Exploring AT&T’s Cruise Package For The High Seas? Is Cellular AT&T Cruise Package Worth It?

Are you planning for a cruise voyage? The first thing that you should consider is Internet connectivity. 

In Today’s modern world, everyone is connected through social media, and during sailing, you can’t be cut off from your friends and family. 

Who wouldn’t want to share their snaps while sailing, right? And who wouldn’t want to have a video call with their loved ones while cruising? I can’t imagine going on a cruise without staying connected online.

The solution is the AT&T cruise package, allowing you to stay connected with your loved ones during the voyage. You can make calls, send SMS, and share your stories on the Internet without hassle.  

In today’s guide, I will discuss two major cruise packages offered by AT&T and compare this service with the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi. By the end of this, you’ll have the lowdown to decide which option is right for you.

What Is AT&T Cruise Package?

One of the biggest hurdles on cruise ships is cellular connectivity; to overcome this, the AT&T cruise package saves your day. 

The American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) cruise packages offer reliable cellular connectivity onboard, so you can make calls, send SMS, and use the Internet while sailing. 

If you are a phone addict and live mostly on phone calls to run the business, AT&T is the best bet for you

AT&T covers over 175 cruise ships, so whether you’re sailing with Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, or any other cruise line, AT&T has got you covered. 

On top of that, AT&T offers just two major packages, so you don’t need to immerse yourself in confusing cruise packages. Plus, cruisers can enjoy unlimited calls and SMS. The only restriction comes to data. 

On my last Royal Caribbean cruise, I snagged their Voom Internet package—it’s cool, but no international calls or texts. That’s why I opted for the AT&T cruise package that allows unlimited call minutes and SMS. Game-changer!

Related Post: Walkies Talkies On Cruise Ships

Types Of AT&T Cruise Package 

AT&T offers two main cruise packages for smooth cellular connectivity. Both packages are available at reasonable prices and last for 30 days– which is a huge plus. 

1- AT&T Cruise Basic 

The first is the AT&T Cruise Basic package, which costs you $60 for 30 days. This one is a lighter package and the best option for those who just are phone-detox sailors. 

With this basic package, you will get 100 minutes for calling and unlimited texts to stay connected with your family. 

Unfortunately, the AT&T Cruise Basic package has only 100 MB of Internet, which is scant. So, once you open any streaming app, the MBs will fly in the blink of an eye. And if you forget to turn off data roaming, your account might take a hit with some extra charges. Watch out for that!

This package is not for you if you’re a heavy internet user. Instead, you can opt for the cruise wifi package along with the AT&T cruise basic package. 

2- AT&T Cruise Plus Package

The second one is the AT&T Cruise Plus package. It costs you $100 for 30 days and is the best companion for sailors, offering unlimited test calls and SMS. 

So, if you’re a business person who talks and texts with your clients daily, this package fits you perfectly. With unlimited call minutes, you don’t need to worry about draining minutes. 

Regarding the Internet, it offers 1GB of data, which is insufficient for Internet buddies. But you rarely use the Internet; the 1GB of data is sufficient to update WhatsApp status, send streaks on Snapchat, or check emails. 

Again, streaming with 1GB of internet data is not the best deal, so you must stay away from streaming services to secure your MBs. Remember that for an extra 100MB of internet usage, you will be charged $10. 

How AT&T Cruise Package Works?

AT&T operates over a satellite, so you don’t need to worry about lagging during the sailing. 

AT&T works on “Cellular at sea”– a ship’s cellular network that uses a satellite or VSAT connection. Almost every cruise ship has “Cellular at sea,” so when you embark on the cruise, the phone automatically gets connected to the network. 

You should turn off your data roaming when you’re on a cruise because the cost of using the “Cellular at sea” is too high. But you need to fret if you have got the AT&T cruise package. 

Your AT&T cruise package will automatically start working after 9 – 11 nautical miles from the shore. And you can use your phone for making calls and send SMS right after that. There is no lagging in their service because now your cruise is the mobile hub; whether you’re on a top deck or in your stateroom, the AT&T network works seamlessly.  

Can I Use AT&T Cruise Package On a Port?

No, the AT&T cruise package won’t work outside of the cruise. So, if you’re on a port excursion, you have to consider other alternatives. 

The AT&T cruise package only applies while sailing; the standard international roaming charges are steep if you use it at ports. The best solution is to go with the AT&T International Day Pass, which costs you $10 and offers unlimited calls, text, and Internet. 

