JohnK6404

2 minutes ago, KLA said:

I'm really excited to try this on Allure in September and hope the perks stay about the same. Since we would have bought VOOM anyway, it wasn't really a huge jump at all for all the other perks.

My wife and I are too! We'll be on Allure in May and we were lucky enough to grab it when it was $19.99/day. 

Check out this blog post by Matt from last month... about half way down... “aft chairs with a view”... maybe what you are looking for?

I know we’ll be looking for this spot!

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/01/14/top-8-tips-and-tricks-royal-caribbeans-boardwalk-neighborhood

I don’t believe the prices ever go up from the “regular”, non-discounted, prices listed. They do periodically have “Cruise Planner” sales and I’m sure you will see at least a couple more before your sail date in August... especially around the holidays. I’m sure some of the more veteran cruisers will be able to provide better insight.

Of course the discount will vary by sale... at some point you will want to book your excursion (preferably at a sale price). If a better sale comes along, you can easily cancel online and rebook immediately at the sale price. I believe you can do this online up to 2 days before sail date, but read the fine print at the bottom of the excursion detail page for date & time to book/cancel online for your specific sail date.

We booked an over the water cabana in Labadee last year (did not know if they would sell out quickly) and it went on sale this year... I cancelled and rebooked at the new sale price. In my case, I called RC just to make sure I did not lose the cabana and they assured me I would not and completed it over the phone. For most excursions, I would think you’re safe doing it all online!

Have an awesome time!

43 minutes ago, GlowTheWeird said:

Did you have any problems with My Time overlapping evening activities/shows?    

That's the beauty of My Time... total flexibility when you need it...

However, we try to book the same time each evening (for us this upcoming cruise - 6:00 PM... seems to be an ideal time slot for us). Sort of a modified Traditional Dining... this way you always get the same team and table. 

Even on the days we are in Labadee (4 PM departure) and Jamaica (6 PM) that time really works. All of the shows are later in the evening. The only day we picked a later dining time (7:45 PM) was the day in Cozumel since the ship does not depart until 7:00 PM. We did not want to have to rush back to the ship for dinner.

We work the shows around the dining schedule and daytime excursions. Last night we were able to book every show (Mamma Mia, both water shows, headliner, comedy club, ice show) when we wanted to go (eg. not too late on an evening before we're in port early) without overlapping the dining time and allowing enough time to get to the show without rushing. Only on one sea day do we have 2 shows (one in the afternoon, the ice show, and one later in the evening)... entertainment is nicely spread out throughout the cruise. We actually have a couple of days with no scheduled shows... nice!

Sorry for the novel! To answer your question, with a little planning, you should have no problems with My Time overlapping because you decide when to eat and which show to go to. Each of the shows, except for the musical, will tend to have multiple shows on any given day (usually 2 or 3 times). The musical tends to have one show each of the first 3 days of the cruise (at least on Allure)... an early evening on one day, later evening show the next and afternoon show on the last day.

Also, take a peek at a Cruise Compass from a prior Harmony sailing to get a feel for the entertainment schedule before it opens up in your Cruise Planner...

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=1071

... and you still can link your dining reservations with other folks and sit at the same table with My Time... the last couple of cruises we traveled with family in other cabins and always sat with them. To date, we have not seen any disadvantage with My Time.

I think people tend to choose the traditional dining because it's simple and they do not need to make individual reservations online when dining reservations open up in the Cruise Planner (which takes all of 10 minutes).

Unless something has changed recently, you will still get the same team, and probably the same table, every night even with My Time. 

We have never selected the set dining times (traditional dining), partially because the earlier dining time books so fast and because of our need for flexibility on port days, and we have always been seated in the same section with the same team.

We do tend to pick similar times each evening (eg. 6:00 PM) and have always been seated at the same table with the same team every night. A couple of times (on port days) we've picked a later dining time and we were still seated in the same section (same team), but at a different table since it was of course not available at that later time slot. On those odd nights, if another table is not immediately available in that section, we may have had to wait 10 minutes or so for them to clear a table.

Usually they will ask you at some point during the meal what your plans are for the next evening and they really, really, really, try to accommodate you and keep you with the same team throughout the cruise!

