Royal Caribbean to Use SpaceX’s Starlink for High-Speed Internet
Royal Caribbean has announced plans to implement SpaceX’s Starlink, making it the first in the cruise industry to adopt its high-speed, low-latency connectivity for a better onboard experience for guests and crew.
The innovative broadband 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.
Deployment of the Starlink technology across the fleet will begin immediately, following a trial onboard Freedom of the Seas, which has received a tremendous amount of positive feedback. The installation is slated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
“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 and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Group. “This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike. It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls. Using Starlink is one more example of our continued focus on innovation and excellence for our guests, our crew, the communities we visit and our shareholders.”
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 sail in the world. There’s no word on pricing yet.
“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.”
The FCC authorized SpaceX to provide mobile Starlink internet service to boats, planes and trucks in June. The Royal Caribbean announcement comes just days after SpaceX announced a partnership with T-Mobile to “end mobile dead zones.” SpaceX has also signed early deals for in-flight Wi-Fi with some commercial air carriers such as Hawaiian Airlines and JSX.
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