What if we do not want Medallion Class on PCL ?

[caribill]

14 hours ago, Hlitner said:

 

But i do think folks need to accept that carrying a Smartphone is quickly becoming the norm and is often a necessity for travel (on land or sea).   It sounds like many of the airlines will soon agree to use a Vaccine Passport App in order to ascertain that all their passengers have been vaccinated against COVID.  Those that don't want to use this app (assuming this is adopted) will just not fly.  The government of Japan is considering the use of a mandatory smartphone app for all tourists/visitors to their country.  This app will track your whereabouts and require you to submit a daily health status report.  China seems to be moving that same way.  Those that do not own a SmartPhone will likely need to rent one at their port of entry.

 

 

Even those who own smart phones might not have service outside of their home country. Although they might be able to connect to a local WIFI network, they could not be tracked or able to file any report if not connected to a local WIFI spot.

 

Supposedly I am the only person in the USA not to have a smart phone. At least that is what various businesses/banks/credit card companies, etc.  have told me when I cannot provide a cell phone number to them. Even if I want to supply the cell phone number of my spouse they check its ownership and refuse to accept the number from me as it is not in my name.

[Daniel A]

4 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Even those who own smart phones might not have service outside of their home country. Although they might be able to connect to a local WIFI network, they could not be tracked or able to file any report if not connected to a local WIFI spot.

 

Supposedly I am the only person in the USA not to have a smart phone. At least that is what various businesses/banks/credit card companies, etc.  have told me when I cannot provide a cell phone number to them. Even if I want to supply the cell phone number of my spouse they check its ownership and refuse to accept the number from me as it is not in my name.

I keep my cell phone number private and don't give it out to companies.  I always give my home number.  I don't want to be bothered with sales calls (solicitors) when I'm out and about.  A couple of years ago, I was driving in a car with my boss when my doctor's office called my cell phone instead of my home phone and gave me some test results over the phone.  The phone was connected to the car's blue tooth and my boss heard every word of the call.  It seems that lately, the preferred number to call is a person's cell number because business have a better chance of getting you on the phone. Many times when a company asks you for your cell number, they only want it because they sell your information to other companies.

[ontheweb]

5 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Even those who own smart phones might not have service outside of their home country. Although they might be able to connect to a local WIFI network, they could not be tracked or able to file any report if not connected to a local WIFI spot.

 

Supposedly I am the only person in the USA not to have a smart phone. At least that is what various businesses/banks/credit card companies, etc.  have told me when I cannot provide a cell phone number to them. Even if I want to supply the cell phone number of my spouse they check its ownership and refuse to accept the number from me as it is not in my name.

You are not alone. No cellphone; DW has one, but not a smartphone.

[Hlitner]

7 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Even those who own smart phones might not have service outside of their home country. Although they might be able to connect to a local WIFI network, they could not be tracked or able to file any report if not connected to a local WIFI spot.

 

Supposedly I am the only person in the USA not to have a smart phone. At least that is what various businesses/banks/credit card companies, etc.  have told me when I cannot provide a cell phone number to them. Even if I want to supply the cell phone number of my spouse they check its ownership and refuse to accept the number from me as it is not in my name.

Yes that is a problem...especially for those who do not think in terms of travel when they get a phone.  But these days nearly all the Smartphones are compatible with systems around the world.  For those that use T-Mobile their phones will work in over 210 countries.  Most T-Mobile accounts include all that coverage (with no additional monthly fees).  Other cell phone providers such as Verizon and ATT have extra cost options for those that need to expand their coverage when on a trip.

 

There are other reasons for travelers to have a working iphone.   It is only with a phone can one summon Uber/Lyft which can be a life saver in many places of the world.  In Mexico (where we live 10 weeks a year) we use our phone multiple times a day just for Uber.  In Paris, if we need a radio taxi (the only way to get a taxi unless you are lucky to be near a taxi stand that actually has a taxi) we can simply use our "G7" app and summon a taxi (in English).  And it is the same all over the world.  If we need medical help we have an app to our International health care insurance provider (GeoBlue) which tells us where to find English speaking physicians, network hospitals, etc.  If we get sick and need advice GeoBlue also offers that capability.  Get sick in a place where nobody speaks your language and having that ability is very handy.  When DW needed emergency surgery in Osaka, Japan I stood in the corridor outside the procedure room talking with a case manager from GeoBlue and making preliminary arrangements for medical evacuation.  Without that phone it would have been a much more difficult situation.

