THE KEY isn’t worth it. How I’d fix it

The Key is an option to pay extra to get VIP privileges, but I've never liked it because the benefits sound better than they really are. Here are a few changes I think Royal Caribbean should make to make it actually worth it.

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[micahjackson]

Because most of the benefits of the Key are on the first day, it should be a flat cost, rather than a “per day” cost. The longer the cruise is, the less valuable The Key is.

[beachymamaadventures]

I agree Matt! Love the suggested changes here! I would even go a step further and add some customizable options between the lunch and the laundry. Essentially, each purchaser would choose 1 from 3 options such as: lunch, laundry, or free room service for the duration of their cruise.

[Nancy-wf]

If you purchase the key early, the price is nearly the same as the WiFi package. I enjoy having a sit down lunch that avoids the crowd in the buffet. Being able to drop off my carry on suitcase was appreciated. Also, on the final morning of the cruise, it was nice to have a separate breakfast and then be able to walk off the ship when we wanted to. Our luggage was in a separate area for easy identification. I would definitely purchase the key any time I’m not staying in a suite.

[sunnyishgirl]

I purchased the key for my Norwegian fjords cruise on Anthem last month, and I have zero regrets! When I purchased the key, it was not much more than the wifi. Because I’d tacked on a few days in England ahead of the cruise that extended my trip, I’d packed a large carry on, stuffed to the brim, in order to keep my suitcase under 50 lbs for my flight. That large carry on was HEAVY!! I also had a backpack, also stuffed full, so I was sweating just trying to lug it all through the terminal! The ability to drop off my large carry on as soon as I got on the ship? WORTH. EVERY. PENNY of that price difference! 😂 being able to board the ship early was a cherry on top - I skipped the lunch and other activities, but did use one of the reserved seats at a show!

[davidroden]

I don't think my wife and I will ever cruise without The Key, or the Celebrity equivalent "Premier Access". Cruisins need not be a Disneyworld experience where you feel obligated to run every minute of every day. The priority boarding and the Chops lunch provide a great, stree-reducing way to start the cruise. The Internet package is a must for us. We've had much better success with reserved seating at shows than what you describe. Lastly, you did not mention Key guests get priority disembark times and that luggage for Key guests is offloaded first and placed in a designated area, making disembarkation an easy process. It's about convenience and stress reduction, not a dollar-for-dollar comparison of the services offered. If one 'benefit' should be dropped, it's the priority tendering. We've never been anywhere where that was a thing.

[TMNews]

The embarkation lunch IS the primary reason I book The Key. The laundry uses hot water and/or high heat to clean my clothes that require cold water and medium heat, so the colors are faded when I get my clothes back. I know I can get the internet package for less, but dropping off my carry-ons and enjoying a Chops Grille steak is more enjoyable then trying to maneuver the Windjammer with my carry-on with crowds of people. And don't forget about the steak breakfast on embarkation day.

[JonathanEzor]

About to take our first cruise ever, on Symphony on 8/18. Thank you for all your great videos!

[johnstevens]

I would give guests the option of the embarkation lunch or 1 laundry service per person.

[dannytuck]

Totally agree with your suggestions. In my case, the Key was only worthwhile because they included internet access in the price. If they made the changes you suggest, I would buy it.

[GerardPinzone]

I agree with your comments. Key guests should get a "FastPass" line like at Disney. Unless you're in a suite with a Genie, the reserved suite and key seating at shows are worse than random seats you can get on your own.

[TheRiverPirate]

We got "The Key" at a discounted rate on both of our last RCCL Allure of the Seas cruises this year. It was worth every penny at that lower price point!

[KJM]

I like the idea of the Key being an “exclusive/priority access” kind of perk.

1- board whenever you want
2- reserved seats for entertainment (up to 5 min to showtime)
3- exclusive tour/time with Captain/cruise director
4- reserved time slots for activities
5- priority service for guest services
6- perhaps Matt’s laundry suggestion (may be less value for shorter cruises)
7 - priority/guaranteed 1 adventure ocean child care time slot (for every 3 days sailed)
8- valet luggage


I think they could drop the dining & internet component altogether (and then adjust the price of this accordingly)

[T_Jonesy]

Love these ideas. I wish they did offer one bag of laundry. Maybe they could offer lunch on embarkation day OR one free laundry bag, the key guest gets to choose which one they would prefer.

[TheHeltonFam]

I would like to see double crown and anchor points instead of the activity times since the times are terrible. Or have something like a fast lane. You get one ticket per day to skip the line on any activity. And I agree the seating at venues should be saved until 5 minutes before. The benefit is being able to show up late and still have a good seat. If I show up 45 minutes ahead of time I can pretty much pick whatever seat I want.

[aggieguy]

Matt, Here is my take on the reasons i get the Key. I do like the early time embarkation (I know that you can just stay up and book it, i know i don't have to with the Key) I also enjoy the embarkation lunch so i don't have to fight the crowds at the usual first day lunch stops. We usually get the Key for around $2 more dollars per day than the internet alone so that is a net zero for me. Now, if the times on the flowrider or the ice skating work, then i will use the times for that, if not i can wait in line...

I don't mind the reserved seating, but i think they could hold it until 15 minutes.

since we tend to overpack which makes self debark not an option, the key breakfast and embarkation are a bonus.... and the separate area for the Key Luggage means we can be off the ship and into our car in 15 minutes (we cruise a lot out of Galveston and park in the north covered lot)

so unless i am sailing in a suite, i will continue get the key.... but your milage may

[LevaOrel]

You can pry my embarkation day lunch from my cold dead hands. 😂

[ashleynbjohnson]

I love the later arrive time at showes, i would add 50% off sea day lunch while sailing. And maybe a Key cocktail or wine or beer of the day thats like $4

[jayscott]

I feel like they know it needs to be changed. I honestly think it needs to be one price per cabin and not per person. The only thing I can compare it to is faster to the fun from Carnival. I also think in my honest opinion that with The Key change the special attractions rule. Make it to where you get to skip the line once per day on any attraction or make it to where the attraction would stay open late for a particular night of the week for those guests.

[niuhuskieguy]

It seems especially expensive when Carnival offers its Faster to the Fun package for a flat rate per room and includes priority boarding, ability to drop off your luggage to your room when you board, priority dining reservations, priority guest service line, tender, and priority desembarkation. They also limit the amount of people who can purchase it. It does look like the price varies depending on embarkation port, but most of the US based ones are less than $100. Maybe Royal just needs to simplify the program to what most people value and make it a flat fee.

[DaveW]

I will say one thing I think you miss out on is this: The key is absolutely worth it as a solo traveler. It typically clocks in at about $5/day over the price of the wifi. And for me, a couple of small things like the carry on luggage drop off, and priority debarkation for luggage (so I can get home an hour from the port and not have to take a vacation day) - are well worth the $20 - $40 over the cost of wifi.

Now, a regular / double occupancy this math changes - because wifi has a discount on 2 devices.