What the AT&T Cruise Package Covers
AT&T's Cruise Package is a mobile data plan you buy before boarding a cruise ship. It gives you cellular service while your ship is at sea, using AT&T's network and roaming agreements with maritime carriers. You pay a flat daily rate rather than standard international roaming charges, which can run $10 to $15 per megabyte without a plan.
The package includes talk, text, and data on your existing phone number. You use your phone the same way you would on land—no special app or login required once the plan is active. The service works in most ocean areas where AT&T has roaming coverage, though it may drop when the ship is far from shore or in certain regions.
AT&T offers the Cruise Package in different daily rates depending on how many days you need coverage. A typical plan costs around $7 to $10 per day, though the exact price varies by cruise length and destination. You can add the plan to your account online, through the AT&T mobile app, or by calling AT&T customer service before you travel.
Key Takeaways
- AT&T's Cruise Package charges a flat daily rate for cellular service at sea instead of per-megabyte international roaming fees.
- You must add the plan to your account before boarding; it does not set up automatically and cannot be added once you are at sea.
- The plan covers talk, text, and data on your existing phone number with no app or special setup required.
- Service depends on the ship's location and AT&T's roaming agreements; coverage may be spotty or unavailable in remote ocean areas.
- Turning off data roaming in your phone settings before boarding prevents accidental charges if you do not purchase a plan.
How to Add the Cruise Package to Your Account
Log into your AT&T account online or open the AT&T mobile app on your phone. Go to the section labeled "Add-ons" or "International" and look for the Cruise Package option. Select the number of days you need—most cruise packages are sold in 5-day, 7-day, or 10-day blocks, though you can sometimes buy single days.
Review the daily rate and total cost, then confirm the purchase. AT&T will send you a confirmation text and email. The plan becomes active as soon as you purchase it, so your phone will connect to maritime networks once you board and sail beyond coastal coverage.
If you cannot find the Cruise Package online, call AT&T customer service at 611 from your AT&T phone or 1-800-331-0500 from any phone. A representative can add the plan directly and answer questions about coverage on your specific cruise route.
What Happens When Your Ship Leaves Port
Once your ship moves beyond the range of land-based cell towers, your phone automatically switches to the maritime network. You will see a different carrier name on your phone's status bar—often something like "Viya" or another maritime provider—rather than AT&T. This is normal and means the Cruise Package is working.
Your phone will send and receive calls, texts, and data just as it would on land, but through the ship's antenna system. Speeds are typically slower than home broadband—expect 1 to 3 megabits per second for data. Video streaming and large downloads will be slow, and some apps may time out.
When your ship returns to port and gets close enough to land-based towers, your phone will switch back to AT&T's regular network. The Cruise Package continues to cover you until the plan expires, even if you are in port, so you will not be charged roaming fees during that time.
Costs and How Daily Charges Work
AT&T charges you one flat rate per calendar day you are on the cruise, regardless of how much data, talk, or text you use. If you purchase a 7-day plan for a 7-day cruise, you pay for 7 days. If your cruise is 8 days, you need to buy an 8-day or 10-day plan.
The daily charge applies even if you do not use your phone that day. If you turn off cellular service to avoid charges, you will still be billed for each day the plan is active. The charge appears on your AT&T bill after your cruise ends, along with a detailed breakdown of which days were covered.
Unused days do not roll over to future trips. If you buy a 10-day plan for a 7-day cruise, you lose the 3 unused days. Plan your purchase to match your actual cruise length as closely as possible.
Turning Off Service to Avoid Unexpected Charges
If you do not want to use cellular service during your cruise, you can disable it to prevent accidental charges. Go to your phone's Settings, find "Cellular" or "Mobile Data," and turn off data roaming. This prevents your phone from connecting to maritime networks even if the Cruise Package is on your account.
Turning off data roaming does not cancel the plan or refund the charge—you will still be billed for each day if the plan is active. To avoid the charge entirely, you must remove the plan from your account before boarding. Call AT&T customer service or log into your account online and delete the Cruise Package from your add-ons.
If you forget to disable roaming and do not have a plan, AT&T will charge you standard international roaming rates, which are much higher than the Cruise Package. These charges can add up quickly—a single photo upload might cost $5 to $10. Check your account settings before boarding to confirm your roaming status.
Coverage Gaps and When Service May Not Work
AT&T's Cruise Package works in most ocean areas where the company has roaming agreements with maritime carriers. However, coverage is not may provide everywhere. Ships traveling in remote regions, polar areas, or certain parts of the Atlantic or Pacific may have spotty or no service for hours or days at a time.
Service can also drop temporarily when your ship is between coverage zones or when weather interferes with the antenna connection. Unlike land-based networks, maritime coverage is not continuous—there are dead zones, and you may lose signal without warning. Do not rely on the Cruise Package for urgent communication; use the ship's phone or internet service for emergencies.
Before your cruise, check AT&T's coverage map or call customer service to ask about service on your specific route. Some cruise lines also provide information about cellular coverage during your voyage. If you need reliable internet, consider purchasing the ship's onboard Wi-Fi package instead of or in addition to the Cruise Package.
Cruise Package vs. Ship Wi-Fi and Other Options
Most cruise ships offer onboard Wi-Fi packages, which are often cheaper and more reliable than cellular service. Ship Wi-Fi typically costs $15 to $25 per day and works throughout the vessel, whereas cellular service depends on your location and signal strength. If you only need to check email or use messaging apps, ship Wi-Fi may be the better choice.
Some cruise lines offer free or discounted Wi-Fi to loyalty members or suite guests. Check your cruise documents or the ship's website before purchasing a separate plan. You can also use the ship's internet cafés or public Wi-Fi areas for free or low cost.
If you need both cellular and internet, buying both the Cruise Package and ship Wi-Fi gives you backup options. However, if you only need one, compare the daily cost of each and the type of service you actually use. Cellular is better for phone calls and texting; Wi-Fi is better for streaming and browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the Cruise Package after I board the ship?
No. AT&T does not allow you to add the Cruise Package once you are at sea. You must purchase it before boarding through your online account, the AT&T app, or by calling customer service. If you board without a plan and realize you need service, you will be charged standard international roaming rates instead.
What if I cancel my cruise or do not use all the days I paid for?
AT&T does not refund unused days on the Cruise Package. If you cancel your cruise or use fewer days than you purchased, you lose the cost of the unused days. Plan your purchase to match your actual travel dates as closely as possible.
Will my texts and calls use data, or are they separate?
Texts and calls use the maritime network separately from data. However, if you use messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, or Facebook Messenger, those do use data. Standard SMS texts and voice calls do not count against your data limit and are included in the daily rate.
Does the Cruise Package work in ports and at the dock?
Yes. Once the plan is active, it covers you in ports and at the dock as well as at sea. You will not be charged roaming fees while docked, even if you are using a local carrier's network. The daily charge applies regardless of whether you are at sea or in port.
What should I do if I have no service during my cruise?
First, check that data roaming is turned on in your phone's settings. Restart your phone and wait a few minutes for it to reconnect. If service still does not work, contact AT&T customer service through the ship's phone system or Wi-Fi calling. Keep in mind that maritime coverage is not continuous, and service gaps are normal in some areas.