Maybe the 'real' purpose is to track passengers onboard. 

It's become a ripoff for just about most things that are sold on any of the ships lately. Almost nothing that they sell as an "extra" is worth the money.
The only price reduction I've seen is for photo's over the years & that's only if you buy the package. Individually the price remains HIGH.
Spa treatments are probably one of their biggest profit margin items.... but still they can sell them (as well as their products) to the newbies.

The other day at the Puerto Maya Pier there were so many people being checked for food as they exited the pier that they had to open the walkway to the left side of the shops. It must have taken us up 15 or 20 minutes to exit the checkpoint since they only had two inspectors working with their dogs.   
A very frustration way to start the day. 

I never bought it as an investment anyways...only for the OBC they give me.

I've found that the best thing about the Medallions ships is that you can't deactivate the Medallion or cruise card with a magnetic any more.
Other than opening your cabin door conveniently at times, it doesn't offer much more. 

As bad as it looked, they're stopping at the island today, Feb 4th.
I guess it didn't affect most of the buildings that are use by the public.

With the buildings involved it has to be either electrical or something left on and got hot and ignited material around. It should be able to be repaired in a short time

"LAS VEGAS, Jan. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS) ("Scientific Games" or the "Company") announced, in partnership with Carnival Corporation and Princess Cruises, that they awarded the grand prize of $100,000 in the MONOPOLY Cruise for Cash promotion. The winner, a lucky VIP player from Holland Casinos, was one of more than 400 players in the grand finale slot tournament which took place onboard Regal Princess in December. Another $100,000 in cash and free play in the ship's casino was shared among the top 40 finalists."

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scientific-games-and-princess-cruises-award-grand-prize-in-200-000-monopoly-cruise-for-cash-promotion-300787198.html

"While officials try to wrap their minds around the fire mystery, Hank Johnson, Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera said 101 employees who work at Princess Cays are waiting to hear from management of the Princess Cruise Lines as to what will happen with their jobs."

https://ewnews.com/fire-rips-through-princess-cay

"U.S.-based cruise line Princess Cruises is offering a special discount to Vietnamese tourists traveling on the Sapphire Princess, one of 17 cruise ships operated by the line. The promotion is applicable to a four-night cruise costing only SG$338 (US$249) for two passengers sharing a single room, including all dining and entertainment services on board."

https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/travel/216947/cruise-ship-offers-special-discount-to-vietnamese-tourists.html