TheRisleyFamily2021

There are many reviews of people using "The Key" here on the CC boards. We used it on Harmony and again on Symphony (my parents paid for the second time around - not my decision!)  Bottom line:  I did not feel the extra benefits were worth the price.

Some considerations:  Lunch at Chops is $24.95, and that is without a sale price.  Do you really need surf AND stream? Do you plan on being online that much? (My 12 year old and I shared ONE code on each our last three cruises with no issues, and only surf.. we were on vacation, not me working from a deck chair).   How inexpensively can you get The Key on your cruise planner? You have to haunt your cruse planner a LOT to catch the sales.  I managed to snag it for $17.99 a day, but that was just after they first offered it. They have slashed the benefits since then - the second cruise there were far fewer Key exclusive activity times (most only offered once) and they were at REALLY bonkers times - early AM, 1PM TO 2PM during boarding (shouldn't you be enjoying your chops lunch?), etc.

There was absolutely NO advantage at check-in. Both cruises the "Key exclusive" check in lines to which I was directed were 2 people deep. I opted to simply walk up to one of the MANY representatives standing around with their iPad and checked in the first time, and the second we just walked to the end of the check-in counters to an empty one. Boarding was a whopping TEN minutes early. Whoopee!  (Make sure you get the kids their muster station bands early if possible in the waiting area, otherwise they will snag you on the gangway.) 

It was nice to leave our "carry ons" at the restaurant lobby, but there again we quickly realized that swimming would require we take our bags. It was a comedy. The second "Key cruise"we didnt even bring carry on bags, just took my usual beach bag with what we needed, and let porters deal with all of the suitcases,  carry-ons, and cases of water at rhe dock. 

We didn't need to tender at any ports, so that may be a factor you wish to consider - not standing in line for the tenders could be important to you. Then again, is it worth $27 a day per person not to stand in line??  The lines at a very low attendance  day at Disney were 10 times longer than the tender lines!

It was of no benefit to get off the ship on either private island 5 minutes earlier than anyone else. 

Shows on the first  cruise were ALL open to Key guests, you just walked in. The second time they had begun requiring a reservation anyway, you could not go on the spur of the moment.  The Key seats were not all that wonderful, TBH (balcony center) and hard to see. We just go early to get good seats, and them go grab drinks and socialize. There is not Key seating at every show, not even the super popular ones like "Love and Marriage" or the scavenger hunt game (sorry, can't recall what they call it!)  Even if you go later you can still snag seats in the balcony pretty near to the "Key" rows. 

Early booking for the escape room was NOT included as a Key Activity (is it now?)  but it was not difficult to book anyway - many people have no idea what it is, or they see the price and decide not to do it.  I booked three times and had it canceled because there weren't enough people to participate! (Some ships it is minimum 4, some 6).

I honestly don't recall what all of  the Key activities were...

Flowrider, zipline, dry slide, Rock climbing wall (which was not busy most days anyway). Dedicated Flowrider time was OK but still long lines.  Paying for the semi-private Flowrider lessons instead was THE best decision I made on our last two cruises! Absolutely the highlight of my son's cruises, he didn't need to be afraid to try it!

Just my opinions offered. Well, my parents too, they thought it was a bust.   Other people have found the Key to be useful. I would suggest going back and reading the KEY reviews of experiences on YOUR ship. It may be different on different ships, and perhaps they used their time during the pandemic to work out the downsides to the program? 

Enjoy your cruise!

On 12/3/2019 at 9:05 PM, cruisegus said:

Priority debarkation I believe only applies to the last day for final debarkation. the only time you have priority at ports is for tenders

We were escorted as a group from On Air to the front of the line on our June Harmony cruise at 3 different ports, one of which was Coco Cay. On our Symphony cruise last week, the only escorted group port departure was Roatan, and it was not needed at all. Would have appreciated another escorted group departure at Coco Cay on this cruise, it was a madhouse... 

On 12/2/2019 at 1:11 PM, 20165 said:

 

On 12/2/2019 at 1:32 PM, LMaxwell said:

 

You don't have to have any excursion booked at all.  Using the Key benefit for priority debarkation is offered in the program; what you do when off is up to you. 

There was NO escorted priority debarkation at Costa Maya, Cozumel or Coco Cay on our Thanksgiving cruise on Symphony. Very disappointing. 

2 hours ago, sburrus4 said:

Anyone know is they limit the number of people who can purchase “The Key”?  I’ve read the reviews on it, but can’t seem to find out if a ton of people purchase it or if it’s a small group. 
 

if it helps, I’m traveling on Indy in Feb. 

It depends on the size of the ship and the season. For our Thanksgiving cruise on Symphony I was told 350 by a head waiter who worked the Key Lunch. 

On 10/23/2019 at 9:08 PM, MaryL31 said:

... Although dinner in the MDR was quite good, the portion of stuffing (again, quite good) was...let's just say...nowhere near what I would have had on my plate at home!  Thought they were a bit stingy with the stuffing...

    

Why didn't you just ask for more stuffing?  They would gladly have accommodated your request.  Unlike a restaurant, you can get more of anything you wish. Much like a restaurant, however, you can ask them for substitutions, changes, no sauce, sauce on the side, all side dishes with no meat, three appetizers instead of main entree.... You are never stuck. 

We had the The Key on Harmony for our June 16 cruise, 2 ppl.  We purchased when it was $19.99 person. 

I was torn as to whether or not to post our experience, as I won't do a full review, but FWIW I will make a few notes. 

NO PRIORITY LINES AT ACTIVITIES. Not sure what the President of RC was talking about, but no priority lines/lanes.  The Flowrider employees said only during our hour, and when I asked about it at customer service I was told "your letter told you when your Key times are." 

While chatting before a game show the night before the cruise ended, two of the cruise director's immediate staff said they weren't even sure what the program WAS, much less what benefits we were supposed to get!  The vague, confused look on their faces said it ALL. 

In Port Canaveral:  no special treatment in the security line, you wait like everyone else. No expedited security unless you have otherwise met the requirements, and again you are in line with everybody else.  We went to the Key Check-in, and were placed in a line behind another couple who clearly did not check in online as it took forever. Little did I realize, down the concourse (past the initial crowds) there were a dozen or more EMPTY lines, and many more agents with iPads just standing around. The Key employee clearly did not know what she was doing. Lesson learned: we arrived at 11:05. If you are not arriving at a peak time, don't bother.  If it hadn't been for the incompetent Key employee at the door and the muster band line, we would have checked in with an iPad employee and just walked right on - just like all the non-Key people. 

If you have kids in your group, you will stand in yet another long line for muster station bands for each child, which is mandatory. I mentioned we were Key, and I got an exasperated "just get in the line!"  Another waste. 

The zipline was day 1 from 2 to 3pm. They closed it at 2:45 with no explanation, just as we arrived. There was no back up of people waiting to zip. They just decided to close it early. 

If you have a huge group of people, I hope they do a better job of managing capacity than they did on our cruise, or you won't get Key seats unless you arrive early - don't plan on getting there 5 minutes to curtain and getting seats, much less seats together.  If you are just a few people, rather than Key you can just wait and snag the "released" suite and key seats just before showtime. 

If you are not tendering, I don't think Key is worth the expense. It didn't save us much time at all.   There is no Key line for getting through security back onto the ship. 

End of cruise:  No escorted departure. Let me repeat that. NO ESCORTED DEPARTURE THROUGH THE ZOO.  We were told at the dining room just to go to the front of the line when we were ready to leave. OK. We did so and we're checked off the ship with no problem. .. and ran into the back of the line from H*LL going down the ramp getting into customs. I had to repeatedly approach employees asking where Key members go until one finally sent us down a hidden, "back" escalator behind the elevators. Luggage was conveniently placed, but where was the expedited Key customs line? No employees to be found,  I wasted precious time looking for one knowing that the last bus back to Orlando leaves at 10.  When I finally found one, AGAIN with the attitude and was told "you wait your turn like everybody else! " 

No fruit plate, no plate of chocolate covered strawberries, just two tiny, 3-inch chocolate "keys" one night. 

When I first purchased The Key it appeared to be a fabulous bargain - Voom Surf and Stream for each of us, no reservations needed for shows, exclusive seating for shows so no need to rush and get there early, exclusive Key access to activities every day, priority for tendering, escorted departure right through to customs... and only 19.99 per person per day!  It sounded just too good to be true... and it apparently was. So good that they were able to jack up the price as they continually chipped away at the benefits until it was the program we experienced. 

On Harmony there appeared to be two types of employees: those who knew nothing about the program (or pretended to know nothing?) and those who did know and seemed to give off a resentful attitude, much like "why should YOU be treated differently?"  The sports staff were DEFINITELY not happy about it.  The only exceptions were the staff on day 1 at carryon check-in at the dining room;  after that, good luck. 

Overall the Key was a waste of money, at least on Harmony, even at the bargain price of 19.99 pp/pd.  Not at all what I paid for when I signed up, and while I was resigned to the changes I wasn't expecting the program I experienced. 

At this point my thoughts are "without dedicated security lines, fully escorted departures with priority at customs and priority lines at the activities, what is so KEY about this?" We canceled our Key for Symphony in November... even though we paid only $19.99 pp/pd for that cruise as well. 

