New Program called "The Key"

[kyrie]

Just now, Host Clarea said:

 

Did you really hear this, or are you just trying to stir things up?

Ditto..

[blueridgemama]

Wow! I just checked my emails and I have over 16 emails about the Key. I thought maybe there was some exciting news, but no, just the usual😀

[Biker19]

4 hours ago, PCWalton1 said:

10 at $29.99 per person, per day. 

For some context, on some really good sales you can get the cabin price down to below $50 pppd. 

[PCWalton1]

55 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

For some context, on some really good sales you can get the cabin price down to below $50 pppd. 

for this cruise we are at $1630 for the both of us so $81 pppd. That's for a balcony so I am happy with that. 😃

[TheRisleyFamily2021]

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! 

[blueridgemama]

5 minutes ago, LiamsMommy2008 said:

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! 

 

I know it would be a pain in the neck but would you be willing to send a copy of this via email or snail mail to Royal Caribbean so that they can actually see your observations?

[lovescats5]

Why would you think you could show up to a show just 5 mins before starting.  Even the suite seats are released earlier than the 5 min before, our genie always asked us to show up at least 10 mins before.  We have never stood in a line for the muster band, they have always went around the room during the drill and passed them out during that time.  It does sound, however, like they need to have some kind of training for the employees so they know what is going on.  But then it reminds me of the Star Class program, each genie goes through the same schooling and yet they are all different in what they do and how the perform their duties for you.

[emory2001]

I haven't read all 2900 posts, so forgive me if some of this has been covered. For me, this doesn't look nearly as good as Carnival's Faster to the Fun. For one thing, FTTF is priced per stateroom, not per person, which makes it a great value. Price increases a little bit for longer cruises - for my 5 day Carnival cruise next year it's $70, and it comes with priority boarding, luggage immediately to our room, immediate access to our room without waiting around with our carry-ons in tow, priority tendering when applicable, and a priority line at guest services, which I've used. Convenience and saving precious cruise time on boarding day and when needing to resolve guest service issues are what's "key" for me. Without apologies, I'll pay more to not wait in line. Carnival calls it Faster to the Fun for a reason, and it includes perks that are more valuable to me than FlowRider, reserved seats for shows, or lunch at Chops on boarding day. Boarding day is very casual for us and I always look forward to a Windjammer lunch on Royal. Your mileage may vary.

Edited July 14, 2019 by emory2001

[sheena20013]

On 6/25/2019 at 8:57 AM, Host Clarea said:

 

Yep, and probably another pool to guess the highest price a guest will pay for a cabana.

Ok so this threw me for a loop on another board. Why on my cruise a cabana is $1300 at Coco Cay but others they are $400. Same cabana and just because I am on the Harmony??? That I can't grasp and no desire to hide the fact they are charging more. 

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, sheena20013 said:

Ok so this threw me for a loop on another board. Why on my cruise a cabana is $1300 at Coco Cay but others they are $400. Same cabana and just because I am on the Harmony??? That I can't grasp and no desire to hide the fact they are charging more. 

 

Your price is higher because Royal thinks enough people on your cruise will pay that price.  They are probably right.

[brillohead]

3 minutes ago, sheena20013 said:

Ok so this threw me for a loop on another board. Why on my cruise a cabana is $1300 at Coco Cay but others they are $400. Same cabana and just because I am on the Harmony??? That I can't grasp and no desire to hide the fact they are charging more. 

Simple supply and demand.  

There are more people on Harmony and they pay more for a cruise and therefore more likely to pay more for a cabana.  

If Royal can make an extra $900, and someone is willing to pay it, do you blame them???

[Ocean Boy]

9 minutes ago, sheena20013 said:

Ok so this threw me for a loop on another board. Why on my cruise a cabana is $1300 at Coco Cay but others they are $400. Same cabana and just because I am on the Harmony??? That I can't grasp and no desire to hide the fact they are charging more. 

Does it throw you for a loop that the same cruise the week after Thansgiving can cost twice as much during Christmas week? RCI adjusts fees constantly according to what they think they can get.

[kyrie]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Does it throw you for a loop that the same cruise the week after Thansgiving can cost twice as much during Christmas week? RCI adjusts fees constantly according to what they think they can get.

It’s called smart business. I and my royal Caribbean shares cant really blame them. 

Edited July 14, 2019 by kyrie

[blueclawfan]

Can anyone tell me if they think that the royal key program is of any value on the Navigator of the Seas

i think I can understand oasis class ships but what about navigator? If you have had it on this ship let me know.

 

thanks

[Ourusualbeach]

38 minutes ago, blueclawfan said:

Can anyone tell me if they think that the royal key program is of any value on the Navigator of the Seas

i think I can understand oasis class ships but what about navigator? If you have had it on this ship let me know.

 

thanks

In its current form it has no value to me on any ship.  

[brillohead]

7 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

In its current form it has no value to me on any ship.  

Ditto.  

Even in the original form, the only way it would have had value was if it included an hour on the Flowrider every day.

 

[RickAinley]

deleted

Edited July 15, 2019 by RickAinley
deleted

[blueridgemama]

1 hour ago, RickAinley said:

No, two different things. I've retracted my post. The Key is playing on FOMO.

