The Key dropped to $16.99 for my two 2020 cruises

[styxfire]

What people are missing, when trying to do the math, is that the Chops” meal is no longer in Chops.  It’s at the same dining room that you’ll be eating at for the whole cruise.  Yes, the same dining room where every other meal will be served to you for no charge.    You don’t even get to see the inside of the specialty restaurant.

 

In addition, the “VIP seating” in the theatre is far away from the stage, in the balcony, where the railing is sometimes blocking your view.  Some of the staff aren’t familiar with the benefits so you constantly have to push for the benefits, and you have to keep your Key wristband for the whole cruise, ugh.  And the departure breakfast in the main dining room on debarkation day is free for EVERYONE.  Royal is spinning it as a Key value by putting a couple extra items on the breakfast menu for Key buyers only.  And most (if not all) ships have reduced the number of private Key activities sessions down to ONE 1-hr session per activity.  You have no say in when what time that occurs...often during meal times.

 

The information provided by the Original poster—learning that the Key price can fluctuate online—is valuable to us as consumers.  
 

Royal is allowing more Key passes to be sold, and simultaneously reducing the benefits.  (i.e. now double the number of people are vying for 1/2 the number of previous benefits... = 75% reduction in value.). We are all suckers if we don’t demand lower pricing.

[Iamcruzin]

4 hours ago, styxfire said:

What people are missing, when trying to do the math, is that the Chops” meal is no longer in Chops.  It’s at the same dining room that you’ll be eating at for the whole cruise.  Yes, the same dining room where every other meal will be served to you for no charge.    You don’t even get to see the inside of the specialty restaurant.

 

 And the departure breakfast in the main dining room on debarkation day is free for EVERYONE.  Royal is spinning it as a Key value by putting a couple extra items on the breakfast menu for Key buyers only.  

 

 

Royal is allowing more Key passes to be sold, and simultaneously reducing the benefits.  (i.e. now double the number of people are vying for 1/2 the number of previous benefits... = 75% reduction in value.). We are all suckers if we don’t demand lower pricing.

I had no idea about the Chops lunch being held in the MDR. Thanks for that information.

We ate Breakfast in the MDR on departure and the room was practically empty. We did go early but I think that most are wired to go to the buffet by default. We ate breakfast in the MDR all week even on port days.  I was wondering how long it would take them to oversell the product.  

[CruisinCons]

16.99 on Empress August 17, 2020.  We didn't think it a value worth paying on that ship, but grabbed it as we have plenty of time to change our mind.  LOL  It's a Monday to Monday cruise, and we are both expecting to go to work when we get off the ship (we live 45 mins from port.)  Being able to walk off and not get stuck in a long self-assist line may be worth it.  It's currently priced at about $38 more than the 2 device Voom, and once we eat our Chops lunch in the MDR we figure we got the equal value.  My hubby is usually stuck either sharing my 1 device Voom or being stuck with surf only, so it'll be a treat for him to have his very own surf plan.  😄 

[royalnewbie]

My January 2020 Oasis cruise is stuck at $21.99.....waiting for $19.99 to pull the trigger course I would love a $16.99 and I would be more than happy to jump.

 

[CruisinCons]

3 minutes ago, royalnewbie said:

My January 2020 Oasis cruise is stuck at $21.99.....waiting for $19.99 to pull the trigger course I would love a $16.99 and I would be more than happy to jump.

 

 

I'm thinking the ships with the lower amount of Key amenities will have the lower prices.  My Allure May 2020 sailing is $26.99 a day, as is my Anthem in December 2020.  My December 2019 Oasis is $22.99 a day. 

[Biker19]

20 minutes ago, CruisinCons said:

My hubby is usually stuck either sharing my 1 device Voom or being stuck with surf only, so it'll be a treat for him to have his very own surf plan. 

I'm pretty sure Key comes with Stream, though on Empress that doesn't buy you much extra.

Edited November 3, 2019 by Biker19

[marci22]

Summary: check your Key prices now.

