Why Does Carnival Still Print" Fun Times"

[hattack]

Does not the technology exists today that a "chip" can be implanted onto your S&S card that will contain an "app" that holds a "cube" that you can customize your daily schedule instead of printing a paper daily "Fun Times"...Carnival could place scanners all around the ship where you could swipe your S&S card to receive updates and changes or link it to a kiosh

 

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has such an "app" today that you can download on your tablet or cell phone...would not work on a cruiseship because of high charges for wifi and roaming cost which means most folks turn off their devices for the entire length of their cruise

 

Is JH and "the suits" working on this to be beta testedon the next generationvessel

[ryansmith18]

No doubt what you're talking about is possible. But obviously that's gonna cost them a bit to invest in. Right now cruise lines are having a hard enough time with their on board TV system (not even talking about satelite communication), so I wouldn't count on what you're suggesting any time soon.

[Shmoo here]

Does not the technology exists today that a "chip" can be implanted onto your S&S card that will contain an "app" that holds a "cube" that you can customize your daily schedule instead of printing a paper daily "Fun Times"...Carnival could place scanners all around the ship where you could swipe your S&S card to receive updates and changes or link it to a kiosh

 

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has such an "app" today that you can download on your tablet or cell phone...would not work on a cruiseship because of high charges for wifi and roaming cost which means most folks turn off their devices for the entire length of their cruise

 

Is JH and "the suits" working on this to be beta testedon the next generationvessel

 

Believe it or not, there are people out here who don't do "apps". Don't have a smart phone. Or have a tablet. And some don't even own a computer.

 

There will still be a necessity for printed materiel.

[High Seas Texan]

Oh PULEEEEZE! Part of the fun of being on a ship is going to your cabin each night after turn down and finding, along with the towel animal, the FUNTIMES for the following day and reading through it and planning. I would be most disappointed if the cruiselines did away with this. The FUNTIMES also make a good souvenir.

[jlindemer]

Disney has an app that you are able to use for free on board. It was quite nice.

 

Make the app standard and have a few paper copies at guest services or be able to request from your room service (like ice).

 

I would think it would be less expensive.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[PNGfan]

I don't carry my phone around the ship but I love that nifty little tear part of the fun times to carry around.

[rainbowflag]

i don't carry my phone around the ship but i love that nifty little tear part of the fun times to carry around.

 

+1 :)

[cruizinisthebest]

Not everyone has fancy phones or tablets and even if they do, it doesn't mean they want them loaded with apps. Especially something you'll only use a couple of times a year. Plus reading the funtimes is free and requires no technology.

 

I like getting the printed funtimes. I actually keep them and scrapbook parts of it in our vacation albums. Yup, some people do actually still print pictures too:)

Edited June 26, 2014 by cruizinisthebest

[silvercrikhix]

NCL has iConcierge, I believe it's called on their newest ships.

Breakaway-Getaway.

Do not see a huge rush of people that would want to carry electronics around. Some cruise to get away from that.

In the future though, I'd bet eventually there would be a system linking TVs, Kiosks, personal electronics etc to view all materials, make purchases, etc.....

They are part way there already.

[falconfan]

No desire to carry anything electronic around with me. I also like that I can jump in a pool or hot tub with my S&S card in my pocket and have no worries. Finally, like others have said, I like to read through the FunTimes the night before.

[Tutontow]

Does not the technology exists today that a "chip" can be implanted onto your S&S card that will contain an "app" that holds a "cube" that you can customize your daily schedule instead of printing a paper daily "Fun Times"...Carnival could place scanners all around the ship where you could swipe your S&S card to receive updates and changes or link it to a kiosh

 

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has such an "app" today that you can download on your tablet or cell phone...would not work on a cruiseship because of high charges for wifi and roaming cost which means most folks turn off their devices for the entire length of their cruise

 

Is JH and "the suits" working on this to be beta testedon the next generationvessel

 

A big perk of cruising is leaving the electronics behind and putting my cell phone in the safe for a week.

[LostPuppy]

Does not the technology exists today that a "chip" can be implanted onto your S&S card that will contain an "app" that holds a "cube" that you can customize your daily schedule instead of printing a paper daily "Fun Times"...Carnival could place scanners all around the ship where you could swipe your S&S card to receive updates and changes or link it to a kiosh

 

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has such an "app" today that you can download on your tablet or cell phone...would not work on a cruiseship because of high charges for wifi and roaming cost which means most folks turn off their devices for the entire length of their cruise

 

Is JH and "the suits" working on this to be beta tested on the next generation vessel

 

This is one of the dumbest ideas I've seen yet. Here's a few thoughts:

• Portability, you can crumble up a fun times in your pocket and take it everywhere. Where you going to find a scanner in town?
  
• Cost: chips/readers/scanners cost money who do you think will pay for this?
  
• Customizing your own FT? Why?, Who would want to spend the time learning a new app just to "customize" the FT? I wouldn't!
  

 

The whole point of the FT is to provide a cheap, portable, throwaway method of conveying information to ALL the guests. This idea is anything but that. Just because technology exists does not mean its a good idea.

[Kcarp]

Not everyone has fancy phones or tablets and even if they do, it doesn't mean they want them loaded with apps. Especially something you'll only use a couple of times a year. Plus reading the funtimes is free and requires no technology.

 

I like getting the printed funtimes. I actually keep them and scrapbook parts of it in our vacation albums. Yup, some people do actually still print pictures too:)

 

I agree. I have all the devices, however I can't wait to get on board and turn off the devices. It's nice getting a break from the technology world for a week..

