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The October before covid me and Mrs. Asciimov went on a cruse with Royal Caribbean. We got dropped off at the port, put our luggage in the loading area, and pr
by asciimov 5y ago
The October before covid me and Mrs. Asciimov went on a cruse with Royal Caribbean. We got dropped off at the port, put our luggage in the loading area, and proceeded to walk inside, all without talking to anyone.
Not 30 seconds after walking into the Port Building, a RCL rep walked up and greeted me and the mrs by first name. Said please walk this way, I have you all checked in, you just need to go through the returning voyagers boarding line. (metal detector/contraband check)
To be honest it was both creepy to have them just know who I was, and kinda awesome to get to skip the regular check in step. I asked the lady how she knew who we were, she told us that between the cameras in the port and the photos we submitted during the cruise purchase they knew who we where, and the information pops up on their tablet when they are assigned the next customer.
- mixmastamyk 5y agoPhotos you submitted during cruise purchase?
- asciimov 5y agoYeah, you have to send them a picture of yourself when you sign up, like you do for a passport or a drivers license. It gets attached to your account and when you get on the boat you are given an ID card to use to make onboard purchases and to disembark from the boat. Every time you leave or get on the boat they make sure the photo on your account matches who you say you are.
- 0xffff2 5y agoIs this a post-COVID thing? I've been on about a dozen cruises, most on Royal Caribbean ships, and they have always taken a photo at check in. I've never submitted one in advance.
- mixmastamyk 5y agoI took a cruise about five years ago, it was a smaller line, no photos were involved. I don’t think I’d submit to them either.
- kazinator 5y agoCruises are international travel, so I'm surprised anyone would be surprised by ID checks.
- mixmastamyk 5y agoLooking at your passport, recording the serial number is a bit different than we’re discussing here.
- asciimov 5y agoI submitted a photo in 2018 as well, probably as part of an online pre-registration. I think during this particular trip the lady also retook our photos with her tablet.
- 5faulker 5y agoAnother reason why humans better think twice before taking on another convenient technology.
- dylan604 5y agoGive me liberty, er convenience, or give me death! People are lazy by and large, and so if it makes things "easier" for them, they will accept without thought.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- JohnFen 5y agoThat would be the last time I went on an RCL cruise.
- SV_BubbleTime 5y agoBut the point is it would be too late, right? So at that point, might as well keep taking cruises if you want to. When the discussion is Albertsons is scanning your face - I’m not sure it’s practical to think it’s avoidable anymore.
- bussierem 5y agoIt's too late to stop, but it's not too late to vote with your wallet and feet and stop supporting businesses who feel the needs to betray your privacy like this just because it was buried in a TOS that they know nobody read.
- colinmhayes 5y agoUnfortunately the vast majority of people like it.