Ocean Medallion on the Island Princess

[eatdrinkfly]

We're booking an Alaska southbound for 2018 and we had decided on the Island Princess because we really wanted to see the Ocean Medallion program in action.

But now I've been reading posts and reviews about the Island being crowded after the last refurb and it's making me second guess our pick. (I've previously been on the Coral and loved it)

 

So I'm curious to see if people think the new Ocean Medallion positives will outweigh the negatives of the Island... any opinions?

 

I'm also assuming that to get the Island Princess ready for the Ocean Medallion, it will need a pretty major refurbishment again... so, perhaps they'll address some of the issues created by the last refurb.

[Thrak]

We sailed Coral 17 days and absolutely loved it. We sailed Island 7 days and... Meh. We kept "running out of ship" every time we headed aft. It was weird and disconcerting. The lack of IC was also quite annoying. After spending a incredible amount of money to add more cabins and making changes strictly related to generating more revenue they didn't even bother to add IC. Bizarre. La Patisserie is not at all a replacement for IC. We were definitely not impressed with the "new and improved" Island Princess.

[Colo Cruiser]

We're booking an Alaska southbound for 2018 and we had decided on the Island Princess because we really wanted to see the Ocean Medallion program in action.

But now I've been reading posts and reviews about the Island being crowded after the last refurb and it's making me second guess our pick. (I've previously been on the Coral and loved it)

 

So I'm curious to see if people think the new Ocean Medallion positives will outweigh the negatives of the Island... any opinions?

 

I'm also assuming that to get the Island Princess ready for the Ocean Medallion, it will need a pretty major refurbishment again... so, perhaps they'll address some of the issues created by the last refurb.

 

 

I seriously doubt the Island issues will ever be addressed let alone in the refit for the Medallion changes. :(

The 2 story Universe Lounge was removed. :(

152 cabins were added which equates to over 200 additional passengers onboard. :(

The aft third of the promenade deck was lost due to the addition of cabins. :(

Several aft viewing decks were lost and additional aft cabins were added. :(

No International Cafe was added. :(

No additional dining venues or space were added to take up the slack with the additional passengers.

 

Nobody knows what the Medallion cruises will be like yet.

[Pam in CA]

The Island is going in for a routine 10-day dry dock in November. The wiring for the Ocean Medallion will be done then. It doesn't require a major refurbishment.

 

I was on the Island for nineteen days last November. I didn't notice or experience crowding or anything I haven't on other ships. The redesigned buffet is really, really nice and well-designed. It's open and easy to get around. Yes, I think the redesigned aft of the ship is ugly but overall, I think she's still a lovely ship and I wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.

[leck57]

My immediate thought is why would you book a cruise because of the Ocean Medallion .

[JimmyVWine]

My immediate thought is why would you book a cruise because of the Ocean Medallion .

Carnival spent nine figures on this initiative so it is banking on not many people sharing that thought.

[leck57]

Carnival spent nine figures on this initiative so it is banking on not many people sharing that thought.

 

So what if they spent that much. I'll be taking plenty of Princess cruises in the next few years but if the Medallion thing is there it's there, but it wouldn't have any impact on taking a cruise. The initiative might or might not improve the cruising experience but surely they wouldn't expect an increase in patronage because of it. I read the press releases about this months ago and like many people my reaction was ....well ok but nothing spectacular.

[skynight]

No one knows how the Ocean Medallion (*****) will actually work since the first ***** voyage isn't until November on the Regal. We will be on an ***** cruise in February and have extensively read the Princess information. I personally do not see any advantages that would make me book an ***** cruise over a non-***** cruise. For us the medallion will just be a replacement for the current cruise card. We have no interest in ordering drinks anywhere on the ship, having an avatar follow us around, getting messages reminding us of sales and promotions around the ship. For the reasons given by Colo Cruiser I would stay away from the Island Princess and book another ship, The Coral, Star or Golden.

