Princess Cruises' storied Pacific heritage — and its legendary tradition of issuing personalised dateline crossing certificates — makes this the most sentimental and collectible way to mark your 'time travel' across the 180th meridian.
What to expect
As confirmed by Princess guests on Cruise Critic, the dateline crossing certificate is a beloved tradition — a formal, printed document noting your name, the date, and the ship's coordinates at the crossing moment. The night before, the Cruise Director hosts a 'Navigator's Night' presentation in the Princess Theater, covering the history of the IDL from its 1884 establishment to modern-day quirks (like Samoa switching sides in 2011). At the crossing, an announcement over the PA invites all guests on deck for a group photo and captain's toast. The MedallionClass wearable sends a personalised notification so you never miss the second.
Good to know
On some Princess itineraries, the IDL crossing results in two days with the same date (e.g., two consecutive 'Nov 5ths') — embrace the confusion as part of the charm. The crossing certificate is typically delivered to your cabin the following morning; if you'd like it signed by the captain, visit Guest Services before the crossing day. Download the MedallionClass app before sailing and enable notifications for real-time crossing alerts.