Credit Card and Room Safe

[sparks1093]

with an electronics background, I know it Won't. the system simply reads the data on track 2 of the card as you swipe to lock then compares it the next time a card it swiped if a match it unlocks if not it doesn't, there is NO difference in the mag stripes on the room keys vs a credit card save for the data on it.

 

They may just have that there as a steward can easily get a replacement room key and if that's what is used then access the safe. ( not saying they will but they COULD. I agree the sale and sign card is the most convenient and something that generally ISNT left in the room.

 

I am pretty sure that I did test a safe by using my card and then using DW's card to try to open it, which it didn't, so I don't know what good it would do for the steward to get a replacement (or even using the master key).

[Doggielover68]

Living life on the edge ? :D

Different people can enter your room other than your Steward. Maintinence​, room service etc.

 

 

I trust the staff, I don't trust the other passengers. When the rooms are being cleaned, the doors are usually propped open. All it takes is one swift passenger to slip in and grab something visible. Will they go searching for the card? Maybe maybe not...but if there's a tablet, wallet, etc sitting out they could grab it and run.

 

 

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[Elaine5715]

I am pretty sure that I did test a safe by using my card and then using DW's card to try to open it, which it didn't, so I don't know what good it would do for the steward to get a replacement (or even using the master key).

It is the perception that people think if their sail and sign card opens the safe then so must the stewards. Then when something is missing, they blame the stewards who they wrongly believe have access. By posting a sign in every safe not to use your sail and sign, then this blame scenario can be avoided.

[sparks1093]

It is the perception that people think if their sail and sign card opens the safe then so must the stewards. Then when something is missing, they blame the stewards who they wrongly believe have access. By posting a sign in every safe not to use your sail and sign, then this blame scenario can be avoided.

 

It's also avoided by pointing out that only the card that locked the safe can unlock it (which the notice posted above does).

[Elaine5715]

It's also avoided by pointing out that only the card that locked the safe can unlock it (which the notice posted above does).

Except the average guest thinks the steward's master card is close enough to a sail and sail so it will override. I didn't say it wasn't clear but many cruisers are novices/ignorant etc and quick to blame the stewards, fueled by their traveling partner who took the cash to the casino.

[sparks1093]

Except the average guest thinks the steward's master card is close enough to a sail and sail so it will override. I didn't say it wasn't clear but many cruisers are novices/ignorant etc and quick to blame the stewards, fueled by their traveling partner who took the cash to the casino.

 

They could be doing that for that reason, which reinforces my belief that the whole "it will deactivate your sail and sign card" reason that they give is a bunch of hooey.

[banzaii]

Are you guys for real?

 

Each S&S card is unique including the cabin stewards. Firstly the stateroom access - unlike a regular lock, the card and the card reader do not have a relationship until the ship's access control system is told that your card is allowed to open the lock when it is recognised by the reader on your door. The cabin steward does not have a special card - the system has just been programed to access more doors but likely only those required to do their job.

 

Secondly, the safe doesn't have much smarts about it at all - it only remembers the card swiped to lock it and it is not connected to any of the ships access control systems. As there is no relationship between your s&s card and the stewards card what-so-ever the stewards room card cannot open your safe. The only override to open this type of safe will be a key which is very limited in circulation.

 

In my humble opinion, neither the safe nor the S&S card are at risk of demagnetisation with normal operation.

 

So why should you not use your s&s card to lock your safe? Well it comes down to this: if you were to lose your pass or it is stolen while you are in the pool. If they are quick enough, they now have access to your room and your safe. You go to guest services and they cancel room access on that unique card and issue a new one. Now your new unique card will open the cabin door and have access to your account but not the safe. So now you need to get whoever has the override key to open your safe. Now you find out you've been robbed and the trail is cold.

 

Best advice, use any old club or prepaid visa card. This makes it much harder as you now have 2 layers of security.

 

Now to answer the OP. I believe the nest hiding places are in the open. Something that doesn't look hidden doesn't seem importantant. Like in a pile of business cards or papers.

[sparks1093]

Are you guys for real?

 

Each S&S card is unique including the cabin stewards. Firstly the stateroom access - unlike a regular lock, the card and the card reader do not have a relationship until the ship's access control system is told that your card is allowed to open the lock when it is recognised by the reader on your door. The cabin steward does not have a special card - the system has just been programed to access more doors but likely only those required to do their job.

 

Secondly, the safe doesn't have much smarts about it at all - it only remembers the card swiped to lock it and it is not connected to any of the ships access control systems. As there is no relationship between your s&s card and the stewards card what-so-ever the stewards room card cannot open your safe. The only override to open this type of safe will be a key which is very limited in circulation.

 

In my humble opinion, neither the safe nor the S&S card are at risk of demagnetisation with normal operation.

 

So why should you not use your s&s card to lock your safe? Well it comes down to this: if you were to lose your pass or it is stolen while you are in the pool. If they are quick enough, they now have access to your room and your safe. You go to guest services and they cancel room access on that unique card and issue a new one. Now your new unique card will open the cabin door and have access to your account but not the safe. So now you need to get whoever has the override key to open your safe. Now you find out you've been robbed and the trail is cold.

 

Best advice, use any old club or prepaid visa card. This makes it much harder as you now have 2 layers of security.

 

Now to answer the OP. I believe the nest hiding places are in the open. Something that doesn't look hidden doesn't seem importantant. Like in a pile of business cards or papers.

 

That does make sense, but for me the risk is low enough that I am willing to take it. It isn't obvious what cabin I'm in so whoever found the card would need to figure that out. And we don't have anything that valuable in the safe to begin with, our passports and our electronics mostly with maybe a little cash to use ashore. I might feel differently if we carried large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.

