| Aussies take to OceanMedallion

THE engagement from the Australian market with Princess Cruises’ new OceanMedallion technology has so far been “remarkably high”, according to the cruise line’s Global Head of Experience and Innovation Pragnesh Shah.

Speaking remotely with Cruise Weekly from aboard a Ruby Princess coastal sailing out of Sydney, Shah (pictured) noted the local market was exhibiting a stronger initial usage of the OceanMedallion than other markets around the world.

“It’s interesting for us because we have five other Medallion Class ships in the fleet that we can compare to and often it takes several weeks to settle in…I can tell you that the crew on Ruby Princess, in combination with the demographic and market of Australians and New Zealanders, is just the perfect intersection because engagement has been really, really high,” he said.

Princess Cruises’ new wearable tech, the brainchild of Carnival’s Chief Experience & Information Officer John Padgett, has only been introduced to the Australian market this year on board Ruby Princess, and boasts an array of guest services that Shah believes creates an “holistic guest-centric approach” to cruising.

“I liken it to a bed and breakfast or even a small cruise ship which are very intimate…so what we’re doing is that personalisation at scale with up to 3,000 guests,” he said.

Highlighted features of the OceanMedallion noted by Shah include a much smoother embarkation process, the ability to search for loved ones, the option of ordering food and drinks from anywhere, as well as seamless access to staterooms.

“Our OceanMedallion doesn’t have to be charged, it’s waterproof, there’s no configuration,” Shah enthused.

The take-up rate since its launch across the fleet stands at 99.7%.