REDMOND, Wash.-Island Cruises said its Island Escape cruise ship will begin providing passengers with wireless communications services developed by Wireless Maritime Services, which is a joint venture formed earlier this year between AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and Maritime Telecommunications Network, on cruises through the Mediterranean.
The service uses a combination of satellite and ground-based wireless networks and is compatible with GSM phones operating on the 900 MHz frequency with passengers billed for usage by their wireless carrier on a roaming basis. Island Cruises said the Island Escape can accommodate more than 1,700 passengers and a 540-member crew and staff, and that it serves primarily European passengers on summer Mediterranean cruises.
“Customers rely on us for a comfortable and relaxing holiday, so naturally we wanted to extend this service to the Island Escape as soon as it became available,” said Patrick Manuel, information technology director of Island Cruises, which is a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and First Choice Holidays. “Our passengers now have the option of using their own mobile phones while at sea, whether they wish to stay reachable at their usual phone number or check for voicemails and text messages whenever they like.”
Financial terms of the deal between Wireless Maritime Services and Island Cruises were not disclosed.