[TH III]

Every sailing for me is a self prescribed "electronics free" zone. I get enough "constant connection" all year long in my regular life and want absolutely nothing to do with it while I'm on vacation. They could even get rid of the TV's on board, especially the big screen on Lido and I'd be happy. :)

[Dayenu]

My parents do not have a computer of any kind.

 

My husband and I leave all electronics behind. We only have pre-paid cell phones for emergency use as landline phones and PCs are enough.

 

I don't want to walk somewhere to upload or to open something just to look at it - which I may forget in 10' and miss something I like.

 

Nobody will be allowed to download anything on my phone or PC as I get too much junk as is, and not going to pay for connection on the days at sea.

 

I agree with the original poster that we should have a choice - let the nerds be nerds, let others have worry-free vacations with paper and highlighter(s).

[evandbob]

Does not the technology exists today that a "chip" can be implanted onto your S&S card that will contain an "app" that holds a "cube" that you can customize your daily schedule instead of printing a paper daily "Fun Times"...Carnival could place scanners all around the ship where you could swipe your S&S card to receive updates and changes or link it to a kiosh

 

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has such an "app" today that you can download on your tablet or cell phone...would not work on a cruiseship because of high charges for wifi and roaming cost which means most folks turn off their devices for the entire length of their cruise

 

Is JH and "the suits" working on this to be beta testedon the next generationvessel

 

So the OP is suggesting that this info be attainable through your S&S card - no need for other electronics.....just swipe your card at a scanner or kiosk.

[CatlinSTJ]

The last thing I want to screw with on vacation is more technology. Sorry, but we both work in IT and we go on cruises to get away from it all!

[Shmoo here]

So the OP is suggesting that this info be attainable through your S&S card - no need for other electronics.....just swipe your card at a scanner or kiosk.

 

And how many scanners/kiosks would be onboard a ship with over 3000 passengers? I'm not sure I want to be waiting in a line to find out what I've planned to do for the next couple of hours all day. Maybe lining the walls with enough scanners for everyone will be the next "look" for cruise ships?

 

 

Plus the computer backup onboard if everyone is trying to set up/read their personal Fun Times could be an issue.

[Gold Mine Gal]

And how many scanners/kiosks would be onboard a ship with over 3000 passengers? I'm not sure I want to be waiting in a line to find out what I've planned to do for the next couple of hours all day. Maybe lining the walls with enough scanners for everyone will be the next "look" for cruise ships?

 

 

Plus the computer backup onboard if everyone is trying to set up/read their personal Fun Times could be an issue.

 

Isn't this the truth. Plus it takes time, at least for me to figure out where to put your name, password, where to look for info, under which day, time, etc. etc... when...I can just look at my little piece of paper and see what I want.:)

[WLHyatt]

There is a cost of the paper, but the print shop onboard and all the equipment contained in it would still be required to print menus, signs, banners, forms, and who knows what else. The investment in the print shop is a requirement for the ship to operate, so that capital has to be spent.

 

The paper at that point is a small piece of it, and to use disposable chips in the sign and sail card or proximity style cards would be at a cost of a couple of dollars per passenger, where the paper for the fun times may be 15 cents per passenger for the duration of the trip.

 

Then you'd have to buy the technology to read those chips or proximity cards. Then you'd have to hire the team to develop those applications.

 

It does not make a whole lot of sense from a business perspective. If the proximity cards and Sail and sign chips can come down in cost, then sure they could make that back. That time is not here yet.

[OCruisers]

Double post ... sorry.

Edited June 26, 2014 by OCruisers

[Haoie]

Give it a few more decades before this happens.

 

Oh and robot waiters.

[OCruisers]

I like having a hard copy of Fun Times. :)

But ... But ... But ... Sometimes, I wonder if Carnival thinks their passengers can't read so are constantly announcing everything. :rolleyes:

LuLu

[keyguide]

No desire to carry anything electronic around with me. I also like that I can jump in a pool or hot tub with my S&S card in my pocket and have no worries. Finally, like others have said, I like to read through the FunTimes the night before.

 

Right no phones, computers on vacation.

[hattack]

Evanbob...thanks for reading my entire post....my point was the technology exists today that be modified for use on a future cruise to implant a chip onto a S&S card with the Fun Times info...you would not need an electronic device (phone, tablet etc.) to access it....the technology exists today in other fields...if you have a history of a heart condition...travel international (example South Africa) and need an emergency bypass operation, the medical team in SA, in theory could scan your medical insurance card with the chip implanted on it, and know where your stents were inserted or what medications you are allergic or send an alert to your heart doctor

 

Cruise lines should be following the leads of airlines in terms of technology and understanding how comfortable our children and grandchildren (future cruisers) are with technology and going paperless....how many times on these boards are cruisers wanting

copies of past Fun Times, info which could be on your S&S card

 

With the next generation state of the art vessels coming online, cruiselines could offer the option..would you like to continue to receive your Fun Times on paper, placed on your bed by your cabin steward on his nightly turn down or would you like it sent to your S&S card

 

Cruising tradionalist (of which I count myself in that group) don't always easily embrace changes in our cruising rituals...read older posts on these boards when cruiselines introduce something new or changes (dress codes, anytime dining, pre paid tips, Carnival "Live" etc)

 

My OP just asked if the technology existed that could have application to our onboard experience