Ocean Medallion App - Part 3

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

Assuming that I am never able to choose and arrival time - does one get automatically assigned? If so, how do you find out what it is? As an elite passenger, am I able to just show up whenever I want as it was in the past? I've looked at travel summary, etc but see no indication of a time to be at the port. It really should not be this difficult...

In theory, if a guest doesn't select an Arrival Group, then one is assigned (presumably a late one).  But you don't have to pay attention to that.  If you want priority boarding, just show up when convenient for you, regardless of Arrival Group.  Jan Swartz said so herself on the very first voyage after The Pauses.  The check-in process is running much like it used to from all indications and reported experiences.

[ceilidh1]

28 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

In theory, if a guest doesn't select an Arrival Group, then one is assigned (presumably a late one).  But you don't have to pay attention to that.  If you want priority boarding, just show up when convenient for you, regardless of Arrival Group.  Jan Swartz said so herself on the very first voyage after The Pauses.  The check-in process is running much like it used to from all indications and reported experiences.

But even if one gets assigned, how do you know what that time is? Am I meant to see it somewhere? Nothing seems to show on either the app or the docs....

[Tedferg]

6 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

But even if one gets assigned, how do you know what that time is? Am I meant to see it somewhere? Nothing seems to show on either the app or the docs....

We boarded in San Pedro April 2 and nowhere was there any question / indication of Boarding Group. Simply asked, 'Are you Platinum or Elite? This line, others that line'

[ceilidh1]

Just now, Tedferg said:

We boarded in San Pedro April 2 and nowhere was there any question / indication of Boarding Group. Simply asked, 'Are you Platinum or Elite? This line, others that line'

Good to know - thanks!

[Steelers36]

12 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

But even if one gets assigned, how do you know what that time is? Am I meant to see it somewhere? Nothing seems to show on either the app or the docs....

Oh.. hmm.. well it should show in the App.  But then the App SHOULD do a lot of things it does not.

[mpk]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

In theory, if a guest doesn't select an Arrival Group, then one is assigned (presumably a late one).  But you don't have to pay attention to that.  If you want priority boarding, just show up when convenient for you, regardless of Arrival Group.  Jan Swartz said so herself on the very first voyage after The Pauses.  The check-in process is running much like it used to from all indications and reported experiences.

 

That's very disappointing.  Timed slots should be... timed slots.  Not just to minimize coronavirus potential spread, but who wants to wait in a massive crowd?  We've all been caught in that mad rush when boarding begins.  Not fun.

 

I was hoping that this Arrival Group thing would stop that madness.  Like boarding zones on airplanes to reduce crowding at the gate and plane.  So it's chaos as usual then.

[JF - retired RRT]

1 hour ago, mpk said:

 

That's very disappointing.  Timed slots should be... timed slots.  Not just to minimize coronavirus potential spread, but who wants to wait in a massive crowd?  We've all been caught in that mad rush when boarding begins.  Not fun.

 

I was hoping that this Arrival Group thing would stop that madness.  Like boarding zones on airplanes to reduce crowding at the gate and plane.  So it's chaos as usual then.

Boarding at 11 on 4/10. Nuff said?

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, mpk said:

 

That's very disappointing.  Timed slots should be... timed slots.  Not just to minimize coronavirus potential spread, but who wants to wait in a massive crowd?  We've all been caught in that mad rush when boarding begins.  Not fun.

 

I was hoping that this Arrival Group thing would stop that madness.  Like boarding zones on airplanes to reduce crowding at the gate and plane.  So it's chaos as usual then.

I hear you but boarding zones do not reduce crowding at gates in my experience.

[cruisingram1]

2 hours ago, mpk said:

 

That's very disappointing.  Timed slots should be... timed slots.  Not just to minimize coronavirus potential spread, but who wants to wait in a massive crowd?  We've all been caught in that mad rush when boarding begins.  Not fun.

 

 

If Princess did not process people until their boarding time, word would get out - maybe - that the time is not a suggestion but a mandate. I understand that people want to get an early start on their vacation and some of us have spouses that get really antsy with waiting around to leave. So basically.. everyone chill and if it's crowded, space yourself out a little. If you're in the terminal on time, you will board the ship. Just won't be the first one on. Our travel companions showed up around noon and walked right on. Not a sole in front of them.

