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Holland America, Seabourn expedition ships adding Starlink

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Holland America Line reports good feedback for its first ship to get Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi, and sister brand Seabourn's expedition duo will be adding the service.

Koningsdam, now sailing in Alaska, has been using Starlink for four weeks.

'While it’s early in our usage, the feedback from guests and team members has been very positive so far,' said Kathleen Erickson, VP technology for HAL/Seabourn. 'We’re hearing from guests that emails and social media are performing well, and team members tell us that Internet calls home to loved ones are much stronger. That’s a connection that means a lot.'

Bringing connectivity 'into the modern age'

Jonathan Hofeller, VP commercial sales for Starlink, said the company looks forward to helping other HAL and Carnival Corp. ships 'bring the connectivity experience for their guests and crew into the modern age.'

Further vessels will add the technology later this year with the goal of Starlink being available across the full Holland America fleet.

At Seabourn, the purpose-built expedition ship Venure implemented Starlink May 12 in time for its second Arctic season. When sister Seabourn Pursuit is introduced this summer, it will have the service, too.