Medallion Tech Questions

[AF-1]

Let me add one more thing for you lx200gps;  I did put the medallion in my pocket and when I approached my cabin it did not activate the lock.  I had to take it out of pocket to work;  but I have read some people have had it work in their pockets;  so that might be something you can try when you're on board

[TheRabbit]

2 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Let me add one more thing for you lx200gps;  I did put the medallion in my pocket and when I approached my cabin it did not activate the lock.  I had to take it out of pocket to work;  but I have read some people have had it work in their pockets;  so that might be something you can try when you're on board

Some of that could be range related and possibly battery strength. The Navigator on board should be able to have that adjusted from what I have read and heard.

[lx200gps]

2 hours ago, TheRabbit said:

Some of that could be range related and possibly battery strength. The Navigator on board should be able to have that adjusted from what I have read and heard.

I thought the Medallions were passive RFID, which don't have a battery. I'll be looking to get my Medallion or cruise card adjusted to the shortest range possible, I have no problem  holding it up to the reader at the cabin, I don't need to have it open the cabin door from down the hall.

[TheRabbit]

10 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

I thought the Medallions were passive RFID, which don't have a battery. I'll be looking to get my Medallion or cruise card adjusted to the shortest range possible, I have no problem  holding it up to the reader at the cabin, I don't need to have it open the cabin door from down the hall.

They are, but they might be programmable from the receiver side from what could be inferred by other posts.

[Thrak]

The medallion is a combination of two technologies:

 

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Near Field Communication (NFC)

[LaRoLarRo]

On 3/23/2019 at 12:14 AM, AF-1 said:

I was on Ocean Medallion cruise last month.  The main apps (if you choose to use your smartphone), would be ocean now; for ordering drinks and finding your shipmates,  ocean concierge which is tied to ships intranet. With this app you can order room service, check your folio, see daily patters.  You don't need to use a smartphone; as the medallion will open your cabin, and you can use digital touch screens for other ship functions.

Hi,

I was unable to find the Ocean concierge App. Do you know if they have changed its name?

Thanks and have a great day

[HBCcruiser]

11 minutes ago, LaRoLarRo said:

Hi,

I was unable to find the Ocean concierge App. Do you know if they have changed its name?

Thanks and have a great day

 

From what I’ve read, you can’t download that until you are onboard.

[LaRoLarRo]

Just now, HBCcruiser said:

 

From what I’ve read, you can’t download that until you are onboard.

Oh, Ok thanks so much!

[Ep010835]

3 hours ago, Thrak said:

The medallion is a combination of two technologies:

 

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Near Field Communication (NFC)

 

 

Thrak rocks!

[Thrak]

1 hour ago, Ep010835 said:

 

Thrak rocks!

 

Umm. Not really.

[AF-1]

7 hours ago, LaRoLarRo said:

Hi,

I was unable to find the Ocean concierge App. Do you know if they have changed its name?

Thanks and have a great day

Sorry for mixup.  It is actually called ocean compass and it is part of medallion net;  you won't be able to use or download until you are onboard

[LaRoLarRo]

2 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Sorry for mixup.  It is actually called ocean compass and it is part of medallion net;  you won't be able to use or download until you are onboard

No worries, Thanks for the update

Take care

 

[gatour]

In regards to having the medallion too close to the door while inside.  Is there a deadbolt that can be latched from inside of the cabin?   Every hotel, I have been in has this option along with most cruise ships, even if they are using RFID technology.  Obviously cruise staff can still get into the cabin by overriding the deadbolt with a "skeleton" key.  But if you engage that, it is still safer even if the medallion is unlocking the door from the inside.

[AF-1]

I do not believe there is a deadbolt on cabin doors

[johnmik1]

12 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Sorry for mixup.  It is actually called ocean compass and it is part of medallion net;  you won't be able to use or download until you are onboard

I downloaded Ocean Compass a few weeks ago while at my home in Chicago.

[TheRabbit]

4 minutes ago, johnmik1 said:

I downloaded Ocean Compass a few weeks ago while at my home in Chicago.

I have also downloaded it. my understanding is you can only use it on board.

[kywildcatfanone]

Could Carnival not have put all this stuff in one app?  5 apps is ridiculous. 

[TheRabbit]

8 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Could Carnival not have put all this stuff in one app?  5 apps is ridiculous. 

I could see loading the capabilities of one app on a phone for children, but not the others. That might be the reasoning.

Also keeping each one simple could be a factor.

Edited March 24, 2019 by TheRabbit

[Sea Hag]

There's always been a deadbolt on all our cabin doors.

29 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

I do not believe there is a deadbolt on cabin doors

 

[debi2g]

"Ocean Now" is the app listed as the concierge service for onboard drink ordering among other things. I downloaded it and while it doesn't work until you're on the ship,  it does show a countdown clock for your cruise. Use the same sign in  that you use for the Ocean Ready app. "Ocean Compass" is the app for finding your way around the ship and also for locating your shipmates. I've got 27 days till I try it out!

