Breaking Technology: How One Cruise Ship Is Using Sensors To Redefine Advertising

John Van Patten

Technology has an incredible impact on advertising, and Princess Cruises, a cruise line based in Santa Clarita, California, is utilizing a new technology in a way that could have a serious impact on modern advertising.

Princess Cruises is now using sensor-based technology as part of their cruises to create a more personal and enjoyable experience. The cruise ship first surveys passengers about their interests when they board and then are given a sensor that they keep in their pocket or wear as a bracelet or necklace.

The sensor will give guests alerts about events happening on the ship, and the guests can choose which events they want to get alerts for. The sensors also allow guests to open doors without keys or cards, board the ship faster, and it can learn about your possible needs the longer you are on the ship. For example, if you always get a latte at 9 a.m. then the sensor will ask you at 9 a.m. if you want a latte.

This is influential to advertising because these sensors could have the power to better connect advertisers with consumers on a more personal level. Princess Cruises, for example, could learn what kind of events passengers enjoy, what kind of food they order, and they can learn where on the boat customers spend most of their time. That information and all the other things that the sensors can learn could be used by Princess Cruises to create advertisements that truly connect with consumers. This Princess Cruises sensor project has the potential to create customer experiences that are smarter for consumers and brands. It is difficult to tell how influential sensor technology will be and the Princess Cruise will be the ultimate test for sensor-based technology. If it is successful companies could potentially use the sensors to reach new and exciting consumer insights that could change the way they brand and position their company.