Is the "Key" worth it?

[dizzyr]

This will be my first time sailing with RC and so far it feels very different then Princess (Princess feels more all inclusive and RC feels more customizable if that makes sense).  Has anyone purchased the Key recently? It's on sale now and we are getting the internet package regardless so if I'm going to get it now seems like the right time to do it. Does it make a big difference or is it just small differences?

 

For example - lunch on embarkation day - is it just a better lunch or do you not get lunch otherwise (is there an all day buffet like on Princess?)

VIP seating in the theatres - how hard is it to get the reservations, do they fill up quickly? 

Priority access on tenders - the three ports we have are Coco Cay, Labadee and Falmouth - are they tender ports? 

Priority Embarkation and chosen time - do you not normally get to pick your time to leave? Is it a first come first served free for all? 

 

Thanks,

[Celialeah98]

We docked in Labadee and Falmouth. Looks like Coco Cay is docked also. The only tender port on Western Carribean is Belize.

[resetjet]

Not worth the cost IMO

coco, labadee and falmouth don't tender. 

 

[blueslily]

There are a few recent posts on this topic. If you have a Des to the search feature, you will he able to check those threads out. The topic is debated a bit. Also, there are several YouTube videos that I found helpful.

[renza]

Not worth it at all. Everyone in cabin has to pay for the key. You get one lunch in main dining room on first day. Yes the windjammer is a Buffet. I never step foot in buffet as it is chaos to me. If on an oasis class ship go to park cafe first day for lunch. Get salad and sandwiches and quiet. We always buy the unlimited dining package and we can go to Jamie’s or Giovanni‘s for lunch for lunch the first day. You still have to get reservations for shows. You just have a section for key guest. You still need to arrive fairly early. You can buy the Internet package for one person and share or buy multiple packages under one name and it’s cheaper. The key is really only good for solo cruisers. The extra time they give you on flow rider, or a zip lining, is a joke. It’s only offered 1-2 times for the week and a time you wouldn’t want to go. No oasis class ship has a tender port. Ok they take your carryons and put in your cabin, big deal you are eating at that time and cabins open at 1. Just not worth it at all. 

Edited November 23, 2022 by renza

[jencruzin]

We've never actually bothered with "the key" until I just looked at it after reading your post. 

I guess it's whatever we all want - and there are people out there that differ in preferences - and you're right about customizing on RCL but BE CAREFUL.

 

But for us, here's the thing on Internet (part of the key program). We really just need ONE Internet access for the cruise (VOOM surf n stream) so for our 12-day coming up next summer for VOOM, it's $167.88. With The Key, it doesn't give me a choice, both of us have to get it, so that's $647 total.

 

I looked at it carefully, Royal fluffs it up, IMO, this is a nothing program - lunch for two at Chops, VIP seating at shows, dropping off carry on bags to room, rock climbing, flowrider, etc. In comparing what we have now, a single Internet access for what I mentioned, and the additional fees, that's a difference where we would be paying an extra $479.12 for, honestly, items we really don't need.

 

So, in conclusion, (for US anyway) we see no intrinsic value in "the key" but you know, some people enjoy it. There will be many different inputs on this - but we all have our reasons!

[notscb]

1 hour ago, dizzyr said:

For example - lunch on embarkation day - is it just a better lunch or do you not get lunch otherwise (is there an all day buffet like on Princess?)

VIP seating in the theatres - how hard is it to get the reservations, do they fill up quickly? 

Priority access on tenders - the three ports we have are Coco Cay, Labadee and Falmouth - are they tender ports? 

Priority Embarkation and chosen time - do you not normally get to pick your time to leave? Is it a first come first served free for all? 

 

The consensus around these boards is it depends on your specific situation.

 

As a solo cruiser, the key was an amazing way to start the cruise early, get a nice sit down (calm) lunch where I could meet some folks and walk off of the ship and be landside on debarkation day in 15 minutes. I also found their holding my luggage on embarkation day and delivering it to my stateroom was really nice. I was getting the internet anyway, and the key ultimately only costed me an additional $20 for those perks.

