October 15, 2024 – Marella Cruises, the cruise line of TUI UK&I, has partnered with Speedcast, a leading, global provider of satellite communications and IT services, to introduce Eutelsat Group’s OneWeb LEO (Low Earth Orbit) technology across its fleet. Speedcast will deploy OneWeb’s maritime connectivity service which will join the Starlink service already deployed across the fleet. The solution brings together multiple LEO connectivity paths to deliver a hybrid internet network designed to improve the customer journey and experience aboard Marella Cruises’ ships.
The cruise line will enhance connectivity through a combination of LEO technologies from Speedcast, ensuring faster internet for passengers onboard. This latest innovation from Marella Cruises will offer high-speed, low-latency internet access to both customers and crew throughout the fleet, modernising the ships and delivering a seamless online experience.
The integration of LEO services from Speedcast will enable Marella Cruises to benefit from improved service levels, availability, and download speeds. This ongoing commitment to exploring and investing in new technologies will create new opportunities for the cruise line to enhance digital solutions and leverage cloud computing, ultimately benefiting both customers and crew during their journeys onboard.
Chris Hackney, Managing Director at Marella Cruises said: “This is another step forward in terms of innovation for Marella Cruises. With this new partnership with Speedcast, it will provide low latency internet across the fleet, not only enhancing the customer experience onboard, but also improving the connectivity for crew onboard the ships as well.”
James Trevelyan, EVP Global Sales at Speedcast said: “We have partnered with Marella Cruises for more than a decade, providing fully managed connectivity solutions supporting their fleet’s global voyages. Our depth of experience providing seamless communications services for cruise ships, combined with our market-leading position delivering LEO technologies, makes us a great fit to serve Marella in this deployment. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Marella and ensuring fully connected cruise operations for their crew and guests.”
Thierry Polycarpe, Eutelsat OneWeb’s Vice President for Global Maritime added: “We are delighted to work with Speedcast to bring the benefits of our OneWeb constellation to Marella’s fleet. The latency and speed of our LEO services can transform the connectivity experience from stem to stern. We look forward to seeing the new benefits launched soon on Marella Cruises.”
###
MARELLA CRUISES
Marella Cruises is part of TUI UK and Ireland and TUI Group. It is the third largest cruise line in the UK. As of 1 June 2023, there are five ships in the Marella Cruises fleet, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and the newest ship to the fleet, Marella Voyager. Marella Cruises offers its customers all-inclusive as standard with all tips and service charges included, customers enjoy an unrivalled level of service and award-winning entertainment.
About Speedcast
Speedcast is a leading communications and IT services provider, delivering critical communications services to the Maritime, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, Government, and Enterprise sectors. The company leverages its global network platform to provide fully connected systems that harness technologies and applications to transform what remote operations can achieve. With the world’s most comprehensive network, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport network with direct access to public cloud platforms. The company integrates differentiated technology offerings that provide smarter ways to communicate and distribute content, manage network and remote operations, protect and secure investments, and improve the crew and guest experience. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. Learn more at www.speedcast.com.
Speedcast® is a trademark and registered trademark. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners.
© 2024 Speedcast. All rights reserved.