Ocean Medallion experience on Caribbean Princess

[Wellieh]

Completed a 2 weeks Southern Caribbean cruise on Caribbean Princess which is an Ocean Medallion class ship.  It was a technology I was looking forward to since I heard of it a few years ago.  I was so glad that I had an opportunity to experience it on Caribbean Princess.  Here is 2 cents worth of our experience and findings.

1 - Our terminal check-in was a breeze, it took only a few mins.  Once we presented our Xpress Pass, we were presented with a small package which contains an Ocean Medallion token which is approx half size of a wallet with our name on it as well as the regular Sail Pass.  What is good about it that it also comes with a carrying plastic pouch and strap to hang around our neck.

2 - Each stateroom is equipped with a small screen approx 7x4".  Once we are close to the stateroom, it displays the guests photo and an animated door unlocked as it is shown by the green light above the door.

      *** Concern:  We did a number of testing, we noticed,regardless which direction we approach the stateroom, the door lock was unlocked even when we are 8+ feet away from the stateroom door.  Our concern (as other guests have the same view) that it is a potential security risk as someone who is closer to the door can enter the stateroom BEFORE us. You can image a number of scenarios of risks.

     *** I provided a suggestion while onboard to improve this by unlocking the door ONLY when the guest is just 2-3 feet from the door but NOT further away.

3 - You can basically use the Medallion token for anything from opening the door to pay bill, play game, casino and purchase at store.

4 - There is a feature allowing you to look for your partner by logging in any of the station and then click "My Partner", it shows location where is your partner.   I tested it with my wife and it works but with delay if my partner is moving.

5 - Medallion.Net onboard works well only if it stays connected and properly disconnected (logout).  Otherwise, you'll loose all your internet time.  This happened to me as I lost connection and did not realized that it did not log me off. This results in lost of my remaining 100 minis.  After reporting it to my Internet Manager, he restored my balance mins.

     *** I suggested to the Internet Manager that there should be a 2-3 minutes auto log off when detected in-activities.

My overall experience is very positive of this Ocean Medallion deployment, I fully understanding that this is a teething time for this technology and I'll sure it'll thrive once iron out all the bugs and issue.

 

Great job Ocean Medallion team

 

[Mike45LC]

Glad it worked and that you liked it. 

 

If it opens your door from 8 feet away, then someone could walk down the hallway with a found medallion looking for the room that the medallion will open.  And BigGuy's Red Fruit of the Loom will be lost forever!!  [Sorry, this is a weak joke based on another thread about the Medallion.]

 

[meatloafsfan]

On the Caribbean Princess right now - 

 

Internet is fast and easy to use; I purchased the unlimited plan and have been able to easily switch from my phone, to tablet, to laptop (2 android devices and a windows 10 laptop). When you log into a device it asks if you want to end your previous connection (on another device) and then logs you in. The internet isn't quiet as fast as our high speed at home but darn close.

 

Medallions are also working pretty well - there was a mess up at check in and many people didn't have cruise cards (including us); we were able to use just the medallion on day 1 to do everything. Mine and my mothers work perfectly - my dad's didn't work at all so they took it and fixed it (took about a day before they returned it) and now it works great. 

 

You can use either the medallion or the cruise card to order a drink - with the medallion, they either take it with them or if they have a tablet attached to their waist, they will scan it right at the table/seat; with the cruise card, I find they are just checking for your folio number and not taking anything.

[Colo Cruiser]

Wellieh and Meatloafsfan thanks for the up to date comments on Ocean Medallion.

 

[Omega1]

22 hours ago, Wellieh said:

 

      *** Concern:  We did a number of testing, we noticed,regardless which direction we approach the stateroom, the door lock was unlocked even when we are 8+ feet away from the stateroom door.  Our concern (as other guests have the same view) that it is a potential security risk as someone who is closer to the door can enter the stateroom BEFORE us. You can image a number of scenarios of risks.