 

On a different note, when we boarded on the 3rd, there were people who were line jumping into the Elite lines. My understanding is Princess finally started collecting the tickets and only let people in the correct order. Princess does have some control over the process and should not wait for people to complain, but be proactive with the rules they set forth.

[ceilidh1]

40 minutes ago, cruisingram1 said:

If Princess did not process people until their boarding time, word would get out - maybe - that the time is not a suggestion but a mandate. I understand that people want to get an early start on their vacation and some of us have spouses that get really antsy with waiting around to leave. So basically.. everyone chill and if it's crowded, space yourself out a little. If you're in the terminal on time, you will board the ship. Just won't be the first one on. Our travel companions showed up around noon and walked right on. Not a sole in front of them.

 

On a different note, when we boarded on the 3rd, there were people who were line jumping into the Elite lines. My understanding is Princess finally started collecting the tickets and only let people in the correct order. Princess does have some control over the process and should not wait for people to complain, but be proactive with the rules they set forth.

But where does that leave folks (like myself) who can't even get to the point of being able to choose an arrival/boarding time? In theory, if the app worked correctly, then boarding/arrival groups should be mandated. However, I would be pretty upset if I got turned away because I couldn't choose a time due to their crummy app!

[highloyo]

On 4/6/2022 at 5:28 AM, cltnccruisers said:

You'll use the medallion to set up your account/pin - any machine will do for that.  Then you just scan the medallion at whatever machine you want to donate your money to.  😀  It's pretty simple.  It will also be scanned at the cashier if need be.

 

We just play the machines so I don't know if it's needed in some manner at the table games.

Table games in the casino work this way. You present your medallion to the dealer who in turn summons a pit boss. They will ask how much in chips you want. I think the dollar limit is in the thousands (maybe 2000 to 5000 per day). They will give you a chit to sign of which you keep one, the drop box gets one and the cashier gets one. Then you are given the chips you requested. Keep in mind this will all be charged to your cruise account. Whenever you wish to stop you can carry chips around or cash them in at the cashiers cage. I found out you can’t pay your advance down except by taking your cash to the ship’s front desk to apply against your account.

One other thing if you play slots. You need to cash out your “bank” on the last night at the casino cashier cage. 

[West Coast Gal]

We sent off for our medallion weeks ago and have not received it.  We leave on April 22 but our cruise is not until May 1?  Has anyone had that experience?  Worried it won't show up until after we leave

[PacnGoNow]

7 minutes ago, West Coast Gal said:

We sent off for our medallion weeks ago and have not received it.  We leave on April 22 but our cruise is not until May 1?  Has anyone had that experience?  Worried it won't show up until after we leave

It’s going to be close!  It usually arrives 10-14 days before your sail date.

 

Don’t worry, if you don’t get it, only takes a few mins to get it at the port.

 

 

 

[pootsien2]

4 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

.

6 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

It’s going to be close!  It usually arrives 10-14 days before your sail date.

 

Don’t worry, if you don’t get it, only takes a few mins to get it at the port.

 

 

 

I live in your approximate area and mine just arrived in my mailbox today, for my cruise that leaves on April 29 . 

 

[pootsien2]

Something got messed up on my reply! I just got my medallion today in my mailbox for cruise on April 24. Sign up for informed delivery on USPS if you haven't used that, it will show you are getting something with a tracking number.

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, cruisingram1 said:

On a different note, when we boarded on the 3rd, there were people who were line jumping into the Elite lines. My understanding is Princess finally started collecting the tickets and only let people in the correct order. Princess does have some control over the process and should not wait for people to complain, but be proactive with the rules they set forth.

Not sure what you mean by "line jumping".  You mean non-Suites/Elites went into that line?  Anyway, to your other point, anyone with priority boarding can show up when it suits them and be processed.  There are priority seating areas if the ship is not yet accepting passengers and those folks do get to board first.  If a guest in a Suite (for example) was assigned a 2pm Arrival Group, they are not obligated to stick with that.  But it is clear that Princess port personnel are not following that system.  As had been pointed out, many pax have been unable to select a group, so why should they be negatively impacted?  The old system seems to work fine - show up when it is convenient for you because arbitrary assignments by deck and so forth create unfair situations.

