Marconi Milestone Marks Turning Point for Cruising

December 12 marks the anniversary of a defining moment in global communications. On this date in 1901, Guglielmo Marconi successfully received the first transatlantic wireless signal, proving that radio waves could travel far beyond the horizon. The achievement reshaped how the world communicated and laid the groundwork for a transformation at sea that would permanently alter passenger shipping.

For ocean liners, wireless communication ended centuries of isolation. Cunard’s historical records place the company among the early adopters of wireless technology, including what it describes as the first wireless communication between ships at sea in the mid-Atlantic in 1901.

Cunard’s historical records place the company among the early adopters of wireless technology, including what it describes as the first wireless communication between ships at sea in the mid-Atlantic in 1901. Source: 180 years of sailing with Cunard.

Early wireless telegraphy meant ships were no longer cut off once they cleared port. Liners could exchange messages with shore stations and other vessels, opening new possibilities for navigation, coordination, and information flow. Passenger shipping was among the first commercial sectors to adopt the technology as global travel expanded at the start of the 20th century.

For us radio operators old enough to remember the FCC licensing tests, the history of radio broadcasting was required study. Marconi’s achievement was often among earlier questions on the test.

Radio, Safety, and Conflict at Sea

In moments of crisis, radio proved its worth. Distress calls transmitted by ocean liners enabled faster rescues and brought assistance to ships in trouble. The Titanic disaster in 1912 demonstrated both the power and limitations of early wireless systems. The ship’s wireless distress signals received by nearby vessels enabled a coordinated rescue effort that saved more than 700 passengers. The tragedy prompted sweeping regulatory changes, including continuous radio watches and standardized distress procedures across passenger ships.

Andrea Doria lists heavily after colliding with MS Stockholm off Nantucket, July 25, 1956, the night before she sank. From the William H. Miller collection.

More than four decades later, wireless communications again proved critical during the Andrea Doria disaster. In July 1956, the Italian liner collided with the Swedish ship Stockholm off the coast of Nantucket. Distress calls were received by several nearby vessels, including the French liner Île de France, which helped evacuate more than 1,600 passengers and crew.

Stockholm, shown after her collision with Andrea Doria, managed to limp back to New York for repairs. From the Peter Knego Collection.

Wireless communications also played a central role during periods of war. In World War I, ocean liners such as RMS Aquitania were converted into troop transports and relied on radio to receive operational orders and routing instructions while at sea. During World War II, liners including RMS Queen Mary used wireless communications to coordinate high-speed troop movements with naval command.

Entering the Connected Era

After returning to civilian service in 1947, Queen Mary offered radiotelephone services that allowed passengers to place ship-to-shore voice calls via onboard radio officers. Calls were arranged through the ship’s radio room, routed through coastal radio stations, and billed at premium rates.

By the 1960s, improvements in radio systems made ship-to-shore calling more reliable on major routes. Passenger ships also developed onboard broadcast services, using internal radio networks to deliver music, news, and announcements throughout the vessel. Ocean liners such as SS United States, which entered service in 1952, operated round-the-clock radio rooms that handled passenger telegrams and radiotelephone calls.

The bow view of SS United States from the waterline in Mobile, Alabama. Photo credit: Richard Weiss.

The introduction of satellite communications in the 1970s marked another turning point. Passenger ships gained more consistent global coverage, reducing reliance on coastal radio stations and improving reliability on longer voyages. Ocean liners such as Holland America Line’s SS Rotterdam adopted early satellite systems, expanding ship-to-shore telephone capacity and supporting more dependable long-range communications.

Rotterdam approaches the Manhattan Passenger Ship Terminal. From the William H. Miller collection. — *Rotterdam* approaches the Manhattan Passenger Ship Terminal. From the William H. Miller collection.

During the 1980s and 1990s, satellite systems supported routine voice calling along with fax and early email services. In the early 2000s, cruise lines began offering internet access and Wi-Fi in public areas. Advances in satellite technology throughout the 2010s expanded bandwidth further, enabling vessel-wide connectivity, messaging platforms, and video calling.

Always On at Sea

More recently, low-Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink have significantly changed onboard connectivity. The technology has enabled faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable coverage, supporting high-quality video streaming, real-time video calls, and expanded access to digital media while at sea. Royal Caribbean was the first major cruise line to leverage the technology at scale, beginning with Quantum of the Seas, marking a shift in how passengers access internet and media services onboard. The development has narrowed if not neutralized the gap between shipboard and shoreside connectivity.

More than a century after Marconi’s breakthrough, the principle remains unchanged. Wireless communications reduced the distance between ship and shore, improving safety, coordination, and the passenger experience. From Morse code signals to modern broadband, radio technology has remained a quiet but essential force shaping the evolution of passenger shipping and cruising at sea.