Medallion Medallion....do I really need to have this on the ship????

[rtrtx2]

On 12/13/2022 at 12:01 PM, cruzsnooze said:

You can get a regular cruise card at guest relations if you wish. I use the medallion only to unlock my cabin door. I keep it in an RFID credit card sleeve because I hate the idea of being tracked every minute. The credit card sleeves do indeed block the signal and costs less then 25 cents.

I thought I saw where you could turn off the tracking mode.

[caribill]

2 hours ago, rtrtx2 said:

I thought I saw where you could turn off the tracking mode.

 

You can set it up so other passengers cannot locate you, but Princess staff still can.

[cr8tiv1]

I loved the tracking capabilities when the CC hostess came running to Vines to let me know that my table was ready.  

[Grego]

On 12/14/2022 at 3:56 PM, MissP22 said:

But don't you like to take photo's on the cruise? Having a phone serves a lot of functions. 

Agreed.  One of the most used functions with the app on the phone is checking the dining room menus for lunch and dinner each day.

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, Grego said:

Agreed.  One of the most used functions with the app on the phone is checking the dining room menus for lunch and dinner each day.

It was a long time coming but it's a great feature not having to go to the menu at the DR door. 

Another nice feature is being able to watch their movies on your phone anywhere on the ship. If they would only have more current selections it would be even better. 

[memoak]

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

It was a long time coming but it's a great feature not having to go to the menu at the DR door. 

Another nice feature is being able to watch their movies on your phone anywhere on the ship. If they would only have more current selections it would be even better. 

The menus are also available on your TV

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, memoak said:

The menus are also available on your TV

Isn't it great ! 

Something people have wanted for years now. They finally listened. 

[ldubs]

18 hours ago, wowzz said:

Seems a bit strange  - if you have an annual contract of $300, the monthly payment is $25 ! Why the need to alter payments ?

And what bills do you get that you need to verify ?

 

For utilities, ours are based on usage so vary monthly.  We still have auto-pay set up.   With all of our auto-pays, we always see the amount so are able to react should there be an error.  Had that happen last year with an HOA payment.  The management company double billed by mistake.  

[ldubs]

15 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

It doesn't matter at all I suppose. It just means they have an awful lot of easily accessible granular data on the movements and decisions of all people on board. Same as using social media and the internet in general I guess. All the data tells them how to target you to influence your decisions on everything from your purchases to your voting intentions.

 

 

I know this is a touchy subject.  If it means the cruise line will do things to enhance my preferences, then I'm OK with it.   

[sloopsailor]

28 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

I know this is a touchy subject.  If it means the cruise line will do things to enhance my preferences, then I'm OK with it.   

 

And that is a big part of the so-called "tracking" being done. Areas where more people congregate can be enhanced for optimal enjoyment, while areas that are not used as much can be downsized or replaced in future ship rehabs. All ships have over and under utilized areas. Having historical data of actual area use can make a ship even more appealing to more people when those areas are adjusted to better spread out passenger loads. 

[Guest ldtr]

Just now, sloopsailor said:

 

And that is a big part of the so-called "tracking" being done. Areas where more people congregate can be enhanced for optimal enjoyment, while areas that are not used as much can be downsized or replaced in future ship rehabs. All ships have over and under utilized areas. Having historical data of actual area use can make a ship even more appealing to more people when those areas are adjusted to better spread out passenger loads. 

Also keep in mind that for such uses all they are interested in is the number of people in a venue at a specific point in time. The same infor that they used to collect manually by having a crew member count the numbers present. Not much use for who was there only the number.

[wowzz]

5 hours ago, ldubs said:

For utilities, ours are based on usage so vary monthly.  

As do ours. But your annual consumption is probably pretty consistent,.

So, if you use 1200 units of gas or electric or  water etc a year, you just pay for 100 units a month at the fixed rate you agreed to when you signed the contract. Some months you overpay, other months you underpay. At the end of 12 months you are square. 

No need to constantly look at your monthly bill, no need to make different payments each month.

[sloopsailor]

11 minutes ago, wowzz said:

As do ours. But your annual consumption is probably pretty consistent,.

So, if you use 1200 units of gas or electric or  water etc a year, you just pay for 100 units a month at the fixed rate you agreed to when you signed the contract. Some months you overpay, other months you underpay. At the end of 12 months you are square. 

No need to constantly look at your monthly bill, no need to make different payments each month.

 

And if you cancel service, how is that handled? For instance, when you move out?

