Stay Connected With Royal Connect

When the crown jewel of the Royal Caribbean fleet Oasis of the Seas set sail one of the cool new features it contained was a service that would help parents keep track of their children. The “Royal Connect” service combined the use of a specially modified Apple Iphone with a track-able electronic wristband. For the low cost of 17.50, parents could strap this low jack around their child’s wrist and be able to see in real time the exact location of the child (cheap at twice the price). Additionally, passengers who enrolled in the service would be able to call and text each other, make calls to cabins, arrange spa and restaurant reservations and read about the latest on-board activities (saving paper and reducing wastes).

Not Just For Adults

A parent can also rent a phone not only for themselves but also for their child since there is no age restriction on who can use one. Sounds like a pretty good idea doesn’t it. However if you are going to rent for either yourself or anyone else in your party make sure they are handled responsibly, passengers not returning the “Royal Connect” iPhone will be charged 1,000 dollars. That is unless you happen to have an iPhone.

An App for Everything

Passengers who have an iPhone will now be able to use the Royal Connect service on their personal phone through the use of the “Royal Connect” Iphone app (the 17.50 fee does still apply). Through the use of the 1000 wi-fi hotspot locations on-board the Oasis of the Seas, passengers with an iPhone can now enjoy the same benefits of those using the Royal Caribbean phones. Although the idea of losing a 400 dollar iPhone isn’t exactly comforting it does allow you to enjoy the benefits of Royal Connect without the specter of a 1000 dollar lost phone fee hanging over their heads.

Since I don’t usually travel with more than one or two other people I don’t really have a need for this type of technology so to me it would just be a waste of money, still I can understand the merits of the “Royal Connect” system. Paying 35.00 dollars would just be a waste when traveling with only my girlfriend, but when traveling in groups of 4 or more the costs are more justified (especially on board a ship as massive as the Oasis of the Seas).

Some of the best instances when a phone would be useful uses for this service would be during a family reunion, on-board wedding or some other big gathering a people when coordination is crucial or where teens would be more inclined to travel in packs. All that would be needed is for one member of the pack such as one responsible child to carry the phone allowing effortless coordination of plans or tracking of children while keeping costs to a minimum.

Although I (and many others) try to disconnect myself from technology and the burden of gadgets as much as possible while on vacation I do consider this a great use of technology. Currently this is only available on the Oasis of the Seas however Royal Caribbean has stated that it may retrofit more of its fleet with the “Royal Connect” service.

Related posts:

1. Royal Caribbean ‘s Controversial New Menu Item
2. Shedding Light on Royal Caribbean’s New Room Service Fee
3. Royal Caribbean Softens Stance On Past Guest Perks
4. Suite Perks for Royal Caribbean Passengers
5. TIC Examines: The Royal Caribbean Alcohol Policy

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