In the customs line the person in front of me had 'The Key' tag on his luggage. I asked him 'Was it worth it?' It was our first cruise. He had been on over a dozen. His response... 'Life's too short to stand in lines.'
This was really a great thorough video about the Key program. Great to know what worked and how it was to experience it first-hand. I think I will pass it up for my mother/daughter cruise on the Oasis in Jan, 2020...mostly because I think we won't need the internet. It was fantastic to have you guys go live from the ship...really amazing that we could be part of that with you! Thanks again for all you do!! ❤️
We had the Key for recent TP on Ovation of the Seas (16 nights). We received directions as to what to do boarding, etc. with the key via email prior to boarding and again in room with access codes. Besides priority show access, disembarkation was a snap. There was a very long line which we bypassed and walked straight off. Almost made you feel guilty, but we did pay for the experience. 👍❤️
I just reserved my first cruise. And after I booked it, I searched for the key. I found it and got it! I told my boyfriend it was non negotiable. I loved the review!!! Thanks for affirming my choice. I am super excited. Thank you!!
We loved using the key. We planned to purchase the internet so we felt the cost wasn’t too expensive. The internet was very fast, the special seating was wonderful. The port Everglades had a special seating for key members. Embarkation was a breeze. We had an excursion planned on debarkation day and we were able to leave when we wanted. Our luggage was taken off and we had access to our luggage right away! If you are not high up in crown and anchor, this was awesome!
Glad you guys had a great time on the Symphony. I will definitely check out the Key when we go next April. Thanks for taking the time to explain all of the details and looking forward to seeing the rest of the vlogs.
Just returned from carnival cruise ....and FTTF on carnival is the one too beat ,hands down .....priority embark/disembark , zoned areas for diamond/FTTF/regular passenger ....priority tender ....and as for the steakhouse (free bottle wine) we'll need I say more ...stuffed mushroom, cowboy steak & sauces ...desert : melting choc sphere ........ Shows in theatre were awesome .. Real high Vegas style ..."epic rock "..entertainment defiantly the word "FUN" is exactly what you get for ur BUCK....$$$$$$$$$$
The 'Wild Mushroom' soup for the Chops appetiser was awesome, but don't try to get it again after the first night in the MDR. All i could get was 'It's not on the menu.' from our waiter. I'm sure it would still be somewhere on the ship, like available in chops throughout the week. The filet was EXTREMELY awesome.
We purchased the Key also on Symphony of the Seas. We had the exact experience that you had. We had no idea where to drop off our luggage once onboard. Even the staff was confused. The lunch was amazing at Chops for us also. The internet was awesome. We did not take advantage of the reserved times for a few activities. We loved the reserved seating area for the shows and yes you must reserve and arrive early. The debarkation breakfast was outstanding, quiet and very special. We meet some wonderful people that we wished we would have met earlier. We had no problem leaving the ship, but we were looking forward to the private escort off. We think it’s a great value if you plan to get the internet for more than one device. The Key was only a few more dollars per person per day. It was all about the experience for us. We definitely plan to get it again.
Hi Sharon & Jamie my husband and I just got back from Anthem of The Seas and we had the key program. On our last day when we were done with our breakfast we were escorted to our luggage. The employee from RCCL got us a porter and put us through customs line within 10 minutes we were cleared from customs and in our pickup ride. We enjoyed this feature we did however had to track someone down to get this process started. I guess because the program is fairly new they are working out the kinks. We would definitely pay to have those perks. We are scheduled for Oasis of The Seas next year so we shall see if the program is still going and we hope they do. Thank you guys for your videos and providing us insight on different tips on cruising.
I was just on Allure of the seas in September 2019 and we were escorted off the ship by the concierge. We are diamond plus members but also we had a suite, and all grand suites and above categories have this service.❤️👍
Sharon & Jamie, I enjoyed your video on the Key program. The majority of cruises I have taken have been on Royal. I do have Diamond status with Royal & yes, priority embarkation is a perk we automatically receive. However, I personally find a lot of value in the perks of the Key program (embarkation lunch, priority show seating, internet & port debarkation). I would definitely purchase the Key on my next Royal cruise!
