Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas Sets Sail with Cisco Mobility and Digital Media Technology

Royal Caribbean International and Cisco have announced that Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship ever built, has been outfitted with a next-generation Cisco network, powering innovative services and amenities that redefine the guest experience.

As Oasis of the Seas sets sail from its home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., it will be outfitted with a Cisco network solution integrating mobility and digital media technologies, making the world's largest cruise ship also the most technologically advanced.

By engaging closely with Cisco Services on the technical solution architecture, Royal Caribbean has built a revolutionary cruise ship that will transform the ways in which the company interacts with its guests. The Cisco network is flexible and scalable enough so that Royal Caribbean can easily add amenities and services to meet the growing expectations of its guests, now and in the future.

• All Oasis waitstaff use wireless point-of-sale (POS) devices, allowing guest purchases to be conveniently processed anywhere on the ship. These devices are also used to obtain electronic waivers from guests for shipboard activities such as rock climbing, ice skating or riding the zip line.
  More than 1,000 Oasis crew members are outfitted with Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phones (model 7925G) to speed the delivery of key guest services throughout the ship.
• A wireless phone will be available for rental to guests aboard Oasis of the Seas cruises beginning sometime in 2010. The phone will let guests call or text other guests and view daily events.
• The phone will also operate as a real-time location tracking device. Children registered in Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean program will wear a tag that sends the phone a wireless signal of their exact location. This is a particularly helpful safety feature for parents who wish to know where their children are aboard the ship at any time.
• More than 900 Cisco wireless access points help ensure pervasive coverage on the ship from bow to stern, enabling all of these amenities and services to be continuously available to guests during their stay.
• The Cisco ASA (Adaptive Security Appliance) delivers comprehensive security for the network while providing high-performance firewalling and virtual private network connectivity.

Digital media systems powered by the Cisco network provide an innovative way to improve the guest experience, delivering entertaining and informational content:

• More than 300 interactive digital signs running on the Cisco network are located across the ship, allowing guests to view dining menus and restaurant availability, watch videos about spa treatments and other services, and check showtimes in the various theaters. These digital signs provide a tremendous value to guests, offering a convenient and relaxing way to plan their daily activities.
  Each of Oasis' 2,706 staterooms has Internet Protocol television (IPTV), delivering exceptionally high-quality sound and picture. The use of IPTV ensures that programming is reliably delivered to passengers even during severe weather conditions.

Cisco worked in close collaboration with Insight, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner based in Tempe, Ariz., and Cygate Finland, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner in Espoo, Finland, to successfully roll out the network solution aboard Oasis.

"Oasis of the Seas delivers a level of technological innovation that is unprecedented in our industry. The Cisco solution is central to the experience and enjoyment of our guests, which is our top priority. Cisco has been a strategic partner throughout this engagement, not only providing the technology, but also consulting with us and ensuring the solution would be architected to deliver maximum benefit to our guests around the world," says Bill Martin, vice president and chief information officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.