Carnival Corporation has expanded its onboard connectivity system to create the cruise industry’s largest Wi-Fi network.
The company’s expanded ‘WiFi@Sea’ network features high-bandwidth internet coverage on 30 of the company’s 100 cruise ships, with plans to expand the new system to the majority of its fleet by the end of 2016. According to Carnival, this not only makes it the biggest Wi-Fi network of any cruise company, but also one of the “world’s largest satellite mobility networks”.
The company’s Wi-Fi network integrates satellite systems, onboard software, networking equipment, land-based antennas and Wi-Fi from port connections. This enables Carnival to offer speeds up to 10 times faster than those previously available on the company’s ships.
“As we continue to enhance our WiFi@Sea system, we implement technologies, packages and overall approaches that will create the best experience and value for our guests wherever their cruise vacation takes them,” said Reza Rasoulian, Carnival’s vice president of global connectivity & shipboard technology operations.
“We optimise all of our service layers continuously to ensure a great connectivity experience. With this approach, we are giving our guests faster internet speeds without constraining the time they can be online through our packages, which has led to more people than ever using their devices to connect while on our ships and a steady improvement in guest satisfaction ratings as the new plans and pricing are rolled out.”
New pricing models and Wi-Fi packages are also being introduced across Carnival’s brands, based on the type of services guests use, rather than the amount of time they spend online. For example, guests only using social networks can purchase a basic package for a lower fee.
These social media packages are now available on 19 of Carnival Cruise Lines’ 24 ships, with plans for fleet-wide implementation by Q1 2016. And the company’s AIDA Cruises brand has announced new flat-rate social media and internet packages, along with bandwidth upgrades that will be rolled out across all of the brand’s 10 ships by November 2015.
“We know that each of our guests is looking for something different when they cruise, whether that is being completely or partially unplugged from the internet or staying plugged in,” said Rasoulian. “For those who want to stay connected with their life back home or research the next destination on their trip, we are offering faster, more reliable and more affordable options to give our guests what they are looking for.”
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