Medallion update

[PlopPlop]

12 minutes ago, I object 2 said:

 

Our cruise is a little over a week away.  When I  get to the section to add our reservation (booking) the Ocean Ready app tells me "your reservation wasn't found.  Please recheck your legal name and reservation number and try again".    

 

I'll give Princess a call in the morning.  I'm wondering if the problem is that Royal Princess isn't 100% medallion ready.

 

I tried as well for our March 30th sailing and get the same message. We are past final payment but I understand it still is a ways out.

 

I did call Princess a week or so ago and asked if our sailing would be an OM sailing and was told no.... I’m interested in what they tell you when you call. Please share.  Thank you.

[turquoisesea]

1 hour ago, PlopPlop said:

 

I tried as well for our March 30th sailing and get the same message. We are past final payment but I understand it still is a ways out.

 

I did call Princess a week or so ago and asked if our sailing would be an OM sailing and was told no.... I’m interested in what they tell you when you call. Please share.  Thank you.

I spoke to the Medallion Concierge Line today ( this phone number is with the response that says they can’t find your reservation.)  The person I spoke to was very helpful. She explained that the app is brand new technology with some glitches that have slowed things down. She said right now they are still working on January passengers. She suggested that I delete the app for now and reinstall it in 30+ days.  (My cruise is 5/18). She said there are frequent updates to the app and I’ll want to have the latest version when I reinstall. She also explained that there will be representatives at the port and it will take them exactly one minute and 30 seconds to produce your Medallion, so not to worry.  Don’t call the regular Princess phone number. The number listed on Ocean Ready has the best information. 

[Shelly97060]

We will have the medallion on our upcoming cruise on Regal Princess and here is how the process worked so far for us for those with an interest:

 

 About one month prior to sailing we received an email with a link to an instructional video on downloading and setting up the Ocean Ready app and ordering our medallion. 

 

The set up process was simple. In the app you set up a user name, password and pin. Take a security photo, scan your passport and take a photo of it,  priovide a profile picture (that is displayed at kiosks on the ship when you use) and the last step in the app is ordering the medallion and lanyard.  

 

The medallion and lanyards were delivered about two weeks from our sail date. The medallions have your name and date of voyage engraved on them. The center of the medallion is color coded to your captains circle level and has the Princess logo in the center.  

 

It will be interesting to see how they work once on board. 

 

Shelly 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by Shelly97060

[rocklinmom]

As a technically challenged person, this medallion thing sounds like a pain.  I would have to create log-ins, take our own security photos, download our passports, etc.?  Really?  Too much work and a lot of it way over my head.  Not how I want to start a vacation.  Hopefully some of the ships will stay non-medallion and I can just go on those. 

[socmft]

I hate to knowingly sound stupid, but here I go!  Other than being able to open my cabin door without using my hands, what exactly does the medallion do that my cruise card doesn't?  I can use my cruise card at (gift) shops - getting on and off the ship - I know I'm missing the point somewhere.

 

[JoAnneNYI]

5 minutes ago, socmft said:

I hate to knowingly sound stupid, but here I go!  Other than being able to open my cabin door without using my hands, what exactly does the medallion do that my cruise card doesn't?  I can use my cruise card at (gift) shops - getting on and off the ship - I know I'm missing the point somewhere.

 

Here is a report about Medallion and what it does:

http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2384358&fbclid=IwAR0jmfo0FERKudcmnrmiKPA2TrGHWFNS11Tuco3R-852ik6ZKwBklvXvHXo

[AF-1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTTFlSmsFuc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR05N-AWq-D09AGpXAqpN7mBPNGnkfn3U9YdvmlY4WdHrgsoRulyYf7f0Ss

 

Here is Princess you tube video explaining the Medallion program;  you can make your decision if it will be beneficial to use 

[rwilk1129]

What a waste of millions of dollars probably

 

[c-boy]

spend a million to  make millions.