Have a great time!

Entertainment opened up for us today too!  96 days to go... Allure sailing 5/19/19!  All booked! 

They also just bumped it up today on our Allure, 5/19/19, sailing to $31.99 too... crazy!

I had that happen to me the same day we paid off the balance (last month). I clicked on the link and it correctly showed no remaining/outstanding balance due.

The next day, and up to this point, it was no longer an active link and was grayed out.

Thanks @SpeedNoodles!

We’re heading out in May on Allure and will report back too! Going with friends that also purchased the Key.

Do any of the dining packages allow you to change to any night and restaurant once on board (based on availability of course)?

Are we always forced to dine the first night, etc., in one of the specialty restaurants?

We used to purchase the specialty dining a la carte for 2 or 3 restaurants so this was never an issue, but we are curious about the packages.

Thanks!

2 hours ago, Christie said:

I thought it included reserved seats for shows?  Also when purchasing, it says specifically that you do not need to reserve the shows?

They just changed the policy back a week or two ago, and just finally updated the cruise planner, to the way it was first rolled out (need a reservation) when @twangster first experienced it back in December... The Key still gives you prime seating in a reserved section, but we still need to make reservations. At least we don't have to rush to arrive 30-45 minutes or more prior to showtime to get a decent seat. 

I guess they want to sell more of these and fear they will run into seating capacity issues if a majority of the "Key" holders decide to show up for the same performance.

9 hours ago, Matt said:

The fact the prices aren't lower is a good thing.  I mean, sure, I'd love to get a cheaper deal but I find it quite satisfying to know that booking in advance locked me into the best price.

Matt, I agree with you 100%! 

We booked our cruise well over a year ago and for the last 6-8 months, including this recent sale, the same cabin class has literally DOUBLED in price. Like you always say... it's supply and demand!

2 hours ago, tiny260 said:

 Most of the people that are seeing the good discount above are within or right at the 90 day final payment.

...I have to watch this with fingers crossed - we're 101 days out (Allure)! 

We finally purchased the package during the last cruise planner sale at $49... that's also the current price with this latest "sale".

5 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Need to have a Key Genny to escort valued guests.

We need to have the Rock escort us... 

47 minutes ago, Angelicious said:

To me, it’s well worth the money! We only go on 1 big vacation a year ( I’m a single Mom) and I take that opportunity to absolutely spoil myself and my son! 

Agreed!  We too can only take one big vacation each year especially now since my wife had to change employers a couple of years ago and lost most of her vacation time due to the job change (went from almost 8 weeks to 3 weeks).

In addition to the other perks you mentioned that caught your attention... For me, my wife and friends, we all planned on doing the lunch at Chops Grille anyway (and now Giovanni's Table/Jamie's Italian was added as an option... hmmm decisions, decisions), so this was another bonus for us... not dragging around our carry-on bags was another little bonus and we were getting at least one device w/ VOOM.

Just an FYI... looks like they finally updated the benefits of the Key online to include the Giovanni's/Jamie's lunch option and the entertainment reservation requirement:

Summary of your benefits: 
• Priority check-in and boarding. Upon your arrival at the terminal, follow The Key check-in signage to your designated waiting area. 
• Carry-on bag drop off and delivery to stateroom. Drop-off located in main theater onboard and available until 1:30pm. Up to 2 carry-on bags per guest. 
• Exclusive embarkation lunch at a specialty dining venue. Choose between a Steakhouse (Chops Grille) or Italian (Giovanni’s Table or Jamie’s Italian depending on your ship). You can select your venue of choice once onboard. Seating is first come, first served from 11:30am – 1:30pm. 
• Private hours at onboard activities including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more. The private hours schedule will be provided at check-in. 
• Priority port of call debarkation. 
• Reserved VIP seating at shows in the Main Theater, AquaTheater and Studio B. You must reserve your tickets in advance in the Entertainment section of Cruise Planner up to 72 hours before your sailing or onboard the ship. 
• VOOM ® Surf & Stream 1 Device high speed internet. 
• Choice debarkation with exclusive A La Carte breakfast from 6:30 am – 9:00 am.

