Carnival Corporation is introducing Starlink internet access on its ships.
The cruise line operator announced that it had begun implementing Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite internet service on its Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises brands, with plans to expand the offering to other cruise lines.
“For many of our guests, maintaining the type of connectivity at sea that they’ve grown accustomed to at home, as well as sharing the unforgettable experiences of their cruise with friends and family,” Carnival Corp. CEO Josh Weinstein said in a news release. “We are in the business of delivering happiness, and Starlink makes it as simple as possible for our guests to share all of their wonderful moments and memories, allowing them to get even more enjoyment out of their cruise vacation.”
The announcement follows Royal Caribbean Group’s announcement in August that the service would be available on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises ships, as well as any new ships from those brands. Previously, the company evaluated the technology on board and conducted a trial on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas.
What impact will Starlink have on internet access on Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships?
Carnival Corp. said Starlink “significantly advances” its goal of providing the best Wi-Fi available, allowing guests to share photos and videos, stream movies, and do other things “with a reliable connection at even faster speeds,” according to a press release.
“The increased bandwidth will enable the brands to introduce new guest services and features, as well as improve operational functions such as onboard equipment monitoring and real-time communications between ship and shore teams,” Weinstein added.
In a news release, Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO Jason Liberty stated that Starlink will facilitate and improve “more high-bandwidth activities” such as video calls and streaming. According to the company, the service will also make working and staying in touch with loved ones easier.
When will Starlink be put in place?
Carnival Corp. launched Starlink on its Carnival and AIDA ships in December, with plans to expand the service to “several” of its other cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Cunard Line.
The company did not respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY on when the rollout would be completed.
The Royal Caribbean Group announced that it would begin implementing Starlink across its fleet immediately, with the deployment expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
How much will Starlink set you back?
Carnival Corp. did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on how Starlink’s installation might affect internet prices.
Carnival Cruise Line recently raised the price of Wi-Fi on board its ships. According to the company’s website, the Social internet plan starts at $12.75 per person per day, while the Value plan starts at $17 and the Premium plan starts at $18.70.
Royal Caribbean Group also did not respond to a request from USA TODAY for comment on how much Starlink would cost customers on board at the time of the announcement.
In April, SpaceX announced agreements with Hawaiian Airlines and regional-jet carrier JSX to provide Starlink for free.
