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If you're planning a Princess Cruises holiday, you may have heard the term MedallionClass and wondered what it actually means.
Is the Princess Medallion a replacement for your cruise card? Do you need the Princess Cruises app? Can you order food and drinks to your sun lounger? And is MedallionClass included with your cruise?
The short answer is that Princess MedallionClass is designed to make your cruise easier, from checking in and getting into your stateroom to ordering food, making dining reservations and finding your way around the ship.
Here's everything you need to know before you sail.
Princess MedallionClass is a technology-enabled cruise experience available across Princess Cruises' fleet.
At the heart of it is the Princess Medallion, a small wearable device that connects you to different services around the ship. It can be used as your stateroom key, boarding credential, onboard payment method and identification for crew services.
The Medallion works alongside the Princess Cruises app, which you can use before and during your cruise to complete check-in, make dining reservations, view activities and access features such as OceanNow delivery.
Rather than being something you have to constantly think about, the idea is that the technology works in the background to make everyday parts of your cruise simpler.
The Princess Medallion is a small wearable device that you can carry or wear while you're onboard.
It replaces the traditional cruise card and can be used for several important parts of your holiday, including:
Princess says the Medallion replaces the traditional cruise card entirely, so there's no need to carry a separate key card around the ship.
It's a surprisingly simple idea: one small device that connects you to your cruise.
Yes, the Medallion itself is complimentary.
However, it's important not to confuse the free Medallion with every service that can be accessed through MedallionClass.
Some features and services can depend on your cruise fare or package. For example, OceanNow delivery and MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi are currently included with Princess Plus and Princess Premier, while other guests can purchase certain services separately.
So, before booking a package, it's worth looking at what you'll actually use during your cruise.
The Medallion uses technology to recognise you around the ship, allowing different services to connect with your account.
One of the most noticeable examples is your stateroom door.
Approach your stateroom and the door can recognise your Medallion and unlock automatically.
You don't need to stop outside your cabin searching through your pockets for a cruise card – particularly useful if you're carrying shopping, coming back from the pool or returning from a shore excursion.
Princess also says the stateroom door can provide a personalised greeting when you arrive.
Before your cruise, you can complete the required OceanReady check-in through the Princess Cruises app.
This allows you to provide information ahead of your holiday and prepare for embarkation, helping to make your arrival at the terminal smoother. Princess also uses arrival groups on applicable sailings to help manage the embarkation process.
Cruise tip: Don't leave your OceanReady check-in until you're at the port. Download the app and complete the required steps before you travel.
This is where MedallionClass becomes more than just a replacement for a cruise card.
One of the most useful features is OceanNow®.
Using the Princess Cruises app, you can order selected food and drinks and have them delivered to your stateroom or eligible locations around the ship. The Medallion helps Princess identify where you are, so you don't necessarily need to enter a cabin number or meet a delivery person at your door.
Imagine you're relaxing by the pool and fancy a drink. Instead of getting up and heading to the nearest bar, you can place an order through the app.
Good to know: OceanNow charges depend on your fare or package. Princess currently includes OceanNow delivery with Princess Plus and Princess Premier, while a charge can apply if you're travelling without those packages.
Princess' Dine My Way® system gives you more flexibility over when and where you eat.
You can choose dining times and make reservations through the Princess Cruises app, including dining room and specialty restaurant options. You can also change your plans if your day doesn't go quite as expected.
This is particularly useful if you're planning shore excursions, watching an evening show or simply don't want to eat at exactly the same time every night.
Our tip: If there's a particular dining time or restaurant you really want, make your reservations early.
Yes.
Large cruise ships can take a little while to get used to, especially on your first day.
MedallionClass includes features designed to help you navigate around the ship, while the Princess Cruises app can help you see what's happening onboard and find venues and activities.
You can also use the technology to help locate members of your travelling party, making it easier to meet up when you're exploring different parts of the ship.
This can be especially handy for families or groups who don't want to spend the day constantly messaging each other with questions like, "Which deck are you on?"
The Princess Cruises app is an important part of the MedallionClass experience.
Before your cruise, you can use it to complete OceanReady check-in and prepare your booking.
Once onboard, it can help you:
Princess recommends downloading the app before you embark, and there is also a web version for guests who don't have a compatible device.
The Medallion itself handles several important functions, such as stateroom entry and onboard payments. But having the app ready will make it much easier to get the most from MedallionClass.
Yes.
Princess confirms that the Medallion replaces the traditional cruise card entirely.
It acts as your:
For first-time Princess cruisers, this can take a little getting used to if you're accustomed to carrying a cruise card on a lanyard.
