Ocean Medallion...The Ultimate Data-Mining Tool.

[lx200gps]

5 hours ago, rebeltech8 said:

Oh and one more thing...think I have finally found a way to easily carry my new Medallion around the ship.  Amazon has these amazing pouches for your phone and key fobs that act as a Faraday cage which blocks radio signals to and from the device inside the pouch.  I just need to take it out to unlock the cabin door.

 

When I showed this great idea to my wife, she asked if it comes in a metallic aluminum  color to match my tinfoil hat.

 

She knows me too well😀.

We're on the Royal right now, our first OM cruise. I had exactly the same thoughts myself, so I tried a few things to try and block the Medallion. I tried a cheap Amazon RFID credit card holder and a copper-lined RFID card holder issued by the Canadian government to hold our NEXUS cards. I even wrapped up the medallion in aluminum foil. While these things all reduced the range at which the medallion was recognized, it did not fully block the signal. I could still open our cabin door, for example, as the medallion was detected out about 6 inches from the reader, down from the usual 5 feet without the shielding. I suspect you'd have to REALLY shield it for you to be truly hidden. That being said, if you do manage to find a good shield, please report back.

[Doug R.]

I am  too busy having a good time on my cruise to worry that Princess is collecting data on my movements and purchases. Hello folks, they do not have people sitting behind a monitor watching you as you cruise.  They are going to use metadata to determine what features sell and which don't to make changes to current ships and to incorporate in future builds. Considering purchasing Alcoa stock based on the comments here and maybe starting an online business selling hats pre-lined with aluminum foil. 😂

[KeepCalmBearOn]

10 hours ago, cruisedoctor said:

I came to the realization they are FAR more than "glorified cruise cards".......

 

He posted from his iPhone.......

[rebeltech8]

21 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

I suspect you'd have to REALLY shield it for you to be truly hidden. That being said, if you do manage to find a good shield, please report back.

 

You know, I think I will go buy one of the Faraday Cages from Amazon just to see what happens.  Similar to what Doug R. mentioned, maybe I can market it as a “Cloak of Invisibility” 😀

 

Plus they only cost as much as the recent tip increase. So I should be ok (sorry I couldn’t help myself).  I can justify it as a cheap cruise toy.

[Blondilu]

The first thing I do when I get onboard is turn off my phone and put it in the safe.  It doesn't come out again until I'm ready to disemebark.  I do carry my tablet but rarely use it for anything other than reading books on my Kindle app and transferring photos from my camera.  I have only ever checked my e-mail when I was selling my house and expecting an offer.

 

So for me the Medallion is no different than my cruise card; it opens the door and buys stuff.  

 

But, I get the distinct impression I'm not their target audience.  Too old, and little to no interest in new technology or robot or AI anything.  Heck, I still print out paper tickets.

 

 

[Ep010835]

10 hours ago, Micah's Grandad said:

Big brother is watching you.

 

Will experience this in August and note sure how I feel about all the info about me they will collect.

 

Other than opening cabin door when we get close not sure how much benefit we will get from it

 

 

[Ep010835]

7 hours ago, rebeltech8 said:

I hate spam when I am not on vacation and will hate it even more when I am trying to relax on my cruise.  

 

Where exactly will all of these spam messages appear?  Most folks I know keep their phones in their cabin safe. 

[rebeltech8]

3 minutes ago, Ep010835 said:

 

Where exactly will all of these spam messages appear?  Most folks I know keep their phones in their cabin safe. 

 

With the Medallion, they are encouraging folks to install apps on their phones and mobile devices.  One of the applications even lets you gamble without going to the Casino.  Another allows you to order drinks directly from your phone and they will be delivered directly to your table. If you want to use these services, you keep your phone with you.

 

i think part of what they are trying to do is change the cruising culture to attract a younger clientele as well as collecting data whether you carry your phone or not.

[Mike45LC]

2 hours ago, lx200gps said:

I tried a few things to try and block the Medallion. I tried a cheap Amazon RFID credit card holder and a copper-lined RFID card holder issued by the Canadian government to hold our NEXUS cards. I even wrapped up the medallion in aluminum foil. While these things all reduced the range at which the medallion was recognized, it did not fully block the signal. I could still open our cabin door, for example, as the medallion was detected out about 6 inches from the reader, down from the usual 5 feet without the shielding. I suspect you'd have to REALLY shield it for you to be truly hidden. That being said, if you do manage to find a good shield, please report back.

 

I am sorry to hear that the RFID credit card wallets don't work 100%.  I bought several for future use against the Medallions.

[UnorigionalName]

People forget the other half of economics.  It's not like people are forcing customers to pay at gunpoint.  When people spend money, BOTH sides benefit.  The consumer gets something they feel is worth their money and the seller gets to make money.  All this data is to better separate people from their money... which makes people's satisfaction go up because they WANT to spend that money.  It is for something that benefits them and increases their enjoyment.

