AT&T Cruise Package: What You Get and Whether It’s Worth It

Escaping everyday life is one of the best parts of a cruise – but sometimes, switching off completely isn’t an option.

Whether you need to check in at home, keep up with work emails, or just stay connected, there are ways to get online at sea. While most cruise lines offer WiFi, there’s another option if you’re cruising from the US: the AT&T Cruise Packages.

In this article I’ll explain what they include and how they stack up against the cruise line’s own WiFi deals.

The AT&T Cruise Package Explained (2025 Update)

If you’ve ever been on a cruise and accidentally left roaming switched on, you’ll know the horror of seeing a huge bill when you get home. At sea, your phone connects to maritime satellite networks, and the costs can be astronomical.

For years, AT&T offered special Cruise Basic and Cruise Plus packages that helped travellers stay connected while at sea without breaking the bank. But in April 2025, those plans were scrapped and replaced with a new system.

What the Old AT&T Cruise Packages Looked Like

Before April 2025, you could choose between two at-sea options:

Package	Cost	Talk	Text	Data
AT&T Cruise Basic	$60	100 minutes	Unlimited	100MB
AT&T Cruise Plus	$100	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB

These plans were designed for at-sea use only and were valid for 30 days from the point of activation. As soon as your ship reached port and your phone picked up local signals, these allowances stopped working.

For many people, these plans offered good value if you made calls and sent texts – but the limited data meant you could burn through your allowance fast, especially on social media or video apps. Extra data was charged at $10 per 100 MB, so charges could add up fast.

What Changed in 2025

In April 2025, AT&T retired the Cruise Basic and Cruise Plus plans. They’ve now rolled out the AT&T International Day Pass.

This new approach is simpler but comes at a flat daily rate instead of a one-off fee.

The Current AT&T International Day Pass (2025)

When your phone connects to a ship’s “Cellular at Sea” network, AT&T now charges $20 per day per device.

Here’s what you get:

• Unlimited talk & text
• 500 MB of high-speed data per day
• After 500 MB, speeds are reduced
• Uses maritime networks like CellularAtSea and wmsatsea

AT&T Cruise Package – Ships Covered

The AT&T Cruise packages aren’t available on every cruise ship in the world, but you should be fine if you’re sailing from the US, as pretty much all major cruise lines are covered.

AT&T’s new package covers over 400 ships, including many from major cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian, Princess, MSC, etc.

Some ships are listed with caveats or “TBD” status, meaning eligibility might not be fully confirmed, and coverage can change. AT&T explicitly says that ships/lines may be added or removed.

I would always recommend that you check the specific ship you’re sailing on prior to purchasing any package; the full list can be found here.

Using Your Phone While in Port

The beauty of the new AT&T International Day Pass is that it also works on land, in over 210 destinations.

• Cost: $12/day on land (outside maritime networks)
• Uses your normal domestic plan allowances
• If you already get unlimited data at home, you’ll have unlimited abroad

So if you want to use your phone freely in port, this add-on is worth considering.

AT&T vs Cruise Line WiFi

Is AT&T’s plan better than just buying WiFi onboard? It depends:

Option	Cost	Data	Calls & Texts
AT&T International Day Pass	$20/day	500 MB/day	Included
Typical Cruise WiFi Package	~$20/day	Unlimited	Not included

With pretty much any cruise line you sail with from the US, you can only buy WiFi in unlimited packages that typically run for the whole duration of your cruise. Prices vary, but on average, you should expect to pay around $20 per day for a standard package for one device.

While this is a similar price to the AT&T plan, with the new International Day Pass, you’re only charged on the days you actually use your phone at sea. “Use” refers to making a call, sending a text, or using mobile data while connected to the ship’s Cellular at Sea network.

So, if you keep data roaming switched off and don’t make calls or send texts, you won’t be charged for that day. This could potentially represent better value than most cruise WiFi packages, as they have to be purchased for the entire duration of your cruise, even if you only want to use the internet on a few days. So as long as you remember to turn off data roaming when you’re not using your phone, AT&T’s plan could work out cheaper.