Edited January 24, 2019 by c-boy

[hllwdcruiser]

Our cruise is a month away on Regal and I was able to register, input my booking number, scan in my passport info and upload security and profile photos on Ocean Ready this morning.  The medallions are supposed to be sent to our home but we shall see if that actually happens.

We never received an e-mail like Shelly97060 but when I went on Princess.com this afternoon I discovered a message I hadn't seen before after I clicked on Guest Check in:

 

GET READY FOR YOUR OCEAN VOYAGE

Two quick steps for an easy check in:

1. GET OCEANREADY!

   Your upcoming cruise will be one of the first voyages to offer Princess MedallionClass, with a variety of features providing a more seamless and enhanced vacation experience. To enjoy an easier embarkation experience at the terminal, simply download the OceanReady app in the Apple App StoreOpens in a new window or Google PlayOpens in a new window. Follow the instructions to create an Ocean account login (separate from your Princess login) and provide information for your new Princess Medallion. NOTE: downloading the app will allow you to use a digital boarding pass at the terminal.

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by hllwdcruiser

[I object 2]

17 hours ago, PlopPlop said:

 

I tried as well for our March 30th sailing and get the same message. We are past final payment but I understand it still is a ways out.

 

I did call Princess a week or so ago and asked if our sailing would be an OM sailing and was told no.... I’m interested in what they tell you when you call. Please share.  Thank you.

 

Just spoke with a young lady who is with the Medallion tech division.  She said the Ocean Ready app is experiencing glitches with people using the app on smartphones and iPads.   She asked me to wait a day or two, then login and try to add my booking.  She said the problem wasn't because the Royal doesn't have the full Medallion system up and running.  So that ruled out my theory.  🙂    I'll wait a few days, delete the app, then reinstall.   Crossing my fingers!

[Coffeeluvr05]

After finding out that the Sky Princess is going to be Medallion Class beginning in October, when it first sets sail, I downloaded the Ocean Ready app and created an account.  I was stopped when adding my booking number since it is too early apparently.  I found this out after calling and speaking with the Ocean Medallion folks.  I was very happy to hear that the Sky will be Medallion Class beginning in October and my sailing is in November.  It's just an added bonus at this point!  The rep said I would be receiving an email as soon as we are able to get Ocean Ready.  

[JoRoy218]

On 1/23/2019 at 8:19 AM, kevey said:

Hi there.  Will be on the CB this fall and shall be our first cruise at Platinum level - will we still have to pay for the Medallion.net Wifi once we exceed our 'free' minutes each ?   

Platinum/Elite get 250 minutes. The ship has a variety of internet packages available. For us, the 500 minutes between the two of us was quite sufficient for a 10 day cruise.  By the way, the WiFi on the CB was excellent! 

[JoRoy218]

On 1/22/2019 at 11:42 AM, ukbecky said:

For those of you who have used it, other than the door unlock, how did it make your life easier?

No difference, really. Bars and gift shops were not able to use yet. Getting on and off ship was as fast as using cruise card. Curious to see improvements over time. Enjoyed the fast, reliable WiFi though. 

Edited January 24, 2019 by JoRoy218

[candy4040]

On ‎1‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 8:12 PM, candy4040 said:

We are on the Royal in 10 days - sure hope the unlimited internet via medallion is up and running.  We were on the Regal last February and the internet speed was great.

 

We will be on the same cruise.  I don't think they are offering unlimited for free.  I just checked cruise planner and it shows $99.

 

[jlp20]

11 hours ago, hllwdcruiser said:

Our cruise is a month away on Regal and I was able to register, input my booking number, scan in my passport info and upload security and profile photos on Ocean Ready this morning.  The medallions are supposed to be sent to our home but we shall see if that actually happens.

 

 

From other posts, OM shipped from Singapore to your home the week before the cruise OR you pick them up at embarkation.

 

A little easier to get into cabin, easier for them to get cash out of your pocket-don't even have to swipe a card, easily locate your party or others that have agreed to it, use smart phone to order drinks-drinkrunners can locate you etc. The trade off, they know your location 24/7 and info can be used for marketing. 

