Guests sailing on Princess Cruises' MedallionClass ships now have an expanded MedallionPay option beyond the ship itself. Now, the friction-less payment experience allows guests to use their Princess Medallion wearable device to shop, play, eat and drink ashore in select destinations.
Currently, the MedallionPay option is accepted by a number of merchants in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I, as well as Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. Princess expects to add more destinations and merchants in the near future, including extensions into all Alaska ports where the line's ships visit.
An added bonus is that cruisers will receive 7 percent back on those shore-side purchases made with the MedallionPay technology. Guests will receive that amount returned to them as an onboard ship credit. That's being done for the inaugural year of the new service. .
MedallionPay Ashore
Previously, MedallionPay was only usable by guests when they were aboard a Princess MedallionClass ship. But now, cruisers can use their Medallion to shop with added security in stores displaying the MedallionPay seal in their storefronts.
“MedallionPay offers the ultimate in payment convenience and security for guests both on board and now in ports we visit seamlessly blending the onboard and destination experience,” says John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “What makes MedallionPay extra special is the instant onboard value it delivers to guests in addition to base benefits with their associated credit card.”
Among merchants now accepting MedallionPay are Diamonds International and Cariloha, as well as more than 65 other retailers from restaurants, bars, souvenir stores and jewelers to museums and excursion operators. MedallionPay is available to all retailers large and small. There's no set-up or monthly fees to register as a MedallionPay merchant, nor required long-term contracts. The software is also complimentary. Merchants simply pay a transaction fee that includes all credit card processing fees and can cancel the service at their discretion.
“We are so excited to be partnering on the MedallionPay program with Princess Cruises,” said Wendy Tarapani, Diamonds International. “Our guests are finding it an easy way to make their purchases since MedallionPay is a natural extension to the onboard experience.”
Princess explains that guests who make purchases with participating merchants enjoy the convenience, security and a 7 percent shipboard credit on purchases when they associate a credit card with a MedallionPay account. And it equates to even bigger rewards when guests associate their MedallionPay account with a cash-back credit card. In addition, guests will not have to carry cash, a credit card or their room key when they visit a port.
According to Princess, no credit card or personal information is stored on the Medallion. And the MedallionPay system exceeds security levels used in financial institutions and passports by using the latest methods of tokenization, abstraction and encryption. When making a purchase with participating retail locations in select ports of call, merchants securely confirm the transaction with two-factor authentication that exceeds typical credit card transaction.
Princess has offered MedallionPay contact-less payment for all onboard purchases on MedallionClass since the Princess MedallionClass Experience debuted in late 2017. The Medallion enables everything from expedited, contact-less boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as such enhanced services as having whatever guests need such as drinks or food delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favorite cruise moments using MedallionNet Wi-Fi.
For more information, visit www.princess.com.