AT&T cruise plan - good idea? Do you need to purchase wifi?

[Star965]

Hi All, 

We haven't cruised in 6 years. Back then our AT&T cell service always worked and we had no issues. I saw they offer a cruise plan and I am wondering is it worth it? also, do I need to buy ships wifi in order for this to work? Is it necessary or is the value wifi plan enough. We woudl liek to be able to text with our kids, and can do that through whatsapp if necessary. 

Thanks for the help

[VIFP1987]

The AT&T plan will allow you to make unlimited calls and texts while you’re on the ship. It comes with a very minimal amount of data. I usually purchase the AT&T cruise package and the ships WiFi. The cruise package only works while you’re on the ship. You will need to purchase the daily international plan from AT&T if you want to use your phone while in port. It costs $12 per 24 hours. 

[cruiserNC]

We purchase the ship's Wi-Fi and use the AT&T international plan on port days. We can successfully use iMessage (iPhone) to send and receive text messages and Facebook or other social media apps to make calls if necessary while at sea. 

[Star965]

thanks for the info!

[pe4all]

21 hours ago, cruiserNC said:

We purchase the ship's Wi-Fi and use the AT&T international plan on port days. We can successfully use iMessage (iPhone) to send and receive text messages and Facebook or other social media apps to make calls if necessary while at sea. 

We do the same.  The ATT international passport daily plan works off your phone plan messaging and data, and if you have a few port days in a row you really can make this a good investment.  Plus an extra phone on the plan is only $5.  If we have to make a call while at sea it is $1.99 a minute from your cabin.  We have found that you can say a lot in one minute- lol!

[Keksie]

We used to buy the AT&T plan, but now we just buy the ship wifi.  We put our phone in airplane mode and use the WiFi for texts, emails, surfing the web, and use WiFi calling for phone calls.  We don't use our phones in ports unless those ports are part of our plan (a few ports are). Last cruise we were on the phone on our last sea day walking our house sitter through starting our generator.  

[Purvis1231]

You may not need the international plan if your normal plan includes the countries you visit. 

[redsox1584]

If I buy the ships wifi and the AT&T cruise plan, do I need to do anything special with my phone? I would like to be able to receive a call in case of an emergency.