The Key or not to Key

[CruisingWalter]

As others have mentioned, when The Key is close to the daily Internet price, then it can be worth it.

 

To avoid the crush at embarkation, you can take the more casual route and roll up to the terminal later in the afternoon. If Embarkation starts at 11:30, show up at 1:30 or 2pm so the initial crush has gotten onto the ship. I don't see the ship, but you usually have options besides just the windjammer, such as Park Cafe on an Oasis Class ship. That's usually my embarkation day lunch on those ships to avoid the buffet rush. 

[time4u2go]

On 5/18/2024 at 11:39 AM, Bahbey said:

I will be on a 3-night cruise solo.  Am a senior who can't really stand for long or walk long distances. Is the MDR open on embarkation for lunch, and breakfast on the last day?  Have been thinking about getting The Key just so I can avoid the long lines/crowds on first day/last at Windjammer, etc.  The Key would provide both.  Thanks for any input!

Do you require internet service?  That makes a difference in the decision.

 

I never use the internet while on board, so it's an easy decision for me.

 

Edited May 20 by time4u2go

[bajathree]

 

The comments below in bold are my personal comments on the Key benefits and their worth to me.

 

Here's the list of The Key benefits:

 

• Priority access during The Key designated arrival time (to be communicated via email). Other benefits may apply at specific ports.*  The same can usually be achieved if you make note of check-in day and try to get one of the earliest time slots. Once the Key is called generally boarding starts right after....I am always boarding no more than just a few minutes after Key people boarded.
• Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom. **  If that is important to you. Staterooms open at 1 and I usually never have more than a backpack or at most a very small rolling suitcase and never found it an issue to just hold onto it till rooms are ready at 1pm.
• Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring The Key signature menu.*** I usually sail ships with Park Cafe or Cafe 270 and have never found them busy when they open at 11am. If I wanted a special lunch I would just purchase specialty dining for embarkation day.

• Access to the fast lane at onboard activities (activities vary by ship)and private time at the Flowrider*. These times are usually only available during odd times....like port days or early in the morning or evening.

• Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore. Honesty can't even remember the last tender port I was at...none of the BIG ships tender 

• Dedicated seating at shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70.**** This can and cant work. Often times the reserved seating isn't in the best locations...like up in the balcony. Some shows it does offer a decent spot but not for all shows and you still need reservations for reserve only shows. 

• VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 of Device high speed internet per person who purchases the package. You have to cost factor how much internet will cost you verse the cost of purchasing The Key. 

• On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive á la carte breakfast and choice departure. In over 50 cruises I think I have only actually sat down for breakfast maybe only a handful of times. I have usually been able to get the departure time I want by simply telling my room steward if I want early luggage tags or late luggage tags.

[TwoMisfits]

I'll let you know in about 10 days.

 

I will say, my call to confirm my special needs went really well today - not sure if it's b/c I did buy the Key or if it's always that nice and helpful (b/c it's my 1st cruise with allergies as they are adult onset).  

 

I am most interested to see how embarkation lunch goes with the Key and multiple known food allergies.

[bajathree]

35 minutes ago, TwoMisfits said:

 

 

I am most interested to see how embarkation lunch goes with the Key and multiple known food allergies.

The Key is going to make absolutely no difference in this respect. It wouldn't be any different than if you booked special dining lunch for embarkation day. You let the waiter know if you have any food allergy's.

[TwoMisfits]

1 minute ago, bajathree said:

The Key is going to make absolutely no difference in this respect. It wouldn't be any different than if you booked special dining lunch for embarkation day. You let the waiter know if you have any food allergy's.

 

Right - I was paying for embarkation lunch either way (b/c WJ would be a disaster for allergies on the 1st lunch - way too much of a crush of people to handle any special needs), but now my exact location, needs, and time are known.  It's probably the safest way to eat the 1st meal.  But we'll see.  I'm hoping for a dessert b/c the menu doesn't have one I can eat - if I get one, I'll be thrilled.  If not, my teen boys will happily eat 2.

[goldfish65]

FWIW, The Key finally went on sale for my sailing. Five dollars a day over the cost of the internet. So, you can find a good discount if you keep checking the cruise planner. That works for me because I abhor standing in lines. 

[Sonic2012]

On 8/9/2024 at 12:19 PM, goldfish65 said:

FWIW, The Key finally went on sale for my sailing. Five dollars a day over the cost of the internet. So, you can find a good discount if you keep checking the cruise planner. That works for me because I abhor standing in lines. 

How far out is your sailing and what class of ship? 

[goldfish65]

2 hours ago, Sonic2012 said:

How far out is your sailing and what class of ship? 

Just under a month. Freedom.

[ARandomTraveler]

When people mention the cost of internet, are you comparing the cost of the key to the cost of just one internet device?
 

Because usually, if you're buying the internet for one person, 2 devices, you get a significant discount on that second device, and none of the prices I've ever seen for the key come anywhere close to the price of that second (discounted) device.

 

And since you have to buy the key for everyone in the room, you really should be comparing the cost of Internet including those discounted devices, not just the cost that's listed as the "per person"  internet price, which assumes just one device. 

[Keksie]

7 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

When people mention the cost of internet, are you comparing the cost of the key to the cost of just one internet device?
 

Because usually, if you're buying the internet for one person, 2 devices, you get a significant discount on that second device, and none of the prices I've ever seen for the key come anywhere close to the price of that second (discounted) device.

