As the world progresses in its pursuit of traveling, cruise line leaders constantly search for travel technology advancement that improves passenger experience. Recently, cruise lines have become more competitive than ever to gain a competitive edge. Thus, various facilities came up with the idea of utilizing IoT (Internet of Things) and turning cruise ships into smart cities at sea. Let’s find out how cruise lines bring these smart cities to life.
Guest Preferences Through IoT Insights
Cruise Lines are now shifting to data and analytics to create a personalized search engine for each customer. Along with ensuring a delightful personal cruise experience, it facilitates passengers with direct control over different touchpoints for further accommodation suited to their tailored needs.
Additionally, cruise lines are enhancing connectivity. Norwegian announced plans to improve connectivity for guests and crew by offering SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet on its ships.
Mobile Applications
To efficiently cater to passengers’ personalized needs, the customer-centric digital design emphasizes the value of every guest being at the topmost level of priority. Mobile applications can play a vital role in this case. These applications assure customers of exploring the area, planning a trip, booking activities, and ordering food and beverages at their fingertips. Simultaneously, the apps alert staff members about a guest’s food allergies or sensitivities while ensuring delivery of their customized dishes at their doorstep.
Artificial Intelligence
Cruise ships are using artificial intelligence, algorithms, and machine learning to ease the passenger boarding process using facial recognition and passenger counting technologies. Moreover, with the addition of wearables, the passenger experience is amplified, facilitating touch-free contact when entering cabins or making payments through contact tracing.
One of the pioneers in this field is Carnival. They have been using IoT and AI to create what they call “smart cities at sea”. A wearable device, the Ocean Medallion, is central to personalizing and elevating the cruising experience.
Accommodation
Cruise lines accommodate passengers using IoT by allowing them access to their rooms without a key. Instead, as passengers approach their rooms, their room lights will turn on, the air-conditioner will adjust to the customer’s preferred temperature, and their room door will unlock automatically. This service is convenient for customers but also beneficial for cruises, saving energy costs by efficient resource usage.
