Is The Key on Royal Caribbean Worth It? We Break Down the Benefits

The Key upgrade from Royal Caribbean gives you a bundle of perks for an extra fee. Whether it’s priority check-in and fast lane boarding or access to entertainment, discounts, and high-speed internet access, upgrading to The Key offers a smoother, more streamlined Royal Caribbean cruise experience from the start of your vacation to disembarkation.

What Is The Key on Royal Caribbean?

For an additional per-day fee, The Key upgrade offers priority services and bundled perks. Cruise guests must purchase the cruise for everyone in their cabin who is six years of age and older. There is a minimum purchase requirement based on sailing terms.

The program is available on all Royal Caribbean ships, including newer ships like Utopia of the Seas, but the specific amenities passengers enjoy may vary slightly by ship or itinerary.

What Perks Do You Get With The Key?

The upgrade offers Key guests a variety of rewards and perks that make the entire experience more enjoyable and convenient. However, the overall value of The Key often comes down to how you personally cruise. 

For some cruisers, the convenience that comes with The Key package makes the cost worth it. If you dislike wasting time waiting in line and want to maximize your time onboard the ship, it could be worth the upgrade. 

However, if you already have loyalty status perks, the benefits may feel less worth the investment. What perks do you get with The Key upgrade?

Priority Boarding and Check-In

Passengers who upgrade with The Key enjoy a dedicated arrival time, allowing them faster and less stressful embarkation as part of Royal Caribbean’s boarding process. 

You’re able to skip the long lines that are common at the cruise terminal and enjoy a few leisurely hours before setting sail. This upgrade is a favorite among passengers who upgrade.

Carry-on Luggage Delivery

One of the best perks of upgrading to The Key is the carry-on luggage drop-off service. 

Instead of dragging your luggage with you as you board and find your room, you drop off your bags, and they are delivered to your stateroom. Personally, I love this upgrade because I find dealing with baggage during embarkation a pain.

Exclusive Welcome Lunch

The Key offers passengers an exclusive welcome lunch on embarkation day in the main dining room of the ship, along with priority reservations for select dining experiences depending on the sailing. 

The upgrade allows you to skip the crowds at the buffet and enjoy a less hectic meal upon arrival. However, you can pre-arrange check-in times, which makes this perk less advantageous.

VOOM Wi-Fi Package 

Access to free WI-Fi is one of the most valuable perks of The Key upgrade. 

The per-day fee for Royal Caribbean’s VOOM internet packages, which Royal Caribbean claims is the fastest internet at sea, varies from ship to ship but tends to range from $20 to $30 per day per device. 

Royal Caribbean recommends buying VOOM access pre-cruise to enjoy the biggest discount from onboard prices. 

For many cruisers, the Wi-Fi inclusion is the tipping point when deciding if The Key upgrade is worth it. If you were planning to purchase VOOM internet anyway, or you know your cruising party will want daily internet access, the cost of The Key is reasonable. 

However, if only one person or nobody in your party needs constant internet connectivity, this benefit alone may not justify the cost of The Key upgrade.

Priority Access to Onboard Entertainment

When you upgrade to The Key, you enjoy shorter waits for select onboard activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, zip lines, access to the aqua theater, and other onboard adventures. You also get reserved seating at many onboard shows in the main theater seating section, but the reserved seats aren’t always the best. They tend to be off to the side or closer to the entrance of the theater.

The value of this perk varies based on what you like to do while cruising. 

If you spend a lot of time waiting in lines for various activities and you want to save time, it’s worth it. But if you tend not to take advantage of their award-winning shows and other onboard activities, this perk shouldn’t convince you to upgrade.

Discounted Onboard Activities

If you do a lot of onboard activities, these discounts can add up quickly and offer big savings during your cruise. The Key offers:

• 20% off certain dining
• 50% off select onboard sports activities
• $60 off spa services (with a minimum $250 purchase)

Priority Tendering and Disembarkation

Reducing wait times is one of the most common reasons people purchase The Key upgrade, including priority departure at the end of the cruise. This is especially helpful if you’re disembarking at one of the busier ports, like Port Canaveral.

You’ll enjoy getting off the ship faster when tendering at ports and at the end of your cruise. However, port tendering is rarely used, so this isn’t as significant a benefit as it might seem at first glance.

Exclusive Departure Breakfast 

Finally, purchasing The Key upgrade gives you access to an à la carte breakfast on the final morning of your cruise, featuring items similar to The Key signature menu. 

This is a nice perk on your debarkation day, but it alone is rarely worth the upgrade fee unless there are other perks you’re interested in.

How Much Does The Key Cost?

Pricing varies by sailing and ship. Prices are per person (including kids six and older) per day and tend to range from $25 to $40. The Key upgrade can sell out due to limited availability, so book early. 

The upgrade also isn’t available on all sailings. You can confirm if it’s an option for your cruise by checking your booking in the My Royal Cruise cruise planner tool after you book. If the upgrade is available, it will appear there for purchase. 

Remember, once onboard, you’re out of luck, so purchase in advance if you want the benefits.

When It’s Worth It

So, when is The Key upgrade worth it, and how do you know it’s a smart investment for your next cruise? Consider upgrading if:

• The price of The Key upgrade is close to the cost of a standard Wi-Fi package
• You value convenience and want to waste as little time as possible throughout your cruise
• You tend to arrive early and can maximize embarkation perks
• You plan to attend shows and/or participate in activities, and you want to save money and enjoy priority access

When It’s Not Worth It

You’re less likely to think the cost of the upgrade is worth it if:

• You don’t need Wi-Fi
• Your cruise isn’t crowded
• You already have suite perks or loyalty benefits
• You won’t use most of the included features

Also, keep in mind that benefits can vary by ship and sailing. This means it’s a good idea to evaluate your specific ship’s itinerary and compare what is actually included before upgrading. There’s no sense in paying for the upgrade if the majority of the perks you’ll receive are already included in the price – or if the perks you want aren’t available on your ship.