Of course, every ship's implementation, attitude trickling down from above and training is different, thus "Your Mileage may Vary."  Good Luck! 

Currently on the Harmony, filling out our Key Program satisfaction survey. Question for the group here:  WHAT is "Priority Access" to activities? They are obviously not referring to  Key Only hour on Flowrider, ultimate abyss, etc.   We were not, however, told anything about Priority Access. There is nothing in our paperwork, no special lines, no instructions.  Thanks! 

I was wondering if anyone knows how far in advance we have to cancel a purchase of "The Key" and still get a refund. I know online is three days, but what about calling? 

I am still up in the air about The Key, and we leave in three weeks.  Thanks. 

7 hours ago, kdavis5472 said:

, I would not have purchased it.  What made the original Key beneficial to me was not what was delivered.  I was looking forward to the "no reservations required" for the shows - because I did not want to have to be on any schedule - if I wanted to go to a show on a night, I would have liked to just show up and not have to plan ahead like we were made to do.   I  was also looking forward to a few days of "Key only" activities - like the flow rider - not just 2 turns in a shortened hour constantly watching if the attendants were checking for wristbands. 

This is exactly the basis for my indecision :(    I hustled to buy The Key before they changed "no reservations needed" to "must have show reservations.". The relatively few private activity hours is not what I signed up for either :/. I am fully disheartened, hoping that things might change back (just a bit!) 

10 hours ago, happymanitee said:

It is $37.99 for my Thanksgiving Symohony cruise.

We are on the Symphony Thanksgiving cruise as well 🙂 May or may not keep the Key I purchased for that trip, depending on how our Harmony cruise w/ Key goes in June.  I purchased for both cruises back in February at 19.99. Glad now that I did! 

6 hours ago, ShillyShally said:

 She apologized for the issues, and said that most likely the issues with reduced private hours and no priority debarkation were due to the amount of people who had purchased The Key on our sailing.  

This makes NO sense whatsoever. If you have more people buying the key, they wouldn't REDUCE the number of 'private hours'. It was more likely due to the large number of passengers.  For priority debarkation, why would another 50 people matter? 

Sounds to me like she had no idea really, and was just making excuses. 

14 minutes ago, Keksie said:

The last evening we had a call from the Key people to schedule our walk off the next day.  We could pick 7:10 or 7:50.

You have to schedule your departure? I thought one if the key benefits was breakfast and departure at your leisure? Am I missing something?

4 hours ago, Cel_cruise said:

Boarded Symphony today 4/13... Noro on prior cruise delayed boarding 30 min.

Really really disappointed so far.

This is truly disappointing to read. As was already mentioned, after four months they have had plenty of time to educate the crew!  First the 'no show reservations needed" disappeared, and then the "daily" private hours.  Now the boarding amenities have gone < poof > (if they were ever in place to begin with!) And the private hours even more limited? Not what I signed up for, and dwindling daily.     I am reconsidering my Key purchase for our June and November cruises,  especially since the the Thanksgiving cruise will be PACKED with kids, as always. PLEASE keep posting, experienced Keyers !!

5 hours ago, zerallamvuut said:

On 4/8/2019 at 5:09 PM, chadcf said:

Does anyone know how far in advance they start selling this? My cruise is a good 18 months out and lots of things aren't available in the cruise planner, but I'm curious when I should start watching out for the key to be purchasable. 

I purchased The Key for both our June sailing on Harmony and our November sailing on Symphony back in February.

14 hours ago, MissLittle1959 said:

Where exactly do we go to get a reservation for iFly?

iFly showed up in our cruise planner for both if our Anthem Cruises;  it was booked solid and removed from the planner pretty fast. It would occasionally reappear, I assume as people canceled their reservations.  I am not sure where to book on the ship, can anyone with experience post where to book iFly once on the ship? 

On 3/10/2019 at 12:57 PM, Thorben-Hendrik said:

 

I am wondering just how many people can be accommodated at iFly in just an hour. Max 60 I would guess, I daresay it is likely less.  If you are counting on checking iFly off your bucket list, don't count on the Key hour, do everything possible to get a reservation. If you can do the waiver on your room TV in advance, do so!  I think they should warn that there is a limited number of spots each hour 😕

Wondering if this could possibly open up a "black market" for extra VOOM packages?  e.g.,  husband and wife don't need two internet packages, so they "sell" their VOOM code to somebody else?  There is no way for them to check which devices are being used with which codes. Or am I missing something? 

