The Key

[madoris]

I have a 4 day cruise booked for nov. , the price for the key $36.99 per day. Does the price ever drop or does it stay the same?

 

[ShillyShally]

It changes just like everything else.  I've seen it lower, and purchased once even lower than I've seen it.  As always though, if it's something you want, book now and cancel/rebook later if you find it cheaper or decide it isn't for you!

[Biker19]

10 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

As always though, if it's something you want, book now and cancel/rebook later if you find it cheaper or decide it isn't for you!

Not sure if even the most vocal supporters of the VIP pass would say it makes sense financially at that price.

Edited April 27, 2023 by Biker19

[ShillyShally]

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

Not sure if even the most vocal supporter of the VIP pass would say it makes sense financially at that price.

Agreed, I enjoyed it at $19.99, and now would only look if it was close to pricing for internet. I don't want most of the "perks" but for some that sets their cruise at a new level 🙂

 

[jean87510]

23 minutes ago, madoris said:

I have a 4 day cruise booked for nov. , the price for the key $36.99 per day. Does the price ever drop or does it stay the same?

 

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.  If interested in the other perks such as the lunch, internet, and flowrider, or seating at ice rink or aqua show, I personally think its not worth unless it's less expensive then the Chops lunch plus internet.  We got really lucky on the Allure last fall where the Key was $16.99 pp so we got it.  But it was a one and done for us.  

[HappyTexan44]

It is $42.99/pp/day for my 5 day cruise.    I think that price is bat-poo crazy.   I wouldn't pay that for unlimited dining.   

 

[mikefromny]

I have three cruises coming up from June to July next year. I haven't seen the Key on sale in months for any of the sailings. We had it in January because it wasn't too much more expensive than the internet and we enjoyed having it. That said, it's not worth it to me at full price.

[taglovestocruise]

6 hours ago, madoris said:

I have a 4 day cruise booked for nov. , the price for the key $36.99 per day. Does the price ever drop or does it stay the same?

 

Thats per person per day, everyone in the cabin over 6  must get it... It is way overpriced. 

Edited April 27, 2023 by taglovestocruise

[Vagabond Knight]

New to Royal Caribbean.  What's "The Key?"

[mikefromny]

33 minutes ago, Vagabond Knight said:

New to Royal Caribbean.  What's "The Key?"

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-key-program

[Hogbay]

34 minutes ago, Vagabond Knight said:

New to Royal Caribbean.  What's "The Key?"

Something that regular cruises don't purchase .

[1josh777]

I tried it for my last cruise which was a 4 day cruise. It had its pros...

 

Here are the features I used

• priority embarkation
• Priority disembarkation
• reserved seating in all available shows
• the lunch by Chops during embarkation day (this way underwhelming)
• wifi
• luggage drop off at main dining room during embarkation day

 

Here are the features I did not use: 

• Room service (according to the letter this was free)
• Priority Time at activities- these were at 9am, which is not a time that I normally wear a bathing suit to ride some waves. Rock climbing was also at 9am. I did not find that the time was convenient and I do not know how many people showed up

 

For my next cruise in July I decided to cancel the key because I did not feel that it was worth that much money as we would not need to use priority boarding or disembarkation. 

 

[Ourusualbeach]

8 hours ago, ShillyShally said:

Agreed, I enjoyed it at $19.99, and now would only look if it was close to pricing for internet. I don't want most of the "perks" but for some that sets their cruise at a new level 🙂

 

I just bought is for $22.99.  Worked out to be about $80 more than what I had paid for a 2 device internet package.  That I can live with..certainly not $30+

[PWP-001]

The Key was something I've always purchased because I highly value these benefits:

• Priority boarding either with or right after suite guests.
• Carry-on luggage drop-off with items delivered inside room usually prior to guest access.
• A somewhat Chop's-like lunch (the lunch menu was cut and reduced from last year) where most times the announcement that cabins are ready comes near the conclusion of lunch.
• Priority seating for shows
• A good sit-down breakfast that starts early (6:30am) allowing for an early walk-off.
• Internet that I'd otherwise pay for one device.

