ON LINE CHECK IN

[Acrusa]

Filling in form ok but not able to take photos. It states that photos can be taken at embarkation. Anyone have experience with this?

[Aloha 1]

40 minutes ago, Acrusa said:

Filling in form ok but not able to take photos. It states that photos can be taken at embarkation. Anyone have experience with this?

If you have a photo already, you can upload that without taking a new one. If not, yes, they will take one of you at embarkation.

[Acrusa]

55 minutes ago, Aloha 1 said:

If you have a photo already, you can upload that without taking a new one. If not, yes, they will take one of you at embarkation.

Upload easy for you to SAY LOL

[Spotbattman]

I am in process of doing this too. I can upload the pictures but unable to crop them as per the instructions. Not sure if the pictures need to fit into the dotted circle or not. Can anyone with previous experience advise? 

[WESTEAST]

3 hours ago, Acrusa said:

Filling in form ok but not able to take photos. It states that photos can be taken at embarkation. Anyone have experience with this?

In September, some people did have their photos taken at embarkation in San Pedro, California.  Not sure if this would apply to all embarkation ports. We took photos on our iPhone and then uploaded to the O site. Recall there was a short video along with a step-by-step guide once you had logged in.

[LHT28]

pre covid  you got photos taken at check in  cannot see why they would not  still do this for those  that  are technically challenged

(me included)

[WESTEAST]

1 hour ago, Spotbattman said:

I am in process of doing this too. I can upload the pictures but unable to crop them as per the instructions. Not sure if the pictures need to fit into the dotted circle or not. Can anyone with previous experience advise? 

Believe the aim is to fit into the circle. Have only done online check-in once and don't remember what the instructions stated should you have an issue e.g., the size of image is too large etc.  Our TA asked if we needed assistance and that maybe an option. When we boarded in September, some passengers were having their photos taken at embarkation. Good luck.

[the more ports the better]

We kind of gave up on online check in.  It typically takes a lot longer to populate and format everything online than it takes to just do it all on arrival.  As long as you don’t arrive at the pier until after the rush, 2:30ish or so, it usually takes less than 10 minutes to arrive, check in and board the ship.  Even if you check in online, you still have to complete 5 of the 10 minutes at the pier anyway.

 

In FL, we drive to the port and can time it easily.  I understand that doesn’t work for everyone.  Outside of the U.S. we are typically wanting to see as much of the embarkation city as we can so we almost always board late in the day anyway.  Bottom line, we always just check in at the pier.

 

[Acrusa]

10 minutes ago, the more ports the better said:

We kind of gave up on online check in.  It typically takes a lot longer to populate and format everything online than it takes to just do it all on arrival.  As long as you don’t arrive at the pier until after the rush, 2:30ish or so, it usually takes less than 10 minutes to arrive, check in and board the ship.  Even if you check in online, you still have to complete 5 of the 10 minutes at the pier anyway.

 

In FL, we drive to the port and can time it easily.  I understand that doesn’t work for everyone.  Outside of the U.S. we are typically wanting to see as much of the embarkation city as we can so we almost always board late in the day anyway.  Bottom line, we always just check in at the pier.

 

Thanks for the info.We are embarking In Miami usually get there around  9:30 Then have our picture taken instead of upload. 

[shepherd really]

In Miami last week they took care of that in Terminal J just prior to the cruise.  

 

I wouldn't sweat it at all.

[sunlover12]

If you’re having a hard time with it, I wouldn’t worry. Even if you get the photo uploaded they will still take your photo at the terminal check-in. I think they use the uploaded photo for the crew to get to know you. 
This has been my experience. 
YMMV

[halfapair]

They use the photos for facial recognition. When you get on & off the ship during your cruise, they will use F/R instead of scanning your room key. You should still carry your room key in case the software doesn’t recognize you.

[golfguyhhi]

A 9:30 arrival could be a problem.  Check-in doesn't begin until 11 AM.  In the past they haven't allowed people upstairs to the waiting lounge until after 10 AM.  Nowhere to sit outside the terminal.  Worse if it's raining.

[Acrusa]

1 hour ago, halfapair said:

They use the photos for facial recognition. When you get on & off the ship during your cruise, they will use F/R instead of scanning your room key. You should still carry your room key in case the software doesn’t recognize you.

After the turn of the century 2005. We where on Silver Sea and they took our photos. At first night reception we where greeted by  our name's . By next afternoon they new our wine preference 

[pinotlover]

We had fully checked in on line, including uploading our pictures. They still took another picture of us at check in at the dock.

 

For those not oblivious to the electronic placard upon boarding, Facial recognition is used aboard ship when boarding AND in conjunction with the thermal detection device for taking and monitoring a passenger’s temperature. We saw that device moved around the ship appearing at not only the boarding area but also discretely at the entrance to the Terrace and in the Lounge at one of the receptions. We later learned from unfortunate guests that those setting off the thermal tests received invitations they couldn’t refuse to visit the medical clinic.

[LHT28]

4 hours ago, pinotlover said:

 We later learned from unfortunate guests that those setting off the thermal tests received invitations they couldn’t refuse to visit the medical clinic.

Sound  like  a good plan in that case 

If people are sick & spreading a virus  then it is  a worthwhile piece of equipment then

JMO

[pinotlover]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

Sound  like  a good plan in that case 

If people are sick & spreading a virus  then it is  a worthwhile piece of equipment then

JMO

Absolutely! Plus passengers should feel some confidence that it isn’t all left to the integrity of the individual passengers to report if they are feverish or sick or not. 
 