[satxdiver]

We were on the CB in November.  The  gift shops and bars were using the OM where we simply had to hold the OM next to the reader.  The ship personnel used the OM to record which pax showed up for the safety briefing as well.  I do believe that the use of the OM was a lot easier and faster than the sea card when exiting and arriving back at the ship.  All one has to do was hold the OM over the small reader while the old way you had to fumble around with the card to get the ID where they were able to read it.  I was mostly able to hold the card up in the right orientation so it could be quickly read but other pax seemed to have a problem with that holding up the line. 

[floridalover5623]

Cruise cards will not be issued in another 2 weeks or so on the ships that are using the Medallions.

There's no mention of choosing the card over the Medallion. 

 

[Clownfish Cruiser]

We’re also on the Royal now. I had initially pre-purchased internet minutes (Ruby level, so no freebies yet). I wish I hadn’t done that and had just signed on the Internet when we got on board and purchased the unlimited plan the first day. The internet situation caused a lot of confusion because the line at the Internet Cafe was a mile long at least the first few days!! 

[Idratherbeatsea]

On 1/23/2019 at 6:55 PM, KimCHouston said:

It’s confusing because MedallionNet is different from the medallion that opens your cabin door, etc..  MedallionNet is the fast new Wi-Fi that is being installed on the ships.  Royal just got that this week.  From what I’ve heard, Royal probably won’t be ready for the medallions (and Ocean Ready app) until April.  At least that is my understanding.

I read also the Royal will be OM ready in April

[Italy52]

I will be cruising on the Royal in June.  What if I don't have a "Smart Phone?"  My second thought would be, even if I did have a Smart Phone, I wouldn't feel comfortable downloading passport info or other sensitive information into it.  Do I have to use the Medallion?

[Clownfish Cruiser]

I can confirm that the Royal does have the new wi-fi, and it was very nice to use. Maybe this was the first week of the new wi-fi...there was a lot of confusion on the ship and long lines at the Internet Cafe for several days! 

[Coffeeluvr05]

Does the new Wi-Fi allow for streaming and video calling/FaceTime?

[XBGuy]

57 minutes ago, Italy52 said:

I will be cruising on the Royal in June.  What if I don't have a "Smart Phone?"  My second thought would be, even if I did have a Smart Phone, I wouldn't feel comfortable downloading passport info or other sensitive information into it.  Do I have to use the Medallion?

 

There is no problem, at all, if you do not have a SmartPhone, or do not care to use the SmartPhone to interface with the Medallion.  

 

The Medallion can work exactly like the key cards work--they can be used for boarding or leaving the ship, they can open your cabin door, and they can be used for shipboard purchases.  No SmartPhone required.

 

No personal information is stored on the Medallion.  The only thing stored on the Medallion is a code which identifies itself to the ship's various readers--just like the key cards.

 

Now, you have been reading about people downloading an app into their SmartPhone and futzing with it.  This is totally optional.  For example, let's say you are lounging by the pool and decide that you could use a drink.  You really don't want to leave your comfortable lounger, and you are now so thirsty you don't want to wait for a server to walk by to take your order.  If you have set up your SmartPhone to work with your Medallion, you can pull it out, order a drink and a server will bring it to you.  By doing so you have reduced the time it takes to get your drink by, at least, three or four minutes.

 

Again. information that is entered into the SmartPhone app is not stored on the Medallion  It is stored on some Princess system.  Now, consider that even with the current system you and I are keying in our passport number and our credit card number into the Princess system via the Cruise Personalizer.  It's a very similar concept.

[figmentdj]

"The Medallion can work exactly like the key cards work--they can be used for boarding or leaving the ship, they can open your cabin door, and they can be used for shipboard purchases."

 

Still have to use the cruise card for casino? I suppose. As it is now, you insert your cruise card and then download money to the machine from your onboard account. How does Medallion fit in?