SpaceX’s Starlink is providing high-speed internet on CRUISE SHIPS after new Royal Caribbean deal

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is providing high-speed internet connectivity with Starlink for all of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships after inking a new deal this week.

The low-latency broadband will be installed on all of the company’s International, Celebrity and Silversea cruise ships – as well as all new vessels for these brands – and will be completed by March 2023.

‘Royal Caribbean Group selecting Starlink to provide high-speed, low-latency internet across their fleet will make their passengers’ getaways even more luxurious,’ said SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Sales Jonathan Hofeller in a statement. 

The low-latency broadband will be installed on the company’s International, Celebrity and Silversea cruise ships – as well as all new vessels for these brands 

‘We couldn’t be more excited to work with Royal Caribbean Group to ensure travelers at sea can stay connected with a great internet experience.’ 

Internet connectivity at sea is historically bad and this partnership is aimed at changing that. 

‘This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike,’ Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said in a statement. 

‘It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls. 

‘Royal Caribbean Group selecting Starlink to provide high-speed, low-latency internet across their fleet will make their passengers’ getaways even more luxurious,’ said SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Sales Jonathan Hofeller in a statement

‘This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike,’ Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said in a statement

‘Using Starlink is one more example of our continued focus on innovation and excellence for our guests, our crew, the communities we visit and our shareholders.’ 

Royal Caribbean previously deployed a pilot version of the Starlink technology onboard Freedom of the Seas, which received a ‘tremendous amount of positive feedback’ from guests and crew members. 

‘Starlink is a game-changer, and we can’t wait to revolutionize the seas with faster and more reliable internet, making it easier for guests and crew to remain connected to work, family and friends, no matter where they choose to travel,’ said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. 

In July, SpaceX unveiled a new service for superyachts, oil rigs and merchant vessels that will cost $5,000 per month – plus $10,000 for two ‘ruggedized’ Starlink dishes. Of course, these costs are a drop in the bucket for a company like Royal Caribbean, which had $1.5 billion in revenue last year. 

The Starlink constellation currently only works near waters closer to land masses, but it will be rolled out to mid-ocean areas in the northern hemisphere by the end of this year and the southern hemisphere by early 2023.  

In comparison, the space-based internet costs $110 a month with a $599 one-time equipment fee for residential customers; it’s also available for businesses and RVs. 

In July, SpaceX unveiled a new service for superyachts, oil rigs and merchant vessels that will cost $5,000 per month – plus $10,000 for two ‘ruggedized’ Starlink dishes