Sun Princess: MedallionClass First-Timer Guide

New to Princess and wondering what all the MedallionClass talk is about? Here is the short version: on Sun Princess you wear a small, quarter-sized disc called the Ocean Medallion, and it quietly becomes your room key, your boarding pass, your wallet, and the way you find your travel companions and order food to wherever you happen to be. If you set it up properly before you sail, your first day aboard Princess Cruises’ newest flagship feels almost frictionless. This guide walks a first-timer through exactly what the Medallion is, what it does, and how to get ready so that from the moment you step aboard in Rome, Athens, or Barcelona, everything just works.

What is the Ocean Medallion, and why does it matter?

The Ocean Medallion is a wearable device, about the size of a coin, that Princess gives every guest for MedallionClass sailings. You can slip it in a pocket, but most people wear it on a lanyard, wristband, or clip so it stays with them all day. It has no screen or buttons. Instead, it communicates with sensors and readers throughout Sun Princess, so the ship recognises you and responds without you having to tap, swipe, or dig for a card.

That sounds like a gimmick until you use it. Sun Princess is a large ship — around 177,000 gross tons, 21 decks, and roughly 4,300 guests — and the Medallion is what makes a vessel that size feel manageable. Here is what it actually handles.

Hands-free stateroom entry

There is no key card to insert or tap. As you approach your stateroom door with the Medallion on you, the ship recognises it and the lock releases — the little panel by your door lights up with a greeting. This is genuinely useful when your arms are full of towels or a plate of pizza from Alfredo’s. You never fish around for a card, and you never get locked out because you left the card in the other jacket. Everyone in your party has their own Medallion, so anyone in the cabin can come and go.

Keyless, faster boarding

At the terminal, the Medallion — combined with the check-in you have already done in the app — speeds you through embarkation. Instead of handing over documents and waiting for a card to be printed, you are largely pre-cleared. The same applies at each port when you step off and back on: the Medallion registers you leaving and returning, so the process is smoother than the old card-and-photo shuffle.

Locating your travel party

Because the ship knows roughly where each Medallion is, the Princess app can show you the deck and area where your kids or friends currently are. On a 21-deck ship this is the feature parents and couples love most. Rather than texting “where are you?” into the void, you open the app and see that your teenager is up at the Dome or your friends are already at the Piazza. You choose whether to share your location, and you can locate your own group.

Touchless payments

Your onboard account is linked to your Medallion, so buying a drink, a spa treatment, or a specialty dinner just means the crew member confirms the charge — no signing, no card. Onboard accounts run in US dollars even though you spend euros ashore. Because it is so effortless, it is easy to lose track of spending, so check your running total in the app now and then.

OceanNow: food and drink delivered anywhere

This is the feature that surprises first-timers the most. Through OceanNow in the Princess app, you can order food and drinks and have them brought to wherever you are on the ship — not just your cabin. Sitting by the Sea Breeze pool? Order a cocktail and it comes to your lounger. Watching a film on the giant poolside screen at Movies Under the Stars? Have a snack delivered to your seat. Settled into the Piazza? Your coffee finds you there.

The way it works is simple: the app knows where your Medallion is, so when you place an order it routes the delivery to your location. You do not have to describe where you are sitting. For a first-timer this changes how you use the ship — you stop making trips back to a bar or the buffet and simply order from your seat. There may be a per-order delivery charge or it may be covered depending on your package, so check the terms in the app. Alongside OceanNow, traditional room service still delivers to your stateroom.

A practical tip: OceanNow shines on sea days and warm evenings when you have claimed a good spot and do not want to give it up. On busy port-departure afternoons, when half the ship is ordering at once, allow a little patience — it is still faster than queuing.

Dine My Way and JourneyView: planning your days

Two more parts of MedallionClass shape your daily rhythm. Dine My Way handles dining; JourneyView helps you plan everything else.

Flexible versus traditional dining

Sun Princess has three main dining rooms, and through Dine My Way you decide how you want to use them. You have two broad choices. The first is traditional set dining: the same time, the same table, and the same waiters every evening, which suits people who like routine and the social pleasure of dining with the same faces. The second is flexible dining, where you reserve a time that works for you each day — early one night before the theater, later another night after a long day in Athens — and Dine My Way holds the slot for you.

You set your preference in the app before you sail, and you can adjust it as you go. My advice for first-timers on a port-intensive Mediterranean itinerary: flexible dining usually wins, because your appetite and your energy vary wildly depending on whether you spent the day climbing to Taormina’s Greek theater or lounging on a Corfu beach. Reserve your preferred times early, though — the popular 7pm-ish slots fill up. If you love the traditional experience and the same table every night, choose it and enjoy the consistency; both run through the Medallion.

Beyond the main dining rooms and the Horizons buffet, Sun Princess carries a large specialty line-up you can book the same way — Love by Britto with wake views, The Butcher’s Block by Dario, Makoto Ocean for sushi, Sabatini’s, the Crown Grill, The Catch by Rudi, plus Alfredo’s and Gigi’s pizzerias, O’Malley’s Irish pub, and the 24-hour International Café by the Piazza. Book the spots you care about early, especially for the first sea day.

