Wedoany.com Report on Feb 25th, AIDA Cruises has deployed the Wireless Broadband Alliance's (WBA) OpenRoaming Wi-Fi technology across its entire fleet of 11 cruise ships. This initiative changes the way passengers and crew connect to the onboard network, reducing the need for repeated logins as they move around the ship and enhancing the overall connectivity experience. This deployment covers ships that host approximately 1.5 million tourists annually, making AIDA Cruises the first cruise brand to introduce OpenRoaming at sea.
OpenRoaming is a connection framework based on roaming federation that allows devices to automatically and securely connect to Wi-Fi networks. It relies on profiles stored on the user's device, which can be enabled through native smartphone support, existing profiles, or third-party applications, simplifying the connection process. Onboard networks face unique challenges, such as being far from terrestrial infrastructure, the need to provide stable Wi-Fi across multiple decks and cabins throughout the ship, and maintaining uninterrupted sessions as people move. On AIDA Cruises, the network not only supports passenger internet access but also powers digital services like daily programs, port details, onboard chat, booking tools, as well as operating systems, safety procedures, and streaming entertainment.
According to the WBA, the deployment of OpenRoaming is part of AIDA's network architecture modernization, executed by Cisco Services. The upgrade work utilized dry-dock windows, with the first ship completed via a 14-day repeatable plan that combined OpenRoaming deployment with broader network upgrades. The remaining ships in the fleet will implement this plan in dry dock over the coming months. Verification on the first upgraded ship involved 107 live access points covering areas from the engine room to the top deck, with test records showing "zero dropouts" for the access points. The entire fleet uses Cisco wireless products, including Cisco Wireless 9800 Series Controllers and 9100 Series Access Points.
OpenRoaming Wi-Fi technology aims to reduce friction during connection, allowing passengers to connect automatically via device profiles without entering credentials each time. It also maintains stable connections as passengers move around the ship, which is crucial for applications like messaging, social media, and video calls, and supports crew workflows. Gordon Poppe, Chief Information Officer of AIDA Cruises, stated: "We are on the high seas, but the connectivity standards actually exceed many places on land. If you make a FaceTime call and move around the ship, you will stay connected without dropping. Connectivity is not just about internet access; it's about connecting to our digital touchpoints from the moment you board."
The federated model of OpenRoaming can extend beyond a single venue, allowing passengers to potentially use the same profile to connect to participating Wi-Fi networks in ports and cities during their cruise, depending on local availability and partnerships. Tiago Rodrigues, President and CEO of the WBA, said: "Cruise tourists expect easy and secure connectivity from the moment they board. With an OpenRoaming profile, they can even seamlessly connect to OpenRoaming-enabled Wi-Fi in every port and city they visit. Enabling OpenRoaming across the entire fleet demonstrates how open, interoperable Wi-Fi roaming can eliminate friction and enhance experiences in challenging environments." Bhaskar Jayakrishnan, Senior Vice President of Cisco Customer Experience Engineering, added: "The network is crucial to AIDA's guest experience. We collaborated with AIDA Cruises and satellite providers to deliver a robust Wi-Fi installation across 11 ships, ensuring seamless connectivity."
