Carnival Corporation has successfully completed the rollout of SpaceX's Starlink high-speed internet across its entire fleet, revolutionizing onboard connectivity for guests and crew. The company's president and CEO, Josh Weinstein, hailed the service as a "game-changer" during the company's second quarter earnings call.
Photo by Carnival Cruise Line
With the rollout complete, Carnival Corporation's fleet of ships is now equipped with high-speed, low-latency connectivity, enabling guests to stay connected, stream content, and work remotely while onboard. The service has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, with brands like Holland America Line and Seabourn reporting significant surges in guest satisfaction.
Weinstein emphasized the importance of investing in bandwidth, stating that the company is spending more on it than ever before, generating "outsized returns" as a result. He noted that the enhanced connectivity is a key aspect of Carnival Corporation's strategy for its onboard experience, driving revenue and guest satisfaction.
The fleetwide rollout began in December 2022 with Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises ships, followed by the company's other brands, including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises Australia, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises UK, and Cunard.
The Starlink service has been particularly beneficial for crew members, enabling them to stay in touch with friends and loved ones while at sea. Additionally, the enhanced connectivity has improved onboard operational systems, making it a "win-win-win" for the company, guests, and crew.
A typical installation costs a reported $5,000 per month plus a one-time fee of $5,000 for the on-board equipment. Each vessel can typically enjoy a 350 Mb/s download.
Carnival’s fees to passengers start at $15.30 per person per day rising to $21.25 per person per day. The higher fee allows for higher speed downloads and supports Skype, Zoom and Teams video calling.
The installation on Carnival’s ships is the latest move in what is seen as a digital revolution at sea. One report suggests that Starlink, in less than two years, has captured a 25 per cent market share penetration of vessels.
Elon Musk claims that Starlink is now serving more than 200 cruise vessels.
There’s more. For example, Starlink is supplying the more traditional maritime market. Seaspan Chas also recently completed the installation of Starlink across its full fleet, positioning Seaspan as one of the first major owner-operators of containerships to fully integrate Starlink’s high bandwidth, low latency service into its operations.
As of March 31st 2024, Seaspan’s operating fleet consisted of 165 vessels, with an additional 23 vessels also under construction, expected to be delivered by December 2024.
Carnival Corporation's partnership with SpaceX has set a new standard for onboard connectivity in the cruise industry, providing a seamless and reliable internet experience for all on board. As the company continues to invest in bandwidth, it is clear that the future of cruise travel will be shaped by technological advancements like Starlink.
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