If you've ever sailed with Princess Cruises, you may have asked yourself how the service can feel so personal even though the crew deals with thousands of passengers.
The answer lies in a mix of human and technological factors. Excellent training is combined with the clever tech behind MedallionClass to offer small-ship service with all the benefits of large-ship amenities.
What is Princess Cruises' MedallionClass?
Princess Cruises' MedallionClass is a technology designed to personalise the cruise experience. At its heart is the Medallion, a small wearable device about the size of a coin that guests carry throughout their voyage. It connects to sensors around the ship and to the Princess app, allowing services to adapt to individual preferences.
Worn around your neck, on your wrist or as a clip (Princess Cruises offers a range of Medallion accessories from sporty wristbands to classy jewellery-style necklaces), the Medallion connects to sensors across the ship, allowing services to respond to guests in real time.
One of its most noticeable benefits is keyless cabin entry. As you approach your stateroom, the door unlocks automatically, removing the need for traditional cruise cards. The Medallion also enables contactless payments across the ship, from speciality dining venues to bars and boutiques.
Another popular feature is location-based service. Guests can order drinks, snacks or meals through the Princess app via the OceanNow service and have them delivered directly to selected areas on the ship, whether that's by the pool, in a lounge or at a quiet corner of the deck.
Princess Cruises tip: OceanNow delivery is free when booking the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package.
Navigation is another practical advantage. Interactive screens and the cruise app provide step-by-step directions around the ship, making it easier to find your way - something particularly handy on larger vessels. You can also see your fellow travellers' locations on the app, making it simple to meet up.
Finally, guests can browse daily schedules, reserve experiences, and manage dining reservations, shore excursions and onboard events through this connected system.
Together, these features create a more seamless cruise experience, where technology works in the background while guests focus on enjoying their time at sea.
How the crew creates the magic
Personalisation on a Princess Cruises holiday is not only about technology. While MedallionClass helps streamline many onboard services, much of the experience still comes down to the crew – their attentiveness and approachability make guests feel recognised throughout the voyage.
Through the MedallionClass system, crew can access guest profiles and preferences, allowing them to respond quickly and tailor interactions. These details help crew provide thoughtful service without interrupting the relaxed rhythm of the holiday.
Many passengers build familiar relationships with bar staff, restaurant teams and cabin stewards over the course of a voyage. Technology can support these interactions, but it is the crew's professionalism that turns them into genuinely personal moments.
On a recent sailing onboard Star Princess, I was impressed by a bartender at the Sea View Bar who remembered I liked my margaritas served in a tumbler rather than a martini glass – a small but memorable touch, given the hundreds of guests he served every day.
Entertainment and onboard activities can also be shaped around individual interests. Guests can browse the daily schedule through the Princess app or onboard screens. And crew members are always on hand to suggest shows, events or experiences happening across the ship.
This combination of attentive service and supportive technology has earned Princess Cruises recognition across the industry. In the 2025 inaugural Escape Readers' Choice Cruise Awards, Princess Cruises was named Best Cruise Line for Staff and Service.
Five things I love about Princess Cruises’ Medallion
As a repeat Princess Cruises guest, I've experienced the MedallionClass technology on multiple occasions. Here are some of the things I love about it:
- It helps me find the family
The Medallion enables the Princess app to work similarly to Apple's Find My service. You can see where the people you're travelling with are at any given moment, which is also reassuring when you're sailing with children.
- It doesn't deactivate
I'm the sort of person who always puts my keycard in the same pocket as my mobile phone – and deactivates it in the process. Wearing a Medallion on my wrist or around my neck saves me endless trips to guest services for a replacement card.
- It unlocks my stateroom door
Travelling with a little one means I often end up carrying a sleepy toddler back to my stateroom. Having the door unlock automatically as I approach means I can nudge it open with my back, without having to rummage through my pockets one-handed.
- It's hard to lose
Princess Cruises provides a lanyard with your Medallion, and bracelets or necklaces designed to hold it securely are also available to purchase. You can wear it at all times – even in the pool – without worrying about losing it.
- It's a fun memento
Your name, the ship and the embarkation date are all printed on your Medallion, making it a lovely little souvenir once you're back home. As the Medallion is magnetised, I keep mine on the fridge door alongside magnets collected on my travels.
MedallionClass FAQ
Can anyone access the personal information through the Medallion?
No personal information is stored directly on the Medallion. It only emits an encrypted message containing your guest ID. Princess Cruises states that the system "exceeds all cruise industry security standards" and uses a combination of anonymisation and encryption to keep data secure.
What happens if I lose my Medallion?
If you lose your Medallion, alert guest services immediately. They will deactivate it and issue you a replacement.
How can I make the most of MedallionClass technology?
Download the Princess Cruises app before you sail to book restaurants and services, track fellow passengers on board and check the daily schedule. Update your preferences in advance, including any food allergies, dietary requirements and seating preferences. You can also use the app to set cabin preferences and log accessibility needs.
Do I need to download the app to use the Medallion?
Core Medallion functions, such as cabin entry and contactless payments, are independent – no app required. However, downloading the Princess Cruises app unlocks the full MedallionClass experience, including OceanNow delivery, shipmate tracking and schedule management.
Can I customise how I wear my Medallion?
Yes. Your Medallion comes with a complimentary lanyard, but a range of wearable accessories, including bracelets, necklaces and clips, are available to purchase on board.
Is the Medallion waterproof?
Yes, the Medallion is waterproof and safe to wear in the pool, hot tub or ocean. You never need to remove it, which also reduces the risk of losing it during your cruise.
Learn more about Princess Cruises
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