🎯 Princess Medallion Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before You Sail
The Princess Medallion is one of my favorite parts of sailing Princess — it makes the entire cruise feel smoother, more personalized, and honestly… a little magical. After multiple Princess cruises, I’ve learned exactly how to make the Medallion work for you instead of slowing you down.
This guide breaks down the best tips, hidden tricks, and things I wish I knew before my first MedallionClass cruise.
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I book cruises using a mix of:
Points and miles
Credit card stacking
Cruise line offers
Cashback portals
Seasonal promotions
If you want the full breakdown, here’s how I book Princess cruises for less.
❤️ Why I Love the Princess Medallion
A few personal reasons this tech has become one of my favorite cruise features:
Crew members greet you by name the moment you walk up to a bar or restaurant.
Your cabin door unlocks automatically as you approach — magical when your hands are full.
OceanNow delivery finds you anywhere on the ship.
You can locate your travel party on the map.
It’s one of those things you don’t realize you’ll love until you sail with it.
🔧 1. Set Up Your Medallion BEFORE You Sail
Download the MedallionClass App and complete:
OceanReady
Travel documents
Security photo
Payment method
Emergency contact
Arrival group selection
If you’re new to Princess, my Start Here guidewalks you through everything step‑by‑step.
📱 2. Update the App the Night Before Your Cruise
Princess updates the app constantly. An outdated version = glitches.
This fixes most issues:
Open App Store
Search “MedallionClass”
Tap Update
If you want to see how the app performs in real life, here’s my OceanNow Guide
🎟 3. Choose Your Arrival Group Early
Earlier groups = faster boarding + earlier access to OceanNow.
Princess rarely enforces arrival times, but picking early helps — and now you can select your arrival time as soon as the 30‑day window opens. Set a reminder and grab an early slot before they fill.
🔵 4. Pick Up Your Medallion at the Port
Princess can mail your Medallion, but port pickup is more reliable.
Why:
Mailed Medallions sometimes arrive late
Occasionally arrive unactivated
Port pickup ensures it’s synced to your cabin
I used to order my Medallion in advance, but honestly, it didn’t save much time — and it became one more thing I had to keep track of. Now I always pick it up at the port and it’s been way easier.
🗺 5. Use “Find My Shipmates”
This feature is amazing if you’re sailing with teens, parents, or anyone who tends to wander — and I use it constantly when I’m cruising with my dad and Tanner.
They’re always off somewhere together, exploring the ship, grabbing snacks, or finding a quiet spot to hang out. And thanks to the Medallion, I can quickly check the app and make sure they’re not, say… playing ping‑pong in the rain.
If you’re planning a family cruise, my Princess Dining Hubis a great place to start.
🍹 6. OceanNow Ordering Tips
OceanNow lets you order:
Drinks
Food
Desserts
Coffee
Poolside snacks
Room service
Tips for faster delivery:
Order from public spaces
Avoid peak times
Turn on location permissions
Keep your Medallion on your wrist or lanyard
👉 Read my full OceanNow Review for what’s changed and how to get the fastest delivery.
🚪 7. Your Door Unlocks Automatically
No tapping. No swiping. No keycard.
If it doesn’t unlock:
Hold the Medallion closer
Switch to a wristband
Ask Guest Services to re‑sync it
🛒 8. Faster Bar Service
Bartenders can see:
Your name
Your photo
Your drink preferences
Your loyalty status
It makes service smoother and more personal.
🌟 Final Thoughts
The Princess Medallion is one of the best tech features at sea — once you know how to use it. Set it up early, update the app, keep it on you, and enjoy the personalized touches that make Princess feel special.
If you’re ready to plan your next sailing, here’s the official link: 👉 Book Your Princess Cruise
And if you want ship‑specific tips, here are my most popular Princess guides:
Julie Davis is a travel‑hacking content creator, cruise reviewer, and founder of NoPointLeftBehind.net. She sails 7–10 times per year using a mix of casino offers, points and miles, and smart timing — and she’s only paid cash for one flight since 2019. Princess Cruises is her happy place, and she’s known for honest, practical guides that help real travelers save money, avoid confusion, and make every sailing feel effortless.
Julie’s cruise content focuses on real‑world experiences: MedallionClass tips, OceanNow tricks, dining insights, ship reviews, and stress‑free planning strategies. If you’re ready to dive deeper, explore her Princess Dining Hub, her full OceanNow Review, or her guide on How I Book Princess Cruises using points, miles, and casino offers.