I just cruised on Ovation of the Seas with the Key last week. When I checked in with my documents they told me where to go to drop off carry on bags and also about the lunch at Chops.
I'm torn.... I like the pay to skip the line aspect vs loyalty program because it allows us to branch out with other lines, but still get a taste of awesome benefit. Buttt at the same time I'd feel a little salty if I've been working my way up to these awesome perks and boom now anyone can have it lol. - Griff
I sailed on Mariner in Feb and had The Key - LOVED it. Will definitely get it for Symphony in Feb. Carry on drop off was in the theatre on Mariner as well.
Thank you for all the info! We purchased the key for both Symphony and Mariner next month. I can't wait to try all the features! The wifi alone was worth it. Ours was also $19.99 a day for both ships! Thanks again!
Thanks for the update on the Key program. Debarkation was the major benefit that I considered when booking the key for Allure of the Seas 9/25 sailing. Hopefully Port Everglades has improved since my last cruise. The other benefits are nice to have too. Thanks again for your report.
We paid $20, listed as 20% off, in April. We are scheduled to go on almost the same cruise in September (same ship... same everything except two of three the ports is different). It is currently listed as $25 after 20% off.
We are really enjoying your vlogs and look forward to seeing more. If you really want priority debarkation and an escort off of the ship, check into Star Class. If you do it on Allure or Oasis during an off time like September-early December, you can find some good deals especially when you consider all of the benefits (unlimited free specialty dining, free voom, free drink packages, priority everything even before the key, a genie, and pretty much anything you want).
@@BobBridgesbob The Quantum and Oasis class ships offer three levels of suite classes: sea, sky, and star. Star class is pretty much the top suites and the perks of staying in one are amazing. If you Google Royal Suite Class, it will give the benefits and perks for each level.
Boarding Harmony a week from Sunday. We were one of the first to buy the Key for this sailing. The benefits to me are worth it on time savings. One thing I have found though, they broke up the day 1 lunch. They allow 200 Key members for Oasis class sailings. The first 50 to buy it get lunch at Chops, next 50 at Jaime's, next 50 at Sabor's and the last 50 get a Chops menu in the MDR. You know what you get because your receipt will tell you what restaurant you go to.
Thanks for the info guys. My husband and I already plan on getting the key for our May 2020 cruise onboard the Symphony of the Seas. We’re excited about it. Can’t wait.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the program. I am disappointed in the change in debarkation because I am still trying to recover from our mess of a debarkation process on our Celebrity Equinox cruise last week. It was the worst we had experienced in our 40 plus cruises and I do not want that to happen again, even if I have to pay for it.
Great video! My husband and I were on the Freedom of the Seas cruising to the Southern Caribbean (May 26 - June 2). We had the Key Club and was escorted off the ship bypassing the long lines. Yes, the Key Club is well worth it. We enjoyed all of the extra perks.
Thank you for the breakdown of how the Key worked! Sounds like there were some definite perks but the luggage drop off seems like it could derail the experience for less assertive passengers. Royal Caribbean definitely has the best wifi, it was fun tuning in to your streams. Loving the blonde in your hair Sharon! 😍
That's funny about the priority luggage dropoff. I knew it was supposed to be in the theater but i expected someone standing there. The door was closed and no one was standing around. After a minute of looking for someone from Royal Caribbean i sheepishly pushed on the door. It opened!!! I peeked in and went... 'hello... Hello???' No one. I decided to walk in thinking 'Well... It wasn't locked' and got to the middle entrance and there was a smiling Royal Caribbean rep with a happy getting and taking the luggage. They could have at least had a 'The Key this way!!!' sign.
I'm glad you guys enjoyed your RC cruise! We purchased The Key for our 7 day cruise and we'll do it again. I'm sorry to hear about RC dropping the personal escort off of the ship. We really enjoyed that, especially having our luggage in a small exclusive area for pickup.
