The Key - How to Value Royal Caribbean's Extra Perk Program
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- The Key is offered by Royal Caribbean as a way to purchase additional perks on a Royal Caribbean cruise. This perk program has a lot of benefits you cannot buy as a one-off. However, many people will ask themselves, if The Key worth it? Luckily, I have MANY booking with Royal Caribbean and I am pricing checking, what is the "value" of the key perks and benefits. This will allow you to calculate the "value" for your specific cruise and help answer the question if you should purchase The Key. All calculations for the Key Program are done on a per person basis.
Filmed onboard Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas.
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The key was worth it to me. So I’m definitely getting it again for my birthday cruise in January. There were a few perks that I enjoyed that came along with it, and I only got it for the internet package. It was just a couple of dollars more.
Great info
explained so well ! thank you
My pleasure!!!
This was great advice
Thanks Dino!
Good video.
Hey Brent!
Thank you for the video; great tips on checking cost comparisons. I purchase The Key, and it isn't always for the money value. Yes, we get internet- that is a perk, but really it's 1. avoiding the buffet and mass crowds on embarkation day and departure day because you're eating at Chops. I'm not a buffet girlie so this is clutch. 2. And most importantly because RC will let The Key passengers board at any time in the morning. You board right after the suites which allows you to get your restaurant dining reservations quickly and avoid crowds and lines on embarkation day. On one of my sailings, I received a noon boarding time. I didn't like that time. I called RC and was told I have The Key- I can come when I like. I know it says 30 min boarding window, but I have been doing this for every sailing since with no issues, about 5x. I buy The Key every time because it's worth not having the line hassle..... plus the internet. Too bad they got rid of the free room service because then it would be a given. Happy cruising and looking forward to watching more of your videos.
I am getting the key for the perk of getting on the ship and avoiding the lines I have a bad knee
and cant see me doing all that standing I like the ideal of the lunch because it gives you the chance to slow done for a minute on a busy day
Fantastic! First cruise will be in June on the Liberty, to Halifax. I am so super excited. I have purchased all the things! Including the Key! I cannot.WAIT.
That is excellent Harper!! You will have to report back and let us know how it goes!
Hey, Brandon. I get the key whenever I do not book a suite. I enjoy the priority embarkation and debarkation and the welcome lunch. The internet is the majority of the cost. Without the multi-device internet, I would not get the key. If I book a sky or star suite, I never get the key.
Hello Brandon... Love your explanation. I guess the key would make sense if you are at the base of the royalty program and on one of the biggest ships.
That is very true! Def a lot more benefits to the larger ships and newer guest without status. Some might even say this is a way of "buying" status.
Great breakdown!!! We have gotten the key a couple of times but only on Oasis ships when not staying in a Suite. We appreciate the reserved seating area for the aqua theater and ice shows but you are right... The internet is the big value with the key!
Have you ever done a video like this for the drink package? Especially if you are a Diamond member?
Great video as always! Thanks!
Sure have!! Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/qHE1fXk8qds/v-deo.html
Great review!!! You are spot on about the value being primarily in the internet package. We have used the Key twice. The first time is when the Key was first introduced and the embarkation lunch was actually in Chops Grill. Also, the price we paid was only $2 per day more than the Zoom internet package. The second time we paid an extra $3 per day, but by then Royal Caribbean was selling a lot more Key packages and had moved the "Chops" lunch into the Main Dining Room. After that the price differential rose to levels that no longer made sense for us. By the way, the non-existent Premier Pass Package that Royal accidentally offered for sale, for one day before they caught their error, would have been an excellent value though. Even though Royal said it was a mistake they did give us a $50 on board credit for each package that we had purchased. That made it worth the effort.
The Premiere Pass was a tremendous value! Getting key for just a buck or two more, why not?! Great catch on the price differnces!
Hi Brandon, thanks for the info. I booked the Key for my wife and I on the Liberty in December. It’s currently $32.99 pp and WiFi is $20.99 so obviously I’m hoping it goes down. She always gets wifi, however for me not a big deal. The Key seems like an interesting thing to try out especially if we can get the price difference bridge gapped a little more. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Brant!! Love running the numbers!
