Get ready for Ocean Medallion Class™

[framer]

I'm in if I can direct it to send away,

 

A. All photographers

 

B: Someone wanting to sell a wine tasting.

 

C. Someone selling anything to pass me bye.

 

Then I'm IN:D !!!

 

framer

[Thrak]

i'm much more interested in a plan that allows unlimited internet like all the other cruises...i've cut down drastically on Princess because of that reason....i need to be in touch as i have an elderly mom and other major issues...non-work related...

 

first things first...IMHO

 

not interested in this...

 

Not unlimited but after 5 cruises (beginning with your 6th cruise) you get quite a bit of free Internet minutes.

 

Platinum & Elite Internet Minutes

7 days or fewer 150

8-20 days 250

21+ days 500

 

 

This is per passenger - not per cabin.

[memoak]

Not unlimited but after 5 cruises (beginning with your 6th cruise) you get quite a bit of free Internet minutes.

 

Platinum & Elite Internet Minutes

7 days or fewer 150

8-20 days 250

21+ days 500

 

 

This is per passenger - not per cabin.

 

And let's remember that Platinum/Elite did have unlimited internet at one time but that was done in by gamers who would log on and play for hours every day sometimes into the wee hours

[XBGuy]

Personally, I am OK with this new implementation. I don't understand why anybody would not use this fob and want to stick with the old key card. My wife cannot keep her key card away from EM fields--cell phone, purse magnets, whatever--and we have to make at least one visit per cruise to the guest services desk.

 

As several posters have noted, the collection of data is not, exactly new. I personally believe that the function of loyalty programs is not to reward your loyal customers, it is to gather data about them. On my first Pricess Cruise I was issued a blue key card and was automatically enrolled in the Princess Captain's Circle loyalty program. As I have taken additional Princess cruises I have been issued different color key cards and received some pretty impressive perquisites that have cost Princess $0. In return for these wonderful benefits, Princess knows exactly how much I have spent on:

 

• Cabins
  
• Alcoholic beverages
  
• Dining
  
• Excursions
  
• Bingo
  
• Art Auctions
  
• Gift store purchases
  
• Casinos
  
• Spa sessions
  
• Probably, other stuff
  

 

They have all that information on me, today. They have all that information on everybody. Data mining has been a corporate buzz phrase for about 20 years. Most corporations have many disk farms worth of data on their customers. Most, also, do not use that data to maximum benefit. Maybe Princess is hoping to now reap additional benefit. Maybe not. The point, however, is that they are not going to start accummulating data with the roll out of this new program. They have a pretty hefty database right now.

 

So, it looks like the new thing that they will know about me is my physical location on the ship. I can see where some people may be nervous about that, but. as of right now, I don't see the dowside to me. For many, I can see the benefit. For somebody traveling with friends or relatives with handicaps, it might be easier for them to have different agendas on the ship--i.e., the handicapped person might be able to have a bit more independence if he knows he can be located in an emergency.

 

I am pretty excited about the door unlocking feature. Every morning when we are cruising I have breakfast in the buffet. Every morning Mrs. XBGuy sleeps in. When I am finished, I grab a muffin or lox/bagel and an ice tea for Mrs. XBGuy. (This does give me some husband points.) So, when I walk back to our cabin, both hands are occupied, which means that juggling the key card and opening the cabin door is tricky. If the fob can unlock the cabin door, and I can use my elbow to push the lever to open the door, then my life just became a bit simpler. :)

 

Like other posters, my phone is generally locked in the cabin safe when I am on board. To be honest, though, I really do not see any any of the new interactive features as being compelling at all. I have no difficulty finding my way around any ship. I do not order drinks or snacks on a whim. Mrs. XBGuy and I are sufficiently competent in verbal and written communication to keep each other advised as to our whereabouts.

 

I think that peoples' concerns about security are well-founded. However, the specific questions that have been raised are ones that were discussed early in the development of this new system. A found medallion will not lead the finder to the cabin of the person who lost it.

 

One last thing. How can these medallions not be powered? They are, obviously, transmitting signals to the 7000 sensors on the ship. I can't imagine how that can happen without power.