[JimmyVWine]

I'll be taking plenty of Princess cruises in the next few years but if the Medallion thing is there it's there, but it wouldn't have any impact on taking a cruise.

And my point is that Princess is very much banking (literally) on the fact that your viewpoint is in the minority. Longtime Princess cruisers are going to continue to book. And if the ***** enhances the experience, fine. But this isn't about enhancing the experience of Platinum Members. This is about attracting new customers who will see the Princess experience as being different, technologically superior and overall "cool". No company spends hundreds of millions of dollars with the expectation of the reaction being "if it's there, it's there". An initiative like this can only get greenlighted if the proposal can show a positive return on investment. That +ROI can only come in three ways: 1) Savings in overhead; 2) Existing passengers spending more money; and 3) Attracting new customers. "If it's there, it's there" doesn't fit any one of those purposes. Thus, Princess cannot be hoping and expecting that that type of reaction will be the norm. If it is, then ***** will turn out to be a huge failure and heads will roll.

[eatdrinkfly]

The Island is going in for a routine 10-day dry dock in November. The wiring for the Ocean Medallion will be done then. It doesn't require a major refurbishment.

 

I was on the Island for nineteen days last November. I didn't notice or experience crowding or anything I haven't on other ships. The redesigned buffet is really, really nice and well-designed. It's open and easy to get around. Yes, I think the redesigned aft of the ship is ugly but overall, I think she's still a lovely ship and I wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.

 

thanks Pam. i often read complaints about overcrowding on ships and generally i don't feel impacted, (NCL escape is often sighted for that, and i've sailed her twice with no complaints)

i am interested to see what else is done at dry dock besides the ***** wiring. i understand that alone is a pretty major undertaking as the entire ship is fit with sensors.

[eatdrinkfly]

And my point is that Princess is very much banking (literally) on the fact that your viewpoint is in the minority. Longtime Princess cruisers are going to continue to book. And if the ***** enhances the experience, fine. But this isn't about enhancing the experience of Platinum Members. This is about attracting new customers who will see the Princess experience as being different, technologically superior and overall "cool". No company spends hundreds of millions of dollars with the expectation of the reaction being "if it's there, it's there". An initiative like this can only get greenlighted if the proposal can show a positive return on investment. That +ROI can only come in three ways: 1) Savings in overhead; 2) Existing passengers spending more money; and 3) Attracting new customers. "If it's there, it's there" doesn't fit any one of those purposes. Thus, Princess cannot be hoping and expecting that that type of reaction will be the norm. If it is, then ***** will turn out to be a huge failure and heads will roll.

 

this is basically my husband and i.

we're on the younger side for princess (under 40) and we're very much lured in by exciting new technology.

i saw a comprehensive presentation on the Ocean Medallion program and it excited me and had me sold on experiencing it.

i absolutely love the idea of ordering food & drinks via an app, being able to pre-reserve things on the fly, super personalized service and not having to line up for embarkation. etc.

it addresses a lot of the "problems" or drawbacks of cruising to me... waiting in lines, waiting for service etc.

 

i was told that based on the success of the *****, eventually all Princess ships may have it and it would expand to other ships in the Carnival umbrella. and since it's the same company developing it that does the Disney Magic Bands, it's probably going to show up on Disney ships too... so it sounds very much like the future of cruising.

[lljost]

I just disembarked from the Island Princess. I would definitely book her again for the right itinerary. I did miss the International Cafe and Wines but liked how the Horizon Court is now open and easy to move around in. No where did I really feel over crowded. In fact you could find quiet little spots to sit and relax throughout the ship. The crew were amazing and the food was very good. My only complaint would be how tiny the shower is but that wouldn't stop me from booking again.

