Hurtigruten Expeditions Partners With SpaceX For Industry First

Hurtigruten Expeditions will be the world’s first cruise line to deploy SpaceX’s groundbreaking broadband service Starlink across all ships by the end of October 2022, enabling unparalleled internet access at sea.

Hurtigruten Expeditions and long-time connection partner Speedcast began the rollout of Starlink terminals aboard its expedition ship fleet in March 2022, with installation scheduled to be finished by the end of October.

Due to the Starlink integration, Hurtigruten Expeditions will be the first cruise line to implement high-speed, low-latency connection throughout its entire fleet.

“As a world leader in adventure travel, it’s only appropriate that we bring the world’s most advanced technology on board our ships to enrich further the experience and day-to-day lives of our passengers, crew, partners, and the communities we visit,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.

“Our collaboration with Speedcast and the fleetwide rollout of the new service puts us ahead of the rest of the cruise industry, but also ahead of the technology.” We’ll be ready when Starlink adds marine service to Antarctica and the Arctic.”

According to Speedcast CEO Joe Spytek, Hurtigruten Expeditions is the ideal partner for introducing groundbreaking technology in the cruise business, with vessels operating in some of the world’s most isolated and stunning locations.

The innovative broadband internet solution, which employs a network of low-orbit satellites, will benefit guests, crew, and scientists on all three Hurtigruten Expeditions ships sailing to Antarctica in the upcoming 2022/2023 season, with Starlink slated to launch Antarctic maritime coverage in Q4 2022.

Hurtigruten Expeditions is also one of the few cruise lines that will provide free internet access to its crew members.