Princess Cruises has rolled out its MedallionClass to all 15 ship in its fleet to offer a ‘touchless’ service once cruising resumes.

The introduction of its OceanMedallion wearable device to all ships and all passengers will mean that guests will have less direct contact with staff, from checking in to ordering drinks and meals, to booking shows and paying for goods and services, said Vice President UK & Europe Tony Roberts.

The Medallion app has even been used to dispense with the traditional ‘muster’ on embarkation day, with guests able to watch a safety video in their cabins instead and use the app to check in to their muster station at any time during their first day to show crew they know where to go.

A new function of the Medallion app is a Dine My Way service, which allows guests to choose where, when and with whom they eat, including the location of their table within a restaurant and even the pace at which they dine, from speedy to relaxed.

Prior to the pause in sailing, the touchless Medallion app was only available on five Princess ships. Its new functions will be tested by paying guests for the first time Regal Princess and Sky Princess, which will operate a series of short cruises from Southampton this summer.

Guests will be required to download the Medallion app, for free, prior to boarding and use it to upload all of their documents, including passports, so Princess can offer a touchless check-in process.

“There will be no need for guests to hand over documents, just by carrying the Medallion staff will know who you are,” said Mr Roberts.

The Medallion can also be used to unlock cabins, make and change reservations on the ships, order drinks, customise food orders and even arrange for sunscreen to be delivered to your sunlounger, he added.

Guests will also be able to use the app to see which venues are the busiest, which will help with social distancing, to contact staff, and to pay for services.

Princess will have Medallion access points and wifi in every cabin – no more leaning out of the door to pick up a signal, said Mr Roberts – and Medallion touchpoints in all public areas. “We will be offering a really touchless cruise experience,” he said.