Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean has updated benefits for their exclusive VIP program, The Key.
- Sports activities will now be discounted 50% and guests also get a one-time savings for spa treatments.
- Pricing and availability for The Key varies for each sailing but does regularly sell out on most ships.
Royal Caribbean is giving guests the key to even more fun onboard with updates to the VIP package, The Key. This add-on package is an option guests can choose to give them special benefits, and now, even more perks are available.
Guests who have already booked The Key are being notified of the update with explanations of the new benefits.
“Exciting updates have been made to the product offering, and with your purchase, you’ll now enjoy some added benefits designed to take the thrill and chill to the max while onboard,” the notification explained.
Two updates have been added to the program. One enhances benefits already available to guests, while the other is a new benefit to ensure maximum relaxation.
First, The Key guests will now receive 50% off sports activities onboard. This doubles the previous discount of 25% and can be a great savings for guests who want to stay fit and active through their cruise.
The sports activities will vary on different ships and are subject to change. This can include the Crown’s Edge ropes course on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, Ripcord by iFly on the Quantum and Quantum-ultra class ships, or exclusive sessions on the iconic Flowrider fleetwide.
If guests prefer to chill out with the ultimate relaxation, they can enjoy the new benefit, $60 off a $250 spa treatment purchase. The treatment itself must cost $250 or higher, as taxes and gratuities are not included.
What is included is the fantastic pampering of a hot stone massage, the refreshment of a detoxification wrap, the wellness boost of an IV therapy, or a new reason to smile with a teeth-whitening treatment.
Exact eligible treatments will vary based on ship availability and package pricing. The spa service discount is a one-time use option and is non-transferrable.
These new benefits are in addition to the already wildly popular benefits of The Key. The top benefits of the package include priority cruise arrival times, carry-on luggage drop off and stateroom delivery, a welcome lunch, dining discounts, reserved show seating, and more.
The most recent update to The Key was in March 2025, when the exclusive, complimentary time on the Flowrider was dropped in favor of the 25% sports activity discount.
While this change was not necessarily well-received, it does demonstrate that the benefits can and do change based on popularity and market research.
Is The Key Worthwhile?
While The Key does include a long list of benefits and discounts, it also comes with a hefty price tag of $25-40 or higher per person, per day. All guests in the same stateroom age 6 and older must purchase the package.
For a family of four with two older children, this could be $1,100 or higher for a 7-night cruise in addition to the cruise fare, port fees, and taxes.
Every guest has to evaluate whether such a potentially pricey package is a worthwhile value for their cruise experience.
Read Also: Royal Caribbean The Key – What Are the Benefits?
For me, for example, it would not likely be worthwhile. My family self-assists all our luggage and times our cruise terminal arrival to avoid the worst crowds. We prefer buffet dining on Royal Caribbean (can’t beat the Windjammer!), we don’t use the internet, and we don’t use the spa.
Therefore, many of the benefits of The Key wouldn’t apply to our cruise vacation, and the overall cost might be less if we simply paid for what we wanted, when we wanted it.
Families that enjoy specialty dining, take part in lots of sports activities, and prefer to stay connected would get a much better value from the program, however, and it could be a great savings overall.
An even better value is for booked guests to keep a close watch on the Royal Caribbean app or website as their sailing date approaches. The Key is often offered at steep discounts, as much as 40% off, depending on ongoing sales.
If you see it available at a price you can’t resist, don’t wait to book! Sales don’t last long and the total number of The Key packages is limited for each sailing. They can sell out quickly, then you’ll miss out on these VIP benefits.
