Norwegian Cruise Lines said it is the first
cruise line to have fleetwide implementation of cellular phone
service technology, thanks to a service provided by Wireless
Maritime Services, a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and
Maritime Telecommunications Network.
All passengers on
NCL ships (NCL, NCL America and Orient Lines) will be able to use
their own mobile telephones no matter where the ship is, according
to the line. Passengers can make and
receive both voice calls and text messages. In addition, passengers
with data-capable devices can access data services, such as email,
internet and picture messaging.
Passengers are
billed by their own carrier at roaming rates set by that carrier.
NCL America ships, meanwhile, are deployed close enough to shore in
U.S. waters so passengers can access local cell phone
towers.
NCL began offering
cell phone service on select ships two years ago. Colin Veitch,
NCLs CEO, said in a statement that while we recognize that some
guests traveling with us choose to disconnect, others need to stay
connected to loved ones or business associates in order to get
away.
To contact the
reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to Johanna Jainchill
at [email protected].
Get
More!
For more
details on this article, see the Cover Story from the July 10 issue
of Travel Weekly.