Have they or are are they moving to magic bands?

[Ned Land]

Has this happened as of yet or will it ever happen for cruise ship passengers?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Has this happened as of yet or will it ever happen for cruise ship passengers?

It has not happened yet. Many people believe it will happen, but no word yet on when.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Has this happened as of yet or will it ever happen for cruise ship passengers?

It's supposedly "in the works". However, it will most likely be a choice. Because cards will still be required for access to terminal locations in many foreign ports, you may have a magic band for use onboard the ship, and a card for use off the ship. OR just use a card for both onboard and off ship.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Interesting before " cards " we're accepted in ports then passports were required, so ports will change again Cards to bands that is not an issue or argument. Change occurs, ports will want cruise lines calling they will not make arbitrary decisions that could make a cruise go elsewhere.

Other cruise lines are brining them in now. DCL should have been a leader not a follower with WDW fast pass.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

It has not happened yet. Many people believe it will happen, but no word yet on when.

Personally I would love the change - no more lanyards.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Personally I would love the change - no more lanyards.

Well, no one says you have to use lanyards. Pockets/bags work well, also.

Sorry, just re-read, didn't mean to sound snippy. But, we've been on other cruiselines and never used a lanyard. We just like using them on DCL because - it's more "Disney-like" maybe?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I used lanyards on RCI and Princess, so maybe cruise like rather then Disney like.

Magic bands are far better.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Well, no one says you have to use lanyards. Pockets/bags work well, also.

Sorry, just re-read, didn't mean to sound snippy. But, we've been on other cruiselines and never used a lanyard. We just like using them on DCL because - it's more "Disney-like" maybe?

Understood, no offense taken at all!

 

[MelSpees]

Interesting before " cards " we're accepted in ports then passports were required, so ports will change again Cards to bands that is not an issue or argument. Change occurs, ports will want cruise lines calling they will not make arbitrary decisions that could make a cruise go elsewhere.

Other cruise lines are brining them in now. DCL should have been a leader not a follower with WDW fast pass.

I don't know that I see ports changing to bands. Cards give you the passenger name and ship. They check your ID to match the card. They couldn't do that with a band. Anyone could have a band--an old one, one they stole or bought--and get to the port area illegally. I think it's a security issue.

 

[wdrl]

I don't know that I see ports changing to bands. Cards give you a name and ship. They check your ID to match the card. They couldn't do that with a band. Anyone could have a band--an old one, one they stole or bought--and get to the port area illegally. I think it's a security issue.

Yes, in theory, a card has enough identifying information so that a security guard could confirm that a person should have access to the pier. In reality, there are a lot of ports where the security guards let anyone in who flashes a plastic card; the guards don't really look closely at the cards and seldom cross check the cruise cards with photo IDs.

Its the ship's own security personnel that make more of an effort checking IDs. We just returned from a Princess cruise and the Princess security personnel always took a close look at our cruise cards before we gained access to the gangway. As we boarded the ship, another security person used a handheld device to scan our cards and do a photo ID check.

I imagine that if DCL issued MagicBands instead of cards, it could station a DCL crew member at the pier entrance with a handheld device that checks MagicBands.

 

[bumbershoot]

Magic bands are far better.

Gotta disagree with that.

Wearing plastic bracelets isn't an adult thing to do IMO.

 

[angelinaxox]

My parents were on the Quantum of the Seas in April and they had bands which were used to make purchases, open the doors etc. on the ship. They said they loved using them and the bands were so convenient. They were still issued cards, but as my parents never got off the ship, they never used their cards. So it looks like Royal Caribbean is moving forward with this technology on its new ships. I look forward to using bands in the future on cruise ships as I enjoyed using magic bands in Disney World.

 

[C6PT7]

I don't know that I see ports changing to bands. Cards give you the passenger name and ship. They check your ID to match the card. They couldn't do that with a band. Anyone could have a band--an old one, one they stole or bought--and get to the port area illegally. I think it's a security issue.

I mean this in the politest way possible, but if kids can manufacture or buy fake ID cards with their picture to buy alcohol, then there is nothing to stop anyone else doing the same with a ship ID card.
The "guards" at the port entry only look to see a name and the ship. They do not scan the cards through any reader that tells them that specific person is on XYZ line for XYZ sailing, and so anyone who wished to enter the port illegally could do so.
If it were a great security risk, they would be able to read the card ID already.

If dcl did decide to go down the magic band route, that would require some infrastructure at ports such as Cozumel where the dock entry is quite far away, in order for them to use the magic band as ID and be able to bring up a face picture and details.

 

[seacruise]

I certainly hope not, I hate wearing watches so the band wouldn't do it for me. If they go that route hopefully they will keep the card option as well. Our kids already complain all week about the bands for the kids club. If they move to bands my DW would have to listed to me complain all week as well.

 

[C6PT7]

You can also wear the band on a lanyard or just put it in your pocket too though

 

[dcassetta]

You can also wear the band on a lanyard or just put it in your pocket too though

This. I do not care for the way the Magic band feels on my wrist, so I wear mine on a lanyard at WDW.

 

[JPTexan82]

I think we should go to a system that makes you remember a 17-digit code, so you don't have to carry anything around.

Or magic bands.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Gotta disagree with that.

Wearing plastic bracelets isn't an adult thing to do IMO.

Guess it depends on the adult. I am 50 and absolutely love Magic Bands.

 

[erionm]

I am 50 and absolutely love Magic Bands.

Same here.

 

[Trera]

This. I do not care for the way the Magic band feels on my wrist, so I wear mine on a lanyard at WDW.

Agree as well. I am fine with the KTTW cards.