New Ideas Upgrade Cruise Ship Internet

Posted on 8 April, 2017 by Spacejunkie2

At Seatrade Cruise Global, I had the chance to speak with Ole Kristian Sivertsen, president of Global Eagle’s cruise, ferry and yacht services about where the company is heading with its internet access aboard Norwegian Cruise Line and beyond.

I know Global Eagle by way of MTN, one of cruising’s first connectivity brands. Sivertsen informs me that Global Eagle was effectively formed by merging MTN’s maritime satellite services, EMC’s shoreside satellite services and Global Eagle Entertainment’s film and television material under one umbrella.

“We are now a leading content and connectivity provider for air, sea and land, basically,” he said. “The merger between content and connectivity is an important thing for us because really: What are the internet pipes for? It’s for consuming digital content of some sort and, of course, providing internet connectivity so they can use whatever they use at home …”

To that end, it is Global Eagle’s primary focus to create the best overall experience for guests at sea. Competitors often concern themselves with hardware and bandwidth, but Global Eagle is more about software and efficiency.

“Over the last year or two, we’ve put a lot of innovation efforts into changing this industry, really changing it from the traditional focus on QoS [quality of service] and bits and bytes and technical parameters – I mean everyone is talking about how many megabits and bytes and hertz … and how much network capacity will you commit to over time,” he explained.

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“Whereas all of those things are very important technically, but the thing we really need to focus on as an industry is how is the experience for the users, in the hand of the user. So, we’ve been driving a very strong shift towards what we call and what we named quite some time, a year or two back ago, as the QoE factor, the Quality of Experience.”

A content provider as much as a connectivity one, Global Eagle tries to store as much content onboard ahead of time, essentially broadcasting it to the ship as a whole rather than individuals fetching it.

Sivertsen said, “We’ve developed that with advanced algorithms that are following the trends and the behavior of the internet itself and are more or less able to predict the behavior of what’s trending, what’s going on, what people need, to make sure a lot of the content that the users will use while they’re onboard is actually locally on the vessel before they even ask for it.”

In fact, the company is finding that more than 67 percent of all web browsing can be delivered internally, freeing up capacity for things that more directly impact quality of experience.

Another step towards efficiency is the order in which download and upload requests are placed in line. This way, a user browsing CNN.com isn’t stuck waiting long behind one uploading multiple videos.

Sivertsen added, “We’ve developed some unique technology to address just that and make sure that we really give priorities to these kind of things in that queue so that really we address the quality of experience …”

The goal is to ultimately create a partnership model with cruise lines wherein they can be supplied with dynamic bandwidth and are not required to repeatedly seek out quotes for additional capacity. Norwegian Cruise Line, for one, has signed a multi-year agreement with Global Eagle for enhanced internet and entertainment services on its 14-ship fleet.

As part of the services, Global Eagle will provide Norwegian with tiered Wi-Fi plans, texting and video. Guests are anticipating access to a portal of television programming, on-demand films, games and special event broadcasts.

“Under this new agreement with Global Eagle, we’re looking to expand our onboard communication and entertainment experience for our guests,” said Ross Henderson, NCL’s vice president of onboard revenue, in a press release. “In addition, Global Eagle’s portal will enable us to manage our onboard revenue-producing services, entertainment and information more efficiently.”

“This new partnership agreement with NCLH is a giant step toward achieving our vision of delivering an unparalleled QoE in reliable high-speed Wi-Fi and entertainment for people on the move, whether on an airplane, cruise ship or luxury yacht,” added Sivertsen in the press release.

“One of our key competitive advantages in the marketplace is our ability to offer end users a QoE similar to what they get at a luxury land resort.”

Norwegian Cruise Line goes all-inclusive

Posted on 4 April, 2017 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line goes all-inclusive to compete with land-based holidays

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Norwegian Bliss due to cruise in 2018

Norwegian Cruise Line is “upping its game” as it unveiled a major change to its pricing policy by making all cruises fully all-inclusive.

Bookings made in the UK and Ireland across all 14 of Norwegian’s ships are now classified as Premium All Inclusive.

The line announced the new pricing package at an event in Baker Street in London. Senior vice president, international for the line Frances Riley said this was the next ‘natural step’ for Norwegian.

“In recent years we have upped our game with our ships and with our hardware, this is now about innovating the experience for our customers.

The all-inclusive pricing means items that were formerly ‘extras’ are now included in all cruise prices.

These range from a wide variety of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to unlimited juices, water and soft drinks for children, as well as all service charges and gratuities.

Norwegian said the extras in total were worth about £1,200 per stateroom. The policy takes effect from Thursday April 6.

Premium All Inclusive applies to all staterooms, including studio, inside, ocean view, balcony and mini suite accommodation.

Guests staying in the higher-level haven or suite accommodation will additionally benefit from a dining package, 250 minutes of free internet and $100 onboard credit.

The line said it was introducing the change to stay competitive with all-inclusive holidays on land.

Premium All Inclusive has already been rolled out in several European markets including Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France on sailings to all destinations.

The new strategy means the lead-in price for a comparable seven-night sailing in the western Mediterranean rises from £609 to £739. But Norwegian said it worked out cheaper than making a cruise-only booking and purchasing the extras separately.

Nick Wilkinson, senior director and general manager for northern Europe, said: “We are confident that Premium All Inclusive, and the relaxation and peace of mind it offers, has the power to inspire your customers to book with you.

“We will support you with our comprehensive Partners Toolkit.

“Also, our business development team will proactively assist you with maximising the opportunities it offers.”

Welcome to Harvest Caye

Posted on 1 April, 2017 by Spacejunkie2

What makes the perfect holiday destination? NCL reckon they know the answer – and they’ve just built it in the Caribbean.

So the Caribbean is a place of tradition? Where the rustic, ramshackle towns have stood for several hundred years and where the islands only change at the whim of the weather?

Wrong. Harvest Caye is a product of the 21st century, a paradise isle that man has raised from a patch of mud off the coast of Central America.

Emerald Waterways

I’m on Norwegian Getaway, a very modern giant of the seas, and we’re docked at what is a bustling American resort beach that also happens to be an island. Just a little one, mind: there are no towns or villages here, and the only wildlife is behind bars. As are a lot of the punters, drinking at the LandShark (part of singer Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville empire) or the swim-up (wallow-up) bar in the palm-fringed pool outside.

The creation of Norwegian Cruise Line, Harvest Caye opened its gates at the end of last year. Taking 4,000-plus holidaymakers at a time, it’s a day-long stopover on Western Caribbean cruises – which in our case means a week’s round trip from Miami, taking in Roatan in Honduras and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.

Harvest Caye – Main pool

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A 15,000sq ft pool dominates the man-made landscape.

Harvest Caye is, notionally, part of Belize, a Central American nation dotted with Mayan ruins. But despite being only a mile off the mainland, with its dense jungle and distant peaks, this is an international playground.

Norwegian Getaway towers over the mangroves at the tip of the island but, despite being moored at the jetty (no need for tenders here), she is all but abandoned as passengers forego their free lunch on board for the pleasure of pay-as-you-go burgers.

If you want a jolly holiday rather than a cruise that visits a series of historic spots with cathedrals and the like, this is it. The sun loungers lie many deep around the curve of the fine, pale, man-made beach, and it’s as busy as a theme park. But – again like a theme park – there’s plenty going on. The lagoon where you can rent pedalos and stand-up paddleboards meanders past the Flighthouse, a 130ft mock lighthouse that stands at the heart of a zipwire circuit. Here I get kitted out and enjoy whizzing above the lagoon with views across the mainland. But it’s the final, longest run that gets the palms sweaty. This is taken horizontally, Superman-style, with straps from the back. As the team ease me, face down, over the sheer drop I’m regretting my decision, until I soar away and fly across beach and bay into the trees.

As pop music echoes across the island I wander around the shops: there’s jade jewellery, chocolate from free-trade organic Moho, T-shirts and duty-free. Nearby there are children splashing in the play area and parents lining up for the walk-through butterfly house, and the toucans and macaws in their little aviaries.

Harvest Caye – Beach Villa Interior

A beach villa for six offers day-long comfort

A stroll along the beach brings you to a private area of 11 wooden villas. If the free sun-loungers don’t do it for you, nor the for-hire cabanas, here you’ve got a retreat for six, price $499. There are no beds but you won’t be staying overnight (although your butler will take care of lunch). Like any theme park, this place closes its gates at the end of the day, so it can be ready for a new influx tomorrow.

But back aboard Norwegian Getaway, there’s plenty more sun and fun to come on her seven-night itinerary. Coxen Hole on the island of Roatan has a more traditional Caribbean feel (though it’s still purpose-built), the ship looming over a colourful cluster of shops and restaurants. A band plays and passengers amble about, buying uncut diamonds (a bargain, so I’m told). There are tours that visit beaches on the far side of the island and stop at viewpoints in the hills, but I find it’s nicer simply to wander along the coast road and stop at one or two of the tiny coves, swimming in the warm waters with views back to the ship.

Costa Maya, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is just as unreal. Walking down the long pier from the ship into a “village” of shops, restaurants, pools and bars, I was reminded of the Mexican pavilion at the Epcot Center in Disney World.

Beach Villa Porch – Harvest Caye

Beach villa

For a couple of dollars, a taxi will take you to the beach town of Mahahual a mile or so away. Instead, I wander through quiet, tree-lined lanes and find it myself (the beach walk seems walled off, presumably to stop anyone enjoying themselves for free).

Mahahual is as close as you’ll get on this trip to the real world. Pelicans sit on crumbling breakwaters as I swim in the gorgeous water and laze on the sand; shack bars serve me beer and tacos for a couple of dollars apiece, and a lengthy massage under a softly billowing shade costs me $20. Other passengers are doing the Mayan ruins but I think I’ve found the true spirit of Mexico right here, and it’s not tequila.

It’s a hazy, sunny vibe that’s cleverly recreated on Norwegian Getaway. At the sun deck bar there are nightly parties for those who like loud music and dancing. Then there’s The Waterfront, a walkway that circles the ship with various spots for alfresco diners, and the Sugarcane mojito bar for cocktail lovers.

There are all manner of other attractions, from the high ropes course to waterslides and mini-golf, and the evening entertainment is top-notch too. The Million Dollar Quartet is a rock ’n’ roll musical about the night when Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all shared a recording studio. It’s a good choice because our cruise is a big slice of the American dream itself, sailing into the sun from high-rise, palm-fringed Miami.

Our final call is the Mexican island of Cozumel, and this time I do the Mayan thing, taking a fascinating trip to the 3,000-year-old walled city of Tulum. The country’s most visited archaeological site, it has Mexico’s only coastal pyramids – two of them, set in vast, lush grounds on a 40ft cliff with steps down to a small, idyllic beach. It’s the perfect mix – pale sands, warm waters, and an awe-inspiring monument to ancient man’s ingenuity.

Will Harvest Caye still be pulling in the punters in 3,000 years? Probably not. But, like the rest of this cruise, it’s a lot of fun while it lasts.