 

OK, one more last last thing. I'll be carrying mine in my pocket. I think that neither wrist bands nor neck chains match my finely-honed fashion sense. :rolleyes: Yes, that is sarcasm. I guarantee that my clothes will be clean, but you will be hard-pressed to find a log on them. OK, my Costco sneakers have logos. Can anybody point me to sneakers that don't have a logo?

[MGAfhc]

I miss the machines that made a "clonk" when you put your card into them embarking or disembarking. It was very ship-like.

[loge23]

As with any initiative in consumerism, you have to ask yourself if this will enhance your experience more than it enhances the enterprises' experience. If this leans towards the latter, than it probably actually diminishes your experience. If it's a win-win, then it's fine. If it's skewed to the consumer (rare), then how exactly does this enhance your experience?

Regardless of the outcomes here, this is the future whether we like it or not. I would venture to say within the next 5-10 years, this - or a similar tracking device - will be the norm and there will be no choice.

I could go on to rue the tracking part of this equation, but already we are being passively tracked on ships, in stores, on the road, online - just about everywhere - by cams or electronic means.

One poster mentioned another of my immediate reactions: the ability for the device to either be found/stolen, or to not function correctly, thereby allowing access to your stateroom. But doesn't this problem theoretically already exist with cruise cards?

A couple of posters also mentioned a wish list item of being able to opt out of art auction and/or bingo announcements. To that I say, yes, but don't stop there! Can the cruise lines come up with another diversion other than the much played-out art auction?!

[ProvoAggie]

Carnival did the CES Keynote this morning in Vegas and they talked a lot more about the technology. It looks like the Medallion is a lot more complex than a lot of people thought, instead of using RFID, it acts as a Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon and also uses NFC for close range communication. You can watch the Keynote speech here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im7xJeHrvkM

[diane.in.ny]

The one place I see the medallions making a big difference is at a port disembarkation if all you have to do is walk past a sensor. I can see the process being sped up significantly and everyone will benefit from that.

 

And the advantage of not having to fumble for a key with hands full is nice.

 

Other than these two things, I"ve yet to see anything that will benefit me personally. I guess time will tell.

[UpcountryTravelers]

Disney has had the wrist bands for a good while and they work great...... .

 

Actually, they didn't work all that great this summer. It's a bit of a PITA to get the band and your fingerprint in exactly the right place at the same time in the scanner.

[linanles]

Unfortunately most of the information in this forum is either based on the "demo" or pure speculation. What is needed is a forum hosted by a Princess/Carnival IT person who can answer everyones questions. And F...book is not the answer. Those of us that are security conscious don't have or want a F...book account.

[linanles]

If you are really that concerned, go to your local hardware store and purchase some brass screening. Build a small pouch from it and slip the medallion in it. You will have a nice faraday cage to shield the sensors from detecting your medallion.

 

Or save yourself the effort and just us a credit card rfid screening pouch. You can get 10 for $1 delivered free on ebay.

[johnmik1]

Just to let you know that you can slip any card the same size as your cruise card, like an expired credit card, into the slot and the lights etc will work.

 

I have used my business card to activate the electricity in the cabin.

[floridalover5623]

I have used my business card to activate the electricity in the cabin.

 

Who knows after the medallions are in effect. They might actually control the lights & you'll have to be in the cabin to keep them on.

[Bill B]

"Donald said he hopes the service will encourage customers to sign up for repeat cruises while spending more on incidentals."

 

Here's the real reason they're trying this new system: making more money!

 

Yup... but I find Donald's honesty refreshing. More onboard revenue!

[caribill]

A report on Yahoo from the show:

 

My colleague Dan Howley explored the first-ever connected cruising experience from Carnival Corporation (CCL). Called the One Cruise Experience Access Network — OCEAN, for short — it will use a series of sensors placed throughout the ship so passengers can virtually control many aspects of their trip with a coin-size medallion you can wear as a bracelet, necklace or just toss in your bag.

 

The medallion can detect when you’re approaching your room, so it knows to unlock the cabin door, turn on the lights and activate the air-conditioner or heater. Even more impressive, say you order a drink in your cabin but go to the pool afterwards. Because Carnival employees know where you are — and where you’ve gone — they know to deliver that drink to the pool.

