Hurtigruten completes Starlink rollout

HURTIGRUTEN Expeditions will this month become the latest cruise line to implement fleetwide installation of SpaceX’s Starlink internet platform, completing a rollout which commenced in Mar this year.

Conducted in cooperation with Hurtigruten’s long-time connectivity partner Speedcast, Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen said “as the world leader in exploration travel, it’s only fitting that we bring the world’s most innovative technologies on board our ships to further enhance the experience and day-to-day lives for our guests, crew, partners and the communities we visit”.

The upgrade means guests aboard the three Hurtigruten Expedition ships exploring Antarctica during the upcoming season should be able to experience faster broadband, with Starlink slated to introduce Antarctic maritime coverage before the end of the year.

Hurtigruten Expeditions offers free internet connectivity to all guests, with the Starlink rollout seeing this also expand to crew.

“Introduction of new technology makes it easier for everyone on board to remain connected with friends, family and loved ones no matter where they are.

“We challenge all cruise lines that follow our example by installing Starlink to also follow our example to make internet free for all crew members,” Lassesen urged.

One of the new Starlink terminals is pictured aboard Hurtigruten Expedition’s battery-hybrid equipped MS Roald Amundsen.

Other cruise lines to install the SpaceX low earth orbit satellite internet platform include SeaDream Yacht Club (CW 14 Sep), while Royal Caribbean Group has announced it will ultimately roll out the Elon Muskbacked system across the full Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises fleets (CW 01 Sep).

So far the Starlink network comprises more than 2,500 satellites, with plans to eventually have a “constellation” of about 42,000 circling the earth to provide full global coverage.