What the AT&T Cruise Package Does

The AT&T Cruise Package is a plan that lets you use your phone for calls, texts, and data while your ship is at sea or in port. Instead of paying per-minute rates that can run $5 to $7 per minute on international waters, you pay a flat daily or weekly fee. Your phone connects to the ship's cellular network, which relays signals to AT&T's system.

The package does not change your phone or SIM card. You keep your regular number and your existing AT&T plan. When you board the ship and the Cruise Package activates, your phone automatically switches to the ship's network, and charges shift from your home plan to the cruise rate.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enroll in the Cruise Package before you board the ship, either through the AT&T website, the AT&T mobile app, or by calling AT&T customer service.
  • The package charges a flat daily rate (around $7 to $10 per day, though rates vary by cruise line and region) rather than per-minute fees that can exceed $5 per minute.
  • Your phone will automatically connect to the ship's network once you board; you do not need to manually select it or enter a password.
  • You can turn off data, texts, and calls at any time during your cruise to avoid unexpected charges, and you can remove the package before your trip ends.
  • The package covers calls and texts to the US and most countries, but international calls from the ship may still incur extra charges depending on the destination.

How to Enroll Before Your Cruise

Log into your AT&T account online or open the AT&T mobile app on your phone. Look for the "Travel" or "International" section — the exact name varies by app version. Select "Cruise" or "Cruise Package" from the list of travel options.

You will see the available plans for your cruise line and dates. Choose the plan that matches your ship's operator (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Celebrity, or another line). Select the number of days you need coverage and confirm your purchase. AT&T will send you a confirmation email with your plan details.

If you do not have online access or prefer to enroll by phone, call AT&T customer service at 611 from any AT&T phone, or 1-800-331-0500 from any phone. Have your account number and cruise dates ready. A representative can enroll you and answer questions about what the plan covers in your specific ports.

What Happens When You Board the Ship

When your ship leaves port and you are at sea, your phone will automatically detect the ship's cellular network. You may see a notification that you have switched networks, or your phone may straightforward show a new carrier name (often the cruise line's name or a partner network name). Do not manually select a different network — let your phone connect automatically.

Once connected, your Cruise Package rate applies to all calls, texts, and data. You do not need to do anything else. Your phone works the same way it does on land, except the connection goes through the ship's system instead of a ground tower.

When your ship returns to port in the US or a country where AT&T has a standard network, your phone may switch back to the regular AT&T network. If you are in port for several hours, you might be charged both the cruise rate and your home plan rate for the same usage — so it is wise to turn off data and cellular service while docked if you do not plan to use your phone.

Managing Data, Calls, and Texts During Your Cruise

If you want to avoid charges, you can disable data, calls, and texts on your phone at any time. On most phones, open Settings, go to Cellular or Mobile Network, and toggle off "Cellular Data." This stops data use but you can still receive calls and texts. To disable calls and texts as well, turn on Airplane Mode, then manually re-enable Wi-Fi if the ship offers it.

Many ships offer free or paid Wi-Fi. If you connect to the ship's Wi-Fi network instead of using cellular data, you will not be charged the daily cruise rate for that data — only for calls and texts sent over the cellular network. Check with your cruise line about Wi-Fi pricing and how to connect.

You can remove the Cruise Package at any time through your AT&T account online or by calling customer service. If you remove it before your cruise ends, you will revert to per-minute charges if you use your phone at sea. Removing it after you return home has no effect.

Understanding Charges and What Is Covered

The daily rate covers calls and texts to phone numbers in the US and most countries. The exact rate depends on your cruise line and the region where you are sailing — Caribbean cruises may cost differently than Alaska or Mediterranean cruises. AT&T lists the rate for your specific cruise line and dates when you enroll, so you will know the total cost before you purchase.

Calls to certain countries, premium numbers, or directory information may still incur extra charges beyond the daily rate. Calls to 900 numbers, 411 directory service, and some international destinations are typically not included. When you enroll, AT&T provides a list of what is and is not covered — read it before you board.

Data charges are included in the daily rate. Streaming video, downloading large files, and using social media apps all count as data use. If you use a lot of data, you may want to rely on the ship's Wi-Fi instead, or turn off data entirely and use Wi-Fi only.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

If your phone does not automatically connect to the ship's network, restart your phone. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Your phone should detect the network and connect within a few minutes.

If you see a message asking for a password to connect to the ship's network, do not enter one. The Cruise Package should connect automatically without a password. If a password prompt appears, restart your phone again. If the problem persists, call AT&T customer service from the ship's phone or ask the ship's front desk to help you connect.

If you are charged per-minute rates instead of the daily Cruise Package rate, contact AT&T when ready. This usually means the package did not set up properly. AT&T can review your account and correct the charges if the package was purchased but did not work as intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Cruise Package in port?

When your ship is docked in a US port, your phone switches to AT&T's regular network and your home plan applies instead of the cruise rate. In foreign ports, your phone may stay on the ship's network, and the cruise rate applies. Check with your cruise line about which ports use the ship's network and which use local networks.

What if I do not enroll before I board?

You can enroll after you board the ship, but you will be charged per-minute rates until the package activates — which can take a few hours. It is much cheaper to enroll before you leave home. If you board without the package, ask the ship's guest services desk if they can help you enroll, or call AT&T from the ship's phone.

Will the Cruise Package work on my tablet or smartwatch?

The Cruise Package covers the phone number on your AT&T account. If your tablet or smartwatch has its own phone number and AT&T plan, you would need to enroll each device separately. If your tablet or smartwatch shares your phone's number through a feature like AT&T NumberSync, it will use the Cruise Package automatically when your phone does.

Can I turn off the Cruise Package and use Wi-Fi only?

Yes. Remove the package from your account before you board, or disable cellular data on your phone and use only the ship's Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that if you receive a call or text while cellular is off, you will not see it until you turn cellular back on. Some ships charge for Wi-Fi, so check pricing before you rely on it.

What happens if I go over my data limit?

The Cruise Package does not have a data cap — you pay the same daily rate no matter how much data you use. However, excessive streaming or downloading may slow your connection because the ship's network has limited bandwidth shared among all passengers.