Right now there’s a big focus on sustainability, technologies, and immersive experiences. With a new set of tools at their disposal, Cruise is set to offer unparalleled comfort, entertainment, exploration, safety measures and personalised services. Creating unforgettable (and safe) journeys at sea.
The use of technology especially has become essential in cruise over the last 10 years. Smart tech has given rise to keyless cabin entry and the ability for passengers to easily order food and beverages from wherever they are. Not to mention the rise of VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), AI (artificial intelligence), and ML (machine learning) in the cruise experience. The opportunities are as wide as the ocean.
Let me take you through some of the important areas of innovations in cruise happening right now…
Sustainability is the foremost goal for nearly every cruise ship company in the world.
At every Seatrade Cruise Global (the industry’s foremost annual event) there is a clear sense that the industry is working hard to drive initiatives and reduce environmental impact. I see the biggest waves being made in the adoption of clean energy to power ships, such as hydrogen and solar.
Advanced waste management and wastewater treatment technologies are also being implemented to minimise environmental impact. These initiatives demonstrate cruise’s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship to ensure a more sustainable future.
The recent pandemic has put a significant spotlight on cruise’s cleaning and hygiene practices.
Keeping these floating cities clean and its passengers and crew protected has always been a priority. But now it’s been put even more into focus. Measures such as enhanced sanitisation, rigorous cleaning, and advanced air filtration are being used to minimise transmission risks. Cruise ships have also strengthened medical facilities and collaborate with authorities for effective response plans. Cruise now ensures safe voyages with stringent protocols and proactive screenings.
We support cruise companies (including P&O Cruises) by providing our leading sustainable cleaning solution CtrlFlow. A finalist for Product of the Year 2022 at the Seatrade Cruise Awards, CtrlFlow uses ECA (electrochemically activated) technology to produce an endless supply of highly effective and water-based solution that replaces up to 90% of traditional synthetic chemical products.
Entertainment is a hallmark of cruise. Captivating passengers with innovative and immersive experiences such as the Magic Carpet - a movable platform suspended from the ship's side.
Tech-based entertainment, like VR and interactive touchscreens, transports passengers to new dimensions of fun. Royal Caribbean have now announced an initiative called ‘Hide ’N’ Sea’ that will feature Fortnite. Gamers onboard their upcoming ship ‘Icon of the Seas’ can expect to collect coins in the waterpark at sea and enjoy Crown’s Edge, a part skywalk, part ropes course above the ocean.
There is a whole range of exciting technology driving innovation in the cruise industry.
Wearable tech is offering convenience and personalisation to passengers and providing cruise lines with valuable information. VR is providing experiences such as virtual excursions and shore tours, and AR can provide additional information through overlaid images and text.
AI chatbots are used to interact with guests and assist them with information and bookings and make recommendations based on preferences and past behaviour. And AI and ML are also being used in the operation of the ship itself with AI-powered predictive maintenance to help reduce downtime and improve the overall efficiency of the ship.
You can see why I believe Cruise to be one of the most exciting industries in the world. That’s why we take great pride in ensuring that cruise have everything they need in port and at sea. And I help make sure that they know that Tower are always a partner that leads the way in supplier support.
We’re currently supplying some of the biggest names in cruise with non-food consumables, such as personal paper products; cleaning equipment, hygiene products and hospitality consumables. We also supply PPE, safety equipment, workwear and uniforms.
Leading a passionate team dedicated to delivering on-time and in-full to customers, George looks after Tower’s place as an established, tier 1, global supplier of the biggest names in Cruise.
