Lindblad Expeditions has announced a phased rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink Broadband Internet to its entire fleet by the end of the year. The ship is also set to unveil three new internet packages that will ensure guests, regardless of their digital needs, can stay connected while traveling to the far corners of the globe.
Access to higher speeds will be limited to paid internet packages, while free internet packages will provide access to low bandwidth connections.
This concept shows how successful online maritime services can be, even in the most challenging marine environments.
Providing connectivity to remote areas
The launch of Starlink, SpaceX’s high-speed, low-cost network, represents a major improvement in Lindblad Expeditions‘ service outside. The cruise line, known for its off-the-beaten-track voyages, aims to allow passengers to connect with family, friends, and colleagues during their journey.
“Our goal has always been to help connect our guests with destinations around the world, and now, with Starlink, we can help them stay connected to their families, friends, and colleagues at home,” he said. said Noah Brodsky, Chief Commercial Officer, Lindblad Expeditions.
“Starlink will also enable downloads up to 10 times faster than our existing service and improve the transmission and monitoring capabilities of our remote locations, such as Antarctica, the Canadian Arctic, Svalbard, and Alaska.”
Besides being good news for guests traveling on Lindblad ships in all parts of the world, the speed of the Internet is good news for Lindblad’s scientific work, as ecologists, conservationists, tour guides, and researchers will be able to work with technology data transmission. .
“This partnership will also help our ecologists, tour leaders, and researchers in the Visiting Scientist Program,” support our ecologists, lead researchers. Brodsky said.
Currently, the fastest internet service is available at National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Resolution. Other ships will be ready by the end of the year.
With the release of Starlink, Lindblad Expeditions plans to unveil three new internet packages. The “Basic” tier allows guests to send messages and have chat limits, while the “Advanced” tier supports web browsing and video calling.
For visitors who need unlimited digital access, the “Premium” tier offers unlimited web, social media, and advertising opportunities.
Advantages of Starlink
Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology has emerged as a game changer in providing internet access at sea. This is especially beneficial for cruises like Lindblad Expeditions that operate in remote areas where traditional internet connections are often limited or non-existent.
It promises download speeds of up to 350 Mbps, with expected speeds ranging between 50-200 Mbps, provides a connection experience similar to landline services. The speed varies between 10-40 Mbps, which can accommodate high quality streaming.
In addition, Starlink is celebrated for its low latency, with an average latency of around 99ms. Latency refers to the delay between when a message is sent from one device and when another device receives it. Low latency provides smooth and responsive video calls over the Internet.
The additions envisioned by Starlink will be a big change for guests on board equipped ships, whether they want to share high-quality video and photos of their travels, connect with loved ones, or attend virtual meetings on vacation.
However, cruises can reduce the number of tourists they have, as done by Lindblad. Although the connection will be there, it may mean a much lower speed than Starlink advertises. It is one feature that several people have mentioned when traveling on ships with Starlink.
Lindblad Expeditions is one of many cruise lines that have adopted Starlink. SeaDream Yacht Club, Hurtigruten, American Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lineand Windstar Cruises, among others – have all announced a move to a new online service.
