Princess Medallion use update

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Princess says they will be using the Medallion a lot more now. Helping on keeping people distanced from one another, monitoring close gatherings, no touch orders. Requesting you use you phone or pad to order than one on one. Food and drinks. Dining room ordering via phone or pad. Menu the same way. Plus more. Received that info via my email today. Hope it all works.

[voljeep]

8 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Princess says they will be using the Medallion a lot more now. Helping on keeping people distanced from one another, monitoring close gatherings, no touch orders. Requesting you use you phone or pad to order than one on one. Food and drinks. Dining room ordering via phone or pad. Menu the same way. Plus more. Received that info via my email today. Hope it all works.

we will ( hopefully ) not be "required" to do that - however, we would consider ordering room service if we are allowed the full mdr menu delivered to our balcony ... would consider ...

 

extra butter for my normal 'off menu' baked potato most nights

 

stay safe 😷

stay hydrated ( really glad the fuzzy waters are included in the beverage package - 5-6 easily each day )

[snoozecrooze]

If you could share some snapshots of the email, that'd be great! 

 

Carnival's own app (the Carnival Hub app for CCL) has a lot more functionality and other competing cruise lines also offer more that can be done, so I still feel Princess has a lot to catch up to when it comes to the actual app (especially when users have consistently noted how glitchy it's been for them). But those apps also function in conjunction with the options and flexibility those lines offer, which differs from Princess' more traditional approach to cruising, so I'm interested in seeing how Princess will tweak its operations (and consequently, the app and Medallion). For example, it's highly likely that guests will be asked to reserve seats for theater performances so I'm eager to see how Princess will execute these functions (which Princess seems to not be able to do well ever since they launched their app and the Medallion).

[XBGuy]

Ordering with your smartphone in a restaurant or dining room is a reasonalble idea.

 

Of course it is easy to anticipate objections to anything.

 

• What if a person doesn't own a smartphone?
  • Would a server take the order?
  • Would a device be provided?  Sounds like an easy workaround.  However, it is entirely possible that the diner may have to get some instruction on usage.  Then, of course, there would be the diners who would insist that they do not want to use the device and demand their inalienable right to have a server take their order.
• I can see people having issues with all kinds of exceptions to the standard menu.
  • Special dietary requests.  I know that special diets are accommodated, and I see no reason why the smartphone  menu can't have things like "Kosher Selectons" or "Gluten Free Options," but, often, people like to ask questions about them.
  • Substitutions.  Instead of rice with the grilled salmon, I would like mashed potatoes.
  • Preparation requirements.
    • Medium well.
    • Extra butter
    • No sauce.
    • No dressing/Dressing on the side.
      Again, many of these can be included in the smartphone software, but it is starting to look like placing an order is going to be a bit tedious.

It is doable, but. again, I would anticipate a lot of resistance.  One possible benefit that I see, is that you could place your order from, say, your cabin, and, then, wait for a message indicating that your table is ready.

 

I would be ready to try it.

 

In fact, now that I think of it, in this pandemic environment, I have used my PC to order several meals from local restaurants for pickup, and it has worked fine,  Pretty much the same thing.

[HappyCruiserettu]

No smartphone required. Everything will operate thru the Medallion which operates independently of any phone. According to John Chernesky, Princess Sr VP of Sales, ALL ships will be Medallion Class when they resume sailing. (per yesterdays webinar "Cruising the Americas.")

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

37 minutes ago, snoozecrooze said:

If you could share some snapshots of the email, that'd be great! 

 

Carnival's own app (the Carnival Hub app for CCL) has a lot more functionality and other competing cruise lines also offer more that can be done, so I still feel Princess has a lot to catch up to when it comes to the actual app (especially when users have consistently noted how glitchy it's been for them). But those apps also function in conjunction with the options and flexibility those lines offer, which differs from Princess' more traditional approach to cruising, so I'm interested in seeing how Princess will tweak its operations (and consequently, the app and Medallion). For example, it's highly likely that guests will be asked to reserve seats for theater performances so I'm eager to see how Princess will execute these functions (which Princess seems to not be able to do well ever since they launched their app and the Medallion).

Here is part of it.

TrulyTouchless™ Embarkation

Faster, contactless boarding is yours when you get OceanReady®. Receive your Medallion® before you leave home and use the app to fill out your pre-cruise health questionnaire.* You’ll then be able to select your preferred time to arrive at the port to help stagger boarding. Physical distancing will be maintained throughout check-in and embarkation. Your stateroom door will even unlock as you approach.

