Steeple01

On the Freedom the KEY reserved seats were the first 3 rows on the center section of balcony.  They weren't 
"bad" seats, but they were not close.  If you are looking to be up close I would confirm where the reserved section is so you're not disappointed.

Just saw that the Key on Alaska Ovation sailings this summer was increased to $29.99!

The Key was amazing on Freedom of the Seas. Daily Private flowrider sessions, 2 rock climbing sessions and one ice skating session. We got priority debarkation at every port.  The show seats were great and we just had to show our card.  Embarkation was smooth and we had a special line but there were not any lines when we got there so it didn’t matter.  Chops was good and they even let my underage son (not required to purchase the key) eat for free with our family.  Debarkation was a breeze.  We had to wait 20 minutes in the dining room after breakfast to be escorted off, but after that we walked straight to our luggage and had a special customs line just for Key members.  It took 5 minutes.  I was told there were about 100 keys sold on our ship.  I wonder if smaller (yet older) ships are able to be more consistent with the offerings.  We are doing the Key on the Ovation this summer and I’m wondering how it will compare.

On 3/12/2019 at 12:47 PM, JRondo said:

We probably boarded about noon, as we toured one of the forts prior.  I have pictures with the time of 12:30 in Chops Grill.  My documents also said 12:30 for boarding.  There were plenty of passengers already on board when we arrived.  It also confused me prior to the trip and I wrote to RCCL and got a confusing email back saying they weren't sure what they were doing with the Chops lunch on this trip since it boards/leaves port so late.  They never got back to me.  I can tell you for sure they were serving at Chops and we were not the first to arrive.  Also, at check in, no one said we were too early and should have arrived at 12:30.  There were no lines outside at all, making me assume the majority of passengers had already boarded.  Not sure if this helps.

That helps a lot!  Thank you.

On 3/7/2019 at 8:13 AM, JRondo said:

We recently used the key and were very happy for the reasons everyone has posted. I would do it again for debarkation and wifi alone, assuming they keep the price around $20/pp.  

 

I really enjoy using Tripadvisor for travel and people told me to go to Cruise Critic.  I have found it very helpful in planning the cruise and activities.  I am disappointed by all the negativity.  I don't understand why people need to keep bashing RCCL.  If you don't like going on their ships, then don't  All places have perks if you want to spend money.  From going on a tour with a large group or paying extra for a private tour, getting first class seats, or spending more to go to the front seats in a concert.  It is how it all works.  I used the seating for the shows on Freedom.  I can tell you I was not impeding on suite guests as the area was not full for any of the shows.  Chops may have had more people than normal on embarkation day, I wouldn't know as this is only my second cruise, but it was very pleasant and not hectic at all.  

 

Anyway, I meant to do a real review, but so many great people have pointed out the positives of the key.  These are good for some people and not as important for all.  We are all different.  I kept following this thread to see what people thought

 

Happy vacationing!

What time did you board the ship?  My cruise documents state 12:30, but this conflicts with the information I read online about Chops serving The Key participants lunch between 11:30 and 1.

7 hours ago, JRondo said:

I want to start off that we started our adventure at Cortes Chocobar in San Juan - a restaurant that highlights chocolate in every meal. I had the Chalupitas de Mofongo.  Taco like shell made from plaintains.  It was amazing.  Also had the best chocolate shakes ever!  Anyway, to the cruise.  We arrived around 12:30.  There were not really long lines, maybe 20 deep, but we did get in the Key line, there was no one in the line, and were checked in right away.  I saw a small seating area for Key members, I assume if we had gotten there early we would have waited there.  We took our luggage to the theater and they tagged it.  It was delivered to our room before we finished lunch.  We went to Chops.  There were people there but it was not crowded.  We had the filet and it was amazing.  Also, had shrimp cocktail (they were huge) and cheesecake and molten chocolate cakes.  It was a nice start.   I went to several shows - Marquee, the Ice Show and One Upon a Time.  None were full, but I was able to walk in without reservations and sit in the suite/key seating area and had great seats.  They do not take reservations for the shows on Freedom, at least that I knew about.  We did not use the reserved times for flowrider, ice skating or rock climbing, so I can't comment.  Though each day there were reserved times.  Only two throughout the week for ice skating.  We did get a fruit plate, but I don't know if that was because we were in the Ben and Jerry's Sweet or because of the Key.   Our itinerary did not have tender ports, so there was no advantage at ports.  We got special luggage tags for the key the last night of the cruise and put our luggage out in the evening.  The next morning we decided to stay on board as long as possible since we had to be at the airport around 11:30.  We went to the dining room on deck 5 and had breakfast.  There was a menu for the Key.  Most items similar to regular MDR breakfasts, with the addition of steak and eggs and a crab eggs benedict.  I got the eggs and steak.  The steak was a mini filet and as good as the first day in Chops.  They did run out of the donuts my kids loved and smoothies.  We hung out until a little before 10.  We went to the lobby of the restaurant and waited about 15 minutes.  A representative came and took us to our luggage.  We passed hundreds of people, probably a 60-90 minute line.  Some were not too happy.  We got to our luggage which was in a separate area and went to the Key line for customs, again there was none.  We were in line first and it took literally one minute.  Now when you get outside all bets are off.  There was a huge line for taxis.  A driver of a small bus approached us and said he was leaving for the airport in 5 minutes, so we opted for that instead of waiting in the line for a taxi.  I would do it again for debarkation alone, but we like to be spoiled on vacation.  If we went on a longer cruise, then I may start to question.   Have fun!

Thank you so much for your thorough review.  I was hoping for priority debarkation at the ports since it is pretty vague in the description of benefits online, but your positive experience helped solidify my decision to purchase it.  Hopefully RCL will update the port benefits by stating tender ports only.

4 hours ago, JRondo said:

We recently used the key and were very happy for the reasons everyone has posted. I would do it again for debarkation and wifi alone, assuming they keep the price around $20/ppd.  

 

I really enjoy using Tripadvisor for travel and people told me to go to Cruise Critic.  I have found it very helpful in planning the cruise and activities.  I am disappointed by all the negativity.  I don't understand why people need to keep bashing RCCL.  If you don't like going on their ships, then don't  All places have perks if you want to spend money.  From going on a tour with a large group or paying extra for a private tour, getting first class seats, or spending more to go to the front seats in a concert.  It is how it all works.  I used the seating for the shows on Freedom.  I can tell you I was not impeding on suite guests as the area was not full for any of the shows.  Chops may have had more people than normal on embarkation day, I wouldn't know as this is only my second cruise, but it was very pleasant and not hectic at all.  

 

Anyway, I meant to do a real review, but so many great people have pointed out the positives of the key.  These are good for some people and not as important for all.  We are all different.  I kept following this thread to see what people thought of the key and to see if I had a similar experiences to others, so if i were to cruise again, I would know if the Key was as pleasant as it was on Freedom. 

 

Didn't mean to get preachy, just I love vacationing and planning trips and the negativity brings me down when I am trying to be in my happy place.

 

Happy vacationing!

Please tell me more!  I’m very interested in hearing about your positive experience.  I purchased the key for my family of 6 for our cruise on the Freedom next month and have been extremely curious about some of the details.  Did you get priority debarkation at the ports?  What other amenities did you enjoy?  Any and all details would be appreciated.