AT&T Cruise Packages 2025: Is AT&T Cruise Plan Worth It?

Staying connected on a cruise can feel confusing, especially when your phone switches between land, sea, and different networks. AT&T Cruise Packages make this easy by giving you talk, text, and data while you are sailing. These plans help you stay online, share moments, and check messages without surprise charges.

The best part is that you can use your phone just like home once the package is active. It feels simple and stress-free, even if you are not tech-savvy.

In this guide, I explain how AT&T Cruise Packages work, how to activate them, and what they really cost. You will also learn when these plans are worth it and when you might skip them. If you want a clear and honest look before your next cruise, this guide will help you choose the best option.

What is AT&T Cruise Package?

AT&T Cruise Package is a special phone plan made for people who travel by cruise ship. It lets you use your phone at sea the same way you use it on land. With this package, you can make calls, send texts, and use data while your ship is sailing.

This plan works on 400+ cruise ships including major lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity. So no matter which ship you choose, you can stay connected without stress.

Types Of AT&T Cruise Packages

When I first wrote about AT&T cruise packages, things were very different. Back then, AT&T offered two plans for cruise travelers. They were called Cruise Basic and Cruise Plus, and there was also a Cruise Day Pass for people like me who wanted to pay only for the days they needed. These plans were simple and came with one-time fees, and many cruisers used them for years.

But on 16 April 2025, AT&T retired all of those plans. They removed Cruise Basic, Cruise Plus, and even the old Cruise Day Pass. So if you read my old blog, those prices and packages don’t work anymore.

Now AT&T uses one single plan called the AT&T International Day Pass. This plan works on both land and sea, which makes things easier to understand. But the cost is different because you don’t pay for 30 days anymore. Instead, you pay $20 per day for every day you use your phone.

For this $20 per day, AT&T gives you unlimited talk and text, which is great when you want to stay in touch. You also get 500 MB of high-speed data per day. After you use that, the speed becomes slower, and on certain ships it may be reduced to a maximum of 512 Kbps, but basic apps like messaging and browsing still work. The best part for me is that it works on land and at sea, so I don’t need different plans for port days and sea days.

How does AT&T Cruise Package Work?

The AT&T Cruise Package works by connecting to cellular network of ship. Your phone will connect to this network when you are on the ship. Once connected, you can make calls, send texts, and use data.

The costs for using AT&T Cellular at Sea are remarkably high if you don’t have any package, that is why it is recommended for passengers to switch their smartphone to “Airplane Mode” to avoid accidental connections. 

With the AT&T cruise package, you can use the Cellular at sea network without worrying about excessive charges.

Port Network Is Now Included

Now, with the AT&T International Day Pass, things are much simpler. The plan covers both sea and port networks, so your phone can stay connected even when the ship docks at any port. This means you don’t have to worry about extra roaming charges while exploring on land.

If you don’t have the International Day Pass for both sea and land, AT&T also offers a separate International Day Pass for land use. This costs $12 per day and helps you stay connected during port stops. It’s a convenient solution if you want to use your phone while exploring without relying on WiFi.

With this update, using your phone on a cruise is easier than ever. You can talk, text, and use data at sea or on land, all with predictable daily costs.

How to Use AT&T Cruise Package?

To use AT&T’s Cruise Package: 

Eligibility: You must be an AT&T postpaid customer with a data plan. 

Activation: Activate the Att cruise package before your cruise. You can do this by:  

• Calling AT&T customer service 
• Logging into your AT&T online account 

Device: Take your AT&T-compatible phone on the cruise. 

Connection: Once on the ship, connect to the ship’s network. 

Usage: The Att cruise plans lets you make calls, send texts, and use data on the ship and at ports. 

Deactivation: After your cruise, turn off the AT&T package to avoid extra charges. Do this by calling AT&T or using your online account. 

Keep in Mind: 

• Package details can vary based on your AT&T plan and the cruise line. 
• Check the specific costs, data limits, and coverage areas for your package. 

Review all terms before activating to understand what you’re getting. 

Is AT&T Package Available on All Cruise Ships?

AT&T network is available on over 400+ cruise ships. Some of these are mentioned below: 

• TUI Cruises  
• Star Cruises   
• MSC Cruises
• Dream Cruises  
• Virgin Voyages  
• Oceania Cruises  
• Princess Cruises  
• Celestyal Cruises  
• Celebrity Cruises  
• Explora Journeys  
• Windstar Cruises   
• Sky Sea Cruise Line  
• Carnival Cruise Line  
• Silversea Cruise Line   
• Holland America Line  
• Azamara Club Cruises  
• Norwegian Cruise Line  
• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines  
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises  
• Royal Caribbean International 

AT&T Cruise Plan Vs Cruise Ship WiFi

Here is the difference between AT&T Cruise Ship Package & Cruise ship WiFi

Connectivity 

The AT&T Cruise Ship Package will start working once you are 10 to 12 nautical miles away from the shore. It results in a reliable and stable network that keeps you connected no matter where your adventure takes you.  