While this works out well for calls and texts, if you’re a heavy internet user, then Cruise WiFi would probably work out cheaper for you since the data is unlimited. With the AT&T International Pass, you get 500MB of full-speed data per day. After you reach this cap, you can still continue to use the internet, but the speed drops significantly.

How to Set It Up

Getting set up with an AT&T package is really simple. You just need to visit the AT&T website, log in to your AT&T account (or register if you don’t already have one), and go to Manage Add-Ons → International Options. Select the International Day Pass and add it to your line.

Once it’s on your account, it stays there until you remove it; it has no 30-day window like the old plans, and you don’t need to re-activate it for each trip.

Once you’re onboard and the ship reaches a certain point offshore – typically between 9 and 11 nautical miles – then your phone will automatically switch. Look out for one of these networks: CellularAtSea, wmsatsea, 901-18, NOR-18.

Pro Tips to Avoid a Huge Bill

• Turn off data roaming when not in use
• Turn off app background data – this stops apps from using data automatically
• Stick to messaging apps like iMessage or WhatsApp
• Use free WiFi in ports whenever possible
• Check your phone daily to track usage
• If you hit $300, AT&T will cap any further charges

AT&T Cruise Package Reviews

As the International Day Pass is fairly new, reviews on this AT&T package on social media are limited and those that are present offer mixed opinions.

This Reddit user reports that the package worked well for them, but highlights the need to remember to turn off data roaming to avoid unnecessary charges!

This user from DISBoards (Disney Cruise forum) had a positive experience but notes that it still uses your plans data allowance:

This Reddit user, on the other hand, had a less than positive experience:

Whether It’s Worth It

Whether AT&T’s International Day Pass is worth it really depends on how you plan to use your phone at sea.

If you mainly want to make calls and send texts, the $20/day AT&T package works really well. It’s simple, reliable, and you’re only charged on the days you actually use it. So, if you just want to check in with home a couple of times during your cruise, it could save you a lot compared to paying for onboard WiFi.

But if you’re a heavy data user – scrolling social media, streaming videos, or sending loads of photos – you’ll probably burn through the 500 MB daily allowance very quickly. After that, speeds drop significantly, and it can get frustrating. In that case, most people will find that a cruise WiFi package offers better value because it’s usually unlimited.

The other big difference is how you’re billed. With AT&T, you can pick and choose the days you want to be connected – just remember to turn off data roaming when you don’t need it. With cruise WiFi, it’s normally one package for the entire duration of your cruise, even if you only plan to go online for a day or two. On a week-long sailing, that can easily mean paying $140 or more, whereas with AT&T, you’d only pay for the days you actually use it.

For short cruises, AT&T often works out cheaper and more flexible. But for longer trips, especially if you want unlimited data without worrying about limits, cruise WiFi tends to be the better choice.

Whichever option you go for, it’s worth managing your phone settings carefully. Disable background data for apps you don’t need at sea, and save data-heavy activities – like uploading videos or browsing Instagram – for when you’ve got free WiFi in port. That way, you can stay connected without getting an unwelcome surprise when your bill arrives.

An Alternative Option – GigSky eSIM

An alternative to the AT&T package is a GigSky eSIM. This is an eSIM that you install on your phone, and it gives you data you can use in port and when you’re on the ship.

I’ve added a link below where you can get 10% off, so you can try it out for less.

If you’re not sure how it all works, don’t worry – I’ve also made a YouTube video showing exactly what it is and how to use it.

If cruise Wi-Fi feels too pricey or you don’t want any nasty surprises from your mobile network, this is a great alternative to keep you online when you need it.

Related Posts

• Carnival WiFi Package Guide
• Royal Caribbean WiFI Package Guide
• Carnival Corporation Completes Starlink Rollout Across Entire Fleet