I Was Able Opted Out of Medallion

[jangor]

On 9/27/2019 at 2:06 PM, Hlitner said:

Ok, regarding the "tracked" issue this is certainly a debatable sub-topic.  But some of us (especially those that spend weeks or months every year on cruises) get sick and tired of all the onboard marketing.  The Medallions do give Princess a new tool to further enable "targeted marketing" which some do find annoying.  For example, you stop at the art auction (because you need a good laugh) for a minute and later find yourself getting all kinds of marketing garbage from the art folks.  Or you stop in the jewelry shop for a few seconds and then are inundated with promotions.  And it does not stop at disembarkation.  This info is in the Princess computers and can be sold to outside marketing firms.  So if you were to attend a few art auctions (for fun and laughs) you might find yourself getting "pushed" marketing from art houses for the next few years.   Will this happen?  We shall have to wait and see, but Princess did not spend all this money upgrading ships without hoping to get a return on investment.

 

And we used to talk (here on CC) about a fun topic.  Many may have noticed that there is a Medallion sensor in every cabin bathroom.  In theory, Princess can track the amount of time each person spends in their bathroom.  Is the day coming when you get a phone call (in your cabin) from the Medical Center asking if you have a "GI problem" because you have spent too much time in the bathroom?  I know, this is far fetched and I am having some fun.  But then again...……..

 

Or consider another Princess topic which is why on earth they have removed the barrel chairs from all the regular cabins....leaving most cabins with one chair for 2 persons!   Perhaps their research has shown that folks are spending too much time in their cabin (where they are not spending money at the bars and shops).  So lets remove the chairs, wait a few months, and then look at the data to determine if this has helped get folks out of their cabins and spending more money (maximizing onboard revenue).  And if that does prove to be the case....perhaps we should remove the other chair.  Maybe that would drive more ladies to the beauty shop since they would no longer have a chair at their cabin make-up table.   There is simply no end to what can be done with the Medallion location data!

 

Hank

As to the marketing, that happens every time I look up information on the internet.  Look up the name of a flower and every garden center in town or on the internet will send you ads.  Need a chicken recipe?  Get ready for dozens. Bought a car?  Every dealer in town will contact you even after you have bought the car.    There is no end to it; why should cruise ships be different.  I ignore them on my computer.  Onboard ship, I smile and say "no thank you" and move on.

 

[Thrak]

We haven't sailed on a Medallion cruise yet. We were supposed to be on the first Medallion cruise for CB but they pushed it back and we didn't have Medallions. I'd love to be able to check if my wife is still at the Knitters and Natters meeting before I leave the cabin to go meet her. I dislike going down multiple decks and half way across the ship to find she already left and is headed back to the cabin.

 

I'm annoyed by the post saying one can't order a Spicy Bloody Mary as one of the features they advertised was the ability to have that info in the system so when I ordered a Bloody Mary the bartender would have that info available and know that I always want my Bloody Mary extra spicy or know that when I order a Gin and Tonic I want it made with Tanqueray gin. From one post it sounds as if, even if that feature actually does exist, the bartenders won't use it as it's too much hassle to use the system.

 

As for getting a card... If my next couple of cruises were  Medallion ships (they aren't) I might well ask for a card just so I would finally have a black card in my collection. As it is, I'll probably have to get them to "fix" things on our first Elite cruise as it's only 4 days after the last Platinum cruise. If they don't have a black card for me I'll have them fix it so I have one for my collection at home. 😁

[pris993]

On 9/27/2019 at 9:10 AM, Geoffa30 said:

So much for progress. No wonder Princess still has the same Crown Grill and Sabatinis restaurants from yesteryear while other lines continue to mix it up. Hopefully one day Princess will be able to innovate / change things without being scuppered by the old guard.

The same old crown grill works for us.   I don't go on other lines because I am not impressed with how the mix it up..LOL

[Steelers36]

@Thrak, the drink menu provided in the OCEAN app for ordering in place, is limited and they told me on Regal in June they were expecting/hoping it to be expanded.  I ordered one drink and the bartender made me what I wanted (both at same price point).  I imagine the personal preference thing is going to be another future enhancement.  I think one would still have to be a regular and rely on waiter memory to get what you want.  When you do finally get that Medallion cruise, I hope they still have the first-drink-free offer when you make an order with the Medallion app.  I will have to check and see if we get it again on the Crown in Nov, or if we got the one-and-only on the Regal in June.

