March 9, 2019Our incurable cruise fever started January 2019 when we unlocked the opulent world of cruising on board Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas. After a brief 4-day cruise enjoying the invigorating bliss of the Bahamian sun, we found ourselves drawn towards the allure of cruising on more magnanimous ships, particularly the Oasis class ships of the Royal Caribbean line.
Last year, Royal Caribbean introduced a more luxurious way to cruise. An optional cruise upgrade complete with exclusive benefits and VIP privileges to further elevate your cruise experience. Royal Caribbean simply calls the upgrade, ‘The Key’.
Disclaimer: We haven’t had the chance to personally experience the benefits of ‘The Key’ yet. This is an informative article of what we’ve found online and our opinion of whether or not we should purchase it for our next cruise.
Here are a few facts on ‘The Key’ that we’ve found online:
a. Pricing: $25 per person per day (Note: Watch for sale prices as they’ve sold for $20 per person per day.)
b. Every guest over six years of age in a stateroom must purchase ‘The Key’ if any guest in that cabin purchases one.
c. ‘The Key’ can only be purchased using Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner and not available for purchase on board.
d. Between November 25, 2018 through the end of March 2019, ‘The Key’ is an option for those cruising on Liberty & Oasis of the Seas. (Update: Royal Caribbean has made ‘The Key’ upgrade program available to more ships in their fleet and on cruises scheduled to sail beyond March 2019)
e. For the pilot program, only 100 Keys are available for purchase each cruise.
What are the perks of cruising with ‘The Key’?
a. Priority check-in and boarding
With ‘The Key’, you check-in and board without enduring long wait times.
Note: Not available in Vancouver, Canada or in any Australian port
b. Carry-on bag drop off & delivery to stateroom
Drop off your carry-on luggage at a designated location and enjoy the benefit of not having to bring your carry-on items with you while you wait for staterooms to be ready.
Note: Limited to a maximum of two carry-ons per guest and a 25-pound limit per bag.
c. Enjoy an exclusive welcome aboard lunch at Chops Grille
Note: Chops Grille is Royal Caribbean’s premium steak and seafood specialty dining restaurant and lunch is normally priced at $22 per person.
d. Private hours at on onboard activities
Enjoy exclusive fun time with your group on select onboard activities at a schedule of your choosing.
Notes: Private hours scheduled at check-in
e. Priority port of call debarkation
Another great way to avoid long lines and wait times during port days.
f. Reserved seating at shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater and Studio B.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to reserve shows if you want a decent seat and enjoy the show. Plus, lines are pretty long especially on bigger class ships. With ‘The Key’, you get to choose from great seats designated for those who purchased ‘The Key’ and shared with Sky and Star Class Suites and Pinnacle members of the Crown and Anchor Society.
Notes: *Updated December 15* ‘The Key’ no longer requires guests to make reservations for shows.
g. Voom Surf & Stream high speed internet for one device
High speed internet for checking emails, web browsing, and streaming music and videos.
h. Choice debarkation with an exclusive a la carte breakfast
On the last day of your cruise, you will be treated with an exclusive a la carte breakfast in the main dining room in an area reserved for those who purchased ‘The Key’. You will also be presented with a special breakfast menu for your enjoyment.
Notes:
– Special breakfast time is between 6:30am and 9am
– You can choose to leave the ship between 8:15am and 10:20am.
– Enjoy choice debarkation on a deck with a separate exit and security waiting to scan you off the ship.
Cost breakdown for my wife and I:
On a 7-day cruise, we will be spending $25 x2 x7 days of cruising for a total of $350 additional cost to our final cruise bill.
But realistically , we will probably have lunch at Chops ($22 x2) and purchase the Voom surf & stream internet package for two devices ($20 x7 days) for a total of $184.
That leaves $166 for all the other perks. That’s around $24 cost per day for both of us, or $12 per day per person for premium VIP treatment, not having to wait in long lines, private fun time with your group on onboard activities and guaranteed great seating during shows.
Conclusion:
For $25 per person per day, you’ll get to elevate your cruising venture with all the added perks ‘The Key’ program has to offer. However, because of the fact that if one purchases ‘The Key’, your entire group has to get it, it can quickly add a hefty sum to your final bill.
For my wife and I, purchasing ‘The Key’ is a great way for us to maximize our cruise experience especially the fact that we will most likely purchase the Voom internet package anyway.
Is ‘The Key’ right for your next cruise?
It is totally up to you and your personal preferences. In our opinion, it’s only worth the money if you already plan on purchasing Voom Internet. Technically, it is an internet package with bundled VIP privileges, not the other way around.
‘The Key’ adds the most value if:
- You have one or two people in your stateroom
- You are on a big ship with a lot to do and shows which are expected to be fully booked.
- You don’t know the ship and its destinations.
- You are interested in the shows and the sports attractions (e.g. Zipline, Flow Rider & Boulder Wall)
- You are on a cruise where priority debarkation at the destinations has an added value.
- You have already considered to purchase a Voom Internet Package.
- You are not a Pinnacle or Diamond Plus member, or staying in a suite.
- Maybe it’s even your first cruise
- You like the feel of getting pampered on your vacation.
Note: Many thanks to Daniel Schenk, a member of the Facebook group Royal Caribbean Cruising, for this list based on his experience on ‘The Key’ upgrade onboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas.
To learn more about cruising, check out other articles on our site:
