Get ready for Ocean Medallion Class™

[pablo222]

I wonder if they'll include a audible tone to contact other people with the new system. They told me that they were working on something last Nov & it just might be part of it. That'll give them all something to complain about. :rolleyes:

 

I want to believe princess, but I wonder if they just told you

that to placate you.

 

They could have enabled notifications with their earlier app

simply by allowing GCM traffic.

[pablo222]

I'm expecting some ancilliary upgrades to other systems as part of this to take advantage of the features, I strongly expect DR management will be one of them

 

One of the dining reservation systems is still running on lotus notes.

(Thanks Len Kawell)

 

Their technology seems to lag -- just a little bit.

[diane.in.ny]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7442&et_cid=2875953&et_rid=186914426&et_referrer=Boards

 

Read down to the FAQs under "What if I Have a Metal Allergy."

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

The article also says that pax can still get a key card if they don't want the medallion but I think I also read somewhere that is not the case.

 

Guess time will tell .....

[latserrof]

I would not like to spend half of my cruise at the passenger service desk because the brand new gizmo malfunctioned or refuse to work at all.

At the present if your card refused to open your cabin door you just take it up to the Passenger service desk and they activate it. Only takes a minute or so.

 

opefully. Unless there's the not-uncommon long wait in line at PS.

 

Or ... On a recent cruise, at the end of a very long evening, not a single one of our FOUR cards would open the cabin door lock. So we phoned PS, saying there was problem, probably the lock. PS insisted it must be a card problem (FOUR cards???) so we had to go to PS and have new cards made, and of course they didn't work either. So PS called Security. And we waited outside our cabin. When Security finally arrived, he couldn't get the door open, said he'd have to call a supervisor. So we waited some more in the hall. (We just wanted desperately to get to sleep, since we had an early morning in port coming up.) Finally, the supervisor showed up, assessed the situation (his card didn't work, of course), said he'd have to call an "engineer." More waiting. Engineer finally shows up, disassembles the lock, finds batteries (4 AA) are dead. Does he have spares? Of course not, he's got to go find some. So after 90 minutes we finally get to turn in. Not happy.

 

We've done some 40 cruises since 1980, on a variety of lines, many destinations. Although cruising isn't what it used to be, we still love it. We think that overall the lines do a pretty good job -- particularly when you consider the complexity of the operation -- and that cruises are still a great value. (We own stock in the three major companies, and have a pretty good understanding of the economics of cruising.) But one of the things we've learned is that, generally, the ships' staff aren't very good at dealing with anything out of the ordinary, and seem to be getting worse, partly because of increasing complexity. (Another is "don't take as gospel anything the staff tells you -- check it out for yourself if you can). We're low-maintenance, carry-our-own-bags people, even more so on cruises. The less time we have to spend at PS the better. So one of my concerns about the new medallion is whether it will really make life aboard easier, or will it add a whole new layer of complexity and problems? (Another concern may appear in a separate post) Personally, I don't need any of the Medallion features being ballyhooed. And since I find that most of the on-board changes in recent years haven't been for the better, I'm wary of the new gizmo system.

And I'm not a techno-phobe, but sometimes gearhead/technician (though maybe old-school).

[beg3yrs]

The article also says that pax can still get a key card if they don't want the medallion but I think I also read somewhere that is not the case.

 

Guess time will tell .....

 

There have been a few posts saying you will have to use the medallion to get in your room. They've been basing that on the videos and photos Princess has released as part of their announcement and they do not show the key card type locks. Those videos and photos are mock-ups of what might be a future cabin door might look like and are not representative of today's fleet (or even the Majestic I'm pretty sure). As Princess goes through the ships installing the new equipment required to support the medallions, IMHO they are not removing the key card capability at the same time as that would be more work and more expensive.

 

I for one believe the Princess statement that you will still be able to use your key card.

[PensFan1028]

Love the dancing penguin in your signature. Hope you do not mind but I would love to use it too.

