CCL to roll out new Hybrid higher speed internet over next 2 years

[Loonbeam]

From John Heald's blog, applies to all carnival brands...

 

Good news and there will be more interweb news, exciting news coming soon.

Carnival Corporation Unveils Cruise Industry’s First Hybrid Wireless Network at Sea

Company’s innovative WiFi@Sea™ high-speed network will combine land-based systems and advanced satellite connectivity designed to give passengers faster, more stable and powerful internet service at sea.

With connectivity speeds that can be roughly 10 times faster than ever before, passengers will be able to share their cruise experience via Internet, email and social media in real time.

MIAMI (November 3, 2014) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, today unveiled the cruise industry’s first-of-its-kind hybrid wireless network – an enhanced high-speed service to eventually be rolled out to all 101 of its ships on all nine of its brands. This technology innovation is expected to revolutionize how millions of its passengers stay in touch during their cruise and generate even greater interest in cruise vacations, especially among the tech-savvy millennial generation.

Carnival Corporation’s backbone connectivity network, known as WiFi@Sea™, will integrate a unique combination of strategically located land-based antennas installed along cruise routes, Wi-Fi from a port connection and advanced satellites, forming an innovative network that is a first in the cruise industry on this scale. The “smart hybrid” network is designed to provide passengers and crew with faster and more stable internet access throughout their voyage – a feature becoming increasingly important to travelers of all ages looking to stay connected and share their experiences through social media.

Once completed, the integrated network will seamlessly switch among its various technology solutions to give passengers the highest available bandwidth capacity and strength of signal. The network will be capable of providing Internet connectivity speeds that can be roughly 10 times faster than those previously offered on Carnival Corporation’s ships – ultimately expected to provide passengers with the best possible connectivity in the cruise industry.

Following the initial launch in North America in fourth quarter of this year for ships sailing in the Caribbean – the world’s most popular region for cruising – Carnival Corporation is scheduled to rollout the technology globally. Under the current plan, the expansion will continue with Alaska in summer of 2015 and will extend to the Mediterranean, Baltic, Western European and Asian regions in 2015 and 2016. The technology will eventually be available on all nine of the company’s leading global brands – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises UK, P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.

“This is a major technology breakthrough designed to enhance the cruise experience for our passengers,” said Ramon Millan, senior vice president and global chief information officer for Carnival Corporation. “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. For those who want to stay connected while on vacation, our new network will help them do so, whether that means checking email or posting pictures to their social media sites.

“Our smart hybrid network,” Millan added, “will not only enhance our guests’ onboard experience and help our crew members keep in touch with their friends and family at home, but we believe it will also help us attract new cruisers, especially millennials who have made connectivity and social media an everyday part of their lives. Our goal is to give our passengers the best possible connection to the Internet whether they are in port, cruising near a coastal area or sailing in the middle of the ocean. In terms of the technology, the smart hybrid network represents an innovative solution designed for the unique circumstances of providing wireless Internet access on our cruise ships sailing around the world.”

Added Milan: “Our integrated network is also designed to be highly flexible. As technology changes, we can change how our network operates. So it is very possible that one of the technologies we are using today in our network may be replaced by a newer, better technology a few months from now. That flexibility means we can constantly be on the leading edge of updating our integrated network and making sure our passengers have the best possible solution for staying in touch.”

How the Carnival “Smart Hybrid” WiFi@Sea Network Works

The newly equipped ships will connect to the new wireless network via multiple technologies – port Wi-Fi, long-range Wi-Fi and a fleet of advanced satellite systems over multiple frequency bands. The network will seamlessly switch back and forth between connection types based on which option will provide the best user experience at that time. Much like a cell phone changing from one data connection to another while moving across a coverage area, the toggle between networks will be transparent for travelers and managed behind the scenes by a high-tech system.

Carnival Corporation has been piloting this technology for over a year, and due to positive guest feedback and the overall success of the program, the company is moving on to the next phase of implementation. Pricing will vary by brand upon service rollout.

In looking to the future, this first-of-its kind, hybrid approach to Internet connectivity at sea will allow Carnival Corporation to add new technologies to the network as they become available. Similarly, the scalable model will allow the company to extend the network as it adds new ports of calls and routes to its upcoming ship itineraries.

About Carnival Corporation

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).

Together, these brands operate 101 ships totaling 212,000 lower berths with eight new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2014 and 2017. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices. Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com, www.hollandamerica.com,www.princess.com, www.seabourn.com, www.aida.de, www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com,www.iberocruceros.com and www.pocruises.com.au and www.pocruises.com.

[chrysalis]

That is good news......CNN had a story online about it earlier today.

[Pam in CA]

I saw that as well. The article I read said it was already implemented on one Princess ship which I assume is the Regal.

[shutterbug63]

I saw that as well. The article I read said it was already implemented on one Princess ship which I assume is the Regal.

 

I hope this is the case! We're sailing the Regal next March and I was going to pass on the internet because I'd read it was slow. I may change my mind if this system is already on there.

[HUNKY]

I personally don't use the ship's internet much, other than checking in or changing my return flights, but the improvement in speed will be appreciated!

 

Looking forward to sailing on the Regal (hope Pam is right)!

[Mingus]

"Pricing will vary by brand upon service rollout"...........so will it be more than the current pricing???

[Pam in CA]

"Pricing will vary by brand upon service rollout"...........so will it be more than the current pricing???

From what I read, it'll be based on megabyte usage and there COULD be three different packages (and, I assume, levels within the packages.) For instance, a cheaper package for those doing just email and texting, a more expensive package for those doing Skype/FaceTime, and perhaps another for those who are heavy users and need to stay connected.

