Norwegian Iconcierge was launched on board NCL’s flagship, Norwegian Epic, at the end of last month. The app allows iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows7 users to interact with Norwegian Epic‘s on board guest information and service systems during their cruise. It also gives guests the ability to communicate with other smart phone users via voice and text message on the same sailing.
Guests who download the free application can interact with Norwegian Epic‘s systems from anywhere on board using their smart phone to make shore excursion and dining reservations, gather information about on board services and review their billing activity.
In addition, Norwegian iConcierge will be the industry’s first mobile application that allows guests to easily find and communicate with fellow cruisers. Guests who have the application installed on SIP capable smart phones can make and send unlimited calls and messages to each other while on board, at an introductory rate of $7.95 for the entire sailing. Future versions of the app will use VOIP technology to allow guests to make ship-to-shore calls at reduced rates.
Currently, the app is exclusively for guests sailing on board Norwegian Epic, but it is expected to be deployed to the remaining fleet and become widely available through Apple, Android and Windows7 app stores, in the near future.
Image: NCL
How many cell towers are on a ship the size of the NORWEGIAN EPIC?
And what’s next? Geolocation bracelets for the kids?
Prob :)
That would be *awesome*.
When cheap two-way radios were introduced a number of years ago, some couples and families were using them to keep track of each other on large megaships.
I’m not so sure that the geolocation bracelet idea is workable: In most parts of the world, GPS is accurate to about 15 meters, which could easily be the difference between “Little Johnny is in the Kids’ Club” and “Little Johnny is overboard.”
There’s an app for everything! This has promise, no? Even neater, would be if the app had a built in platform for finding the other guests also connected. Really making the experience more social. What do you think?
Jenn Seeley
Community Management, Radian6