Princess Cruises Expands Medallion Recycling Program Fleet-Wide

Princess Cruises piloted a Medallion recycling program aboard Regal Princess beginning in April 2026 and is now expanding it across the entire fleet within the next month. Guests can drop their Ocean Medallion into designated recycling boxes near the gangway on disembarkation day. Participation is voluntary. Passengers who want to keep their Medallion as a souvenir are still free to do so.

The Ocean Medallion is a quarter-sized wearable disc that every Princess Cruises guest receives free of charge on each sailing. It contains two sensors and a small battery, allowing it to communicate with thousands of onboard sensors across the ship. Those sensors enable keyless cabin entry, onboard purchases, food and drink delivery anywhere on the ship, and real-time location of travel companions.

Because the Medallion contains electronic components, it qualifies as e-waste. E-waste discarded in general trash is a documented source of heavy metals and other materials that can leach into soil and water systems. The recycling program channels returned Medallions into a component recovery process instead of general disposal.

The Regal Princess pilot, which began in April 2026, established the operational model for the full rollout. Approximately 400 medallions were recovered per voyage during the pilot, a figure that indicates meaningful passenger uptake without any incentive or mandate. Princess Cruises cited guest feedback as the original driver of the program.

The response from passengers went beyond simple participation. Princess noted that some guests expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, with some even planning to bring back medallions from previous cruises to drop off during future sailings. That behavior suggests the program tapped genuine passenger interest in a responsible disposal option that did not previously exist.

Every Princess passenger receives a new Medallion for each sailing, laser-etched with their name, the ship name, and the sailing date. That personalization makes each Medallion voyage-specific and unsuitable for reuse. Before this program, passengers had no structured option for responsible disposal of returned or accumulated medallions.

November 2017 — The Ocean Medallion launches aboard Regal Princess, the first ship in the fleet to receive the technology. No recycling or return option exists at launch.

2018 — Princess Cruises expands the Medallion to Royal Princess (January 19) and Caribbean Princess (March 18), with additional ships following through the year.

2019 — Rollout continues to Crown Princess, Coral Princess, Island Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, and Sky Princess, among others.

2020–2021 — Princess Cruises uses the industry-wide cruising pause to complete Medallion installation across its entire global fleet.

April 2026 — Princess Cruises begins a pilot program aboard Regal Princess. Recycling boxes are placed near the gangway for guests to return their Medallion on disembarkation day.

April–May 2026 — The Regal Princess pilot averages approximately 400 medallions recycled per voyage. Guests begin bringing back Medallions from previous sailings to drop off, an unplanned behavior Princess flags as a positive signal.

June 11, 2026 — Princess Cruises announces the fleet-wide expansion of the Medallion recycling program via travel agent community channels. Drop boxes will be placed near gangways on all 17 MedallionClass ships.

July 2026 (expected) — Full fleet rollout complete. Every Princess Cruises passenger sailing on any MedallionClass ship will have access to a gangway recycling box on disembarkation day.

Virgin Voyages built recycling into The Band from day one. The tech module separates from the ocean-plastic wristband, so passengers keep the strap while the electronics get recycled at the terminal. Princess is taking a different route: the Medallion is not made from recycled materials, but the new program creates a responsible path to recover and reuse the electronic components inside.

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What is the Princess Cruises Medallion recycling program?
Princess Cruises places collection boxes near gangways so passengers can return their Ocean Medallion on disembarkation day for responsible e-waste recycling. The program piloted on Regal Princess in April 2026 and is now expanding fleet-wide.

Do I have to return my Ocean Medallion at the end of my cruise?
No. Participation is voluntary. Passengers who want to keep their Medallion as a souvenir may do so.

Where are the Medallion recycling boxes located?
Near the gangways onboard during disembarkation, so you can drop off the Medallion on the way off the ship without a detour.

Why can't I reuse my Medallion on a future Princess sailing?
Each Medallion is laser-etched with your name, the specific ship, and the sailing date, making it voyage-specific. Princess Cruises issues a new one for every sailing.

Can I bring old medallions from past cruises to recycle?
Yes. Princess Cruises has confirmed that guests are already bringing back medallions from previous cruises to drop in the recycling boxes, and the cruise line has welcomed that response.

Does any other cruise line run a similar program?
Yes. Virgin Voyages offers recycling bins at its disembarkation terminals where passengers can return the tech module from The Band, the line's wearable device.