Is The Key, VIP access in RCL worth it?

[AGE_Texas]

We’re going on our first cruise in December with Royal Caribbean and I got an offer to purchase The Key that allows your priority access on embarkation, debarkation and excursion days among other perks like priority seating at shows, 20% off speciality dining, etc. it also includes internet access.

The main reason I’m interested is because I don’t want to have to wait for hours to get on/off the ship with my little ones. But not sure how long the waits really are. 
 

It’s $24.99/day pp. internet a la carte is $17.99/day pp so figured it’s a pretty good deal. 
 

Thoughts?

[olemissreb]

You might get a better response on the RCL boards. I'd post the link, but I'm technologically challenged on my phone.

[AGE_Texas]

Ohh thanks for the tip! Clearly I have no idea what I’m doing lol

[Sunshine3601]

Most people say it's only worth it if price is is similar to daily internet price.  And nice lunch on boarding day.   

 

Keep in mind that every person in the cabin must buy it.   

When comparing, Would you buy internet access for your children?

 

Embarking without it is pretty easy.  Usually onboard in about 15 minutes.

Disembarkment can be a bit hectic so having the Key may help.

 

[scubaslayer]

For my family it has yet to be low enough for the price since it is 4 of us. I took the price, subtracted internet and the lowest price was still about $75 per person after that. I put lunch and breakfast worth about $40. None of our ports are tender and the other benefits aren't really that valuable to us. I would appreciate it for the shows but on and off has always been simple enough.

[Sea Dog]

My philosophy on the Key is only buy it when the price is worth it to you and if you were going to buy the internet package. You do get the Chops lunch in the MDR on boarding day and on your last day disembarkation you get an enhanced breakfast menu that includes a few items not In the regular menu and you can disembark at your leisure which we like. We like to wait till the crowds disembarking die down. You also get some preferred seating for the shows which isn’t a big deal. Bottom line the key may or may not be worth it to you. Only price will decide that for you.

[AGE_Texas]

Well I saw a board earlier talking about the differences between 1 person getting internet package for 2 devices vs 2 people getting 1 package each. I haven’t seen that as an option yet but I also have checked out to pay for anything on the Planner. I’m assuming if the 1 person multiple devices option is in fact available then it probably isn’t worth it to get the Key 

[scubaslayer]

22 minutes ago, AGE_Texas said:

Well I saw a board earlier talking about the differences between 1 person getting internet package for 2 devices vs 2 people getting 1 package each. I haven’t seen that as an option yet but I also have checked out to pay for anything on the Planner. I’m assuming if the 1 person multiple devices option is in fact available then it probably isn’t worth it to get the Key 

2 see the 2 device price, you click buy on the internet package. The next screen will give you the options. So pick one person on the reservation and then select how many devices and you will see the total price. You can do all of this without continuing to the checkout and paying anything. Unfortunately the sale price on the main screen only shows the one device one person price.

[SRF]

I did it on a solo cruise, and it was worth it.  But I would have purchased internet anyway.

 

For 2 or more, hard to justifly.

[PhillyFan33579]

Personally I don’t think it is worth it, but others feel differently. 

[Mick B]

Hi,

I personally don't bother with it, but that is because I get most of the perks as a D+ member and only travel these days with the wife and I give her my free internet.

Done all the restaurants and don't bother with them anymore. Get to leave the ship normally pretty quickly most of the time too.

 

However, it is up to you. If you are a new cruiser and/or want all the perks that come with the key and believe it will enhance your stay on board, then go for it if that's what you want. But, I would suggest doing your sums first as the money may be better spent elsewhere unless you're lucky enough to have loads of it!

 

Mick.

 

 

[renza]

Not close to worth it. It is the easiest boarding process ever on oasis class. I took 10 cruises this last year most out of Miami I went from my car in the parking garage on board in 15 minutes max. That is showing up at 11 o’clock with no key.  Everybody in your cabin Hass to purchase the key when you purchase Internet under one person with multiple devices. It comes out cheaper per day so usually the key is a lot more expensive to get lunch on the first day.  For the amount of money you’re saving by not purchasing the key, you could go to chops for lunch.  Reserve seating at the theater is a joke. Either way you gotta show up early to get decent seats not worth it at all.

[HBCcruiser]

I get it when I am not staying in a suite. Loved it! I think it depends on what you prefer. We love priority boarding/embarkation, priority theatre seating, the Chops lunch and the disembarkation breakfast. We always buy internet so it is worth it if the price is close to that fee. My opinion. 

