PASSENGER AND CREW CONNECTIVITY
FEATURE
One step ahead
Enabling an enhanced digital passenger experience with satellite technology is key writes Shane Rossbacher, director, product management, Intelsat.
W
ith an increased demand from new markets, changing passenger demographics and
demands for new destinations, cruise lines are having to adapt their strategies to attract new passengers in a very competitive environment. Understanding the needs of the 32m cruise passengers expected to set sail in 2020 is crucial for cruise operators hoping to benefit from the growth of what many see as one of the fastest growing global hospitality sectors.
Some cruise ships used to block bandwidth- hungry applications to ease the bandwidth burden, but this is no longer an option. The typical family carries seven connected devices onboard a cruise ship; passengers expect to use Skype or FaceTime to stay in touch with family, catch up with their favourite TV show on Netflix, or fill Instagram feeds with diverse travel experiences, while ‘digital nomads’ opt for trips where they can work remotely.
In order to capitalise on these growing usage trends and differentiate their passenger experience, cruise operators need seamless broadband coverage over high-trafficked routes, such as the Caribbean.
With over two dozen cruise lines operating in the winter months, routes can get busy in what is one of the world’s most popular regions for cruises. Yet, these floating
seatrade-cruise.com
resorts that can welcome up to 6,000 guests need enough bandwidth to provide fast connectivity to all of them – at any time.
Best-in-class connectivity is just as important on the remote, yet increasingly popular, cruise routes such as Alaska or Antarctica, where thousands of miles away from villages or cities, passengers still expect access to the seamless, reliable connectivity they’re used to.
Satellite technology plays a crucial role in keeping cruise passengers connected. Intelsat, in collaboration with partners, such as Marlink, Global Eagle and Speedcast, has been working closely with the cruise industry for years to deliver flexible, secure, end-to- end connectivity solutions where and when their passengers need it. In 2018, for example, Intelsat enabled its partner Speedcast to set a world record for satellite bandwidth to a cruise ship and a new standard for the onboard guest internet experience – delivering 3.174 Gbps to Carnival Horizon.
Recent technological advances have made it easier than ever to seamlessly connect passengers in even the most challenging locations and on busy routes. High throughput
satellites such as those in Intelsat’s Epic fleet, have 15 times the throughput of traditional satellites, lowering the total cost of ownership, while smart antenna technology has made access to satellites easier.
Cruise operators also require redundancy and flexibility to maintain connectivity during peak season and even if routes change. Satellite services, combined with high-performance and multi-layered coverage, provide density to high-traffic routes and the pole-to-pole coverage needed on the most remote routes. They also add resiliency and redundancy, with layers of seamlessly integrated wide-beam capacity.
In addition to delivering best-in-class connectivity, advances in the satellite ecosystem have already helped cruise operators control OpEx and CapEx spending. Companies like Intelsat are working on new partnerships and exploring new technologies that will enable cruise operators to deliver new and more advanced applications and develop new offerings that meet specific customer needs.
Carnival Horizon – new standard set in 2018
Seatrade Cruise Review 111
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