Question about The Key

[Rubyfisch]

5 minutes ago, adamtoonarmy said:

Still listed for my cruise too. I will skip it if we end up buying the key as I dont like the look of the menu. Definitely still listed as a benefit though.

Yeah ... It didn't really do much for me, either. It was one of my least favorite meals on my last cruise.

[PWP-001]

On 5/11/2023 at 9:32 PM, aqc said:

Because I got the key on my December sailing, I was reading through everything about it. I found this comment interesting. Can anyone confirm? This would be a better deal as you may get the full Chops menu. (See image, highlighted red box)

 

I would think this is a one-time exception perhaps due to a service failure by ship.  

 

Last November Liberty was planned to arrive to port late as it deadheaded from Texas.  Suite/Key didn't board until 3:30pm but we were ushered to the MDR for a late lunch rather than an invite for the next day in the restaurant.

 

Especially for larger ships, far more Key packages are sold than there are seats in Chops.  Setting a precedent of allowing Key guests who arrive late and miss lunch to come to Chop's could easily displace revenue guests.  So I can't see this becoming a thing.

[PWP-001]

On 5/12/2023 at 10:03 AM, Mum2Mercury said:

Eh, no.  We see very little value for the cost.  Our thoughts on the perks: 

 

- An efficient boarding plan (starting with staying up until midnight to grab the earliest boarding slot -- not a hardship for me) would make more difference than The Key.  

- My carry-on is a small backpack, which contains my jewelry, electronics and medications.  I would not leave that with someone else.  

- Lunch would be nice, but isn't "enough" to make me part with that much money. 

- No thanks to private times on those popular activities.  

- Few islands still use tenders, so this isn't much of a perk.  Belize and ... ? 

- The Key seats in the theaters aren't particularly great, nor does anyone police who's sitting in them. 

- We don't get internet service during cruises. 

- I wasn't aware that the departure breakfast was so nice, but -- like the embarkation meal -- it doesn't seem like "enough" to convince me to spend for the whole week. 

 

My conclusion:  If you're a couple (not a family) and you're going to buy internet service, this may be worthwhile; if you weren't going to buy internet, The Key is hard to justify financially.  

It's actually pleasing to hear some pooh-pooh The Key.  It's not for everyone, nor could they accommodate everyone.  

 

Thankfully enough of us appreciate and value the benefits included that the program remains viable.

 

Lastly, I will correct you about reserved seating at Aqua Theater.  I've sailed on three Oasis class ships in the past six months multiple times, and the reserved seating is premium, roped off, and guarded by a staff member who checks eligibility to enter.

[nasa1974]

I'm on the Wonder, February 2025 and the VIP Pass (The Key) doesn't have a selection to click on. Maybe it's too early. 🤷‍♂️

[Mum2Mercury]

53 minutes ago, PWP-001 said:

Lastly, I will correct you about reserved seating at Aqua Theater.  I've sailed on three Oasis class ships in the past six months multiple times, and the reserved seating is premium, roped off, and guarded by a staff member who checks eligibility to enter.

Admittedly, I don't know about the Aqua Theater, but I have not seen it enforced in the main theater two two different ships.  

[Teeara]

For us it's all about the embarkation, disembarkation and internet.  We MUST be off the ship early due to limited flights getting us home after the cruise before our commuter bus stops running for the night after we land.  I like to board early, too, and since we aren't in a suite for our cruise this will be a little bonus.  Internet is crucial for us as well for various reasons, one of which is being able to work on my YouTube channel while I'm on the cruise.

[sailsalot]

Thanks for the reassurances. Got confirmation that boarding lunch is still included for us. 🙂

[packedandready]

On 5/7/2023 at 8:15 AM, Saturngrl said:

We just did the Key on Independence this past week.  For us, it was well worth the price, especially regarding boarding order and embarkation lunch, as well as the FABULOUS disembarkation morning breakfast.  We were escorted off the ship ahead of everyone else and on the road by 8:00 a.m.  I will definitely do The Key again! 

Did you have a designated area to meet for debarkation? Guest services told us to just walk to the head of the self assist line. Well.....you know how that would have turned out. 

[PWP-001]

10 hours ago, packedandready said:

Did you have a designated area to meet for debarkation? Guest services told us to just walk to the head of the self assist line. Well.....you know how that would have turned out. 

Disembarkation is the most inconsistent benefit of The Key.

 

Look at the exact wording on your Welcome Letter.  Most likely it will say "disembark at your leisure."  It most likely does NOT say "priority disembarkation."  An Oasis Class manager pointed that out after I explained that on Freedom Class ships I've been escorted to the front of the line.

 

 

[Saturngrl]

On 5/27/2023 at 9:47 PM, packedandready said:

Did you have a designated area to meet for debarkation? Guest services told us to just walk to the head of the self assist line. Well.....you know how that would have turned out. 

There was a crew member with a Key sign waiting outside the MDR after we finished breakfast.  He escorted us from there off the ship.  The funny thing is the people who tried to join our group.  The crew member stopped them cold and told them this was exclusively for the Key, then sent them back to their assigned waiting areas.  Sweet!  

[sargemrs]

6 hours ago, Saturngrl said:

There was a crew member with a Key sign waiting outside the MDR after we finished breakfast.  He escorted us from there off the ship.  The funny thing is the people who tried to join our group.  The crew member stopped them cold and told them this was exclusively for the Key, then sent them back to their assigned waiting areas.  Sweet!  

As a newbie RCL cruiser, am I understanding that the Key is a little step-down from the suites perks? Please advise.

[packedandready]

13 hours ago, Saturngrl said:

There was a crew member with a Key sign waiting outside the MDR after we finished breakfast.  He escorted us from there off the ship.  The funny thing is the people who tried to join our group.  The crew member stopped them cold and told them this was exclusively for the Key, then sent them back to their assigned waiting areas.  Sweet!  

Do you know what time the key group started disembarking?

[Biker19]

9 hours ago, packedandready said:

Do you know what time the key group started disembarking?

Unlikely you can rely on some set time for that - you can disembark at any time after self-assist starts.

[Saturngrl]

18 hours ago, sargemrs said:

As a newbie RCL cruiser, am I understanding that the Key is a little step-down from the suites perks? Please advise.

The Key does not grant you entry into the Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen or other suite-only areas.  Suites and Pinnacles still board first, then the Key before the assigned boarding time groups.  

[sargemrs]

6 hours ago, Saturngrl said:

The Key does not grant you entry into the Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen or other suite-only areas.  Suites and Pinnacles still board first, then the Key before the assigned boarding time groups.  

Got it!  Thanks!