Is it worth it to purchase the Key?

[Cakediva1]

I'm sailing on the Allure in January. With the ships being low in passenger capacity will it be worth it to fork over $167 ( 6 night cruise)  the Key? Has anybody purchased since the new Covid restrictions? Thank you in advance!

[Ashland]

No...a few things have been deleted...not worth it.

[Cakediva1]

What has been deleted?

[Ashland]

11 minutes ago, Cakediva1 said:

What has been deleted?

No lunch and no early boarding...RCI website has not been updated.

Personally we have never found the Key to be of value to us. 

Your needs may be different.

[Merion_Mom]

28 minutes ago, Cakediva1 said:

I'm sailing on the Allure in January. With the ships being low in passenger capacity will it be worth it to fork over $167 ( 6 night cruise)  the Key? Has anybody purchased since the new Covid restrictions? Thank you in advance!

 

If you are a new cruiser, or a relatively new cruiser, with no loyalty perks, it may be worthwhile for you.

 

Here are some facts to consider:

 

Were you going to buy internet for the voyage anyway?  For how many devices?  Compare that to the daily price of the Key ($27.83).

 

Everyone in the cabin has to buy the Key.  Was everyone going to get internet?

 

It is true that boarding day Chops lunch is discontinued/suspended, but in its place, you will get free room service for the entire voyage plus 25% off specialty dining.  That is a BETTER benefit, in my book.

 

Here is the list from the website:

 

The Key Guests will enjoy the following exclusive and special amenities during their cruise vacation: 

• Priority access in the terminal (within booked arrival time) on Day 1*
• Carry-on bag drop off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery**
• Complimentary Room Service for the duration of the cruise and 25% Off Onboard Dining Purchases
• Private time at onboard activities**** including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more
• Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore
• Early access at shows in the Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70 (all guests must have a reservation in order to qualify)
• VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 Device high speed internet – 1 package per paying guest
• On debarkation day, a special “grab and go” breakfast bag and choice departure

[Ashland]

OP could be staying in a GS or above that should come into play in their decision also.

 

It's certainly the reason why we have never found it worthwhile for us.

Edited October 14, 2021 by Ashland

[Merion_Mom]

32 minutes ago, Ashland said:

OP could be staying in a GS or above that should come into play in their decision also.

 

It's certainly the reason why we have never found it worthwhile for us.

 

I think that she has a free interior from the casino.

[Cakediva1]

I am sailing solo and yes I do have a free interior compliments of the casino lol

I have a total of 28 cruises under my belt on various cruise lines. I do like the free room service, 25% specialty dining and Vroom. I don't see the value so I guess no Key for me!

Thank you guys for the input

[renza]

Key is never worth it to me. Just another way to get money from people who have no idea they are getting ripped off. 

[What We Found Travelling]

4 hours ago, renza said:

Key is never worth it to me. Just another way to get money from people who have no idea they are getting ripped off. 

It is definitely worth it on a port intensive Med cruise with tender ports, more so, if you also want internet.

[brillohead]

5 hours ago, renza said:

Key is never worth it to me. Just another way to get money from people who have no idea they are getting ripped off. 

When The Key is cheaper than Voom Surf & Stream and you were getting the Stream internet anyway, it's not a ripoff.

 

[renza]

6 hours ago, brillohead said:

When The Key is cheaper than Voom Surf & Stream and you were getting the Stream internet anyway, it's not a ripoff.

 

Why would u buy internet for everyone in cabin. U can share one. Everyone in cabin has to buy key not internet, so yes it’s still a rip off

Edited October 15, 2021 by renza

[brillohead]

15 hours ago, renza said:

Why would u buy internet for everyone in cabin. U can share one. Everyone in cabin has to buy key not internet, so yes it’s still a rip off

For starters, I *am* everyone in the cabin -- I'm cruising solo.  And secondly, even if I weren't going solo on this cruise, I still get internet for everyone in the room, because we all want/need access to internet simultaneously. 

Different people use the internet for different needs.  For people who only need to check emails once a day, sharing a single device plan with others is fine.  But for people who need or want to be continually connected, sharing one plan won't work.

The Key or internet isn't any different than anything else -- it makes sense for some, not for others.  I don't drink much, if any, alcohol, so the Deluxe Beverage Package is a waste of money for me... but others save money because of it.  Same with the dining packages -- I am perfectly happy with the MDR, so the UDP is a waste of money for me. 

But I don't go around judging the people who choose to get the DBP or UDP -- I figure that it's their money and their vacation and they can choose to do what works best for them, because it doesn't affect me at all.

 

[Blondiemomm]

On 10/14/2021 at 6:30 PM, renza said:

Key is never worth it to me. Just another way to get money from people who have no idea they are getting ripped off. 

How are they getting "ripped off"? I have sailed several times with and without it and it is FOR SURE worth every cent. Have you ever purchased it? That is like saying suites are a "rip off". 

[Blondiemomm]

On 10/15/2021 at 6:36 AM, renza said:

Why would u buy internet for everyone in cabin. U can share one. Everyone in cabin has to buy key not internet, so yes it’s still a rip off

You can't share the internet when 3/4 people need to use it at the same time. Clearly you don't sail with pre-teens. lol

[ChrisNY2]

I decided to give it a try for my upcoming cruise. It's a 5 night cruise, I was going to buy internet anyway, and I'm solo, so it seemed like a reasonably good deal.  I'm kind of hoping for the room service and 25 percent of specialty dining option, but I'll be fine with whichever it ends up being next month.

[SRF]

I bought it for a solo cruise just before COVID.

 

For one person, I felt it was well worth it.

 

For 4 people in a cabin, maybe not.  YMMV.

[goldengirl]

What is this key you are  all talking about purchasing

[matt1]

9 minutes ago, goldengirl said:

What is this key you are  all talking about purchasing

Here are some links that might help…😁

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

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/how-can-i-purchase-the-key

[FTLCruiseGal]

I got it for a great price on Black Friday.  If I am not mistaken, $21/day.  Drops the price by $50.