Looking for more travel content? The letter said we had early access to reserved shows and to make a reservation for the shows wed like to see. As always though, if it's something you want, book now and cancel/rebook later if you find it cheaper or decide it isn't for you! Please Note: The Key may not be available during all sailings, and some amenities/benefits may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice. Today Sean and Stef drive to Port Canaveral where the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas waits to take them on their next Caribbean journey! In addition, your SeaPass card will have a special sticker to easily identify yourself as having The Key. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Key guests are NOT exempt from general boarding requirements like Covid vaccinations or negative Covid tests. During our second experience, Key guests were just asked to wait with everyone else. Let me know in the comments below! Video: Is Royal Caribbean's The Key worth it? Look for signs in the cruise terminal on embarkation day and around the ship, or let a crew member know that you have The Key to take advantage of your benefits. Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive? If your Key says that then take screenshots. Carryon has the things I absolutely need to survive just in case my other portered luggage goes swimming, or on a different ship than me for some reason. The Key - Boarding Time Question - Royal Caribbean Discussion - Royal Then, you see rows and rows and rows of people However, if you bought Royal Caribbean The Key, welcome to your first VIP perk. When you get to the cruise terminal, and subsequently onboard the ship, there will be special signs to indicate where guests with The Key can go. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. Clear editor. It is satellite-based and works throughout the ship. don't know what your cabin category is but if in a suite, you really don't need key if you want to board early. This benefit does not apply to smaller venues or activities like nightclubs or karaoke. Agreed, I enjoyed it at $19.99, and now would only look if it was close to pricing for internet. The 19 Best Cruise Accessories You Need to Pack in 2023, 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2023 and Beyond, Royal Caribbean Caf Latte-tudes Full Menu (With Prices), Carnival Firenze Inaugural Season Opens For Bookings, Princess Cruises Announces Lavazza as Official Coffee Partner, Disney Cruise Line Announces Inaugural Sailings to Lighthouse Point, Norwegian Cruise Line Will Debut Beetlejuice The Musical Aboard Norwegian Viva, Cunard Sea Views Photo Exhibition Captures 100 Years of Cruising, https://shouldbecruising.com/privacy-policy/. Our assigned boarding time is listed as 3:30, With the Key can we go earlier? Dining packages offer a good discount on how much lunch will cost. you still select a boarding time at check in but a couple weeks before the cruise you will get an email that tells you you can board with the Key at (usually 11:30 after suite guests) or keep your scheduled time. There is one final question to consider when deciding whether this optional add-on is right for your next cruise. As a Key Guest, you will enjoy the option of a block of reserved times at certain attractions. Arguably the most valuable perk included with the program, unlimited VOOM packages normally go for $17.99 per day for one device when purchased separately. Lets go through the individual perks and see how they might translate into saving time and money, opening access and increasing your enjoyment during your cruise vacation. Rather than queuing for (possibly) hours, you will be taken to an exclusive area reserved for Key Guests, loyalty program members and those who booked suites. We are so excited and can't wait to board. One of the really nice benefits of the Key Program is that you dont have to do that. Welcome to Chaotically Yours. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. I almost got shut out, as they do have a cap, and it sold out. But, be aware that all the following perks will not be available across the entire fleet. If youre traveling with a group in more than one cabin, group members in another room that havent purchased The Key wont be able to join you for preferred boarding, exclusive dining, or in the preferred seating at shows. The menus (ship specific, of course) are generous with options. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. I have three cruises coming up from June to July next year. Frequently asked questions about The Key on RCI. The Key will usually show up as an option for purchase in your Cruise Planner about 90-100 days before your sailing. Welcome lunch with Chops Grille menu can be bought separately at the restaurant or at a different restaurant. That is a very long time to wait for a show. Do you already have perks? The Key advertises as offering guests that purchase special perks and access while onboard that would otherwise not be available to them. Paste as plain text instead, This is understandable, since limiting super-popular activities to a small number of guests during the busiest hours could anger a lot of cruisers. Once purchased, you will see a special image of a key on your SeaPass when you check-in for boarding. . What is The Key Program? | Royal Caribbean Cruises Key guests are asked to be at the terminal early, so as not to miss the embarkation lunch. ** During our most recent trip, it was just the two of us, so we were seated with other Key Program guests for the meal. Henderson Nv. As always though, if it's something you want, book now and cancel/rebook later if you find it cheaper or decide it isn't for you! or is it only 1 internet device? By Jodi Grundig On the Cruise Critic boards, people have reported paying between $19.99 to $29.99 and even up to $37 per day for each. And, it is included in the price of The Key as follows: one online package per paying guest on one device. DBS MORNING SHOW & OBITUARIES 25TH APRIL 2023 APRIL 2023 - Facebook Ah, I see. With a lot of guests, the price tag for The Key could add up quickly. Some are ship or itinerary specific; and others are specific to the port of embarkation. Think of it like a way to pay extra to get VIP treatment, faster access, or otherwise nice to have extras. But, cruisers who buy The Key dont have access to lots of perks that elite loyalty members have. All members of the party are checked in with a 10:30 check in time and covered party right across from the new Galveston terminal. Obviously, in these instances, the time it takes to leave the ship and begin your onshore adventures could be hours. We had it in January because it wasn't too much more expensive than the internet and we enjoyed having it. If no one offers this service, be sure to ask! The Key, Royal Caribbean's Priority Program - Cruise Critic Up to 72-hours before your sail date, you can check-in online or with the Royal Caribbean International app* with the 6 items listed below. I think with a little bit of footwork, you can get similar results on your own and save money on your cruise vacation. When I first heard about this service, I thought it was an odd perk to offer. Is it worth it to buy The Key on a RCI cruise? Or is the only benefit: priority embarkation mean you have your own line to enter terminal as opposed to the masses. There are only a certain number of days and many fun things to do on board the ship and, standing in line is certainly not one of them! By Read Also: Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive? Guests could choose an appetizer, an entree, a side, and a dessert. For an extra price per day/per person, passengers can purchase The Key to enjoy nicer extras before, during and at the end of the cruise. Keep in mind that this benefit usually only applies to larger venues and their productions. Also, look for the signature key image that matches the one on your SeaPass. Whether you need to communicate with home or you just want to use social media while youre onboard, its pretty likely that youre going to purchase an internet package during your cruise. If you purchased the program on a previous RCI cruise, be sure to carefully read the updated explanations of each perk listed below before you buy it for your next sailing. Janespup, March 6, 2022 in Royal Caribbean International. The Key is an add-on program on Royal Caribbean cruises that allows any guest to obtain some VIP perks on board the ship. One note about this perk: It only applies in one direction from the ship to the shore.