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Harmony of the Seas 'The Key' questions...


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Good morning RCB... Some friends and I (6 total) will be cruising on Harmony OTS in late September... and we were tossing around the idea of 'The Key'. 

It seems that the benefits associated would be beneficial to each of us in some form. Such as, I need the internet package anyway and I enjoy the specialty restaurants (lunch embarkation day), others like the thought of 'special hours' for key attractions, and another needs to get off the boat ASAP when we return. So there is a little something for everyone, but not everything for everyone. 

With that.... we wanted to get some insight from the good folks here that have used it before. 

Specifically, does anyone know or have a copy of the 'special times' for the attractions for Harmony eastern itinerary? (coco, St T. & St. M)  I've seen a few generic ones or ones for other ships, but have not stumbled across a Harmony specific time sheet yet. 

Also, right now its listed at $30 per person per day. I know the price is a subjective thing, and can fluctuate. From what I have found online, it seems that a lot of folks got the perk for about 20 to 25 pp/pd. Does 30 seem to be the top of the price curve... therefore should be perhaps wait and see if it drops in the near future?

Finally, anyone that has used this perk.... any personal thoughts or tips and did you think it was worth it? (and why). 

 

Thanks in advance, 

Gene-o-Vanelli

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44 minutes ago, vanelli56 said:

Finally, anyone that has used this perk.... any personal thoughts or tips and did you think it was worth it? (and why). 

We used it on Symphony in May and loved it. Here are my thoughts on it that I posted on page 8 my live blog:

Which brings me to the KEY. We did get it at the $19.99pp/pd price and was worth every penny to us. Priority embarkation was really nice, and they did walk us through saving time on line. But the whole process in the new Miami Terminal A is so easy anyway that not having it wouldn't be a deal breaker. Boarding at 11, dropping off the carry on luggage and having it delivered to the room before the 1PM ready time is a winning idea. Loved not having to keep it with us for 2 hours or having to drag them into Chops for the included and delicious embarkation day lunch. VOOM, priority seating at shows---all good. They nailed the priority debarkation. After finishing the breakfast they sent up an escort to take us all way from the dining room, off the ship and through the terminal right to our waiting luggage. Now (drum roll, please) the best perk is not even listed in the Key description, so take note if you buy it....you never have to scan your seapass card when taking as many pool towels as you like. Seapass card has a Key sticker on it. Just show the attendant, take your towels and walk away. Especially when returning to the ship from a port, not having to wait in line for them to scan your card for returning the towels is a blessing. Free milkshakes at Johnny Rockets..woohoo. No purchase necessary. Sit there and enjoy it or take it out. Funny part is, they didn't scan our card. Probably could have gone back for more, but we didn't. So, thumbs up for the Key. However, if next year's is more expensive and multiply by 12 days, we'll have a really tough decision to make.

Also, the debarkation breakfast was fabulous:

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Know that everyone in the cabin must buy it (except for children under a certain age, which I do not remember.

Also,Keep in mind that they do limit (or at least they did then) the number of "Keys" they sell. So if you see a price you are comfortable with order it. If the price drops, call them to cancel and rebook at the lower cost. But do call and have then handle the switch--don't do it on line because when you cancel, you may not get it back.

Hope this helps and happy sailing.

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1 hour ago, vanelli56 said:

Good morning RCB... Some friends and I (6 total) will be cruising on Harmony OTS in late September... and we were tossing around the idea of 'The Key'. 

It seems that the benefits associated would be beneficial to each of us in some form. Such as, I need the internet package anyway and I enjoy the specialty restaurants (lunch embarkation day), others like the thought of 'special hours' for key attractions, and another needs to get off the boat ASAP when we return. So there is a little something for everyone, but not everything for everyone. 

With that.... we wanted to get some insight from the good folks here that have used it before. 

Specifically, does anyone know or have a copy of the 'special times' for the attractions for Harmony eastern itinerary? (coco, St T. & St. M)  I've seen a few generic ones or ones for other ships, but have not stumbled across a Harmony specific time sheet yet. 

