Royal Caribbean Installs Listen Technologies’ Audio Over Wi-Fi For Global Passengers On New Icon Of The Seas

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

For over a quarter of a century, Listen Technologies Corporation has been at the forefront of providing cutting-edge wireless audio solutions. It’s with great excitement that they’ve announced their latest collaboration with Royal Caribbean International, marking the debut of their audio over Wi-Fi assistive listening technology aboard the newly unveiled Icon of the Seas. This innovative solution is set to enhance the auditory experience for guests across the maiden vessel of the Icon class. Royal Caribbean International, a key player under the Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) umbrella, ranks among the top cruise operators globally. With a robust fleet of 64 ships, the company voyages to nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide. There are plans in motion to extend the implementation of Listen Technologies’ premier audio solution across its entire fleet.

Icon of the Seas stands out as a pioneering vessel, amalgamating the quintessence of vacation experiences. With over half a century of maritime innovation, Royal Caribbean crafted this ship to cater to every type of family and adventure seeker, aiming to set the standard for the ultimate family getaway.

The need for a user-friendly, BYOD (bring your own device) assistive listening system was identified by Royal Caribbean to elevate the guest experience in shipboard venues.

Enhancing the Onboard Auditory Experience with Audio Over Wi-Fi Assistive Listening

The Listen EVERYWHERE system, a brainchild of Listen Technologies, revolutionizes onboard listening by facilitating the streaming of venue-specific audio directly to guests’ smart devices via Wi-Fi. Available on the Icon of the Seas, this system allows guests to effortlessly connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi, download the dedicated app for free, and enjoy crystal-clear audio through their personal devices. This innovation is especially beneficial for guests using Bluetooth®-enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants, as it supports direct audio streaming to these devices. Listen Technologies’ system is designed to improve speech clarity for all guests in venues offering the solution by streaming audio straight from the source, thus reducing ambient noise interference.

Listen EVERYWHERE proudly serves guests in the ship’s primary entertainment venue, the Royal Theater.

Expanding the Scope of Audio Over Wi-Fi Beyond Assistive Listening

The versatility of audio over Wi-Fi systems stretches beyond assistive listening to include language interpretation, audio streaming for video or TV screens, and audio description. For instance, guests at an onboard sports bar equipped with such a system could tune into commentary for different broadcasts in multiple languages through their smartphones. Similarly, attendees of silent dance parties on the ship where this technology is available have the liberty to choose between various DJ channels and listen through personal headphones or earbuds.

The ease of integration of the Listen EVERYWHERE system into existing Wi-Fi networks, combined with its low latency and high-fidelity sound, empowers guests to access venue-specific audio seamlessly, ensuring a clear listening experience regardless of background noise, distance from the source, hearing impairments, or language barriers. The system’s reach is as expansive as the venue’s Wi-Fi coverage, offering an inclusive auditory experience to all guests on board.

“Royal Caribbean is renowned for providing outstanding guest experiences with the latest technologies and services that raise the bar on travel and offer next-level vacations,” said Kasey Kaumans, Regional Sales Manager, Listen Technologies. “Listen Technologies is proud to have Royal Caribbean select our audio over Wi-Fi assistive listening solution to offer guests exceptional hearing and engagement experiences onboard its ships.”

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