Ocean Medallion & Beverage Package Compatibility Issues

[jennybenny]

I think it probably has to do with the words I highlighted in bold, which was buried in the January 3rd Carnival Corp. press release.

 

"Personalize Dining: Checking out menus from personal devices is a convenience, but even better, the Ocean Medallion lets you place orders for delivery to anywhere you plan to be, whether it's poolside, your cabin, the ship's theater or the casino. (Charges might apply for food and drink.) The Medallion makes it easy to communicate dietary restrictions -- which you can do ahead of your cruise -- just once, and chefs at restaurants across the vessel will all have the info, wherever and whenever you're dining."

 

 

 

Thanks

 

 

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[jennybenny]

This would not fix the perceived problem. The problem with AIBP and Medallion is not people buying too much alcohol - it's people purchasing too many drinks to be delivered. That's why they also don't order the Soda & More Package with the Medallion. If I had 20 sodas or mocktails delivered all over the ship, that would cost Princess just as much in crew time as 20 alcoholic drinks.

 

 

 

The solution to this problem is not to limit the number of drinks. Just make us use the packages in dining rooms and bars. We can't use them for room service now, so we wouldn't lose anything. They can still have the new Medallion delivery system for people paying for each drink. If they wanted to, they could even offer the Medallion delivery system to people with AIBP and Soda & More packages with a stated delivery charge instead of the full price of the drink.

 

 

 

The software to implement any of these solutions is not complicated. Princess just needs to figure out what to do to limit the additional costs for delivery without taking away what people have now.

 

 

 

Completely agree. Keep the AIBP to bars and restaurants only.

 

I don't need my drinks delivered to me.... it's not like Princess currently does a good job with bar servers/service by the pool so I've always just gotten my own.

 

 

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[Thrak]

Completely agree. Keep the AIBP to bars and restaurants only.

 

I don't need my drinks delivered to me.... it's not like Princess currently does a good job with bar servers/service by the pool so I've always just gotten my own.

 

 

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I have never had a drink delivered by staff. I always just go to the bar and get my own whether it's an inside bar or up on Lido. I actually would like the "there and then" option but only for one specific reason. I want to have a Bloody Mary waiting for me when I get to Crooner's to meet my wife who has gone there earlier for the Knitters and Natters meeting. It would be great but I can certainly just wait and order it when I get there. We aren't booked on a Medallion cruise until next March so they will hopefully have it worked out by then. We do have the AIBP on a cruise before then but it's not a Medallion cruise so not an issue. We got it as a promo - no way we would pay for it - but I have to agree that Princess is making money on the people who actually pay for it. The package is over $1,600 per person on that cruise. Yikes!

[jennybenny]

The package is over $1,600 per person on that cruise. Yikes!

 

 

Yikes is right!! [emoji15] that's the price of a cruise! Lol

Yes, that's why doesn't make sense for the longer cruises. There's just no way I can make that make sense of that price tag.

 

 

 

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[Woobstr112G]

I just noticed that on the 27 Day Sydney to Los Angeles cruise (Golden Princess April 2019) that I have booked the Soda & More package is now available. It was not available a couple of days ago.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Bill B]

The solution to this problem is not to limit the number of drinks. Just make us use the packages in dining rooms and bars. We can't use them for room service now, so we wouldn't lose anything. They can still have the new Medallion delivery system for people paying for each drink. If they wanted to, they could even offer the Medallion delivery system to people with AIBP and Soda & More packages with a stated delivery charge instead of the full price of the drink.

 

The software to implement any of these solutions is not complicated. Princess just needs to figure out what to do to limit the additional costs for delivery without taking away what people have now.

 

Your proposal sounds reasonable. However, you say the software to implement the solution is not complicated. Are you sure? I can't see how they would be able to block those with unlimited beverage packages from using the Ocean Medallion system; or, that Princess would want to (they will be selling more than just beverages).

 

What's the 'solution'?... issue 'Package Beverage Cards' - with instructions they are to be used for their packages... and that beverages ordered using Ocean Medallion will be 'billable'. Simple!

 

HOWEVER, what will people actually do?... I'd bet at least half of them will not read the instructions, 10% of the ones who do will not understand them, and 30% will simply disregard them (my figures are probably 'off', but you get the idea). It's inevitable people with the packages will order using Ocean Medallion... and when they start looking at their folios, they will 'scream bloody murder' Princess is mistakenly charging them for drinks.

[NavyVeteran]

Your proposal sounds reasonable. However, you say the software to implement the solution is not complicated. Are you sure? I can't see how they would be able to block those with unlimited beverage packages from using the Ocean Medallion system; or, that Princess would want to (they will be selling more than just beverages).

 

What's the 'solution'?... issue 'Package Beverage Cards' - with instructions they are to be used for their packages... and that beverages ordered using Ocean Medallion will be 'billable'. Simple!

