In all, the ship has 1,100 networked IP security cameras. A person-recognition application tied to cameras mounted in ceilings of dining areas keeps a running count of how full the various restaurants are. Passengers can tap that data to figure out the best place to eat if they want to avoid crowds.

At sea, the network is tended by nine crew members -- an IT manager and a network manager, three passenger-support staff and four others to support back-office desktops and servers. They perform routine maintenance and troubleshoot and can call on IT staff ashore for help.

The IT crew is very loyal, Schmidt says, many of them with 10 to 20 years service to Royal Caribbean. Because the line produces new luxury ships periodically, the IT staff gets the chance to experience new technology. "It's a very sexy product," he says. They sign on for four to six month at sea, followed by two months off. While at sea they provide 24-hour coverage, but the actual work schedules guarantee time off. "There are guidelines for the rest time they need that are strictly enforced," Schmidt says.

Just being aboard the ship is a reward in itself, he says. "The whole ship is a technical innovation. It's a work of art."