Cruisecat40 Posted February 15, 2019 #1 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Hello Fellow Experienced RCCL Cruisers, DH and I are new to RCCL and need your help deciding if the perks associated with the Key program is worth it. Or should we just upgrade our balcony cabin to a suite (which comes with perks, I hope) and pay the difference? My fear is us standing in long lines during embarkation/debarkation and for some of the activities on Harmony of the Seas. Your help with the pros and cons would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixCruiser Posted February 16, 2019 #2 Share Posted February 16, 2019 I would upgrade to the Suite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted February 16, 2019 #3 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Only you can determine if the extra cost of the suite is worth it over the perks you get with Key. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruisegirl6 Posted February 16, 2019 #4 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Will you be taking shore excursions with the ship? Debarkation will you be carrying your bags off? What status are you, if your platinum you get priority embarkation/debarkation You can plan your shows and make reservations so all you do is get your sea pass card scanned and there is no lines you walk right in. If you upgrade to a suite you can use that money for all your expenses with the balcony cabin or take another cruise but thats your choice. I been on the Oasis class ships 7 times in the past 3 years, never had any issues. If you don't reserve your shows then you will have to wait on the long lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisecat40 Posted February 16, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted February 16, 2019 7 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said: Will you be taking shore excursions with the ship? Debarkation will you be carrying your bags off? What status are you, if your platinum you get priority embarkation/debarkation You can plan your shows and make reservations so all you do is get your sea pass card scanned and there is no lines you walk right in. If you upgrade to a suite you can use that money for all your expenses with the balcony cabin or take another cruise but thats your choice. I been on the Oasis class ships 7 times in the past 3 years, never had any issues. If you don't reserve your shows then you will have to wait on the long lines. 1. No shore excursions with the ship; Plan to stay in port area. This cruise will be just to relax and take in the ship 2. Yes we will be carrying our bags off at debarkation 3. This is our first sailing with RCCL and therefore, we have no status. Perks are with another cruise line😊 4. RCCL Cruise Planner does not show any shows to reserve for our sailing yet 5. Don’t understand what you mean by your last point if we upgrade to a suite we can use that money. What money? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisecat40 Posted February 16, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted February 16, 2019 26 minutes ago, PhoenixCruiser said: I would upgrade to the Suite! Thanks, seriously thinking about it! Got to get DH on board with my reasoning 😊 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Dazzles Posted February 16, 2019 #7 Share Posted February 16, 2019 1 hour ago, Cruisecat40 said: Thanks, seriously thinking about it! Got to get DH on board with my reasoning 😊 Assume you are talking about upgrading to a full suite and not junior suite - big difference in perks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keo932 Posted February 16, 2019 #8 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Are we talking about the Royal Up or full priced upgrade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted February 16, 2019 #9 Share Posted February 16, 2019 I for one don't think the "Key" is worth it for us....Given the choice....upgrade...even if we're only talking about a JS (my favorite category). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 16, 2019 #10 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Buy the Key, and with the money left over from the GS upgrade, buy the drink pkg and the dining pkg. You will be better off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisecat40 Posted February 16, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted February 16, 2019 1 hour ago, Keo932 said: Are we talking about the Royal Up or full priced upgrade? I was thinking upgrading to an actual upgrade. Need to see what the Royal Up is all about. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brillohead Posted February 16, 2019 #12 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Exactly what lines do you think you're going to be standing in all the time that The Key is going to alleviate? I've been on Oasis class three different times, and I didn't spend an inordinate amount of time waiting in line for any of them. (And redheads are not known for being overly patient, so if *I* wasn't ticked off all the time, I doubt you will be!) Whether or not a suite is worth it will depend entirely on how much disposable income you have and where you personally find value on a ship. If you spend a lot of time in your own room and/or lounging for hours on your own balcony, then a suite might be worth the exorbitant price to you. If you're more likely to hang out on the pool deck or Solarium, it might not be worth the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruisegirl6 Posted February 16, 2019 #13 Share Posted February 16, 2019 The key gives you priority port of call debarkation, your not going on a tour so it won't matter Your carrying your bags off so you will get off first anyways The reserving the entertainment/shows opens up a few months before the cruise, its too early for you but you be able to reserve your shows and be able to get in without that line Why would you spend all that money for a suite, you can use that extra money for onboard expenses, dining/liquor package, or even use it to book another cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted February 16, 2019 #14 Share Posted February 16, 2019 13 hours ago, Cruisecat40 said: DH and I are new to RCCL and need your help deciding if the perks associated with the Key program is worth it. Without any basis of reference: No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allura_317 Posted February 16, 2019 #15 Share Posted February 16, 2019 (edited) What suite would you be upgrading to? RC has the "Royal Suite Class" on Harmony meaning different levels of suits have different perks. All suites include priority embarkation and debarkation, but Star