     *** I provided a suggestion while onboard to improve this by unlocking the door ONLY when the guest is just 2-3 feet from the door but NOT further away.

 

We were on the 11 Nov sailing. Our medallions more often than not unlocked the cabin door as our hand touched the handle, sometimes we had to wait a few seconds for the green light to appear. At best, it unlocked the door when we were 2-3 feet away. Seems to be a variable issue.

[AF-1]

Thanks for update on the OM program

[caribill]

14 hours ago, meatloafsfan said:

On the Caribbean Princess right now -

 

Medallions are also working pretty well

 

When entering a port (not the ship) after returning from touring, you used to have to show your cruise card which had the dates the card was valid. Can you now just show the Medallion to the authorities or do they require some other ID to go with it?

[Omega1]

2 hours ago, caribill said:

 

When entering a port (not the ship) after returning from touring, you used to have to show your cruise card which had the dates the card was valid. Can you now just show the Medallion to the authorities or do they require some other ID to go with it?

We were required to show the cruise card, port security did not seem interested in the Medallion. Interestingly, the cruise card card shows passenger name, ship name and valid start and finish dates, the Medallion only shows passenger name, ship name and start date. On our recent Caribbean cruise, only the port of St Thomas required additional photo ID.

[floridalover5623]

14 hours ago, Omega1 said:

We were on the 11 Nov sailing. Our medallions more often than not unlocked the cabin door as our hand touched the handle, sometimes we had to wait a few seconds for the green light to appear. At best, it unlocked the door when we were 2-3 feet away. Seems to be a variable issue.

I found the same thing.  Sometimes it was quicker then others.  

I was beginning to think it was the position of the medallion?

[compozer]

We found that the medallion worked better the first week.   the second week we needed to hold it up to the sensor to open the door.   We do not like to wear them around our neck so started leaving them in our cabin and just used our cards.  Same for going off the ship.   I did not want to take it when I went scuba diving. We had no problem with any security at gates with either the cards or medallions.   We started using the cards all the time.  I did not have pockets so dh carried mine and did not like two medallions in his pocket.   We found we had to hold the card up to the sensor longer - not really a big deal.   When we first started carrying the medallion, the bartenders all asked for our cards - guess that is one reason we ditched the medallion.  

 

We also purchased the unlimited internet.   was very happy with it.   I am not sure if the internet manager ever arrived on the ship.  The old one left on the 11th.  They had dancers helping and I was very happy with them.  They actually knew what they were doing - not like when they helped out on previous cruises.   I had wanted to talk to the manager but he/she was never there.  They were very good about giving back minutes when people said the lost some.  No questions asked.    There were also many Medallion experts all over the ship helping with issues.   They were very helpful if anyone stopped and asked questions in the hall or around the ship.  

 

We also had a new experience when we checked in.  It was the fastest ever. The agent called over a  gentleman in a suit

and white gloves,  he took our carryons and was going to escort us to our suite.  Maybe that is nice for a first timer but I did not care for it.    I saw a few people pointing at us.   Give us back our fluffy towels and forget this.

 

[caribill]

6 hours ago, Omega1 said:

 On our recent Caribbean cruise, only the port of St Thomas required additional photo ID.

 

Security at USA ports seems to always require a picture ID to prove you really belong on the ship and had not just found the cruise card on the street.

[jlp20]

12 hours ago, caribill said:

 

When entering a port (not the ship) after returning from touring, you used to have to show your cruise card which had the dates the card was valid. Can you now just show the Medallion to the authorities or do they require some other ID to go with it?

Old card system, you put card in slot and your picture would appear for crew to verify. Same for OM, it activates computer screen to display your photo for crew to verify. 

[OCruisers]

Thanks to all who posted on this thread -- just trying to know about the OM  before we go on CB in January.  

[floridalover5623]

10 hours ago, Tedferg said:

What do you think the chances are that Red Fruit of the Loom will fit the thief ?????