 

Either The Key used to include a 25% discount for specialty dining reservations --or maybe it was just some ships would add that as a benefit to boost dining sales-- but I haven't seen that in awhile.

 

According to one R&M Manager (that's the person on board responsible for overseeing The Key Program) being personally escorted to the front of the disembarkation line --literally to the Security Officer who scans the SeaPass-- was never a benefit.  But some Freedom Class ships that I've sailed on did just that.

 

Since I'd purchase a one device internet package otherwise, it's really about the price differential.     

 

As for Sales/Price Drops, as with most other add-ons, there's no reason for RCI to drop prices for cruises far in the future:  However, when there's a big sale on everything, The Key will be discounted, though not necessarily a great discount.  The steepest discounts come closer to sailing IF bookings are soft and they want to fill space.

 

Playing the "waiting game" for a price drop can be dangerous if you really want The Key.  I almost got shut out, as they do have a cap, and it sold out.  Thankfully, someone must have canceled, as I got a spot-- at full price.

 

There are a number of posts from the past 6 months discussing benefits of The Key.  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!  

 

At the end of the day, it becomes your decision if you find enough value in the amenities and services that The Key Program offers.

 

 

[ShillyShally]

15 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I just bought is for $22.99.  Worked out to be about $80 more than what I had paid for a 2 device internet package.  That I can live with..certainly not $30+

Great price, I'd likely jump on it at that price too!  Holding at $35.99 for our upcoming 6 night!

[nasa1974]

I sailed the first time with Royal Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas this past March. I thought "The Key" (now VIP Pass) was a nice option. I paid $28.99/day and it never got lower than that prior to sailing. I thought it was a little pricey but for a first time experience I felt it was worth it. I will be sailing on the Wonder on 2/25 and will keep an eye on the price for that cruise.

[HappyTexan44]

One thing I wonder about with The Key.   Why would someone want to drop their carry-on luggage off at The Key location?  Doesn't giving the luggage to the porters outside the ship do the same thing, only better since you'd drop off your luggage earlier in the process.  

 

[Biker19]

58 minutes ago, HappyTexan44 said:

Why would someone want to drop their carry-on luggage off at The Key location? 

They may need something from it between porter drop off and Key drop off.

[Jkaczanowski]

1 hour ago, HappyTexan44 said:

One thing I wonder about with The Key.   Why would someone want to drop their carry-on luggage off at The Key location?  Doesn't giving the luggage to the porters outside the ship do the same thing, only better since you'd drop off your luggage earlier in the process.  

 

electronics (IPads), CPAP, and wine

[PWP-001]

1 hour ago, HappyTexan44 said:

One thing I wonder about with The Key.   Why would someone want to drop their carry-on luggage off at The Key location?  Doesn't giving the luggage to the porters outside the ship do the same thing, only better since you'd drop off your luggage earlier in the process.  

 

Luggage dropped with the porters curbside can arrive to room as late at 7pm, and there's a greater chance it's mishandled or misdelivered.  

 

My experience has mostly been the my luggage checked with The Key is already inside my room by the time the rooms are ready between 1pm & 1:30pm

[RedIguana]

1 hour ago, HappyTexan44 said:

One thing I wonder about with The Key.   Why would someone want to drop their carry-on luggage off at The Key location?

Carryon has the things I absolutely need to survive just in case my other portered luggage goes swimming, or on a different ship than me for some reason. Swimsuit, acceptable dinner clothes for a few nights, acceptable day wear for a few days, and dop kit. And wine. Can't forget the wine!

Edited April 28, 2023 by RedIguana
wine and more wine

[HappyTexan44]

53 minutes ago, Jkaczanowski said:

electronics (IPads), CPAP, and wine

Ah, I see.   I guess this falls under the different strokes for different folks.   I'd want to keep that stuff with me.  

I could see the benefit of stuff arriving at room open rather than say 7 pm.   

[elizabethbp]

I used the Key a few years ago and liked it.  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.  If anyone knows, let me know.

Many thanks

[ShillyShally]

28 minutes ago, elizabethbp said:

I used the Key a few years ago and liked it.  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.  If anyone knows, let me know.

Many thanks

If you buy the Key for both, each person gets internet.  

[elizabethbp]

Thank you.