Royal Caribbean Group will be implementing SpaceX’s Starlink internet service on its cruise ships, the company said this week.
That would make the company the first in the cruise industry to adopt the high-speed, satellite-based service.
Deployment of Starlink technology will begin “immediately,” Royal Caribbean said.
“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 installation is slated for completion by the end of the first quarter of next year.
The company had just completed a trial run on its Freedom of the Seas cruise ship, one that resulted in strong feedback from customers and crew.
“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.”