Sounds like it's somewhat comparable to the faster to the fun program with Carnival. Very informative video lots of information. Thanks for sharing. Sincerely Adventures of David and Aaron.
Very informative. Never cruised Royal before but I have used FTTF on Carnival and love the perks. Will def consider using this option when I finally decide to give Royal a try!
Thank you for the great video. We purchased the KEY as well, but kind of made a mistake. I bought the KEY package for my wife and I originally but not for my 2 teenage boys. When I realised this, I tried to buy it for them as well, but it had already sold out. Long story short, other than the wifi, we didn't really use it at all. Word to the wise; if your looking at getting the KEY, buy it earlier, rather than later. They are limited!
awesome videos guys! cruising with ovation of the seas on the 23rd of November 2019 leaving Sydney Australia for 12 nights! was uncertain if I'd get the key, but the way you guys talked about the steak straight away had me sold! :-)
Getting off of the ship at a tender port is supposed to be where the best benefit is at ports. We had an excursion booked through Royal Caribbean so it didn't matter. We were grouped with the excursion. Without an excursion people had to get up early to get a 'tender ticket' then wait until their number was called. With 'The Key' they said don't mess with the tender ticket. Just go to the tender and they will take you on. Maybe there is someone here with a 'tender-Key experience. That would be interesting to hear.
That really sucks about the debarkation change. April 28 they escorted people from breakfast in groups every 15 minutes. You would be escorted past the huge luggage que to a small que that was just for The Key. It did not include escorting through customs, but the customs line in Galveston wasn't long.
We just sailed aboard Symphony of the Seas. We chose the express disembark option. We were up at 7am and off the ship about 8 o’clock. Likewise, when we boarded on embarkation, we were on in ten minutes time. And this was without purchasing the “Key”. While I won’t discourage anyone who chooses that option, as a frequent cruiser, I don’t see the benefit for this upcharge. Our phones go in the safe, our swim trunks go on, we head to lido deck, and we commence our relaxation. If you book ahead, it’s the same scenario as the Key. What’s the point of reserved seating, if once the area fills up, you find yourself in the same predicament as anyone else that shows up later? The Key sounds like a quick money maker for a truncated lunch at Specialty restaurants!
Thanks for sharing. FYI I don't know if you addressed this but I'm scheduled for my 1st cruise with norweigan on 6/15 originally scheduled for Cuba, We have been rerouted to Bahamas offered 100% refund for cancellation or 50% refund on cruise and 50% discount on future cruise prior to 12/20. Of course I'm going anyway although I had no desire to go to the Bahamas.
Yes we did a video on this. It's to bad for those that had a trip to Cuba planned, although most of the cruise lines are trying to make it right even though it's not their fault. NCL compensated nicely.
We had key on Harmony and embarkation was not organized. In my opinion they are still working out the kinks. We had signage for our luggage but we had chops in mdr and that’s where they took our luggage. Voom was awesome our 3 teenage boys loved it, show seating for 5 didn’t work out all the time but still great. Debarkation was nice, we were not escorted off the ship but took less than 10 minutes to get the curbside. We as a family of five that buys the wifi package it was well worth it. 🤠
I am Diamond on RCCL finally. I am not annoyed by a key person getting on before me. My carry on has medication, jewelry, tablet and laptop in it. I am not leaving it with anyone. Not a big deal to keep it with me until 1ish.
I have Diamond status as well. It would not bother me if Key holders get priority anything. I would not be asking anyone what status they have either! I would however, be somewhat reluctant to drop off my carryon with onboard baggage check. Whether it be cash, jewelry or medication, I would not feel comfortable leaving anything of value. You really do not know carefully things are watched. (Maybe this is my New York paranoia talking!) If its a 12 pack of soda or a small bag of clothes I want to have for the 1st day, that is 1 thing. Anything of value, I would not check. I think you have to use common sense in what you leave.
I was on the Navigator from 5/27 til 5/31 and we were escorted off . We met at the bamboo lounge after breakfast. No issues at all and it was our 1st cruise. Definitely will get the key again as well .