[Jase0581]

I spent 15 nights on the Island earlier this year and the ship itself didn't feel any more crowded than any other Princess ships I have been on. Yes, I would have loved an International Cafe, but I lived. The only small things I didn't like was the theater (hint: if you want to get out quickly sit towards the top) and anytime dining was chaos the first 2 nights. After those 2 nights it calmed down and arriving between 6:00 and 6:30 resulted in at most a 5 minute wait. The ship is beautiful and I wouldn't hesitate booking again for the right itinerary. Also, being a techie at heart, I would totally chose a ship with Ocean Medallion over one without it just to try it out.

I have noticed that most complaints about the Island come from those who haven't sailed on it since the refurb. In the end the only way you will ever know if you like it is by going.

[Thrak]

I spent 15 nights on the Island earlier this year and the ship itself didn't feel any more crowded than any other Princess ships I have been on. Yes, I would have loved an International Cafe, but I lived. The only small things I didn't like was the theater (hint: if you want to get out quickly sit towards the top) and anytime dining was chaos the first 2 nights. After those 2 nights it calmed down and arriving between 6:00 and 6:30 resulted in at most a 5 minute wait. The ship is beautiful and I wouldn't hesitate booking again for the right itinerary. Also, being a techie at heart, I would totally chose a ship with Ocean Medallion over one without it just to try it out.

I have noticed that most complaints about the Island come from those who haven't sailed on it since the refurb. In the end the only way you will ever know if you like it is by going.

 

We did sail on Island after the refurb. We didn't experience overcrowding but did constantly come up short when heading aft. The "usable" part of the ship just ends whereas on Coral it keeps on going. Having the promenade just stop was just plain weird and losing the entire aft portion of the ship to cabins really turned us off. Many people won't care - especially if they have never sailed on Island (or Coral) before the hack job done to Island. We didn't hate the ship but it certainly did seem weird to just run into a wall when we strolled aft.

 

As for the medallion: I wouldn't book a cruise just because of the medallion but we are booked on a Medallion cruise next March. It will be the first Medallion cruise for Caribbean Princess. I'm looking forward to trying out the new tech. I just wish it was going to be in place on Emerald when we cruise in October. I don't really get all the angst some people have displayed regarding the new tech but there is no denying that a lot of folks seem to be upset by the whole thing.

[f-mattox]

I just did a 10 day cruise on Island Princess and loved it. I had done 15 day cruises on I.P. in 2007 and 2008 and noticed very little difference; in fact our most frequent comment was that the ship was just as beautiful and in as good condition as it was 10 years ago. The only time we were aware of any overcrowding was in the Horizon Court during peak hours, and that's true on any Princess ship. It never did have an International Café and we knew that going in, so no problem. We had one of the new aft facing Vista suites and loved it. The food and service were the best of any Princess cruise in recent memory. Yes, the aft is ugly and whoever approved that design should lose his job, but you can't see it while on the ship.

 

As for the Ocean Medallion "upgrade", I haven't read anything about it that would either encourage or discourage me from booking a ship that has it. Quite frankly I find the whole idea a little creepy and intrusive.

[SeaLegs4344]

this is basically my husband and i.

 

we're on the younger side for princess (under 40) and we're very much lured in by exciting new technology.

 

i saw a comprehensive presentation on the Ocean Medallion program and it excited me and had me sold on experiencing it.

 

i absolutely love the idea of ordering food & drinks via an app, being able to pre-reserve things on the fly, super personalized service and not having to line up for embarkation. etc.

 

it addresses a lot of the "problems" or drawbacks of cruising to me... waiting in lines, waiting for service etc.

 

 

 

i was told that based on the success of the *****, eventually all Princess ships may have it and it would expand to other ships in the Carnival umbrella. and since it's the same company developing it that does the Disney Magic Bands, it's probably going to show up on Disney ships too... so it sounds very much like the future of cruising.

 

 

Couldn't agree more. My Wife and I are also under 40. We are Princess cruisers and will be experiencing the Ocean Medallion program on Regal this November. Technology is part of our everyday lives, so new tech applied effectively during vacations on a cruise is just fine.

 

 

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[Bill B]

My immediate thought is why would you book a cruise because of the Ocean Medallion .

