Using the Medallion for the state room door

[beshears]

We plan to cruise this coming February and I understand everyone uses a medallion to open their doors. Quite some time ago I had read that each time the door is open, it is possible (???) to win a prize. If you know anything about this, how does it work, and if you know anyone that won something, what did they win? Just curious.

[david63]

9 minutes ago, beshears said:

I understand everyone uses a medallion to open their doors

Not everyone - some use cards for personal reasons.

 

Being pedantic the Medallion does not "open" the door it unlocks it - subtle difference.

 

If you sign up to Princess Prizes, or have the premier package, then as you approach your cabin and if the casino is open then you will randomly be selected to win a prize - or more likely not win a prize. This is not something that I would buy but if included it is a bit of fun.

 

There are reports on here of some passengers having won a prize - but more have not won anything.

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

1 hour ago, beshears said:

We plan to cruise this coming February and I understand everyone uses a medallion to open their doors. Quite some time ago I had read that each time the door is open, it is possible (???) to win a prize. If you know anything about this, how does it work, and if you know anyone that won something, what did they win? Just curious.

Just come off a 2 week Sky Princess cruise about 2 weeks ago. We had the premier package so had automatic enrolment to ‘Princess prizes’

 

we won nothing, but I think it’s worth noting that we had only a few sea days.

 

As the casino is only open while you are at sea Princess prizes was only operational for a short period of time in evenings, and during 4 sea days over a 14nt period.

 

It’s not like we were constantly going backwards & forwards from public areas to cabin lots either. Don’t open your door too often, not much chance of winning. We’re not late night people either- so we’re not awake much while the casino is open!

I think I’d only pay for it if we had more sea days.

[skynight]

As you approach your cabin the door unlocks. You still have to open it. The system readers detect that you are close to your cabin. You are not required to take out the medallion and wave it at something to make this work. 

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

We won $250 on Princess Prizes. It was a wonderful surprise to see it come up on the screen by the door when we returned to the cabin.

[BamaVol]

22 minutes ago, Snaxmuppet said:

We won $250 on Princess Prizes. It was a wonderful surprise to see it come up on the screen by the door when we returned to the cabin.

From what I have read here, you are very lucky.  Most posters win little or nothing.  IIRC, they downsized the prize program earlier this year.

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

I certainly am not expecting to win again... probably ever and I wouldn't pay for it neither do I ascribe any value to it regarding the Premium package. It is a freebie that really isn't going to benefit many.

 

Yes, we were luck. It was the first time we even had a mini-suite too so it kinda made that cruise special for us.

[PMGS247]

Here's a link to the odds on Princess Prizes.  Just as an example Considering it's a 250:1 odds of getting a $10 medallion accessory and the daily entry cost is $10, you're definitely better off putting that $10 in a slot machine in the casino.  Having said that, while it's far from a reason in and of itself to get the Premium package, it is a nice little bonus perk for those who have it.

 

Edit: Forgot the link to the odds. 

 

https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/plus-premier-cruise-packages/princess-prizes-terms-and-conditions/

Edited September 14, 2023 by PMGS247

[deltahog]

5 hours ago, david63 said:

Being pedantic the Medallion does not "open" the door it unlocks it - subtle difference.

 

Not so subtle if you have your hands full!

 

Does the medallion also lock the door as you walk away, or do you still do that manually?

[skynight]

9 minutes ago, deltahog said:

Not so subtle if you have your hands full!

 

Does the medallion also lock the door as you walk away, or do you still do that manually?

Doors lock automatically as a default. There is nothing to do manually.

[deltahog]

4 minutes ago, skynight said:

Doors lock automatically as a default. There is nothing to do manually.

So if I send my kid, who has a separate room, to my room to retrieve something, I have to hand over to him my medallion?

[skynight]

20 minutes ago, deltahog said:

So if I send my kid, who has a separate room, to my room to retrieve something, I have to hand over to him my medallion?

Believe it is possible to have the system programed to recognize more than one cabin. You can have access to your kid's cabin and visa versa. Visit passenger services.

 

[david63]

40 minutes ago, deltahog said:

So if I send my kid, who has a separate room, to my room to retrieve something, I have to hand over to him my medallion?

