Carnival Corporation has launched the first ever hybrid wireless network, which will be available on all 101 of its ships.
The technology will be available across nine brands and is set to change how passengers keep in touch with friends and family during their cruise. Carnival hopes the service will also generate a greater interest in vacations.
Known as Wi-Fi @Sea, the technology will include a number of land-based antennas, with Wi-Fi being used from a port connection and through advanced satellites. The “smart hybrid” network is set to give passengers and crew faster, more stable internet access during their trip.
It is expected that the network will alternate among its technology solutions to give passengers the highest available bandwidth capacity, while the network will be capable of offering internet connectivity speeds around ten times faster than services previously offered on ships.
After an initial launch in North America during the fourth quarter of 2014, Carnival confirmed that the expansion will carry on during the summer of 2015 and will reach the Mediterranean, Baltic, Western European and Asian regions in 2015 and 2016.
Carnival Coporation
Eventually, the technology will be accessible on all nine of the company’s worldwide brands, including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises UK.
Ramon Millan, senior vice president and global chief information officer for Carnival Corporation, said: “This is a major technology breakthrough designed to enhance the cruise experience for our passengers.
“Our guests are looking for different experiences when they cruise – some are interested in disconnecting and others are interested in staying in touch with their world back home.”
Mr Millan explained that the network will be ideal for people who wish to stay online while on holiday.
He went on to say that the smart hybrid network represents an “innovative solution” designed to provide wireless internet for travellers.
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