 

Because they want to be on Borg? ;p

[Thrak]

Couldn't agree more. My Wife and I are also under 40. We are Princess cruisers and will be experiencing the Ocean Medallion program on Regal this November. Technology is part of our everyday lives, so new tech applied effectively during vacations on a cruise is just fine.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I'm 64 and looking forward to the Medallion program. One doesn't have to be "younger". I was online before most people were. We used local bulletin board systems (BBS) in those days. When I finally managed to wangle an actual Internet account it was all Unix. I was used to DOS so had to learn Unix in order to use the Internet. I finally broke down and installed Windows when the graphical Internet was invented. I messed up my body working physical jobs and went back to school in my early 40's and when I graduated I went to work in IT working for the State of California. I haven't owned a computer with a brand name on it for years and years. I always build my own. There are a lot of "old farts" like me - and older - who aren't disturbed by technology. Facebook on the other hand... <shudder> I am not a fan of social media and people who have to post online every time they do anything.

[SeaLegs4344]

I'm 64 and looking forward to the Medallion program. One doesn't have to be "younger". I was online before most people were. We used local bulletin board systems (BBS) in those days. When I finally managed to wangle an actual Internet account it was all Unix. I was used to DOS so had to learn Unix in order to use the Internet. I finally broke down and installed Windows when the graphical Internet was invented. I messed up my body working physical jobs and went back to school in my early 40's and when I graduated I went to work in IT working for the State of California. I haven't owned a computer with a brand name on it for years and years. I always build my own. There are a lot of "old farts" like me - and older - who aren't disturbed by technology. Facebook on the other hand... <shudder> I am not a fan of social media and people who have to post online every time they do anything.

 

 

 

My In laws will be joining my Wife and I in November. My Wife's Dad is the same age as you, and owns his own Computer Network consulting firm. I have 0 doubts that not all "old farts" think of technology as just being disruptive. [emoji1]

[tailspintom]

My In laws will be joining my Wife and I in November. My Wife's Dad is the same age as you, and owns his own Computer Network consulting firm. I have 0 doubts that not all "old farts" think of technology as just being disruptive. [emoji1]

Well said, SeaLegs. Steve Jobs would have been 61 this year. Bill Gates is 61. Paul Allen is 64. Us "old farts" are quite capable of embracing technology ... without having to be a slave to it.

[eatdrinkfly]

i think if Princess thought their clientele were incapable of embracing new technology based on age alone, they would have tested this program on Carnvial instead. lol.

but i find more cruise lines are going away from classifying their guests by age in general and instead by their desires and travel style. which is why you see more families in Princess advertising lately.

Princess feels that their guests are early adopters of technology, which generally is true of a higher percentage of younger people, that certainly does not exclude anyone older from that category.

[FoghornLeghorn]

I just returned from a Panama Canal cruise on the Island Princess. LOVED the ship. Not too big not too small.

Easy to navigate and learn. The Wheelhouse and Explorers Lounge were used for Trivia, Games and Bingo.

Unfortunately, Happy Hour was in the Wheelhouse from 3:00 to 4:00 with Trivia starting (most days) at 4:00.

That was a scheduling issue with that should have been addressed by the person in charge.

Finally after a few complaints, they started scheduling the Trivia 15 to 30 minutes after Happy Hour to ease some of the "standing room only" issue.

 

There is not a Club Fusion or Skywalkers for large functions.

The air conditioning worked very well and the Fridge in the room kept everything really cold.

The Library is large and hosted game days periodically, as did Sabitinis..

The Casino is cramped due to the additional cabins that were added.

All in all, I enjoyed the ship.

The Cruise Director, Callie Smitt, was exceptional.

 

The Horizon Court is at the front of the ship making for some wonderful views while dining.

Even though there is no International Café, there is something similar at the Horizon Court. Also, a drink station. (no soda)

 

No new Princess Beds. The bed I had was tolerable.