Average_Scott Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Taking our 1st ever cruise in April. Debating buying The Key since we are buying internet anyway. One thing I’m confused by is the dropping carry-on bags off at dining room. I’ve heard that you should have a carry-on with important things and swim suits and such, so why would you leave it at the dining room? Also, some people say they waive the $7.95 room service fee, but that is not listed as a benefit for our AOTS cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 The key has evolved and changed since the restart, including the name getting an update to VIP pass. I believe room service is no longer a part of it. The chops style lunch can be purchased onboard for a cost of about $24 per person. The exit breakfast is either a fancy crabcke with a poached egg on top or steak and eggs (these are in addition to their standard sit down breakfast). As for the carry on bag, I was told when I tried to drop mine off that if there was naything important in it I should remove it. Welp, I kept the bag. The bags are dropped off next to your door, not placed inside your cabin. BTW, the only reason I did the key was because it was $1 more per day than the internet, so for an additional $7 on my 7 night cruise and $9 on my 9 night cruise it was worth it. RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatyBoaty Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 22 minutes ago, Pattycruise said: The bags are dropped off next to your door, not placed inside your cabin. BTW, the only reason I did the key was because it was $1 more per day than the internet, so for an additional $7 on my 7 night cruise and $9 on my 9 night cruise it was worth it. I have done The Key 3 times in the past 6 months. The bag I drop off has always been inside my room as soon as the rooms open. But agree, not a lot of value unless it is very close to internet price, especially since all in the room must purchase. RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomSlayer Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 My wife and I usually get the Key. We check our big bags with a porter and usually have carry-ons too. When it's just my wife and I, we stuff important things like papers and meds in her purse, then drop off the carry-ons in the MDR so we don't have to lug it around. We usually have our wine and other stuff in our carry-ons that did not fit in the big suitcases, so it is nice to be able to drop it off. We don't usually pack light because we live close to port and don't fly. It has changed over the past year -- no more room service with it. But we do like having a relaxed lunch when we board and breakfast before we leave. Not having to worry about having a set time for disembarkation really is nice. We are taking my 3 teens in March for Spring Break and my wife made me buy the Key for everyone. We were going to get internet for everyone anyway and I got a good deal at $19 per day for the Key. We will defiantly take advantage of the Key for exclusive times with the Flow Rider, wall climbing, and other activities. My plan with the kids is to designate one as the "pack mule" and stuff swimsuits into their backpack, and just check all of our other carry-ons on day one. BrianB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Think of your luggage as 3 categories. The big stuff - This goes to the porters The carryon stuff - Things like your wine, clothes for first night dinner etc. This gets dropped off Your valuables - Passports, meds, stacks of cash. This stays with you in a small daypack. brgreens, FSUFAN, RCIfan1912 and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 I have used the Key many times on the Anthem and my bag was always placed inside my room, sometimes inside a closet. I also have a lock on the bag…even though I keep my passport and cash with me. I liked the Chops lunch on boarding day. I also liked the priority tender boarding when there is a tender port. Being brought through a side door right to the front of the line is very convenient. There is usually reserved Key seating on the Anthem in the theater, but in the past it was rows 3 and 4 center…now it seems like it’s in more in the back of the theater. I’ll find my own seat, thanks. Same with 270. They say Key guests can get in to the entertainment venues early…but they also say Suite guests, Diamond Plus, Pinnacles and some casino guests can also get early admission, but I have very rarely seen this happen. It’s always been doors open…c’mon in! I never did the Key reserved times on the FlowRider or iFly, but I did when it was offered for the NorthStar. I don’t know if they still offer it on NorthStar, though. I also liked the priority disembarkation. I do early walk off with all my luggage and don’t have to join the line of early risers. It’s nice being one of the first off the ship as soon as we are cleared, through customs, in my car, and usually home before 8am. Bottom line, for me it was worth the purchase. I was getting internet anyway so when it was reasonable for me considering the price of internet…it made sense. FloatyBoaty and teddy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 I just got off a cruise yesterday with The Key benefits. LOVED the early boarding - 10:25am for the win, RC! (Navigator of the Seas) Having designated private times at places like the rock climbing wall and Flow Rider were nice too. Special seating in the theaters = take it or leave it, but I did