Mix it up – it’s all about choice
The internet access, despite the criticism of some of the bitchy British journos, was better than I have experienced on a ship. Rain said that during the two-day media and travel industry shake-down cruise, more than 4 500 devices were registered on the ship’s IT system. Normally, there won’t be nearly as many.
And early next year, as the Anthem makes its maiden voyage, Royal Carribean’s satellite-tech supplier, O3B, will have launched another satellite to cater for the European sphere. Which means you will be able to Skype your loved ones from the balcony, watching the sun go down over Napoli next year.
As far as technology is concerned, Rain seems to believe there is no downside.
“People say that the technology is intimidating and that some of our older customers won’t adopt it. We don’t think you have to be young to appreciate technology.
“For example, at our restaurants, our waiters have iPads – so as soon as you order, the chef in the kitchen knows what you want.
“The whole process is speeded up. You don’t need to be young to appreciate faster, hotter food. You don’t need to be young to appreciate getting aboard quicker.”
The group is also committed to using technology to make the life of its cruise ship staffers better.
It has ordered 40 000 tablet computers so each crew member can take advantage of the huge bandwidth and stay in touch with their families.
“Don’t get me wrong,” said Rain, “I love these ships and the technology, but what has made our success has been the people who work for us. I am in awe every day of the work they do and we want to make their life a little better.”
Dynamic Dining was an idea that originated with Lutoff-Perlo and her team and she admitted it was a “very big decision”.
“It’s all about choice. It’s smaller and more intimate and more varied. We think people are really going to love it.”
She said the company’s figures showed that, even before the concept was introduced, guests were already heading that way, with as many as 14 percent of them opting for the payextra restaurants for variety.
“Now, our guests can mix it up even more.”
Entertainment is a core part of the ship’s offering and entertainment vice-president Nick Weir, who previously worked in showbiz in Las Vegas, believes that there are few, if any, venues which can offer the sort of hi-tech backbone that a massive cruise ship can.
A backbone which can accommodate a 7-ton gantry on which to mount car-making robots, which deliver a 3-D sensual experience in the Two70 theatre/bar/lounge, dining space. “We really are leading the world in the entertainment space and I defy you to walk away from one of our shows and not go ‘wow!’”