I bet that is why they are making "Key" holders make reservations again... otherwise they have no control over how many show up on any given performance and cannot guarantee decent seating. We'll make sure to get there at least 20 minutes prior to showtime!

... and I bet by requiring reservations, they will increase the number of "Key" holders on each cruise since they can better manage the seating... anything to increase revenue! 

I can't speak for the exchange rate, but it's very easy to cancel & rebook/repurchase any excursion, reservation or package through the Cruise Planner.

Yes, you are charged immediately for the item you purchase on your credit card.

If you want to cancel something, go to the top of the Cruise Planner page and click on "Order History" link. You will see a list of everything you have purchased/booked to date and under each item you will see a "Cancel" link. Click the cancel link and follow the prompts and your money will be refunded to the card you purchased the item with... they told me it can take 10-14 days to credit back, but I think it will probably be quicker.

Go back into the item and repurchase/book and you will get the current discounted price. Just be careful that the excursion or reservation you are cancelling is not a limited or very popular one as, in theory, there may be a very slight chance (depending on when you cancel/reorder) the item is not available when you try to repurchase it (possibly booked while you were cancelling?). Naturally, a drink package is not limited, so no worries!

We had booked an over the water cabana at Nellie' Beach and during the last Cruise Planner sale this past wekeend, the price went down 10% (woo hoo!). Fearing that if I cancel online I may lose it somehow (I think they only have 10 cabanas or so), I played it safe and called RC customer service and they quickly took care of the transaction and assured me I would not lose the reservation! The CS rep used the scripted 10-14 days for my refund of the original price to appear as a credit on my card.

*** They do not credit the difference (no adjustment), they cancel the full charge and rebill the new discounted amount to your credit card.

Finally, if you look at the very bottom of the page of any excursion, package or reservation you select, in the very tiny fine print, you will see the last day that the reservation/purchase can be made for your specific cruise (deadline for online/pre-cruise purchases is usually 2-3 days before departure otherwise you'll have to wait until you are on the ship). So it should follow that you can cancel/repurchase up to that date too!

Have an amazing time!  We are on Allure this May and can't wait!!!

Allure of the Seas (5/19/19)... 109 days to go! 

On 1/28/2019 at 3:49 PM, deany said:

Deluxe drinks package has been bought and i wondered if there is anywhere i cannot use this.  (is the champagne bar included?)

... and I believe it cannot be used at the Starbucks.

FYI... I just got off of the phone with RC customer service and they confirmed that the entertainment reservation policy was changed back to the way it was originally rolled out (as @twangster experienced it in DEC). She explained that it may still appear incorrectly in the Cruise Planner (stating no reservations required).

At least for my cruise (Allure, 5/19/19), we now have to make reservations (makes sense since they could run into seating capacity problems if the majority of the Key "holders" arrive to the same show!)... a little disappointed that we lose that flexibility, but I'm glad that @marcg125 mentioned it so it won't be a surprise!

109 days!!!

When my wife and I were on Majesty back in June 2010 (our first RC cruise), Michael McDonald was on board for a concert. It was a corporate recognition event (Fortune 100 company) and my employer chartered the ship for a short cruise (4-nights) out of Miami and booked Michael McDonald. We stopped at Key West, Nassau and CocoCay (not too memorable back then!).

We got to sit right up front about 10-15 feet from him... he was drenched in sweat from the hot lights, but he was awesome!

Thank you @twangster for your review of your experience with the Key last month!

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/12/04/review-royal-caribbeans-the-key-vip-guest-experience

We looked more closely at it this weekend as we were deciding on the deluxe drink package (currently $49/person). Since we were planning on getting at least VOOM for one device, and possibly two, with the drink package/VOOM combo ($60/person), it made the decision to purchase the Key ($19.99/person) much easier. It's effectively only $9/day more per person for all of the other perks!

We're going with friends on our next cruise (Allure, 5/19/19) and splurged for an over the water cabana at Nellie's Beach.

Does anyone know how they assign the actual cabanas? Is there any rhyme or reason? First come, first choice?

Thank you all as always!