Royal Caribbean first cruise line to upgrade internet fleetwide with SpaceX
Royal Caribbean International has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to utilize its Starlink satellite internet service across its fleet. The deal makes Royal Caribbean the first cruise line to sign up to Starlink, which offers high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
The internet service will be installed on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of the brands, the company said.
The move to deploy the service fleetwide comes after Starlink was tested aboard Freedom of the Seas, which has received tremendous positive feedback from guests and crew, according to the cruise line.
The installation is slated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023, according to a press release.
“Our purpose as a company is to deliver the best vacation experiences to our guests responsibly, and this new offering, which is the biggest public deployment of Starlink’s high-speed internet in the travel industry so far, demonstrates our commitment to that purpose,” said Jason Liberty, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
“This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike,” he added. “It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls.”
Faster and more reliable internet will also make it easier for guests and crew to remain connected to work, family and friends – no matter where they are in the world.
“Royal Caribbean Group selecting Starlink to provide high-speed, low-latency internet across their fleet will make their passengers’ getaways even more luxurious,” said SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Sales Jonathan Hofeller. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Royal Caribbean Group to ensure travelers at sea can stay connected with a great internet experience.”
“Our work with SpaceX is another example of how Royal Caribbean Group continues to lead the cruise industry in innovation and adoption of cutting-edge technology,” Liberty added.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing satellite Internet access coverage to 40 countries. It also aims for global coverage with satellite personal communications service after 2023.
On Friday, SpaceX launched another 54 satellites into low-earth orbit. It currently is able to provide high-bandwidth internet connectivity across Europe, North America and Oceania.
