BLOG: Seatrade Europe sponsor Sourcetoad Q&A

1. How can your technology be used to enhance the guest experience?
Sourcetoad's technology offers a multifaceted approach to enhancing the guest experience. Our mobile app empowers guests by giving them control over their reservations, itineraries, folios, and payments both before the cruise and while onboard. This means they can effortlessly manage their vacation logistics, reducing stress and freeing up time for more enjoyable activities. Additionally, our Event Communication System (ECS) allows for better communication between the crew and guests. Through our backend event management and notification systems, cruise staff can promptly alert guests about delays, updates, or any essential information, ensuring a smoother and more informed voyage.It's worth noting that technology doesn't have to be overtly flashy to improve the cruise experience. Instead of focusing on bells and whistles, we prioritize tech that streamlines time-consuming tasks, reducing the need for guests to wait in lines or complete paperwork. For example, our push notifications to mobile devices or TVs significantly minimize disruptive public announcements or cabin calls. Sourcetoad's Cruise Director platform, designed for self-service options and automated notifications, not only benefits passengers but also increases the efficiency of the crew, ultimately making the most of everyone's time on the ship.

2. What tech innovations are you most excited for in years to come?
Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine Learning (ML) systems have immense potential to enhance the quality of life for both passengers and crew members. Concierge chatbots, which have historically been challenging to build in the cruise environment, are becoming more feasible and accurate. ML systems are now capable of operating effectively at "the edge," meaning they don't necessarily require a cloud-based infrastructure. This enables ML to be leveraged for onboard services, providing better data for decision-making, from itinerary planning to personalized product recommendations. ML systems also promise to optimize various aspects of cruise operations, from logistics and procurement to shore excursion planning and route management. They can even offer real-time insights about the onboard audience, allowing for tailored experiences. As a result, we anticipate more widespread use of ML to address logistical challenges, personalize guest experiences, and enhance operational efficiency, through content filtering and activity-based recommendations.

3. Do you think tech can help solve the industry's issues around staff shortage?
Technology can serve as a powerful tool to address staff shortages in the cruise industry by enhancing efficiency, improving crew experiences, and streamlining operations. By providing self-service options for guests, we can reduce the number of crew members needed for certain tasks. For example, QR codes or beacons can facilitate virtual queues, reducing the need for multiple crew members to manage activities onboard. This, in turn, allows crew members to spend more time engaging with guests directly, enhancing their experience. Technology also has the potential to streamline cruise operations by requiring less manpower, automating processes, and enabling virtual training before crew members even step onboard. This could not only accelerate the onboarding process, but also improve staff retention by making their jobs more efficient and appealing. Technology such as a crew app has the potential to make the lives of crew much easier, from training and onboarding to travel and communication between crew members. Additionally, there is room to explore robotics and automation for food services, as well as augmented and virtual reality for digital training, which can reduce the reliance on human resources. Additionally, AI can optimize staffing requirements, allowing for more effective operational management.