The good news is the AT&T International Day pass is applicable for 210+ destinations. So Whether you’re strolling in Cuba, Puerto Rico, or the Bahamas, you can stay connected with the world. 

Alternatively, you can use free Wi-Fi at cafes, hotels, and restaurants. But I suggest you go with the A&T day pass for 

Can I Use AT&T Outside Of The USA

AT&T services work seamlessly in more than 210 countries, and their data coverage is available in more than 190 countries. So, if you’re outside the USA and sailing somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea, the AT&T network will work smoothly. 

Even though the data speeds and coverage might vary by destination, performance remains smooth throughout the voyage. 

So, it’s a good idea to go for the AT&T International Day pass because it will allow you to stay connected while enjoying the unforgettable sea views. 

Is AT&T Available On All Cruise Ships?

AT&T is available on over 175 cruise ships. Here is a list of some famous cruises that support the AT&T network. 

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
• Azamara Club Cruises 
• Celebrity Cruises 
• Disney Cruise Line
• Celestial Cruises 
• Cordelia Cruises
• Dream Cruises 
• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland American Line
• Hapag Lloyd Cruises 
• MSC Cruises 
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises 
• P & O Cruises 
• P & O Ferries 
• Princess Cruises 
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises 
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Seabourn
• Silversea Cruise Line
• Sky Sea Cruise Line
• Sear Cruises 
• TUI Cruises
• Virgin Voyages
• Windstar Cruises

AT&T Pay Per Use Rates?

AT&T has a very steep pay-per-use rate. You will get overcharged if you don’t have any international or cruise package and you’re still using AT&T services. 

That’s why turning off data roaming is recommended if you didn’t subscribe to the AT&T cruise package. 

Also, you must know the AT&T pay-per-rates before subscribing to their international and cruise packages. You will have to pay extra charges for overusing their services. 

AT&T charges $1/minute for extra calling minutes in Canada and Mexico, $2 for European countries, and $3 for the rest of the world. For extra text, you have to pay $0.50/message; for the Internet, the charges are $2.05/MB, which is very high. 

Is AT&T Better Than Cruise Ship’s wifi?

Almost every cruise ship offers Internet packages to stay connected. Among all the cruises here, I would prefer to talk about Voom– the Royal Caribbean Internet Package. 

I’m a big fan of Royal Caribbean and frequently book their cruises for fun. The Internet package that RC offers is called “Voom,” and we usually go for this package. 

For $26/day, you will get the “Voom Surf & Stream” package to let you enjoy the Internet without any barriers. But most cruisers go for the Voom. That’s why its speed is slower at certain spots on board. 

During sunrise, the speed is quite high, and you can stream in 4k. But the speed gets slow after the evening, and you will sometimes face lagging issues. 

In contrast, AT&T has very fast Internet because few people opt for this option. But unluckily, AT&T doesn’t offer enough Internet to fulfill the needs. 

And if you’re an Internet guy, you should subscribe to Ship’s wifi package. 

Some Tips To Save Your Data Usage 

If you have subscribed to the AT&T cruise package, you must face the scarcity of Internet MBs. So, the first thing that you should do is saving. Here are some tips to save your data usage onboard. 

• Avoid Streaming: Streaming is like a killer of MBs, so totally avoid streaming if you’re on an AT&T cruise package. 
• Disable Unused apps: Try to disable the functionality of unused apps; these apps also use data to update their information. 
• Use Wi-Fi When Available: If you also have the cruise’s Wi-Fi package, use that. And don’t forget to turn off data roaming to save MBs. A few cruise lines offer free Wi-Fi in some spots to consider using. 
• Turn off the Data Roaming: When you’re not using cellular data, turn off the data roaming. 
• Beware of Data Usage: Keep an eye on the usage of your MBs. The iMessage will let you know about the status of your AT&T cruise Internet package, so keep an eye on that. 

Is AT&T Worth Its Option? 

AT&T is a good option for those who love to make phone calls every time or deal with their clients on phone calls. You will stay connected with your business partners, clients, and love with unlimited calls, minutes, and SMS. 

However, the AT&T cruise package’s dark side is a lack of Internet MBS. It offers 1GB of data in the premium plus package, which is not enough for you if you’re a heavy Internet user. 

In a nutshell, I suggest you go with an AT&T basic cruise package and also purchase the dedicated ship’s wifi package for better connectivity and internet experience.