 

Some countries, such as Japan, make it pretty easy to rent a phone and/or pocket Wifi.   So if Japan does decide to implement a mandatory phone app for visitors they would likely make it easy for travelers to rent a phone for use during their stay.  

 

I will toss out my advertisement for the wonders of T-Mobile.  My phone (just a basic iPhone) works just about everywhere in the world without me needing to buy any extra coverage.  When I fly or cruise to a country my phone will usually vibrate with a new text message which says "Welcome to ...... where your T-mobile provides coverage."  If I want faster coverage then what is provided I can simply use an app on my phone to pay for even faster coverage (LTE or even 5G).  That is why many crew members on ships have T-Mobile as their phone carrier.    Another nice thing about T-Mobile is that my family/friends can reach me just about anywhere in the world by simply dialing my number of sending me a text.  We used to carry a special International phone (from a company called MOBAL) which was a pain in the behind.  Now, both DW and I can always be in touch, have GPS capability in our pockets, and have the security of knowing we have a working phone.

 

I have posted here that my DW was one of those folks who never saw the need for a Smartphone until she finally got one.  Now, she would not go anywhere without her iPhone.  We do not use our phones like the kids (who use them non-stop) but it is there when we need it.  And since I am a big fan of music I also have hundreds of hours of music CDs loaded on my phone.  It has become a cliché that phones are used for everything but making real phone calls :).

 

Hank

[skynight]

Expect there will always be a work around. We have one cell phone for the two of us. One of us can not read a cell phone screen and can't really use it. 

[voljeep]

3 minutes ago, skynight said:

. One of us can not read a cell phone screen and can't really use it. 

that be me and my ole reliable16GB 4s ... wife has an 11 and if/when our son upgrades to the new 12, i'll take his 256GB Xs Max with the larger screen maybe I can read

[caribill]

26 minutes ago, skynight said:

Expect there will always be a work around. We have one cell phone for the two of us. One of us can not read a cell phone screen and can't really use it. 

 

Except when I tried that with one company, their computer would not accept the cell phone number because it was not in my name.

[Iamcruzin]

58 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

 

I have posted here that my DW was one of those folks who never saw the need for a Smartphone until she finally got one.  Now, she would not go anywhere without her iPhone.  We do not use our phones like the kids (who use them non-stop) but it is there when we need it.  And since I am a big fan of music I also have hundreds of hours of music CDs loaded on my phone.  It has become a cliché that phones are used for everything but making real phone calls :).

 

Hank

I didn't realize that the medallion allowed you to make purchases with your phone.  

My phone has become my Swiss Army knife and I'm never without it. It would be like losing a limb if I lost it. I use it to take notes and store information, apple pay, calculator, camera, flash light, alarm clock, I use it in the supermarket to scan items and just tap the pin pad  to pay for the scanned items at self checkout, GPS maps when traveling out of state or even locally to place that I haven't been to. I am waiting for an app that is acceptable to store my drivers license and then I won't even need to carry a wallet. Oh did I mention you can also use it to make calls (so 20th Century), text and read Emails?

Edited December 13, 2020 by Iamcruzin

[caribill]

3 hours ago, Daniel A said:

I keep my cell phone number private and don't give it out to companies.  I always give my home number. 

 

Which sometimes is a good workaround and sometimes is not.

 

(a) When I supply the land-line number, the next step is to receive a text on my "cell phone" with a secret code I need to enter to prove the phone is really mine.

 

(b) Or if (a) did not happen when supplying the phone number, when I use my computer to go to a web site, it says they will send a text to my "cell phone" with a secret code I need to enter to proceed further on the web site.

 

A number of web sites that used to offer using an E-mail to receive the secret codes now no longer offer that option saying that "E-mail is not secure."

[Hlitner]

It can be difficult for we ole folks to adjust to new gadgets.  But Smartphones have become such an important part of our lives that they are almost as important as putting on your clothes.  Consider the state of things regarding phones.  When DW was visiting our home her phone vibrated because her sophisticated alarm system (in her NYC Condo) was triggered.  She simply checked her phone and within a few seconds had an enlarged picture of a large NYC Cockroach crawling across her bed (which triggered a motion detector).  When folks are away they can monitor the climate control systems in their homes, whether their fridge and freezer are properly functioning, who is at the front door, etc.  If somebody needs to get in your home you can remotely open your garage door, turn on the lights, turn off the alarm, etc.  