 

[Thrak]

2 minutes ago, steelers36 said:

@Thrak, the drink menu provided in the OCEAN app for ordering in place, is limited and they told me on Regal in June they were expecting/hoping it to be expanded.  I ordered one drink and the bartender made me what I wanted (both at same price point).  I imagine the personal preference thing is going to be another future enhancement.  I think one would still have to be a regular and rely on waiter memory to get what you want.  When you do finally get that Medallion cruise, I hope they still have the first-drink-free offer when you make an order with the Medallion app.  I will have to check and see if we get it again on the Crown in Nov, or if we got the one-and-only on the Regal in June.

 

 

We did a 28 day cruise with the beverage package. By day 2 they knew what I wanted and knew my number so I didn't need my card. Actually, I was enough of a "regular" at Wheelhouse that they locked me in twice. I was quietly reading in the corner and got up to leave and the doors were locked and the "Private Function" sign was outside the door. They knew me by name and said I could stay as long as I liked but I had to meet my wife. They also knew me very well in Skywalker's. Not sure if this was really such a good thing... 🙄

[scubacruiserx2]

We spoke to our TA who spoke to Princess about our desire to opt out . They told her that we could pick up our cards at check in before boarding the ship .

[Woobstr112G]

3 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

We spoke to our TA who spoke to Princess about our desire to opt out . They told her that we could pick up our cards at check in before boarding the ship .

I was thinking about opting out, but I decided to give it a try at least once.  If I don't like it, it will be back to the black card for me.....😊😊😊

Bob

[Mike45LC]

1 hour ago, Woobstr112G said:

I was thinking about opting out, but I decided to give it a try at least once.  If I don't like it, it will be back to the black card for me.....😊😊😊

Bob

Bob, if you don’t like it, just ask for a traditional card at Passenger Services and leave the Medallion in your nightstand furthest from the cabin door for the rest of the cruise.

[crochetcruise]

On 9/29/2019 at 2:38 AM, cruzsnooze said:

I posted my experience and did not ask for everyone's opinion of the medallion. I was merely letting people know they can get a cruise card if they desire. 

 

I appreciate that information-THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I am Legally Blind with a very poor judgement of distance so would prefer the familiar card.

 

Having sailed on the Golden Princess in a Window Suite, I already have a very nice card wallet to hold my cruise card, and hopefully the fold up map of the ship, if that is still provided. I found this easier to use than try to read the map posted near the elevators.

[LMADAMS91]

On 9/27/2019 at 6:35 PM, pompeii said:

My only problem was that it wouldn't work on my older iPhone, so I had to find an ocean compass screen. 

How old, if you don't mind my asking. My husband and I both have older Iphones (and both LIKE them and haven't found a new one that has enticed us to upgrade.)  We'll be on our first Medallion cruise in January.

[pompeii]

On 9/27/2019 at 6:35 PM, pompeii said:

 

I enjoyed having the medallion and both my husband and I found the locater to be very useful.  My only problem was that it wouldn't work on my older iPhone, so I had to find an ocean compass screen. 

 

7 hours ago, LMADAMS91 said:

How old, if you don't mind my asking. My husband and I both have older Iphones (and both LIKE them and haven't found a new one that has enticed us to upgrade.)  We'll be on our first Medallion cruise in January.

Let me clarify by saying that all of the functions except Ocean Compass (the locating function) worked just fine on my 6 Plus.   The Ocean Front staff said Ocean Compass was a problem on older phones (not sure if it is only iphones or any older smart phone, and not sure which generation and before are affected.)  It was a minor inconvenience, though; I just had to "find my shipmate" using one of the many screens located around the ship and not my phone.

[ontheweb]

On 9/27/2019 at 10:58 AM, cruzsnooze said:

I disembarked the Caribbean Princess Tuesday. I was given a medallion upon checking in at the dock. Upon boarding i went to guest serves and I opted out of the medallion and was given a regular old fashion black cruise card. I kept it in an RFID sleeve. It functioned exactly like it did before the medallions were initiated. I used it to to disembark the ship in ports and open my cabin door. You merely show the scan bar on the card to the medallion circle on the door and the door unlocks. The same for the casino or shopping on board.  Our friends walked past an art auction and then were thanked for attending and bombarded with marketing for their art. I was happy to avoid any such marketing. You do not need a medallion or a cruise card to use the internet anymore. You post your cabin number and birth date and log in. The speed is wonderful compared to previous useage. You may find the free minutes you get as Platinum or Elite tier are now adequare.  I suggest you check your account balance daily to correct any charged you didn't make. One person I had dinner with told me they had a charge that wasn't theirs, the medallion probably picked up someone's charge that was sitting next to them.

 Many will love the medallion, some won't, I just wanted to post to people that there is a choice. 

Does everyone doing this get an "old  fashion black" card? I was looking forward to us getting our first Ruby card this summer.

[Pierlesscruisers]

20 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Does everyone doing this get an "old  fashion black" card? I was looking forward to us getting our first Ruby card this summer.

