Get ready for Ocean Medallion Class™

[Redwing55]

I totally agree with you Tom and Julie. Thanks for the rational view point.

 

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No argument from me. I wonder how people with concerns live their lives these days. There are so many unfounded conspiracies out there.. and even when one becomes true, the impacts are hardly felt.

I'm hoping these make cruising more efficient and pleasant for all of us....a more likely outcome.

[CruisingIsBest]

Why don't they stop nickel and diming us and just lower the rates.We don't need to pay for all those new tech advances.

long cruiser

So right. Princess has pretty much done nothing in years. Stale, boring product with the only innovations being things like "Club Class" and now these silly Medallions. I'm Elite, and Princess has been the go-to line, but it's just getting old. I had the same mini I booked for years booked in December, but now it's "Club Class"! You get a new mattress (which every cabin will soon have), and a roped off section of the dining room (which from other reviews has been nothing special at all). But, let's charge a lot more for that privilege! At least with Celebrity you have "Blu", a totally separate and exclusive dining area. I booked on another line to try something different. They have so many cool things to try, innovative venues and public areas, and specialty restaurants that are just that... not just roped off sections of existing dining rooms... Crab Shack? Lol $29 and it's a section of the Horizon Court, limited to one entree (which Princess is doing with all the specialty venues), and $10 for each additional entree. Last three times at Crown was poor. Bad cuts, fatty, and nothing special at all. Crab Shack had the same shrimp and mussels you see at the buffet in piles daily. Crab nothing special either... but let's get an extra $29 out of the guests!

 

Many of my long time Princess friends have all concurred it's going downhill. There's no innovation and no real "wow" factor at all. MUTS was the last big cool thing they added... how many years ago?? MDR menus are getting worse and worse. Club Class in December would have cost over $4000! Booked another line for $2000, SPA cabin mini, free drinks, free internet, and unlike Princess, includes the thermal suites... Princess won't even give that to full suite guests! They want their $200 for their tiny room, and the only line at sea where the heated beds aren't heated anymore, (Regal and Royal). LOL I've been loving Princess for many years, but Jan Swatrz is wrecking the brand in favor of nickel and diming, and, doing so with silly options like Club Class, and Medallion Class. It's not like they build new venues, or upgrade the "Club Class" minis with lots of new features, nice deck loungers, or nicer amenities, it's just take something that's already there... have a big hoop-it-up ad campaign to make it "sound" special, and CHARGE more! That's the direction Princess keeps going.

[floridalover5623]

So right. Princess has pretty much done nothing in years. Stale, boring product with the only innovations being things like "Club Class" and now these silly Medallions. I'm Elite, and Princess has been the go-to line, but it's just getting old. I had the same mini I booked for years booked in December, but now it's "Club Class"! You get a new mattress (which every cabin will soon have), and a roped off section of the dining room (which from other reviews has been nothing special at all). But, let's charge a lot more for that privilege! At least with Celebrity you have "Blu", a totally separate and exclusive dining area. I booked on another line to try something different. They have so many cool things to try, innovative venues and public areas, and specialty restaurants that are just that... not just roped off sections of existing dining rooms... Crab Shack? Lol $29 and it's a section of the Horizon Court, limited to one entree (which Princess is doing with all the specialty venues), and $10 for each additional entree. Last three times at Crown was poor. Bad cuts, fatty, and nothing special at all. Crab Shack had the same shrimp and mussels you see at the buffet in piles daily. Crab nothing special either... but let's get an extra $29 out of the guests!

 

Many of my long time Princess friends have all concurred it's going downhill. There's no innovation and no real "wow" factor at all. MUTS was the last big cool thing they added... how many years ago?? MDR menus are getting worse and worse. Club Class in December would have cost over $4000! Booked another line for $2000, SPA cabin mini, free drinks, free internet, and unlike Princess, includes the thermal suites... Princess won't even give that to full suite guests! They want their $200 for their tiny room, and the only line at sea where the heated beds aren't heated anymore, (Regal and Royal). LOL I've been loving Princess for many years, but Jan Swatrz is wrecking the brand in favor of nickel and diming, and, doing so with silly options like Club Class, and Medallion Class. It's not like they build new venues, or upgrade the "Club Class" minis with lots of new features, nice deck loungers, or nicer amenities, it's just take something that's already there... have a big hoop-it-up ad campaign to make it "sound" special, and CHARGE more! That's the direction Princess keeps going.

