Princess Medallion

We are on the Regal trans-Atlantic and Baltic back to back in April so I have been watching the posts to see if the ***** situation is getting any better. We are hoping to get the medallion just to experience some new technology but it appears the system is not living up to the hype. Still hoping the bugs get worked out before our cruise.

a device that can track each passenger's habits (including how much time they spend in their bathroom)? And yes, there is a Medallion device being installed in each cabin bathroom.Hank

There are two options if you are concerned about them tracking you in the bathroom.

1. Leave you're medaliion on the bed when you go into the bathroom.

or

2. Wear a tin foil hat when using the bathroom :D:D:D

There are two options if you are concerned about them tracking you in the bathroom.

1. Leave you're medaliion on the bed when you go into the bathroom.

or

2. Wear a tin foil hat when using the bathroom :D:D:D

:'):'):')

2. Wear a tin foil hat when using the bathroom :D:D:D

Putting it over what?

There are two options if you are concerned about them tracking you in the bathroom.

1. Leave you're medaliion on the bed when you go into the bathroom.

or

2. Wear a tin foil hat when using the bathroom :D:D:D

LOL

Then they'll wonder if you have a problem that causes you not need the bathroom for any purpose. On a serious note, the range of the RFID antenna is limited and since the lighting is controlled by the presence of a medallion in the cabin there needs to be a medallion in the bathroom, balcony, and the main cabin to know there is someone in that cabin. This is important on the Royal Class ships where a card in the slot established lighting control, the RFID medallion will replace that. On other class ships, this might not be necessary for the lighting, but instead just to know you are in the cabin period

LOL

Then they'll wonder if you have a problem that causes you not need the bathroom for any purpose. On a serious note, the range of the RFID antenna is limited and since the lighting is controlled by the presence of a medallion in the cabin there needs to be a medallion in the bathroom, balcony, and the main cabin to know there is someone in that cabin. This is important on the Royal Class ships where a card in the slot established lighting control, the RFID medallion will replace that. On other class ships, this might not be necessary for the lighting, but instead just to know you are in the cabin period

That has to be the reason.

If you went in the bathroom & closed the door the signal would be blocked & the lights would go out. :')

I have asked this question a few times, but never get a reasoned response. Why do passengers even care about the *****? Is it so important to have a device unlock your cabin door....rather then simply use a cruise card? And its the same with ordering drinks. Why is the ***** any better then simply handing a waiter your cruise card? Just color me confused, but it seem like Princess is spending a fortune for a device that will simply unlock doors. or....do you think perhaps they are spending all this money to have a device that can track each passenger's habits (including how much time they spend in their bathroom)? And yes, there is a Medallion device being installed in each cabin bathroom.

 

Hank

You know well that the only reason is revenue, the increase of. Much easier to spend if you don't even have to show a card. The simple fact that one's "medallion" can be used by another, for everything from a "muster" to opening a door, negates its security and benefit to a "guest." Maybe in a hundred years when every living person has an implanted chip for identification will something like this be efficient and useful.

On a serious note, the range of the RFID antenna is limited

The medallions also include LE Bluetooth and I think that is what is used to track you not RFID. The range of RFID is very limited and it will be used for door opening, paying for purchases and anything else that may require you to touch your medallion on a reader.

The medallions also include LE Bluetooth and I think that is what is used to track you not RFID. The range of RFID is very limited and it will be used for door opening, paying for purchases and anything else that may require you to touch your medallion on a reader.

I didn't indicate that the RFID was used to track. It is used to sense the presence of the medallion. The medallion does use the included Bluetooth to transmit the information in the medallion back to the RFiD antenna and then back to the computer - simply put.

So here is a question. Lets assume that both parties in a cabin have drink packages. One partner decides to go to a bar and get two glasses of wine. Currently, they would simply take both cruise cards which would work fine to get them two glasses. If they are on a ship that needs a card in the slot to turn on cabin lights.,its a simple matter to use any kind of card (we usually have an old cruise card). But with medallions, if one were to take both medallions to get wine.,,,the person remaining in the cabin would soon find themselves in the dark :). There are times when DW might be taking a shower and I would go out and get us some wine to enjoy on our balcony. But with the ***** she would have to shower in the dark? Or will they now refuse to give me two glasses of wine because the owner of one of the OMs would not be physically present at the bar (this has never been a problem with the cards).

Hank

I didn't indicate that the RFID was used to track. It is used to sense the presence of the medallion. The medallion does use the included Bluetooth to transmit the information in the medallion back to the RFiD antenna and then back to the computer - simply put.