 

HOWEVER, what will people actually do?... I'd bet at least half of them will not read the instructions, 10% of the ones who do will not understand them, and 30% will simply disregard them (my figures are probably 'off', but you get the idea). It's inevitable people with the packages will order using Ocean Medallion... and when they start looking at their folios, they will 'scream bloody murder' Princess is mistakenly charging them for drinks.

All beverages would be paid for using Ocean Medallion - however they are ordered. The system would know what packages each passenger has.

 

If you order a drink from a waiter or bartender, that would be noted and the package would apply.

 

If you order a drink from an electronic device, the system could recognize that you have the package and give you a message saying something like "This drink is not included in your package. It will cost you an additional $x.xx. If you do not want to pay the additional amount, you need to order from a bar or dining room." and then have two choices "Pay additional $x.xx" and "Cancel". I won't know exactly how it would work until I see the system in operation on my March cruise, but something like that could be done. In addition.

 

I don't see how this would be any more of a problem than someone ordering a drink from room service and expecting it to be included in the package (which it is not currently). This would actually be easier since the system would know you have the package and could ask "Are you sure?". Room service does not currently know you have the package and does not ask.

[Bill B]

I see. That makes sense. Hopefully, they have people writing code as we 'speak'.

[martin jenkins]

I just noticed that on the 27 Day Sydney to Los Angeles cruise (Golden Princess April 2019) that I have booked the Soda & More package is now available. It was not available a couple of days ago.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

 

on our majestic cruise next sept the AIBP has now appeared in my personaliser, great news.

[mthomp5]

on our majestic cruise next sept the AIBP has now appeared in my personaliser, great news.

 

Yes! Great news! I hope it means the AIBP and soda and more is back for all Medallion sailings.

[Womble99]

Your proposal sounds reasonable. However, you say the software to implement the solution is not complicated. Are you sure? I can't see how they would be able to block those with unlimited beverage packages from using the Ocean Medallion system; or, that Princess would want to (they will be selling more than just beverages).

 

What's the 'solution'?... issue 'Package Beverage Cards' - with instructions they are to be used for their packages... and that beverages ordered using Ocean Medallion will be 'billable'. Simple!

 

 

Lol so you mean put a sticker on the medallion [emoji1]

 

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[tinastanier]

customer services contacted us yesterday to day they would not include aibp on this cruise we questioned them saying they were offering it to people that had already purchased it so in essence they are lying. also that having it in your basket shows intent to purchase. it's like going to Walmart and getting to check out and the cashier saying sorry you can't have that.

[NavyVeteran]

Yes! Great news! I hope it means the AIBP and soda and more is back for all Medallion sailings.

OCEAN Medallion has not been announced for the Majestic. The only ships with OCEAN Medallion announced are Regal (Nov 2017), Royal (Jan 2019), Caribbean (Mar 2018), and Island (May 2018).

 

My OCEAN Medallion cruise on the Caribbean in March 2018 still does not show AIBP or Soda & More available under Onboard Reservations, so nothing has changed on announced OCEAN Medallion cruises.:(

 

It appears they are now adding AIBP and Soda & More availability to fall 2018 and spring 2019 cruises - but not to announced OCEAN Medallion cruises. If anyone is on one of these cruises and wants to purchase one of these packages, I suggest you purchase (and pay for it) not - adding it to your shopping card is not sufficient. If Princess announces another OCEAN Medallion ship before they change their policy, they may remove the package availability from those cruises with no advance notice. Based on their current policy however, they will honor any packages purchased (and paid for) before the OCEAN Medallion announcement.

[beckntom]

Yes! Great news! I hope it means the AIBP and soda and more is back for all Medallion sailings.

 

 

Neither are back for my sailing (Regal Princess, September 8, 2018).

 

What's going on, Princess?

 

Edited to add: Disregard the "question" to Princess. I see now that the statement regarding availability was made regarding the Majestic and doesn't apply.

Edited May 4, 2017 by beckntom
Edited to add: Disregard the question. I see now that the statement was made regarding the Majestic, which doesn't apply.

[mthomp5]

OCEAN Medallion has not been announced for the Majestic. The only ships with OCEAN Medallion announced are Regal (Nov 2017), Royal (Jan 2019), Caribbean (Mar 2018), and Island (May 2018).

 

My OCEAN Medallion cruise on the Caribbean in March 2018 still does not show AIBP or Soda & More available under Onboard Reservations, so nothing has changed on announced OCEAN Medallion cruises.:(

 

It appears they are now adding AIBP and Soda & More availability to fall 2018 and spring 2019 cruises - but not to announced OCEAN Medallion cruises. If anyone is on one of these cruises and wants to purchase one of these packages, I suggest you purchase (and pay for it) not - adding it to your shopping card is not sufficient. If Princess announces another OCEAN Medallion ship before they change their policy, they may remove the package availability from those cruises with no advance notice. Based on their current policy however, they will honor any packages purchased (and paid for) before the OCEAN Medallion announcement.

