The 10p-sized Ocean Medallion disc will replace key cards and allow passengers to order drinks, for example, and will track where they are onboard. The technology will debut on Regal Princess in November.

Tony Roberts, vice-president, Princess Cruises UK and Europe, was asked by the audience whether the introduction of the new wearable technology would lead to price increases for the ships featuring it.

“I’d love to be able to just put prices up, that would be great,” joked Roberts.

“But it’s a function of supply and demand, so we are only able to put prices up if the demand is there.

“Our absolute belief is that this is going to increase supply for cruise holidays. So over time we’ll see it. We’re not just pushing prices up now.”

Asked by moderator Pippa Jacks, TTG group editor, what Princess would “do” with the data it will accrue from passengers through Ocean Medallion, Roberts reassured the audience that the line takes data protection “very seriously”.

He said: “We already collect a lot of customer data and take that incredibly seriously.

“Because [this technology] is being designed from scratch we’re able to make sure any data stored is encrypted really effectively.

“And the Ocean Medallion already meets the legislation requirements that are coming in next year in terms of data protection and privacy management.”

Roberts also confirmed that if a guest decided they did not want to share that level of information with the cruise line, they could “switch off the personalisation”.

“We can set it so you can access the ship and cabin and pay for your meals, but that’s it,” said Roberts.