Cruise Ship WiFi will automatically connects to user’s phone once they board the ship. As a result, slow internet speeds due to the large number of users. 

Lower Cost 

Starlink at cruise ship provides a more reliable WiFi connection at a reduced price, guaranteeing consistent expenses.

Data Allowance 

The ATT cruise plans are best suited for those who prioritize calls, texts, and occasional browsing, while ship WiFi is more suitable for the users who utilize streaming services for music and video. 

Impact of Starlink 

With the emergence of advanced satellite networks like Starlink, cruise lines are now offering faster and more reliable internet connectivity, transforming the onboard experience for guests. Starlink provides faster and more dependable WiFi services.

Even though Starlink offers more reliable WiFi but there is no indication that cruise companies plan to lower their WiFi prices as a result. 

If you’re deciding between AT&T Cruise Package and cruise line WiFi package on Royal Caribbean or Carnival, read our full guide to make the best choice.

Why Should You Consider AT&T Cruise Package?

The ATT Cruise Plan is an ideal partner for travelers, offers unlimited talk and SMS, daily data access, user-friendly features, and extensive flexibility, and is cost-effective, making it an excellent choice for all your travel needs. Five important reasons are given below: 

Cost-Effective 

The cost-effectiveness of the ATT Cruise Plan is a big plus for travelers who want to stay connected at sea. Unlike traditional international roaming, you only pay for the days you actually use your phone, allowing you to save your budget for other fun vacation activities.

This per-day system gives you full control over your phone usage and helps avoid unexpected charges, making it easier to manage your connectivity during the cruise.

Unlimited Talk, Text & Data 

The AT&T Cruise Plan now gives you unlimited talk, text and data, which makes it very helpful for staying connected during your cruise. You can message family, make calls, or even share quick updates from places like Coco Cay without worrying about limits.

For data, you get 500 MB of high-speed data each day. After you use the high-speed portion, your speed becomes slower, but you can still do simple things like checking emails, using maps, or casual browsing. It may not be ideal for heavy streaming, but it works well for normal use on a cruise.

Ease of Use 

The AT&T setup is simple and friendly to the user. Once you subscribe to the plan, it activates automatically when you’re on the ship. 

Flexibility 

The ATT Cruise Ship Plans are an excellent choice for many due to its flexibility. They offers coverage on more than 400 cruise ships globally, ensuring you stay connected no matter where you journey. 

If you want to stay connected while cruising like a pro, you can check out my complete guide here.

AT&T Cruise Package Limitations

The AT&T International Pass gives you 500 MB of high-speed data per day. After that, speed drops to about 512 Kbps, which is enough for messaging, emails and light browsing, but not for streaming or heavy apps.

Streaming videos or using data-heavy apps can quickly exceed the daily limit, so it’s best to use your data wisely and save high-speed data for important tasks. This helps you stay connected without extra charges while cruising.

Tips to Save Your AT&T Cruise Package Data

Here are some tips to save your AT&T Cruise plans data:

Utilize Wifi When it is Available: Use the cruise’s Wi-Fi package if you have it and remember to disable data roaming to conserve data. Some cruise lines provide free Wifi in certain areas, so take advantage of that choice.

Disable Data Roaming: To conserve data, make sure to disable data roaming when you’re not actively using cellular data.

Disable Unnecessary App: Disable the unnecessary apps that you rarely use to save data which they consume in the background while updating.

AT&T Pay-Per-Use Rates

AT&T charges $2.05 per megabyte for international mobile data in most countries. If you don’t buy an ATT International Day pass for sea or land then you’ll be charged with their standard pay-per-use rates. Your usage is billed per kilobyte, so if you use 100.2MB of data, you will be billed for exactly that amount. 

Talk Pay Per Use Rate 

• $1 per minute cost to Call to Canada & Mexico  
• $2 per minute cost to Call to Europe
• $3 per minute in the rest of the world, airlines, & cruise ships.

Text Pay Per Use Rate

• Each Text message cost $0.50
• Sending picture & videos message costs $1.30 per messsage 

Data Pay Per Use Rate 

• AT&T charges $2.05 per megabyte 

AT&T Cruise Package Reviews

Cruiser’s reviews for AT&T cruise packages are mixed. Many users appreciate having connectivity at sea, but few complain about slow speeds and high costs. It’s often suggested to check alternative options or use ship WiFi instead. Here are the few ATT cruise package reviews:

Is AT&T Cruise Plan Worth it?

If you’re going on a cruise, staying connected can get pricey, especially with cruise Wi-Fi or roaming plans that charge for the whole week. The AT&T International Day Pass is cheaper because you only pay on the days you actually use your phone, which helps cut costs on shorter trips or low-usage days.

You get unlimited data, but only the first 500 MB is high speed. After that, speeds get slow but good for basics like messaging and email, but not for streaming. The best part is that this single plan now works on both the ship and in port, so you don’t need separate packages.

Overall, it’s a simple and cost-friendly option for cruisers who want easy connectivity at sea and on land.

FAQs – Is AT&T Cruise Package Worth It?