·    An Innovative Approach to Ship Safety

·       We’ve streamlined the traditional safety drill to make it more convenient and crowd-free. Watch the required safety video anytime on embarkation day and anywhere, thanks to your MedallionClass app, or on your stateroom TV. Visit your muster station during select hours prior to your sailing and check in your medallion with a crew member - this way, you'll know exactly where to go in case of an emergency.

·    Effortless Cruising

·       Purchase anything on board without handling cash or cards using touch-free technology, courtesy of MedallionPay™. With OceanNow®, you can control physical distancing like never before. Order wherever you are, and the food, drinks and items from our shops will find you, even if you move. Plus you can also access entertainment and casino gaming through the MedallionClass app on your smart device. Requires smart phone or pad.

Physical Distancing

On MedallionClass ships get a real-time view of attendance in lounges, theaters and other areas, and bookmark activities of interest, noting attendance limits. 

[Aulanis]

31 minutes ago, HappyCruiserettu said:

No smartphone required. Everything will operate thru the Medallion which operates independently of any phone.

 Maybe, well sort of.....    I have not been on a medallion ship yet

but  in various places it says

"The all-in-one app interacts with your Medallion to put the MedallionClass digital experiences at your fingertips. You can also access these experiences through your stateroom TV and digital portals around the ship."

 

On an MSC ship they had touch screens at various points

around the ship where you could see the  availability and

book for shows.    so if something like that it may work well,

though I dont know  how they will keep the screens virus free.

 

Foodwise   I like to mix things up a bit and try things I wouldnt

get at home.   So Breakfast I dont have  yoghurt OR Fruit

OR cereal   I go for a spoonful of each plus  nuts dried fruits

a couple of prunes and  some dates.  Doubt if that is going

to be possible.    Oh well  just coffee & toast please 🙂 

 

This is the web page I saw

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ocean-medallion/

 

Someone has mentioned that you dont currently get Medallions delivered to Canada.

Anyone know about the UK?

Edited October 8, 2020 by Aulanis

[DCGuy64]

90% of people I see on ships have their smartphones with them at all times, this is a good idea. Just the world we live in, and it's good that the cruise lines are adapting. (plus it's safer than having to print things that can get dirty/contaminated)

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Normally we would only use the iPhone when in port to send pictures and texts to our daughter. Most all ports are covered on our T-Mobile senior plan. Next cruise coming up, we WILL carry it with us. It should make things much easier once we get the hang of it. As for the casino on the iPhone. Nope. We like watching the reels spin. Plus the bingo with other people. We were on one ship where they did trivia on the smart phone. I was never fast enough to get the answer first. If you were first you got the point. Highest points at the end won. We got a fat zero. Like the paper and a chance to think of the answer.

[dides]

1 hour ago, Aulanis said:

Someone has mentioned that you dont currently get Medallions delivered to Canada.

Anyone know about the UK?

 

Nothing by mail in the UK as yet - we've been on 2 Medallion Class cruises and always have to pick up at the port  (you can still check-in ahead of time though)

 

Sandra

[HappyCruiserettu]

2 hours ago, snoozecrooze said:

 

 

Carnival's own app (the Carnival Hub app for CCL) has a lot more functionality and other competing cruise lines also offer more that can be done, so I still feel Princess has a lot to catch up to when it comes to the actual app (especially when users have consistently noted how glitchy it's been for them). But those apps also function in conjunction with the options and flexibility those lines offer, which differs from Princess' more traditional approach to cruising, so I'm interested in seeing how Princess will tweak its operations (and consequently, the app and Medallion). For example, it's highly likely that guests will be asked to reserve seats for theater performances so I'm eager to see how Princess will execute these functions (which Princess seems to not be able to do well ever since they launched their app and the Medallion).

The original plan (things may have changed) was that the Medallion would be implemented, first on Princess ships, and then extended to the rest of Carnival Corp lines (Carnival, HAL, Cunard, etc.) I guess Princess is acting as the "Beta Test."

 

[Astro Flyer]

4 hours ago, snoozecrooze said:

If you could share some snapshots of the email, that'd be great! 

Here’s the link to the webpage containing more details than the email.

 

I like their new muster procedure...watch the video & visit the location sometime during embarkation. The OceanMedallion will know you’ve been there which meets their requirement.

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/?cid=brand_email_promo_internal_announcement_info_pf0ms171a_201007_cruisehealth_VSST2IVP4CXAQUDLDNWJVNXN54&eccn=VSST2IVP4CXAQUDLDNWJVNXN54&rrid=175884308B&mi_u=175884308B

Edited October 9, 2020 by Astro Flyer

[cruzsnooze]

I will use the old cruise card and don't want the medallion. I know that will be available because of the liability of the medallion for people with pacemakers. Princess will always keep the old style but most people will use that medallion, very few of us old timers. I will NEVER carry my phone on the ship, only when I go into port for emergency. 

