Can I hole punch seapass on Harmony of the seas

[Mamabear22]

Hello! Does Royal still hole punch my sea pass card OR does Harmony’s sea pass use tap technology or RFID chips? I really don’t want to have to use a plastic sleeve with my lanyard so trying to find out. Can I hole punch?  If they do use RFID has anyone used the flashlight trick successfully to still hole punch? Thank you! 

[Pooch]

I was able to tap card to door to access my cabin so yes?  RFID chip?  I don’t THINK you can hole punch your card on Harmony.

[smokeybandit]

If you open your room door by swiping, then yes. If you open by tapping, then no.

[SpeedNoodles]

I hate putting them in a lanyard, too.  Since I always have my phone with me on the ship (for photos and for home emergencies) I bought a phone case that doubles as a small wallet.  I found it handy because I could not only put my sea pass card in it, but I finally had a place to carry tip money, lol.

[Moby Dick]

I wouldn't think that the RFID Chip is very big at all.  I assume it resembles the chip in your Credit Cards that is very visible.  I'd take your card to Customer Service and ask them to punch a hole in it.  OR ask them where, in the card is the RFID chip.  To be clear, I'm talking about the proximity transmitter.  I believe, if you know where the chip is, you can safely punch a hole in the card.  We always take a single, hand held hole puncher with us.  I haven't had to use it yet.  I just take it incase my lanyard card holder breaks or something like that.  Well, we did use it a lot when we were loyal to Brand X.

Edited July 16, 2022 by Moby Dick
just corrected a double negatiive

[Bowen]

We had them punch holes in our cards, no problem. We just took it to the customer service desk and they took care of it, a small hole in one corner. I don't think I'd do it on my own just because I wouldn't be sure of where the chip was.

[AandD]

They would not punch holes on the Symphony in May.

[Moby Dick]

53 minutes ago, AandD said:

They would not punch holes on the Symphony in May.

But, will they tell you where YOU can punch a hole in it.  It really doesn't matter, if you punch a hole in the wrong place, get a new one.  They're free, or at least at no extra charge.  I've also heard that the Casino Host will punch a hole for ya.  

[twangster]

Harmony uses RFID cards.

The problem isn't the chip but the antenna wires that run throughout the RFID cards.  

Here is a Royal card held up against a very powerful LED flashlight. The flashlight reveals the outline of the RFID chip but also the antenna wires that run throughout the card in an rectangular pattern.

If you cut the antenna wires the card is rendered useless.  

Back in 2019 Ovation was briefly providing pre-punched cards.  All cards had a hole in them but the card was manufactured with the antenna wires closer to the middle of the card away from the edges and even farther from the bottom edge of the card and the pre-punched hole :

Once this card stock was depleted Ovation then used regular card stock that didn't have the pre-punched hole.

Royal routinely obtains different card stock from various vendors.  Each vendor can have a different manufacturing process so a ship might have a punch that works with one vendor but months later the same punch doesn't work with another vendor's cards.  

[Moby Dick]

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

Harmony uses RFID cards.

The problem isn't the chip but the antenna wires that run throughout the RFID cards.  

Here is a Royal card held up against a very powerful LED flashlight. The flashlight reveals the outline of the RFID chip but also the antenna wires that run throughout the card in an rectangular pattern.

If you cut the antenna wires the card is rendered useless.  

Back in 2019 Ovation was briefly providing pre-punched cards.  All cards had a hole in them but the card was manufactured with the antenna wires closer to the middle of the card away from the edges and even farther from the bottom edge of the card and the pre-punched hole :

Once this card stock was depleted Ovation then used regular card stock that didn't have the pre-punched hole.

Royal routinely obtains different card stock from various vendors.  Each vendor can have a different manufacturing process so a ship might have a punch that works with one vendor but months later the same punch doesn't work with another vendor's cards.  

So, the bottom line, bring a NASA search light from the Cape and find the antenna.  LOL

[Pooch]

Or just use the darn lanyard

[twangster]

Or just put the card in your pocket.  I'm not a fan of lanyards.  Haven't lost a card yet.  

[Pooch]

Pockets are frequently lacking in womenswear.

[rjac]

Ask when you first get you sea pass card, customer service in person or call them. 

[twangster]

2 hours ago, Pooch said:

Pockets are frequently lacking in womenswear.

Maybe the next movement... free the pocket.  

[Neesa]

I have the bands from the Harmony in 2019 when I sailed. Would you be able to get them synced for use with your sailing?

For use on the Harmony in 2022

Edited July 16, 2022 by Neesa
updated thought

[twangster]

9 minutes ago, Neesa said:

I have the bands from the Harmony in 2019 when I sailed. Would you be able to get them synced for use with your sailing?

