New App is indeed coming for Princess

[BabsinTX]

20 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

"Dine My Way" will now become "Reservations".

 

Then they need to change "Reserve Club Class/Reserve CC Dining".

 

I have witnesses SOOOOOOO many passengers who line up the the "Reserve Dining Room" and are disappointed to be turned away as it is NOT MDR for those with reservations, but MDR for Club Class (now Reserve CC).  There is a small sign outside that says "Reserve Dining".

 

The host/hostess and sometimes the Assistant Manager calmly escort diners to the "other" door.  

 

"AND SOME OF THE TERMS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED".  Princess really needs to hire an English teacher.

 

This is a big pet peeve of mine.  Why change from Club Class to Reserve Collection?  Idiotic.  Club Class is easy to say and remember, while Reserve Collection is not.  Princess needs a group of regular cruisers to give them feedback before they do anything else boneheaded.

 

It seems Princess is trying to upgrade our experience with name changes, while we all notice cutbacks on board.  Am I the only one to notice the flimsy toilet seats in cabins and public restrooms (spotted on Caribbean in August)?  Lighter weight = less fuel needed, but I had one that came off frequently.  Good grief.

[GonzoWCS]

4 hours ago, Roberto256 said:

The app, or the discussions about it?

Yes!

 

Cheers

[latebloomer56]

8 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

You cannot book cruises through the app, only "administer" existing cruises. Now, that may all change with the new app that is due out Dec. 1st...nobody really knows what this new app is going to deliver yet.

 

So, to answer your question,  you will still book via the web (should you desire to book directly with Princess) as you have always been able to do. 

And...unless they drastically change the dining reservations (they certainly could) you can use the "web version" in your cruise personalizer to make your dining reservations. 

I used the web for everything in a booking thanks to advise on these boards. Am hoping they don't change things and try to push the app on use like Carnival.

Thanks for your reply, getting excited to surprise the family. It will be their first time on Princess 😁 our first time on Majestic.

[2and2]

11 hours ago, phabric said:

Wonder if any information on the old MedallionClass app will be lost when the new app comes in effect?

  I have a mid February cruise. I just finally went green ocean ready. Things were confusing and I was not able to book/reserve my specialty dinning on the app, or book/reserve my excursion on the app. I had to call in three times and had the language communication problem that I seem to often get. But I did manage to make the reservations and they actually showed up on the current app. I like that I was able to get good times and dates for our specialty dinning, and we did not get shut out of our excursion of choice. I do not really want to go through that again.

     I am computer literate and have the newest phones out.  But I am worried now that if I uninstall the current app, and install the new, that these reservations will disappear. I know they say your profile will be migrated over, but I think that could be one of the scenarios the programers miss.  I know they say the old app is up and running until the end of February, but I definitely would like the newest app. Decisions, decisions.

[Rick&Jeannie]

3 minutes ago, 2and2 said:

But I am worried now that if I uninstall the current app, and install the new, that these reservations will disappear. I know they say your profile will be migrated over, but I think that could be one of the scenarios the programers miss. 

Your data is NOT stored in the app.  All passenger/booking data is stored in a central database (wherever Princess has their IT datacenter) that is "consulted" by programs that are written to do so...such as the cruise personalizer at Princess.com and/or the Medallion app.  Uninstalling the app does not touch your data...it lives on in that central database.  The "new app" will simply be "another way" to view that data.  I personally use the cruise personalizer almost exclusively in my dealings with Princess.  I book directly because "I prefer to make my own mistakes!"  The only time I use the "web version" (which is simply a ported version of the smartphone app) is when forced to do so in making dining reservations.  I *hope* that they do not force us to use an app to do so in the future...they've got a long way to go before they win my confidence back in their IT programming team (I retired from IT...I *know* what it takes to produce a well written app for the masses...and they don't seem to have it.)

 

I'm probably a dinosaur...I prefer to do all of my computer work on a desktop PC.  I just prefer the larger screen.  There's just so little screen real estate available on ANY smartphone.

[Womble99]

4 hours ago, BabsinTX said:

This is a big pet peeve of mine.  Why change from Club Class to Reserve Collection?  Idiotic.  Club Class is easy to say and remember, while Reserve Collection is not.  Princess needs a group of regular cruisers to give them feedback before they do anything else boneheaded.

If not a change from Club Class to Reserve Collection then to what? Reserve collection is to match the Signature collection I believe?

