Midwest Cruiser Posted December 9, 2022 Report Share Posted December 9, 2022 Anyone heard of anything like the WOW bands or something similar coming back to RCL? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted December 9, 2022 Report Share Posted December 9, 2022 No. Also given that the newer ships allow you to use the app to control a lot of functions for the room, I can't see them making a return. Dlove707 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmccaffrey Posted December 9, 2022 Report Share Posted December 9, 2022 I also always had trouble with them... Love the App better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwest Cruiser Posted December 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2022 That's too bad. I have my phone on me for work all the time and we disconnect a lot when we are on the ships and that was an awesome feature. Would have gladly paid 10 dollars for it. We always had good luck with them. I hate having to have the card with me while enjoying the pools also wife loved not having to have it stuck somewhere while swimming and other activities on the ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 9, 2022 Report Share Posted December 9, 2022 In hindsight I suspect it didn't bring the functionality that seemed like a great idea in 2013 when it was being developed. For me it was essentially a way to open my cabin door when I was carrying stuff. The point of sale transaction feature never worked out very well at bars and stores on board. So I can understand the desire to put this aside for the time being. Dlove707, Neesa and CharmMicah68 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plumlee2028 Posted December 11, 2022 Report Share Posted December 11, 2022 I read an article back during the pandemic and Royal Caribbean saw app based as the future as opposed to wearables. The Princess Medallion was great on my cruise with them in September. I never tried it, but I dont think the wow band was nearly as capable. Royal's app is far better in my opinion, much easier to navigate and use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 11, 2022 Report Share Posted December 11, 2022 Wow bands were never in the same league as the Princess Medallion. The Medallion is used to board the ship for example and it's used to track you so can order a drink and they'll find you no matter where you are. As you near your door it automatically unlocks so you just turn the handle and walk in. Medallions are way more advanced, contain a battery to power the stronger RFID chip and have corresponding ship infrastructure that's always available for them to connect to. Wow bands were passive RFID devices that had to be placed in close proximity to an RFID door lock or PoS terminal before they would work and that's where they often failed. I could never get towels using a wow band, it always failed, so then they had to switch screens and ask my cabin number. Then towel returns would get messed. Royal isn't very technological and the wow band flop is another example of that. Carlos A., TXcruzer, Dlove707 and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted December 12, 2022 Report Share Posted December 12, 2022 I really wanted the wow band to work like the Disney magic band so I didn't need a lanyard, could have fun with it, etc. Disappointing that their typically tech just wasn't there :(. Jane Midwest Cruiser, Neesa and AdvanceTripper 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwest Cruiser Posted December 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2022 @twangster @mom2mybugs our wow bands must have been the shining light then, haha, they worked flawlessly on both Symphony and then used the same ones on Oasis. I really enjoyed not having to have anything with me when we were roaming the ship. mom2mybugs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickpants Posted December 12, 2022 Report Share Posted December 12, 2022 On 12/11/2022 at 9:21 AM, twangster said: Wow bands were never in the same league as the Princess Medallion. The Medallion is used to board the ship for example and it's used to track you so can order a drink and they'll find you no matter where you are. As you near your door it automatically unlocks so you just turn the handle and walk in. Medallions are way more advanced, contain a battery to power the stronger RFID chip and have corresponding ship infrastructure that's always available for them to connect to. Wow bands were passive RFID devices that had to be placed in close proximity to an RFID door lock or PoS terminal before they would work and that's where they often failed. I could never get towels using a wow band, it always failed, so then they had to switch screens and ask my cabin number. Then towel returns would get messed. Royal isn't very technological and the wow band flop is another example of that. Medallion's are a game-changer. Before you even approach the bar, the bartender has your account up and greets you by name. You rarely have to tap or take off your band, as its mostly proximity based. There are for sure some bugs still to work out, and Princess's app needs a ton of improvements, but I really hope the rest of the industry moves to this technology. Midwest Cruiser and mom2mybugs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 12, 2022 Report Share Posted December 12, 2022 2 hours ago, nickpants said: I really hope the rest of the industry moves to this technology. FWIW, it seems to me Royal is not interested in wearables. They seem to think the future is facial recognition as a better long term investment https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/04/15/royal-caribbean-sees-facial-recognition-technology-not-wearables-the-future-of ZBrady, Thumper44, nickpants and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted December 12, 2022 Report Share Posted December 12, 2022 1 hour ago, Matt said: FWIW, it seems to me Royal is not interested in wearables. They seem to think the future is facial recognition as a better long term investment https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/04/15/royal-caribbean-sees-facial-recognition-technology-not-wearables-the-future-of Matt and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted December 12, 2022 Report Share Posted December 12, 2022 6 hours ago, Matt said: FWIW, it seems to me Royal is not interested in wearables. They seem to think the future is facial recognition as a better long term investment https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/04/15/royal-caribbean-sees-facial-recognition-technology-not-wearables-the-future-of How would this apply to things like buying drinks? Would you stand in front of a machine when you approach the bar and it would pull up your info? Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 13, 2022 Report Share Posted December 13, 2022 40 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said: How would this apply to things like buying drinks? Would you stand in front of a machine when you approach the bar and it would pull up your info? Jane It will be having a passport picture taken. Stand on the X. No smiling. Remove glasses. No hats. Midwest Cruiser and mom2mybugs 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted December 14, 2022 Report Share Posted December 14, 2022 On 12/12/2022 at 6:26 PM, twangster said: It will be having a passport picture taken. Stand on the X. No smiling. Remove glasses. No hats. Lol...no glasses either. My passport almost didn't come before my first cruise because my glasses slightly covered one corner of my eye! Jane Midwest Cruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr martini Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 which ships have keyless entry via the app? I googled a bit and can't find an exact list. Also earlier this year on symphony i had a heck of a time keeping my seapass card from peeling apart, never had that issue before. always kept my card in my board shorts, pants pocket wherever, never had an issue with them being wet or peeling apart but on this last cruise i went to guest services twice to replace it as the laminate was peeling off and the black ink beneath would wash away - could have gone again but just lived with it for the last couple days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 20 minutes ago, dr martini said: which ships have keyless entry via the app? I googled a bit and can't find an exact list. Also earlier this year on symphony i had a heck of a time keeping my seapass card from peeling apart, never had that issue before. always kept my card in my board shorts, pants pocket wherever, never had an issue with them being wet or peeling apart but on this last cruise i went to guest services twice to replace it as the laminate was peeling off and the black ink beneath would wash away - could have gone again but just lived with it for the last couple days. I believe only Oasis and Quantum class ship built after a certain time or amped. I know Odyssey had the option, Harmony as well, my friend said Wonder too. But yes, the current cards are pretty bad, my brother and BFF had to get their cards replaced twice on a 6N Odyssey sailing because they were peeling and falling apart. dr martini and MarcBerger 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos A. Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 Princess Medallion technology is game changer, however their app is garbage. I wish RC could achieve technology like that combined with current Royal Caribbean App. nickpants and MarcBerger 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted December 31, 2022 Report Share Posted December 31, 2022 On 12/29/2022 at 10:59 AM, dr martini said: which ships have keyless entry via the app? I googled a bit and can't find an exact list. Also earlier this year on symphony i had a heck of a time keeping my seapass card from peeling apart, never had that issue before. always kept my card in my board shorts, pants pocket wherever, never had an issue with them being wet or peeling apart but on this last cruise i went to guest services twice to replace it as the laminate was peeling off and the black ink beneath would wash away - could have gone again but just lived with it for the last couple days. I haven’t cruised since 2019 but we found our cards were highly sensitive to sunscreen…it would absolutely take off the black ink and I had to replace my card a couple times. Jane dr martini and Midwest Cruiser 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted January 19, 2023 Report Share Posted January 19, 2023 So Brilliance would still be Seapass cards for everything then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted January 19, 2023 Report Share Posted January 19, 2023 1 hour ago, monctonguy said: So Brilliance would still be Seapass cards for everything then? Yes, Brilliance still requires SeaPass cards to be swiped. All of the ships have moved away from WOW bands, even the ones equipped with the tap style SeaPass cards. monctonguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 Midwest Cruiser, Xaa and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 Love it. Hope they come back in a swarm. Sailing in 20 days. Midwest Cruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOasis Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 45 minutes ago, Xaa said: Love it. Hope they come back in a swarm. Sailing in 20 days. I'm sailing out this coming Saturday on Symphony, fingers crossed they are back onboard. Midwest Cruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos A. Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 Royal should ditch this unreliable passive RFID tech and opt for active RFID like Princess. I've used the WOW bands and they don't have nothing to be "wowed" about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 33 minutes ago, Carlos A. said: Royal should ditch this unreliable passive RFID tech and opt for active RFID like Princess. I've used the WOW bands and they don't have nothing to be "wowed" about. Would love that, but in the interim, prefer the current to a seapass card in pocket or on lanyard. No reason to let great be the enemy of good. Carlos A. and SweetPea 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwest Cruiser Posted February 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Carlos A. said: Royal should ditch this unreliable passive RFID tech and opt for active RFID like Princess. I've used the WOW bands and they don't have nothing to be "wowed" about. Love the fact we don't have to have our Seapass cards with us. I'm not at all about being actively tracked across the ship. Also fine with not being wowed but having easier functionality for now. SweetPea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deButler Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 Looking forward to trying these. Hopefully they still have them as an option for our TA in March on Symphony. JasonOasis and Midwest Cruiser 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos A. Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 22 hours ago, Midwest Cruiser said: Love the fact we don't have to have our Seapass cards with us. I'm not at all about being actively tracked across the ship. Also fine with not being wowed but having easier functionality for now. Easier functionality is very relative to what really happens when you try to pay with them on a bar or a store and the reader wont take them. I'll recommend trying Princess medallion at least once so you could have a comparing point of view. Just saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayFrosty Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 23 hours ago, Midwest Cruiser said: I'm not at all about being actively tracked across the ship. Technologically speaking, they can do this with your phone already either by tracking which access point your are connected to (or even triangulating it) or using bluetooth beacons. Carlos A. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 1 hour ago, StayFrosty said: Technologically speaking, they can do this with your phone already either by tracking which access point your are connected to (or even triangulating it) or using bluetooth beacons. Even if you leave your phone in the safe, they're tracking you with cameras anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOasis Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 23 hours ago, Carlos A. said: Easier functionality is very relative to what really happens when you try to pay with them on a bar or a store and the reader wont take them. I'll recommend trying Princess medallion at least once so you could have a comparing point of view. Just saying. I never had any issues using my wow band at any bar on RC ships that had wow bands and I never had an issue gaining access to my cabin using a wow band. Now for the onboard shops, spa and casino it would be nice if wow bands worked as currency like your seapass and is something that can be fixed through IT and programming. But of course we all know Royal's IT departments isn't exactly the best in the business. But for what the wow band does it is absolutely better than having to use your seapass for everything. Midwest Cruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brgreens Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 1 hour ago, JasonOasis said: Now for the onboard shops, spa and casino it would be nice if wow bands worked as currency like your seapass and is something that can be fixed through IT and programming. But of course we all know Royal's IT departments isn't exactly the best in the business. Hey now, don't be hating on Brandon The RC IT Intern. He's doing the best he can as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwest Cruiser Posted February 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 On 2/14/2023 at 12:26 PM, smokeybandit said: Even if you leave your phone in the safe, they're tracking you with cameras anyway. Yes that is fine if its in the safe. I have to use my phone most days for work as does my wife. I'm perfectly fine with them tracking it in the safe and we don't have our phones with us. I'm not concerned with the cameras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaxRebo Posted February 18, 2023 Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 FYI - just boarded the Symphony of the Seas and they said they are NOT doing WOW Bands on this sailing - so must have been a test of some type nickpants, asquared17 and Midwest Cruiser 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 18, 2023 Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 I just got off SY. I noticed that Star Class had WOW bands…at least, they did last cruise. SweetPea, Midwest Cruiser, cruisellama and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwest Cruiser Posted February 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2023 Can confirm that Royal Caribbean rolled out the WOW bands as of our cruise on Oasis today. Also show’s info in the app about the wow bands. SheSellsSeashells 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted February 27, 2023 Report Share Posted February 27, 2023 37 minutes ago, Midwest Cruiser said: Can confirm that Royal Caribbean rolled out the WOW bands as of our cruise on Oasis today. Also show’s info in the app about the wow bands. I hear they are selling them for $9.99 now, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 27, 2023 Report Share Posted February 27, 2023 On Oasis now. Star Class definitely have WOW bands. Someone currently in SC on this sailing told us that the old WOW bands with the muster station on them cannot be repurposed but that you can bring old WOW bands without the muster station and have them reformatted. YellowBrickRoad, SweetPea and asquared17 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharmMicah68 Posted February 28, 2023 Report Share Posted February 28, 2023 There was a couple on Wonder of the Seas last week that I saw wearing them. They had gotten them on another ship, brought them and guest services was able to program them for use. They told me this was the first cruise for Wonder to use them, although not for sale on the ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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