The Key

[seawyse]

Is it worth th price on Jewel of the Seas and does the price go on offer prior to sailing?

[gumshoe958]

The price can go up or down, and most of us only think it’s worth it if it’s no more than two or three dollars more than the Voom price as apart from the internet the benefits are limited.

[Merion_Mom]

These are the benefits.  Only you know if it is "worth it" to you.

 

Overview

Introducing The Key, your premier access to experiences and activities during your vacation. Start your cruise with priority access into the terminal and enjoy personal drop‐off service that delivers your carry‐on bags directly to your stateroom. Follow this up with an exclusive welcome lunch and fast lane access for select onboard activities. Priority ship-to-shore departure at tender ports gives you more time to explore destinations. Plus, score dedicated seats at onboard shows. Share it all in real time with a VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 Device high-speed internet package. End your adventure at your own pace with an exclusive á la carte breakfast and depart at your leisure with Choice Departure.

What's Included

• 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.
• Carry-on bag drop off and delivery to stateroom. Drop off your carry-on bags in the Main Dining Room until 1:30 pm.
• 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.
• 20% off at all specialty restaurants throughout your cruise when you make your reservations on Day 1 of the sailing. Subject to availability.
• VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 Device high-speed internet.
• Access to the fast lane at onboard activities and private time at the FlowRider®. Activities vary by ship.
• Priority ship-to-shore departure at tender ports of call.
• Dedicated seating section at shows in the Royal Theater, AquaTheater, Studio B and Two70® (reservations required on Quantum and Oasis Class ships).
• On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive à la carte breakfast and depart at your leisure with Choice Departure.

Important details and advisements

• When you receive your SeaPass card, it will have an icon confirming your purchase of The Key.
• The Key must be purchased prior to sailing by each guest age 6 or older assigned to the same stateroom.

[Sunshine3601]

What is current price for the Jewel?    On our Serenade cruise it was selling for $35.99 pp where internet was selling for $15.99.   Based on the $20 difference pp it is definitely Not worth it, IMO.

[4Nathan]

The Key generally has more value on the Oasis or Quantum class ships.  For example - On Odyssey, we were able to enjoy free North Star on sea days, free IFly, dedicated bumper car time, etc.  IMO Not enough onboard activities to make the Key worth it on the smaller ships. 

[RedIguana]

If the key costs more than internet and a chops lunch it really has little to no value on the Jewel. Assuming you don't have a bunch of tender ports.

[CastleCritic]

I have a booking for jewel for next year, 

 

right now its showing $29.99 vs 18.99 for internet which IMO is too much

 

Last week it was $19.99 and I think the internet went to $17.99. thats still like a $40 premium but not a big enough one that I didnt do it.

[scotlady]

38 minutes ago, CastleCritic said:

I have a booking for jewel for next year, 

 

right now its showing $29.99 vs 18.99 for internet which IMO is too much

 

Last week it was $19.99 and I think the internet went to $17.99. thats still like a $40 premium but not a big enough one that I didnt do it.

Same here - sailing on Jewel next year.  Bought it at around $21, since we had planned to buy internet for 2 devices anyways.  For only $40 more a person, it was worth it, but I wouldn't buy it at $29.99.  Frankly, I bought it mostly for the debarkation benefit.  Hate the zoo on debarkation day when you're trying to make a flight ...

[CastleCritic]

1 minute ago, scotlady said:

Same here - sailing on Jewel next year.  Bought it at around $21, since we had planned to buy internet for 2 devices anyways.  For only $40 more a person, it was worth it, but I wouldn't buy it at $29.99.  Frankly, I bought it mostly for the debarkation benefit.  Hate the zoo on debarkation day when you're trying to make a flight ...

exactly, I booked my flights last week and I was looking at 11 and 12 flights going....ooof....I know I just need to walk to the train station and then take a train to Schipol, but I have to get off the ship first...

[trajan]

Whoa! March Explorer Key is currently $43 per day. Wonder why it varies so much.

[revjamesl]

I was surprised to see that ‘The Key’ is unavailable on a Harmony Cruise for July of next year. Does it normally appear the closer you get to the cruise date? Surely, it isn’t sold out.

[broadwaybaby123]

I get most of those benefits through "Crown And Anchor" (about to be Diamond), so why would I pay extra for them?

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, trajan said:

Wonder why it varies so much.

The majority of things sold by RCI have dynamic pricing and as much as it may look high to you, some may buy at the price. 

[seawyse]

Just logged in and price has dropped to $20.99, 30% off, just shows how you need to check your booking every day to get a better deal.

Thank you all for your informative comments, greatly appreciated.

[scotlady]

Great!

 

I've got friends who have been waiting for the price to drop.  I'll let them know.

[Keksie]

It really depends on what the value is for you.  We like it for the internet, the first day quite lunch, being able to drop off our carry ons, the last morning relaxed breakfast, escort off, easy to find luggage.  Being able to avoid the crowds and bums rush off the ship is what we enjoy.  On the larger ships there is the bonus of dedicated seating.

[trajan]

23 hours ago, seawyse said:

Just logged in and price has dropped to $20.99, 30% off, just shows how you need to check your booking every day to get a better deal.

Thank you all for your informative comments, greatly appreciated.

Truth. Ours just dropped from $43 to $30.

[UK Fan 78]

No such luck for our upcoming sailing. Just checked for some friends. For our sailing, The Key is $30.99/per person per day and the internet package for two devices/one person is $131.26 for the four days. 

[toxicfairy]

We'll be on the freedom next August as Diamond in a js. What would key get me that diamond doesn't? ( honest question) 

We don't use our phones on a cruise. If someone dies I can't bring them back but I'd be a mess the rest of my vacation so I don't need my phone or wifi( yes I am a cold person lol).

[CastleCritic]

if you arent going to use the data plan then it makes no sense at all.

[smokeybandit]

3 hours ago, toxicfairy said:

We'll be on the freedom next August as Diamond in a js. What would key get me that diamond doesn't? ( honest question) 

We don't use our phones on a cruise. If someone dies I can't bring them back but I'd be a mess the rest of my vacation so I don't need my phone or wifi( yes I am a cold person lol).

If you don't use your phone on the cruise, then the Key is a huge waste of money.

[Bucket List Ticked]

On 7/27/2023 at 3:54 AM, revjamesl said:

I was surprised to see that ‘The Key’ is unavailable on a Harmony Cruise for July of next year. Does it normally appear the closer you get to the cruise date? Surely, it isn’t sold out.

I just booked it on Voyager for Sept 24 so it does appear far out….