SeaMobile Enterprises, the dominant global provider of at-sea
communications, connectivity and content services, announced today the
launch of an interactive web portal to allow travelers aboard cruise
ships access to important information to customize and enhance their
cruising experience.
As a partner in the new pilot program, Carnival Cruise Lines(R)
will be the first to integrate the innovative web portal, which will
be available on select Carnival ships within its Internet cafes and
Wi-Fi networks beginning in April 2007. The announcement was made at
the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami, Florida.
By delivering the SeaMobile Web Portal, cruise passengers will
have easy access to relevant travel, leisure, media, entertainment and
commerce content to enhance their cruise experience from ship to
shore. Access to the shipboard portal is included in the ships'
existing fee-based Internet services.
One example of the available information for cruisers comes
through a relationship with Google(R) to provide enhanced information
on cruise ship destinations. Through the SeaMobile Portal, Google
Maps(R) and Google Earth(R) will make available maps of hundreds of
ports around the world. This service will help cruise guests and
shipboard personnel easily navigate on-shore destinations to find the
best local dining, shopping and attractions.
"The development of the SeaMobile Web Portal serves as another
example of our commitment to provide at-home quality connectivity to
information and entertainment even while vacationing on a cruise
visiting exotic ports of call," said SeaMobile Enterprises Chief
Executive Officer, William D. Marks. "Over time we envision the portal
becoming a key information gateway for cruise travelers to enjoy an
information-rich cruise experience."
"We are pleased that we will be the first cruise line to integrate
the SeaMobile Portal into our shipboard technology offerings," said
Bob Woodry, Vice President of Hotel Commerce for Carnival Cruise
Lines. "The Portal will provide our guests with a valuable service
while enhancing our ability to provide important and timely
information to our guests and staff."
Another fun and unique service available to cruisers through the
Portal is the ability to create personalized photo books of favorite
travel memories. Through an exclusive partnership with PhotoWorks(R),
guests can receive instruction on uploading and editing/enhancing
digital photos and even publishing a photo book.
"PhotoWorks is excited to partner with SeaMobile to provide cruise
ship adventurers with an opportunity to document and commemorate their
travel experiences while sailing aboard the ship," said Andy Wood,
President and CEO of PhotoWorks, Inc. "We will enable cruisers with
sophisticated and creative ways to indulge their passions and preserve
their digital memories."
Other services the Portal offers include entertainment options
such as Apple iTunes(R) music downloads and podcasts. The Portal
landing site also provides Google search functionality, as well as
links to the most popular e-mail domains.
"The Portal will help personalize a cruising experience in very
unique ways," said Michelle Saro, Executive Director of Digital Media
at SeaMobile and former executive at Real Networks. "Today the
Internet is a mainstream tool for accessing information, receiving
recommendations, finding directions, personalizing entertainment and
self publishing. We are simply taking these mainstream internet
applications to the open seas."
In addition to passenger appeal, the Portal also offers distinct
marketing opportunities for cruise lines through the promotion of
their own onboard stores and online shopping.
Guests can access the Portal by using their own laptop WiFi
connection on the ship or by visiting the onboard Internet Cafes.
Payment options available to cruise lines utilizing SeaMobile
technology include credit card, pre-paid, time and packet-based
billing, peak/off peak, foreign currency, and an interface to cruise
line Property Management Systems.
On Carnival Cruise Lines' ships, guests can conveniently charge
Internet access to their shipboard Sail & Sign accounts, on a
per-minute basis or in blocks of minutes at a discounted rate.
The Portal and Internet Cafes are enabled by SeaMobile's MTN
global VSAT satellite communications network, and provide necessary
firewalls and security to ensure a secure environment.
Today's announcement of the latest SeaMobile venture extends the
company's ability to provide numerous at-sea or remote location
services.
About SeaMobile Enterprises
SeaMobile Enterprises is the dominant global service provider of
at-sea communications, connectivity and content services. Our global
VSAT satellite communications network is delivered by the industry
leader, Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), a SeaMobile
company. With our additional acquisition of GeoLink, SeaMobile now
provides broadband satellite and other services for more than 200
maritime vessels throughout the world. Combined with our superior
technology and customer support, we provide always-on connectivity to
deliver a vast array of services for businesses, government entities
and consumers. Services include mobile phone voice and data, wireless
for PDAs and laptops, access to printed versions of more than 350
daily newspapers, live television, internet cafes and much more.
SeaMobile Enterprises offers solutions for cruise lines, ferries,
yachts, container ships, offshore platforms and the government and
military. The company has offices in Seattle, WA, Miramar, FL, Paris,
France, Rome, Italy and Athens, Greece. For more information, visit
www.seamobile.com, www.mtnsat.com and www.geolink.com.
About PhotoWorks, Inc.
PhotoWorks(R), Inc. is an Internet-based digital photo-publishing
company. The company's web-based services allow PC and Mac users to
share and store their digital and film images, and to create hardbound
photo books, customized greeting cards, calendars, prints and other
photography-sourced products. Formerly known as Seattle Film Works,
PhotoWorks has a 30-year national heritage of helping photographers
share and preserve their memories with innovative and inspiring
products and services. More information on the Company is available at
www.photoworks.com or by e-mailing pr@photoworks.com.