For me the keys is worth is considering its only $4 more then voom and i like the luggage being in my room when the room is ready.
We dexided that a $3 a day difference was worth it even on a 10 night cruise. We get to board 2 hours before our scheduled boarding time. Have a sit-down lunch while luggage is delivered to our stateroom, priorty tendering at both ports.all the other stuff and special breakfast on debarkatio morning.
That's a great value at $3 per day! Not bad at all!
Hi Brandon!
Appreciate if you could advise on how to purchase The Key? Am on my royal carribean app but I can’t find the option anywhere… does it only appear prior to x number of days you are sailing? my cruise is in May!
Hey Nic, this cannot be bought in the app but has to be bought from the "cruise planner". Go to Royal Caribbean's website and sign-in there and you will see drink packages, food packages, wifi, excursions, etc.
if you want the internet package for the whole cruise, its worth the extra to buy the key, but you have to buy it for each party of your group
For the VIP shows . Do you sit on the "VIP" seats . Because i see those signs during shows.
I traditionally do not. I like sitting in the balcony on the side or down on the front row.
One thing for people to remember you can purchase the packages internet, the key, beverage etc but keep checking the website since the prices are always changing. If you check and let’s say the key is now cheaper you can just cancel it buy it at the cheaper price and you’ll get a refund for what you paid previously. Always check around holidays and Black Friday, they like to reduce prices then. When we first booked our cruise the key was 10% off but now I looked and it is 35% off making it $18.99 per person per day.
Great advice! Don't just check the cruise fare!
We tried "The Key" back in December 2019 on our RCCL Mariner of the Seas cruise. I did a YT video of the experience, and "The Key" was a mixed bag when it came to the benefits. Some crew members then were not familiar with "The Key" perks. I bought "The Key" for our weekend cruise on the Allure of the Seas in February 2024. I was able to apply $50 onboard credit toward the cost which makes it almost the same price as the Internet package by itself. I am curious to see if this time "The Key" is better or still something I can skip next time.
Let us know!
@@TheWeekendCruiser Will do!
As of August 14, 2023...
The Key full price is $41.99 and sale price is $30.99.
The Internet full price is $26.99 per guest per day and sale price is $19.99.
Full price difference is $15 and sale price difference is $11.
For my trip, my group of four will be on a cruise for three days. With everything on sale, the Internet would've cost us $59.97 each or a total of $239.88 for one device. Since we're two to a room, each room's internet would've cost $119.94. We bought The Key on sale, so it came to $185.94 per room or $92.97 per person, which is an extra $33 for the perks that come with it. I will say tho, I wish the prices were still as long as what's shown in the video.
Speaking of the perks, they've apparently changed since this video roughly four months ago. What's Included now are the following:
1. The Key designated arrival time gives you priority access into the terminal on Day 1. Priority access details will be communicated via email and may vary by port.
2. Carry-on bag drop off and delivery to stateroom. Drop off your carry-on bags in the Main Dining Room until 1:30 pm.
3. Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring The Key Signature menu. Savor our signature lunch menu, showcasing guest favorites across appetizers, entrees, and desserts. [Me: I look forward to seeing what these menus are.]
4. 20% off at all specialty restaurants throughout your cruise when you make your reservations on Day 1 of the sailing. Subject to availability. [Me: A big perk to me since I want to try things.]
5. VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 Device high-speed internet.
6. Access to the fast lane at onboard activities and private time at the FlowRider®. Activities vary by ship. [Me: No rock climbing? D:]
7. Priority ship-to-shore departure at tender ports of call. [Me: Another big perk in my book.]
8. Dedicated seating section at shows in the Royal Theater, AquaTheater, Studio B and Two70® (reservations required on Quantum and Oasis Class ships). [Me: We're on Freedom of the Seas.]
9. On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive à la carte breakfast and depart at your leisure with Choice Departure.
Great feedback! Thank you for adding to the comments for others to see!!