 

It's definitely not designed for everyone (by intention and design), but for those who fit specific cruising profiles, it's another way RCL makes some extra cash while doing relatively little.

 

 

 

[Longford]

1 hour ago, dizzyr said:

This will be my first time sailing with RC and so far it feels very different then Princess (Princess feels more all inclusive and RC feels more customizable if that makes sense).  Has anyone purchased the Key recently? It's on sale now and we are getting the internet package regardless so if I'm going to get it now seems like the right time to do it. Does it make a big difference or is it just small differences?

 

For example - lunch on embarkation day - is it just a better lunch or do you not get lunch otherwise (is there an all day buffet like on Princess?)

VIP seating in the theatres - how hard is it to get the reservations, do they fill up quickly? 

Priority access on tenders - the three ports we have are Coco Cay, Labadee and Falmouth - are they tender ports? 

Priority Embarkation and chosen time - do you not normally get to pick your time to leave? Is it a first come first served free for all? 

 

Thanks,

 

You'll read pros and cons regarding purchasing The Key.  Those who are negative tend to be repetitively negative; grudge holders IMO.  😁

 

I recently completed (11/12/2022) my first-ever cruise.  What did I know?  I didn't know what I didn't know.  I traveled solo.  I'd read the forums here and at the RCCL blog/forum.  Wonderfully insightful and helpful comments, positive and negative.  I purchased The Key for $24.95 per day.  Having completed the cruise, I'll say I think I made a good choice for a first-timer ... though I didn't take advantage of some of the benefits that are included.

 

Embarkation:  I had, to my way of thinking, an early boarding time of 11-11:30 a.m. time slot.  I was able to jump the line and board before others holding the same boarding times (with the exception of Diamond, Suite, etc.).  Time from entering the Terminal to completing the boarding process and getting on-board the ship was 30 minutes (would have been quicker if I'd not been in a line with a newbie boarding agent unfamiliar with the software).

 

Embarkation Lunch:  Included was lunch in the MDR, ordering off of the Chops menu.  Arriving early, I was seated at a table of ten - each an interesting individual.  Great conversations, all around.  I could have ordered steak, fish, chicken, etc.  Full soup to nuts meal.  However, I've been on a diet this year (losing 30 lbs) and choose to order just an entree: fish (Branzino). I'd never eaten Branzino before and, though a small fish portion ... I enjoyed it.  Other diners asked me to order the full meal and share it with them, but I ordered only the fish.  Others at the table - much more experienced at cruising than I - complimented their meals.

 

After the meal, rooms were ready.  Carry-on luggage was taken directly to our rooms when we entered the MDR.  I kept mine with me (documents, wine, camera, etc.).  

 

Was the meal in MDI/Chops better than I could have eaten elsewhere at the same time?  For me, personally?  Probably not.  Why?  I really wasn't very hungry at Noon.  And, I ate every other meal in the Windjammer, off of the buffet tables.  I'm probably in the minority of passengers who ate all meals in Windjammer.  But, I enjoyed the variety / quality of the buffet offerings.  Again, I was traveling solo.  Were I traveling with someone else, my choices likely would have been a little different.

 

About Show Seating:  I was on Serenade, and there was one principal headliner show which I did not attend.  The singer, featuring songs of Adele was beloved by others who attended the show and whose reviews I overhead.

 

Tender Priority:  Yes, priority was given to tenders leaving the ship, but not returning to the ship ... from what I experienced.

 

Disembarkation:  Yes, there is priority given The Key participants.  I've written about my experience, elsewhere in these forums.

 

Buy The Key?  Don't buy The Key?  It's a decision nobody can make for us individually.  If it turns out to be a mistake for any one of us, we don't have to repeat it on the next cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2022 by Longford

[dizzyr]

Thanks everyone for the opinions, it helped clarify things quite a bit. I think for us it probably won't be worth it. I'll save the money for something more fun 🙂

[PWP-001]

If you were to read the several recent threads on this topic, you get a deeper understanding of the few naysayers and will probably discount their negative point of view.

