Carnival to Offer New Wi-Fi Service Using SES Capacity

Carnival’s Freedom vessel. Photo: Carnival.

Carnival has announced MedallionNet, a connectivity service enabled by SES Networks that will provide guests with high-speed and high bandwidth Wi-Fi aboard its cruise ships. The service will collectively leverage SES’ Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellations, managed services, antenna and shipboard technology to provide broadband connectivity at sea.

MedallionNet leverages multi-band antennas configured in a new shipboard formation to minimize any potential impact to guest connectivity due to seasonal weather or ship positioning and fuses multi-orbit satellite bandwidth to ensure reliable connectivity. The service is another development to emerge from Carnival’s Global Experience and Innovation Center located in Miami and is the first Wi-Fi service formulated with a focus on exceeding guest expectations through what Carnival calls “GuestCentricity^” — an initiative to enhance all aspects of the vacation experience by delivering guests “what they want, when, where and how they want it.”

“Staying connected is inextricably linked to our daily life experiences and that now extends to the vacation experience, even when sailing in the middle of the sea,” said John Padgett, chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival. “Our top priority is doing everything we can to exceed guest expectations, and by listening closely to our guests, we know Wi-Fi connectivity is important to many of our guests. For guests who want to disconnect, they are free to do so. But for those who want to stay connected, MedallionNet will make it easy for them.”