[CruisinCons]

12 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I'm pretty sure Key comes with Stream, though on Empress that doesn't buy you much extra.

 

It does, and that's the real benefit for us.  Hubby gets his own Voom.  😄 

[Biker19]

9 minutes ago, CruisinCons said:

It does, and that's the real benefit for us.   

In your previous post you said it comes with Surf, just wanted to make that distinction for others.

Edited November 3, 2019 by Biker19

[CruisinCons]

16 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

In your previous post you said it comes with Surf, just wanted to make that distinction for others.

 Is this my post you are referring to?  

 

59 minutes ago, CruisinCons said:

16.99 on Empress August 17, 2020.  We didn't think it a value worth paying on that ship, but grabbed it as we have plenty of time to change our mind.  LOL  It's a Monday to Monday cruise, and we are both expecting to go to work when we get off the ship (we live 45 mins from port.)  Being able to walk off and not get stuck in a long self-assist line may be worth it.  It's currently priced at about $38 more than the 2 device Voom, and once we eat our Chops lunch in the MDR we figure we got the equal value.  My hubby is usually stuck either sharing my 1 device Voom or being stuck with surf only, so it'll be a treat for him to have his very own surf plan.  😄 

 

Sorry my wording wasn't clear.  What I meant is that I usually buy a surf & stream, as I periscope while at sea, and my husband either shares my S&S when I'm not using it or buys surf only for himself.  With the Key, he gets his own 'stream".  

[Biker19]

17 minutes ago, CruisinCons said:

 Is this my post you are referring to?  

 

 

1 hour ago, CruisinCons said:

so it'll be a treat for him to have his very own surf plan.  😄 

 

[CruisinCons]

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

 

 

I meant to say stream. LOL 

[sharonna3]

2 hours ago, CruisinCons said:

16.99 on Empress August 17, 2020.  We didn't think it a value worth paying on that ship, but grabbed it as we have plenty of time to change our mind.  LOL  It's a Monday to Monday cruise, and we are both expecting to go to work when we get off the ship (we live 45 mins from port.)  Being able to walk off and not get stuck in a long self-assist line may be worth it.  It's currently priced at about $38 more than the 2 device Voom, and once we eat our Chops lunch in the MDR we figure we got the equal value.  My hubby is usually stuck either sharing my 1 device Voom or being stuck with surf only, so it'll be a treat for him to have his very own surf plan.  😄 

First timer on RC. Did purchase with the same thought...Time to change my mind. We are planning the Surf and Stream-2 (our son competes & we like to watch). The price difference (approx $10/day) seems to be worth it for the benefits added. I've read the negative reviews and realize not everyone needs/wants the internet package, which is my justification. No we wont use all benefits.  So let me ask this........Would the key be worth it at $10/day for say ....embarkation, lunch (even in MDR with Chops menu), Show seats (rather than going super early), Carry-on drop off/delivery and maybe a marquee attraction? (just to say I did it, at maybe an inconvenient time). Your thoughts please?

[CruisinCons]

30 minutes ago, sharonna3 said:

First timer on RC. Did purchase with the same thought...Time to change my mind. We are planning the Surf and Stream-2 (our son competes & we like to watch). The price difference (approx $10/day) seems to be worth it for the benefits added. I've read the negative reviews and realize not everyone needs/wants the internet package, which is my justification. No we wont use all benefits.  So let me ask this........Would the key be worth it at $10/day for say ....embarkation, lunch (even in MDR with Chops menu), Show seats (rather than going super early), Carry-on drop off/delivery and maybe a marquee attraction? (just to say I did it, at maybe an inconvenient time). Your thoughts please?

 

For this sailing I mentioned, we're really torn.  We're Diamond, so already have some embarkation perks with that, and Empress is sailing from Cape Liberty which is a 45 minute ride from home, so no flights to worry about.  We'll have no carry on other than my purse - everything else goes in checked luggage - so no carry-ons to drop off.  It only has a rock wall, and the main theater for shows.  We're docking in Hamilton & St. Georges, Bermuda, so no tendering.  There really is no huge benefit other than the lunch. If we didn't want the Voom, I would never have purchased it.

