royal caribbean the key boarding time

Being able to drop those off would be super-convenient. By Jodi Grundig Read Also: Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive? you would have to share a device throughout the cruise. One note about this perk: It only applies in one direction from the ship to the shore. I can see where theyre coming from! HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. Embarkation day is here, and you arrived early at the terminal port, excited to set sail on your cruise vacation. The VOOM family plans come with a significant discount if youre purchasing for three or more devices, so it may be cheaper to just buy the WiFi. Playing the "waiting game" for a price drop can be dangerous if you really want The Key. Here you can sit and relax while the cruise ship employees attend to your final check-in procedures. (Bring your receipt, just in case). There will be food options when you board. How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Cruise Ship? During our second experience, Key guests were just asked to wait with everyone else. On our sailing, Key guests needed to show up no later than 15 minutes before the start of the show, where they were allowed to sit in a reserved section with great views of the action. Yes, if you get an earlier time, you can use that time. But keep this in mind if youre looking forward to enjoying this perk. You may also like: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! 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. The menus (ship specific, of course) are generous with options. But, (and this is an important one!) On the Cruise Critic boards, people have reported paying between $19.99 to $29.99 and even up to $37 per day for each. As I read them at the time, some posts made me feel that my grandma was lecturing me on how I should or shouldn't spend my money! Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, the lunch by Chops during embarkation day (this way underwhelming), luggage drop off at main dining room during embarkation day, Room service (according to the letter this was free), Priority Time at activities- these were at 9am, which is not a time that I normally wear a bathing suit to ride some waves. Powered by Invision Community. ** Carry-on luggage drop-off service is limited to two pieces per guest and can weigh no more than 25 pounds per carry-on. For a prepaid fee, guest can access benefits that are usually reserved for suite guests or member of Royal Caribbeans loyalty program. Thankfully, someone must have canceled, as I got a spot-- at full price. Having the higher end internet package included with the Key program is one of our favorite benefits. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. You will have priority departure from the ship to the shore at tender ports of call. The first stop you will make is to a designated drop-off room for your carry-on luggage (usually in the Main Dining Room). Some ports may have The Key folks enter the same place as the suites. Since the program began in 2018, passengers have reported paying anywhere from $19.99 to over $35 per person per day. Henderson Nv. ", https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-key-program. While your stateroom is receiving its final preparations, you can eat a leisurely meal with other Key holders in the main dining room. But, be aware that all the following perks will not be available across the entire fleet. I wouldn't pay that for unlimited dining. 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! Since the cruise line requires that this program be purchased ahead of time, this can be a real money saver. But when youre actually on the ship, they all really do make a difference. Yes, you can select either time to enter I had The key for my Anthem sailing last week out of Bayonne. On our last two cruises with Royal Caribbean, we purchased the Key Program. Free room service is indeed a very nice benefit, but I question how often anyone will order room service to truly take advantage of it. **, Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring The Key signature menu.***. If you notice that your card doesnt have the decal, visit the Guest Services desk on board and they can attach the sticker. Great price, I'd likely jump on it at that price too! Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society What You Need to Know. What we did learn was that reserved hours for each activity were typically only offered once during a sailing, and usually during a day at sea. As for Sales/Price Drops, as with most other add-ons, there's no reason for RCI to drop prices for cruises far in the future: However, when there's a big sale on everything, The Key will be discounted, though not necessarily a great discount. Without The Key, if youre late reserving tender tickets, the earlier times will probably be gone. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');This letter also contains your Key luggage tags, ensuring that any bags you put outside your door on the last night arrive in the designated Key section in the terminal for pickup. Posted 1 hour ago. I really hope you didn't buy The Key just for the. A couple reasons, first off, I needed the internet since unfortunately need to work a little bit during the week. Clear editor. *, Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. As a Key Guest, you will enjoy your choice of the best seats. Hiya! On 3/5/2022 at 10:58 PM, brillohead said: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. That said, it's not worth it to me at full price. This benefit only applied to the main theater and the ice show. It took several trips between floors to find the appropriate place to drop it off. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. The latter is the only circumstance where you will receive a full refund. Planning to arrive at the cruise terminal a bit later in the day? The search will resume at first light on Friday morning local time. Be sure to check out these resources when youre planning a Royal Caribbean cruise: Have you bought The Key on a Royal Caribbean cruise? All opinions are our own, and all costs were paid out of our pocket for this experience. The priority for tendering is largely useless since Royal Caribbean ships rarely ever tender, thanks to more and more ports having piers. Price The cost of The Key can vary from ship to ship, as well as itinerary. You will get an email with instructions, usually anyone with the Key can arrive between 11:00-11:30 no matter what your boarding time is. With a lot of guests, the price tag for The Key could add up quickly. So you'll want to spend some time exploring the different things you can experience while onboard. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Can you help me understand suite and key program priority embarkation? With capacity limitations lately theres no lines. * Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom. It is built around the. 37 Cruise Tips: What to Do Before Your Cruise, The 19 Best Cruise Accessories You Need to Pack, Priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day, Carry-on bag drop off and stateroom delivery, Welcome lunch with a menu featuring Chops Grille on embarkation day, Private hours for onboard activities, including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more, VIP seating for shows in the Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70, Exclusive la carte breakfast on disembarkation day, Choice of departure time at disembarkation. You should see signs and there will be attendants there to handle the luggage. Although RCI advertises the cost of The Key on a per-day basis, cruisers must purchase the program for all days of a sailing. Boarded Wonder of the Seas almost a year after our first sailing on her. We even had an entire Key Program booking canceled and our money refunded to us before sailing with no explanation. Video: Is Royal Caribbean's The Key worth it? Cruisers who have reached Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club status in RCIs Crown & Anchor Society also already get many of these perks as well. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. 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! Ultimately, the value of this program is subjective. We definitely feel like the other benefits of reserved hours at attractions, reserved seating for shows, and the priority access at the terminal are without a doubt worth the additional $18. Once purchased, you will see a special image of a key on your SeaPass when you check-in for boarding. The VROOM Surf & Stream package and a meal at Chops Grille are the only two benefits that are eligible for purchase individually. Breakfast room service is likely the most beneficial time to use room service, but there are so many easy grab and go breakfast options that I think in general, the idea of having room service is better than the actual thing. Royal Caribbean's VIP-access program, The Key, is being offered again on cruise ships and you might be wondering if it's worth it. Also, think about the cost of excursions. We much preferred this meal instead of fighting our way through the buffet along with every other passenger onboard the ship. For this reason, you should buy it early since they can sell out for any given itinerary. . Recent RCI cruisers report that most sailings now only offer one private hour per week for each activity for Key members. Key members dont have access to the Diamond or Concierge Clubs, exclusive events, and behind-the-scenes tours. (asking about suite too because we may upgrade to a suite and drop the key). 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. The cruise line has brought back The Key for sailings, albeit with some notable changes. While Royal Caribbeans Key Program doesnt give you access to any kind of upgraded WiFi or internet experience, the daily price of the VOOM package alone is well more than three quarters of what you pay for the Key program. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Keep in mind, though, that there will not be an option to get Royal Caribbean The Key when you board or at any time during your cruise. For some activities, crew will give Key members a wristband once theyve shown the decal on their card. If Royal Caribbean cancels it for any reason, of course you can expect to get your money back. On our first sailing with the Royal Caribbean Key Program, there was a designated area for Key guests to wait in the terminal for their turn to board. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! Complimentary room service for your entire cruise, along with 25% off all onboard dining purchases Private time at some of our onboard activities such as rock climbing, FlowRider, etc. (3:46 p.m. EDT) -- Royal Caribbean is reportedly bringing back one of its most popular pre-cruise purchases: a priority access program known as The Key. On my canceled October 2020 repositioning cruise aboard Brilliance of the Seas, RCI was running a 45% off sale. Why would someone want to drop their carry-on luggage off at The Key location? Select from chef-prepared VIP Key favorite dishes, egg and griddle creations, several sides, cereals or continental choices. I just bought is for $22.99. Or is the only benefit: priority embarkation mean you have your own line to enter terminal as opposed to the masses. Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive? The only Key perk thats not included with any of these programs is the reserved hours for select activities. Not sure if even the most vocal supporters of the VIP pass would say it makes sense financially at that price. There were no lines for the water slides during our reserved hours. The Key allows you to board at that time, but only if you have a time that is before it. Youll be able to stream or download movies and music, or make FaceTime or Skype calls on the ship and on RCIs private island CocoCay. Secondly, if we're going to be able to board early, might as well get the Chops lunch, and lastly, I had a significant travel voucher with my TA, so somewhat forced to spend money. I really hope you didn't buy The Key just for the earlier boarding time it's really not worth the money, IMO, unless the price for The Key was within a dollar or two of the price for Voom. To help us break down the real cost of the Key, for simple math lets pretend youre a party of two going on a four day/three night cruise. Since you have carefully chosen your favorite vessel, you may already know the details. In this day and age, having access to the internet is pretty vital on a cruise. On disembarkation day, Key members can enjoy an exclusive breakfast in the main dining room before leaving the ship. Or, you could reach a high level in the companys loyalty program. The steepest discounts come closer to sailing IF bookings are soft and they want to fill space. 