Connectivity at Sea-Windstar Adds Cell Phone Service
Wind Surf to offer service first in December
Seattle, WA, October 30, 2006 -Sailing away on a ship no longer means losing all connections with the outside world-unless you choose to.
The convenience of staying in touch with family, friends, and business associates while on a ship at sea has arrived. Windstar Cruises will offer cell phone service at sea on all three ships beginning with the Wind Surf in December. "It's vital to our business that we listen to our customers and keep up with their changing lifestyles and expectations," says Diane Moore, Windstar's vice president of marketing and sales.
"People are leading busier lives, and not everybody wants to turn off the outside world when they step aboard. Those who do still can of course, but this is just one more amenity we are offering our guests on board." The 308-guest msy Wind Surf will be the first ship to have the network installed. The work will be done during the upcoming dry dock and ready for service on the December 16, 2006 sailing. It will be installed on the 148-guest msy Wind Spirit in April 2007 and on its sister ship msy Wind Star in December 2007.
Windstar has contracted with Wireless Maritime Services for a roaming network on board the ships. Guests will be able to make and receive calls while at sea using their own mobile phone. Text messaging and GPRS data service is also available. No special software is needed, but guests will need to check that their phone is enabled for International roaming with their cellular carrier, and the carrier must have a roaming agreement with Wireless Maritime Services.
The network supports phones with GSM and CDMA technology. Charges will be determined by the guest's cellular service carrier and will appear on their regular monthly phone bill. In order to maintain Windstar's atmosphere of casual elegance and intimate retreat, guests will be advised of cell phone courtesy guidelines.
Cell phone service is intended primarily for guest use in the privacy of their own stateroom. Talking on cell phones will not be permitted in public -more- Windstar Adds Cell Service-page 2 areas such as dining areas or lounges, and guests will be asked to set their phone's ringer to vibrate when in public areas.
As part of the line's Degrees of Difference initiative, a multi-million dollar investment will be made in all three ships in 2006 and 2007. Work on the Wind Surf will include improvements to the WindSpa, the creation of two new suites, renovated bathrooms, and a new gathering spot on the main deck called the Yacht Club. Details are still to be announced for the Wind Star and Wind Spirit.
(Winstar Cruises)