Not at present.  Star Class is given Wow bands but anyone else is denied including attempting to re-use an old band.  

[Moby Dick]

When I cruise, I don't like to carry anything except my TIP cash.  No wallet and 99% of the time, no phone.  Although, apparently many Genies are trying to get their party to communicate with Whatsapp, it's becoming more and more important to carry a phone.  But, I digress.  I like a lanyard with my card on it because I don't have to reach into my pocket (especially hard when adult beverage is involved, I've fallen off of many a stool, LOL) to get it and maybe accidently pull cash out and not realize it as it's falling on the floor/deck.  Also, I like the recognition by the ships crew when they see the Star Class Plum colored card.  No, I don't care if other passengers notice, I couldn't care less what they think of me.  I just want top notch service and having cruised not in Star Class or or other suite classes, there is a difference, big time.  

BTW, many men's swimsuits don't have pockets either, in fact lots of athletic type shorts don't, as well. 

So, I'm in the lanyard camp!

[dmattinson]

I held my card off my last Harmony cruise (Jun 5-12) up to the light on my iPhone and it looks like there may be a spot in the bottom right that you may be able to punch inside the wire loop. Don’t know if that would make the card not tap anymore though. 

[Pooch]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

Maybe the next movement... free the pocket.  

Yes but then the Supreme Court would strike it down and half the states would ban women’s pockets.

[Moby Dick]

8 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Yes but then the Supreme Court would strike it down and half the states would ban women’s pockets.

I'd rather they ban the lock box!

[smokeybandit]

All this can be solved with microchips implanted in your arm at check in

[Pooch]

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

All this can be solved with microchips implanted in your arm at check in

Wasn’t that what the vaccination was for???

[Moby Dick]

13 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

All this can be solved with microchips implanted in your arm at check in

LOL

But, be realistic, they can't even get the WOW to work properly.  And that only goes around your wrist.  Imagine actually putting something in your body.  They'd probably hire a proctologist to do that.

[Moby Dick]

13 hours ago, Pooch said:

Wasn’t that what the vaccination was for???

Think "Starlink". 

[smokeybandit]

I wonder if they ever expand the digital key concept to older ships once they get back into drydock again

[WAAAYTOOO]

8 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I wonder if they ever expand the digital key concept to older ships once they get back into drydock again

I doubt it.  Think how expensive it would be to replace every door lock.  Maybe ?  Who knows....

[rjac]

10 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Maybe ?  Who knows....

Twangster.......?

[smokeybandit]

9 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I doubt it.  Think how expensive it would be to replace every door lock.  Maybe ?  Who knows....

But you'd regain that by not having to print cards every cruise (and for as crappy as the new cards are, sometimes multiple card per trip).

I couldn't see them adding any digital room controls though, just door locks.

[Moby Dick]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

But you'd regain that by not having to print cards every cruise (and for as crappy as the new cards are, sometimes multiple card per trip).

I couldn't see them adding any digital room controls though, just door locks.

Yep, our last cruise, I went through 3 cards because the laminate kept peeling off.  

[4speakers]

Is there a smartwatch option? I'm thinking Garman or Samsung.

[PG Cruiser]

I'm ready for both type of cards used on ships.  I have a hole puncher for non-RFID cards and a plastic sleeve for ones with the chip.

[twangster]

15 hours ago, 4speakers said:

Is there a smartwatch option? I'm thinking Garman or Samsung.

No.  A few notifications may pop up on a smartwatch, like it's time to check in or time to do eMuster.  The smartphone-door lock integration doesn't work well, much like it doesn't seem to work at many hotels either.   

[BigKarl]

On 7/16/2022 at 10:48 AM, twangster said:

Or just put the card in your pocket.  I'm not a fan of lanyards.  Haven't lost a card yet.  

You seem to be a wealth of knowledge !   

[FireFishII]

My work uses a gripper card holder clamp.  I was nervous when I first started using it, afraid my badge would fall off. But I added 2 layers of scotch tape where the clamp would go and it really grips the card well.

 

[Gory33]

Thanks for the advice

On 7/16/2022 at 12:22 PM, twangster said:

Harmony uses RFID cards.

The problem isn't the chip but the antenna wires that run throughout the RFID cards.....

.....Royal routinely obtains different card stock from various vendors.  Each vendor can have a different manufacturing process so a ship might have a punch that works with one vendor but months later the same punch doesn't work with another vendor's cards.  

Sure enough.  Just came off of Oasis and they had different cards with a different antenna configuration.  The hole you see is about as high as you could place it.  The wire ran left to right along the "DINING: DECK 3....." text.  If you punch any higher you would nick the wire and wreck your card.  If you were able to, you could also punch in the upper right corner, right in the centre of the crown and anchor logo.

Mini hole punch from the dollar store really strained to punch the holes though.