The Key is a program that provides Royal Caribbean guests with premier access to exclusive
experiences during their cruise vacation. Determining whether the Key is worth the cost will depend on
how you value each experience.
The Benefits
For details on the Key benefits go to What are the benefits of the Key program
on the Royal Caribbean website. Here is a quick summary of the benefits.
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Priority access into the terminal (within booked arrival time) on Day 1
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Carry-on bag drop off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery
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Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille® menu
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Private time at onboard activities including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more
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Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship to shore
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VIP access at shows in the Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70
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VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 Device high speed internet – 1 package per paying guest
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On disembarkation day, enjoy an exclusive á la carte breakfast and choice departure
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Note that all guests in the cabin must have the Key if one person has the Key
What is the financial value of the Key
Some of the benefits of the Key have monetary value, while other benefits are intangible. Here is a list of what
the benefits that you could purchase independently of the Key, which are included with the Key.
The Key can vary from about $19 a day to $36 a day.
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Chops lunch
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$30 for adults and $13 for children
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Internet
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$17 - $25 a day.
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FlowRider private session
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$340 per hour
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* Prices are for illustration purposes only as the prices will change over time as well as from ship to ship and during sales.
Calculation the value of the Key
The Internet is probably the deciding factor as to whether the Key is worth it or not. If you want or need the Internet
while on the cruise and the daily price difference between buying the Internet package or the Key is a few dollars a day
the Key is a good purchase. If the difference is over $10 dollars a day the Key is less worthwhile.
If you do not plan to use the Internet during the cruise, and do not plan to use the FlowRider, it is reasonably clear
that the Key has limited value and we would not recommend getting the Key.
Similarly if you want the Internet and want to use the FlowRider, it's a no brainer. We would definitely recommend
purchasing the Key.
If you are Diamond Plus or Pinnacle you will already have the majority of the benefits afforded by the Key.
For most cruisers with these statuses the Key would have limited value, although for some cruisers it still makes
sense.
| Internet (Daily) |
$26.99 |
$16.99 |
$10.00 |
| Internet (Weekly) |
$188.93 |
$118.93 |
$70.00 |
Let's say you don't have the Key and go to the Chops Grill lunch, you use the Internet. This would be your calculation for a week long cruise:
| Chops Grill |
$30.00 |
| Internet |
$118.93 |
| Total |
148.93 |
Let's say you don't have the Key and go to the Chops Grill lunch, you use the Internet and you hire the
Flowrider for 1 hour during your cruise. This would be your calculation for a week long cruise:
| Chops Grill |
$30.00 |
| Internet |
$118.93 |
| Flowrider private hire (1 hour) |
$340.00 |
| Total |
$488.93 |
These prices compare to a weekly cost of $188.93 for the Key.