But pre Medallion you would have had to give him your card

[deltahog]

14 minutes ago, david63 said:

But pre Medallion you would have had to give him your card

I assumed it was like a hotel and you could just have an extra key card made.  But you know what they say about assume.

[Crashe]

We won 3x for $50 each time last cruise.  Having lived in Vegas for 9 years, odds are not in your favor but enjoy the excitement when we approach the room.  I believe a free trip is awarded to contestants per cruise.

[beshears]

I appreciate ALL the input on my question of the Medallion. Now I have another question. It may seem strange to you that I ask this, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Do I have to wear this medallion (I have NO clue how small/large it is) around my neck??? I am just used to keeping the door key/card either in my pocket or small bag that I might have on me. Just curious.

[beshears]

Thanks for telling me it "sounds like" it is a one in million chance that I would win something, and even then, it probably is not worth getting excited about, if you get my drift?

[msmoger]

8 minutes ago, beshears said:

I appreciate ALL the input on my question of the Medallion. Now I have another question. It may seem strange to you that I ask this, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Do I have to wear this medallion (I have NO clue how small/large it is) around my neck??? I am just used to keeping the door key/card either in my pocket or small bag that I might have on me. Just curious.

 

No need to wear it around your neck.  I always keep mine in my pocket and it works just fine.

[chrysalis]

11 minutes ago, beshears said:

I appreciate ALL the input on my question of the Medallion. Now I have another question. It may seem strange to you that I ask this, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Do I have to wear this medallion (I have NO clue how small/large it is) around my neck??? I am just used to keeping the door key/card either in my pocket or small bag that I might have on me. Just curious.

Medallion® Accessories & Customization - Princess Cruises

[mtnesterz]

20 minutes ago, beshears said:

Do I have to wear this medallion (I have NO clue how small/large it is) around my neck??? I am just used to keeping the door key/card either in my pocket or small bag that I might have on me. Just curious.

If you don't have it with you, by one method or another, how else would you get into your cabin?

Remember Flavor Flav? Not that large around your neck. The medallion will fit in an AirTag holder; about the size of a quarter, but thicker. We use the free supplied neck lanyard and it is a very smooth non-irritating material. Next time, I'll get the wrist bands, because then you never forget it in the cabin.  Yes, I locked myself out once last cruise.

Edited September 14, 2023 by mtnesterz

[memoak]

Mine sits in my pocket all day long on or off ship. If you wear it in port you can make yourself a target as an obvious tourist 

[lx200gps]

11 minutes ago, beshears said:

I appreciate ALL the input on my question of the Medallion. Now I have another question. It may seem strange to you that I ask this, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Do I have to wear this medallion (I have NO clue how small/large it is) around my neck??? I am just used to keeping the door key/card either in my pocket or small bag that I might have on me. Just curious.

The medallions are small disks about 30mm in diameter and about 7mm thick. As posted above, there are tons of way to carry them, and there are also lots of non-Princess accessories as well. Mine fits in a small plastic holder the size of a credit card and stays in my pocket at all times.

[skynight]

16 minutes ago, beshears said:

I appreciate ALL the input on my question of the Medallion. Now I have another question. It may seem strange to you that I ask this, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Do I have to wear this medallion (I have NO clue how small/large it is) around my neck??? I am just used to keeping the door key/card either in my pocket or small bag that I might have on me. Just curious.

Quarter size and just a little thicker. You can keep it in your pocket, small bag or attached to yourself. Doesn't matter. The electronic readers should pick up the signal. If not you can just remove it. 

[Rick&Jeannie]

5 minutes ago, memoak said:

Mine sits in my pocket all day long on or off ship. If you wear it in port you can make yourself a target as an obvious tourist 

Same here.  I use one of the (very old) medallion holders that they used when the medallions were first rolled out:

 

[SCX22]

1 hour ago, beshears said:

Do I have to wear this medallion (I have NO clue how small/large it is) around my neck???

 

Whatever you do, please don't have it around your neck while walking around in port.  You scream tourist and might end up being a victim.  In Mazatlan, there cruisers who kept wearing the Medallion on the lanyard around their neck, who were constantly being harassed by the locals in the port area.  Cruisers might look different from the locals, but there's no reason to absolutely make known that you are a tourist.