Princess Cruises Introduces Next-Level Connectivity Extending Cruise Vacation Value Over Land-Based Vacations
Rhea-AI Summary
Princess Cruises has announced the launch of MedallionNet Max, a new high-performance Wi-Fi service exclusively available in Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages starting August 31. This upgrade aims to meet the demands of digitally-connected travelers and expand the cruise vacation market. Princess will offer two tiers of Wi-Fi service: MedallionNet Classic and MedallionNet Max.
To showcase the new service, Princess will host a unique land/sea UGC competition using a custom Minecraft world, featuring 32 popular gamers. The event will pit 8 gamers aboard Enchanted Princess against 24 playing from home, streamed to millions of fans online.
Princess Cruises continues to lead in onboard connectivity, offering access to various satellite constellations and 5G terrestrial networks. The new service aims to provide the best possible onboard experience with maximum value for guests exploring over 330 destinations worldwide.
Positive
- Introduction of MedallionNet Max, a higher-tier Wi-Fi service, potentially increasing customer satisfaction and attracting more tech-savvy travelers
- Exclusive availability of MedallionNet Max in Princess Plus and Premier packages may drive upsells and increase revenue
- Hosting a high-profile gaming competition to showcase connectivity capabilities, potentially attracting younger demographics
- Maintaining industry leadership in onboard connectivity by offering access to multiple satellite constellations and 5G networks
Negative
- Limiting MedallionNet Max to higher-tier packages may disappoint budget-conscious travelers
- Potential increased costs associated with implementing and maintaining advanced connectivity infrastructure
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CUK declined 4.03%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Game-Changing MedallionNet Max WiFi Debuts August 31 Exclusively with Princess Plus and Princess Premier Bundles
Princess to Host First-Ever Land/Sea Custom UGC Competition to Demonstrate Connectivity Excellence
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. , Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises, the world's most iconic cruise brand, today announced the launch of MedallionNet Max, a new level of onboard Wi-Fi service that will meet the growing demands of today's intensively digitally-connected travelers and continue to expand the market for cruise vacations. MedallionNet Max will be available exclusively in Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages.
Since 2018, Princess has led the industry on high-performance, onboard Wi-Fi aggressively adopting service new satellite constellations, including a Wi-Fi access point in every stateroom on every ship and ensuring that Wi-Fi service access is simple and hassle-free. Princess is the only cruise operator who has adopted every source of bandwidth spanning the globally deployed fleet including LEO (Starlink), MEO, GEO satellite constellations as well as 5G terrestrial.
Princess will now offer two-tiers of Wi-Fi service - MedallionNet Classic and MedallionNet Max. MedallionNet Classic will offer the same service performance, reliability, and global coverage that Princess guests enjoy today. MedallionNet Max will now be the highest performing service tier with prioritized access to the highest quality and highest performance bandwidth available anywhere in the world which is typically Starlink.
MedallionNet Max will only be available in the brand's industry-leading bundles – Princess Plus and Princess Premier. These packages are engineered to give guests the maximum experience with the maximum value.
A la carte pricing for MedallionNet Classic remains
The appropriate service level will be assigned based on each guest's package, as indicated on the Princess app. A single guest network will remain, reduce guest confusion related to network names or any complications being added to the onboard experience.
To preview the new service tier, Princess Cruises will host the first-ever land/sea custom UGC competition, leveraging a custom Minecraft world - Princess Cruises Nautical Quest. The August 7 match up will feature 32 of the world's most popular UGC players, with eight of the gamers - Shubble, Krinios, Fruitberries, vGumiho, Sneegsnag, JimmyHere, Smajor, and Hannahxxrose - competing aboard Enchanted Princess in the
"Just like we did when we launched MedallionNet Classic almost seven years ago, Princess continues to ensure guests have access to highest performing connectivity available at industry leading value," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "By including MedallionNet Max in our incredible bundles we are guaranteeing the best possible onboard experience with the best value anywhere in the world as our guests explore over 330 destinations via our world-class globally deployed fleet."
A History of Upping the Connectivity Ante
In early 2018, Princess established a new standard of connectivity for guests on its cruise ships by smashing the bandwidth-at-sea world record with the initial launch of its MedallionNet connectivity service aboard Regal Princess. At a time when the industry average was 10-20 Mbps per ship, Regal Princess reached 2.25 Gbps, demonstrating there were no practical limits to progressing shipboard connectivity. Since that time, the connectivity landscape has changed dramatically with Starlink, with onboard Wi-Fi increasingly becoming a commodity. However, Princess will continue to ensure connectivity experience differentiation by making it the best value and most hassle-free experience possible.
While MedallionNet Max will only be available within the inclusive Princess Plus and Princess Premier bundles, guests opting to sail with the standard Princess vacation package still will be able to purchase MedallionNet Classic connectivity with no change to pricing.
In addition to premium connectivity, guests opting for the inclusive Princess Plus and Princess Premier will also enjoy popular amenities like beverages, casual dining, desserts, complimentary room service, fitness classes, crew gratuities and more at an even greater savings of up
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.
About Princess Cruises:
Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the
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SOURCE Princess Cruises
FAQ
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