THE KEY from ROYAL CARIBBEAN may actually be WORTH it.

[@AntandGlen]

Have you ever used The Key? 🔑 Did you take advantage of the benefits and also, did you find it to be good value for money? We'd love to know! 🛳

[@adventuresforthecurious]

I just found your channel and actually love the banter back and forth, so I am subscribing. I've gotten the Key before and am already getting it for an upcoming cruise. It is pricey, but once you subtract the cost of the internet, and the tenders, it is helpful if you don't book excursions through the ship. We walk off with our own luggage, so the last day breakfast is not a factor for us, but we do prefer to drop off our carry on and grab a meal that is not in the Windjammer masses. Thanks for sharing - I'm off to watch another one of your vlogs.

[@AntandGlen]

You have cracked the Key! As long as the components of it are of value to you, it can be a great purchase. Glad you have found us and are enjoying the videos.

[@laureneliza2000]

Thank you for making a video about the key! There are not many updated videos of what the key has to offer, so this is much appreciated. My husband and I are considering our first cruise next year, and really want to make sure we’re spending our money on the right things. This was so helpful, I had to subscribe! Thanks again 😊

[@csmith2435]

Great editing and information! I concur with your conclusion about the key. I have purchased it when it was on sale and only a dollar or two more than the internet package. I mainly wanted the internet access but for a couple of dollars more I could have the Key experience. I was doing back to back sailings on the Enchantment and later on Vision of the Seas. These are the smallest ships in the fleet so they do not offer all of the amenities you had the opportunity to enjoy. I did appreciate being able to get rid of my carry on bag. The lunch, as you discovered, was unremarkable. Nothing compared to having dinner at Chops. But it was nice to sit down away from the crowd in the dining room. The itinerary were all docking ports so no tender experience to share. The shows on the smaller ships do not require reservations so no bonus there. Disembarkation day breakfast? Personally, I would rather eat at Windjammer. I was doing back to back cruises, so picking the time of disembarkation was not applicable to me on this go round. In my opinion, if I can get a good deal on the Key price, it is worth it mainly for the internet. Everything else is just icing on the cake. So, l suppose it depends on personal preferences and the size of the ship...as opposed to the motion of the ocean! 😇😇😇 Thanks again for an awesome video that is informative and entertaining! 😎😎😎 Fair winds and following seas! ~Smitty

[@AntandGlen]

Hey Smitty! Thanks for watching! Glen and I are so please you enjoyed the video. I agree that though the Chops lunch was below par, it was nice to get away from the embarkation crowds of people - I think it could be improved perhaps with a wider menu. I’m not sure. What is the Windjammer like on smaller ships? I personally haven’t been on the smaller ones - but I am tempted by Navigator and I love the itinerary from LA. - It’s funny, but we seem to find that the smaller the ship, the better the buffet is! (Quantum class windjammer seems to wipe the floor with Oasis class!) I’m happy to hear as well, that you got a good deal on the key. I think it’s one of the those add-ons that’s easy to dismiss as a bit of a cash-grab, but as you say, if passengers are already planning on getting the internet package, then it may be better value. I do find that the price does seem to gradually go up though. I was surprised to see it at $47.99 this morning on our next cruise in 4 weeks time. - Ant

[@csmith2435]

I live about an hour drive from the port of Baltimore. Royal, Carnival and soon NCL use Baltimore as a port. The upside for me is I don't have to add airfare and the expense of a hotel the day before and the day after the cruise. the downside is only the small ships can get into the port of Baltimore due to the height of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bigger ships can't get under it to get into Baltimore. Another downside is there are only a few itineraries available out of Baltimore, i.e., the basic Caribbean and sometimes the southern Caribbean. Certain times of year there are some cruises that go north to New England in the USA and then into Canada. I think the prices of the Key, internet and drink packages depend on the size of the ship, the length of the cruise and the market. So like most people, I will purchase the packages that I really want, then watch the prices in case they go on sale for a holiday promotion or for whatever reason. Occasionally I have been able to save about $100 here and there by returning the original purchase and re-purchasing at the sale price. Right now the Vision of the Seas is sailing out of Baltimore. For Carnival it is the Legend. NCL, I think in November, will be running the Sun and I think Joy out of Baltimore. The upside to the smaller ships is you can run into people on more than one occasion. That can also be the downside! LOL! You know what I mean, on a larger ship you might meet someone on day one and never see them again. Which also could be an upside! Perspective is everything! As far as the Windjammer, I think most of the time a lot of the food is similar to what is being served in the main dining room. I like it when I am sailing solo and don't need to have frills and personal service. And if I don't feel like lingering I can eat and run...so to speak. In January I am sailing on Viva from Puerto Rico with a travel friend. We have a forward facing balcony. Never had a forward facing balcony before. I am viewing this as a YOLO situation (You Only Live Once) but I don't have great expectations. I imagine it will be like riding in the front seat of a car with no wind screen (windshield) in place. Fine when docked or at slow speeds in fair weather. But what happens at 20 knots with a rain or mist? I am thinking I would prefer a side or aft balcony. Time will tell! I apologize for making a long story longer! But I almost feel like I am sitting with you guys on the Lido deck have a chat and a libation! 😎😎😎 @@AntandGlen

[@MimiJ-ku6te]

I'am going on a mega ship Icon of the seas your video made my decision to get it thank you

[@AntandGlen]

That’s good to hear, thanks for your feedback. And have a fantastic time on Icon!

