MSC Envisions the Smart Cabin of the Future

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, has amassed research for the “The Future of the Guest Experience,” a forward-looking report that explores the trends that will impact the future of the travel industry.

Created in partnership with The Future Laboratory, a leading futures consulting firm, the report identifies the ways in which travel and hospitality brands will have to deliver ultra-high definition (UHD) experiences to satisfy the needs of the guest of the future. Impacted by hyper-connectivity, urbanization and demographic transformation, the report shows that the future for the cruise industry is full of challenges but more importantly opportunities.

Among the findings it was determined that luxury will be hyper-luxurious, spas will be hyper-revitalizing, entertainment will be “5D” and beyond, and purpose-driven travel that enriches the lives and minds of guests will be the norm. Guests of the future will prize fluidity, freedom and cultural fluency while seeking out discovery and self-improvement. Travel brands will need to respond by providing experiences that resonate with individuals across a wider range of mindset and communicating new perspectives that help them grow and progress.

“One of the challenges of the cruise industry is that we need to design and build new ships that will still be cutting-edge for our guests 30 years from now,” says Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC executive chairman. “As such, innovation and consumer trends are at the very core of our DNA and we need to have a strong and clear vision for the future while combining this with timeless style. Through intelligent innovation and design, with strong commitment to sustainable travel, we will be able to facilitate all kinds of future experiences.”

Future guests will be looking for a truly personalized vacation experience and as we become more connected than ever before, technology will provide brands with the information needed to tailor experiences to the individual. The report demonstrates that the trend of Data ID Wallets will enable brands to create a dynamic, seamless and hyper-personalized guest experience. Cruise ships and resorts will themselves become data touchpoints, assessing guest behavior to better inform the services offered. And AI assistants and wearables will continue to play an important role in meeting the needs of guests.

MSC Cruises is already leading the way in leveraging voice activated AI technology to provide a service to guests. ZOE is the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant and was introduced on board in March 2019. Currently speaking seven languages, with more in development, ZOE will evolve to become an integral part of the cruise guest’s experience, anticipating needs and tailoring information according to each guests’ preferences.

Technology such as ZOE will also be key in facilitating the trend of “Subconscious Design,” where responsive technologies alter environments to individual guests’ moods and emotions. The cruise stateroom of the future could feature bio signal sensors that track heart rates and facial expression, adjusting light and temperature for maximum comfort. Or smart materials could act like living art, changing to create a visually immersive environment aligned with a guest’s emotional state.

Hyper-connectivity will also drive people to seek out human connection to avoid dehumanization, and the trend of “Anthropo-tainment” will see human-centric entertainment that places people at the heart of the show, accessible to all ages, genders and nationalities. Driven by a hyperconnected world making travel more accessible, this trend will see entertainment breaking down geographical, cultural and demographic barriers.

The new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows on board MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia class ships bring all of these elements to center stage. All Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows are non-language specific which makes them accessible to all — breaking demographic barriers and giving them universal appeal. While some shows actively invite audience participation, all of them allow guests to experience imaginative freedom with emotional impact.

As travelers become more and more conscious of the environmental impact of their travel and seek out eco-friendly vacation options, the guest experience of 2030 will place a significant focus on sustainability, social impact and civic engagement.

“We’re inherently linked to the sea, and from this perspective there exists a big opportunity to play a big role when it comes to giving back to the environment and to the planet as a whole. We are the first cruise line to go carbon neutral across our marine operations and the emphasis that we place on our commitment to the environment is driven by not only our personal passion to protect the oceans but also the need to provide our guests with a sustainable way to travel,” notes Vago.