 

Had to look up FOMO (fear of missing out) in the Urban Dictionary.lol

I don't agree with you with it in regards to the Key but thanks for increasing my urban vocabulary!

[er345]

I agree with the FOMO part. When the key was introduced at $19.99 per day I thought there was no way this was worth it. I was shocked by the number of people buying it.  Now that it is $29.99, I find myself reading reviews of people raving about the benefits and I second guess myself. Should I have bought it way back when? Would it have been worth it for my kids to go to the front of the bumper car line on Ovation and not have to wait an hour? Even though none of us use the flow rider and I would never normally eat a steak lunch right after boarding, and we have only one VOOM device purchased at a cheap $10 per day. But the lure of marketing is always calling out to me. I’m still staying strong and not shelling out the $840. 

 

I am one that would happily shell out the $ for suite perks if it was in our budget, so I’m not judging those who pay for perks. 

 

 

[kyrie]

Just now, er345 said:

I agree with the FOMO part. When the key was introduced at $19.99 per day I thought there was no way this was worth it. I was shocked by the number of people buying it.  Now that it is $29.99, I find myself reading reviews of people raving about the benefits and I second guess myself. Should I have bought it way back when? Would it have been worth it for my kids to go to the front of the bumper car line on Ovation and not have to wait an hour? Even though none of us use the flow rider and I would never normally eat a steak lunch right after boarding, and we have only one VOOM device purchased at a cheap $10 per day. But the lure of marketing is always calling out to me. I’m still staying strong and not shelling out the $840. 

 

I am one that would happily shell out the $ for suite perks if it was in our budget, so I’m not judging those who pay for perks. 

 

 

Which ovation cruise are you on? We bought the key and we are sailing July 26. I can let you know how it went!

 

[er345]

5 minutes ago, kyrie said:

Which ovation cruise are you on? We bought the key and we are sailing July 26. I can let you know how it went!

 

Thanks for the offer, you should definitely review it for others. We aren’t on until August 23rd. I have read a few Ovation reviews where the key seems to be working better on Ovation than on Symphony or Harmony. So hopefully it will be a good experience for you.  

 

I am actually firmly in the belief that at $29.99 a day for our family of 4 there is no possible way it would be worth it. Literally the only benefit for our family would be the possibility of an extra iFly ride and the no wait at Bumper Cars. We have the 4 night dining package at $100 each so we will still get to experience Chops as well as the other restaurants. 

 

I was just pointing out what good marketing does, that there are times I think “Should I have bought this when I had the chance at the cheaper price?” The answer is always no, but I still mull it over.

[cured]

"For my family on HOTS later this year it's $840 for the week. Looking at what it gives, there is no way I can spend that amount to behave like a pompous pretentious idiot! Give me $50 and I'll carry your bags to your room. $100 I may even smile!. A fool and his money are easily parted!"

 

Mr. Ainley,

Wow! Painting with a broad brush are we? I can guarantee you I am no fool about my money nor have ever sought to behave like a pompous idiot, especially by purchasing anything just to enable such poor behavior.

 

Everyone has their own reasons for purchasing or not purchasing The Key and sees different value in it.  I cancelled ours last month but fortuitously got distracted and never hit the confirm button.  So we still have it and most likely are now going to keep it, especially after a glowing Key review from a very experienced, very Disney loyal friend on the same Oasis cruise last month.

 

We are keeping it for one reason and one reason only; expedited debarkation when we arrive back in Rome.  We had something come up and one of us has to leave  early the morning we dock.  We dock at 7am, only flight from FCO we could get is at 10:50am. That only gives us 3 hours  20 minutes with an approximate 1 to 1.5 hour drive (if we are off by 7:30.)  He does has expedited check-in at the airport.  We have a car waiting at the dock starting at 7am.  Will we make it? Maybe, maybe not. But a few extra hundred for an extra insurance policy is well worth it to us. We now have 2 avenues (the key and self-carry) to plan our escape from the boat.

 

I hope you don't think that everyone who purchases travel insurance is also a pompous idiot and a fool. For us, the perk of priority disembarkation is just an extra insurance policy.  I am sure everyone who purchased the key had their own unique reasons for the purchase and I highly doubt anyone purchased it to be able to act like a pompous idiot. And pretty sure no one who decided it was not right for their family considered one of the reasons to not purchase as that they wouldn't be able to act pompous enough. So, you might want to clean off that broad brush. 

Edited July 15, 2019 by cured

[RickAinley]

23 minutes ago, cured said:

Mr. Ainley,

Wow! Painting with a broad brush are we? I can guarantee you I am no fool about my money nor have ever sought to behave like a pompous idiot, especially by purchasing anything just to enable such poor behavior.

 

Statement was retracted/withdrawn. Was too broad. 

[Thorben-Hendrik]

29 minutes ago, cured said:

I highly doubt anyone purchased it to be able to act like a pompous idiot

I think most people do so....! 🤔😱

[Tree_skier]

13 hours ago, blueclawfan said:

Can anyone tell me if they think that the royal key program is of any value on the Navigator of the Seas

i think I can understand oasis class ships but what about navigator? If you have had it on this ship let me know.

 

thanks

We had it on Mariner when it was still in Miami.  Navigator is the same class and now doing the same itineraries out of the same port.  We paid $19.99 a day.  I wouldn't pay $5 a day to have it again.