Final Thoughts: Is a Royal Caribbean Suite Worth It? A Grand Suite is considered to be the true entry-level to the full suite class on Royal Caribbean. Our hotel (Intercontinental Miami) was a short 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami. Plus, save up to 25% off Close-In Sailings. The The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. So join us for another cruise and start experiencing even more WOW. They also re-wear their embarkation clothes since this first day is typically not dressy at all. The terminal that RCCL is using at Port Canaveral, that I believe is a Carnival terminal, is HORRIBLE. (Make sure you watched and marked off the Safety video in the app the morning of your cruise.). Enter by August 31, 2023. The Key is only sold to a limited number of guests per sailing, keeping the program . So, Wonder and Indy have T1. Tendering operations can often take hours to get all the passengers to shore, so this is a valuable benefit if your itinerary has multiple tender ports. Passengers booked in a Star Class Suite receive the following perks: If you book a suite in a Royal Caribbean cruise ship built before 2009, youll receive perks from Royal Caribbean Suites Program. Hi there! Absolutely no one asked for times. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. From onboard discounts to member-only events, being a member just keeps getting better. But, if you want spacious accommodations, exclusive lounges, Royal Genie service, luxury bed and bath amenities, and a private restaurant, a suite might be worth it for you if you dont mind paying top dollar. If youre in any of these elite clubs, youll have priority check-in and embarkation, reserved theater seating, priority disembarkation, and a private departure lounge with continental breakfast. Bold vacations call for bold adventures, and Royal Caribbean International is delivering that and more at the new Thrill Island onboard Icon of the Seas. Guests who pay for this upgraded status typically receive priority access upon arrival on embarkation day. Save up to 25%* on Close-In Sailings with Crown & Anchor Exclusive Rates. He was still calling the last of the key when D+ was called. Its also important to note that theres no best time to board the Royal Caribbean ship. Seapass Card with The Key Icon onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise * Priority access will not be offered in Vancouver, Canada or at any ports in Australia. RCI cruisers who purchase The Key can enjoy expedited check-in, and are able to board the ship before the general boarding begins. Our Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Ocean View/ Panoramic (No Balcony) Suites, and Owners Suites all receive priority boarding, and our Royal Suite and Villa Suite guests are escorted onboard by an officer. It sounds like you boarded at T5 and did not like it much. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Compartilhar isto Your Key purchase is noted on your card by a special icon. Thanks, I didn't even think of that. Hi I will be cruising out of NJ on the Explorer of the Seas in May. Is it worth it to buy The Key on a RCI cruise? This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The Key on Royal Caribbean is a for-a-fee program offering priority boarding, private hours at onboard activities, preferred theater seating, and more. REWARD YOURSELF. Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Additionally, when you stay in a suite, youll receive two Crown & Anchor Society points for each cruise night. And as your points grow, so do your perks and status. Another perk that has recently changed for Key members is the availability of private hours for several of the onboard activities. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. The moms in our group then ran errands to take care of some items. Four beverage vouchers to be used at any bar, at any time, including the daily Happy Hour and private destinations. We know youre eager to arrive at the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. At 10:00, the doors to the terminal opened, and the suite guests were escorted to an elevator that took us to a separate security line. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. The benefits of being a Crown & Anchor Society member continue from ship to shore, so no matter where you are in the world, you can reward yourself. 10 Rookie Cruise Mistakes to Avoid When Booking, Cruise Sweepstakes You Can Enter to Win a Free Cruise! There are two problems with buying The Key for an early check-in. Back whenfirst made Diamond in late 90's it meant something, Meet Capt and all Senior Staff each Sailing, was first on and off Ship with only Group before us was Wedding Parties. Since 2021, Royal Caribbean has mostly been enforcing check-in times, so it's important to get a good time as early as you can. 7am on the Odyssey this morning. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. We enjoy being on the ship early to take advantage of as much time on board as possible. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_18',609,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');Royal Caribbean hasnt announced a current policy for how many passes theyre now offering on any given sailing. A Royal Caribbean employee came over to our large group and checked in each party using her tablet. But, even though we had a 12:00 - 12:30 arrival time, we were on the ship before that time. Thanks in advance :) Both programs provide similar perks for suite guests, but some key differences exist. You can read more about me here- Meet Shari. I pack my kids undergarments for them to put on after they swim. Many guests are curious how early they can board a Royal Caribbean ship on embarkation day, so here is a guide for what to expect. Complimentary Dinner at Coastal Kitchen restaurant (reservation required, and drinks are not included), Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard, In Room Lavazza espresso coffee maker and tea kettle, VOOM internet access (one package per person), All-day access to Coastal Kitchen (reservations are required, and beverages are not included), Early access to seating in select entertainment venues, Suite lounge access (with complimentary evening hors doeuvres and cocktails), Access to The Suite sun deck (The Balcony on, Complimentary dining in specialty restaurants (including Chefs table and la carte dining), Still and sparkling water (replenished daily), Complimentary gratuities (applies for the standard gratuity charges), Reserved best seats in the house in select entertainment venues, Priority access to onboard activities (excluding peak times between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on sea days), Complimentary mini-bar stocked with Coca-cola drinks and bottled water, Complimentary laundry and pressing services, Royal Caribbean bathrobe (for onboard use), Lavazza espresso coffee machine for use in your suite, Exclusive access to the Suite Lounge/Concierge Club Access (hors doeuvres and cocktails served each evening), An exclusive invitation to the Suite Party (on sailings of 5 or more nights), A behind-the-scenes tour of the bridge, galley, and backstage, VIP Pool Deck Seating (Voyager Class and Above, First Come, First Seated), Main Dining Room menu is available for in-suite dining (during regular hours of operation), Private lunch seating on ships without Coastal Kitchen (location varies by ship and sailing), Private breakfast seating is available on ships without Coastal Kitchen(location varies by ship and sailing), Reserved Section in entertainment venues- Main, Studio B, AquaTheater, 270 (where applicable), No sign-up fee for luggage valet service (where applicable), An officer will escort you onboard when you check-in, Main Dining menu available for in-suite dining (during regular hours of operation), Complimentary pressing on the first formal night. Galveston, Vancouver, Los Angeles couldn't care less about your status for boarding. The consensus seems to be that if you really hate lines and are going to purchase an internet package anyway, The Key is a nice investment. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Listen to this article On most cruise lines, there are only two ways to get priority status that lets you skip all of those long lines, enjoy exclusive dining, and generally be treated like the . Each cruiser scanned his/her SetSail Pass (from the Royal Caribbean app) and was permitted to board the ship. In that post, we provide tips for staying organized and packing for your trip. But keep this in mind if youre looking forward to enjoying this perk. We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. Or, you might have small bags that could be damaged by the porters (have you ever watched them load up those big carts with suitcases?). You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern. . When you book a suite on Royal Caribbean, youll receive several perks and benefits exclusive to suite guests. We arrived very early because we wanted to go to the restaurant for breakfast right next to the terminal. Read more:Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it). The Royal Loft Suite on Quantum of the Seas The VOOM family plans come with a significant discount if youre purchasing for three or more devices, so it may be cheaper to just buy the WiFi. Then once inside, up some stairs and someone checks our check in from the app and if ok we move to scanning carry ons? This was a really fast process that took less than five minutes. Just off a cruise on the Symphony out of Port Miami. Spend a long weekend exploring the pristine, white beaches of *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, 2X MyCruise Points on qualifying Royal Caribbean purchases, 1 point per $1 spent on purchases everywhere else, For a full list of your benefits, click here, Exclusive perks with MGM Resorts International, View All{{ cards[0] && cards[0]['totalGroups'] ? " Whether The Key package is worth it depends on the type of traveler you are. Do junior suites get priority boarding on Royal Caribbean? In my experience if you are waiting in terminal 5 when boarding starts, Suite and Pinnacle guests are called to board first, followed by D+. They also need to split up the ships to keep from overwhelming the parking garages by the terminals. Then, the dads in our group took the kids to the pool so that they could swim in virtually empty swimming areas. But if they call your color and you are not ready you do not have to run . Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. As for boarding, that should still be a perk in that if boarding has not started and you are in a waiting room ("regular boarding process"), you should board ahead of D and lower C&A status customers (unless they have Key or in a suite) once boarding does start. Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding, Video: Mistakes to avoid on the first day of your cruise, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise, The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Funny how she didn't mention these "improvements" . But if youre booking shore excursions directly through RCI, youll already have priority tendering for those excursions. If you are driving yourself, they may not let you enter the parking if you are too early. You can then save this information and complete the rest of the check-in process at a later date. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_8',603,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-2-multi-603{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Additionally, the private hours take place during off-peak times. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. You'll have priority boarding to the interview if you've got 1-3 years of sales experience. After scanning carry ons, up another escalator and board the ship or wait to board? When The Key program first launched, RCI limited the passes to 100 passengers per cruise. In Miami they line every one who has checked in together in double lines. what time is final boarding for carnival cruise. By I have been on 12 RCI cruises this year and they have all boarded Diamond+ and Diamonds right after boarding Pinnacles. Let me know in the comments below! Note that boarding did come to a stop at one point. So we stood up and joined the queue. Recognizing and Rewarding our Most Loyal Guests. Recent RCI cruisers report that most sailings now only offer one private hour per week for each activity for Key members. By booking a Star class suite, youll receive all of the perks of Sea and Sky class, plus some additional benefits. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. How early is too early for the porters to be there? During our cruise with Royal Caribbean this past December, we decided to purchase The Key package to determine if it's really worth the price. Apologies to everyone for going off topic a bit. When I approach the terminal I drop my bags with porters is that right? How to Get Free Drinks in the Casino on Royal Caribbean And More! This is usually balcony seating, so if you want seats right up front youll need to arrive very early to beat the crowds in the general-access seating. Traditional continental breakfast items are also on the menu, like cereal, yogurt, pastries and fruit. Join. This one is kind of funny A Wild Boar Attacks Snowboarders At Japanese Resort. Yes. But on an RCI cruise, theres a way to get these perks without spending lots of cash on a suite or waiting years to build up your loyalty status: The Key! Royal Caribbean's Junior Suites don't have many perks over a regular Balcony Stateroom. (He was right!) You might not be interested in trying the FlowRider at 9 AM, or climbing the rock wall at 5 PMbut those are common times for Key private hours. I've only been there prior to boarding beginning and at that time they had all the Key grouped in seats together and they escorted them by groups to board the ship. If youre only comparing the value of the included perks, booking a suite is not worth the price. Enter for a chance to Win A Vacation To South Dakota In 2023 or 2024! Inside the building everyone wore a mask. Your previous content has been restored. Indulge in one of Royal Caribbean's luxurious suites for the ultimate at-sea experience. The Key package is a great way to feel like a VIP on your next Royal Caribbean cruise without busting the budget. Again, boarding times may or may not be enforced, but they serve a purpose. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Reijo, December 12, 2022 in Royal Caribbean International. . This makes it easy to undress them poolside, and they can hop right in. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I realize that there have been a lot of changes that have taken places since the pandemic but it appears that priority boarding for upper tiers (Diamond Plus) are a thing of the past. You can even start using your drink packages right away to help you get into vacation mode even faster! Their job is to make your stay as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. Learn more. No one looked at anything until your at the counter and I'm sure it probably didn't matter what time your boarding time was. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter. While outside in line lots of people were unmasked. She frequently travels the U.S. and the world with her toddler seeking out unique travel experiences with a motto that Traveling with Kids makes them better humans. In the last two months I took 3 cruises. We boarded on October 31, this year. They are assigned first by those with early flights, of course after the priority disembarkations because of diamond status, etc. Hour per week for each cruise royal caribbean priority boarding cards on a RCI cruise activity for Key.. The Port of Miami to get Free Drinks in the app the morning of cruise... 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Click on those links at no cost to you to take care some! Plethora of credit cards on a RCI cruise great way to feel like a on! Is ( and why some cruisers like it much Key can enjoy expedited check-in, and we sometimes a!
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