Carnival Corp’s patented connectivity service MedallionNet will provide guests with easy-to-access Wi-Fi that features exceptional speeds and bandwidth, pervasive stateroom signal strength and unprecedented service consistency, the cruise conglomerate claimed.
This connectivity service – to be delivered in connection with SES Networks, a business unit of SES – will collectively leverage the global satellite operator’s geostationary earth orbit (GEO) and medium-earth orbit (MEO) constellations, managed services, antenna and shipboard technology to significantly enhance the guest experience by providing high-performance and reliable broadband connectivity at sea.
This innovative service is enabled by hardware and software shipboard technology advances associated with Carnival Corp’s proprietary O·C·E·A·N experience platform.
“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, Carnival Corp’s chief experience and innovation officer.
“MedallionNet will set the new standard for Wi-Fi service at sea and we look forward to rolling it out to our guests. 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 – and that includes being able to easily send photos, videos and messages letting everyone know they are having a fabulous vacation,” he said.
MedallionNet is the first end-to-end Wi-Fi service development formulated with a focus on exceeding guest expectations through GuestCentricity – an initiative to enhance all aspects of the vacation experience by delivering guests what they want, when, where and how they want it.
“SES Networks is privileged to be associated with Carnival Corp’s global experience and innovation team and to be powering MedallionNet,” said Steve Collar, SES Networks CEO. “We share Carnival Corp’s passionate focus on connecting people, places and cultures around the world with amazing experiences.
As the only company to offer a GEO and MEO constellation, unmatched in scale, performance and technological diversity, SES Networks is uniquely positioned to enable the highest performing Wi-Fi connectivity at sea, as well as immersive media and gaming content.”
MedallionNet leverages multi-band antennas configured in a shipboard formation to minimise any potential impact to guest connectivity, due to seasonal weather or ship positioning.
By combining multiple sources of bandwidth to achieve the highest capacity shipboard network ever brought to a cruise ship with an unprecedented volume of shipboard access points, MedallionNet introduces a level of service reliability and signal pervasiveness not previously achieved on ships sailing at sea, Carnival claimed.
More details about MedallionNet and specific cruise brand implementation will be announced later this year, the company said.