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. Does this mean that it doesn't matter what our boarding time we get when we check in? Againcrowds, queues and waiting. This letter will list updated information about reserved hours for activities and info about reservations for show. On this sailing, the price per person per day would have been a little over $12, the lowest price Ive ever heard of for the program! VOOM Surf & Stream 1 of Device high speed internet per person who purchases the package. Or, in the alternative, Royal Caribbean may offer free room service for the entirety of your cruise along with a percentage off the cost of all onboard dining. Is the Royal Caribbean Key Program a must-do or a hard pass for your next cruise? No sense dropping off your carry on if you board after the rooms are available. (Be aware that some of the most popular spots may only be reserved for Key Guests a couple of times during your itinerary). That brings your total for purchasing these benefits individually up to $182. Overall, we feel like Royal Caribbean The Key is worth the money, especially if you arent splurging on much else. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Posted on Last updated: September 25, 2022. But, since RCI allows passengers to carry on limited amounts of non-alcoholic drinks and bottled wine (see my post about carrying on beverages for their current rules), you probably wont want to be carrying those around with you all day. Each of you can use however many devices you wish, but you can each only be logged into one device at a time (hopefully that makes sense). We had it in January because it wasn't too much more expensive than the internet and we enjoyed having it. You will each get one account. Key members can drop those bags off with less worry about damage from rough handling. What's "The Key? (Keep in mind that there will likely be another window of time to deposit your luggage. On the Cruise Critic boards, people have reported paying between $19.99 to $29.99 and even up to $37 per day for each. Carry on luggage can be left in the MDR and delivered to cabin. You will get an email with instructions, usually anyone with the Key can arrive between 11:00-11:30 no matter what your boarding time is. This benefit might not be as valuable to you. 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. Your bags will be tagged and whisked away into your stateroom (rather than left in the hallway hours later). It changes just like everything else. During our first experience with the Key program, we were with a large group and had a table to ourselves. Powered by Invision Community. Crew often opens up the VIP seating area to all passengers a few minutes before the show begins. The Key was something I've always purchased because I highly value these benefits: Either The Key used to include a 25% discount for specialty dining reservations --or maybe it was just some ships would add that as a benefit to boost dining sales-- but I haven't seen that in awhile. Choose to upgrade the complimentary continental breakfast; order a light lunch; and, have an entire dinner sent to your room. It is suggested that you arrive approximately 30 minutes prior to curtain time to select from amongst the best seats in the house.. Cruise terminals, as we learned during the pandemic, are . That is alcoholic drinks and indeed sodas, coffee etc is unlimited. Many cruise terminals have a special waiting area for Key members, and staff will call you for boarding just after suite and high-level loyalty members. I did not find that the time was convenient and I do not know how many people showed up. Royal Caribbean's internet service, known as VOOM, is well-known for being very fast. One thing I wonder about with The Key. This can pose a problem if youre meeting a self-booked tour (or if you just have lots of things you wanted to see and do in port). It is not like the drinks package or an excursion where you can just add it once youre onboard. Carry-on luggage drop-off with items delivered inside room usually prior to guest access. i4peaches 1 yr. ago I love the Key. I think with a little bit of footwork, you can get similar results on your own and save money on your cruise vacation. But our sailing wasnt taking reservations for shows at all, so there was lots of confusion among Key Guests about this. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. 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. You cannot paste images directly. If high-speed Internet access is important for you and your family, VOOM Surf & Stream will be the key to keeping everyone happy. Royal Caribbean The Key solves this challenge. 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. #5. Complimentary room service for your entire cruise, along with 25% off all onboard dining purchases. But, given that many of the Key perks are also shared by suite and elite loyalty members, they might adjust the number of passes based on how many of those passengers plan on sailing. Ultimately, your wait will be shorter, and you will be one of the first passengers on the ship. You still have to do online check in, I get that part, but if I wanted to arrive early and my check in time is later, does the key (or say suite access) allow me arrive early because of the benefit? On the final day of the cruise, you will notice folks demonstrating some of the same hectic and hurried behaviors that you saw on day one. But information emailed to us just a few short days before instructed us to arrive early. Other benefits may apply at specific ports. Priority departure at ports where a tender is required ship-to-shore, A la carte breakfast and choice departure time on debarkation day. I will be sailing on the Wonder on 2/25 and will keep an eye on the price for that cruise. Or, you might have small bags that could be damaged by the porters (have you ever watched them load up those big carts with suitcases?). Basically, it's your chance to get to the fun faster and receive VIP access to certain activities. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Not to worry. Lastly, Ive found that sometimes there are frazzled port workers who may not be familiar with the Key and just wave you into the regular line. 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.

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