 

Absolutely, go for it. :D http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/517/517117grkpbyjcvm.gif

 

http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/517/517117grkpbyjcvm.gif

[Pierlesscruisers]

The article also says that pax can still get a key card if they don't want the medallion but I think I also read somewhere that is not the case.

 

Guess time will tell .....

 

I'd tend to go with what was put out by the company using the system rather than an expressed opinion of an unknown person with an unknown level of knowledge.

 

Tom

[Thrak]

I would suggest that, rather than simply going with what Cruise Critic has had to say about all this, you check out this press conference. Princess Cruise's Tony Roberts gives various details and then answers specific questions from press representatives. The question and answer portion starts

at 16 minutes or so into the thing.

 

There won't be access via a cruise card. Whether or not the medallion ships with the plastic bracelet is unclear based on his answer about how the thing arrives in your home. They can give you one at the pier if you leave it at home and can replace it onboard if lost. They are "hoping" to have it across the Princess fleet in 3 years . (Don't hold your breath on this one.) The crew will not have medallions - they can't track the crew like the passengers. The medallion is supposed to ship directly to the passenger - not to the TA. As a safety feature you can't disable the "find me" feature as far as crew finding you goes. It was a bit ambiguous from his answer if you can disable the "find me" feature for others in your party. Their TA training will include having the TA assist passengers with the initial setup and preferences for those who don't have a device at home or aren't comfortable doing so themselves.

 

Of course it is still early and even a Princess representative probably doesn't know everything and is, of course, going off of what other corporate people have told him.

Edited January 9, 2017 by Thrak

[Thrak]

One thing I have seen (briefly) in the promo videos is that it appears one can actually gamble on their phone, tablet, etc. I suspect Princess is counting on the ease of doing this to be a great revenue generator.

***Danger, Will Robinson!!!***

[umuva]

You can already gamble on your phone, tablet. Numerous games are offered and connects to casino. Also, the Miami Herald ran a 4-5 page story on medallion in today's business section. http://Www.theherald.com.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Thrak]

You can already gamble on your phone, tablet. Numerous games are offered and connects to casino. Also, the Miami Herald ran a 4-5 page story on medallion in today's business section. Www.theherald.com.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks. Not being a gambler I had no idea this was already possible. I'd guess they make quite a tidy sum from that.

[beg3yrs]

I would suggest that, rather than simply going with what Cruise Critic has had to say about all this, you check out this press conference. Princess Cruise's Tony Roberts gives various details and then answers specific questions from press representatives. The question and answer portion starts

at 16 minutes or so into the thing.

 

There won't be access via a cruise card. Whether or not the medallion ships with the plastic bracelet is unclear based on his answer about how the thing arrives in your home. They can give you one at the pier if you leave it at home and can replace it onboard if lost. They are "hoping" to have it across the Princess fleet in 3 years . (Don't hold your breath on this one.) The crew will not have medallions - they can't track the crew like the passengers. The medallion is supposed to ship directly to the passenger - not to the TA. As a safety feature you can't disable the "find me" feature as far as crew finding you goes. It was a bit ambiguous from his answer if you can disable the "find me" feature for others in your party. Their TA training will include having the TA assist passengers with the initial setup and preferences for those who don't have a device at home or aren't comfortable doing so themselves.

 

Of course it is still early and even a Princess representative probably doesn't know everything and is, of course, going off of what other corporate people have told him.

 

Thrak, thanks for the link to the video. I ended up watching the whole thing, not just the Q&A. While I saw no mention of cruise cards in this video, I'm just going to leave that topic alone as it ain't worth the fuss. Regardless of whether both cards and medallions can be concurrently used, I suspect cruise cards will eventually go away though.

 

What I did find interesting was a very quick mention of reserved seats at shows! Hmm ...

[latserrof]

I would suggest that, rather than simply going with what Cruise Critic has had to say about all this, you check out this press conference. Princess Cruise's Tony Roberts gives various details and then answers specific questions from press representatives. The question and answer portion starts

at 16 minutes or so into the thing.

 

Wow, thanks for the link; you're really staying on top of this.