The only thing the Medallion has is a unique identifier. It is queried by the system which then does the rest. Nothing is transmitted from the medallion. The medallion contains zero information other than the unique identifier.

The only thing the Medallion has is a unique identifier. It is queried by the system which then does the rest. Nothing is transmitted from the medallion. The medallion contains zero information other than the unique identifier.

That's correct. The system knows the identifier as soon as the medallion pairs with a bluetooth device on the ships network. No need to transmit anything else, every Bluetooth device in the world has a unique identifier as do ethernet and wifi devices. That identifier is stored as a key field in the database record for that medallion. Other fields in the database will hold details of the person that medallion was issued to including a photo taken at check in. Then the fun starts, filling the database with other information such as purchases and locations. If Princess were to track the location of every passenger for the whole cruise I think it would be a massive database by the end of the cruise.

I think it is more than likely that the location will be an instantaneous thing. If you have been given permission to view someone's location the system will simply lookup the bluetooth device that their medallion is currently connected to and report that location.

The simple fact that one's "medallion" can be used by another, for everything from a "muster" to opening a door, negates its security and benefit to a "guest."

And how does that differ from a cruise card?

And how does that differ from a cruise card?

The "benefit" as I understand it from the advertising and comments, is more for Princess than for the guest. Less paperwork and faster. Order a drink and it comes to you already added to your cruise tab. No need to show/swipe a cruise card. At full implementation, in theory, a complete muster of crew and guest can be accomplished in seconds. That will not negate the "life boat" drill. We will be sailing on Regal in April so will see... My understanding is that the ***** will also need to be paired with your own "smart" device (phone/pad) for you to be able to order drinks remotely/in advance, make onboard reservations, etc. I don't carry a phone around the ship... The card is easier/smaller to carry.

We were on the first preview cruise when the medallion itself wasn't doing much but it's gradually working on opening doors, being used in shops and of course, in the casino. I posted a review on our blog.

 

 

Sandra

Just curious.....did they have different colored medallions like they have different colored cruise cards or is it irrelevant now? :confused:

From what I understand, it is part of the planned ***** experience to have the medallion colors represent your loyalty level.

the 'elites' breathe a sigh of relief......

Do you thing they'll be getting rid of the patters and thereby forcing everyone to pair their smart device to be able to view the days events?

Bob

Do you thing they'll be getting rid of the patters and thereby forcing everyone to pair their smart device to be able to view the days events?

 

Bob

Sent from my VFD 900 using Tapatalk

When fully functional, there will be a Princess Patter station you can access from your smart TV in your stateroom.

There will also be numerous monitors provided by Princess all around the ship to access the various things the ***** is designed to do

A smart phone/device will certainly be useful and convenient, but not mandatory

Do you thing they'll be getting rid of the patters and thereby forcing everyone to pair their smart device to be able to view the days events?

 

Bob

in the near future, that is possible but i am sure you can still request a printed version if you need similar to how you can request a large print version at guest services.

When fully functional, there will be a Princess Patter station you can access from your smart TV in your stateroom.

There will also be numerous monitors provided by Princess all around the ship to access the various things the ***** is designed to do

 

A smart phone/device will certainly be useful and convenient, but not mandatory

I'd settle for a copy of the nights DR menu. :cool:

Just curious.....did they have different colored medallions like they have different colored cruise cards or is it irrelevant now? :confused:

All medallions are blue for the trial and for the first few preview cruises your backup cruise card was the same color as your status.You could also buy a lanyard holder to match your status.

However,when they knew the wristbands weren't up to scratch everyone got a blue "Test Pilot" cruise card and blue lanyard holder by default. There was the suggestion in the original promos that medallions might come in other colors later on down the line.

in the near future, that is possible but i am sure you can still request a printed version if you need similar to how you can request a large print version at guest services.

I hope they never get rid of the printed patters as I like to save them from every cruise.....:):):)

Bob

Wondering how the medallion works with the machines in the casino. With the cards you put in the slot and can draw money on it from your on board credit that you have for the cruise.

Just off the Regal....At the casino with the slot machines and at the tables, there is a round blue *****. When using either the slots or the table, just have to put your cruise card in front of the ***** and it reads your card just as when we had to put the cruise card into the machine. Then it takes you through the same system and before the *****. Putting in your birthday, etc.

When purchasing something at the stores, you also put your cruise card in front of the ***** signal and that's how you pay for your purchase.

All Medallions are blue except Elite, which are black.