 

And since you have to buy the key for everyone in the room, you really should be comparing the cost of Internet including those discounted devices, not just the cost that's listed as the "per person"  internet price, which assumes just one device. 

If you get one person 2 devices can both people be on at the same time?

[firefly333]

10 minutes ago, Keksie said:

If you get one person 2 devices can both people be on at the same time?

Yes they count the devices. Can be any 2 devices. If a 3rd logs on with your log in, one is knocked offline. Any 2 devices at a time.

[Keksie]

7 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Yes they count the devices. Can be any 2 devices. If a 3rd logs on with your log in, one is knocked offline. Any 2 devices at a time.

I think we will still get the key for the other benefits at least for our upcoming cruises.  It is nice to know that 2 people can be on at the same time in the future.

[ARandomTraveler]

2 hours ago, Keksie said:

If you get one person 2 devices can both people be on at the same time?

Yes, the only difference between buying one device (or multiple devices) for each separate person, and buying 2 devices (or more) for 1 person, is that in the first scenario, each person creates their own login and password to use the internet. In the second scenario, one person creates a login and password and both people use that same login and password to access the internet.

 

You can use as many different devices as you want (1 cell phone and 1 computer, 2 cell phones, or even 4 different cell phones). You're not actually limited to 2 devices (or however many you purchased) total for the whole cruise, you're just limited to the number of devices that can be logged in at the same time.

That's why it doesn't make sense to purchase a separate package for each person, because all you're doing is choosing to pay more money in order to have your own login. 
 

 

[goldfish65]

10 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

When people mention the cost of internet, are you comparing the cost of the key to the cost of just one internet device?
 

Because usually, if you're buying the internet for one person, 2 devices, you get a significant discount on that second device, and none of the prices I've ever seen for the key come anywhere close to the price of that second (discounted) device.

 

And since you have to buy the key for everyone in the room, you really should be comparing the cost of Internet including those discounted devices, not just the cost that's listed as the "per person"  internet price, which assumes just one device. 

I'm solo this cruise so paying for just me, The Key is a better value than when there are more people in the cabin. 

[Keksie]

26 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Yes, the only difference between buying one device (or multiple devices) for each separate person, and buying 2 devices (or more) for 1 person, is that in the first scenario, each person creates their own login and password to use the internet. In the second scenario, one person creates a login and password and both people use that same login and password to access the internet.

 

You can use as many different devices as you want (1 cell phone and 1 computer, 2 cell phones, or even 4 different cell phones). You're not actually limited to 2 devices (or however many you purchased) total for the whole cruise, you're just limited to the number of devices that can be logged in at the same time.

That's why it doesn't make sense to purchase a separate package for each person, because all you're doing is choosing to pay more money in order to have your own login. 
 

 

I wouldn't buy a separate package for each person if we didn't get the key.  I like several things that the key provides along with the internet.

[gmerick]

- Internet: I have to buy it -- I work on board.

- Priority seating: On AN, two ushers posted at the red rope checking Sea Pass cards into the Key area, Key area also had extra waiters. 

- Key lunch: I don do Windjammer - too many grubby hands touching everything.

- Carry on luggage: I have a bad feeling about being extorted for tips by the curbside baggage handlers.  I also change out of my winter clothes and leave them in a bag at MDR.  Sometimes it's 20 degrees F at the Newark pier.

- Priority tender: Grand Cayman - first one on the tender, straight to the Dive Boat.  

- Priority disembarkation: Leisurely breakfast with Lox and Schmear on pumpernickle. back to the cabin to put on winter clothes, bypass the line, and go to the Key area right next to customs.  15 minutes is plenty time from cabin to airport shuttle.

 

Definitely worth $50 over the price of internet.  (7 day cruise=19.99+7.00/day, 3-day=19.99+16.00/day)

 

[NewlyMrs.Kilday]

3 hours ago, gmerick said:

Carry on luggage: I have a bad feeling about being extorted for tips by the curbside baggage handlers.  I also change out of my winter clothes and leave them in a bag at MDR.  Sometimes it's 20 degrees F at the Newark pier.

Question re: this. I haven’t cruised in almost 5 years. We used to always give luggage to the porters.

I purchased the Key for an upcoming Allure cruise. It’s only 3 days so we will only have one suitcase for the 2 of us. Should we just hold on to all of our stuff including the suitcase and bring it to the MDR to be delivered to our cabin? 
Is that allowed? 
 

[FrannyK]

14 hours ago, NewlyMrs.Kilday said:

Question re: this. I haven’t cruised in almost 5 years. We used to always give luggage to the porters.

I purchased the Key for an upcoming Allure cruise. It’s only 3 days so we will only have one suitcase for the 2 of us. Should we just hold on to all of our stuff including the suitcase and bring it to the MDR to be delivered to our cabin? 
Is that allowed? 
 

That's what I would do.  We've had the key before and we saw people bring large suitcases.  It was no problem.

[FrannyK]

We have done Key and no Key.   I really enjoy the key but the price is so high these days.  My husband really wanted it for our upcoming cruise, he loves the embarkation lunch being so relaxed and nice and he really loves the debarkation breakfast and getting off the ship without all the crowds.  I like the reserved seating and not having to carry our luggage around.  I was not happy about the price but I reserved it.  Then I checked every day and last week it went down in price, so it was $10 more than internet.  Canceled the first order and rebooked it.  I'm satisfied with that.