[wowzz]

3 minutes ago, sloopsailor said:

 

And if you cancel service, how is that handled? For instance, when you move out?

You get a statement as to the amount of units consumed, and either get a refund from the supplier,  or you pay any excess that you owe. 

Or, of course,  you transfer your contract to your new residence. 

 

[carnabombers]

Just read through this thread - wowo, a lot of concerned travellers worried about being tracked. Well, sorry, but "big brother" knows you are on a ship. If you are worried about getting caught going to the casino or a cabin that you shouldn't then switch that off.

For me, paying a few dollars and getting the wrist band and wearing the medallian like a watch is great. You can walk around without pockets or a hottible lanyard around your neck. \

The app is ok - Princess are improving it albeit slowly but eventually, everything will be done on the app. ordering wifi for example is now on the app only. You don't need to walk around with your phone, the medallian is all you need to buy anything and get anything delivered to you.

It might also help if you fall overboard?.

Anyway, I think it is pretty good. It has it's flaws but it is significantly better than carrying a card around with you.

As for the cheapskates who don't like the mailing costs - pick it up at the terminal. It takes about 1 minute to action.

[ldubs]

7 hours ago, wowzz said:

As do ours. But your annual consumption is probably pretty consistent,.

So, if you use 1200 units of gas or electric or  water etc a year, you just pay for 100 units a month at the fixed rate you agreed to when you signed the contract. Some months you overpay, other months you underpay. At the end of 12 months you are square. 

No need to constantly look at your monthly bill, no need to make different payments each month.

 

Our utility company does allow averaging out payments with a true up at year end.  We have a friend nearby that does this.  So far we continue with the actual monthly based on the various meter readings.   No real rational reason other than it is what we are used to.    

[satxdiver]

On 12/13/2022 at 12:01 PM, cruzsnooze said:

You can get a regular cruise card at guest relations if you wish. I use the medallion only to unlock my cabin door. I keep it in an RFID credit card sleeve because I hate the idea of being tracked every minute. The credit card sleeves do indeed block the signal and costs less then 25 cents.

I assume since you do not like to be tracked, you either keep your smart phone off or don't have one.  They track you every minute and the authorities are able with a judge's consent to retrieve your movements or watch your movements if needed.  

[carnabombers]

This thread is now rediculous.

 

If you want to travel on Princess, you have to have a medallion. You can have a free lanyard or pay a few dollars for something like a wrist bankd. If you don't want to be tracked, then you don't have to be.

SIMPLE.

[ldubs]

2 hours ago, carnabombers said:

This thread is now rediculous.

 

If you want to travel on Princess, you have to have a medallion. You can have a free lanyard or pay a few dollars for something like a wrist bankd. If you don't want to be tracked, then you don't have to be.

SIMPLE.

 

I thought the old cruise card could still be requested.  If so, then you do not have to have a medallion to travel on Princess.   You can elect not to be tracked by fellow passengers but I do not think you have the option to not be tracked by Princess.  Maybe I'm misunderstanding or maybe not so simple.     

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

You can elect not to be tracked by fellow passengers but I do not think you have the option to not be tracked by Princess.

That's my understanding as well.

We are all tracked constantly these days, so being tracked on board ship is just more of the same.

After three Medallion cruises, I have seen zero evidence that Princess knowing my whereabouts whilst on board, has had any impact whatsoever on my life !

[sloopsailor]

7 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

I thought the old cruise card could still be requested.  If so, then you do not have to have a medallion to travel on Princess.   You can elect not to be tracked by fellow passengers but I do not think you have the option to not be tracked by Princess.  Maybe I'm misunderstanding or maybe not so simple.     

 

To put to bed an implication - you cannot be tracked by other random passengers. You voluntarily decide whom in your travel party has access to your location. All other passengers do not, and cannot, have that access.

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, sloopsailor said:

 

To put to bed an implication - you cannot be tracked by other random passengers. 

 

Of course not.    

[Scotmay]

Can you just walk into the theatre on board d, or will you have to reserve seats. 

[caribill]

6 minutes ago, Scotmay said:

Can you just walk into the theatre on board d, or will you have to reserve seats. 

 

No current reserving of seats, so just walk in.

 

In 2023 those who book the Premier package will have an area reserved for them. Others can just walk in and sit anywhere but that area until it is released.

[MissP22]

On the Enchanted the other night there were reserved seats in the center section. I don't know who they were reserved for but people did show up prior to the show to use them.