 

Oh darn it! I forgot Majesric was not announced as a Medallion ship so the AIBP issue is not resolved for Medallion sailings. Such a bummer.

[Bill B]

OCEAN Medallion has not been announced for the Majestic. The only ships with OCEAN Medallion announced are Regal (Nov 2017), Royal (Jan 2019), Caribbean (Mar 2018), and Island (May 2018).

 

My OCEAN Medallion cruise on the Caribbean in March 2018 still does not show AIBP or Soda & More available under Onboard Reservations, so nothing has changed on announced OCEAN Medallion cruises.:(

 

It appears they are now adding AIBP and Soda & More availability to fall 2018 and spring 2019 cruises - but not to announced OCEAN Medallion cruises. If anyone is on one of these cruises and wants to purchase one of these packages, I suggest you purchase (and pay for it) not - adding it to your shopping card is not sufficient. If Princess announces another OCEAN Medallion ship before they change their policy, they may remove the package availability from those cruises with no advance notice. Based on their current policy however, they will honor any packages purchased (and paid for) before the OCEAN Medallion announcement.

 

Here's something to ponder -

Could it be they have planned all along to eliminate the AIBP and Soda & More packages as Ocean Medallion is introduced across the fleet? While I find this difficult to believe - the packages must be a huge revenue generator - perhaps they figure they will generate more without them.

 

Undoubtedly, they will lose some bookings; but they have demand management down to science and the ships sail full... so they don't care.

 

Nothing I have seen says they are working on a way to re-institute the packages on Ocean Medallion voyages. We have all assumed they did not take the unlimited beverage packages into consideration when planning the Ocean Medallion system. Perhaps they did! :o

Those who are waiting for another 'Sip & Sail' promo may be waiting... forever.

[PghCruiseGrrrl]

My feelings on what Princess is doing. I am going to use round numbers just to make the math simple and just deal with what Princess is charging the customer, not profit, loss, cost of goods sold, or anything else a company deals with. This also in no way reflects true prices.

 

Lets say the average person normally orders 4 drinks a day at $10/each. If they do not get the AIBP Princess gets $40. If they did purchase the AIBP for convenience sake (and for ease of math we will say the AIBP is $50/day), Princess would collect an additional $10. If the implementation of the medallion causes that person to order 2 more drinks a day since they can be ordered and delivered anytime anywhere, for a person that doesn't have the AIBP, Princess now has $60. If that same person had bought the AIBP Princess would lose $10 of what they could have collected. Princess is betting by making it more convenient for people to order drinks, people will order more drinks. After a reasonable period of time they will analyze the data from the medallion sailings and roll out a "New and Improved" AIBP that will take into account the new average number of drinks a person will order to make sure they are still getting the highest profit margin they can on drink sales. They just didn't want to take a chance on having lower profit margins while collecting the previously mentioned data.

 

But, in the words of Dennis Miller, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[Guest arowe6]

Bob,

 

Check your cruise personalizer. The option to purchase the AIBP is back on mine (I'm on the Regal in December). It just popped back into mine about an hour ago. I posted in the other thread.

[Thrak]

Bob,

 

Check your cruise personalizer. The option to purchase the AIBP is back on mine (I'm on the Regal in December). It just popped back into mine about an hour ago. I posted in the other thread.

 

I just checked my fake booking for December and the AIBP is indeed now being offered on that Medallion cruise. However, the Soda & More package is still not there. I would imagine it will be returning soon as well. I wonder what the change is that has made the package possible or if there was no real change at this time but simply too much uproar about the removal.

 

I still think the whole idea of having drinks delivered anywhere is a bad plan. I wonder if that will be phased out as unworkable in the future.

[Guest arowe6]

I just checked my fake booking for December and the AIBP is indeed now being offered on that Medallion cruise. However, the Soda & More package is still not there. I would imagine it will be returning soon as well. I wonder what the change is that has made the package possible or if there was no real change at this time but simply too much uproar about the removal.

 

I still think the whole idea of having drinks delivered anywhere is a bad plan. I wonder if that will be phased out as unworkable in the future.

 

My gin-loving heart is happy again....even if I have to get the drink myself. ;p

 

Cheers!

 

-Andrew

[Thrak]

OK! I just checked again and the Soda & More package is now showing as well. Excellent!!!

[Woobstr112G]

The below is a reply, to a question I asked, from Princess on their FB page

Hi, Robert. We're pleased to tell you that we've taken our guests' feedback to heart and will offer our beverage packages on OCEAN Medallion voyages. As of this morning, guests on OCEAN Medallion voyages are again able to purchase them for their cruise.

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

Bob,

 

Check your cruise personalizer. The option to purchase the AIBP is back on mine (I'm on the Regal in December). It just popped back into mine about an hour ago. I posted in the other thread.

 

Thank you for the heads up. I'll check it out when I get home from work.....:):):)

Bob