How/When to make show reservations with the Key

[ballarinamom]

Hey there, First time purchasing the Key for a 5 night Explorer cruise in January. I see that reservations need to be made for some shows. Where and when do we do those? Also, will we need to make reservations for the Flow Rider and Rock Climbing wall private sessions?

[Saturngrl]

Regarding show reservations, you used to be able to make show reservations in advance via Cruise Planner on the RC site.  Now, as I understand it, you can make show reservations on board via the RC App or at the onboard box office. 

 

In my past experience with the Key, special hours were reserved on the Flow Rider, zipline, etc. for Key holders.  The days/hours will be delivered to your stateroom when you cruise.  No reservation needed.  

 

I love The Key for all of its perks and I hope you enjoy them too! 

[RedIguana]

You can make you show reservations via website or the app whenever it opens for your sailing. It may not open on the app until the first day of the cruise for show reservations.

Flow Rider and Rock Wall private times will be listed on a paper delivered to your cabin. There will be 2 or 3 of them, about an hour each. No reservations for these.

Reserved seating in the main theatre on Explorer is not the best in my opinion. 5-8 rows back from the stage where the seats start ramping up is the best in my humble opinion.

Ice show seating (studio B) reserved seating is ok. It is usually one of the corner sections, so a few seats right on the ice. The performers will interact with front seat passengers occasionally. 

This is as of last August Explorer with Key.

The key lunch is in the MDR now, not chops, and has a limited chops menu. It is still a great way to start the cruise.

Use the Key/Suites entrance at embarkation, feel free to show up at 11 (unless they have earlier now).

If you have a tender port and there is a tender line, make sure you ask someone about Key tendering. They will promptly escort you straight to the front or onboard the waiting tender. This is only for leaving the ship, not the return wait.

[RedIguana]

A few more thoughts. When embarking, you can drop your carry-ons off to be delivered to your stateroom. E-mail may tell you Tavern or something like that. Before wondering off to find it, check right by guest services at the shore excursion deck (same deck you embark, just other side of the ship, so just walk in and head for the other side). That is where they were for the August 6th sailing. Also, I believe you can disembark at any time of your choosing, regardless of whatever time you are assigned. I don't think you get an escort to the front of the line/separate exit anymore, but can always ask.

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, ballarinamom said:

Hey there, First time purchasing the Key for a 5 night Explorer cruise in January. I see that reservations need to be made for some shows. Where and when do we do those? Also, will we need to make reservations for the Flow Rider and Rock Climbing wall private sessions?

ASAP when you board.  Not sure which ship, but on Oasis class, Boleros is the place to make reservations with a live Royal staff.  You could also make reservations on the APP.

 

Oasis--Theater is not the best places under the Key.  They are located in the upper deck and one can easily get good seats near the stage on your own.  However, excellent locations for the Ice show.  Center, with the first 4 rows for Key and other top tiers passengers.  Also, excellent locations for the Aqua Show in the Boardwalk area.

Edited October 21, 2022 by nelblu

[rockmom]

3 hours ago, ballarinamom said:

Hey there, First time purchasing the Key for a 5 night Explorer cruise in January. I see that reservations need to be made for some shows. Where and when do we do those? Also, will we need to make reservations for the Flow Rider and Rock Climbing wall private sessions?

Most ships aren't requiring reservations for shows. I have had The Key on a few sailings this year, including twice on Navigator, Explorer's sister.  In February, reservations were required due to so many seats being blocked off for social distancing.  No reservations required a month and a half ago.  When I boarded, and headed to the main dining room where the Chops lunch was served, they had a table set up where you gave them any carry on bags that you wanted taken to your room.  The staff there also handed out the paper that listed the times for the Flowrider and rock wall -- just so you are aware, it is NOT private. Everyone who has the Key gets that time.  So, it does cut down on the numbers waiting, you won't be by yourselves.  I do think they might have more than one time slot and just give a certain amount of Key holders that time, but I can't be sure for Explorer.  Ice rink seating is good for The Key--but you still need to get to the show pretty early as they release those spots about 10 minutes before it starts.  We usually went about 30 minutes before, got a good seat and a drink. Same for the theater.  

[ballarinamom]

Thanks so much everyone! 

[psac]

Good information in the thread, we’re on the fence about the Key, so this was helpful to us as well. 

[Btank]

On 10/21/2022 at 11:17 AM, ballarinamom said:

Hey there, First time purchasing the Key for a 5 night Explorer cruise in January. I see that reservations need to be made for some shows. Where and when do we do those? Also, will we need to make reservations for the Flow Rider and Rock Climbing wall private sessions?

On Liberty last December, we were able to reserve our shows when we dropped off our carry-on bags on the way to the Chops lunch.

 

      --bruce T.

 

[ballarinamom]

On 10/22/2022 at 2:46 PM, psac said:

Good information in the thread, we’re on the fence about the Key, so this was helpful to us as well. 

We were going to buy the internet package anyway. And will be using the rock-climbing wall and the flow rider. I know not everyone needs these extras but I think it will be good for us.