Ordering a cocktail by the pool or a latte in the café is one of the simple pleasures of cruising. But if it’s your first time sailing with Princess, you might wonder exactly how to pay for drinks on Princess Cruises, how the onboard account works, and what happens when it’s time to settle your cruise bill.
The good news: the process is designed to be cashless and convenient. From your cruise card or Medallion to final bar charges, everything flows through one account that you settle at the end of your voyage.
On Princess ships, you don’t usually hand over cash or a physical credit card every time you order a beverage. Instead, drinks are charged to your onboard account, which is linked to your cruise card or OceanMedallion.
Key points to understand:
Every guest sets up a payment method (such as a credit or debit card) during check-in.
All purchases—drinks, shops, spa, and extras—are posted to that single account.
At the end of the cruise, you settle onboard account for drinks and other charges in one go, unless you choose to pay it off earlier.
This system makes it easy to enjoy your time without handling money around the pool or bar.
When you order at any bar, lounge, or restaurant, you don’t swipe a physical credit card each time. Instead, you use your cabin credentials.
Depending on your ship and sailing, you may have:
A cruise card (plastic card) that serves as both your room key and onboard ID
An OceanMedallion, a small wearable device that replaces the traditional card on many Princess ships
Both are linked to your onboard account, so they’re the main way to pay for drinks.
If your cruise uses the Medallion system, paying with Medallion on Princess is simple:
The bartender or server taps or scans your Medallion.
Your name and cabin number appear on their device.
You confirm the order, and the cost is added to your cruise bill.
With a standard cruise card, the process is similar: the card is swiped or scanned, and the amount is added as bar charges to your onboard account.
Every time you order a drink, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, the transaction is recorded under your account as a bar purchase.
Here’s what usually happens behind the scenes:
You order your drink from a bar, lounge, restaurant, or server.
Your cruise card or Medallion is scanned or tapped.
The system applies the price of the drink, plus any applicable service charges.
The charge appears on your running onboard account balance.
If you have a drink package, the process is similar, but the system checks whether the item is covered. If it’s included in your package, you may see a zero or discounted bar line item rather than full bar charges.
Understanding how bar charges work on Princess cruise is helpful if you like to keep an eye on your daily spending and avoid surprises on the final morning.
Before you can pay for drinks, you’ll need to set up a payment method for your onboard account. Common Princess Cruises drink payment options include:
Credit card: The most widely used method. You register your card at check-in, and your cruise bill is charged automatically at the end.
Debit card: Also often accepted, though some banks may place holds on available funds.
Cash deposit: In some cases, you may be able to leave a cash deposit at guest services to open your onboard account instead of using a card.
No matter which method you choose, all bar charges and other onboard purchases are centralized in one place, so you don’t pay separately each time you order a drink.
To stay on top of your cruise budget, it’s a good idea to monitor your balance during the trip. This way, you understand exactly how much you’re spending on cruise drinks and other extras.
Ways to check your account:
Through the onboard app or Medallion app, if available
Using your stateroom TV on some ships
By visiting guest services and asking for a printout
Monitoring your onboard account lets you see each drink transaction, tip, or package purchase and helps you adjust your habits if needed.
At the end of the voyage, your cruise bill includes all your bar charges plus any other purchases. Here’s how settling usually works:
If you registered a credit or debit card, Princess will total your onboard account balance and charge that card.
You will typically receive a final statement itemizing your expenses, from drinks to shops.
If you used a cash deposit, you may need to visit guest services to pay any remaining balance or receive any leftover funds.
This “one bill” approach makes it clear how much you spent on drinks and other items throughout your cruise.
Because it’s easy to order drinks with a tap of your Medallion or cruise card, keeping your cruise budget under control takes a bit of awareness.
Here are some practical tips:
Track your account regularly Check your onboard account mid-cruise instead of only at the end. That way, you see your bar charges and can slow down or adjust if needed.
Understand drink package rules If you use a package, know what’s included and what isn’t. This helps you avoid unexpected full-price drinks on your cruise bill.
Set a personal daily limit Decide how much you’re comfortable spending on cruise drinks each day and keep that number in mind when ordering at the Princess bar.
Use included or complimentary options Take advantage of beverages that are included without extra charge, like certain juices, basic coffee, or water in dining rooms, to balance your bar spending.
Review your final statement On the last evening or morning, review your cruise bill carefully. If you see anything you don’t recognize, visit guest services for clarification.
By staying informed, you remain in control of how you pay for drinks and what ends up on your account.
Some guests wonder whether paying with Medallion on Princess is different from using a classic cruise card in terms of cost or security.
In practice:
Both methods charge purchases to the same onboard account.
The pricing for cruise drinks is the same regardless of the device you use.
The main difference is convenience: Medallion is wearable, while the card is carried in a holder or lanyard.
No matter which you use, the process of adding bar charges and settling your cruise bill at the end stays essentially the same.
1. Do I need cash to pay for drinks on Princess Cruises?
Generally, no. Drinks are not paid in cash at the bar. Instead, they are charged to your onboard account via your cruise card or Medallion. You then settle the total cruise bill with your chosen payment method at the end of the voyage.
2. How do bar charges work on Princess cruise if I have a drink package?
If you have a drink package, qualifying beverages are processed through the system and usually show as included or zero-cost items on your account. You still tap your cruise card or Medallion, but bar charges should reflect the package benefits for drinks that fall within the plan’s rules.
3. Can I still pay for drinks with a different card than the one on file?
Your main Princess Cruises drink payment options are tied to the card or deposit you register for your onboard account. If you want to change the card used for your cruise bill, you can typically update this at guest services before the end of your cruise.
4. How can I avoid overspending on my cruise bill for drinks?
Check your onboard account regularly, set personal limits, and be aware of drink prices. Understanding how bar charges work on Princess cruise and monitoring your spending during the trip helps you avoid surprises when it’s time to settle the bill.
5. Is paying with Medallion on Princess secure for drink purchases?
Yes. Paying with Medallion on Princess is designed to be secure and linked only to your guest profile and onboard account. The Medallion itself doesn’t store financial details; it simply identifies you, so drink charges are correctly added to your account, which you settle at the end of the cruise.
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