Top view of a Carnival cruise ship. Photo: Carnival.

Carnival Cruise Lines expanded its relationship with SES, adding the satellite-enabled video and data service provider as a Global Experience and Innovation – Select Innovation Partner. As a Select Innovation Partner, SES will continue to work with Carnival’s Global Experience and Innovation team as an integrated design, development, and delivery partner for guest experience innovations.

To date, Carnival’s Global Experience and Innovation team with SES Networks, the data business unit of SES, has created MedallionNet, a Wi-Fi at sea service. The partnership has also produced the first real-time cruise ship/cloud-scale/shoreside intelligence synchronization model that powers the Ocean Guest Experience Platform – an Experience Internet of Things (IoT) network on board select ships from Carnival’s Princess Cruises brand.

“SES is an integral innovation partner who not only provides world-leading connectivity technology through its combined GEO and O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation, but most importantly is passionate about creating amazing experiences through the fusion of creativity, story, connectivity, media and technology with O3b mPOWER on a global scale,” said John Padgett, chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival Corporation. “Our first joint creation, MedallionNet, has already significantly elevated the cruise experience for our guests and crew and is pushing the entire industry to improve connectivity for their guests and crew, no matter where they might be in the world.”