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Royal Caribbean's THE KEY: Worth It?

Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean Blog
πŸ…Authority
πŸ‘οΈ 85K viewsπŸ“… 10 months ago⏱️ 10:25

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creator evaluates the value of Royal Caribbean's The Key, a paid add-on that provides various cruise perks. After testing the service on Utopia of the Seas, the creator examines specific benefits such as priority boarding, an included Voom internet package, a welcome lunch, and reserved theater seating. While acknowledging that the service offers convenience, the creator notes that the cost is applied per person for every day of the sailing, even though many benefits are concentrated on the first day. The analysis suggests that many perks, including early check-in and internet access, can be obtained independently through early online check-in or pre-booking discounts. The creator concludes that while The Key serves as a convenient easy button for new cruisers without loyalty status or suite accommodations, the benefits often sound better than they are in practice. Ultimately, the creator does not recommend the purchase for most travelers, noting that the value proposition depends heavily on the specific price and the individual's desire for convenience over cost savings.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Royal Caribbean Group
Barely Crispy
All-time creator consensus for Royal Caribbean Group
A Nibble

This review is more critical than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator Warns AgainstFull Ship ReviewπŸ…Authority Creator
Caribbean Β· 4 nightsFrom Port CanaveralVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I've recommended not buying it because I never really thought it was worthwhile

I really think the key is best for somebody who does not have a lot of status within Royal Caribbean

I wouldn't pay, you know, $40 a person per day. Heck, even at the 30 something than I paid, I still think it was really pricey for it

Ultimately, I'll continue not recommending the key. I just think the benefits sound better than they truly are

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion for priority tendering instead of relying on The Key
βœ“Pre-book dining and internet packages before the cruise to get discounts
βœ“Do online check-in 45 days before your cruise to get an early boarding time

πŸ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Wanting an easy button without thinking β€” The Key can be a convenient option for new cruisers who want simplicity

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs Royal Caribbean's The Key worth the extra cost?
QWhat benefits does The Key actually provide?
QWho would benefit most from purchasing The Key?

Topics Covered

Loyalty Program1 Sad BaconValue Pricing2 Sad BaconEmbarkation1Β½ Happy BaconWifi Connectivity1 Happy BaconExcursionsΒ½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Port Canaveral1Β½ Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube