SJay

@JazzBassMan Just checking, this is free, yes? If so, wonderful!

@Biaggio Thanks! I presume they'll have really good air ventilation etc to make the non-smoking side properly smoke-free?
Hopefully I can play poker in the non-smoking side!

All tenders (I took 6 during our overnight stop) in Phuket were from a local company. They did not use the ship's lifeboats. They were big double decker ferries - lovely open top deck for getting great photos of Spectrum as well!

I had the same issue paying my balance in Jan and earlier this week to buy some pre-cruise extras. In the end, I had to call to pay over the phone.

Stay on the non smoking side. It’s the only indoor area where smoking is permitted 

We had priority tender with the Key on the Voyager OTS in Bar Harbor. 
The issue I had was that RCL had contracted with a local outfit that had these really nice large catamaran boats plus they used the ship's bare bones lifeboats.  Getting off the ship, Key purchasers were ushered to the lifeboat tenders. Hard cramped bench seats in the pitchy, dark small boat.  We were packed shoulder to shoulder. I'm 6' 4" and my knees were banging up against the bench seat in front of us.
We rode back on one of the catamaran boats and the difference could not have been more striking.  Roomy isles with individual cushioned seats and arm rests, large stable boat, huge picture windows. I would have waited in line to get off if I had known we were going to be put on the lifeboat tender vs the catamaran.  It was virtually like "basic economy" VS "first class" on a flight.

RC has no face mask policy requiring them at either embarking or disembarking. What is required when not physically on the ship, is a local law/requirement/policy.

Why not just pack some to take with you just in case you need them?  Best case scenario is you packed them, but don't need them.  Worst case scenario is that you didn't pack them and found out you needed them.
This is their guidance on masks in Singapore:
When, where and why I have to wear face mask? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

yep, local laws would dictate at port. Last cruise Royal left some in the rooms at those port if I remember. I found it was somewhat wishy washy though. There was no mention for our Jamaica stop, but there was a sign in the terminal (but it wasn't enforce). In one port (Columbia or Panama) it was worded in the daily compass along the lines of masks might not be mandatory, but local authorities could stop and challenge you at any time (Kind of took that as it's best to have one in your pocket)

I recommend wearing masks on and off the ship and in elevators.  On two of our last three trips, one of us has been sick at disembarkation (confirmed covid when we arrived home).  I hate to think what would have happened to others had we not worn masks.  Starting the cruise isn't so bad, assuming you are healthy, but I'd hate to get sick from someone else on Day 1!

On Odyssey last summer on Santorini we were escorted from Boleros to the tender and were the first off the ship with the Key. Worth every penny. Took us about 10 minutes or less. 

I am very tempted! Thanks!

I got there maybe 30-35 minutes before they started handing them out and I was about 7th in line. But they called the numberw so quickly that when they got to mine, I had just gone for some breakfast. Went down maybe 15 minutes later and walked straight on. 
Honestly, it was a breeze of a tender port. If the priority tender is your main motivation for the key, I would skip it. 

Whenever I had the Key at a tender port…we were escorted through a crew area and right to the front of the line. It was pretty cool coming out of a side door and being at the head of that long line. And there was no specific meeting time…just showed up at the meeting point and there was a crew member standing by to escort us. Good luck!

Just cruised on Spectrum in January with a stop in Phuket. We lined up very early to get tender tickets, however once the tenders started running they were very quick. Unless you need to get off in the first 20 minutes, you really didn't need one. 
The tenders were really quick, under 15 minutes and they were continuous. We were there overnight and we never waited more than 5 minutes for one. 

This is one of the better benefits of The Key if you happen to have a tender port on your itinerary. 

I know on odyssey it took upwards of 2-3 hours to get everyone tendered in Santorini. 
 
If you book an RC excursion, you also get priority tender

Yes, it must be purchased in advance thru the cruise planner (not onboard), for the whole trip, and for everyone 6 and older in your stateroom.

We were able to tender right away with The Key. I don’t have any particular insight into that particular port, but you can get off in One of the first few groups I’d imagine. We never even stood in line for tickets, we just found The Key sign and an attendant took us right down in the elevator.

We don't buy the WiFi...Of course, as Diamond Plus Crown and Anchor, my wife and I get two free days each--so, on a 7 night cruise, we just take the option on different days and share the login...
BUT, this is the plan of attack for the days we are not getting free WiFi:
First, we take the free WiFi on any "at sea days".  When we are in port, we have always been able to find free WiFi somewhere in port--usually available in the port terminals--so, before getting back on the ship, we find a seat and log onto that...and go through all of our emails and any websites we need to check out.  Also, I often find free WiFi hotspots in and around whatever port we are in--often just in the city center...more often in any restaurant where we stop for lunch...We've just learned to ask the waiter if they have Wifi...Before we got the two free days each, we did this even more often.

You can also use royalcaribbean.com (and probably Celebrity's website too) while on the free WiFi.  They are happy to let you research additional cruises while on the ships.  But anywhere else on the internet needs a paid WiFi package.

@teddy I still appreciate the reply! Everyone has been so helpful on this forum for this cruise newbie 🙂

@teddy I still appreciate the reply! Everyone has been so helpful on this forum for this cruise newbie 🙂

@teddy I still appreciate the reply! Everyone has been so helpful on this forum for this cruise newbie 🙂

Yes.  App (and everything within) access is free using shipboard guest WiFi as is the messaging that is in the app.