 

When I plan a long two month driving trip in Europe I can book my air, hotels, rental apartments, rental car, meal reservations (after reading reviews), plan itineraries, etc. without ever doing anything but using my phone.  When I get to some hotels I can skip the front desk and go directly to my room using my phone as the electronic room key.  If I get lost in a strange city (anywhere in the world) my phone can quickly plot my location and give me directions to the nearest bathroom (if need be).

 

I am still an old fogie and think of phones as something sued to make a call.  But the reality is that I cannot imagine life without a working Smartphone.  And the best benefit is that our Grandchildren know what we look like, how we sound, etc :).  And that,  my friends, is all it takes to make the darn phone invaluable.

 

Hank

[caribill]

20 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

I didn't realize that the medallion allowed you to make purchases with your phone.  

 

 

It also allow you to "play" casino games for real money, thus allowing you to gamble without leaving your cabin 24 hours a day (at least when at sea).

[ontheweb]

19 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

It also allow you to "play" casino games for real money, thus allowing you to gamble without leaving your cabin 24 hours a day (at least when at sea).

I suppose that solves the problem of having to deal with smoke in the casino.😉

[pris993]

9 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Even those who own smart phones might not have service outside of their home country. Although they might be able to connect to a local WIFI network, they could not be tracked or able to file any report if not connected to a local WIFI spot.

 

Supposedly I am the only person in the USA not to have a smart phone. At least that is what various businesses/banks/credit card companies, etc.  have told me when I cannot provide a cell phone number to them. Even if I want to supply the cell phone number of my spouse they check its ownership and refuse to accept the number from me as it is not in my name.

you are not alone, smile. 

[pris993]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

It can be difficult for we ole folks to adjust to new gadgets.  But Smartphones have become such an important part of our lives that they are almost as important as putting on your clothes.  Consider the state of things regarding phones.  When DW was visiting our home her phone vibrated because her sophisticated alarm system (in her NYC Condo) was triggered.  She simply checked her phone and within a few seconds had an enlarged picture of a large NYC Cockroach crawling across her bed (which triggered a motion detector).  When folks are away they can monitor the climate control systems in their homes, whether their fridge and freezer are properly functioning, who is at the front door, etc.  If somebody needs to get in your home you can remotely open your garage door, turn on the lights, turn off the alarm, etc.  

 

When I plan a long two month driving trip in Europe I can book my air, hotels, rental apartments, rental car, meal reservations (after reading reviews), plan itineraries, etc. without ever doing anything but using my phone.  When I get to some hotels I can skip the front desk and go directly to my room using my phone as the electronic room key.  If I get lost in a strange city (anywhere in the world) my phone can quickly plot my location and give me directions to the nearest bathroom (if need be).

 

I am still an old fogie and think of phones as something sued to make a call.  But the reality is that I cannot imagine life without a working Smartphone.  And the best benefit is that our Grandchildren know what we look like, how we sound, etc :).  And that,  my friends, is all it takes to make the darn phone invaluable.

 

Hank

Hank, glad you enjoy using these features.

 

 I have lived 74 years without a smart phone, don't need the added expense.  Prefer to do business the old fashion way, I am retired and have lots of time.  Do not use an ATM, walk into banks and do business the way I have always done it.  I have a flip phone only for emergencies, since no pay phones.     

I don't see why anyone else should care whether someone wants to skip using technology of very little value to them.  

 

 

[Hlitner]

20 minutes ago, pris993 said:

Hank, glad you enjoy using these features.

 

 I have lived 74 years without a smart phone, don't need the added expense.  Prefer to do business the old fashion way, I am retired and have lots of time.  Do not use an ATM, walk into banks and do business the way I have always done it.  I have a flip phone only for emergencies, since no pay phones.     

I don't see why anyone else should care whether someone wants to skip using technology of very little value to them.  

 

 

We are about the same age, but DW and I are very avid and independent travelers.  Walking into a bank in Russia, China, Japan, Indonesia, France, etc. is not very useful.  Banks do not want to deal with folks who do not have accounts.  And banks have very limited hours (often M-F 9-3) which does not always work well when we travel.  I will be very honest and say I have not walked into any bank in over twenty years as there is no need.  No lines, no tellers, no dealing with banking hours.  We have adapted to the modern world of online banking, ATMs, and (horrors) even phones.  