Not going ashore won’t hide you from the equipment being moved around the ship to monitor the passenger’s health.

[Robjame]

17 hours ago, pinotlover said:

We saw that device moved around the ship appearing at not only the boarding area but also discretely at the entrance to the Terrace and in the Lounge at one of the receptions

After 31 days of being on Riviera we have not seen these facial recognition/thermal machine anywhere but at the boarding areas.

I wonder if they are used onboard only when cases begin to rise or perhaps the policy has changed with the current change in Covid testing requirements.

[shepherd really]

56 minutes ago, Robjame said:

After 31 days of being on Riviera we have not seen these facial recognition/thermal machine anywhere but at the boarding areas.

I wonder if they are used onboard only when cases begin to rise or perhaps the policy has changed with the current change in Covid testing requirements.

I didn't see them anywhere but the boarding areas last week either.

[pinotlover]

1 hour ago, shepherd really said:

I didn't see them anywhere but the boarding areas last week either.

I would never have noticed it either, in the Lounge , while going through the reception line if we hadn’t circled back behind the greeters for a table on the upper level . Sitting there discreetly against the wall with all entering in plain sight.

[Acrusa]

Just finished on line check in. But video was not closed caption.  Being deaf is a problem lol I guess the video is pretty much self explanatory. 

[RetiredLifer]

21 hours ago, pinotlover said:

For those not oblivious to the electronic placard upon boarding, Facial recognition is used aboard ship when boarding AND in conjunction with the thermal detection device for taking and monitoring a passenger’s temperature.

 .

Just finished a seven day cruise aboard the Sirena and now still on Sirena doing a 20 day cruise and we have not seen these facial recognition/thermal machine anywhere but at the boarding areas.  In addition, nor have we heard of anyone receiving “invitations” to visit the medical clinic.

If they are using the optical facial recognition technology by moving it around the ship and using it to take a passenger’s temperature without a passenger’s knowledge or consent they are probably in violation of their privacy policy. 

Oceania Privacy Policy states:
“Optional facial recognition technology  
On participating ships and with your consent, we may use facial comparison technology to facilitate and expedite your embarkation and/or disembarkation by taking your photograph and matching it against the photograph we collected from you during embarkation. When there is a match, you will be able to board the ship or be checked out of your cruise.  
Separately, we may securely provide your disembarkation photograph to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), who uses its own facial comparison technology to match the photograph against images of you that CBP already has on file from your passport, other travel documents or prior CBP border inspections. Once we receive verification of your identity from CBP, we will delete your disembarkation photograph immediately. We do not retain your facial recognition data beyond the duration of your cruise or use it for any other purpose other than those described above. If you are a U.S. citizen, CBP will maintain your photograph for no more than 12 hours. For certain non-U.S. citizens, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will store your photograph for a longer period.”

[pinotlover]

When we were aboard, on the electronic placard they first told everyone about using facial recognition and then about using thermal imaging technology to take everyone’s temperature.Perhaps they have dropped the later since November. However!m, Passengers were fully made aware of the utilization of both technologies, IF they merely read the large placard upon boarding. No secret at all.

[AMHuntFerry]

1 hour ago, RetiredLifer said:

Just finished a seven day cruise aboard the Sirena and now still on Sirena doing a 20 day cruise and we have not seen these facial recognition/thermal machine anywhere but at the boarding areas.  In addition, nor have we heard of anyone receiving “invitations” to visit the medical clinic.

If they are using the optical facial recognition technology by moving it around the ship and using it to take a passenger’s temperature without a passenger’s knowledge or consent they are probably in violation of their privacy policy. 

Oceania Privacy Policy states:
“Optional facial recognition technology  
On participating ships and with your consent, we may use facial comparison technology to facilitate and expedite your embarkation and/or disembarkation by taking your photograph and matching it against the photograph we collected from you during embarkation. When there is a match, you will be able to board the ship or be checked out of your cruise.  
Separately, we may securely provide your disembarkation photograph to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), who uses its own facial comparison technology to match the photograph against images of you that CBP already has on file from your passport, other travel documents or prior CBP border inspections. Once we receive verification of your identity from CBP, we will delete your disembarkation photograph immediately. We do not retain your facial recognition data beyond the duration of your cruise or use it for any other purpose other than those described above. If you are a U.S. citizen, CBP will maintain your photograph for no more than 12 hours. For certain non-U.S. citizens, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will store your photograph for a longer period.”

...and  in our Ticket Contract where consent was given for our September 2022 cruise:

"31. PERSONAL DATA AND PRIVACY:
<a. and c. deleted>
c. Guest agrees that Carrier may use facial recognition technology to facilitate and expedite Guest’s embarkation and/or debarkation and for health and safety purposes, as further described in Carrier’s privacy policy."

So, by agreeing to the contract (i.e., by boarding the ship), we agreed that facial recognition could be used for health and safety purposes.

Edited January 22, 2023 by AMHuntFerry

[Spotbattman]

Finally sorted the photos. Now on to boarding time choice. As we are in a PH our paperwork suggests we get priority boarding. However our earliest choice in the drop down box is between 2 & 2.30pm.
My question is how binding is this time, and will there be a problem boarding if we arrive earlier as per our suite privileges? 
Anyone have any experience of this? TY