And still the uninformed continue to pay the extra thinking it's something "Special".

In some areas Princess is living on their reputation. ;)

[Colo Cruiser]

But on the Royal, you use your cruise card to put in the slot to turn on the lights in the cabin. Wondering, will the room "know" you've entered and just turn the lights on, or will you need a different card to turn on the lights?

 

 

 

Use a piece of cardboard to thwart the spying.

[eatdrinkfly]

So right. Princess has pretty much done nothing in years...

 

well, I think that's part of the reason that Medallion is getting launched on Princess instead of Carnival's other brands.

it sounds like maybe they recognize that they're in need of introducing something innovative to keep relevant to their existing customers and attract new ones.

[p010ne]

:evilsmile:We have resisted the iPhone for 10 years too, how about all you all? https://youtu.be/vniMR6Ez9cEhttps://youtu.be/vniMR6Ez9cE:evilsmile:

[CruisinLow]

:evilsmile:We have resisted the iPhone for 10 years too, how about all you all? https://youtu.be/vniMR6Ez9cEhttps://youtu.be/vniMR6Ez9cE:evilsmile:

 

Sorry, I am one who cannot get along without my iPhone. Just another necessity I did not know I needed until I had one for a while.

[XBGuy]

I heard this on the radio just 20 minutes ago. Exactly 10 years ago, today, at 6:00 pm EDT, the very first iPhone was sold in NY.

 

So, happy anniversary to the iPhone. I wonder if everybody on a Princess ship, today, who has an iPhone is getting a special dessert with dinner.

 

I confess that I have an iPhone--very long and stupid story. However, I am still of the opinion that the SmartPhone--no reason to denigrate only one corporation--is the solution for which there is no problem. ;p

[dreaminofcruisin]

Interesting to hear all the 'fears' about Medallion class. I am pretty much a 'wait and see' kind of person. It might be great, it might not....whatever...I am sure it won't change my happiness cruising.

 

Also......I will predict for all those who are afraid...if it is perceived to be 'successful' by the Cruise Industry, it won't be just Carnival Cruise lines implementing it. Soon it will spread to the other lines as well. History has shown that for many things, if it works for one cruise line, it will quickly be adopted by the others....

 

So...if you don't like it...eventually you may need to find another way to vacation. Since Disney apparently uses something similar in its parks...likely this will also trend to most resort type vacations also.

 

Just sayin' .... :confused:

[mek]

I

 

So...if you don't like it...eventually you may need to find another way to vacation. Since Disney apparently uses something similar in its parks...likely this will also trend to most resort type vacations also.

 

Just sayin' .... :confused:

 

I'm just about there anyhow. I needed a break and no cruises are planned for this year. Personally, I'm getting tired of people telling me how great my life will be when I no longer have to think because a machine will anticipate my every need or a self driving car will transport me from point A to B.

[caribill]

So right. Princess has pretty much done nothing in years.

 

Not true at all:

o They eliminated pre-reserving excursions without paying until the cruise

o They eliminated the walk around promenade deck on new ships

o They eliminated free Internet for full-suite passengers

o They eliminated souvenir glasses at the $10 wine tasting

o They eliminated the "welcome aboard" cookies in your stateroom on embarkation day

o They eliminated the crepes the evening of the Champagne Fountain

o They eliminated forward view areas (except for cabins facing that way) on new ships

o They eliminated the dessert buffet at the late evening deck party

o They reduced the evening show lengths in the Princess theater by 15 minutes

o They eliminated the mailing of luggage tags pre-cruise

o They eliminated sesame seeds from bread-sticks in the dining rooms

o They eliminated the Godiva chocolate on top of the Love Boat Dream dessert

o They eliminated the "passport" sticker in your cabin welcoming you back to Princess

o They reduced the number of musicians in the showroom band

o They eliminated a number of unique itineraries such as going up the Amazon River

 

o etc.

[Pierlesscruisers]

Not true at all:

o They eliminated the mailing of luggage tags pre-cruise

o They eliminated sesame seeds from bread-sticks in the dining rooms

 

Boy, that's a pair of biggies!:o

 

Good grief....

