Magic Bands on Cruise Ship

[starvenger]

I think it's the same chip with different programming to allow/block whatever it is they want to allow/block. But that's baseless speculation on my part.

 

[squirk]

I think it's the same chip with different programming to allow/block whatever it is they want to allow/block. But that's baseless speculation on my part.

No, I think you are exactly right. DCL could roll it out ship-wide if they wanted. It just seems like they don't want to at this time.

 

[Sytrace]

Can't seen to find this topic anywhere but I was wondering if Disney is considering using the magicbands on board the cruise ship, not just for charging convenience but in case someone falls overboard? I'm sure the GPS range on the magicband isn't fantastic but it might at least be a starting place in the first few hours.

Sadly, if someone were to fall overboard ,either accidentally or with purpose, they would likely not survive the fall in the first place and the magic band would come off the wrist upon impact of the water in any case. And if there was survival of impact, it is doubtful they would avoid being dragged under toward the propulsion of the ship.

 

[Shanti]

Can't seen to find this topic anywhere but I was wondering if Disney is considering using the magicbands on board the cruise ship, not just for charging convenience but in case someone falls overboard? I'm sure the GPS range on the magicband isn't fantastic but it might at least be a starting place in the first few hours.

DCL already uses a man overboard technology (MOB) system to alert if someone were to go overboard, and keep track of where they are in the water.
http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/06/articles/disappearances-1/disneys-man-overboard-system/

Sadly, if someone were to fall overboard ,either accidentally or with purpose, they would likely not survive the fall in the first place and the magic band would come off the wrist upon impact of the water in any case. And if there was survival of impact, it is doubtful they would avoid being dragged under toward the propulsion of the ship.

The relatively few people who fall overboard from cruise ships not uncommonly do survive the initial fall. A couple of years ago, the Disney Magic rescued a man who had fallen off of and been left behind by a Royal Caribbean ship.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/13/us/man-overboard-cruise-rescue/

 

[Sytrace]

DCL already uses a man overboard technology (MOB) system to alert if someone were to go overboard, and keep track of where they are in the water.
http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/06/articles/disappearances-1/disneys-man-overboard-system/



The relatively few people who fall overboard from cruise ships not uncommonly do survive the initial fall. A couple of years ago, the Disney Magic rescued a man who had fallen off of and been left behind by a Royal Caribbean ship.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/13/us/man-overboard-cruise-rescue/

That is pretty awesome...I guess I am thinking of the recent instances where people have fallen overboard and have never been found.

 

[bbel]

That is pretty awesome...I guess I am thinking of the recent instances where people have fallen overboard and have never been found.

Like someone already mentioned, people don't just 'fall' overboard. Maybe they don't want to be found...

 

[undertheradar]

Perhaps privacy laws in different states/countries prevent the use of this technology.

 

[ludari]

Last year for the first time I cruised on RCL and they had the option of a magic band which I selected. I worked for entering my stateroom and making purchases. For me it was much easier to wear and not loose than your typical KTTW card. If DCL does move towards this as an option I would be okay with it.

 

[bumbershoot]

According to this one article it can transmit up to 40 feet.

Which of course wouldn't even catch the person getting even near the water.

That being said its believed Disney boats already have man overboard alerting systems but I dont believe they have actually ever confirmed that. Only the vendor who makes them has.

Agreed.

Stating "it is believed" and following it with "I don't believe they have actually confirmed that" does seem to imply that you don't think Disney/other cruiselines are telling the truth.

FWIW I read it as "people on message boards and a shady lawyer have hinted that Disney has it, but Disney has never said if it does". And I'm putting the word "shady" in there LOL not minorthr, and I'm just talking about that one specific lawyer (not saying that all lawyers are shady, to be clear).

Sadly, if someone were to fall overboard ,either accidentally or with purpose, they would likely not survive the fall in the first place and the magic band would come off the wrist upon impact of the water in any case. And if there was survival of impact, it is doubtful they would avoid being dragged under toward the propulsion of the ship.

Horribly sad, but very likely true.

DCL already uses a man overboard technology (MOB) system to alert if someone were to go overboard, and keep track of where they are in the water.

I'm not willing to trust anything the fellow that runs that site says as gospel. And I'm pretty sure that's thirdhand "info". He says his friends said someone said... It's likely the original source of the "it has been said Disney has this" bit discussed above.

and been left behind by a Royal Caribbean ship

Rather inflammatory wording, yes? They didn't yet know he had "fallen". They didn't leave him behind willy nilly.

On those Bahamas cruises there are ships all around. Any ship that comes across someone in distress has to do something about it. Disney happened upon him first. Any other ship would have done the same. Pure chance that Disney was there AND that the kid saw the guy.

Last year for the first time I cruised on RCL and they had the option of a magic band which I selected.

The WOW band. Only available on a few ships.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Last year for the first time I cruised on RCL and they had the option of a magic band which I selected. I worked for entering my stateroom and making purchases. For me it was much easier to wear and not loose than your typical KTTW card. If DCL does move towards this as an option I would be okay with it.

Did you also have a ship's card to use in ports (getting off ship and back on)?

 

[Steelers0854]

Which of course wouldn't even catch the person getting even near th

No, but the band is capabale of being tracked. Thus a persons known location in an area where they could go overboard and subsequent removal from the system would indicate a potential overboard situation.

 

[bbel]

No, but the band is capabale of being tracked. Thus a persons known location in an area where they could go overboard and subsequent removal from the system would indicate a potential overboard situation.

If they worked like the ones in the kids club, it could potentially tell you where abouts on the ship they went over. However it wouldn't be much help once they were in the water.
Once a kids leaves the space, the bands only pick them up for about five steps out of the club.

 

[ludari]

Did you also have a ship's card to use in ports (getting off ship and back on)?

I had both the wristband and card.

 

[OKW Lover]

It's all RFID technology, be it KTTW or MagicBands. One is active, one is passive, but it's still a the same little chip in there, no?

They are different chips. The KTTW card only has a passive chip. The MB has both a passive chip and an active chip, which requires a battery.

 

[squirk]

They are different chips. The KTTW card only has a passive chip. The MB has both a passive chip and an active chip, which requires a battery.

Thanks. I guess my larger point was that it's the same RFID technology in the band as in the card. If either chip on the MB was programmed with the right reference and identifying information, there's no reason it cannot be used to open a statement door today, right?

 

[OKW Lover]

True, as long as DCL develops the needed hardware (on the sensor devices) and software.