 

I could care less if you or anyone want to skip technology (DW was late to use technology) but because we do a lot of independent travel we have little choice.  You might be shocked that somebody in their 70s has no hesitation flying to most countries, renting a car, and just going on their merry way (sometimes without any reservations).  When we arrange for a private tour (on or off a cruise) and the tour operator needs a phone number to text or phone us with their location it is helpful to have that capability.  Flip phones are fine (DW had one up to 3 years ago) but not very useful when we want to track our luggage, figure out how to get to our hotel/apartment, etc.   You are certainly right about the cost but T-Mobile gives us 2 lines, unlimited everything, and coverage in over 200 countries for a total cost of $60 per month.  

 

Funny story about DW and her flip phone.  She routinely goes out to lunch with other retired teachers with whom she worked for decades.  A few years ago she was out with a good friend when her flip phone rang.  When she pulled it out of her purse her friend immediately said, "Kath, put that away....people are looking :)"  True story.  But as I have posted, with her the deal maker was when she realized that she could Facetime and Zoom with our grandchildren on an iPhone  (no Facetime on Android devices).  I should add that most Flip Phones are worthless outside of North America although there are rumors that Smart Flip phones will soon make a comeback.

 

Hank

 

Hank

[cruisemom42]

A lot of this discussion about smart phones reminds me of the conversations a few decades ago about home computers. "What do we need a home computer for?" said my parents, back in the late 1990's - early 2000's. By the time they started to realize how it could have been helpful for them (especially this past year), it was really too late for them to learn how to use it.

 

On 12/6/2020 at 3:22 AM, mevs904 said:

I just thought about one more feature of the Medallion that we like.  Your cabin steward can tell whether you are in or not.  On our Medallion cruises we have never been bothered by the steward knocking on the door to see if he or she could come in and clean.

 

This feature is the biggest concern to me. As a woman traveling alone, I don't want my room steward to know my whereabouts. I've read several stories of women being attacked or preyed upon in their cabins by crew members; enough to know that I don't particularly want them to be able to track my movements onboard ship. If a high level staff member can access it in case of emergency to track me, that is one thing. Knowing my steward is aware of my whereabouts is another thing altogether...

 

[Daniel A]

I don't have a 'smartphone' for a very simple reason.  It fits in my front pocket where I can't sit on it and break it or need to take it out and leave it on a counter, restaurant table etc.  My flip phone is an amazing device.  If I press the buttons in certain combinations - I can make a telephone call!

[Iamcruzin]

2 hours ago, caribill said:

 

It also allow you to "play" casino games for real money, thus allowing you to gamble without leaving your cabin 24 hours a day (at least when at sea).

We that solves the social distance issue as well as the smoke in the casino issue and I imagine you can still gamble if you are in quarantine while at sea.

[Daniel A]

3 hours ago, caribill said:

It also allow you to "play" casino games for real money, thus allowing you to gamble without leaving your cabin 24 hours a day (at least when at sea).

It also allows a minor to play in the casino from their room.

[caribill]

2 hours ago, Daniel A said:

It also allows a minor to play in the casino from their room.

 Probably not using their own sign in.

[Daniel A]

4 minutes ago, caribill said:

 Probably not using their own sign in.

I can see some mommies and daddies letting the kids do it so they  can be the kid's friend instead of being a parent.

[geocruiser]

On our last Regal Princess cruise of March 2019, yes a while ago, so my info might or might not be current), we did not use the Medallion.  We ask for a cruise card at check in.  We did not have a Medallion shipped to us either.  The only thing we had to do was to tell out cabin attendant that we did not have one.  Plus hang our "do not disturb sign out when we were in our cabin.  We were told that with out a Medallion out cabin would always show that it was empty.

[caribill]

3 hours ago, Daniel A said:

I can see some mommies and daddies letting the kids do it so they  can be the kid's friend instead of being a parent.

 

Until they see on their own onboard account thousands of $$$ in gambling losses.

[caribill]

3 hours ago, geocruiser said:

Plus hang our "do not disturb sign out when we were in our cabin.  We were told that with out a Medallion out cabin would always show that it was empty.

 

And your cabin would show empty if one person took both medallions to get coffee for each person with the drink package.

[geocruiser]

42 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

And your cabin would show empty if one person took both medallions to get coffee for each person with the drink package.

That is true too.  We don't  get a drink package, so I did not think of that.