 

It should be the color appropriate to your level which appears to be Ruby from your statement. 

 

Tom

[tip]

We board the Crown Princess in just a few weeks and I intend to "opt out."

 

I started a thread entitled, "Am I the Only One..." a few weeks ago and asked if there were others that did not see the benefit of the Ocean Medallion program.  At last count there were at least thirteen "likes" to my original post, thus I am not the only one who feels this way.

 

Of course there were the snarky comments similar to those on this thread.  I am quite comfortable with technology and have been using it for almost forty years.  I just do not feel the need to have all of the bells and whistles and to stay connected at all times, especially if it is of no benefit to me.  Folks, I am on vacation to relax.  And to the guy who asked if we takes pictures on our cruise, the answer is yes, but I do not use a cell phone.  I use a small  inexpensive digital camera.  If I lose it, no big deal.  On the other hand if I lost my cell phone....

[satxdiver]

We were on the CB last November and had the OM.   At that time it was not fully operating and we had been given sea cards as well which were used in the bars by the bar waiters.  At the bar itself they were using an OM reader that you put your OM on.  The stores used the OM as did the crew when we left and returned to the ship.  The OM always unlocked my door as I approached.  I kept the OM in my pocket which is the same place I have always kept my sea card.  All of our future cruises starting next year are on OM enabled ships.  

 

We had TD and had an older waiter.  I watched him putting in the order for our meals using the old method of writing it on paper and sending the assistant waiter to the kitchen to get it.  Other younger waiters were using ipads to order their meals. 

[lesnpatty]

Loved the Medallion on the Crown Trans-Atlantic. I used th wristband which made it very convenient to get in my room, pay for things on the ship and get on and off. It was much easier to keep track of than the card too.  We did not have any charges that were not ours. You really have to tap the medallion on their scanner for a sale at the bar, shop or dining room.
 

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, satxdiver said:

We were on the CB last November and had the OM.   At that time it was not fully operating and we had been given sea cards as well which were used in the bars by the bar waiters.  At the bar itself they were using an OM reader that you put your OM on.  The stores used the OM as did the crew when we left and returned to the ship.  The OM always unlocked my door as I approached.  I kept the OM in my pocket which is the same place I have always kept my sea card.  All of our future cruises starting next year are on OM enabled ships.  

 

We had TD and had an older waiter.  I watched him putting in the order for our meals using the old method of writing it on paper and sending the assistant waiter to the kitchen to get it.  Other younger waiters were using ipads to order their meals. 

Not on a cruise. but we had a terrible experience with a waitress who used what looked like an iPhone instead of writing it down. It was our anniversary and we try to eat by water. We were out alone on a deck. After the waitress brought our salads, and we finished them, we waited and waited and waited. Finally I went out to the dining room and saw all sorts of people who had come after us eating. The waitress we believe had forgot to hit submit or whatever was needed to put our order in. A manager came out and apologized. We were finally served only after we had walked out once. The meal was comped (we were told the waitress was paying for it), but I do not intend to ever go back to that restaurant. 

 

And if I ever see an order being taken that way again, I will definitely ask, "Have you submitted it?".

 

Up with paper that has been used  forever for restaurants, and down with unnecessary technology that serves no purpose.

[leck57]

4 hours ago, tip said:

We board the Crown Princess in just a few weeks and I intend to "opt out."

 

I started a thread entitled, "Am I the Only One..." a few weeks ago and asked if there were others that did not see the benefit of the Ocean Medallion program.  At last count there were at least thirteen "likes" to my original post, thus I am not the only one who feels this way.

 

Of course there were the snarky comments similar to those on this thread.  I am quite comfortable with technology and have been using it for almost forty years.  I just do not feel the need to have all of the bells and whistles and to stay connected at all times, especially if it is of no benefit to me.  Folks, I am on vacation to relax.  And to the guy who asked if we takes pictures on our cruise, the answer is yes, but I do not use a cell phone.  I use a small  inexpensive digital camera.  If I lose it, no big deal.  On the other hand if I lost my cell phone....

 

I was ho hum about the Medallion, and like you, don't really need the bells and whistles. However I cannot see why you need to opt out. I just used the Medallion to open the cabin door and occasionally (when the staff were using it) to pay for things - just like the old cards did. I wore it on a wristband which was much better than having a lanyard around your neck or having to fumble around in your pocket for a card. I didn't need or want to opt out but in regard to the other functionalities I just didn't opt-in I guess.

[tip]

11 hours ago, leck57 said:

 

I was ho hum about the Medallion, and like you, don't really need the bells and whistles. However I cannot see why you need to opt out. I just used the Medallion to open the cabin door and occasionally (when the staff were using it) to pay for things - just like the old cards did. I wore it on a wristband which was much better than having a lanyard around your neck or having to fumble around in your pocket for a card. I didn't need or want to opt out but in regard to the other functionalities I just didn't opt-in I guess.