[caribill]

No more waiting for someone to take your drink order. Place order and they just show up. Or preorder for the evening show, and your drink arrives when you do.

 

You still need a screen to order that drink, either your personal smart phone, tablet or computer or you can go to one of many screens around the ship including your cabin TV.

[caribill]

A report on Yahoo from the show:

 

My colleague Dan Howley explored the first-ever connected cruising experience from Carnival Corporation (CCL). Called the One Cruise Experience Access Network — OCEAN, for short — it will use a series of sensors placed throughout the ship so passengers can virtually control many aspects of their trip with a coin-size medallion you can wear as a bracelet, necklace or just toss in your bag.

 

The medallion can detect when you’re approaching your room, so it knows to unlock the cabin door, turn on the lights and activate the air-conditioner or heater. Even more impressive, say you order a drink in your cabin but go to the pool afterwards. Because Carnival employees know where you are — and where you’ve gone — they know to deliver that drink to the pool.

[caribill]

And let's remember that Platinum/Elite did have unlimited internet at one time but that was done in by gamers who would log on and play for hours every day sometimes into the wee hours

 

I think it was more "done in" for another reason.

 

When that perk was first given, the only computer devices on board available to passengers that could access the Internet were those in the Internet Café and those in full suites.

 

But technology evolved to the point that every passenger could have their own internet device and the available bandwidth could not possibly sustain the unlimited access. (On some cruises 2/3rd of the passengers are elite/platinum/suite.) Plus, there was some cheating by platinum/elite/suite passengers who allowed friends to use their password for signing on.

[cruzrbachoua]

The medallion can detect when you’re approaching your room, so it knows to unlock the cabin door, turn on the lights and activate the air-conditioner or heater.

 

Lets hope the ac can stay on during the day without the medallion..could be kinda stuffy in an interior room with no air going all day and make for a warm room. :eek: We always turn our lights off and tv off when we leave the cabin.

Edited January 5, 2017 by cruzrbachoua

[caribill]

The one place I see the medallions making a big difference is at a port disembarkation if all you have to do is walk past a sensor. I can see the process being sped up significantly and everyone will benefit from that.

 

 

Most of the time I find the slowdown at port disembarkation is caused more by the ship's photographers who stop people on the gangway to take photos.

 

Getting off the ship is much faster without the photo staff there.

[caribill]

Your initial concern here (as far as the referenced posts above) was about getting directions to your cabin. In that case it is logical you would need to know which cabin and enter that info. That has absolutely nothing to do with opening the door without punching in the room number. It would be pretty lame to have to walk up to your cabin door, the punch in the number that is plainly visible before the door will open. :rolleyes:

 

The medallion does not give you directions. You need a screen device for that.

 

If, for example, you have your cell phone, you can request directions with your cell phone to your cabin (or anyone else's cabin). The 7000 sensors around the ship know where you are and will show you the directions on your cell phone.

[UpcountryTravelers]

That means the CB will be getting an upgraded TV system with all the features that the Royal and Regal systems will have.

 

Oh, darn!

[linanles]

I've just been googling this topic of rfid (rfid by another name is still rfid) and found that most new Android smartphone have an NFC (near field communication) capability. I assume this is to support the electronic wallet concept being touted now. There are apps in the play store that you can install on your Android smartphone that will read the data stored on most rfid and nfc devices such as credit cards and medallions, even the ID rfid chip in your dog or cat's neck which just consists of a number to identify that device. As I said in another post, the medallions are not smart as their description leads you to believe. The smarts are in the software run on their ship board network.

[mek]

I'm in if I can direct it to send away,

 

A. All photographers

 

B: Someone wanting to sell a wine tasting.

 

C. Someone selling anything to pass me bye.

 

Then I'm IN:D !!!

 

framer

 

Agree - if I could set it to "just leave me alone", that would be great. Sounds uber annoying to me.

Edited January 5, 2017 by mek

[pablo222]

I wasn't cruising at the time when they replaced the traditional key with the programmable card. Was there an outcry then?

 

No doubt. But, it was discussed on CB radio.

 

I remember Ving cards, but not actual keys.

 

On carnival, they gave us an actual key for the locking drawer in the cabin.

Edited January 5, 2017 by pablo222