 

I did note that when asked how Princess hopes to recoup the $ it spends on this technology(20:00) , the spokesman said Princess expects it will create "excess demand" (allowing Princess to increase prices?). Also said a passenger would book an Ocean Medallion Class ship over a non- for the experience.

 

I don't think I would, would you?

[Pierlesscruisers]

Also said a passenger would book an Ocean Medallion Class ship over a non- for the experience.

 

I don't think I would, would you?

 

Not only would, but have done that. My wife and I want to see how this new setup is going to work for a couple of reasons, curiosity being only 1 of them.

 

Tom

[Musky Ike]

They say new medallion or each cruise. I guess I will be collecting medallions instead of cruise cards for my memory book;)

[Pierlesscruisers]

They say new medallion or each cruise. I guess I will be collecting medallions instead of cruise cards for my memory book;)

 

You'll have the option of using the medallion or a cruise card so you can collect either one!

 

Tom

[linanles]

Q: What is the difference between a Medallion Presenter and a Used Car Salesman?

 

A: The Used Car Salesman knows when he is lying. :D:D:D

[latserrof]

 

Not only would, but have done that. My wife and I want to see how this new setup is going to work for a couple of reasons, curiosity being only 1 of them.

 

Tom

 

Tech for tech's sake? Tech as a destination? Will there be Pokemons? How about a virtual cruise?

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Duplicate post.

Edited January 9, 2017 by SoCal Cruiser78

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Duplicate post.

Edited January 9, 2017 by SoCal Cruiser78

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Tech for tech's sake? Tech as a destination? Will there be Pokemons? How about a virtual cruise?

 

Don't give them any ideas :rolleyes:

Edited January 9, 2017 by SoCal Cruiser78

[cruzrbachoua]

Ugh please no pokemans!!!

[Musky Ike]

You'll have the option of using the medallion or a cruise card so you can collect either one!

 

Tom

 

I am willing to bet that is just a transition and cruise cards will eventually go the way.

[diane.in.ny]

There have been a few posts saying you will have to use the medallion to get in your room. They've been basing that on the videos and photos Princess has released as part of their announcement and they do not show the key card type locks. Those videos and photos are mock-ups of what might be a future cabin door might look like and are not representative of today's fleet (or even the Majestic I'm pretty sure). As Princess goes through the ships installing the new equipment required to support the medallions, IMHO they are not removing the key card capability at the same time as that would be more work and more expensive.

 

I for one believe the Princess statement that you will still be able to use your key card.

 

You make some good points and I hope you are right about the key card.

[floridalover5623]

I would suggest that, rather than simply going with what Cruise Critic has had to say about all this, you check out this press conference. Princess Cruise's Tony Roberts gives various details and then answers specific questions from press representatives. The question and answer portion starts

at 16 minutes or so into the thing.

 

There won't be access via a cruise card. Whether or not the medallion ships with the plastic bracelet is unclear based on his answer about how the thing arrives in your home. They can give you one at the pier if you leave it at home and can replace it onboard if lost. They are "hoping" to have it across the Princess fleet in 3 years . (Don't hold your breath on this one.) The crew will not have medallions - they can't track the crew like the passengers. The medallion is supposed to ship directly to the passenger - not to the TA. As a safety feature you can't disable the "find me" feature as far as crew finding you goes. It was a bit ambiguous from his answer if you can disable the "find me" feature for others in your party. Their TA training will include having the TA assist passengers with the initial setup and preferences for those who don't have a device at home or aren't comfortable doing so themselves.

 

Of course it is still early and even a Princess representative probably doesn't know everything and is, of course, going off of what other corporate people have told him.

 

I hope to get one at the pier since we'll be on the road before boarding, unless they send them out around the time we could print boarding pass's.

 

One thing I have seen (briefly) in the promo videos is that it appears one can actually gamble on their phone, tablet, etc. I suspect Princess is counting on the ease of doing this to be a great revenue generator.

***Danger, Will Robinson!!!***

Wasn't that cute. :p