Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has tapped satellite and terrestrial communications company EMC to deliver a faster Internet service to the NCL fleet.
The companies have entered into a long-term strategic agreement which will see EMC effectively quadruple its current internet speeds at sea.
New satellite hardware will be integrated with EMC’s SpeedNet program that will enable speeds comparable with terrestrial broadband.
It will be added to Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises by July 2016.
"With the addition of new hardware, combined with the significant increase in satellite bandwidth, shoreside connectivity and EMC’s SpeedNet, we have moved beyond the decade old problem of slow data speeds from satellite to deliver a much more efficient and faster internet experience for our guests," said Ross Henderson, vice president, onboard revenue, at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
"Our guests can consume content, post to social media, and stay in touch with family and friends on the ships’ network just as they are used to on land."
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer the service free of charge while Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises will launch a range of unlimited or pay per minute packages.
"This is testament to our giant leaps forward in the cruise sector, thanks to our patented, purpose-built and differentiated products, and our unmatched worldwide support," said Brent Horwitz, president of cruise and ferry services, EMC.
Last week Royal Caribbean International announced it had completed fleet wide roll out of its VOOM fast internet service across 24 ships.