 

Yes the point of all the data collection is to make more money, but the correlate effect is that it provides more of what people actually want.

Edited May 3, 2019 by UnorigionalName

[Ep010835]

7 minutes ago, rebeltech8 said:

 

With the Medallion, they are encouraging folks to install apps on their phones and mobile devices.  One of the applications even lets you gamble without going to the Casino.  Another allows you to order drinks directly from your phone and they will be delivered directly to your table. If you want to use these services, you keep your phone with you.

 

i think part of what they are trying to do is change the cruising culture to attract a younger clientele as well as collecting data whether you carry your phone or not.

 

You make a fair and accurate point. 

“Changing the crushing culture”. Very interesting and thought provoking point of view. 

[AZ Stan (FKA Stan in Chicago)]

I Have absolutely no problem with Princess knowing where I am on the ship.  They already know how I spend my money on all of the prior cruises I have been on.  They know that I am not a casino or bingo cruiser, that I spend very little money on booze, and photo sales are zero.

 

And they know all of this without the medallion.  They may not like the lack of "onboard revenue" I provide, but they still let me cruise with them regularly.  So, if they want to know where I am spending time on the ship without spending money, that's fine with me.

 

Stan

[lx200gps]

12 minutes ago, Mike45LC said:

 

I am sorry to hear that the RFID credit card wallets don't work 100%.  I bought several for future use against the Medallions.

Actually, I wrote that based on an initial test when we first boarded a few days ago. I just did a few more quick tests and got the Medallion to "disappear" more repeatably. The coin needs to be firmly and well hidden inside whatever "Faraday Cage" you are using. An RFID wallet I tried would let the sensors find the disk unless the wallet was very tightly clamped shut, and I could also hide the disk inside many layers of folded up tin foil, but one or two simple folds was not enough and the sensors would find it.

 

[nukesubsailor]

16 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

Actually, I wrote that based on an initial test when we first boarded a few days ago. I just did a few more quick tests and got the Medallion to "disappear" more repeatably. The coin needs to be firmly and well hidden inside whatever "Faraday Cage" you are using. An RFID wallet I tried would let the sensors find the disk unless the wallet was very tightly clamped shut, and I could also hide the disk inside many layers of folded up tin foil, but one or two simple folds was not enough and the sensors would find it.

 

During my Ocean Medallion cruise, I found that each day the medallion had to get closer to the reader before the door would unlock.  Near the end of the cruise I had to hold it against the target on the reader for a few seconds before the door would unlock.  I assumed that the medallion had a battery that was getting weaker.  Maybe that is why you found it easier to shield your medallion later in your cruise.

[shrii]

9 hours ago, richmke said:

The data mining becomes particularly helpful to "enhance the customer experience" over multiple cruises. When a waiter or bar tender gets to know you, they start bringing you coffee or drinks without you having to order. On future cruises, the waiter/bar tender will have that info.

 

It can also learn your tipping habits. If you are known to be a good tipper, then staff may respond to you accordingly to earn the generous tip. Or, if you tend to remove the automatic gratuities ....

I don't like when a waiter gets to know you too well because I may not want my usual drink .I Think they should ask before they make it

[tobyt]

Part of the appeal for cruising has always been for us to be unreachable....last summer when we were on CB the data mining and tracking was the very first thing that popped into our heads. We had thought our floor would not be up and running since they were in the middle of installation. I concur with the glorified cruise card for the most part until one morning when it wa raining. We walked to work on our daily steps to get our 10k  in early to enjoy the rest of the daily eating drinking and being a sloth...pouring rain equals no outside stroll so we decide to do some laps floor to floor and use the stairs...FYI we are very quiet and don’t speak to each other when we do this just a single file lap around the floor then on to the next one so please don’t flame me on noise...we were both stunned and kind of scared as floor after floor in various areas our Medallion would open a cabin door. There is a parciular noise that is made and there was no one around in the hallway...one or two maybe I would chalk it up to just folks inside moving but it was not...it was many. Husband had the chance to speak with the techs who were onboard and who were rolling this new product out floor by floor over several weeks and asked only to be given a sheepish smile with a statement that they were a work in progress. While it frightens me to think that it is possible and reminds me to use the safe I am not shocked as I know that it is the same with garage door openers. Not intending to slam the product or intent and I am certain the cards had the same risk but wow it was strange to walk the halls and watch the doors green light for entry.

it will be interesting this summer to see it more in action since we used both the cards and new Medaillian all week.

[Thrak]

8 hours ago, Cruising TBD said:

I would ensure the Medallion is disabled via pouches or other methods.

 

it is not Princess's business what I do so long as I follow the code of conduct.

 

This is one reason that our large group is hesitant to book Princess.