[highloyo]

1 hour ago, West Coast Gal said:

We sent off for our medallion weeks ago and have not received it.  We leave on April 22 but our cruise is not until May 1?  Has anyone had that experience?  Worried it won't show up until after we leave

Did you get an email notification from Princess with a tracking number? It is sent via USPS. Go on the USPS website to track it and the expected delivery date. I received the medallions about a week after the notice. 

[pootsien2]

I didn't get a notification from Princess. I saw a tracking number for a package on my informed delivery that is how I knew when it was expected for delivery. I hadn't ordered anything else so figured it had to be the medallion.

[cruisingram1]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Not sure what you mean by "line jumping".  You mean non-Suites/Elites went into that line?  Anyway, to your other point, anyone with priority boarding can show up when it suits them and be processed.  There are priority seating areas if the ship is not yet accepting passengers and those folks do get to board first.  If a guest in a Suite (for example) was assigned a 2pm Arrival Group, they are not obligated to stick with that.  But it is clear that Princess port personnel are not following that system.  As had been pointed out, many pax have been unable to select a group, so why should they be negatively impacted?  The old system seems to work fine - show up when it is convenient for you because arbitrary assignments by deck and so forth create unfair situations.

When we arrived we were given a piece of paper with Elite, Platinum or General group boarding with several letter designations. Each group of three had a separate seating area. I don’t know where suites were in the mix. They called Elite first and there was a rush to the boarding area. My husband commented that the general seating area was emptying out. I told him it was his imagination as they hadn’t even called Platinum yet. The line was slow moving. As we lined up they started asking for the group papers and I heard some people saying they are finally asking people to embark by their groups. I assume that meant they had not been doing so before that. People are just eager to get on board. Board by Groups or show when you want. Probably same effect in the end. We all get on. No different than plane boarding by groups. Though I am always surprised when they board front first so everyone has to climb over those who board ahead of them. Should board back first. 

[cltnccruisers]

5 hours ago, cruisingram1 said:

When we arrived we were given a piece of paper with Elite, Platinum or General group boarding with several letter designations. Each group of three had a separate seating area. I don’t know where suites were in the mix. They called Elite first and there was a rush to the boarding area. My husband commented that the general seating area was emptying out. I told him it was his imagination as they hadn’t even called Platinum yet. The line was slow moving. As we lined up they started asking for the group papers and I heard some people saying they are finally asking people to embark by their groups. I assume that meant they had not been doing so before that. People are just eager to get on board. Board by Groups or show when you want. Probably same effect in the end. We all get on. No different than plane boarding by groups. Though I am always surprised when they board front first so everyone has to climb over those who board ahead of them. Should board back first. 

First I've heard of any kind of paper process.

[Roberto256]

13 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Boarding at 11 on 4/10. Nuff said?

 

Great picture.  It screams "Luxury Vacation"!!!

[Aulanis]

Hi all - sure this has been asked before but  cant wade through 109 pages?

 

I have 3 cruises  booked  I started the most recent one on Medallion   and linked the other 2.

 

Can someone tell me if and how I can access  the  second cruise on the app  as  I  need

to get in the boarding queue  though reading the last few pages it doesnt seem to work anyway?

TIA

 

  

[cltnccruisers]

6 minutes ago, Aulanis said:

Hi all - sure this has been asked before but  cant wade through 109 pages?

 

I have 3 cruises  booked  I started the most recent one on Medallion   and linked the other 2.

 

Can someone tell me if and how I can access  the  second cruise on the app  as  I  need

to get in the boarding queue  though reading the last few pages it doesnt seem to work anyway?

TIA

 

  

I have multiple cruises booked.  When I log into the app I can select my pic in the upper left and it opens OceanReady Journey.  On the left I see My Journeys and can select whichever I want.

[Aulanis]

@cltnccruisers    Thankyou  so much  I had actually been on that page and not noticed

the list.   Have clicked on everything else clickable and scoured the Princess pages.

If I had any hair would have torn it out by now. 🙂

[cltnccruisers]

3 minutes ago, Aulanis said:

@cltnccruisers    Thankyou  so much  I had actually been on that page and not noticed

the list.   Have clicked on everything else clickable and scoured the Princess pages.

If I had any hair would have torn it out by now. 🙂

The app is not particularly intuitive.  Some things you just have to stumble on.