Brave new (cruise) world
One of the special features of a cruise journalist's life is definitely taking part in the odd "shakedown cruise". Contrary to what the name might suggest, this is by no means (or at least not necessarily) a sea voyage in "shaking" weather conditions, but rather an introductory and test cruise, usually lasting several days, without paying passengers, but with lots of shipping company and travel agency staff, shipyard representatives and media people.
I have just returned from such a shakedown cruise on the Sky Princess, the new flagship of Princess Cruises. What did I see and experience on board? I'm afraid it was the "brave new (cruise) world" in a dimension that even Aldous Huxley would hardly have thought possible. The reason for this is the new "Ocean Medallion", a circular button that not only takes over the payment and door-opening function, making the good old boarding pass superfluous, but can do much more: For example, you can also use it to track your loved ones on board and order a drink at any place on the ship, reserve tables in the restaurant ... In addition, every member of staff on board is shown who is standing in front of you or walking past on a small screen that is always on your person (or woman). Of course, all this is only done for the benefit of the guest and has nothing whatsoever to do with the introduction of the "transparent passenger". Or so they say.
But let's be honest: do we even know what we are getting ourselves into and what data we are disclosing and for what purpose? And do we really want to trawl through all the small print for data regulations before we start our journey? Plus: What is all this good for? Isn't it much nicer to just go to the bar yourself, have a chat with the guests and fellow travelers and perhaps have someone recommend a drink that you wouldn't otherwise have ordered?
I also don't want to be addressed by my name by every single crew member on the ship! It doesn't come across as personal at all, but simply artificial and a bit robotic! Another thing that bothers me is that a small digital display in front of each cabin door shows who is currently staying there with whom. Privacy? DSGVO? Obviously long since thrown overboard at Princess Cruises ... The good news for all those who don't want to take part - or simply don't feel like downloading up to five (!) different apps before the start of the trip (because there's no such thing as anticipation): If you wish, you can select the "Safety only" option in advance. Your name will then still be legible for everyone on the door (and you will be longer in the check-in queue when you first board the ship), but otherwise the medallion functions are limited to payment and door opening. What does this have to do with "safety"? A rogue who thinks of "data security" ...
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