Expedition cruiser has hybrid comms network from Marlink

Digital communications provider, Marlink, has supplied a hybrid network for the expedition cruise ship, Exploris One, formerly the Silver Explorer. The vessel was acquired by the new French expedition cruise company, Exploris Expeditions, in December 2023.

The hybrid setup has been installed on board the ice-class vessel during a recent refit in Valparaiso, Chile. The ships’ communications network now includes low-earth-orbit services from Eutelsat OneWeb, Starlink and Iridium, and Marlink’s GEO VSAT, TV-RO, and 5G GSM services.

The hybrid setup powers the Ethernet/Wi-Fi network aboard the 144-passenger vessel and a customer portal, Marlink said. Passengers will now have secure and continuous connectivity both on the ship and during expeditions to remote island or trips into uncharted territories. 

The vessel’s first season will include cruises in South America and Antarctica, the Atlantic Islands, Europe, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic. A hybrid network is necessary, Marlink said, to ensure that passengers have uninterrupted communications even in the most remote parts of these regions.  

Exploris Expeditions president, Philippe Videau, commented: “Exploris has a mission dedicated to bringing new and exciting locations to life for our guests and enabling them to share their experiences with friends and family in real time. Marlink shares our vision of providing excellence to our guests and keeping the vessel safe and connected wherever it is sailing.”

Speaking for Marlink, Tore Morten Olsen, Maritime president, said: “Only Marlink has the expertise to orchestrate complex networks enabling digital services and possibilities on board and provide them in a solution that supports vessel operations and enables guests to share their experiences. We are delighted to provide Exploris with the very best hybrid solution for Exploris One and wish her well during her maiden season.”