 

I've purchased The Key for my three recent cruises and wouldn't pass it up.  I find huge value in being able to walk right into the terminal without a wait through a special line for The Key or as part of the line for suite guests.  Last time we walked past a long queue waiting for security screening as we had our own X-ray and detector.  No wait to see an agent for the last check-in questions, then right onto the ship, up to the MDR where our carry-on luggage was checked and delivered inside our cabins, as we sat for an abbreviated menu from Chops Steakhouse (3 course menu with selections from Chops menu.)

 

Yes, there are private sessions for Flowrider, Ice skating, and rock climbing, plus priority seating for shows.

 

Disembarkation again is a breeze.  Start with a premium breakfast in a level of the MDR open for The Key guests.  Afterwards, we walked down one flight of stairs and were escorted to the front of the line to leave the ship.

To me, those are a great value as I consider the cost to be the difference between high speed internet which I always purchase and the price of The Key.

 

Hope that helps...   but now.... brace yourself...

 

Speaking as someone who was loyal to Princess for years, be prepared for a huge downgrade in food on RCI.  I haven't sailed on Princess post-COVID, but I remember much more extensive menus for each meal period in the MDR.  I always looked forward to the different insert with breakfast specials on Princess, the different pasta dishes every day --different for lunch and dinner--  a variety of produce for salads, and impeccable table service. 

 

While Princess staff won't tell you a MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day, instead directing you to the buffet, it's still a calm option on Princess.  Unless you purchase The Key (or are a suite guest on a ship with a Coastal Kitchen) The Windjammer Food Trough is your only option.  At busy times it's chaos and a smart choice to avoid. 

 

I hope if you do decide to purchase, that you'll post here post-cruise with your thoughts.

[notscb]

2 hours ago, PWP-001 said:

At busy times it's chaos and a smart choice to avoid. 

100%. Even at not busy times, WJ is chaos and it can be really challenging to find a seat in.

 

I had similar experiences to you with the Key and found it to be useful.

[Longford]

On the one and only cruise I've been on (Serenade) ... I ate all meals in Windjammer.  Usually, I entered as the doors opened for each meal.  I witnessed no chaos and always found a table inside, or outside.   I have no other cruise experience to which I can compare, though.  But for me, a bachelor traveling solo ...I enjoyed the variety and had no complaint about the quality.

[slyster]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:16 AM, PWP-001 said:

If you were to read the several recent threads on this topic, you get a deeper understanding of the few naysayers and will probably discount their negative point of view.

 

I've purchased The Key for my three recent cruises and wouldn't pass it up.  I find huge value in being able to walk right into the terminal without a wait through a special line for The Key or as part of the line for suite guests.  Last time we walked past a long queue waiting for security screening as we had our own X-ray and detector.  No wait to see an agent for the last check-in questions, then right onto the ship, up to the MDR where our carry-on luggage was checked and delivered inside our cabins, as we sat for an abbreviated menu from Chops Steakhouse (3 course menu with selections from Chops menu.)

 

Yes, there are private sessions for Flowrider, Ice skating, and rock climbing, plus priority seating for shows.

 

Disembarkation again is a breeze.  Start with a premium breakfast in a level of the MDR open for The Key guests.  Afterwards, we walked down one flight of stairs and were escorted to the front of the line to leave the ship.

To me, those are a great value as I consider the cost to be the difference between high speed internet which I always purchase and the price of The Key.

 

Hope that helps...   but now.... brace yourself...

 

Speaking as someone who was loyal to Princess for years, be prepared for a huge downgrade in food on RCI.  I haven't sailed on Princess post-COVID, but I remember much more extensive menus for each meal period in the MDR.  I always looked forward to the different insert with breakfast specials on Princess, the different pasta dishes every day --different for lunch and dinner--  a variety of produce for salads, and impeccable table service. 

 

While Princess staff won't tell you a MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day, instead directing you to the buffet, it's still a calm option on Princess.  Unless you purchase The Key (or are a suite guest on a ship with a Coastal Kitchen) The Windjammer Food Trough is your only option.  At busy times it's chaos and a smart choice to avoid. 

 

I hope if you do decide to purchase, that you'll post here post-cruise with your thoughts.