think it was super useful for the ice skating show. Free Internet made this worth it to me (when I purchased, The Key and getting internet were only $5 apart). However, my FAVORITE thing about The Key is dedicated time to disembark. There was a massive line off the ship at 8:45am. I just mosied over to our meeting location (R Bar, in this case), showed The Key employee my SeaPass, and she escorted me straight to the scan-to-get-off employee. I literally skipped 20 minutes of waiting in line with that. Time from showing her my SeaPass card at the R Bar to stepping out onto the street to get a ride = 14 minutes. LOVE. EDIT: No free room service, but continental breakfast is free for everyone - take advantage of it! BrianB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brgreens Posted February 1, 2023 Report Share Posted February 1, 2023 On 1/31/2023 at 7:57 AM, BrianB said: I have used the Key many times on the Anthem and my bag was always placed inside my room, sometimes inside a closet. I also have a lock on the bag…even though I keep my passport and cash with me. I liked the Chops lunch on boarding day. I also liked the priority tender boarding when there is a tender port. Being brought through a side door right to the front of the line is very convenient. There is usually reserved Key seating on the Anthem in the theater, but in the past it was rows 3 and 4 center…now it seems like it’s in more in the back of the theater. I’ll find my own seat, thanks. Same with 270. They say Key guests can get in to the entertainment venues early…but they also say Suite guests, Diamond Plus, Pinnacles and some casino guests can also get early admission, but I have very rarely seen this happen. It’s always been doors open…c’mon in! I never did the Key reserved times on the FlowRider or iFly, but I did when it was offered for the NorthStar. I don’t know if they still offer it on NorthStar, though. I also liked the priority disembarkation. I do early walk off with all my luggage and don’t have to join the line of early risers. It’s nice being one of the first off the ship as soon as we are cleared, through customs, in my car, and usually home before 8am. Bottom line, for me it was worth the purchase. I was getting internet anyway so when it was reasonable for me considering the price of internet…it made sense. Brian, thanks for the info. We're on Anthem in May and have Key purchased. Very helpful to hear your specific experience! BrianB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheels_967 Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 I got the key pass and was given a 1:30 boarding time… I’m challenging this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 Choosing your boarding time is up to you, it's your responsibility. The Key benefit is priority boarding in that window. Having said that you can expect to get an email from The Key likely offering you the chance to come at 11. it will come about a week before the cruise. You should challenge yourself next time to check in at the first possible moment after check in opens if you desire the earliest arrival time. It will work out for you, but if you were expecting that having The Key was going to guarantee an early arrival time, you're mistaken about the benefits of the program. FloatyBoaty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 When I had the Key and boarded in Bayonne…they never looked at my assigned time. Just that I had the Key and waved me into the terminal. Key boarding is always early. I believe the time is set at 11:00. That’s because of the Key lunch. On the Anthem, the lunch is served up until 1 or 1:30…so boarding after that is a waste. So is the carry on luggage service if you board after the rooms are available. Just show your key symbol on your SeaPass and they should let you right in. Good luck! FloatyBoaty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatyBoaty Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 2 hours ago, wheels_967 said: I got the key pass and was given a 1:30 boarding time… I’m challenging this. As mentioned above , look for a letter from Royal with the subject: Reminder of The Key program benefits! about a week-10 days before you board. It will give you a Key priority boarding time - you can board by the time listed (I've had the Key my last 3 sailings and it has been either 11:00 or 11:30). It goes on to state: *Please arrive at the terminal at (whatever time this letter assigns) AM. If you are not able to make the early access window, you should arrive within your appointment time and will receive priority access into the terminal. wheels_967 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJay Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 On 1/31/2023 at 1:59 AM, DoomSlayer said: My wife and I usually get the Key. We check our big bags with a porter and usually have carry-ons too. When it's just my wife and I, we stuff important things like papers and meds in her purse, then drop off the carry-ons in the MDR so we don't have to lug it around. We usually have our wine and other stuff in our carry-ons that did not fit in the big suitcases, so it is nice to be able to drop it off. We don't usually pack light because we live close to port and don't fly. It has changed over the past year -- no more room service with it. But we do like having a relaxed lunch when we board and breakfast before we leave. Not having to worry about having a set time for disembarkation really is nice. We are taking my 3 teens in March for Spring Break and my wife made me buy the Key for everyone. We were going to get internet for everyone anyway and I got a good deal at $19 per day for the Key. We will defiantly take advantage of the Key for exclusive times with the Flow Rider, wall climbing, and other activities. My plan with the kids is to designate one as the "pack mule" and stuff swimsuits into their backpack, and just check all of our other carry-ons on day one. With the no set time to diaembark, how late can you have breakfast on the final day with They Key and how late can you disembark? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomSlayer Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 8 hours ago, SJay said: With the no set time to diaembark, how late can you have breakfast on the final day with They Key and how late can you disembark? They obviously need you off the ship so they can turn around and embark passengers for the next trip, but this is based on the departure schedule which can verry per sailing. You can check the cruise compass / app for the latest disembarkation time and use this to gauge when you need to be off by. Our personal routine is to go to the MDR with our last-night carry-on about 7:30 or 8 am to start breakfast and then we just depart the ship after eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheels_967 Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 On 2/12/2023 at 8:21 AM, FloatyBoaty said: As mentioned above , look for a letter from Royal with the subject: Reminder of The Key program benefits! about a week-10 days before you board. It will give you a Key priority boarding time - you can board by the time listed (I've had the Key my last 3 sailings and it has been either 11:00 or 11:30). It goes on to state: *Please arrive at the terminal at (whatever time this letter assigns) AM. If you are not able to make the early access window, you should arrive within your appointment time and will receive priority access into the terminal. Thank you! FloatyBoaty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat8635 Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 I am getting key this time as the priced dropped over 100 dollars was close enough to internet alone that the extra didn't bother me. My boarding time stayed the same at 11am. I plan to be there earlier so we will see. With the lunch and breakfast, it is worth it to me. As a solo traveler keeping a space in WJ can be exciting! I probably will not use seating and may use access to abyss. We will see. Wish room service was included! I miss the old days when I could have a put of coffee at my door every morning! RCIfan1912 and Cactus527 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 2 hours ago, pat8635 said: I am getting key this time as the priced dropped over 100 dollars was close enough to internet alone that the extra didn't bother me. My boarding time stayed the same at 11am. I plan to be there earlier so we will see. With the lunch and breakfast, it is worth it to me. As a solo traveler keeping a space in WJ can be exciting! I probably will not use seating and may use access to abyss. We will see. Wish room service was included! I miss the old days when I could have a put of coffee at my door every morning! Room service for coffee is still free, isn't it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCG Teacher Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 5 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Room service for coffee is still free, isn't it ? I was about to ask the same question. As far as I'm aware, everything on the Continental breakfast menu is free. WAAAYTOOO and Cactus527 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 On 1/27/2024 at 7:29 AM, pat8635 said: I am getting key this time as the priced dropped over 100 dollars was close enough to internet alone that the extra didn't bother me. My boarding time stayed the same at 11am. I plan to be there earlier so we will see. With the lunch and breakfast, it is worth it to me. As a solo traveler keeping a space in WJ can be exciting! I probably will not use seating and may use access to abyss. We will see. Wish room service was included! I miss the old days when I could have a put of coffee at my door every morning! On 1/27/2024 at 9:57 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: Room service for coffee is still free, isn't it ? 19 hours ago, USCG Teacher said: I was about to ask the same question. As far as I'm aware, everything on the Continental breakfast menu is free. A pot of coffee at your door every morning has nothing to do with the key, and is still free and readily available. Cactus527 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plyman697403 Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 I have used the Key 2 times and its not much more that the internet. I also like a few of the advantages of being one of the first ones on and first ones off it so desired. I also like the fact that with the key you get priority seating at certain events, and times on the flowrider that are for key members only. The free lunch dining with the chops menu is ok ( did not care for the food the 2 times i did this) but its better than fighting for a table and fighting the lines at the windjammer. I do not know if the coffee is free to have it delivered to your state room but its only $8 ... and you can get as many pots as you want. Tom pat8635 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.