Class does this best. The Key includes: Priority check-in and boarding Carry-on bag drop off and delivery to stateroom Exclusive welcome lunch at Chops Grille® Private hours at onboard activities including Rock Climbing, FlowRider® and more. The private hours schedule will be provided at check-in. Priority port of call debarkation Reserved seating at shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater and Studio B. VOOM ® Surf & Stream 1 Device high speed internet Choice debarkation with an exclusive a la carte breakfast The lowest is Sea class which is all the junior suites. Perks are very limited (upgraded bath products, pillow top mattress, and dinner at Coastal Kitchen, the suite restaurant, upon availability). If this is the case, do The Key and not JS. Here is the Sea Class web page: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass/sea The next tier is Sky Class which includes Crown Loft Suites, 1 Bedroom Grand Suites, 2 Bedroom Grand Suites, 1 Bedroom AquaTheater Suites, Spacious 1 Bedroom AquaTheater Suites, and Owner Suites. Perks include updated bath amenities, full access to Coastal Kitchen, Concierge, Unlimited Voom- which is internet, and Suite Lounge access among others. If this is the case, do Sky. Here is the webpage on Sky Class: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass/sky/ The final tier is Star Class which is 2 bdr AquaTheater Suites, Spacious 2 bdr AquaTheater Suites, 4 Bedroom Villa Suite, Star Loft Suite, and Royal Loft Suite. Perks include everything from Sky plus Royal Genie- personalized butler service which is amazing, drink packages, included specialty dining, included gratuities- but not for genie, VIP access and seating at everything, and pretty much everything and anything you can think of:-). Here is the webpage for Star: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass/star/ Hope I was helpful! Edited February 16, 2019 by Allura_317 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank808 Posted February 16, 2019 #16 Share Posted February 16, 2019 17 minutes ago, Allura_317 said: What suite would you be upgrading to? RC has the "Royal Suite Class" on Harmony meaning different levels of suits have different perks. All suites include priority embarkation and debarkation, but Star Class does this best. Junior suites (sea class) do not receive priority debarkation. Sky and star class do get priority debarkation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted February 16, 2019 #17 Share Posted February 16, 2019 With the Key, are you really going to be getting $40/day (assuming two people in cabin) worth of perks? Lunch first day only at Chops. Some reserved area seating at shows so you don't need to make reservations (but you still need to show up early because all seats are released 10-15 minutes before show time). Internet service for two devices at a time. Special sessions on Flowrider and rock wall. Somebody will take your carryon luggage to your room before it opens at 1. A pastry tray while waiting to debark the ship. If the value of these is worth the $40/day to you, go ahead. Or pay double or triple cost of a balcony for a suite (lots of benefits, more room). Most of the folks on the ship don't bother buying this stuff but Royal is pushing it because it is almost pure profit for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmne Posted February 16, 2019 #18 Share Posted February 16, 2019 If you plan to be on the ship most of the time I wouldn't upgrade to a suite or get the key. Arrive early on embarkation and you will be able to take advantage of activities on the ship when others are out doing excursions. You can prebook your shows on Harmony. I'd put the money towards a drink package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinsaj Posted February 16, 2019 #19 Share Posted February 16, 2019 We love being in a suite, (for the extra room and the suite lounge) but I don't think the suite gives you the perks of Embarkation Lunch at a specialty restaurant, special times for activities on board, or a full breakfast before you leave the ship in the Dining Room. So if those are things you would enjoy, I would get The Key. We will be getting the key as soon as it is available for our upcoming cruise. I think that all of the perks sound great!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted February 16, 2019 #20 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Should have mentioned this in other post, but if you check the big Key thread (later pages since early are just speculation before it started) you will find that the big reason to book the Key is the extra time on the Flowrider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allura_317 Posted February 16, 2019 #21 Share Posted February 16, 2019 2 hours ago, frank808 said: Junior suites (sea class) do not receive priority debarkation. Sky and star class do get priority debarkation. They all get embarkation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allura_317 Posted February 16, 2019 #22 Share Posted February 16, 2019 1 hour ago, twinsaj said: We love being in a suite, (for the extra room and the suite lounge) but I don't think the suite gives you the perks of Embarkation Lunch at a specialty restaurant, special times for activities on board, or a full breakfast before you leave the ship in the Dining Room. So if those are things you would enjoy, I would get The Key. We will be getting the key as soon as it is available for our upcoming cruise. I think that all of the perks sound great!!! Star Class does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank808 Posted February 17, 2019 #23 Share Posted February 17, 2019 3 hours ago, Allura_317 said: They all get embarkation. But not debarkation like you posted earlier. Did not want to mislead cruisers booking sea class to think they had both as you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allura_317 Posted February 17, 2019 #24 Share Posted February 17, 2019 11 minutes ago, frank808 said: But not debarkation like you posted earlier. Did not want to mislead cruisers booking sea class to think they had both as you posted. My bad, did not type it as I though I did, haha. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I will edit it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allura_317 Posted February 17, 2019 #25 Share Posted February 17, 2019 1 minute ago, Allura_317 said: My bad, did not type it as I though I did, haha. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I will edit it. The edit option is not available anymore, so I guess not. But will try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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