JourneyView

JourneyView is the planning calendar inside the app. It lays out what is happening and when, so you can build your day — a show, a fitness class, a specialty dinner, a port talk — and see it all in one timeline. For a first-timer it takes the guesswork out of a big ship: rather than flipping through a printed schedule and hoping you have not missed something, you plan the day on your phone and let the app remind you. Pair JourneyView with Dine My Way and you have your evenings and your activities mapped before you even reach the gangway.

Setting it up before you sail: the OceanReady steps

Everything above only feels seamless if you do the setup in advance. This is where first-timers either sail through embarkation or stand in a slow line watching MedallionClass regulars breeze past. Do these steps in the weeks before your cruise, not the night before.

• Download the Princess app. Search your phone’s app store for the official Princess MedallionClass app and install it. Log in with the booking you already have, or create an account and add your booking number. This one app runs the whole experience.
• Complete OceanReady check-in. Inside the app, work through the OceanReady steps: personal details, a passport photo and document scan, a security photo of yourself, emergency contacts, and your arrival details. Getting to “OceanReady” status is what unlocks the fast, keyless boarding.
• Add a payment method. Link a credit or debit card to your onboard account so the Medallion can handle touchless payments from the first minute. Do this early so there is no fumbling at the terminal.
• Order your Medallion. Choose to have your Medallion mailed to you before the cruise (where available) or picked up at the terminal. Getting it shipped in advance is the smoothest option — you arrive already wearing it. You can also choose an accessory, such as a wristband or a clip, in the app.
• Set your dining and plans. While you are in there, set your Dine My Way preference, reserve any specialty restaurants, and glance at JourneyView so you have a feel for the ship before day one.

Everyone in your cabin needs their own app profile and OceanReady check-in. If you are travelling with family, link the bookings so you can order for each other and locate the group. Do the check-in over good Wi-Fi at home, since scanning documents and uploading photos is quicker there than on ship Wi-Fi.

Embarkation day: what actually happens

Sun Princess sails her marquee season in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, based at Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus), and Barcelona, so your embarkation is likely at one of those. Give yourself margin: the port at Civitavecchia is a transfer or train ride from central Rome, and Piraeus is a transfer from Athens, so build in time to reach the terminal without stress.

If you arrived OceanReady and either received your Medallion in the mail or collect it quickly at the pier, the terminal process is short. You are pre-cleared, so it is largely dropping bags with the porters, a security screening, and walking aboard — the Medallion registers you and you are on. Keep your passport, the app, and your Medallion accessible.

Once through, resist the urge to head straight to your cabin — staterooms are often not ready until early afternoon. Use the first couple of hours to get your bearings instead.

Your first hours aboard Sun Princess

The first afternoon sets the tone for the whole cruise. Here is a sensible order of business, all of it powered by the Medallion and the app.

• Grab lunch. Head to the Horizons buffet or a casual venue while the crowds are thin. Use OceanNow if you would rather order to a poolside seat.
• Explore the signature spaces. Find the Piazza — the three-deck atrium hub with its glass-walled Sphere and ocean views — and go up to the Dome, the geodesic glass structure at the top of the ship inspired by Santorini’s terraces. Knowing where these anchors are makes the whole vessel legible.
• Confirm your dining. Open Dine My Way and check your reservations, then book anything you missed. The first sea day and the first formal evening are the fastest to fill.
• Attend the safety drill. Every guest must complete the muster drill. On MedallionClass ships this is streamlined — you watch the safety briefing in the app and check in at your assigned muster station, and the Medallion confirms you have done it. Do it early so it is off your list.
• Test OceanNow and locating. Order a coffee to wherever you are and try locating your travel party. Getting comfortable with these on day one means you use them all week.
• Set the sail-away scene. Once your cabin opens, drop your things and, if you have a balcony, enjoy the sail-away. A Balcony cabin is lovely for the warm Mediterranean evenings and scenic departures.

Sun Princess is the newest and most advanced ship in the Princess fleet, so a Mediterranean cruise pairs the region’s timeless treasures with the effortless Medallion experience. Spending the first afternoon learning the ship — rather than unpacking in a hurry — pays off all week.

Packing for a Mediterranean Sun Princess cruise

The Mediterranean and Greek Isles season means warm, sunny days — hot and dry at midday, pleasant in the evenings. It is also port-intensive and culture-rich, so pack for both ancient sites and beach days. A first-timer’s list:

• Light, breathable clothing for hot days ashore in Rome, Naples, and the Greek islands.
• Strong sun protection — high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for the strong midday sun on deck and at open-air ruins.
• Comfortable walking shoes with real grip for cobbled towns, ancient sites, and the climb or cable car at Santorini’s old port.
• Modest cover-ups — a scarf or a layer to cover shoulders and knees for churches and monasteries, which enforce dress codes.
• Swimwear and a light layer for the pools, the Dome retreat, and cooler evenings on your balcony.
• Smart-casual and a dressier option for the specialty restaurants and the formal evenings.
• Your passport, required for these international sailings, plus a check of visa rules if your itinerary includes a Turkey call such as Kuşadası; non-US citizens should verify their own requirements.
• A lanyard or clip for your Medallion, a portable charger for your phone (you will lean on the app all day), and a European travel adapter.