 

I wanted to ask about the last day breakfast.  I'm used to going to dining room, waiting in a line to be seated with my party.  Is there a different place that key guests go for their breakfast on that last day?

[PWP-001]

1 hour ago, slyster said:

 

I wanted to ask about the last day breakfast.  I'm used to going to dining room, waiting in a line to be seated with my party.  Is there a different place that key guests go for their breakfast on that last day?

Yes, one of The Key benefits is a special breakfast held in the MDR on a different level than is open for all guests.  It's a relaxed experience without a wait with a special upscale menu.

[slyster]

18 minutes ago, PWP-001 said:

Yes, one of The Key benefits is a special breakfast held in the MDR on a different level than is open for all guests.  It's a relaxed experience without a wait with a special upscale menu.

Okay, good to know.  I didn't realize it was in another part of the MDR.  I'll look for special instructions as to where to go.

[PWP-001]

1 hour ago, slyster said:

Okay, good to know.  I didn't realize it was in another part of the MDR.  I'll look for special instructions as to where to go.

Near the end of the cruise you'll receive a letter in your room explaining disembarkation, along with The Key luggage tags.

[ihopfar]

Does anyone have a copy of the key breakfast menu?

[reallyitsmema]

6 minutes ago, ihopfar said:

Does anyone have a copy of the key breakfast menu?

 

[ihopfar]

Thank you very much!

[slyster]

The menu looks nice!  I really think everyone has to weigh the pros and cons. I like the flexibility of arriving early.  I like the flexibility of not dealing with lines to MDR on last day and being able to depart when I want to depart. Having the internet included, lunch in Chops. There's flexibility with the Key.

[RG306]

We're taking a chance on the Key on our upcoming Voyager sailing.  We were planning on getting internet anyway and got the Key for just a little more, we have a tender port, like going to the shows, and embarkation/debarkation in San Juan the last time we sailed was chaos so I'm hoping this helps 🙂. If not, we're not out all that much more and got a decent breakfast and lunch in the process. 

[nasa1974]

I'm sailing the first time on RCI and I got "The Key" because the benefit's sounded interesting. I don't plan on very many excursions so it will be mostly ship time and exploring. Will try to take advantage of the private time it offers while most everyone is off the ship.

[renza]

3 hours ago, RG306 said:

We're taking a chance on the Key on our upcoming Voyager sailing.  We were planning on getting internet anyway and got the Key for just a little more, we have a tender port, like going to the shows, and embarkation/debarkation in San Juan the last time we sailed was chaos so I'm hoping this helps 🙂. If not, we're not out all that much more and got a decent breakfast and lunch in the process. 

No tender port. I would never buy key as it is not needed. 

[dizzyr]

Hmmm now I'm kind of rethinking it - it could come in handy for disembarkation. Originally our return flight was at 2:00 so I wasn't too worried about what time we left the ship but they changed the flight to be at 10:00. I thought it would be too stressfull so I changed it to a less desirable route home but the latest time I could get was 12:45 so being able to have a nice breakfast and still leave quickly might make it worth it. It would have to go on sale again before the cruise though or it's too pricy for me. 

[dizzyr]

On 11/23/2022 at 4:16 AM, PWP-001 said:

Hope that helps...   but now.... brace yourself...

 

Speaking as someone who was loyal to Princess for years, be prepared for a huge downgrade in food on RCI.  I haven't sailed on Princess post-COVID, but I remember much more extensive menus for each meal period in the MDR.  I always looked forward to the different insert with breakfast specials on Princess, the different pasta dishes every day --different for lunch and dinner--  a variety of produce for salads, and impeccable table service. 

 

While Princess staff won't tell you a MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day, instead directing you to the buffet, it's still a calm option on Princess.  Unless you purchase The Key (or are a suite guest on a ship with a Coastal Kitchen) The Windjammer Food Trough is your only option.  At busy times it's chaos and a smart choice to avoid. 

 

I hope if you do decide to purchase, that you'll post here post-cruise with your thoughts.

 

Anything else I should know ahead of time about the differences between Princess and RCI? What made you switch from Princess? I'm still having second thoughts about it.