This New Cruise Ship Will Have Virtual Assistants to Give You Everything You Could Possibly Need

Guests will be able to start journeying the seas onboard MSC Cruises’ next flagship, the MSC Bellissima, next year, and their journey is about to get a whole lot more personal.

The cruise line recently announced the ship’s upcoming itinerary and a slew of new features guests will find onboard, including the introduction of a digital personal cruise assistant that can communicate directly with customers.

Similar to Alexa in concept, the virtual assistant will be powered through voice-enabled Artificial Intelligence, communicating with guests to create tailor-made suggestions and information suited to individual travelers’ needs.

Passengers will easily be able to use the system to do everything from find out show times and activity schedules to play music in their room in the matter of seconds.

While most home digital assistants often rely on cloud-based programs, what sets MSC’s system apart is that it’s being created in partnership with Harman International of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd completely as a ship-based solution that will be made specifically for the cruise line and its guests.

For this reason, the technology will be tailored around customer needs, including its ability to communicate in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mandarin, considering the cruise line’s international clientele. 

Though the feature will initially launch on MSC Bellissima when it debuts in Southampton on March 2, 2019, the cruise line will also be adding it to all of its future ships.

The new addition is part of the MSC for Me digital innovation program, which is bringing a range of technologically-integrated features for guests onboard that includes in-cabin connected televisions, interactive information screens guests can use around the ship, and the MSC for Me app to easily make bookings and stay up to date with onboard offerings during the trip.

Besides the new AI feature, MSC Bellissima will also debut two new Cirque du Soleil shows, two new dining concepts and a Grand Canyon themed water park.

The 1034-foot-long ship will also have a bowling alley, 20 bars, and 10 restaurants.

MSC Bellissima is currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France, and will kick off its inaugural season sailing through the western Mediterranean before heading to the United Arab Emirates for its winter season.