Holland America Line Installs SpaceX's Starlink Wi-Fi on First Ship in Alaska

HAL’s ship Konigsdam is the first to offer Starlink Wi-Fi in Alaska, historically a difficult location for high-speed internet on cruise ships.

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On May 16, 2023, Holland America Line announced that its ship Konigsdam, now sailing in Alaska, is now using high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi from SpaceX.

Guests and crew have been using the new internet service for the past four weeks, after the technology was installed during an April drydock.

Since the Starlink installation, Konigsdam has sailed an 18-day itinerary roundtrip from Vancouver to Hawaii. The ship is now in the midst of a series of 7-day Alaska Inside Passage voyages from Vancouver, visiting Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.

Konigsdam is currently sailing a series of 7-day Alaska Inside Passage voyages from Vancouver with Starlink Wi-Fi available on board (image courtesy of Holland America Line)

SpaceX’s Starlink uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to provide faster, more reliable internet access. Speed and reliability are especially important for ships in Alaska where the terrain and weather can challenge traditional Wi-Fi technology.

“For our guests and our team members, maintaining the connectivity they are accustomed to at home is an important part of the cruise experience,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.

“Added bandwidth means our guests can share the joys of exploring Alaska in real time and our team can stay in touch with their loved ones back home,” Antorcha continued.

*Konigsdam* is the first to offer Starlink Wi-Fi in Alaska, historically a difficult location for high-speed internet on cruise ships (image courtesy of Holland America Line)

“While it’s early in our usage, the feedback from guests and team members has been very positive so far,” said Kathleen Erickson, vice president of technology for Holland America Line.

“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.”

In a press release, Jonathan Hofeller, vice president of commercial sales for Starlink, shared that the company is “excited that Holland America Line is seeing strong results in Alaska, and [they] look forward to helping Holland America Line and other Carnival Corporation ships continue to bring the connectivity experience for their guests and crew into the modern age.”

Holland America plans to add Starlink internet capability on more ships this year, with the goal of Starlink being available across the full Holland America Line fleet.

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Are you looking forward to trying Starlink on Holland America ships? Or have you already sailed with the new technology? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Carrie Ann

Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

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