Paste as plain text instead, Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Is the Royal Caribbean Key Program a must-do or a hard pass for your next cruise? Agreed, I enjoyed it at $19.99, and now would only look if it was close to pricing for internet. But our sailing wasnt taking reservations for shows at all, so there was lots of confusion among Key Guests about this. What is The Key on Royal Caribbean? As I read them at the time, some posts made me feel that my grandma was lecturing me on how I should or shouldn't spend my money! Your link has been automatically embedded. I have three cruises coming up from June to July next year. Special lunch on embarkation day is off of Chops menu served in MDR. Key guests are NOT exempt from general boarding requirements like Covid vaccinations or negative Covid tests. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. So for a 4 day cruise, to purchase the Key Package for two people, you can expect to spend around $200. Other benefits may apply at specific ports. 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. You may also like: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips. 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. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines: The Key - A Faster Way to the Fun Can't forget the wine! Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Im so glad youre here! is The Key worth it? : r/royalcaribbean - Reddit Your previous content has been restored. Many cruise terminals have a special waiting area for Key members, and staff will call you for boarding just after suite and high-level loyalty members. These keys indicate where and when you have access to places and events. Like what you see? Tendering operations can often take hours to get all the passengers to shore, so this is a valuable benefit if your itinerary has multiple tender ports. That is alcoholic drinks and indeed sodas, coffee etc is unlimited. I just purchased The Key and am wondering if that will push my boarding time up. Some people just love the exclusive perks that the program includes, and the per-day cost is absolutely worth the money. The price of The Key varies, and starts at $25.99 per day, per person, although there can be discounts available to bring that price down. There will be food options when you board. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. But, be aware that all the following perks will not be available across the entire fleet. One thing I wonder about with The Key. To ensure that you receive this perk, arrive at the port during the special check-in time slot that you received with your Key purchase. 10 Rookie Cruise Mistakes to Avoid When Booking, Cruise Sweepstakes You Can Enter to Win a Free Cruise! Passengers can drop off up to two pieces per person, and items cant weigh more than 25 pounds. Having the higher end internet package included with the Key program is one of our favorite benefits. Is Royal Caribbean's "priority access" package worth the price? TPG 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. I know I carefully pack my embarkation day bag with exactly what Ill need for the day plus any valuables I need to keep an eye on. Everyone is packing and trying to figure out how to disembark in the quickest way possible. 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. 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. If your Key says that then take screenshots. The Key certainly sounds like a good investment for a lot of cruises, especially those new to Royal Caribbean, because it offers benefits and access that might not otherwise be available to them at all. With that in mind, if WiFi is the main and only reason for interest in this program, it would be more economical to buy one of the singly priced Internet option packages. 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. 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. The benefits package known as Royal Caribbean The Key is structured to address an element of each of these ideas. 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. The program wont be available to buy once youre on board the ship. 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! I can see where theyre coming from! The Key advertises as offering guests that purchase special perks and access while onboard that would otherwise not be available to them. Is it worth it to buy The Key on a RCI cruise? Arriving after 11:30 you would have priority in your scheduled arrival time window. 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. This is just my own personal theory! Of course, this benefit lasts just 2 hours on the first day of the cruise, so the value is quite limited. 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. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. We also purchase. The lunch is usually served through 1pm. When you get to the port there will be plenty of signs and dedicated lines for the Key. 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. Priority departure at ports where a tender is required ship-to-shore, A la carte breakfast and choice departure time on debarkation day. RCI cruisers who purchase The Key can enjoy expedited check-in, and are able to board the ship before the general boarding begins. The priority for tendering is largely useless since Royal Caribbean ships rarely ever tender, thanks to more and more ports having piers. Does the price ever drop or does it stay the same? Thank you so much for taking the time to share. An attendant will place a special luggage tag with your stateroom number on it to make sure it gets placed in your room. 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. 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. Unfortunately, the private times at attractions were limited and at inconvenient times. This benefit came in SUPER handy with the kids. I paid $28.99/day and it never got lower than that prior to sailing. 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. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. I wouldn't pay that for unlimited dining. 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. While your stateroom is receiving its final preparations, you can eat a leisurely meal with other Key holders in the main dining room. Drop off your carry-on luggage in the Main Dining Room on Deck 3 by 2:00 PM - your carry-on luggage will be hand delivered to your stateroom. Carnival Cruise Line Explains Controversial Beverage Policy If you dont see it, ask your Stateroom Attendant or go to Guest Services to apply the icon. Check out these, Priority access to the terminal upon arrival at the port, Welcome lunch in the main dining room with selections from Chops Grille, Access to VOOM Surf & Stream high speed internet for one device per paying guest, VIP seating to shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70. Lets dive in. Dining packages offer a good discount on how much lunch will cost. 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! (Keep in mind that there will likely be another window of time to deposit your luggage. Another perk that has recently changed for Key members is the availability of private hours for several of the onboard activities. Royal Caribbean recommends arriving to the terminal no later than11:30 AMfor you to have enough time to enjoy lunch with us! **** Reservations are required for shows on Quantum and Oasis class ships. I tried it for my last cruise which was a 4 day cruise. We were surprised that Royal Caribbean didnt take the time to avoid this confusion by simply updating this letter for their Key guests. Its best to scope out the entrance to see if there is a dedicated Key line. This benefit doesnt apply to docked ports, or for tendering back to the ship. These extra benefits generally fall into the categories of saving money or time, exclusive access, or to create a sense of VIP status. One of the really nice benefits of the Key Program is that you dont have to do that. How Carnival and Royal Caribbean Handle Marijuana Onboard There is currently no special seating in nightclubs and other smaller gathering event spaces. Henderson Nv. While you may have to adjust your schedule around this, it will be worth it for the kids. Since you have carefully chosen your favorite vessel, you may already know the details. Some of the terminals have dedicated suite entrances. Enjoy! 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/. There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore. But if youre an average cruiser who wants to feel a little bit like a VIP during your cruise, the Royal Caribbeans Key Program is definitely for you. 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. GoPort Fly, Snooze, Cruise package from Orlando to Port Canaveral. 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. 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. 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. 20% off at all specialty restaurants, when you make the reservation on Day 1 of the sailing. The Key on Royal Caribbean is a for-a-fee program offering priority boarding, private hours at onboard activities, preferred theater seating, and more. Much of the value of the program is in the unlimited internet. 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.. You will get an email with instructions, usually anyone with the Key can arrive between 11:00-11:30 no matter what your boarding time is. don't know what your cabin category is but if in a suite, you really don't need key if you want to board early. Read Also: Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive? Our next VIP perk is another time saver. You get lots of great perks throughout your cruise for the cost of one, inexpensive excursion. That said, it's not worth it to me at full price. November 15, 2022 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. If youre thinking about purchasing the program, its a good idea to check around this time because it does tend to sell out. Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean testing VIP guest access program. Once you've done these things, sit back and enjoy your cruise! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Recent RCI cruisers report that most sailings now only offer one private hour per week for each activity for Key members. 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. The welcome lunch for Royal Caribbeans Key Program guests is served in the main dining room during limited hours on your embarkation day. The Key, Royal Caribbean's Priority Program - Cruise Critic
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