Question... If I purchase "The Key" for my Royal Caribbean Cruise this summer to Alaska on Ovation of the Seas- Do I still need to rush and early check-in with my mobile app or website via home computer? I know there is "early check-in" on Day 1, but when the window opens for us to pre-check-in a couple of months prior to my cruise date.
I don't think so Vincent. I think that is one of the reasons you would want to get the key - you know yourself and don't want the stress of having to book shows and no having any priority to board. Ovation in Alaska will be awesome!
I am the only person rooming with 2 others, who will be using internet so I haven't purchased the Key in awhile. I don't think the priority boarding or seating is worth that much now (we no longer need show reservations, and you still have to board within your time window - that goes quickly). So it seems it boils down to if everyone is getting internet, you want the Chops lunch, and a debarkation breakfast in the MDR.
In a nutshell. Newer cruisers might find more value but the internet is where it is at.
I always look, but the Key almost never makes sense for me EXCEPT for my Greenland cruise. All Greenland ports are tender ports and the Key price over internet was only $3 per day. I wanted that priority exit since every port will be self explore. The lunch and priority seating is a bonus. I will enjoy the priority embarkation and debarkation.
Good call out! That makes a lot of sense in Greenland with all the tenders then!
Do you still need to reserve the shows with the key
I always encourage people to still try to get a reservation if you can. The key I believe only holds your spot until 15 minutes prior and then they open it to everybody.
We got it once, on embarkation we we told to just get in the regular line to get on, no value. The lunch took 2 1/2 hours and the food was cold and service terrible. Internet was fine, but nothing else was worth it. We won’t do it again.
That happens to me every weekend Debbie! Priory lines for embarkation close at a certain time and I never make it to the ship intime for special treatment. Thanks for sharing your feedback for others to consider!
I always purchase Voom Internet before I cruise. Never gat discount for D+. Do I need to wait and purchase on the ship or maybe get before and ask once I go on the ship for discount?
To use your D+ discount, you have to purchase internet on board. It would be nice if they would credit us the amount of our discount after purchasing online, but so far not happening.
@@sissysweetp3764 and that's why I never purchase on board , it is to complicated for me
I think the price is probably a wash most of the time as it is always discounted pre-cruising. On the ship, it is full price.
I wanted to try out The Key on one of my cruises that im about to go on the 1st June but it is sold out already 😢
Oh no!! Keep checking, they might open more up! But June is a hot month
@@TheWeekendCruiser yes, it is pretty expensive too during the June period thus I decided to try the interior cabin w/o windows as all the others were sold out for the first time! All my previous cruises were in a balcony cabin and I hope it would be equally as awesome 😊
@@penanceeeee you will still love it! I actually like that an interior room forces me out of the room every now and again!
If one person buys the key do others in the party have to buy the key too?
They sure will! If they are age 6 or older and all on the same reservation, everyone in the room will need to purhcase the key.
One thing to take note is that these calculations are for a single person. When you buy the Key, it's per person per day. When I cruise with my wife and kids, it never makes sense to get the key because we will typically only buy internet for two devices for the whole voyage and the cost difference between that and the Key for all passengers is not even close. I think for shorter sailings with one or two people, it can make a lot of sense, for us personally, the value is never there.
hahahaha love the creativity!
You didn’t mention it but the Medallion level internet credits based on each level will lower the value for buying the key. I am D+ and not finding it to be worth the cost in most cases.
Hey Sissy, not sure I am following the comment but let me see if I can get this right. The internet is discounted for pre-purchase prior to sailing. If you buy on the ship, it is full price but now you get the D+ discount. Always seemed to be a bit of a wash in the price I paid. Whether it was before the cruise or on embarkation day. If D+, I would agree it isn't going to be worth it though. You already get a ton of benefits and probably know how to get good seats in the theaters.
@@TheWeekendCruiser got it. Just making sure there was not a trick I was missing. 😄 love your videos!
@@sissysweetp3764 haha not this time but you have to keep me in check! I've been known to miss a time or two! Thank you!!
Never mind I see the answer lol
Gee, then why buy a suite , I will just get the cheaper room and buy the key .
or why have loyalty. Same perks as the loyalty program.
Thats what I did!
First😌