Have you considered Anthem out of Bayonne, NJ (Port Liberty)? My son who is also 9 LOVED this ship, so much that we have cruised on Anthem three times 🙂  He loves the Flowrider (he was at EVERY open session!), iFly ( was a hit!), bumper cars, roller skating, rock climbing wall, indoor pool, kid's club, etc.  The only drawback is the lack of waterslides, but with the money we saved on cruise fare we were able to go on more shore excursions - with waterslides galore!  Love the drive/sleep/cruise packages at the local hotels;  they also have fly/sleep/cruise  (TrinityReservations).    

Just a thought 🙂

Very recent Escape experience for us.  Have sailed both with my now 9 year old son. He preferred the Anthem kids club. The indoor pool and space for him to just MOVE were wonderful for us! More options on Anthem  for complimentary, casual quick dining or to simply pick up a snack... he lived in the pizza joint! We spent some time on the cold sea days in/out of NJ in the 270 theater /multiuse space.  Not only could he watch the trapeze artists practice, but when there was no rehearsal he could actually be on the stage area pretending to be a "star". Lovely views, Excellent food right there, plenty of comfy seating and room for him to roam, or for us to just hang out and play cards.  Nothing like it on Escape!  If you take them to the Anthem indoor pool area at "off" times (mornings right after breakfast, when everyone else is at lunch or one of the more popular activities) it is more than manageable and a welcome respite from the cold. 

Don't forget about the WIND combined with the cold temperatures!  It definitely hampered our enjoyment of the Escape, and there was no indoor pool to enjoy. 

The bumper cars could be a very enjoyable outing for one parent with the six year old while the other takes the 3 year old to the indoor play space for children. It is a very large space that apparently sees very low use. Lots to do and explore! The six year old might even enjoy it! 

The other positive I see for families is the SET dining times and ASSIGNED table. You have the same wait staff every evening, and they do an excellent job remembering the whims of your children! Nothing like coming to your table on the third night rro find your child's fruit cup, favorite breads and preferred beverage already waiting! A quick word with the head waiter and my son didn't even know that there WAS a kids menu! No chicken nuggets or mac and cheese for him - he ordered off the adult menu every night. They are MORE than accommodating about food for the little ones... veggies were ALWAYS brought with his meal after I asked just once. HIGHLY recommend the early dinner seating and stop by early in the cruise to ask for a table next to a window to "keep the kids occupied" 🙂

I don't have much to say about the Escape. In the cold weather it was just "meh". Felt like we wasted 4 days of vacation, to be honest. The wind was killer - too cold for the ropes course, the mini golf, the bocci. Too cold for the pool, the water features or even the hot tubs.  Kids club had more "free play" time in the schedule but with a lot less equipment to play with!  I went on the Escape with an open mind, but it missed all the marks for us.  

If you do go on Anthem, make sure to get a reservation for the escape room for some couple time, and get on line for the trapeze early 🙂

Also on Anthem, they have the "Spacious Ocean View" rooms which have a LOT of extra floor space under the window. They look out over the front of the ship, so the windows are huge and at an angle. I will try and attach photos. @My son spread out a blanket there and that was his space!  Just great cabins for kids. I don't do balcony staterooms out of NY/NJ in cold weather. 

Speaking of NY/NJ ports, the Port Liberty on Bayonne WAS FABULOUS and quick, easy to access, and parking was a breeze. Manhattan parking was $100 more expensive for parking, traffic was a nightmare in comparison, and dragging luggage through that slushy, soggy mess after snow was a nightmare. Will NEVER do that again 😕

Just heard from my Travel Agent:

"And Norwegian finally has information for the Bliss go-karts and laser tag!

Laser tag: no age or height requirements

Go-Karts: minimum height of 48 inches"

Just heard from my Cruise Consultant:

And Norwegian finally has information for the Bliss go-karts and laser tag!

Laser tag: no age or height requirements

Go-Karts: minimum height of 48 inches

I also wanted to book with my 9 year old son in mind. Have been 'checking in' with my cruise consultant at Norwegian every other week since Christmas, but nothing yet.... :(:(It would be difficult for us to have those amenities, particularly appealing to preteens, on the ship and not be able to use them.

I am not placing blame, I am trying to determine what the protocol is, that's all. Trying to understand why the actual count vs. what was reported to the CDC would appear to be so different. I was wondering if the reports were filed only if those affected went to the med bay. I am not sure why you are so defensive, I am only seeking facts.

My husband didn’t go to medical when he got it on our 10/28 cruise...

 

I think it’s crazy to think people don’t go to medical with Noro because they don’t want to get quarantined!

Curious to know if the medical team came to your cabin and had him fill out the CDC form when he reported that he was ill??