 

As to Princess asking for feedback, I know they do send out surveys on different ideas but whether they listen to the feedback......... who knows????

[memoak]

1 minute ago, Womble99 said:

If not a change from Club Class to Reserve Collection then to what? Reserve collection is to match the Signature collection I believe?

 

As to Princess asking for feedback, I know they do send out surveys on different ideas but whether they listen to the feedback......... who knows????

Has there been any beta testing on the new app ?  Inquiring minds want to know 

[capriccio]

16 minutes ago, memoak said:

Has there been any beta testing on the new app ?  Inquiring minds want to know 

All I can say given past performance:  that would be novel!

[2and2]

2 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Your data is NOT stored in the app.  All passenger/booking data is stored in a central database (wherever Princess has their IT datacenter) that is "consulted" by programs that are written to do so...such as the cruise personalizer at Princess.com and/or the Medallion app.  Uninstalling the app does not touch your data...it lives on in that central database.  The "new app" will simply be "another way" to view that data.  I personally use the cruise personalizer almost exclusively in my dealings with Princess.  I book directly because "I prefer to make my own mistakes!"  The only time I use the "web version" (which is simply a ported version of the smartphone app) is when forced to do so in making dining reservations.  I *hope* that they do not force us to use an app to do so in the future...they've got a long way to go before they win my confidence back in their IT programming team (I retired from IT...I *know* what it takes to produce a well written app for the masses...and they don't seem to have it.)

 

I'm probably a dinosaur...I prefer to do all of my computer work on a desktop PC.  I just prefer the larger screen.  There's just so little screen real estate available on ANY smartphone.

Thanks for your insight. The populating of that data or lack of, is what worries me.

     My desktop would not let me reserve either.  It is a long story.

[memoak]

1 hour ago, Womble99 said:

If not a change from Club Class to Reserve Collection then to what? Reserve collection is to match the Signature collection I believe?

 

As to Princess asking for feedback, I know they do send out surveys on different ideas but whether they listen to the feedback......... who knows????

They need to change away from reserve class to prevent those folks who think their “reservation” means they are in reserve. Have seen do many people trying to talk there way into reserve class saying they have a reservation 

 

[donswife]

7 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Go on... you know you want to 🙂 

Double dog dare?? 😅

[IndyKid]

14 minutes ago, donswife said:

Double dog dare?? 😅

Don't take it @Snaxmuppet!

[Rick&Jeannie]

9 hours ago, 2and2 said:

My desktop would not let me reserve either.  It is a long story.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! There are a number of regulars here that I'm sure would be happy to try and help...just give us some details about what you're running into. 

 

Let's not tie up this thread with support...just start a new thread with your details and we'll see what we can do!

 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Rick&Jeannie

[Pickels]

22 hours ago, konatyme said:

We have a cruise booked for October/November 2024 and have all our dining reservations made. I'm assuming I will have to update the app since our cruise is so far out, but I'm really worried that we'll lose our dining reservations.

Keep the old app up and running; you can have two apps on your phone.

[2and2]

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic! There are a number of regulars here that I'm sure would be happy to try and help...just give us some details about what you're running into. 

 

Let's not tie up this thread with support...just start a new thread with your details and we'll see what we can do!

 

 

Just trying to figure out whether to use the old or new app for my February cruise . This is the only thread about the new app. It is very early in the game. I hope I don't even need to post questions.

[Rick&Jeannie]

2 minutes ago, 2and2 said:

Just trying to figure out whether to use the old or new app for my February cruise . This is the only thread about the new app. It is very early in the game. I hope I don't even need to post questions.

Ah!  I thought you were having issues with the current app.  As of right now, *nobody* can really advise you in regards to what the new app is going to offer us.  By all reasonable logic...I assume (I know...) that it should be a better app.  Surely the dev team has learned along the way from the many rants posted here and email feedback what is liked vs not liked about the current app.

 

Personally...if I had a cruise in February I *think* that I would go ahead and "take the plunge" to learn the new app.  I believe I heard that the old app would be retired in February (date unknown...and I may be wrong on that anyway) so you would be that much further along the learning curve.  There's not much point in "fighting" with the old app since we know its days are numbered...  Your call.

[dream54ing]

For ones asking about if Princess use customer feedback in consideration for changes, yes they do. Just because you feel something is bad/incorrect/difficult, doesn't mean everyone else feels the same way. Changes is most likely due to your fellow cruisers not always entirely Princess.

