Mind-reading, cocktail-producing & contactless - how Princess Cruises' Medallion really works

"I'd love a beer," you think, as you amble towards the bar - and somehow, before you've even opened your mouth, the waiter is reaching for your favourite pint. How?

Are the staff on Princess Cruises mind-readers? Is some mind-boggling witchery at play? How on earth did they know your penchant for Pilsner?

The answer, cruising chums, is no magic but Medallion technology, a coin-sized wearable device that does everything from opening doors to sensing where friends and family are onboard. Like a tiny Yoda living on your wrist if you will.

This is everything you need to know about Princess's marvellous Medallion.

What technology does Medallion use and how does the Medallion work?

To get technical about it, Medallion is a revolutionary wearable device – and accessed using the MedallionClass app – that persistently connects a cruise guest's unique digital identity with an intelligent shipboard Experience Internet of Things ecosystem.

This enhances guest-crew interactions and delivers a high level of personalised service on a large scale. Hence the waiter's ability to see on their systems what your go-to beverage is (see, not wizardry, although that would be fun...).

- READ MORE: What you didn't know about dining on Princess Cruises -

Innovation significantly improves the guest processing time and allows the ship and crew to operate more efficiently during embarkation, safety drills, port calls, disembarkation and throughout the cruise.

The good news is that it will continue to work no matter what you get up to on your holiday. No, not that, we mean swimming or sunbathing; it's waterproof, heat, sand and salt resistant.

If you need help with the Medallion device once onboard MedallionClass ships, guests can visit the OceanFront area and get assistance from an OceanNavigator. You can also call the Guest Services Desk or talk to a Stateroom Steward.

How to use Medallion

Contactless boarding: By downloading the app in advance of your cruise you can choose your preferred arrival slot and benefit from a speedy embarkation, with Princess promising kerbside to poolside in 20 minutes. You might even beat Sally and that gaggle of women from Wakefield to the sunbeds.

Keyless Stateroom Entry: Hand full of bags, booze or booty? No worries, your cabin door will unlock as you approach and even give you a personalised greeting. And no, it won't judge. We don't think.

Wi-Fi: MedallionNet Wi-Fi lets you access the internet anywhere onboard, so you can text, video-chat, photo-share and stream to your heart's content at low daily rates. MedallionNet is also available on the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas, Princess Cays.

- READ MORE: What's cruising onboard Regal Princess really like? -

Contactless payment onboard: Buy everything from food and drink to laundry tokens with Medallion. Yes, we agree, this could be risky after one too many Malbecs, but at least you can monitor your onboard expenses by accessing your portfolio on your device. Tony, I told you not to order that second dessert...

Contactless payment onshore: Guests can now use their Medallion to shop and dine out with a number of merchants in ports of call in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and all Alaska ports, and receive 7 percent back on shoreside purchases as onboard credit.

MedallionPay currently is available in Saint Thomas, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, and Puerto Vallarta, with more destinations and merchants being added in the near future, including extensions into all Alaska ports Princess ships call on.