Hurtigruten Expeditions will be the world’s first cruise line to implement SpaceX’s innovative broadband service Starlink across all ships, allowing the provision of unprecedented internet connectivity at sea by the end of October 2022.
With long-time connectivity partner Speedcast, Hurtigruten Expeditions started the rollout of Starlink terminals aboard its expedition ship fleet in March 2022 with installation expected to be completed by the end of October.
The Starlink integration will make Hurtigruten Expeditions the first cruise line to introduce high-speed, low-latency connectivity across its entire fleet.
Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen said: “As a world leader in exploration travel, it’s only fitting that we bring the world’s most innovative technologies on board our ships to further enhance the experience and day-to-day lives of our guests, crew, partners and the communities we visit.”
“Our partnership with Speedcast and fleetwide introduction of the new service not only puts us ahead of the rest of the cruise industry but also ahead of the technology. When Starlink introduces maritime coverage in Antarctica and the Arctic, we’ll be ready.”
Speedcast CEO Joe Spytek said Hurtigruten Expeditions was the ideal partner to introduce ground-breaking technology in the cruise industry with vessels operating in some of the most remote and spectacular areas of the world.
The ground-breaking broadband internet solution – using a network of low-orbit satellites – will benefit guests, crew and scientists on all three Hurtigruten Expeditions ships sailing Antarctica in the coming 2022/2023 season with Starlink slated to introduce Antarctic maritime coverage in Q4 2022.
Hurtigruten Expeditions is also one of only a few cruise lines that will also offer free internet connectivity to all its crew members.
Royal Caribbean Group announced its Spacelink rollout across the entire RCG fleet would commence with Celebrity Beyond in September 2022 with fleet-wide installation to be completed by the first quarter of 2023.
For more info, head to hurtigruten.com/expeditions