[Grankm21]

Not only does everyone in the cabin need to pay for the Key, but I also thought there was a minimum age requirement, but I could be wrong. I could swear I looked into it once and we weren’t eligible due to my daughter’s age.  But again I could be wrong or maybe that changed.

Edited March 29 by Grankm21

[HBCcruiser]

The description lists age 6 as the minimum age.

[FionaMG]

9 hours ago, Grankm21 said:

Not only does everyone in the cabin need to pay for the Key, but I also thought there was a minimum age requirement, but I could be wrong. I could swear I looked into it once and we weren’t eligible due to my daughter’s age.  But again I could be wrong or maybe that changed.

 

I think you may have misunderstood the wording (never Royal's strong point).

 

You have to buy the Key for everyone in your room who is age six and over but having someone under six in the room doesn't preclude you from booking it. In theory, the system should grey out the underage guests and only let you book it for those who are old enough. In practice, I don't have personal experience to confirm this is definitely so.

 

That said, I don't see why any kid that age would need internet so to my mind that's a waste of money right there.

[Gracie115]

13 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

I get it when I am not staying in a suite. Loved it! I think it depends on what you prefer. We love priority boarding/embarkation, priority theatre seating, the Chops lunch and the disembarkation breakfast. We always buy internet so it is worth it if the price is close to that fee. My opinion. 

 

This was our thinking too, normally book a suite but our next cruise is a standard balcony, we booked The Key to get back a few of the amenities that come with suites.  

[marci22]

On 3/24/2024 at 12:56 PM, AGE_Texas said:

The main reason I’m interested is because I don’t want to have to wait for hours to get on/off the ship with my little ones. But not sure how long the waits really are. 
 

Thoughts?

Generally, if you are up very early and can carry your own luggage off, departure will be fastest. Otherwise, times will vary. If you have an early flight you could get in one of the earlier departure groups, but in any case, departure is pretty efficient and you shouldn't be waiting 'hours' unless there is some kind of issue at the port, which happens infrequently but does happen.

[Harrisonkid]

Boarded the Adventure (port canaveral) last Saturday . To get thru security and Checkin and in took less the ten minutes...then sat in chairs for another 20 minutes and was on the ship eating pizza at 11:03 am. That schedule was without The Key. Im sure Key was about 10 minutes faster ...

[pcur]

On 3/24/2024 at 9:56 AM, AGE_Texas said:

We’re going on our first cruise in December with Royal Caribbean and I got an offer to purchase The Key that allows your priority access on embarkation, debarkation and excursion days among other perks like priority seating at shows, 20% off speciality dining, etc. it also includes internet access.

The main reason I’m interested is because I don’t want to have to wait for hours to get on/off the ship with my little ones. But not sure how long the waits really are. 
 

It’s $24.99/day pp. internet a la carte is $17.99/day pp so figured it’s a pretty good deal. 
 

Thoughts?

First of all, do NOT take into account anyone else's boarding experience.  It varies widely.  For instance:  I am Pinnacle.  I show up at a dock this past January, and there's no Suite/Pinnacle entrance like all the other cruise terminals I've been through.  I stand outside in close to freezing temperatures until someone finally gets the HUGE line (about a block long) moving.  Next morning I wake up with a frostbitten ear!  So, easy-breezy is not always the case.

 

I would consider upgrading to a suite. Compare the add-on cost of the whole family paying for the Key, vs Suite amenities:  priority check-in and boarding, lounge access with happy hour food and free beverages every day, priority tender boat access in tendered port, free wifi, priority debarkation.

[teddybear231]

We did a weekend cruise on Freedom of the Seas and it was only an additional $16/person compared to if we bought the internet package, so we did it and found it worth it.

 

We also made the decision to purchase it on our Greek Island cruise this past summer at $37/day. The only reason we did that was because we read about the priority tender access (we had 2 or 3 ports where we tendered). I would definitely say it was worth it, we literally just walked to the gangway and walked past everybody waiting on got on a tender at each port. One time we even had a couple yell at us and call us "cheaters", even though a crew member was escorting us. My wife was embarrassed but I was like they should be embarrassed for yelling at us!

 

So, if you can get it for a few bucks more than your internet package on a short cruise, I'd say go for it. Or if you're doing a tender heavy itinerary, I would also recommend it. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't purchase it at full price on a regular 7 day Caribbean cruise.