[caribill]

I have not seen any post by those who have been on the Regal (or any other Princess ship) indicating that Internet speed is much improved.

 

Still does not sound as good as what RCCL has on its newest ship.

 

They claim that the bandwidth of the Quantum OTS is greater than the total bandwidth of every other cruise ship at sea added together. And you do not need to be near land to get this bandwith.

[Thrak]

From what I read, it'll be based on megabyte usage and there COULD be three different packages (and, I assume, levels within the packages.) For instance, a cheaper package for those doing just email and texting, a more expensive package for those doing Skype/FaceTime, and perhaps another for those who are heavy users and need to stay connected.

 

It remains to be seen how this different pricing structure might affect free minutes for Platinum and Elite. Maybe all "free" minutes will be low tier minutes. Maybe they'll give Elite "better" free minutes as an added perk. Maybe the "better" free minutes would be for Elite who have a lot more than the minimum days. Maybe none of the above.

[paul929207]

his would certainly seem to be an chance for them to quietly modify (reduce) the Platinum and Elite awards.

[Thrak]

his would certainly seem to be an chance for them to quietly modify (reduce) the Platinum and Elite awards.

 

True but it would also be an opportunity for them to reward their most loyal customers - the ones with a bazillion (or so) days at sea with Princess.

[paul929207]

I guess it would depend on how much usage platinums and elites get with the new equipment. I have never had to buy additional minutes. So if the award is replace by an equivalent amount, a higher level award would not do too much for me

[caribill]

I guess it would depend on how much usage platinums and elites get with the new equipment. I have never had to buy additional minutes. So if the award is replace by an equivalent amount, a higher level award would not do too much for me

 

It billing will be in megabytes, then your past history may or may not have exceeded the number of allowed megabytes.

 

If billed in megabyte usage, this will help those who mainly do simple e-mails and hurt those who upload a number of pictures or want to download items with significant byte count.

[Loonbeam]

It's only in the Carribean, has the Regal even been there yet?

 

I have not seen any post by those who have been on the Regal (or any other Princess ship) indicating that Internet speed is much improved.

 

Still does not sound as good as what RCCL has on its newest ship.

 

They claim that the bandwidth of the Quantum OTS is greater than the total bandwidth of every other cruise ship at sea added together. And you do not need to be near land to get this bandwith.

[Nancyquilts]

It remains to be seen how this different pricing structure might affect free minutes for Platinum and Elite. Maybe all "free" minutes will be low tier minutes. Maybe they'll give Elite "better" free minutes as an added perk. Maybe the "better" free minutes would be for Elite who have a lot more than the minimum days. Maybe none of the above.

 

You are so right!;)

[Mom33]

Wonderful news.:D

[AE_Collector]

It's only in the Carribean, has the Regal even been there yet?

 

Article also said they have been testing it for a year or more so maybe it has only been on other than Princess ships so far. It also said that thenservice would be rolled out in the Caribbean fourth quarter this year so they must be starting to turn it up on numerous ships in the Caribbean right now.

 

Terry

[Pam in CA]

If billed in megabyte usage, this will help those who mainly do simple e-mails and hurt those who upload a number of pictures or want to download items with significant byte count.

Personally, I think this would be a fairer system of billing. I don't see it as "hurting" heavy users but rather equalizing bandwidth usage. If you use more, you'd pay more. It'll be interesting to see how the Platinum/Elite benefit is impacted.

[paul929207]

Personally, I think this would be a fairer system of billing. I don't see it as "hurting" heavy users but rather equalizing bandwidth usage. If you use more, you'd pay more. It'll be interesting to see how the Platinum/Elite benefit is impacted.

I would think the Skype and similar users would not be pleased. Especially the heavier users.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Personally, I think this would be a fairer system of billing. I don't see it as "hurting" heavy users but rather equalizing bandwidth usage. If you use more, you'd pay more. It'll be interesting to see how the Platinum/Elite benefit is impacted.

 

Right now, if the connection is slow you pay more to do the same thing. Under this new system, you pay for results. Much fairer IMHO.

[Loonbeam]

FYI - Disney is moving to the MB based system and once people got used to it the appeal is generally positive. It's intuitive for a lot of people since that is how cell phone data works.

 

As far as Elites, my expectation is that the benefit will equal financially what they get now. So if lets say 150 free minutes is normally $20, you will get the same value in MB.

 

And yes, Skype, facetime users will be adversely affected in many cases.

[paul929207]

I guess the problem will be that while people understand time, they don't have a grasp on MBs. While I know what a MB is I don't have a feeling for how much I can do for 1 MB. It will take time for people to understand this. During that time some will waste some of the credit, while others will go way over it.

[Thrak]

I guess the problem will be that while people understand time, they don't have a grasp on MBs. While I know what a MB is I don't have a feeling for how much I can do for 1 MB. It will take time for people to understand this. During that time some will waste some of the credit, while others will go way over it.

 

Pictures, audio, video = Big use of data

 

Plain text (email without attachments) = Small use of data

 

Stick to that as a guideline and you will do pretty well.

[paul929207]

Pictures, audio, video = Big use of data

 

Plain text (email without attachments) = Small use of data

 

Stick to that as a guideline and you will do pretty well.

Except that at least initially, most people do not know what that means when compare to some free amount they get for being Platinum or Elite or for the usage they are paying for. Until they can set a handle on it, there will be complaints

[Steviewonder1]

Since I am now retired and not working for anyone who can cause issues with vacation time, I am now not caring for what Internet speeds are on ships or airplanes. You who cannot disconnect just keep worrying about that email that may or not arrive or the Big Management decision that may find you. I have delegated all activities back home to others to handle while I am OFF Line!! Yes I do Video On Line with my Granddaughter a couple of times, but that is all....