[AF-1]

Sea Hag,  where is it located?   last month I did not see any latch to click or push; that would constitute the deadbolt.  Sorry, just did not see one.  In hotels yes I do see the deadbolt; but not on our cabin door.  Of course if it was there I did not see it.  Have a great day

[AF-1]

48 minutes ago, TheRabbit said:

I have also downloaded it. my understanding is you can only use it on board.

That is correct; only to be used on board the ship;  it is tied to the ships intranet; it is a useful app

[BRANDEE]

On 3/20/2019 at 8:19 PM, cruisedoctor said:

So, you are wearing your medallion, walking down the corridor towards your room.  When you get close enough, the sensor screen outside your door recognizes you and unlocks your door.  Great! 

 

Now you are inside your room, still wearing your medallion, and you walk close to your door, on your way to the bathroom.  Does that sensor just outside the door, sense the presence of your medallion (since you are again in close proximity to it...only your are separated from it by the door itself) and unlocks the door...not realizing you are only making a trip to the bathroom?     That wouldn't be safe, because anyone who would happen to be outside your door could come in.

 

Or, another what-if.  Normally, when one walks out of their room, they check to see that the door is closed and locked by manipulating the door handle.  When wearing your medallion, and walking out of your room, you are again in extremely close proximity to the sensor screen.  Does it again keep unlocking the door while you are standing there...until you get far away enough from your room to stop doing so?   If that is the case, you wouldn't be able to be sure that the door is really locked.

 

Would anyone who has sailed with the medallion system fully functional, and has paid attention to what happens in these situations, like to comment on your experiences.  Your input would be greatly appreciated.  I couldn't find anyone high enough at Princess who had any in-depth knowledge about the specific workings of this technology.  The only thing the front-line on-land Princess employees know is "Your stateroom door unlocks when you get near to it.".

 

Inquiring minds want to know...

Just off the Caribbean Princess b2b..week one used both card and medallion..week two fully medallion no cards. 

 

Only passengers with pacemakers were given cards.  Which did not make sense if they got into a crowded elevator with everyone else wearing medallions around their neck.

 

Regarding your stateroom door lock.  As you walk towards your door, once you get about six feet before your cabin, if you can see the area where the old mailbox was..the door lock will acknowledge you are there and will unlock.  If you are approaching your cabin, but coming from the opposite direction of the old mailbox..your door lock will acknowledge you as you turn (facing the door) and then unlock.  Your security picture and name will appear on the computer monitor that now is hanging where the old mailbox was.

 

In two weeks, only twice, it did not read the medallion in my pants pocket or pocketbook..I had to put it up to monitor. (Never wore a lanyard) .  Some passengers bought a clip (about $8) some expensive bracelets..the plastic wristbands not available yet. It is waterproof, so some people wore in pool.

 

If you stand outside your door waiting for someone, it will constantly lock and unlock..so just stand in the area not facing your door. If you are inside cabin and go to door with medallion on you, it will lock and unlock.  (It only unlocks for 10/15 seconds)

 

We clipped our medallions every time we entered our cabin to two magnetic clips hanging on the far side of wall mirror (so we could find them) and they never activated the door.  Never had the door unlock when I ran to bathroom before leaving with medallion in my pocket.  But...My brother in the cabin next to us was locked out when his wife used the bolt on the door and he came back from gym..his medallion would not unlock..the monitor on the wall acknowledged him but said access denied...lol

 

When you sit at a bar...you do not even have to take out your medallion.  It is read by the waiter's hand held "computer".  They even know what you previously drank and ask if you want the same. Drinks are automatically billed to your room.  If you have a coffee card, the waiter will tell you how many specialties you have left. 

 

In the casino, the slot machines are accessed by a touch of the medallion.  If at the tables, the dealers will tap your medallion and give it back immediately.

 

Right after the muster drill, there are techs waiting to help you , if there is any questions.  

 

Our phones stayed in the safe the whole time..Didn't need to keep track of my husbands every move on board.  I do not want to spend my vacation tied to a phone..had to watch people walking around searching their phones for whatever..walking into you.  Felt just like walking the streets on NYC.  Of course, the kids loved it..kept in touch with friends. $$$$

 

Large screens on walls near elevators to tell you where you are and what is going on (time and place of all events)was great.  Just not telling you which side is port or starboard..lol

 

Some people were very upset with the cost of staying connected...make sure you understand the price before you commit.  Heard it was cheaper to buy at home.  The first day sailing had a $9.99 special.  Since we did not use our phones I really can't quote actual prices.  

 

We get free internet, but this was the first time I had so much trouble logging on with my kindle fire...only could log in and out on phone easily.  Used only 40 minutes out of 500 minutes.

 

All little children were wearing a blue chipped bracelet..just like Disney...great idea.  

 

Loved the cruise...enjoy yours and have fun!

 

 

[kywildcatfanone]

Very thorough write up.  Well done. 

[cmerun]

I’m still trying to totally understand this medallion thing-

its just one more thing to do for me!

we are on CB May 18 cruise

 

i was told when I called the Navigator people that I could opt out of the medallion-

I don’t mind using it for opening door etc but we leave phones in safe majority of our cruise -

 

I have already printed all documents required for boarding-

 

wondring what might happen if I just ignore medallion and see what happens st the port?

 

 

 

But that might make for a LONG embarkation!

Any thoughts?

Help!!