[ray98]

LOL....I have always used my S&S card. Why use anything else? Unique and always with you, no hiding necessary. A S&S card is no more more apt to damage than any other card yet many ue their only credit card without worry.

[firemanbobswife]

They could be doing that for that reason, which reinforces my belief that the whole "it will deactivate your sail and sign card" reason that they give is a bunch of hooey.

 

 

Then they should say something like "For your protection, do not use your S&S card". Obviously there is a reason why they say what they do. Maybe at one time it was an issue and they have since gotten it fixed. Who knows. I find it no bother whatsoever to use my old Carnival Gift Card. It has a hole punched in it and stays on my lanyard with my S&S card.

[sparks1093]

Then they should say something like "For your protection, do not use your S&S card". Obviously there is a reason why they say what they do. Maybe at one time it was an issue and they have since gotten it fixed. Who knows. I find it no bother whatsoever to use my old Carnival Gift Card. It has a hole punched in it and stays on my lanyard with my S&S card.

 

Yes, there are many ways they could say it, but it all comes down to personal preference, like so many other things involving cruising. I have to wear a lanyard at work, so I won't wear one on vacation. I carry my S&S in my pocket and it's all I carry, I don't want to worry about having to carry anything else.

[firemanbobswife]

Yes, there are many ways they could say it, but it all comes down to personal preference, like so many other things involving cruising. I have to wear a lanyard at work, so I won't wear one on vacation. I carry my S&S in my pocket and it's all I carry, I don't want to worry about having to carry anything else.

 

 

I don't have much choice as far as wearing one or not. A lot of my outfits don't have pockets and I don't carry a purse around the ship so I don't have to worry about leaving it somewhere. I think I might actually like when they go to the Ocean Medallion things. One less thing to have to keep track of.

[sparks1093]

I don't have much choice as far as wearing one or not. A lot of my outfits don't have pockets and I don't carry a purse around the ship so I don't have to worry about leaving it somewhere. I think I might actually like when they go to the Ocean Medallion things. One less thing to have to keep track of.

 

Hopefully by the time all of the ships go to the Ocean Medallion the safes will have number pads.

[firemanbobswife]

Hopefully by the time all of the ships go to the Ocean Medallion the safes will have number pads.

 

 

Agree. I much prefer the number pads. Really made it easier on Vista when one of us needed to get into it.

[Havingfun2010]

The first place a person would go to break into a house, is under the mat, or under the planter for the key. So I wonder if the first place a person would look is in the underwear drawer for a random, gift card? It would just be as easy as to leave the safe unlocked.

[HillBilly Bob]

The first place a person would go to break into a house, is under the mat, or under the planter for the key. So I wonder if the first place a person would look is in the underwear drawer for a random, gift card? It would just be as easy as to leave the safe unlocked.

 

Each and everyone of you are trying to "overthink" this issue. First of all, your cabin steward has lept very high mountains to even secure their job. They and their family's livelihood come first and foremost. They would never risk the remote possibility to be accused and fired because of theft. If anyone should be suspected, it should/would be your cabin mates. Or...you consumed too many adult beverages and lost what you were looking for.

[Scrappycruiser76]

Just to confirm...will an old hotel room key (with a magnetic strip) work?

[funkidd]

I always use my sign and sail like others on here have said. I have never had an issue and don't have to hide it because I have to take it with me to get back in the room. No problems yet. Knock on wood.

[firemanbobswife]

Just to confirm...will an old hotel room key (with a magnetic strip) work?

 

 

Yes

[Organized Chaos]

Each and everyone of you are trying to "overthink" this issue. First of all, your cabin steward has lept very high mountains to even secure their job. They and their family's livelihood come first and foremost. They would never risk the remote possibility to be accused and fired because of theft. If anyone should be suspected, it should/would be your cabin mates. Or...you consumed too many adult beverages and lost what you were looking for.

Then why have the safes at all? No need to ever be concerned over one's own valuables, right? They're put there so the passengers can feel safe & secure. No one has to feel guilty for using the safe.

 

Just to confirm...will an old hotel room key (with a magnetic strip) work?

Yes, or an old gift card. Your old S&S card (if you don't want to use your current one). Anything with a magnetic strip.

Edited April 27, 2017 by Organized Chaos

[Organized Chaos]

I always use my sign and sail like others on here have said. I have never had an issue and don't have to hide it because I have to take it with me to get back in the room. No problems yet. Knock on wood.

Let's clarify something. The whole point of this thread, as posted by the OP, was about where people hide the card used to open the safe so others staying in the same cabin can also access it. So for those of you who say you use your S&S card because you always have it with you, that's fine, but this is mainly about letting more than one person access the safe when the other isn't around.

[pearose]

Where do you hide your credit card to open your safe? In talking with friends we all leave our safe opening card in our underware drawer so our spouse can gain access if we aren't together. If we are all using the same hiding spot it doesn't seem very secure!! Any ideas?

 

Thanks!!

I am a little confused, and maybe things have changed since I last cruised in February 2015, but you now have to have a card to open the safe? They no longer use 4 digit codes anymore?

[Doggielover68]

I am a little confused, and maybe things have changed since I last cruised in February 2015, but you now have to have a card to open the safe? They no longer use 4 digit codes anymore?

 

 

There are some of each type across the fleet, but I have mostly encountered the credit card type lately.

 

I just use a prepaid visa that doesn't have any money on it.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

I am a little confused, and maybe things have changed since I last cruised in February 2015, but you now have to have a card to open the safe? They no longer use 4 digit codes anymore?

 

 

The newer safes are the push button code kind. The older ones use a magnetic strip on the back of a card. Hopefully they will get around to replacing the old ones soon.

[Serendipity812]

A tampon box in the toiletry kit is a much better hiding place.

 

 

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