What about their phone, pc or tablet laying on the desk charging?

Sounds like easy pickings to me.

 

[caribill]

17 hours ago, Tedferg said:

What do you think the chances are that Red Fruit of the Loom will fit the thief ?????

 

With the new Medallion brief tracking option, it would not take long to locate the culprit.

[floridalover5623]

19 hours ago, caribill said:

 

With the new Medallion brief tracking option, it would not take long to locate the culprit.

Assuming that it's noticed being lost & the finder doesn't immediately ditch it after going through your cabin. In the mean time anything let out in view will be gone. ie. phone, laptop, tablets, cash or jewelry. 

[Wpooh1968]

Can you pre-purchase a wrist band for your medallion?  I'm thinking like the ones Disney uses.  Or are they not like that.  I love the technology but I can't see my DH carrying medallion and card. TIA

[TracieABD]

I love the "My Partner" feature. This is the first I have heard of it. What a great idea!

[dides]

They may be looking to roll out OceanNow's ability for you to place an order for a drink and for the crew to deliver it to you soon. Tony Roberts , Princess VP for UK and Europe,  is on Caribbean Princess this week doing OM social media posts and video clips and mentioned he was testing it out.

[floridalover5623]

2 hours ago, dides said:

They may be looking to roll out OceanNow's ability for you to place an order for a drink and for the crew to deliver it to you soon. Tony Roberts , Princess VP for UK and Europe,  is on Caribbean Princess this week doing OM social media posts and video clips and mentioned he was testing it out.

I wonder of they're planning  to install many more sensors around the ship? With the number they now have it's difficult to find you cabin mate without searching the complete area.

It just indicates a pool area or Show lounge but not anything specific.

[caribill]

1 hour ago, floridalover5623 said:

I wonder of they're planning  to install many more sensors around the ship? With the number they now have it's difficult to find you cabin mate without searching the complete area.

It just indicates a pool area or Show lounge but not anything specific.

I suspect the sensors are there, but the reporting to you about location is not taking advantage of them.

 

After all, if they plan to deliver a drink you ordered to you, the server needs a better location description  than "Neptune Pool area" or "Club Fusion."

 

I have seen this technology in a local restaurant. After you place your order at a counter, you are given a location device and the server brings your food directly to the correct table.

[Pickels]

On ‎11‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 5:51 PM, Mike45LC said:

Glad it worked and that you liked it. 

 

If it opens your door from 8 feet away, then someone could walk down the hallway with a found medallion looking for the room that the medallion will open.  And BigGuy's Red Fruit of the Loom will be lost forever!!  [Sorry, this is a weak joke based on another thread about the Medallion.]

 

Same scenario if you drop your car remote in the parking lot and someone finds it, picks it up, and walks around the parking lot, activating the remote looking for your car.  Bad!

[memoak]

8 hours ago, TracieABD said:

I love the "My Partner" feature. This is the first I have heard of it. What a great idea!

Yes but how many divorces is this going to cause ???

[floridalover5623]

3 hours ago, caribill said:

I suspect the sensors are there, but the reporting to you about location is not taking advantage of them.

 

After all, if they plan to deliver a drink you ordered to you, the server needs a better location description  than "Neptune Pool area" or "Club Fusion."

 

I have seen this technology in a local restaurant. After you place your order at a counter, you are given a location device and the server brings your food directly to the correct table.

If the sensors are already in place the crew is yet to know about it.

 

3 hours ago, Pickels said:

Same scenario if you drop your car remote in the parking lot and someone finds it, picks it up, and walks around the parking lot, activating the remote looking for your car.  Bad!

No need to search endlessly for the exact location. The boards on the ship will give you that as long as you have the Medallion in your hand.

[Wpooh1968]

16 hours ago, memoak said:

Yes but how many divorces is this going to cause ???

If you can't trust your spouse, why are you even together AND going on a cruise?  Just saying.