Roberts said the line’s OceanMedallion programme – which was first announced in 2017 - would now not only enhance guest experience but help it “react to the things we need to do to look after guests’ health and wellbeing”. 

Explaining how the system would aid safety measures while cruising in the Covid era, Roberts highlighted the OceanReady app enabling passengers to select a preferred time of embarkation, staggering boarding time and allowing better social distancing in the cruise terminal. 

When onboard, Roberts said Princess’s OceanMedallion platform will give guests a real-time view of how busy it is in certain venues, allow them to order food and drink away from bar and restaurant areas and make contactless payments when purchasing items onboard.

Guests are also able to watch their muster drill safety video via the Medallion app or on their stateroom TV.

Roberts added that OceanMedallion would allow for “some quite sophisticated contact tracing” to trace nearby contacts of a passenger should they become unwell. 

Vessels will also be equipped with “rapid response” Covid testing facilities as well as medical staff trained to deal with potential coronavirus outbreaks.

“Our investment in technology and the Medallion experience was initially done to make life easier at sea but it also makes it easier for us to meet these current challenges and to really respond dynamically to an ever-evolving situation,” he said.

“I think [the technology puts] Princess is in a very unique position going forward and means we are able to do the right thing to look after the health and wellbeing of our guests, our crew and the destinations we visit.”