  I have no desire whatsoever to wear a lanyard around my neck or a wristband which Princess would be more than happy to sell you at an additional charge!  I may not "opt out", but just place it in the safe and request a key card which I can take in and out of my pocket quite easily.

[leck57]

43 minutes ago, tip said:

  I have no desire whatsoever to wear a lanyard around my neck or a wristband which Princess would be more than happy to sell you at an additional charge!  I may not "opt out", but just place it in the safe and request a key card which I can take in and out of my pocket quite easily.

 

So why wouldn't you just put the medallion in your pocket then? I'm obviously missing something.

[pink845]

We are SO NOT INTERESTED IN THIS MEDALLION.  It will be on the Sky in December. We just go a survey from Princess to complete asking us what we ALREADY knew about the Medallion.  Hello, nothing I said and I also advised them that I already get enough junk in my cabin on my bed on a daily basis, the last thing I need is more crap coming onto my phone.    I do not need to be tracked.  I do not need to have my drink waiting for me when I sit down.  Please do not bother me with guess the carat weight and No I do not want a specialty dinner!!!  I want to relax so please Princess leave me alone.  This Medallion is all a data mine for Princess.  Once you return home, you will get bombarded once again once they find out your likes and dislikes and for all you know they will be selling it to their suppliers, etc.  Believe me Medallion is not to make the cruisers lives easier it is to make the ship run with less staff.  Less staff and more guests.

[cruzsnooze]

There were a few things I liked about having a card. The card has your muster station on it, your dining time and which restaurant, in our case it had club class. It also has the number of cruises you have.  You merely touch the scan bar on the back of the cruise card to the circular medallion symbol when you disembark and regardless of which you use, medallion or card you hear the familiar ding ding that it was read.  

  The misconception that the medallion opens your door, and is handy when your hands are full is a misconception. It unlocks your door but you need a hand to the door handle to open it. 

 I really felt it was an invasion of one's privacy to see everyone's picture on the big screen at the elevators. If there were five people waiting all their pictures popped up. No personal info popped up but why do you need your picture popping up every time you're near one of these boards. They are every where. 

[2 cruises a year]

On 9/28/2019 at 5:22 AM, Hlitner said:

While sitting at the bars the bartenders did often use their large station system (which does not work on batteries) to pull up pictures.  But even this system did not always work and we were sometimes asked our cabin number while sitting at a bar.

 

On 9/28/2019 at 2:39 PM, Mike45LC said:

Hank, this is VERY implausible -- namely that any bartender on Princess would have to ask you for your cabin number.  They ALL know your cabin number by heart, at least after the first day!!

 

Mike

 

I know that this horse is already out of the barn, but this is another thing that I don't like about the medallion.  My wife and I like it when the bartenders and bar stewards recognized us because of us, not because they have a "cheat sheet".  Now we are also "dumbing down" the very capable bartenders and bar stewards.  It is very nice to approach the bar and have a bar steward "seat" my wife.  Will this go away if the battery is dead on their device and they don't know us?

[pink845]

Can someone clarify the information mentioned above in one of the posts " ,...... I really felt it was an invasion of one's privacy to see everyone's picture on the big screen at the elevators. If there were five people waiting all their pictures popped up. No personal info popped up but why do you need your picture popping up every time you're near one of these boards. They are every where. "    Pictures of us popping up at the elevator ... what happens if we opt out of this medallion and do not carry it with us.  Will our face photo then not pop up.  I am looking forward to my Sky Princess cruise to see how this all works.

 

[WAMarathoner]

On 9/28/2019 at 5:36 AM, PrincessLuver said:

 

I agree too.....I am sure they are the same people who do not use their cell phones because they are tracked, do not drive because of cameras tracking them at every intersection and do not use TV remotes because who knows where that pesky little signal is going when you change channels.  We like Princess ships with Medallion service and enjoy the technological progress Princess is making and have no fear of them leaving the "horse and buggy" days of Princess.  

Or they're people who turn off the locators on their phones (or their phones completely when not in use), pull down the visor at intersections with cameras, opt not to use the voice recognition on their remotes, browse the Internet with a private VPN, have disentangled from Google, use RFID sleeves, and check their credit cards and bank accounts daily.  Once you are a victim of identity theft, you may decide to guard your privacy more closely.  Or not.  Your decision.  My decision may be different than yours; it's my personal responsibility just as it is yours.  Does not make me "paranoid," "technologically challenged," or stuck in "horse and buggy days" -- it just makes me careful.