It was announced on August 30, 2022, that Royal Caribbean Cruises will begin offering onboard internet services via SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network.
SpaceX Starlink will be installed across all Royal Caribbean owned cruise ships and is expected to be completed by early 2023. While the coverage will be limited to coastal waters for now, there is no question the service will be better as current satellite options aren’t great.
In a press release, Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty said, “This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships. It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls.”
SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink Commercial Sales, Jonathan Hofeller, said that this partnership will make Royal Caribbean’s passenger’s vacations “even more luxurious.”
This announcement came on the heels of a trial on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas where it received rave reviews.
There have been recent sightings of the Starlink installation crews readying the ships for the new service to begin, but the service is not operational just yet. Royal Caribbean has stated the technology will be available on all its ships by the end of the first quarter in 2023, but it has not divulged any further information regarding exact dates, nor the cost.
While Royal Caribbean hasn’t mentioned additional cost to cruisers, SpaceX says the service will cost the cruise line about $5000 per month, plus the initial cost of the Starlink terminals. The dual terminals cost $10,000 but large ships will likely require additional devices.
This news is very exciting for some as having fast and reliable internet has become a way of life for most. A lot of travelers like to text and call, or check their social media even while cruising. Other travelers need to work while on vacation or just prefer to work remotely.
No matter the reason, if you like or need to stay connected while on board, Royal Caribbean and SpaceX Starlink are working together to make this a better experience for you.
How about you? Does faster internet excite you or do you prefer to disconnect while at sea?