High Tech Versus High Touch in Cruise Travel
Cruise line Facebook feeds might exhibit 360-degree onboard photos, or news might speak of virtual reality technology previewing ship experiences.
However, the real deal can never be beat.
As a child of the 1980s, I remember early virtual reality emerging from the video gaming world in the 90s, and I find it amusing that it’s making a comeback now. Why? Because it was super rudimentary then.
Sure, the technology is way better than it was, but it still pales in comparison to actual reality.
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When I read that demand for new technology applied to cruising is at an all time high, I find it—as a millennial no less—easier to believe for Princess Cruises’ Ocean Medallion than I do for VR.
To be sure, some of the virtual reality dark rides available on Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Joy for the China market are quite fun, but the same ship’s physical go-kart race track perched on deck is without question the highlight attraction.
For anyone who has never stepped foot on a cruise ship, however, Carnival Corporation’s partnership with ATT and Samsung Electronics America was a great one for introducing people to the experience technologically. Samsung Gear VR headsets let potential guest visually imagine they were onboard Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line ships when they were actually in an ATT store.
READ MORE: Princess Expands Ocean Medallion to Trio of New Ships
Still, I hold that Carnival Corp. and all cruise companies should actually be pushing programs akin to Princess Cruises’ Bon Voyage Experience instead.
For travelers who are near homeports, there is nothing better than letting them actually step aboard for a brief preview over any watered down VR alternative. Of course, for those who are landlocked, the VR approach is then a more viable option.
Whenever possible, actual reality should always be the default over virtual reality, however.
High technology itself is not a bad thing provided it is paired with high touch. Princess Cruises’ Ocean Medallion promises just that.
It’s not meant to replace excellent service from attentive crew members but rather augment it by filling in any gaps with always-on, always-there digital concierge features. In theory, it sounds fantastic. In practice, it is still to be seen. (It doesn’t launch until November 13, 2017, first onboard Regal Princess.)
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Meanwhile, the 360-degree photo and video marketing trend is also not all that it is cracked up to be. I know because I researched the cameras for potentially adopting them myself.
For my Popular Cruising YouTube channel, I capture everything in 4K Ultra HD from a single-lens forward-facing perspective. A 4K 360-degree camera technically captures the same amount of resolution but distributed across the entire field of view forward and behind, meaning there is significantly less video quality in any one direction. Short of extremely expensive multi-camera rigs, this is a retrograde.
Ultimately, advances in technology are great provided they are actual advances. If you take steps forward only to take steps back elsewhere, it helps no one.
Often, technology is an exercise in what we can do without asking whether we should.
In service to travel, cruise or otherwise, the destination always remains key. Technology may help us get there—the ship included—but it will never replace the destination, nor the real people that surround us.
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