'I've been all over the world - but this way of travelling is a game changer'

From soaking in the natural hot springs of Costa Rica to sleeping in a futuristic capsule hotel in Tokyo, I think it’s fair to say I’ve earned my stripes as a seasoned traveller.

But while I’ve been lucky enough to explore the far corners of the globe, my adventures haven’t come without a decent amount of travel stress. That was until I discovered a new way of jet-setting that completely changed the game – cruising.

After years of rushing between trains and flights, the idea of waking up in a new place every morning without having to lug a massive rucksack around seemed dreamy to say the least.

And that stress-free getaway recently became a reality for me aboard the Sky Princess, a ship that mixes relaxation, convenience and fun.

I was lucky enough to spend a week on the Sky Princess in November, making stops at the beautiful cities of Lisbon, Seville, Cartagena and Barcelona. Though the destinations were incredible, what truly stood out to me was just how much cruising has evolved in recent years.

The most impressive thing about the 3,600-passenger ship – one of the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet – is its exclusive OceanMedallion technology.

The pocket-size Medallion smart device, which can be worn on a lanyard, bracelet or brooch, acts like your very own personal assistant – serving as a key, guide and concierge all rolled into one.

Our Medallions meant we could order food, drinks and services to our exact location on the ship – whether it was by the pool, in our room or lounging on the deck. We could even track the status of our orders which I found really useful.

But the Medallion’s features didn’t stop there. It automatically unlocked our cabin as we approached it, meaning there was no need to carry a key.