[@jacquailmontgomery7178]

You guys are FUNNY 🤣 Personalities are hilarious. I'm trying to plan on Utopia next year. Thank you for the needed advice. I'm very picky but I guess it's based on what you want with the key addon

[@AntandGlen]

Glen here. Ant believes he is funnier. But we know the truth, right? Thanks so much for the comment and we hope you get to travel on Utopia, with or without the Key.

[@teslatalk42069]

Our cruise is offering it for 50 per day per person. RC is drunk charging that much.

[@AntandGlen]

50 a day?! - yeah, that's crazy. (I bet they add 18% to that as well!)

[@julieb7882]

We used the key on Quantum in April for Hawaii to Vancouver. Embarkation was more chaotic than yours, probably due to an unfortunate event before they arrived. We were still among the first to board. Luggage drop off and leisurely lunch were so much better than the lines and table hunting in the buffet. We didn't use special seating at shows. Only other specail things were northstar and I fly. Bumper cars might have been fun but were doing other things at the reserved time. Breakfast and debarking when we were ready was also good. Yes we will use it again on our next cruise in 2024. The price is only $1 more a day than internet. Price is our deciding factor. $12 more than internet yes. $144 more than internet it's a no.

[@AntandGlen]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience of the Key. We totally agree with you on price being the deciding factor. It’s definitely a nice to have rather than a dealbreaker. Where are you headed on your next cruise?

[@julieb7882]

It's an eastbound Transatlantic. Our daughters are paying the fare as an anniversary treat. We're paying for the ad ons. They don't need to break their banks for.is.

[@jeannearc9879]

the shows and internet. Anyways, i see those signs during shows it said "VIP" is that the seats for the key guess ? Or suits guess ?

[@AntandGlen]

As I recall there is white signage indicating suite guest seating areas and blue signage for key seating areas.

[@MICHELLE-ib6ns]

Hi.. I booked the key for our 3 day sailing to see if it is worth it for us. It's not too expensive since only a 4 day cruise on Odyssey of the seas. I have a question. Is free room service included?

[@AntandGlen]

Hi Michelle, I hope you have a great trip! As far as we know, included room service is available with grand suites and up.

[@hkyakult]

Given that I have already booked a junior suite, am I correct that there is no need for me to buy a key? 😅

[@AntandGlen]

Hey! If you booked a full (Grand) Suite or above, then the key probably wouldn't be necessary. In a Junior suite, depending on the price you may find the key to be good value!

[@thebakery3509]

Do you guys even like each other

[@AntandGlen]

We have our moments!

[@dimitriosefstratiadis5117]

They're asking 1100 dollars for two people for 7 days.

[@AntandGlen]

That’s crazy!

[@ladycody1]

I paid just under $300 pp and could have gotten it cheaper but waited until Santorini freaked me out and I decided I wanted it just to get up to Fira without waiting for hours.

[@battery781]

I can only find it for $41.99

[@AntandGlen]

You just prompted me to check our next cruise and the price for that one is $40.99, even in the Cyber Monday sale. No idea how anyone would consider that good value?

[@battery781]

@@AntandGlenit isn’t but I have a family if 4 and need the internet package for them so I upgraded to the key…. It seems the cruise lines get you by an initial low room price than nickel and dime you. But I’m spending the extra money because I haven’t been in a cruise since 1993 and barely remember it. Also it’s our last vacation until my son goes off to college. If you have any thoughts on the water slide package at Perfect Day I would live to hear it.

[@AntandGlen]

As long as you’ve done the math and it makes sense for your party, then great. At least you’ve paid upfront so it’s easier to budget, right? It would be so interesting hearing about all the things that have changed in the world of cruising since you last sailed! We have not been to Coco Cay in quite some time, so cannot comment on the package you mention. I understand Coco Cay prices fluctuate wildly in price, so worth booking, then checking the prices regularly, as you can always cancel and rebook at the new price, should it reduce. Thanks again for checking out our video and we will have a new series on the Odyssey of the Seas coming out in January, if you need another Royal fix!

[@battery781]

@@AntandGlen I was 15 so I hardly remember it but I will for sure let you know. It is in June so it will be a bit. One more thing if you don’t mind. We have connected interior rooms with no windows. For $1,000 extra we can have the balcony rooms overlooking any of the parks. In your experience do you think it is worth the upgrade? Also I like your channel and am a new follower.

[@AntandGlen]

Depending on what you paid to start with, this could be a good upgrade option. However we have not stayed in one of the Central Park / Boardwalk cabins and there are common concerns over privacy, I believe. @emmacruises has a video on one of the Oasis class balconies, would be good to check it out, see what you think