Because onboard payments run on the Medallion, you do not need much cash aboard — but carry some euros for ashore, since Italy, Greece, Montenegro, and Spain all use the euro and small vendors, tenders, and taxis may want it. Pace yourself in the heat and mix marquee tours with relaxed island days.

Common first-timer mistakes to avoid

Most MedallionClass frustrations come from a handful of avoidable slip-ups. Sidestep these and you will look like a veteran on day one.

• Leaving the app setup until the last minute. The OceanReady check-in, payment, and Medallion order should be done well before you travel. Do it late and you risk a slower terminal experience and missed dining slots.
• Not ordering the Medallion for shipping. Where mail delivery is offered, take it — arriving already wearing your Medallion is the smoothest start.
• Forgetting that everyone needs their own check-in. Each guest, including kids, needs an app profile and OceanReady status. One person cannot check the family in.
• Booking specialty dining too late. Love by Britto, the Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, and the rest fill up, especially on sea days. Reserve early in the app.
• Assuming the cabin is ready at boarding. Staterooms usually open in the early afternoon. Carry anything you need for the first few hours in your day bag, not your checked luggage.
• Underestimating the transfer to the port. Civitavecchia and Piraeus are not next door to Rome and Athens. Plan your arrival with time to spare.
• Ignoring the running account. Touchless payments are so easy that the total creeps up. Check your onboard balance in the app every day or two.
• Choosing a noisy cabin by accident. If you book late or move cabins, check the deck plan and avoid rooms directly under the pool deck, the buffet, or the Dome, and forward high-deck rooms if anyone is prone to motion.
• Skipping Wi-Fi planning. Wi-Fi is a paid plan, often bundled in packages. Decide before you sail whether you want it, and confirm the details in the app.

None of this is complicated. The theme is simply preparation: MedallionClass rewards the guest who sets things up in advance, and it is forgiving enough that even if you arrive unsure, the crew and the app will get you sorted.

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Get the complete Sun Princess playbook

Want every MedallionClass tip, dining strategy, cabin recommendation, and port plan in one place? “The Ultimate Guide to Sailing on Sun Princess” walks you through the whole voyage, and it is part of the Ultimate Ship Guides series by Leo Sotropa, with clear action steps in every chapter so you know exactly what to do and when.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use the Ocean Medallion?

Yes — every guest on a MedallionClass sailing wears one, and it is your room key, boarding pass, and onboard payment method. You do not have to use every app feature if you prefer to keep things simple, but the Medallion itself is how you get into your cabin and pay aboard, so you will carry it every day. The good news is it works quietly in the background; you wear it and forget it.

What if I do not have a smartphone or am not tech-savvy?

The Princess app makes MedallionClass shine, but you are not stranded without it. There are touchscreen portals around the ship and helpful crew who can assist with check-in, dining, and orders. That said, the experience is far smoother with the app on your own phone, so if you can, download it and complete OceanReady before you sail. A travelling companion can often help set things up too.

When should I do the OceanReady check-in?

As early as you can once it opens for your booking — ideally a few weeks out. Doing the personal details, document scan, security photo, and payment setup in advance is what unlocks fast, keyless boarding and lets you order your Medallion for delivery. Leaving it to the last day risks a slower terminal experience and dining times that are already booked up.

Can I really order food to anywhere on the ship?

Yes. Through OceanNow in the app, you order food and drinks and they are delivered to wherever you are — a poolside lounger, a seat at Movies Under the Stars, a corner of the Piazza, or your stateroom. The ship knows where your Medallion is, so you do not have to explain your location. There may be a delivery charge per order or it may be covered by your package, so check the terms in the app.

Should I pick flexible or traditional dining?

It depends on how you like to travel. Flexible dining through Dine My Way lets you reserve a different time each evening, which suits a port-heavy Mediterranean itinerary where your energy and appetite vary day to day. Traditional set dining gives you the same time, table, and waiters every night, which many guests love for the routine and the social side. You set your preference in the app and can adjust it, so choose what fits and book popular times early.

Do I need cash on a Mediterranean Sun Princess cruise?

Not for onboard spending — that all runs on your Medallion, with accounts in US dollars. Ashore is different: Italy, Greece, Montenegro, and Spain use the euro, and you will want some cash for small vendors, tenders, taxis, and tips at ports like Santorini and Mykonos. Carry a modest amount of euros and lean on the Medallion aboard. Remember your passport is required for these international sailings.

How do I confirm my ports, venues, and schedule?

Always check the Princess app, which carries your current itinerary, dining, activities, and any changes. Exact ports vary by sailing, and venues and times can shift, so treat the app as the single source of truth. For more on planning her routes and the ship itself, see our Sun Princess Mediterranean and Greek Isles guide, our detailed look at Santorini, Mykonos and Athens ports, the full Sun Princess cruise guide, our what to expect on Sun Princess overview, and our collection of Sun Princess tips for first-timers.