The upside is that there's one less card to keep track of.
It's important to separate MedallionClass from MedallionNet.
MedallionNet is Princess Cruises' onboard Wi-Fi service, allowing you to browse the internet, send messages, make video calls, share photos and stream content while at sea.
Princess also offers MedallionNet Max, its higher-performing Wi-Fi service.
For current 2026 cruises, MedallionNet Max is included with Princess Plus and Princess Premier. Princess states that Plus includes one device per guest, while Premier includes four devices per guest.
If reliable internet is important to you, this is one of the features worth considering when comparing Princess packages.
You don't need to purchase an internet package simply to use the Princess Cruises app for onboard features.
Princess says the app can be downloaded or updated onboard at no cost when connected to the ship's MedallionNet network, although a paid internet package is required for general internet access.
So you can still use relevant onboard app features without automatically paying for full internet access.
For most cruisers, the real benefit of MedallionClass is convenience.
There's no single feature that completely changes your holiday. Instead, it's the combination of smaller conveniences:
For a first-time cruiser, those features can make a large ship feel much easier to navigate.
For regular cruisers, it's the little things that can make the experience feel more seamless.
This is where it's important to understand the difference between MedallionClass and Princess Plus or Princess Premier.
You don't need to buy a package simply to have MedallionClass – the Medallion experience itself is part of the Princess cruise experience.
However, packages can include additional benefits that work particularly well alongside it.
For example, current Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages include OceanNow delivery and MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, alongside other benefits.
Whether a package represents good value depends on how much you'll use those inclusions.
If you know you'll want Wi-Fi, regularly order drinks, use OceanNow and make use of other package benefits, it's worth comparing the total cost against paying for those things individually.
Download the app before you travel - don't wait until you're at the cruise terminal.
Complete OceanReady before embarkation - getting the required information sorted in advance can make the start of your cruise much easier.
Make dining reservations early - popular dining times can be in demand, so check your options before you sail.
Keep your Medallion somewhere convenient - you can wear or carry it in whatever way works best for you.
Learn OceanNow early - it's one of the features you'll appreciate most when you don't fancy leaving your sun lounger.
Check what's included in your fare - don't assume every MedallionClass feature is automatically free. Services such as OceanNow and Wi-Fi can vary depending on your package.
Don't rely entirely on your phone - the Medallion handles important functions itself, so you don't need to spend your entire cruise with your phone in your hand.
Q - What is Princess MedallionClass?
A - Princess MedallionClass is a technology-enabled cruise experience that uses the Princess Medallion and Princess Cruises app to make parts of your cruise easier, including boarding, stateroom entry, payments, dining and food and drink delivery.
Q - Is the Princess Medallion free?
A - Yes. The Medallion is provided as a complimentary part of the MedallionClass experience. Some services accessed through MedallionClass may have additional charges depending on your fare or package.
Q - Do I need the Princess Cruises app?
A - It's strongly recommended. You can use the app to complete OceanReady check-in before your cruise and access a range of onboard features, including dining reservations and OceanNow.
Q - Does the Medallion replace a Princess cruise card?
A - Yes. Princess confirms that the Medallion replaces the traditional cruise card and can be used as your stateroom key, boarding credential, onboard payment method and identification.
Q - Can I order drinks to my sun lounger on a Princess cruise?
A - OceanNow allows eligible guests to order selected food and drinks through the Princess Cruises app for delivery to their stateroom or selected locations around the ship.
Q - Does Princess MedallionClass include Wi-Fi?
A - MedallionClass and MedallionNet are separate. MedallionNet is Princess' onboard Wi-Fi service, while MedallionNet Max is currently included with Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages.
Q - Can I use MedallionClass without buying Wi-Fi?
A - Yes. The Princess Cruises app can connect to the ship's network for relevant onboard features without requiring a paid general internet package. A paid Wi-Fi package is needed for wider internet access.
Q - Can I use the Medallion without my phone?
A - Yes. The Medallion itself can be used for functions such as stateroom entry, boarding and onboard payments. The app provides additional features and is recommended for getting the most from your cruise.
If you like the idea of a cruise that takes care of the little things, absolutely.
MedallionClass isn't about adding unnecessary technology to your holiday. It's designed to make everyday moments easier – from opening your cabin door and paying for a drink to finding your next activity or ordering lunch without leaving the pool.
And because the Medallion is complimentary, there's no separate MedallionClass fee to worry about.
If you're considering a Princess cruise, the next step is choosing the right ship, itinerary and fare for your holiday. Our Cruise Experts can help you compare your options and find a Princess cruise that suits you.
