Anyone who has ever attempted to log onto the internet at sea knows that cruise Wi-Fi connectivity is a mixed bag. Newer ships are generally faster at accessing emails, web browsing and occasionally streaming, but older (and smaller) ships are often beleaguered with antiquated systems that are far slower.
Those frustrating inconsistencies are likely out the window now thanks to Starlink — a fresh connectivity solution offered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX — set to be implemented across Royal Caribbean Group’s brands (Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises) and ships, as well as the SeaDream Yacht Club fleet.
“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 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.
"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. 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.”
As a singular brand, Royal Caribbean has offered high-speed, low-latency internet before with its Voom service, but this new rollout is much broader, as it includes Celebrity and Silversea, as well.
"Starlink is a game-changer, and we can’t wait to revolutionize the seas with faster and more reliable internet,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity, who pointed out that guests will now be able to connect to work, family and friends no matter where they are in the world.
Royal Caribbean is currently implementing the service and expects it to be onboard every one of its ships by May 2023.
The service is even coming to smaller operators and ships, such as SeaDream’s SeaDream I and SeaDream II. As part of the line’s $10 million renovation investment, Starlink internet is already available to its passengers.
"I am proud to announce that SeaDream is at the forefront of technology, becoming the first boutique travel line to implement Starlink onboard,” said Andreas Brynestad of SeaDream. “This innovation optimizes our guests’ experience by putting high-speed internet at their fingertips — so they can stream their favorite entertainment, work remotely and connect with friends and family back home.”
The line describes Starlink as a low-Earth orbit satellite solution (“decreasing the distance that information must travel to reach users”) that can capably support high-bandwidth video streaming, online gaming, video calls and more. Brynestad surmises that the combination of small yachts and high internet volume might result in SeaDream offering the fastest per-person connection onboard a cruise.
“In the two short months since introducing Starlink, we have received remarkably positive feedback from guests and crew alike,” he added.
What Enhanced Onboard Internet Means for Travel Advisors and Clients
Danny Genung, owner of Harr Travel in Redlands, Calif., believes he will now be able to travel without the fear of being disconnected from either work or home, as well as personally host more groups.
"Adding Starlink — true, high speed internet — will completely revolutionize the cruise industry,” he said. “It will also change ship design and what can be on a cruise ship. This is the moment that will remove one of the greatest barriers that Gen X, Y and Z have with cruising.”
Examples he hears daily from multiple generations of customers include “never [having] to miss another Dodgers or Lakers game,” and “I can cruise confidently knowing that I can still support my work team and be available to them when needed.”
Recognizing that concerns related to what might be missed back at work or among friends and family at home hold many back from taking a cruise, he added, “oddly enough, being more easily connected can really allow one to disconnect.”