For us, we don't do the physical activities - rock wall, flow rider, ice skating - so in the ships with higher prices that offer those special private times or cut in lines, definitely not worth $10 a day for that.  But if it was an itinerary with a lot of tender ports or show venues, $10 a day may be worth it to me.  For our sailing, it's just about $3 a day per person, so for that I can accept the lunch.  😄  

 

Our sons are gamers too.  We usually have no idea what we're watching but it's fun to see their faces up on the tv screen.  LOL 

 

[Joebucks]

8 hours ago, styxfire said:

What people are missing, when trying to do the math, is that the Chops” meal is no longer in Chops.  It’s at the same dining room that you’ll be eating at for the whole cruise.  Yes, the same dining room where every other meal will be served to you for no charge.    You don’t even get to see the inside of the specialty restaurant.

 

In addition, the “VIP seating” in the theatre is far away from the stage, in the balcony, where the railing is sometimes blocking your view.  Some of the staff aren’t familiar with the benefits so you constantly have to push for the benefits, and you have to keep your Key wristband for the whole cruise, ugh.  And the departure breakfast in the main dining room on debarkation day is free for EVERYONE.  Royal is spinning it as a Key value by putting a couple extra items on the breakfast menu for Key buyers only.  And most (if not all) ships have reduced the number of private Key activities sessions down to ONE 1-hr session per activity.  You have no say in when what time that occurs...often during meal times.

 

The information provided by the Original poster—learning that the Key price can fluctuate online—is valuable to us as consumers.  
 

Royal is allowing more Key passes to be sold, and simultaneously reducing the benefits.  (i.e. now double the number of people are vying for 1/2 the number of previous benefits... = 75% reduction in value.). We are all suckers if we don’t demand lower pricing.

 

I think the Key at $16.99 is probably the closest I have been to purchasing a priority program. With that said, I agree with what you are saying. On paper, it sounds like a bunch of amazing things. In reality, it's Royal trying to make a mountain out of a molehill so people will feel special and/or feel like they are getting everything at a discount, for things you wouldn't otherwise miss.

[sharonna3]

5 minutes ago, CruisinCons said:

 

For this sailing I mentioned, we're really torn.  We're Diamond, so already have some embarkation perks with that, and Empress is sailing from Cape Liberty which is a 45 minute ride from home, so no flights to worry about.  We'll have no carry on other than my purse - everything else goes in checked luggage - so no carry-ons to drop off.  It only has a rock wall, and the main theater for shows.  We're docking in Hamilton & St. Georges, Bermuda, so no tendering.  There really is no huge benefit other than the lunch. If we didn't want the Voom, I would never have purchased it.

For us, we don't do the physical activities - rock wall, flow rider, ice skating - so in the ships with higher prices that offer those special private times or cut in lines, definitely not worth $10 a day for that.  But if it was an itinerary with a lot of tender ports or show venues, $10 a day may be worth it to me.  For our sailing, it's just about $3 a day per person, so for that I can accept the lunch.  😄  

 

Our sons are gamers too.  We usually have no idea what we're watching but it's fun to see their faces up on the tv screen.  LOL 

 

Just doing some research to even see what the special privates are for on the Independence.  I'm only seeing the Flowrider and climbing wall. Neither which I will be attempting. Sky-pad, for sure :).  Hmmmm.....Will definitively have to put some thought into it. 

 

We too don't know what we are watching half the time, lol, but we love it! 🙂

[CruisinCons]

14 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

I think the Key at $16.99 is probably the closest I have been to purchasing a priority program. With that said, I agree with what you are saying. On paper, it sounds like a bunch of amazing things. In reality, it's Royal trying to make a mountain out of a molehill so people will feel special and/or feel like they are getting everything at a discount, for things you wouldn't otherwise miss.

