|
| |
Silversea
Makes It Easier
To Stay
Connected
At Sea
With New Cellular Phone Service
Silver
Shadow
Photo
Courtesy of Silversea Cruises
Most Advanced Wireless Voice and Data Service Now
Available aboard Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper
Silversea Cruises has reached
another milestone in its continuing enhancement of onboard communications
services with the installation of a new, cutting-edge technology that enables
guests to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea, just as
they do on land. The new service is now available onboard Silver Shadow
and Silver Whisper, and will be expanded to the line's other two ships,
Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, in the coming months.
The ultra-luxury cruise company has partnered with SeaMobile, a leading global
provider of advanced at-sea wireless voice and data communications services, to
offer guests the convenience of using their personal cell phones during a cruise
-- even as their ship may be sailing many miles away from shore. The new
technology works for both GSM and CDMA mobile phones as well as PDA devices such
as BlackBerries. GSM is the digital standard in Europe and other parts of the
globe, while CDMA is the wireless standard for North America and the Far East.
"Last year we outfitted our ships with Wi-Fi hot spots so guests could use their
own laptops, and now we're taking things a step further and giving them the
convenience of being able to use their personal cell phones and PDAs while at
sea as well," said Rick Kneale, Silversea's vice president of information
technology and chief information officer. "In today's world, we know how
important it is to stay connected with family, friends and business associates
while on vacation, and so we're doing everything we can to facilitate that."
Added Kneale, "Although we're pleased to offer this enhanced service, we realize
cell phone use can be disturbing to others, so quiet zones (areas without
reception) such as the restaurants, spa, library and other public lounges, have
been created thereby ensuring the comfort of all our guests. We will continue to
encourage guests to use their cell phones primarily in their suites."
Rates for the at-sea cellular service will vary, depending on the guest's
wireless provider. Generally, the rates can range from $1.99 to $3.99 per
minute, based on different roaming zones across the world. Charges appear as
roaming calls on the guest's regular wireless bill from their home carrier,
which may include additional taxes and fees charged by various carriers.
When the ship is in port, guests' cell phones will be switched to the carrier
for that geographic area and roaming rates for the country they are visiting
will apply. As with all cell carriers, guests' cell phones that work while the
ship is at sea may not work in some ports.
For additional information on Silversea Cruises, please visit their website at
Silversea.com
|