 

Tom

[Griller]

I'm just about there anyhow. I needed a break and no cruises are planned for this year. Personally, I'm getting tired of people telling me how great my life will be when I no longer have to think because a machine will anticipate my every need or a self driving car will transport me from point A to B.

 

I hope by the time I am old and a little confused and can't drive 100% safely any more that the selfdriving car will give me my independence. OK I don't like the idea otherwise or really trust it, but then I don't trust many modern things, specially if they are made of plastic.

[Zooguy]

Medallion for the Millennials.

 

 

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[Zooguy]

Not true at all:

 

o They eliminated pre-reserving excursions without paying until the cruise

 

o They eliminated the walk around promenade deck on new ships

 

o They eliminated free Internet for full-suite passengers

 

o They eliminated souvenir glasses at the $10 wine tasting

 

o They eliminated the "welcome aboard" cookies in your stateroom on embarkation day

 

o They eliminated the crepes the evening of the Champagne Fountain

 

o They eliminated forward view areas (except for cabins facing that way) on new ships

 

o They eliminated the dessert buffet at the late evening deck party

 

o They reduced the evening show lengths in the Princess theater by 15 minutes

 

o They eliminated the mailing of luggage tags pre-cruise

 

o They eliminated sesame seeds from bread-sticks in the dining rooms

 

o They eliminated the Godiva chocolate on top of the Love Boat Dream dessert

 

o They eliminated the "passport" sticker in your cabin welcoming you back to Princess

 

o They reduced the number of musicians in the showroom band

 

o They eliminated a number of unique itineraries such as going up the Amazon River

 

 

 

o etc.

 

 

 

Nice list!

I enjoyed reading this list of Princess Cruises de contenting.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Iamcruzin]

This is a lot of reading even for someone who is a CC addict . My guess is that the folks who are objecting the most due to issues of privacy and security are probably the same folks who hold up a line in the supermarket or department store by writing a check. They don't trust the security of the debit card system, yet they hand a piece of paper over to the minimum wage, sketchy, cashier who now has access to their bank account and routing number, as well as their address, phone and state ID or drivers license numbers which also contains their date of birth. They can tell by the check number if it's a new account or one that is established by the number of checks they have written. The cruise line already knows how many drinks you have had, If you play bingo or roll the dice in the casino or eat in one of the restaurants. This new technology no doubt is being rolled out to benefit them in obtaining the information and being able to pass it along faster. However, if this Medallion can alert me to the best time to head to the AT dining room to avoid the line then it's worth it to me.

Edited June 30, 2017 by Iamcruzin

[pablo222]

Not true at all:

o They eliminated pre-reserving excursions without paying until the cruise

o They eliminated the walk around promenade deck on new ships

o They eliminated free Internet for full-suite passengers

o They eliminated souvenir glasses at the $10 wine tasting

o They eliminated the "welcome aboard" cookies in your stateroom on embarkation day

o They eliminated the crepes the evening of the Champagne Fountain

o They eliminated forward view areas (except for cabins facing that way) on new ships

o They eliminated the dessert buffet at the late evening deck party

o They reduced the evening show lengths in the Princess theater by 15 minutes

o They eliminated the mailing of luggage tags pre-cruise

o They eliminated sesame seeds from bread-sticks in the dining rooms

o They eliminated the Godiva chocolate on top of the Love Boat Dream dessert

o They eliminated the "passport" sticker in your cabin welcoming you back to Princess

o They reduced the number of musicians in the showroom band

o They eliminated a number of unique itineraries such as going up the Amazon River

 

o etc.

 

Parmasian Baskets

Soda (only) Package

[Evangaline]

I have a horrible skin allergy to cheap metal. I am hoping you can get a card if you can't wear the bracelet. Although, to be honest, I have never sailed on either Princess or Carnival so I suppose it is only a theoretical issue unless this spreads to other cruise lines.

[Iamcruzin]

I have a horrible skin allergy to cheap metal. I am hoping you can get a card if you can't wear the bracelet. Although, to be honest, I have never sailed on either Princess or Carnival so I suppose it is only a theoretical issue unless this spreads to other cruise lines.

The article states that you place it in your pocket which can be an issue for women if they don't want to carry a hand bag. The video also shows passengers swimming under water with plastic bands. I am sure all of the accessories will have to be purchased.