 

I can't wait to see on Empress what we'll actually get to do for lunch.  Chops is the only specialty restaurant on that ship, and it's such a small ship I can't imagine they sell many.  There are only a handful of suites, most of them junior.  Maybe we'll actually get to eat in Chops.  LOL 

[Biker19]

4 hours ago, sharonna3 said:

Would the key be worth it at $10/day for say

No, and it's less than that on some ships.

[starrcards]

We (3) have a New England/Canada cruise on Empress next July with 2 tender ports (Newport and Bar Harbor). I need another price drop to $12.99-$14.99 before I'd pull the trigger.

[styxfire]

I just watched somebody's vlog tonight (that had been posted in June 2019) regarding Key on Symphony.  Mostly a rehash of what we've heard, but this was new:

Royal has discontinued the disembarkation escort.  The Key cruisers had eaten breakfast in MDR on the final morning and were waiting for their escort off the ship.  Never got one.  When they inquired, staffers said Royal had discontinued that perk, fleet-wide.  And that Royal's wording "choice departure" NOW means that you get to choose when you depart.  i.e. choose when to go stand in line, after breakfast.

 

I'm going to spare you guys my further opinion on Royal's trickery & manipulation of the "Key" product rollout.

[cruisegirl1]

On a recent Grandeur cruise, the Key lunch was held in the dining room BUT they served a Chops lunch menu. 

 

M

[Iamcruzin]

19 hours ago, sharonna3 said:

First timer on RC. Did purchase with the same thought...Time to change my mind. We are planning the Surf and Stream-2 (our son competes & we like to watch). The price difference (approx $10/day) seems to be worth it for the benefits added. I've read the negative reviews and realize not everyone needs/wants the internet package, which is my justification. No we wont use all benefits.  So let me ask this........Would the key be worth it at $10/day for say ....embarkation, lunch (even in MDR with Chops menu), Show seats (rather than going super early), Carry-on drop off/delivery and maybe a marquee attraction? (just to say I did it, at maybe an inconvenient time). Your thoughts please?

I think at $10 a day it's worth it for the internet and that's it. I paid $10 for voom for one device which is all we needed.  Depending on the itinerary I would say it's also worth it for tender ports. We didn't have the key and we had great seats for the shows just by making reservations via our cell phones and showing up 20 minutes early which I think you have to do either way. The embarkation lunch is a bonus only because you don't have to carry your food around while looking for a seat.  I carry on medication and valuables so I wouldn't be dropping off a bag.

[LMaxwell]

For years have asked for MDR lunch at boarding and an area to leave carry on luggage.  Just like NCL does at no charge.  Well RC finally answered and delivered the Key, a way to slightly increase internet package pricing and provide services on par with others basic offerings.  The "Chops" Meal is of minimal cost to the cruise line really and it isn't really a Chops meal, come on, don't kid yourself.  Priority at tender ports is nice if you don't have it through status, but even then mostly I've seen it save about 20 minutes maximum.  And it's only tender FROM the ship, not back.  As mentioned, reserved sections for shows are not really prime location (ice show maybe) but even then...it's not worth paying for.  So if you are getting it for basically the cost of internet and will use some of the other "perks" sure, go for it.  But to buy it for your first cruise just to "say you did it" is the same as setting your money on fire. 

[Colorado Babe]

2 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

For years have asked for MDR lunch at boarding and an area to leave carry on luggage.  Just like NCL does at no charge.  Well RC finally answered and delivered the Key, a way to slightly increase internet package pricing and provide services on par with others basic offerings.  The "Chops" Meal is of minimal cost to the cruise line really and it isn't really a Chops meal, come on, don't kid yourself.  Priority at tender ports is nice if you don't have it through status, but even then mostly I've seen it save about 20 minutes maximum.  And it's only tender FROM the ship, not back.  As mentioned, reserved sections for shows are not really prime location (ice show maybe) but even then...it's not worth paying for.  So if you are getting it for basically the cost of internet and will use some of the other "perks" sure, go for it.  But to buy it for your first cruise just to "say you did it" is the same as setting your money on fire. 

Agreed.

[Quench]

What is the key? Thanks.