Figured out why there is a magnet inside the medallion

[Rudester]

We cruised Mexico on Royal Princess during Christmas with the family. This was our first Medallion cruise. During the cruise, my grandson discovered that the Medallion was magnetic and asked me why.  Well, I didn't know why at the time and the engineer in me was puzzled. I am sure that Carnival (Princess parent company) wouldn't incur the cost of a magnet inside every medallion, unless there was a good reason for it. Not knowing the answer bugged me and my subconscious mind went to work on finding the answer. It finally hit me!

 

During the cruise, the sensor by our cabin door would detect my wife's, or my medallion from a good 15 or 20 feet away and unlock the door. Creepy!  Now, imagine you were atone of the many portals (the big color screens scattered throughout the ship), looking for your mate, or the nearest restaurant, or imagine that your are in the casino playing your favorite slots. If the portals and slot machines used the same sensor as used for detecting you as you approach the cabin, all hell would break lose when another passenger walked by. So, the sensors in the portals and slot machines do not detect from far away and instead use a magnetic switch to detect and read your medallion. That way a nearby passenger's medallion won't interfere.  That is why your medallion has a tiny magnet inside. Mystery solved!

[TupeloHoney]

I'm surprised there is a magnet in it without a warning to passengers.  I would imagine many passengers have medical devices that should be kept away from magnets.  My daughter is one of them!

[Colo Cruiser]

17 minutes ago, TupeloHoney said:

I'm surprised there is a magnet in it without a warning to passengers.  I would imagine many passengers have medical devices that should be kept away from magnets.  My daughter is one of them!

There is a warning.

Did you read the paperwork that comes with the Medallion?

My son has one, and many other passengers on Princess cruises.

We talked with the Dr. Princess and the Pacemaker mfg.

They should be kept 6-8 inches away from any medical device.

He has had no issues in 6 Medallion cruises now. 

[Rudester]

29 minutes ago, TupeloHoney said:

I'm surprised there is a magnet in it without a warning to passengers.  I would imagine many passengers have medical devices that should be kept away from magnets.  My daughter is one of them!

 

The magnet is not very strong. I don't think it would affect a medical device.

[framer]

There is a stock 2032 coin battery in each one also.  Couldn't resist cutting it open. 

 

framer

[idahospud]

 

27 minutes ago, Rudester said:

 

The magnet is not very strong. I don't think it would affect a medical device.

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by idahospud

[Rudester]

7 minutes ago, framer said:

There is a stock 2032 coin battery in each one also.  Couldn't resist cutting it open. 

 

framer

 

Good to know. I would have thought that they would just use a passive RFID chip, like the stores use for inventory control.

[cruzsnooze]

Be safe and get a regular cruise card at guest services if you have a pacemaker or any medical device sensitive to a magnetic field. The majority of people  with a device will not have a problem but does anyone want to be that small percentage that has a reaction. 

[Colo Cruiser]

58 minutes ago, framer said:

There is a stock 2032 coin battery in each one also.  Couldn't resist cutting it open. 

 

framer

 

[MissP22]

2 hours ago, Rudester said:

We cruised Mexico on Royal Princess during Christmas with the family. This was our first Medallion cruise. During the cruise, my grandson discovered that the Medallion was magnetic and asked me why.  Well, I didn't know why at the time and the engineer in me was puzzled. I am sure that Carnival (Princess parent company) wouldn't incur the cost of a magnet inside every medallion, unless there was a good reason for it. Not knowing the answer bugged me and my subconscious mind went to work on finding the answer. It finally hit me!

 

During the cruise, the sensor by our cabin door would detect my wife's, or my medallion from a good 15 or 20 feet away and unlock the door. Creepy!  Now, imagine you were atone of the many portals (the big color screens scattered throughout the ship), looking for your mate, or the nearest restaurant, or imagine that your are in the casino playing your favorite slots. If the portals and slot machines used the same sensor as used for detecting you as you approach the cabin, all hell would break lose when another passenger walked by. So, the sensors in the portals and slot machines do not detect from far away and instead use a magnetic switch to detect and read your medallion. That way a nearby passenger's medallion won't interfere.  That is why your medallion has a tiny magnet inside. Mystery solved!

My guess is that the magnet has nothing to do with providing id. It's simply included to hold the medallion into their jewelry that they sell.

[brisalta]

3 hours ago, Rudester said:

 If the portals and slot machines used the same sensor as used for detecting you as you approach the cabin, all hell would break lose when another passenger walked by. So, the sensors in the portals and slot machines do not detect from far away and instead use a magnetic switch to detect and read your medallion. That way a nearby passenger's medallion won't interfere.  That is why your medallion has a tiny magnet inside. Mystery solved!

 

Did you test this by removing the magnet from the medallion and leaving the magnet in your cabin and then attempting to activate various devices via the medallion in the casino, etc.?

[antsp]

57 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

My guess is that the magnet has nothing to do with providing id. It's simply included to hold the medallion into their jewelry that they sell.

Agreed, the magnet will in no way be used as part of the detection/location side of the device. 

[CruiseVA]

 

Interesting, My experience for our last 2 Medallion cruises (Caribbean & Sky) has  been, my Medallion has never unlocked our door, DW's has worked for door opening. Both worked fine for ordering... Magnet has always been strong. Pretty sure the tech is all about the bluetooth low energy

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by CruiseVA

[Rudester]

1 hour ago, brisalta said:

 

Did you test this by removing the magnet from the medallion and leaving the magnet in your cabin and then attempting to activate various devices via the medallion in the casino, etc.?

 

There is no way to open the medallion without damaging it, something I wouldn't want to do prior to final disembarkation. 

[pablo222]

10 hours ago, Rudester said:

 

Good to know. I would have thought that they would just use a passive RFID chip, like the stores use for inventory control.

 

This is an interesting thread,  by a poster who dissected their medallion:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2654619-dissection-of-a-medallion-doodad-thingy/

[john_galt]

Our cabin on the Sky was at the end of the ship on Emerald deck (E729). When we arrived at 12:15 pm, there were four IT guys with laptops standing just inside the entrance to the room. Turns out there is a Medallion service access closet just inside that suite. Three of the IT guys continued to futz with the contents of the closet while one of them explained that a 'room sensor' had dropped offline and they were 'wired in series'. They got it reset and left within a few minutes. One of them returned the next day and we let him inside the room to access the closet again.

 

On the third day, someone from maintenance arrived to change a large air filter. Turned out there was an additional access closet, large enough to step inside, in our room. I agree with the theory that the magnet is there for accessory attachment purposes.