[Pierlesscruisers]

I have a horrible skin allergy to cheap metal. I am hoping you can get a card if you can't wear the bracelet. Although, to be honest, I have never sailed on either Princess or Carnival so I suppose it is only a theoretical issue unless this spreads to other cruise lines.

 

It was put out that, at least at the start, you would be able to use a cruise card. But, the medallion may be a plastic case and not even have metal where it will touch your skin, so your problem may be solved before it is even a problem! :) I believe it can be worn around the neck like a necklace also, so there's another possible solution!

 

Tom

[pablo222]

It was put out that, at least at the start, you would be able to use a cruise card. But, the medallion may be a plastic case and not even have metal where it will touch your skin, so your problem may be solved before it is even a problem! :) I believe it can be worn around the neck like a necklace also, so there's another possible solution!

 

Tom

 

I don't understand the issue. If one happily puts a cruise card in their pocket or purse,

why not simply do the same with the medallion?

 

There is no requirement that one wear it, regardless of any allergy.

[mek]

I hope by the time I am old and a little confused and can't drive 100% safely any more that the selfdriving car will give me my independence. OK I don't like the idea otherwise or really trust it, but then I don't trust many modern things, specially if they are made of plastic.

 

For me it has very little to do with trust, (although there is some with AI.) I'm 66, but my job is computer/technology dependent, so I'm not one of those old people who is totally resistant to new ideas - some things are great.

But I have problems when control of my actions is taken away from me in order to "improve" my life and that is where I think much of technology going. I see the kids today and they would rather sit and text people than get out there and have one on one interactions.

 

I think the medallion is OK to open a door and get me off and on the ship and past that, it's just a nuisance and possibly intrusive. I can't imagine why I would want to wear it on my wrist or around my neck as shown in the Princess photos.

[Iamcruzin]

For me it has very little to do with trust, (although there is some with AI.) I'm 66, but my job is computer/technology dependent, so I'm not one of those old people who is totally resistant to new ideas - some things are great.

But I have problems when control of my actions is taken away from me in order to "improve" my life and that is where I think much of technology going. I see the kids today and they would rather sit and text people than get out there and have one on one interactions.

 

I think the medallion is OK to open a door and get me off and on the ship and past that, it's just a nuisance and possibly intrusive. I can't imagine why I would want to wear it on my wrist or around my neck as shown in the Princess photos.

I can't imagine why passengers would want to wear a card on a lanyard around their neck either but there are many who do on all cruise lines. I would think that those who participate in that function would welcome the medallion. They wouldn't even have to remove it for it to work.

[CruisingIsBest]

Not true at all:

o They eliminated pre-reserving excursions without paying until the cruise

o They eliminated the walk around promenade deck on new ships

o They eliminated free Internet for full-suite passengers

o They eliminated souvenir glasses at the $10 wine tasting

o They eliminated the "welcome aboard" cookies in your stateroom on embarkation day

o They eliminated the crepes the evening of the Champagne Fountain

o They eliminated forward view areas (except for cabins facing that way) on new ships

o They eliminated the dessert buffet at the late evening deck party

o They reduced the evening show lengths in the Princess theater by 15 minutes

o They eliminated the mailing of luggage tags pre-cruise

o They eliminated sesame seeds from bread-sticks in the dining rooms

o They eliminated the Godiva chocolate on top of the Love Boat Dream dessert

o They eliminated the "passport" sticker in your cabin welcoming you back to Princess

o They reduced the number of musicians in the showroom band

o They eliminated a number of unique itineraries such as going up the Amazon River

 

o etc.

 

Wow. Nice list! And all the failed attempts at "wow" stuff... Norman Love chocolates... hardly even see anything about it anymore, and besides, who the heck cares?? Then there was the Curtis Stone SHARE concept. FAIL. Club Class ($$$), Medallions "The next wave of vacation travel"... are you kidding?? LOL Big event for Princess is a new menu for Sabatini's.

 

Oh, add another to the list. A friend just told me they are cutting back or doing away with the Casino discount. Princess... your chariot is turning into a pumpkin! :o

[floridalover5623]

As long as there's a list of eliminated items. :(

Lets add,

Slippers.

Fatter bars of soaps.