 

Doubt there was a beta version testing of the app because most app like this require actual cruisers to test, essentially we will be beta testers from time of release till February when it shut down the old app. 

 

The app is released in a few days, if your cruise date is not within day/week of this, easy decision, download it and test drive it. 🤷‍♂️🙄... if your cruise is during the new app release time, there's good chance there will be some learning curves and glitches. Upgrade at your own risk, not exactly rocket science. As mentioned, old app will stop working in feb, so why not just get a head start to learn the new app when its releases. 

 

Honestly, the current app is pretty bad. Its not user friendly and extremely slow, I'm sure new app will be extremely better because I dont think it can get any worst. Cant understand why it would take a multi-billion dollar company this long to get things right is beyond me. I'm actually excited with this new app!!! 

 

 

[jayred1]

40 minutes ago, dream54ing said:

 

Doubt there was a beta version testing of the app because most app like this require actual cruisers to test, essentially we will be beta testers from time of release till February when it shut down the old app. 

 

 

 

They have thousands of cruisers (their employees) on every cruise who could have been testing the new app the last couple of months.  Many companies beta test by setting up various scenarios and have a small number of employees attempt changes - in this case, make dinner/excursion reservations/changes on a secondary database.  This method also controls the dissemination of information about the app prior to release. Some of the ships' staff has likely been their beta testers.

[dream54ing]

16 minutes ago, jayred1 said:

They have thousands of cruisers (their employees) on every cruise who could have been testing the new app the last couple of months.  Many companies beta test by setting up various scenarios and have a small number of employees attempt changes - in this case, make dinner/excursion reservations/changes on a secondary database.  This method also controls the dissemination of information about the app prior to release. Some of the ships' staff has likely been their beta testers.

sure they could have 🤷‍♂️, but I'm sure it wasnt anyone here 🙂 

[hsmom]

I am one of those early adopters so I plan on trying out the new app on December 1st. Our cruise is Jan 4th so I will have a month to play with it. 

[SargassoPirate]

24 minutes ago, hsmom said:

I am one of those early adopters so I plan on trying out the new app on December 1st. Our cruise is Jan 4th so I will have a month to play with it. 

I'm also on a cruise leaving Jan 4, but I'm not sure what I'll do regarding the app.  I'm a low key cruiser and when I cruise solo I don't use the app at all.

 

Most recently, SWMBO cruised with me, so I used the app to make dinner reservations and also the crew chat a couple of times to save time going down to guest services.

 

Maybe I'll download the new app mid-December and see if it adds any value for me.  I have little patience for wonky technology.

[mtnesterz]

3 hours ago, 2and2 said:

Just trying to figure out whether to use the old or new app for my February cruise . This is the only thread about the new app. It is very early in the game. I hope I don't even need to post questions.

It was mentioned earlier that the Medallion App, 1.x, will end functioning in February, although a date was not stated. FWIW, I agree with @Rick&Jeannie, take the plunge in December and get up to speed with 2.0,  good or bad. 

We do our preboarding on the web based version and find Apps access to onboard services not to our needs. Point is. If you do preboarding on the web version, then use the App onboard, and the staff has your information with their software, it means your information is centrally stored, not on your device.

[boeckli]

Note on latest Android update to current app:

 

"This will be the last update to the MedallionClass app which includes some enhancements to OceanReady steps. 

Coming Soon:
- The brand new, and entirely separate Princess Cruises® app will be available for download in early December.
- This MedallionClass app will no longer be available for download in the coming weeks. However, if you already have this version downloaded on your device you may continue using it until early 2024."

[Host CJSKIDS]

I'm happy to download the new app as soon as I get off my next sailing. 

 

Perhaps someone who has a sailing in the spring with everything loaded into their medallion app will be ready to download it Friday and let us know if everything moves over easily. 

[Paula_MacFan]

We sail in January and I'm planning to download the new app as soon as it comes out.  I have screen shots of my specialty dining reservations from the old app just in case 🙂  Other than that I always take a printed copy of the Travel Summary anyway, so we should be fine.  On our cruise last month I only used the app for ordering room service and once for crew chat.  

 

I agree with others about the wonky names Princess uses.  I'm glad they're moving away from calling it the 'Medallion Class' app as it seemed to confuse so many people about functionality with the actual medallion.

 

Fingers crossed the new app is way better.