Voice-enabled ‘digital assistant’ boards newest generation of cruise ship

Image: MSC Cruises via AFP Relaxnews

When cruisers aboard the MSC Bellissima want to know the weather at their next port of call or where they can find a cup of coffee onboard the ship, all they’ll have to do is ask their voice-enabled virtual personal assistant.

Inspired by home digital assistant devices like Alexa and Google Home, the technology, called MSC for Me and developed with Harman, will allow guests in their cabins to voice their questions into thin air and receive an immediate response, no looking for ship brochures or smartphones necessary.

The feature is touted as an industry first.

The MSC Bellissima is currently under construction in the shipyard of Saint-Nazaire, France and is expected to lift anchor in 2019.

Image: MSC Cruises via AFP Relaxnews

Guests will be able to ask questions or request information in seven languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese and Mandarin.

The virtual assistant is described as offering conversational Artificial Intelligence able to communicate, learn and intelligently predict guests’ needs in order to make relevant suggestions.

The service will initially launch on the MSC Bellissima, but will also roll out on future ships along with the rest of the fleet.

As the next flagship for MSC Cruises, the ship will also be home to two new shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea, developed especially for the MSC Bellissima.

When it comes to next-generation cruising, the most hotly anticipated launch is the Symphony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship which is set to take its maiden voyage over the next few weeks.

One of the biggest technological advancements aboard the ship is a redesigned experience that uses facial recognition technology to fast-track the check-in process. JB

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