@Michael A It was the people in the line we were cutting into who complained. We were heading to the ship opposite the direction of the line. We started walking into the line and someone said 'You need to get to the back of this impossibly long line'. I turned around to go toward the back and the Royal Caribbean rep. noticed we had The Key and said 'No. Merge right here.' and we got in line directly at the platform leading up to the ship. Lots of grumbles from the other passengers. The instance that i didn't like, people who should have been stopped, was the young couple who jumped into our small group as we were disembarking. We were moving fast with the lead person clearing the way saying 'Key People Only'. It was a LONG LINE we zipped past. A guy said 'my wife isn't waiting in this line' and jumped in front and ran with us. I made a comment, not DIRECTLY to the people but loud enough to be heard, about how everyone had the option to pay for this privilege if they wanted to. No honesty with that couple. They didn't care. Kinda made me sick.
The debarkation perk is a bummer. That was a huge plus to buying the key. But the cost benefit for you worked out well still I think. The cost is not in my cruise planner yet for our April 2020 cruise.
@@leeannfrancescone Well I just had to laugh when the agent told me the price was $199 per person per day this past weekend. So I asked him did he mean $19.99 and he said no, $199. I could not believe it. He also said that people were actually buying them. Ha! Not me! LOL
I bought the key for our last cruise in January. We loved it! Not buying it for the cruise in October 2019 because we are going with lots of family. We are also booked for April 2020! I would definitely pay $19.99 per day per person again.
As someone who is Platinum on Carnival and Diamond on RCCL....I'll take RCCL. As a Diamond member I don't think the key is much of a benefit except the Wifi. You should try the STAR CLASS sometime, THAT is impressive!
@@ceoronda3201 Star class is part of the Suites program. It is an all inclusive pampering. You have your own Genie that is essentially your personal assistant. It includes all dining venues, dink packages. Never a line, ect....
Watching and asking questions as I watch. Also making comments. So would the Key program be good for a seven day cruise? Can you choose how many days you want it for? How early can you get on? So you get free wi-fi with the key? You don't pay the $15 then? Did having the key give you free sodas? or did you have to still buy the drink package? thanks for sharing.
Great video! I think the key program sounds like it would be worth the money. I wish Carnival would set up special times for the faster than the fun people to use the sky ride. When I was on the horizon, every time I went to check on the sky ride it was an hour wait. I was wondering with the key do you get to have a special line for customer service or do you wait in line with everyone else. Thank you
It was almost like an hour of private Flowrider time. There were only three other people there. I went quite a few times and i only did it for about the last 25 minutes. I had to get the guts up to try it. I won't wait next time.
No the info should be attached on your booking when they scan your boarding pass. Your seapass card will have a little key pic on it when you get your card. Although if it makes you feel better you can always bring a print out of the receipt from purchasing it.
I imagine that most diamond cruisers are not annoyed that Key holders get on the ship slightly ahead of them. Diamond cruisers have cruised so much that the experience is old hat to them and they probably get a kick out of the glee and excitement of those who are new to being the first.
It is totally not worth it and here's why. First, they advertise that key members will get exclusive time on certain ships activities when only key members can use them. What they don't tell you is they give you one hour total for the whole trip for each activity (4 on our cruise) and all on the same day. AND... some of the activities overlapped, so you couldn't really do both. Plus, for the flowrider activity (which is what we really wanted), we had to wait over an hour (and remember, we only had one "key" hour) in the key member line, which as we found, was about the normal wait time. Super disappointing, especially for our kids. Next, they advertise early disembark for your ports of call. None of our ports were tender ports, which was where this benefit is likely actually useful. When we asked Guest Services about where we go for early disembark, they told us there wasn't any and that we wouldn't have any trouble getting off. We didn't have any trouble, but we also didn't get the service that they advertised. Nor do they indicate in the marketing material that they really only have it for tender ports. Next, the VIP seating. You have to arrive 10 minutes early to the show to get VIP seating, otherwise they let others sit there. When you arrive 10 minutes early, there are lots of seats available, many that are better than the VIP seats. We sat in the VIP seats once. Found better seats every other time. Lastly, there was a mixup at the end of our trip and we didn't receive the special "Key" luggage tags. Our written instructions told us which side of the ship to get off on since we were Key members. We did, but our luggage was on the other side. There was no offer to get them for us, we had to walk back up the same narrow gangplank with our carry-ons and one large suitcase, now against the massive flow of people trying to get off the ship. It was miserable. We certainly didn't feel like a VIP. Oh, you do get two free meals, though... [whoop-de-doo]. Please take my advice and skip "The Key"...
