NCL Cabin/Ship Card

[cruiserbear55]

Can someone tell me the size of the new cabin,ship cards? License size, bigger than a license, smaller than a breadbox? We want to buy a couple plastic holders to put on lanyards. But don't want to purchase ones too big or too small. Thanking you in advance.

[casofilia]

I presume that you can, no longer, punch a hole in them as you used to be able to.

[cruiserbear55]

6 minutes ago, casofilia said:

I presume that you can, no longer, punch a hole in them as you used to be able to.

    Your assumption is correct. Something about destroying the embedded electronics. Thanks for replying from WAY down under!!

[hallux]

They're standard size for wallets, such as a credit card, room keys for hotels or ID.  In fact - in port I actually slip mine into my wallet.

 

Yes, if NCL has converted all ships to the RFID style cards then punching holes is NOT suggested, though I did see someone on my last cruise that had done that, it could be done but you have to be VERY careful.

Edited March 31, 2022 by hallux

[Brian V]

To answer the original question, size of a credit card.

[Brian V]

Just now, hallux said:

They're standard size for wallets, such as a credit card, room keys for hotels or ID.  In fact - in port I actually slip mine into my wallet.

LOL, cross post 🙂

[casofilia]

@cruiserbear55

 

Thanks for replying from WAY down under!!

 

No problem; being retired and missing cruising I like to read as many posts as interest me so I can be ready when November comes around and we can do our B2B2B2B on the Jade.

[dmdiver]

Oh wow, I'm glad I saw this.  We have had the casino punch holes in our cards on our previous cruises so we can clip them onto a lanyard.  At least in Alaska, we're more likely to have pockets.

[GeezerCouple]

7 hours ago, hallux said:

They're standard size for wallets, such as a credit card, room keys for hotels or ID.  In fact - in port I actually slip mine into my wallet.

 

Yes, if NCL has converted all ships to the RFID style cards then punching holes is NOT suggested, though I did see someone on my last cruise that had done that, it could be done but you have to be VERY careful.

 

Given that SO many people have become accustomed to "punching holes" in their cards (on all ships; selling branded lanyards was a "thing" on some ships...), why couldn't they make the cards with a hole pre-punched, so that any electronics are placed below the hole (or anyplace the hole isn't)?

I used to wonder why they didn't do that before, when the "electronics" weren't an issue.

 

It was very nice not to need to fish the card out of a plastic holder (or a wallet or purse)...
Those who prefer little plastic holders could still use them, obviously.

 

GC

[jimsig]

Usually the RFID chip is small but since you don't know where it's located it's not recommended to punch it. 

 

I work as a train conductor and the fare media for single ride and round trip train tickets has recently changed to having a RFID chip in it.  They have started installing fare gates at the core stations and passengers will have to tap in and out of those stations even though we will be checking/punching tickets onboard as we always have.  We were told not to punch tickets in the area that has the sideways looking wifi symbol as that's where the chip is.  The monthly passes (like  the credit card plastic) have had as chip in them for years now and some passengers still punch holes in them as it's easy to figure out where the chip is on those, you can feel the bump, and they do not locate them near the corners.  

[don't-use-real-name]

If in doubt about hole punching - visit Guest Services and get the professional gospel answer.

Do it wrong and you will not be able to get into your stateroom on and off the ship purchase

services drinks gifts etc.

Key cards with the black magnetic strip - a NO-NO to tamper with that - Cards with the 

little rectangular hologram image left side center in the card - mess with that and you disable

the card. I am guessing that the only place to safely punch a hole would be in the lower right

corner where your mutiny ah er I mean muster station appears.

Check with Guest Services for the REAL answer - - - 

[shof515]

On 3/31/2022 at 10:52 PM, GeezerCouple said:

 

Given that SO many people have become accustomed to "punching holes" in their cards (on all ships; selling branded lanyards was a "thing" on some ships...), why couldn't they make the cards with a hole pre-punched, so that any electronics are placed below the hole (or anyplace the hole isn't)?

I used to wonder why they didn't do that before, when the "electronics" weren't an issue.

 

It was very nice not to need to fish the card out of a plastic holder (or a wallet or purse)...
Those who prefer little plastic holders could still use them, obviously.

 

GC

Carnival cruise line has cards that is pre punched with a hole

[Burrata]

@don't-use-real-name

can confirm, guest services will NOT punch hole in card due to chip. Husband asked on our last cruise on the Getaway 2/22

[GeezerCouple]

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

Carnival cruise line has cards that is pre punched with a hole

Right. Thanks!

