sail on your cruise vacation. This Surf + Steam VOOM would be the other reason why you would get the Key for your next cruise. So for a 4 day cruise, to purchase the Key Package for two people, you can expect to spend around $200. Henderson Nv. Frankly, you will probably get through quicker in a regular line than the Key line. September 2, 2010. nj. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',605,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Cruisers who purchase The Key can enjoy unlimited high-speed internet throughout the voyage. 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. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Additionally, you will once again be the beneficiary of a reserved time to go ashore; also included with this final perk. Offerings usually include hot items like steak & eggs, crab Benedict, French toast, pancakes, and eggs made to order. With capacity limitations lately theres no lines. 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. Key guests should keep a close eye on their schedules so that they dont miss out on the reserved hours for their favorite activities. We are sailing out of Galveston so I wonder if anyone knows how they do it there. For the FloRider, only about five or six Key Guests were taking advantage of the reserved hours, our son got to experience it over and over again with very little wait time. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! ", https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-key-program. 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. And wine. There were no lines for the water slides during our reserved hours. In addition, your SeaPass card will have a special sticker to easily identify yourself as having The Key. RCI actually claims that it's six times faster than any other WiFi at sea! Free room service is indeed a very nice benefit, but I question how often anyone will order room service to truly take advantage of it. Unfortunately, the private times at attractions were limited and at inconvenient times. The Key was emailing a letter prior to the cruise stating the Key would allow you to arrive early and up to 11:30 you would have priority boarding. yes, it's 1 device per key so yes, your wife will get to access 1 internet device and you will be able access 1 internet device. Perk number seven! As a Key Guest, you will enjoy the option of a block of reserved times at certain attractions. But, ever since RCI cut back on those times, the value of this perk is less than it used to be. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Toward the end of your cruise, keep an eye out for a letter in your stateroom detailing the disembarkation process (it usually arrives with your daily Cruise Compass). #5. Crew often opens up the VIP seating area to all passengers a few minutes before the show begins. Boarding Day ART Test Photo credits: Cruise the World/ Facebook It can be purchased online or via the app when you book your cruise (or added later). Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. I really hope you didn't buy The Key just for the earlier boarding time it's really not worth the money, IMO, unless the price for The Key was within a dollar or two of the price for Voom. The experience is really all over the place. Im a wife, a mom, a crafter, a Disney fan, and a french fry connoisseur. It is built around the. As always though, if it's something you want, book now and cancel/rebook later if you find it cheaper or decide it isn't for you! If high-speed Internet access is important for you and your family, VOOM Surf & Stream will be the key to keeping everyone happy. Luggage dropped with the porters curbside can arrive to room as late at 7pm, and there's a greater chance it's mishandled or misdelivered. 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. An important point to know is that you must buy it prior to sailing. So, it's important to know that Carnival won't serve any passenger more than 15 alcoholic drinks in a single day. After you book a Royal Caribbean cruise and you can access your Cruise Planner, youll see a link to purchase The Key for your cruise. All other benefits are either exclusive to the Key Program or only available to suite and loyalty program guests. The 19 Best Cruise Accessories You Need to Pack in 2023, 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2023 and Beyond, Royal Caribbean Caf Latte-tudes Full Menu (With Prices), Carnival Firenze Inaugural Season Opens For Bookings, Princess Cruises Announces Lavazza as Official Coffee Partner, Disney Cruise Line Announces Inaugural Sailings to Lighthouse Point, Norwegian Cruise Line Will Debut Beetlejuice The Musical Aboard Norwegian Viva, Cunard Sea Views Photo Exhibition Captures 100 Years of Cruising, https://shouldbecruising.com/privacy-policy/. Other times, it is notably higher. That is, you cannot cancel it, but the cruise line can. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. With scheduled boarding times the key check in process is the same time wise as regular boarding. This is just my own personal theory! While they are doing that, you will be doing something different enjoying an exclusive la carte breakfast. If you are planning a standard cruise, rather than a luxe voyage on a premium line, selecting add-ons should be part of the planning process. 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. Timing is everything. If you purchased the program on a previous RCI cruise, be sure to carefully read the updated explanations of each perk listed below before you buy it for your next sailing. Worked out to be about $80 more than what I had paid for a 2 device internet package. In my experiencethe Key has always had a boarding time of 11:30 or earlier. But if youre booking shore excursions directly through RCI, youll already have priority tendering for those excursions. 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. Probably not a terrific idea when traveling with children. But I wouldn't pay any more than that the value just isn't there for me. We are so excited and can't wait to board. . There is one final question to consider when deciding whether this optional add-on is right for your next cruise. Guests could choose an appetizer, an entree, a side, and a dessert. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. Powered by Invision Community. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_19',676,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Boarding for Key members usually begins around 10:30 AM, so if you want to be among the first to get on board the ship, plan to arrive a bit before this time to check in. Read more, Copyright 2023 Chaotically Yours | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. While you may have to adjust your schedule around this, it will be worth it for the kids. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This is how you can get priority access to the cruise terminal on boarding day, priority access to the theatre shows, private time slots for rock-climbing or Flowrider , VOOM Surf & Stream 1 device and more benefits. The program wont be available to buy once youre on board the ship.

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