Also, right now its listed at $30 per person per day. I know the price is a subjective thing, and can fluctuate. From what I have found online, it seems that a lot of folks got the perk for about 20 to 25 pp/pd. Does 30 seem to be the top of the price curve... therefore should be perhaps wait and see if it drops in the near future?

Finally, anyone that has used this perk.... any personal thoughts or tips and did you think it was worth it? (and why). 

 

Thanks in advance, 

Gene-o-Vanelli

Why not price out the benefits - would you pay $210 over one week for the benefits?   A lot of people do, we don't.  We'd prefer to spend the $$ on excursions or a night in a motel before the cruise.  It also depends whether you have other benefits because of the stateroom you reserved (like meal vouchers and such).  Different people have different attitudes toward spending money, as well as different perks that give them joy.   I can see $20/day because of Voom, if I needed the wifi, which I don't.  Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!  The late September cruises on Harmony are a good value (stateroom prices) compared to May, so you already may have saved a bundle.

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18 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

Why not price out the benefits - would you pay $210 over one week for the benefits?   A lot of people do, we don't.  We'd prefer to spend the $$ on excursions or a night in a motel before the cruise.  It also depends whether you have other benefits because of the stateroom you reserved (like meal vouchers and such).  Different people have different attitudes toward spending money, as well as different perks that give them joy.   I can see $20/day because of Voom, if I needed the wifi, which I don't.  Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!  The late September cruises on Harmony are a good value (stateroom prices) compared to May, so you already may have saved a bundle.

Agreed. I have done that already... and its really the 'intangibles' that are the cost difference; such as the early and easy disembarkation, and the special hours. Hard to put a price on those things. But you are spot on... that was the first thing I did. 

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8 hours ago, vanelli56 said:

Also, right now its listed at $30 per person per day. I know the price is a subjective thing, and can fluctuate. From what I have found online, it seems that a lot of folks got the perk for about 20 to 25 pp/pd. Does 30 seem to be the top of the price curve... therefore should be perhaps wait and see if it drops in the near future?

The Key just became available today for our Feb 2020 Harmony cruise and the price is $37.99 ?

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10 hours ago, swimking1 said:

Same here for a May cruise on Symphony.  It also specifically says the lunch will be in the MDR with the Chops menu.

Lol that's ridiculious! Still waiting on my Feb 16 2020 cruise to have The Key available. If it's any higher than 24.99 I'm not getting it! Hopefully the price drops...

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I messaged them yesterday and was told the Key would appear 60-90 days before sailing. An hour later it was on my planner (250+ days out).  It's listed at $31.99. I paid 19.99 for an Oasis Class 7 night last May. This is a 12 night on a Voyager class...no way we will pay more than 24.99 for it.

It used to be that the facebook messenger group was very reliable. Lately it seems like they use stock answers whether or not it's applicable to your situation. Very unfortunate.

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On 8/9/2019 at 11:29 AM, vanelli56 said:

Agreed. I have done that already... and its really the 'intangibles' that are the cost difference; such as the early and easy disembarkation, and the special hours. Hard to put a price on those things. But you are spot on... that was the first thing I did. 

We have had the key twice now ($19.99 PP/PD both times), once Oasis class once Freedom class.  With regards to the disembarkation benefit, we personally found self assisted disembarkation much more preferable to key disembarkation, especially if you are on a time crunch.

I would buy The Key again but wouldn't pay much more that $20 PP/PD; currently it is at $31 for my Feb 2020 Oasis, and not yet listed for July 2020 Symphony.

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On 8/9/2019 at 7:54 PM, swimking1 said:

Same here for a May cruise on Symphony.  It also specifically says the lunch will be in the MDR with the Chops menu.

With the location move to the MDR, does this mean Jamie’s is no longer a choice for The Key embarkation lunch? The only enticing program benefits for me are the internet and lunch. Being a non-meat eater, Jamie’s was more appealing than Chops.

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