Is Royal Caribbean's Key Program Worth It? A Detailed Look

[@vaughnwalker1344]

You left off the priority DEbarkation where you skip the potentially long lines leaving the ship. Show up at a designated Key location at a certain window of time and they escort you to the exit, and your baggage is waiting in a specific Key area usually very close to the exit of the terminal. Great explanation of The Key. For me the kicker is the internet, but if you don’t plan on using the internet at all, then skip The Key.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Good catch. I can’t believe I forgot that as it was on my list. Actually, I know why I forgot. We always carry our bags off the ships, which means we have never used that benefit. Thank you for pointing this out to everyone. I realize there are people that would like to take advantage of it.

[@danm6695]

I am still on the fence with this one. Thank you for the explanation and breakdown of those benefits. Great work!

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Whenever we cruise on any of the Oasis class ships, we automatically get it but the smaller ships are always hard to decide.

[@julieb7882]

We check the cruise planner often. For the 3 cruises we bought it for we only paid $1 a day more than the internet alone. The cruises ranged form 9 to 13 days. Being able to have a seated lunch on embarkation with our first adult beverage of the cruise is more than worth the extra cost.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Totally agree. We are going on a 14 day in the spring and it is only $5 more.

[@9OClockRant]

I have mobility issues and for my upcoming cruise, one benefit sold us on the Key: priority tender port. Everyone knows that Santorini is a nightmare to go up to the old city. Our game plan: be the first bunch to go to beat most of the crowd to the cable car.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Very true. I forgot to mention it because there are very few ports that still use tenders. Santorini and Grand Cayman are the only two that come to mind. Normally I don't get the key on smaller ships but we are going to Santorini next summer and we will also be getting the Key for that trip, due to what you mentioned. Thanks for the great comment.

[@9OClockRant]

@@3rdOrbitTravelers for my sailing, I just noticed that Mykonos will also be a tender port. Double win for me. I think there are rumours about RCC considering adjusting the program…. Let’s hope for the better….

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

@@9OClockRant Thanks for the info.

[@MissBriBrizzle]

Great video! I enjoyed the Key on my last Royal cruise have it for my next. It’s worth every penny.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

I totally agree!!!

[@maryhills851]

Thanks for sharing this information. You helped me to make up my mind today on whether or not I should get it.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Glad I could help!

[@mjmarinajessselincorner7911]

Im planning to do this for the icon of the seas

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

We will also, when we go on icon.

[@debbietummel5732]

I heard The priority seating was in a really bad area and it was better just to come early and get a better seat

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Yes and no. The only bad seats are in the main theaters. Now, the reason people think they are bad is because they are on the second level. I agree the first few rows are bad (there is a railing that obstructs the view) but the rest are ok. Also, for some shows, like the done show on Wonder, it is better to sit on the 2nd level. The other shows have great seating (water and ice shows)

[@lindastover9541]

Great video ❤❤❤❤

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Thank you!!

[@lindastover9541]

@@3rdOrbitTravelers ❤❤❤❤

[@summerwinecooler]

Actually dining package does NOT get you guaranteed seating at certain restaurants. But if you pay ALA CARTE you 100% will get seating since you're paying IN FULL.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

That is correct. However, you are not necessarily paying in full. Most of the time the meals are discounted (on sale) before the cruise.

[@KeithRider-z3e]

Do you still get priority access, “skip the long lines” on embarkation if you do’t show up early; after lunch?

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

On the last cruise, I called and asked the same thing. I was told that if I had the Key I could board whenever I got there. We ended up getting there ontime, so I didn't try it to see if it worked.

[@MimiJ-ku6te]

On the Mega ship Icon of the seas there's no Question got to get it!!! :) got mind

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Totally Agree!!!!!

[@travelwithdebandnick]

Hi :) Debbie from Tasmania Australia, ive just subscribed to your channel ❤ last night I decided to purchase the key for us on our march cruise on quantum of the seas ❤ I was just wondering. It says in the benifits that it includes voom internet for 1 device. There are 3 of us that we got the package for. Does that mean 1 device each?? Or do the 3 of us have to share that 1 device and log in and out of the internet each time any of us want to use it?? Great video ❤

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

It is one device per person that has the key. If all three of you have the key, then each of you have one device that can be connected to the internet. You can change the device however, you are not limited to your cell phone, for example. I constantly switch between my phone and computer. You just can’t use both at the same time. Thank you for the follow and welcome to the channel.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Oh, and sorry for the delayed response. I’m actually on Harmony of the Seas and I have been uploading videos, which means my computer has been connected and not my phone. In other words, I’ve been lazy about checking messages. :-)

[@travelwithdebandnick]

aqwww thats fine :) at least you got back to me whicj i really appreciate thank you :) alot of you tuberes dont. and thats great about the internet, thank you for lettging me know @@3rdOrbitTravelers

[@laurasantina2558]

Did they do away with the complimentary room service with The Key?

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

We never got it but, that being said, there was nothing indicating complimentary room service in the "Key" info they left us.

[@julieb7882]

Complimetary room service was only during a portion of the pandemic. Some other benefits weren't available then.

[@rick_brindle]

Is there any benefit to the Key if you Book a suite? It seems most of that (besides Voom) comes with a suite Sky level or above.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Very true. For the most part, the value of the Key goes away once your Crown & Anchor is high enough or if you get a suite.

[@janerodriguez2436]

I got the key for an upcoming cruise. Are you saying I do not have to make reservations for the shows? Just show up at the designated seating area for Key members?

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

If you can make reservations, you still need to make reservations. Then go to the show and when you check-in, ask where the reserved seating is. You can only make reservations on the Oasis and Quantum Class Ships (I have never been on a Quantum Class Ship, but that is my understanding). I hope that helps.

[@chacri08]

I want to get the key, but I can’t since one of my roommate doesn’t want to get it….its all or nothing.

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

I feel your pain. My friend Jim cruises with me occasionally and he never wants to get the Key. 😞

[@ghausa4500]

I always get the key

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

So do we!!

[@1RexRacer1]

Other videos say that during boarding, no one at R.C. checks if you actually do have the key. Can someone sneak through without the key?

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

Every cruise I have been on, that I have the Key, I have been asked to show proof. This proof is on your SetSail Pass (Boarding Pass). So, you are not going to be able to enter the Key waiting area. That being said, if you are simply asking because you want to board early, it depends on the port you leave out of. Some are a lot stricter than others. For example, in Galveston, the last time I sailed out of that port, they made everyone who didn't get priority boarding wait outside until we were all checked in.

[@1RexRacer1]

@@3rdOrbitTravelers Thank you, we in fact are sailing out of Galveston on Harmony of the Seas. I bought the Key but would be very angry if just anyone would be allowed to board early without the Key.

[@ThompsonsTakeOn]

Do they tack on the 18 percent gratuity to the key?

[@3rdOrbitTravelers]

The amount you pay for the "Key" is the amount per day x number of days. There is nothing added to the fee. Also, the list of benefits does not mention anything about any gratuity. Great question, I had to go look. The interesting thing is that it doesn't mention if it covers gratuity for the Chops Lunch that is included in the Key. I'm going on Wonder of the Seas in a few weeks, I'll have to check when there. I'm assuming that it does, but I'll find out for sure once there. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.