How hard can this be, and even with a chip or "electronics", when they know where they are.

Or have them manufactured that way; it can't add much at that point when done as part of the regular process.

 

GC

[hallux]

5 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Key cards with the black magnetic strip - a NO-NO to tamper with that - Cards with the 

little rectangular hologram image left side center in the card - mess with that and you disable

the card.

I have 3 NCL cards (we ARE on the NCL board) including one from just 2 weeks ago, none have a hologram.

 

I have an RCI card that is a little thinner than the NCL cards (or the material is less dense) and I can shine a light through it to see that there is not only a chip but a sort of antenna 'ring'.  Interrupt that ring and you also likely render the card unusable.  ARE there spots on that card that could be punched?  Sure.  Does that mean NCL cards might have good spots to punch?  Possibly, but without being able to shine a light through to see exactly where it might be safe it likely isn't.

[alibabaxx]

So are the cards tap and go ( if so can they be used without taking them out of your wallet or phone case?  or do they need to be swiped to get into rooms etc?

[shof515]

10 minutes ago, alibabaxx said:

So are the cards tap and go ( if so can they be used without taking them out of your wallet or phone case?  or do they need to be swiped to get into rooms etc?

depending on the ship are you on. almost of the newer ships have tap and go, and some older ships were retrofitted and other ships still have to be swiped

[hallux]

and the card often needs to be handed over for dining (specialty anyway) or drinks, even if it is of the RFID type for the room.

[alibabaxx]

37 minutes ago, shof515 said:

depending on the ship are you on. almost of the newer ships have tap and go, and some older ships were retrofitted and other ships still have to be swiped

thanks, we are on Escape

[alibabaxx]

26 minutes ago, hallux said:

and the card often needs to be handed over for dining (specialty anyway) or drinks, even if it is of the RFID type for the room.

ah ok, might as well get a lanyard then rather than keep taking out of a wallet 

[hallux]

15 minutes ago, alibabaxx said:

ah ok, might as well get a lanyard then rather than keep taking out of a wallet 

Keep in mind that the lanyard would need to be the pouch type so you'd still be removing it from your carrying accessory.  Finding the proper place to punch a hole in the NCL cards isn't easy as they seem to be thicker or more dense than the Royal RFID card I have (I can shine a flashlight through the Royal card to see where the chip and antenna wire are, can't do that with the NCL cards).  If you damage the chip or wire it's game-over for the card and you need to get it replaced.

[BirdTravels]

On 4/3/2022 at 8:26 AM, GeezerCouple said:

Right. Thanks!

How hard can this be, and even with a chip or "electronics", when they know where they are.

Or have them manufactured that way; it can't add much at that point when done as part of the regular process.

 

GC

 

1 hour ago, alibabaxx said:

So are the cards tap and go ( if so can they be used without taking them out of your wallet or phone case?  or do they need to be swiped to get into rooms etc?

 

"New" RFID room keys used on the newer ships. Some readers on the ship use the RFID. Some scan the bar code. Some still swipe the magnetic strip.

 

 

The gangway doesn't even use your ship's card any longer, it uses your face (and it also takes and records your temperature... don't get sunburned). 

\

 

The NCL chip is at the bottom right of the card. But the antenna loop runs around card about 1/2" from the edge making it hard/impossible to punch with a regular punch without compromising the card. (i.e., it is more than knowing "where the chip is",,, it is understanding that there are electronics that run in the center of the card along the edge of the card)

 

 

 

[don't-use-real-name]

Damage the key card - you will have to go to Guest Services for a replacement.

 

You won't be able to get into your stateroom -

You won't be able to get drinks at a bar -

You won't be able to purchase gifts or duty free -

Your gaming in the Casino is cut off -

If you are off the ship MAY have trouble getting back on ?

 

Regardless don't mess with the black stripe on the back of the card.

Punching holes - have Guest Services do it for you.

 

Don't know if placed near a magnetic (charging) device for a period of time rendering it void.

 

With all this "Do you feel Lucky?"

Guest Services is always interested in how the card was compromised.

[Wzk]

Avons nous 1 carte par passager

Merci

[bookbabe]

4 hours ago, Wzk said:

Avons nous 1 carte par passager

Merci

Oui, avec le nom de chacun