 

How many in your large group have Facebook accounts? Facebook tracks you everywhere. Would you like to "check in"?

[lx200gps]

28 minutes ago, nukesubsailor said:

During my Ocean Medallion cruise, I found that each day the medallion had to get closer to the reader before the door would unlock.  Near the end of the cruise I had to hold it against the target on the reader for a few seconds before the door would unlock.  I assumed that the medallion had a battery that was getting weaker.  Maybe that is why you found it easier to shield your medallion later in your cruise.

That's our experience as well. When we first boarded, my Medallion would open the door from about 8 feet away, and my wife's, astoundingly, would open our door from a good 50 feet up the hallway. Now, last day before arrival, my Medallion opening-door range is down to 1 or 2 feet and hers is down to about 10 feet.

[greenie082756]

55 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

That's our experience as well. When we first boarded, my Medallion would open the door from about 8 feet away, and my wife's, astoundingly, would open our door from a good 50 feet up the hallway. Now, last day before arrival, my Medallion opening-door range is down to 1 or 2 feet and hers is down to about 10 feet.

We found that when we were on the Royal and were given both the card and the Medallion (last of the beta testing) we found somewhat the same thing. But as we had workers on our deck working, it seemed to be more in sync with about 3 feet away. I do not think it has to do with the battery losing power, I think they were fine tuning the range of acceptance. 

 

I did not know how I would feel about using the Medallion and now a few weeks afterwards of experiencing the Medallion, I find that this is the way the world is going. The Medallion has some fun aspects to it definitely. 

 

I know that I am being tracked or can be tracked all over the world. I have a cell phone and that is all it takes. The Medallion IMHO is a tool. It will eventually be on every single ship that CCL owns.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

2 hours ago, UnorigionalName said:

Yes the point of all the data collection is to make more money, but the correlate effect is that it provides more of what people actually want.

 

Most people are completely unaware how much data is mined about them from using free e-mail accounts, from the chips in their phone, the chips in their car, the data gathered at the grocery store, the data gathered each time they go to TripAdvisor & Cruise Critic, every transaction you make using a credit/debit card and with the unrolling of facial recognition software, their very movements out and about.

 

Nineteen Eighty-Four has arrived and most are only dimly aware.

[Micahs Grandad]

2 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

How many in your large group have Facebook accounts? Facebook tracks you everywhere. Would you like to "check in"?

Never understood why people feel the need to let the world know they are in a particular restaurant.

[Thrak]

Just now, Micah's Grandad said:

Never understood why people feel the need to let the world know they are in a particular restaurant.

 

Or Costco or a bazillion other places. Yet people who are tracked everywhere by Facebook - whether they decide to "check in" or not they have been tracked to that location - are so upset about Princess knowing where they are on the ship.

[Pierlesscruisers]

4 hours ago, Blondilu said:

The first thing I do when I get onboard is turn off my phone and put it in the safe.  It doesn't come out again until I'm ready to disemebark.  I do carry my tablet but rarely use it for anything other than reading books on my Kindle app and transferring photos from my camera.  I have only ever checked my e-mail when I was selling my house and expecting an offer.

 

So for me the Medallion is no different than my cruise card; it opens the door and buys stuff.  

 

But, I get the distinct impression I'm not their target audience.  Too old, and little to no interest in new technology or robot or AI anything.  Heck, I still print out paper tickets.

 

 

 

Finally! Somebody showing common sense (thereby having uncommon sense?) about the new medallions. We're on a ship a number of miles offshore on an ocean. Are there really that many people who believe that they are so important that they really believe that there are a number of people who are going to try and hack into the ship's computers to try and find out where they are on the ship? I would suspect that there are very, very few who have the ability to get into the computers and look up one (or more) of us and find out what we're doing. I've even heard a couple of people complaining that there are "sensors in the bathrooms" and that they don't "want someone to be able to know how long I've been in there."  Good grief!

 

I agree with you Blondilu, a medallion is just a cruise card in a different form. I'll bet the same sort of talk went around when they did away with actual keys to rooms and went to cruise cards!! At least I'm guessing that cruise cards came after keys.  Maybe not.

 

Oh, well.....

 

Tom

[Ep010835]

21 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

Or Costco or a bazillion other places. Yet people who are tracked everywhere by Facebook - whether they decide to "check in" or not they have been tracked to that location - are so upset about Princess knowing where they are on the ship.

 

I've been in law enforcement most of my adult life and have seen how "useful" this information can be to bad guys and gals. 

 

"Oh, you're at dinner and a movie? Well, let me plan a little surprise for you when you get back to your ransacked home."

[voljeep]

a cruise card is a flip phone

 

an OM is a smart phone

 

so, do you have a flip phone or a smart phone ? - an internet connection? - an email address ?

 

myspace account ? - fakebook ? cruise critic account ?

Edited May 3, 2019 by voljeep