Princess Ends Free Medallion Shipping, Raises Home Delivery Fees

Princess Cruises has raised the fee for shipping its Medallion wearable to guests ahead of embarkation, ending a prior perk for some package holders and doubling the cost in parts of North America.

The shipping increase took effect Feb. 27, 2026, and comes alongside a separate onboard pricing change, a higher automatic service charge on many food-and-beverage purchases that is rolling out as ships begin new voyages in March 2026.

Medallion shipping costs rise, including for Plus and Premier package holders

Eligible guests in the United States and Puerto Rico now pay $20 to have Princess Medallions shipped to their home, up from $10. In Canada, the shipping fee has increased to $25 from $15.

Princess’ Medallion, in use since 2017, is a wearable alternative to a traditional cruise card and is used for identification when leaving and returning to the ship, paying for onboard purchases such as drinks, and functions tied to the MedallionClass experience, including stateroom access and other onboard services.

Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages previously included free Medallion shipping, but that practice ended with the Feb. 27 change. In a communication obtained by Cruise Hive, Princess Cruises said, “While we have made every effort to maintain affordable shipping rates for our guests, this adjustment is necessary to align pricing and ensure continued high-quality, reliable shipping services.”

How shipping is applied per order, and what to know about timing

Princess charges the shipping fee once per shipment to a single address, and one order can typically include one to four Medallions shipped under the same order number to the same home address. The cost can add up for parties traveling together but living at different addresses, since separate shipments or separate orders to different addresses can trigger multiple shipping charges on the same booking.

For guests choosing home delivery, Princess requires orders to be placed far enough in advance for processing and transit. The cutoff referenced for on-time arrival is roughly 13 to 15 days before departure.

Free pickup at the port remains available, but it can affect the check-in lane

Guests can still avoid the shipping fee by picking up Medallions at the cruise terminal on embarkation day at no charge, which is also the standard approach for many international passengers. Princess confirmed the option remains in place, stating: “Please note, guests are still able to pick up their Medallion once they are at the pier on day of embarkation.”

Princess has indicated the main operational difference for embarkation is the terminal processing lane. Guests who complete pre-check-in steps in the Princess app and receive the Medallion at home can typically use the faster “Green Lane,” while guests collecting the device at the terminal generally use the “Blue Lane,” stopping at a station to receive the Medallion before boarding. Princess’ process still relies on guests arriving during their scheduled terminal appointment window, regardless of pickup method.

Princess also increases its onboard service charge to 20% on many purchases

Separately, Princess is increasing the onboard service charge applied to many optional purchases from 18% to 20%. The change is being implemented across the fleet as ships begin new voyages in March 2026, meaning the higher charge applies to new sailings rather than changing mid-cruise for guests already onboard.

The service charge is automatically added, is nonrefundable, and applies to items such as drinks, specialty dining cover charges, and other eligible services and amenities that are not included in the cruise fare.

Princess has distinguished the service charge from other onboard charges, noting the increase does not change crew gratuities. The line has also indicated guests who have prepaid applicable charges through an all-inclusive package are not impacted by the higher percentage for those covered items.

The service charge does not apply to retail purchases in onboard shops. Princess has not clearly confirmed whether it applies to bottles of alcohol purchased onboard for take-home at the end of the sailing.

Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line are both part of Carnival Corporation. Carnival Cruise Line implemented a similar increase from 18% to 20% in December 2025, while other Carnival-owned brands were cited as having different service charge levels at the time, including 18% on Holland America Line and 15% on Cunard.

Other cruise lines adjust onboard pricing and guest policies

Princess’ changes are part of a broader set of updates across multiple brands, including new charges tied to entertainment, itinerary logistics, and booking policies.

• Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Luna introduced an adult-only show, LunaTique: Pop Circus, priced at $45 per person for guests 21+. Admission includes four specialty cocktails or mocktails and a souvenir glass, and guests canceling within two hours of showtime are charged a $10 cancellation fee. Norwegian Luna is a 3,571-guest ship and the second Prima Plus-class vessel after Norwegian Aqua, and other onboard shows, including ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John and HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder, remain free.
• Virgin Voyages: Beginning April 6, 2026, Virgin Voyages will shift Valiant Lady’s New York homeport from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal amid infrastructure challenges at Pier 90. The change affects 10 sailings, including Bermuda cruises and fall foliage itineraries in September and October, and the line has said the commute change will not affect the boarding experience.
• Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival is expanding its Express Dining program fleetwide by May 2026, offering a complete dining experience within about an hour for guests who prefer a faster service. The program has been available on 15 ships during the rollout, including Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Firenze, and Mardi Gras, and is accessed via a server request or through Carnival’s Hub App for Your Time Dining guests.
• P&O Cruises: For new bookings made on or after March 10, 2026, P&O Cruises is extending its final payment deadline from 90 days to 120 days before embarkation for voyages departing after Dec. 1, 2026. Existing bookings and sailings departing before December are not affected, and industry observers have speculated the change is aimed at minimizing last-minute cancellations and securing revenue further in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I avoid the Medallion shipping fee on Princess Cruises?

Yes. Guests can pick up their Medallion for free at the cruise terminal on embarkation day instead of having it shipped to their home.

What is the Princess Cruises Medallion system?

The Princess Cruises Medallion is a wearable device used for cruise identification, onboard purchases, and services such as stateroom access. It is used as an alternative to a traditional cruise card and is part of the line’s MedallionClass experience.

Is the 20% onboard service charge the same as crew gratuities?

No. Princess has described the 20% service charge as a separate, automatically added and nonrefundable charge applied to many food-and-beverage purchases and certain other eligible onboard items. It does not change crew gratuities, which are handled separately.

Which Norwegian Luna entertainment options are free?

Norwegian Luna offers free entertainment options such as ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John and HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder, which are included in the cruise fare.

Why did Virgin Voyages move Valiant Lady’s terminal to Brooklyn?

Virgin Voyages cited infrastructure challenges at Pier 90 at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal as the reason for relocating Valiant Lady’s New York operations to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for the affected sailings.

For travelers planning 2026 sailings, the key timing markers outlined by Princess are Feb. 27 for the Medallion shipping increase and March for the 20% service charge as ships start new voyages, while other lines’ recent updates range from paid, age-restricted entertainment to port logistics changes and revised final payment deadlines.