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Cruising is one of the most relaxing and convenient ways to travel, but staying connected at sea isn’t always so simple. Between pricey cruise Wi-Fi packages and the risk of expensive roaming charges, many cruisers either overpay or go off the grid entirely.

But there’s good news for U.S. based travelers: AT&T has just enhanced its International Day Pass to now include cruise ships, thanks to a partnership with WMS, a leading cruise wireless provider. 

If you’re sailing soon, this could make staying in touch a whole lot simpler, and potentially more affordable.

What Is the AT&T International Day Pass (Now for Cruises Too)?

If you already use AT&T, you might be familiar with their International Day Pass that lets you use your phone in other countries for a flat fee. Now, that pass also works on board more than 200 cruise ships, including popular lines supported by WMS.

How does it work?

For $20 per day, you’ll get:

• 500MB of high-speed data at sea (with no overage fees)
• Unlimited talk and text on both land and sea (this means you can use your phone both in cruise ports and on the cruise ship)
• Automatic activation when you’re outside the U.S. (no need to manually switch anything once roaming is enabled)

Who This Is Best For?

While the new At & T plan is a great option for cruise traveler, it isn’t the best option for everyone. Light and moderate users will benefit more than heavy users. It’s important to know which you are.

Light and moderate users

As an example, if you want to check emails, send photos, message family, or post cruise updates to Instagram without relying entirely on ship Wi-Fi, this plan could be perfect for you. 

Since you can actually make calls and text, it also gives peace of mind for those who need to stay in touch for work or emergencies while cruising.

Heavy Users (you might need more than this plan offers)

If you like to stream Netflix or watch YouTube videos, scroll through TikTok or upload lots of pictures or videos to Facebook or Instagram, you might run through the 500MB daily limit pretty quickly.

If you’re planning to work remotely from the ship, a cruise Wi-Fi package might be the better option, or a mix of both could work depending on your needs.

Related: 15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid

What Cruise Lines Are Included?

This coverage is available on more than 200 cruise ships across over 25 cruise lines. It includes many of the most popular cruise lines for U.S. based travelers, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, Holland America, Disney, MSC Cruises, and others. 

Related: 10 Best Cruise Lines For First Time Cruisers – First Time Cruiser Guide

Tips to Maximize Your Data at Sea

AT&T and WMS have also shared a few simple tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your Day Pass:

• Turn off auto app updates, location services, and background email fetching
• Close apps when not in use to save data
• Keep airplane mode off (yes, that’s different from the usual cruise advice!)
• Be sure to turn on international roaming before your cruise begins
• Consider combining this with a ship Wi-Fi package if you need more than 500MB/day

Should You Use This Instead of Ship Cruise Ship Wi-Fi?

This depends on your needs. If you only want to casually check in, post a few vacation stories, or call home a few times, this $20 a day plan could be a great alternative to purchasing a Wi-Fi package. It also allows you to stay connected while in the ports of call.

However, for streaming movies, video calls, or uploading large files, the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi might still be a better option, especially if you’re using a bundled package with multiple devices.

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Final Thoughts

Having the option to stay connected at sea without the usual stress or surprise fees is a big win for cruise travelers. AT&T’s cruise-ready International Day Pass makes it easier to use your phone both on board and in port, without juggling different plans or relying completely on ship Wi-Fi.

While it won’t be the right fit for everyone, it’s a welcome addition to the connectivity options available—especially for those who want a simple, predictable way to stay in touch during their cruise vacation.

What do you think of this plan, and would you like to see more phone plan and internet options at sea? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

Ilana