The Key benefits after day 1

[momof3cruisers]

Wondering about the value for the rest of the cruise. Sailing on Voyager. The first day perks sound great, but since it’s a per day cost, I’m not sure about the value. Not planning on the Waverider or rock climbing wall. Other than preferred times for those there isn’t much as far as I can see. Is the preferred seating at shows that big of a deal?

[OCSC Mike]

Just now, momof3cruisers said:

Is the preferred seating at shows that big of a deal?

 

Not to me. There is preferred seating for suite guests as well but we chose to sit elsewhere at almost every show last suite cruise.

 

That was also my only suite ever and never once have I thought "I wish I could sit there" on my other cruises.

[fsufancc]

We were on the Voyager in October.  The Ice Show "sells out" quick as the venue is small'ish.  Get there early. We had The Key and were still denied seats about 5 minutes prior to the show starting due to what I felt was lack of signage for Key holders. We asked a few RCL team members and got shrugged shoulders, went to one side of the seating stage (the wrong side) and had to go around to the other side and by then, they had opened up the reserved area and there were no more seats. 

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

That was also my only suite ever and never once have I thought "I wish I could sit there" on my other cruises.

I have only bought the Key once as it was only $70 more than the internet package I was going to buy.  never used the show seating, just found our own seats where we wanted to sit.

[Toddcan]

As Ken mentioned - the Key includes internet access for 1 device. So factor that into the total benefit. 

[bethco]

Unless you are on a tender heavy itinerary  - which you are not - I feel it is a lot of money to pay for not a lot of benefit. 

[momof3cruisers]

1 hour ago, bethco said:

Unless you are on a tender heavy itinerary  - which you are not - I feel it is a lot of money to pay for not a lot of benefit. 

That’s my feeling as well. But this is a group cruise so I might need to bow to peer pressure. 
 

I forgot about the internet but I’ve never used internet on a cruise other than the one on which my son got Covid and they gave it to us. I used it to change his flights. 

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, bethco said:

Unless you are on a tender heavy itinerary  - which you are not - I feel it is a lot of money to pay for not a lot of benefit. 

Even tender priority is only worth it if you have a reason or desire to get off the ship ASAP

[AbeFroman2]

All depends on your needs. To us the priority boarding line was enough of a perk to get  since we were getting the Internet anyway and the Internet and Key were within 10 bucks of each other. 

[renza]

Never needed. You get an early time for check in everything is so quick. Never need the key unless maybe you are solo 

[Biker19]

11 hours ago, momof3cruisers said:

But this is a group cruise so I might need to bow to peer pressure.

Don't.

[TeRriii]

If you don't need internet during cruise then don't buy The Key. Primary benefit of The Key is VOOM Internet Access. 

[PWP-001]

27 minutes ago, TeRriii said:

If you don't need internet during cruise then don't buy The Key. Primary benefit of The Key is VOOM Internet Access. 

Perhaps in your opinion.  But the OP implies the Day 1 benefits are most valuable, and I agree:  it's what sparked my initial interest in The Key when I started sailing last year.

 

 

[BND]

Key seating is only a benefit if you go early enough to use it before it opens for everyone.  On EN, D+, Pinn and Key reserved show seating is at the back of the theater.  We sit there sometimes, but it really isn't the best seating for anything you want to see clearly on stage.  We've never found any benefit of the Key as we already get 48 hours each free internet and suite boarding since we always book JS.  Boarding day lunch, we normally book a specialty (usually Chops) but for our upcoming b2b Jewel cruise in Oct, none of them appear to be open on Day 1.  We'll play it by ear and do a walkup.  We have used the WJ in the past on boarding day after cabins open as the crowds disperse then, but now with most opening at 2 pm, that is even more limiting.  

 

Edited May 31, 2023 by BND

[OCSC Mike]

18 minutes ago, BND said:

We have used the WJ in the past on boarding day after cabins open as the crowds disperse then, but now with most opening at 2 pm, that is even more limiting.

 

I'm usually one of the first people into the WJ on embarkation day and have no problem with it. Everyone has their own tolerance and definition for "crowded" but it doesn't seem overly crowded to me until some time passes and more people board, figure out where they're going, etc.

 

Similar to why you went later, it's really just the peak times that are extremely crowded in my experience.

[BND]

15 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

I'm usually one of the first people into the WJ on embarkation day and have no problem with it. Everyone has their own tolerance and definition for "crowded" but it doesn't seem overly crowded to me until some time passes and more people board, figure out where they're going, etc.

 

Similar to why you went later, it's really just the peak times that are extremely crowded in my experience.

We used to go as soon as we boarded, but my DH isn't really interested in eating at 1100 or 1130 after having had breakfast around 8.  I usually eat lunch around 1130 but he rarely eats before noon.  For Jewel in Oct, he'll just have to eat a smaller breakfast and be ready to eat lunch when we board.  We used to eat in the WJ all the time and by about 12 it starts getting crazy, especially with those who stake out a table with luggage and sit there until cabins open.  We are hardly the only ones who want to avoid the WJ on boarding day.

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, BND said:

We used to go as soon as we boarded, but my DH isn't really interested in eating at 1100 or 1130 after having had breakfast around 8.

 

Makes sense, everyone has their preferences and routines. I don't even eat breakfast on embarkation day (just coffee) in anticipation of how much I will eat on the cruise, lol.

[Jimbo]

21 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Even tender priority is only worth it if you have a reason or desire to get off the ship ASAP

Tender Priorty also doesn't mean much if you have excursions booked through Royal, because they will be sure to get you off the ship  in time to make your excursion.

[RB9643]

 

Interesting. So, I've seen absolutely no reason to buy the Key. Good info.

[bethco]

14 hours ago, RB9643 said:

 

I've seen absolutely no reason to buy the Key. Good info.

I have met one person who had it who said she would never cruise without it again.  I heard her telling multiple that during the cruise.  It seemed to make her feel very important. 

[sportmorgan]

Does anyone know how many reserved time sessions Key members have access to for the Flowrider?  And are there Key times for the rock wall and waterslides?  

 

Travelling with a bunch of teens that are flowrider fanatics! 

[Tree_skier]

11 minutes ago, sportmorgan said:

Does anyone know how many reserved time sessions Key members have access to for the Flowrider?  And are there Key times for the rock wall and waterslides?  

 

Travelling with a bunch of teens that are flowrider fanatics! 

The times for the Flowrider will be different on each ship and itinerary but they tend to be early in the day.

[Sharenamichele]

We bought it once and would not buy it again.  The internet, Chops lunch, and key disembarking were the highlights.  We were mocked and made to feel bad by others in the main line for staff creating a Key line after we asked. about where the line was for us to get off the ship.  Maybe the line issue has gotten better.  We did not use the rock climbing, surf rider, zip line.. etc...times were set at 8 and 9am not good times. 

[PWP-001]

4 hours ago, bethco said:

I have met one person who had it who said she would never cruise without it again.  I heard her telling multiple that during the cruise.  It seemed to make her feel very important. 

Make her feel important?  Or was she just happy?  I know that I've purchased it for the 11 cruises between 08/2022 & 03/2023 that I sailed on before achieving Masters Status in the casino.  I've also purchased it for family members when they've traveled on a cruise with me.  I highly value the benefits.

[PWP-001]

3 hours ago, sportmorgan said:

Does anyone know how many reserved time sessions Key members have access to for the Flowrider?  And are there Key times for the rock wall and waterslides?  

 

Travelling with a bunch of teens that are flowrider fanatics! 

Your question wasn't when, but HOW MANY.  There is only one reserved time for each of the activities for your sailing.