Cruise News: Ultra-Fast Internet Communications Coming For Passengers Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas

While aboard Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas last month in Alaska, I was very pleased to discover that the ship’s WiFi was accessible in my stateroom. The connection wasn’t as fast as I’d have liked, which is typical of most cruise ships, but it probably would have been faster in one of the ship’s “hot spots.” Nevertheless, it enabled me to work in comfort and I heard while on board that more speed is in the works. That was confirmed this week when O3b Networks announced a milestone multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to provide high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service aboard the world’s largest cruise ship. By summer 2013, more than 8,000 guests, staff and crew members aboard the cruise industry leader’s flagship Oasis of the Seas—under the Royal Caribbean International brand—will be the first to enjoy O3b’s enhanced connectivity at sea as if connected to fiber at home or in the office.

A true technology innovator, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is the first to utilize O3b’s new maritime offering O3b Maritime, which delivers the reach of satellite and the speed and latency of fiber at a fraction of the cost of conventional providers. O3b is enabling maritime service providers to offer affordable fiber-like capacity across the Caribbean and ocean regions around the world. Providing unparalleled bandwidth, O3b’s steerable satellite beams will provide cruise industry passengers ultra-fast Internet communications throughout their voyage.

“Royal Caribbean is committed to delivering the most contemporary vacation to our guests, and that includes pushing ahead for onboard technological advances that offer the modern conveniences that guests enjoy on land,” said Adam M. Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Intl. “This milestone agreement with O3b Networks enables us to provide our guests with unprecedented Internet service at sea aboard Oasis of the Seas and potentially in the future aboard other ships in our fleet.”

Oasis of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship with sister-ship Allure of the Seas. With a cache of distinct onboard activities and amenities, Oasis of the Seas offers one-of-a-kind entertainment performances, culinary concepts, retail venues and technology innovations. An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas is divided into seven distinct themed neighborhoods, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and Youth Zone. The ship spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas alternates a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean 7-night itinerary from her homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International