Soon joining the likes of Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Space Perspective and the myriad other companies trying to be the first to make space tourism mainstream could be Royal Caribbean International.
According to a tweet posted by Nick Weir, senior vice president, entertainment, Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line recently held its first meeting about its “next class of vessel/vacation machine.” The kicker? Accompanied with the tweet is a photo of a Royal Caribbean-branded spaceship titled Orbiter of the Galaxies.
No other information about the potential launch (pun intended) was included. Travel Agent has reached out to Royal Caribbean International for comment and is awaiting reply.
The cruise line has also recently added Starlink Internet to its vessels, which uses SpaceX's satellites. The broadband Internet service will be installed on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of the brands, the company said in a press release on August 30, 2022.
In Other News
Beyond Royal Caribbean’s potential entrance to space, several other companies have been making headlines of late. Space Perspective recently acquired MS Voyager with plans to convert it into the “first-ever Marine Spaceport.” From the ship, the company will be able to launch its pressurized capsule, Spaceship Neptune, from nearly anywhere on the planet, as well as at its launchpad in Florida.
As well, Virgin Galactic has opened sales—both through its partnership with Virtuoso and directly to the public. Astronauts enjoy access to the flagship membership community, including exclusive events, trips and activities across the world. The experience culminates in a multi-day, all-inclusive astronaut training and hospitality program for the customer and three guests at Virgin Galactic’s campus. One-thousand seats are available.
The company also signed an agreement with a manufacturing facility to produce up to six new spaceships per year. Virgin Galactic’s target is 400 flights per year from Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Elsewhere, World View has reached 1,000 reservations for its edge of space flight. Set to launch in 2024, the company will take eight participants and two crew members in a zero-pressure stratospheric balloon and pressurized space capsule to 100,000 feet altitude for an experience that will last six to eight hours.
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