Great video!!! Our family is planning a cruise and we were wondering??? Where is it best to purchase the cruise?? Please if you have some options I would greatly appreciated Lily 😇💙
Hi Iliana..as a matter of fact, you can contact me, Sharon, and I can help you with that!! Check out my facebook page, Sharon at Sea Travel or email me at sharonatsea@gmail.com
First one came out Sunday morning..it was our travel day to Miami...embarkation Day will be out early Wednesday. Join us for our Monday Night Live show tonight!!!
How many Key timeslots did you have available? Before our cruise I had seen other people's time chart that they posted online and it had two for the Flowrider and rock wall. Ours only had one time slot for each, but Liberty of the Seas only has one Flowrider.
I was wondering where i would fit in her...we are D+. But also we are trying the unlimited dining package for our upcoming February Harmony cruise...is it worth it for us?
Personally, if I was waiting to ride the flow rider and they had one closed off to only Key members ,that would annoy me. I don't mind the priority boarding perk, but to close off one full flow rider to the majority of the cruise passengers doesn't sit right with me. It will cause even longer lines for other passengers and that just isn't fair. Some people may not be able to afford the key and they may not get a chance to ride the flow rider because only half the facility is available.
Hi Brenda, the scheduled Key times for those activities were mostly hour long windows, earlier in the day, so as to minimize impacting other cruisers. Definitely a good point.
@Arrianna Nunez , not poor by the way. Most people that can go on a cruise aren't poor but they may have saved for years to bring their family.It is obvious that money doesn't buy you compassion or a proper education .......yo
Do you know how many people on your cruise purchased The Key? They are tight-lipped about that. I heard it would be between 100-200. On ours, I jumped back and peeked at the breakfast checklist when the person seating people walked away. :-) 104
Hello. I saw a photo on the Unofficial Royal Caribbean Blog on 7/31/19 showing a photo showing priority boarding on Symphony when coming back from port. This may only be an option for some ships and some ports. Hope this helps.
@@danielcatalano3204 There is priority boarding when you are leaving in the embarkation port, but not when you are visiting other ports. This is also what is stated on Royal Caribbean's website.
Could just one person in your party purchase the key or do you have to purchase for everyone in your cabin? I guess I wish they had different levels of benefits so you can customise what makes sense for your family. As a family of 6 I couldn’t justify paying $840 for the benefits you mentioned. I do feel the price for fttf is worth it for my family and we booked two rooms and the cost was $180. As always I enjoyed your video!
Everyone in the cabin has to get it Anne. We agree on the cost..large family on a 7 day cruise is pretty costly and usually we wouldn't need wifi for all of us. Since it was our first on Royal, and a 4 day..we decided to grab it to try it.
Thanks for watching Tracey. We had numerous people say they were escorted off and even the staff said they previously escorted people off. We heard sometimes in groups and sometimes just themselves.
Thanks, not sure about what is happening on other ships, but I can only tell you what our experience was that we were tole by dining room staff. They did not tell us we could walk to the front of any line. Although it was not that busy and were able to get off in 15-20 minutes tops. They told us it is called "Choice Debarkation" and that now after breakfast you can just walk off whenever you are ready.
Glad you guys had a great time on the Symphony. I will definitely check out the Key when we go next April. Thanks for taking the time to explain all of the details and looking forward to seeing the rest of the vlogs.
