Adoption of a guest mobile app is an essential part of digital transformation for cruise lines. Onboard mobile apps have the potential to streamline operations while improving the guest experience. Most cruise lines are currently offering some form of mobile app, and many are continuously investing in their innovation infrastructure. As cruise lines plan their investments in onboard guest apps, a crucial decision they face is whether to develop a custom solution internally or purchase an off-the-shelf product. Today we will explore the pros and cons of buying vs. building to help cruise lines make an informed decision.
Read about the evolution of cruise mobile apps: The State of Mobile Apps in the Cruise Industry.
To Buy or to Build?
The Cons of Buying Off-the-Shelf Solutions
Less Customization
One of the downsides of purchasing an off-the-shelf app is its limited customization options. Cruise lines might have to compromise on certain features or functionalities that are specific to their brand or passenger requirements. In contrast, in-house custom-built apps offer greater flexibility, allowing cruise lines to tailor the app precisely to their unique needs.
Reliance on Vendors
With off-the-shelf apps, cruise lines become reliant on the vendor for ongoing support and updates. This means they have less control over the product and are at the mercy of the vendor’s development roadmap. It is crucial to find a reputable vendor who understands the challenges faced by cruise lines and can provide the necessary support and updates in a timely manner.
The Advantages of Purchasing Off-the-Shelf Apps
Avoid Becoming an App Development Company
One significant advantage of purchasing an off-the-shelf app is cruise lines can avoid the complexities and costs associated with building and maintaining an in-house development team. Instead, they can focus on what they do best—creating a wonderful guest experience—and let experts handle the app development and maintenance.
Leveraging Expertise
Development companies specializing in the cruise and ferry sector have accumulated expertise in solving the unique problems of the industry. By purchasing an off-the-shelf app, cruise lines can benefit from this accumulated knowledge and tap into the expertise of seasoned professionals who have already fine-tuned their product. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, buying an existing solution saves years of time and development effort.
Maintenance, Stability, and Security
One of the biggest advantages of buying an off-the-shelf solution is the ability to share the burden of maintenance and ensure stability. Development companies have dedicated years to building, testing, and perfecting their app features. Good app developers build with security in mind, and rigorously test their products to ensure they are secure. When an issue arises, they can swiftly roll out fixes to multiple clients, ensuring a seamless experience for passengers and crew.
Immediate Implementation
Developing an app internally can be a time-consuming process that requires years of development work. By purchasing an off-the-shelf app, cruise lines can implement a solution immediately, avoiding long waiting periods and allowing them to immediately improve the guest experience.
Check out our App Report Archive for our in-depth reports of cruise apps and their features.
As cruise lines invest in digital transformation efforts, the decision to opt for an off-the-shelf app or develop a custom solution internally is a crucial one. While in-house built apps offer more customization options, they require significant time, resources, and expertise that can take years to acquire. On the other hand, off-the-shelf apps can be implemented immediately, and cruise lines can share the burden of maintenance and security with the app vendor while benefiting from the expertise of specialized development companies. Ultimately, each cruise line must carefully evaluate its specific needs, resources, and long-term goals to determine which option is the best fit. Regardless of the choice made, investing in an onboard mobile app is a step towards enhancing the guest experience and embracing the digital future of the cruise industry.
If you’re looking for an app development company for your cruise line, Sourcetoad is here to help! The OnDeck suite of cruise and ferry solutions includes APIs, SDKs, and an out-of-the-box guest mobile app. Sourcetoad’s technology runs on over 130 ships worldwide, including Virgin Voyages, Viking River, Ocean and Expedition Cruises, and Northlink Ferries. If you’d like to find out how we can transform your onboard and shoreside technology, reach out to schedule a 30- minute call. We’d love to hear about your challenges and explore ways we can solve them together.