First Starlink Maritime cruise ship satellite Internet deployment goes to Royal Caribbean

After the FCC's nod over providing Starlink satellite Internet connectivity service to moving vehicles, it didn't take long for Elon Musk's SpaceX to introduce a new price tier - Starlink Maritime - aimed at usage, on the high seas, instead of Starlink RV's terrestrial purpose. It also didn't take long for the cruise giants from Royal Caribbean to announce that they will be first in the industry to deploy Starlink Maritime on their ships.

Starlink Maritime is the most expensive satellite Internet option that SpaceX provides, as it is meant for providing connectivity to cruise and freight ships, oil platforms, or luxury yachts. Starlink Maritime costs US$5,000 a month and delivers "high-speed, low-latency internet with up to 350 Mbps download while at sea," claims SpaceX. That is in addition to the US$10,000 one-time equipment purchase for two Starlink terminals, but the service is on a pay-as-you-go basis and can be paused when not in use.

Judging from the forest of Stralink dishes that Royal Caribbean used to illustrate its Maritime subscription announcement with, its won't be pausing the monthly payments to SpaceX and will be providing cruise goers with fast Internet in the open sea at all times. According to Royal Caribbean's CEO:

This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike. It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls. Using Starlink is one more example of our continued focus on innovation and excellence for our guests, our crew, the communities we visit and our shareholders.

All existing or future Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises ships will be equipped with fast satellite Internet courtesy of Starlink by April 2023 which SpaceX's VP of sales said will make their "passengers’ getaways even more luxurious."

Get the TP-Link 5GHz AC867 Long Range Outdoor CPE at Amazon