Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has signed a new, multi-year contract with Carnival Corporation that will ensure cruise ship passengers and staff have access to the latest high-speed Internet and advanced voice and data services available as they sail the high seas. Harris, an international communications and information technology company, has provided satellite communications services onboard select Carnival cruise ships for the past 10 years.

The new managed services agreement initially covers Carnival vessels under the Costa Cruises brand, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s #1 cruise company. Harris will provide Costa ships with significantly more satellite bandwidth, a modern all-IP network, and operational support of onboard equipment including dual C-band and Ku-band antennas for seamless global coverage and high reliability. Costa Cruises operates 14 cruise ships with worldwide itineraries, and expects to commission 3 new ships by 2012.

“Our guests, crew, and administrative staff expect more bandwidth and highly reliable service, and we rely on the high quality worldwide coverage and support provided by Harris,” said Giuseppe De laco, Costa Cruises CIO and vice president Corporate Information Technology.

“Today’s cruise ship passengers and crew expect to access the same communications services onboard a ship as they do when they are on land,” said Rick Simonian, president of Harris Maritime Communications Services (MCS). “Costa is at the cutting edge when it comes to communications technology, and these upgrades will provide continued excellent service and assured communications for their fleet.”