When you’re booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ll often see an add-on called The Key — a bundle of internet plus “exclusive” perks like priority boarding, carry-on delivery, and reserved show seating.
But is it worth paying extra for The Key, or should you just buy VOOM internet separately?
I ran the numbers for my upcoming cruise, and here’s what I found.
What I Paid
- VOOM Internet (1 person / 4 devices): $171.96 total
- The Key for 4 people: $559.84 total
That’s a $387.88 difference. So the question is: do the other perks in The Key add up to $387.88 in value for my family?
What’s Included in The Key
Here’s Royal Caribbean’s list of perks, plus my estimated dollar value for each:
| Perk | Value Estimate (Per Person) | Value for 4 People | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOOM Surf & Stream (1 device) | $143* | $572 | *Typical pre-cruise sale price for 1 device internet x 4 people. If you’d buy 4 separate plans, The Key could be a better deal. But with 1 plan/4 devices, it’s much cheaper. |
| Priority Terminal Check-In | $0–$10 | $0–$40 | Nice at peak times, but boarding is usually smooth with staggered arrival. |
| Carry-On Bag Drop & Delivery to Cabin | $5 | $20 | Helpful if you have heavy bags, but we usually keep ours until rooms open. |
| Welcome Lunch | $15 | $60 | Slightly upgraded menu from the main dining room lunch. |
| 20% Off Specialty Dining (Day 1 Booking) | $0–$25 | $0–$100 | Only valuable if you book specialty dining right away. |
| 25% Off Select Sports Activities | $0–$15 | $0–$60 | Only applies if you do paid sports activities (many are free). |
| Fast Lane Access at Select Activities | $5 | $20 | Saves time at popular attractions like FlowRider on busy days. |
| Priority Tender Departure | $0 | $0 | No value on my sailing — Nassau & CocoCay are docked ports. |
| Reserved Show Seating | $0–$10 | $0–$40 | You can still get good seats by arriving early. |
| Debarkation Day Breakfast + Choice Departure | $10 | $40 | A calmer way to leave the ship, but easy to DIY. |
Total Potential Value
- If you use everything in The Key: around $300–$350 in value.
- If you skip specialty dining or sports add-ons: closer to $100–$150 in value.
For my family, most of these perks aren’t things we’d use enough to justify spending $387.88 more.
Internet: The Real Decider
- The Key: Includes 1 device internet for each person (4 separate logins).
- VOOM 1 Plan / 4 Devices: Cheaper, but you log in and out if sharing.
That’s the only functional difference for internet, and for us, switching devices isn’t a big deal.
My Verdict
If you were going to buy full-price internet for each person anyway, The Key might save you money and give you a few nice extras.
But if you’re like us and prefer 1 VOOM plan with multiple devices, The Key’s perks probably don’t make up the price difference. I’d rather save the $387 and use it for:
- A shore excursion
- A specialty dining splurge
- Souvenirs or onboard fun
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re on the fence, price out VOOM for each person vs. The Key for each person on your specific sailing and only count the perks you’ll actually use. That’s the fastest way to see if it’s worth it.
FAQs About The Key and VOOM Internet on Royal Caribbean
Do you need to buy The Key to get internet on Royal Caribbean?
No. You can purchase VOOM Internet separately without The Key. The Key bundles one device of VOOM per person along with other perks.
How much does VOOM Internet cost if I buy it on its own?
Prices vary by sailing, but pre-cruise sales usually run about 10 to 20 percent less than onboard rates. For example, a four device plan cost me $171.96 when booked in advance.
Is The Key available on every Royal Caribbean ship?
Yes. The Key is offered across the fleet, but availability can sell out on popular sailings. It must be purchased before your cruise, and everyone age 6 or older in the same stateroom must buy it.
What is the biggest difference between buying VOOM on its own and getting The Key?
With VOOM, you can purchase one plan and share it across multiple devices, logging in and out as needed. With The Key, each person gets their own one device login, which is more convenient but also more expensive.
Are the extra perks of The Key worth it?
That depends on how you cruise. If you use specialty dining, want priority boarding, and value reserved seating, you might find it worthwhile. If you mainly want internet, VOOM on its own is usually the better deal.
Charity Bradley 🌺 
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