[Geoffa30]

Not looking good for our Pacific Princess cruise in September 2021 then as the ship isn’t Medallion Class. Or our 2022 World Cruise on Coral Princess. Thankfully the latter was scheduled for installation of the technology so perhaps it will happen in due course. Was looking forward to trying the Pacific for the first time.

[caribill]

10 hours ago, HappyCruiserettu said:

No smartphone required. Everything will operate thru the Medallion which operates independently of any phone. According to John Chernesky, Princess Sr VP of Sales, ALL ships will be Medallion Class when they resume sailing. (per yesterdays webinar "Cruising the Americas.")

 

And recently they changed their web site to say "most" ships will be Medallion Class.

[Roger88]

9 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Normally we would only use the iPhone when in port to send pictures and texts to our daughter. Most all ports are covered on our T-Mobile senior plan. Next cruise coming up, we WILL carry it with us. It should make things much easier once we get the hang of it. As for the casino on the iPhone. Nope. We like watching the reels spin. Plus the bingo with other people. We were on one ship where they did trivia on the smart phone. I was never fast enough to get the answer first. If you were first you got the point. Highest points at the end won. We got a fat zero. Like the paper and a chance to think of the answer.

My guess would be that at some points (destinations) there is simply no signal. The only thing I can think of would be satellite internet but I am not sure that all the ships have such equipment.. I remember days when internet was available only at the ports or when the ship was passing by 

[HappyCruiserettu]

1 hour ago, caribill said:

 

And recently they changed their web site to say "most" ships will be Medallion Class.

The video I'm referring to was released late on Oct 7, so that is new information. A few weeks ago there was as slideshow from Jan Schwartz that indicated all would be Medallion. Yes, that was later edited to say most.  I am referring to a webinar released less than 36 hours ago. John Chernesky made the statement at one point, and it was repeated by another official later in the presentation. Go to John Chernesky's facebook page. It is currently the first item on the page. It is a 1-hour +  video entitled "Cruise the Americas."

 

[caribill]

4 minutes ago, HappyCruiserettu said:

The video I'm referring to was released late on Oct 7, so that is new information. A few weeks ago there was as slideshow from Jan Schwartz that indicated all would be Medallion. Yes, that was later edited to say most.  I am referring to a webinar released less than 36 hours ago. John Chernesky made the statement at one point, and it was repeated by another official later in the presentation. Go to John Chernesky's facebook page. It is currently the first item on the page. It is a 1-hour +  video entitled "Cruise the Americas."

 

 

So far my 2022 Pacific Princess cruise is not listed as a Medallion cruise on the Princess web site..

[Sillyjilly]

7 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

I will use the old cruise card and don't want the medallion. I know that will be available because of the liability of the medallion for people with pacemakers. Princess will always keep the old style but most people will use that medallion, very few of us old timers. I will NEVER carry my phone on the ship, only when I go into port for emergency. 

 

Like button hit! I usually put my phone in the safe for my cruise. I do NOT want to carry it around.

[Roberto256]

15 hours ago, HappyCruiserettu said:

No smartphone required. Everything will operate thru the Medallion which operates independently of any phone. According to John Chernesky, Princess Sr VP of Sales, ALL ships will be Medallion Class when they resume sailing. (per yesterdays webinar "Cruising the Americas.")

 

The medallion has no user interface.  How could that possibly work?

 

 

[skynight]

1 hour ago, Sillyjilly said:

 

Like button hit! I usually put my phone in the safe for my cruise. I do NOT want to carry it around.

Same here. No smart devices carried around. With an eye sight issue can't even read a phone or tablet screen. Don't anticipate any issues once the pandemic is over. It may take a few years. 

[phabric]

17 hours ago, Aulanis said:

 

 

Someone has mentioned that you dont currently get Medallions delivered to Canada.

Anyone know about the UK?

Medallions are only mailed in the USA

[pms4104]

1 hour ago, Roberto256 said:

 

The medallion has no user interface.  How could that possibly work?

 

 

Maybe pax will talk into a clown face ... and a drone will deliver?

[HappyCruiserettu]

7 hours ago, caribill said:

 

So far my 2022 Pacific Princess cruise is not listed as a Medallion cruise on the Princess web site..

Maybe because it hasn't been implemented YET. I believe all Pacific Princess sailings have been cancelled well into mid-2021. I would guess that the conversion is expected to happen before she returns to service.

 

[HappyCruiserettu]

2 hours ago, phabric said:

Medallions are only mailed in the USA

All others receive theirs at the pier. That is the current procedure.