MrMarc Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 (edited) I decided to try out "The Key" for my upcoming cruise on Oasis. I already have reservations for the shows. I am wondering if I should cancel them since now The Key program says that no reservations are required. UPDATE - The Facebook person just said that the cruise planner is wrong and that you DO need reservations. Edited December 26, 2018 by MrMarc UPDATE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiralqueen Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 If I were you, I would keep them juuuuust in case anything changes. I got the Key for an upcoming sailing as well, but I'm still keeping an eye out for entertainment to open up. Also, I believe I read somewhere that reservations are still required for the comedy shows due to the small size of the venue. MrMarc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMarc Posted December 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 I just updated my post. Apparently, there is some confusion. So I would definitely make the reservations. If you paid $24.99, you might want to check your cruise planner, it was on sale for $19.99 for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiralqueen Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 Thanks for the update! I was paranoid about something like that, which is why I'm stalking the entertainment section of the cruise planner for my May sailing. When you say "the facebook person" was this a Royal Caribbean employee, or a passenger who had recently used the Key? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMarc Posted December 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 9 minutes ago, spiralqueen said: Thanks for the update! I was paranoid about something like that, which is why I'm stalking the entertainment section of the cruise planner for my May sailing. When you say "the facebook person" was this a Royal Caribbean employee, or a passenger who had recently used the Key? It was on the Royal Caribbean Facebook page chat, so it was an employee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 18 minutes ago, spiralqueen said: Thanks for the update! I was paranoid about something like that, which is why I'm stalking the entertainment section of the cruise planner for my May sailing. When you say "the facebook person" was this a Royal Caribbean employee, or a passenger who had recently used the Key? 11 minutes ago, MrMarc said: It was on the Royal Caribbean Facebook page chat, so it was an employee. Hmm...Royal reps are notorious for getting their information wrong. Maybe @Matt can get some clarification for us. According to a blog post here, you don't need reservations as of December 15th. That is the main reason why I purchased it for my upcoming Symphony sailing. I would be interested to know the actual answer on this too. MrMarc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted December 26, 2018 Report Share Posted December 26, 2018 I'm curious to see what experiences are like with the Key. It seems like something that might be good to give an upgraded feel to a sailing, but the benefits seem to start kind of being not worth it as soon as you get up to a Junior Suite level (and at that point, if you already have a balcony you kind of have to start weighing worth a little). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMarc Posted December 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 47 minutes ago, KLA said: I'm curious to see what experiences are like with the Key. It seems like something that might be good to give an upgraded feel to a sailing, but the benefits seem to start kind of being not worth it as soon as you get up to a Junior Suite level (and at that point, if you already have a balcony you kind of have to start weighing worth a little). As a solo cruiser, it's worth it to me. When you start looking at a family of 4, I don't see it, but everyone is different. As an added bonus though, it might annoy the suite guests to have an inside cabin guy(me) sitting with them. JLMoran, Al Horner, KLA and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 Just now, MrMarc said: As an added bonus though, it might annoy the suite guests to have an inside cabin guy(me) sitting with them. Things like that are ALWAYS fun!!!!! MrMarc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 1 hour ago, MrMarc said: As a solo cruiser, it's worth it to me. When you start looking at a family of 4, I don't see it, but everyone is different. I would have to agree. When I priced it out for my family of 4 for the Anthem GC it was over $700! Not worth it at all. It also loses value when you're on a longer sailing. MrMarc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 14 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Hmm...Royal reps are notorious for getting their information wrong. Maybe @Matt can get some clarification for us. According to a blog post here, you don't need reservations as of December 15th. That is the main reason why I purchased it for my upcoming Symphony sailing. I would be interested to know the actual answer on this too. I defer to @twangster experience as outlined in the blog post here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/12/04/review-royal-caribbeans-the-key-vip-guest-experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 17 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Hmm...Royal reps are notorious for getting their information wrong. Maybe @Matt can get some clarification for us. According to a blog post here, you don't need reservations as of December 15th. That is the main reason why I purchased it for my upcoming Symphony sailing. I would be interested to know the actual answer on this too. 2 hours ago, Matt said: I defer to @twangster experience as outlined in the blog post here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/12/04/review-royal-caribbeans-the-key-vip-guest-experience I have noticed that in all of my future cruises The Key is offered with different benefits compared to my first run experience. In my inaugural trial of The Key it clearly stated that reservations were required. Now for my future cruises The Key states: • Reserved priority seating at shows in the Main Theater, AquaTheater and Studio B. No reservations required pre-cruise or onboard. Also this wasn't offered on my 1st run of The Key: • Priority check-in and boarding. Upon your arrival at the terminal, follow The Key check-in signage to your designated waiting area. SpeedNoodles and MrMarc 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMarc Posted December 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 Well, the Facebook team is very certain that you DO need reservations. I am going to keep mine, even though I feel bad if I end up not needing them and it prevents someone else from getting reservations. spiralqueen and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 2 hours ago, MrMarc said: I am going to keep mine, even though I feel bad if I end up not needing them and it prevents someone else from getting reservations. I think you're doing the right thing. You're being considerate, but also need to ensure you have what you're paying for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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