VOOM plus AT & T question

[DeeChere]

I purchased the VOOM package. Do I also need to buy my phone carrier's "cruise package" or the International Day pass?  I only plan on texting, maybe sending photos, talk a couple of times.  While in Port I will access free wifi if I need to but do I need to buy all the passes to do this?

 

[smokeybandit]

Voom is all you need. Any carrier cruise package is a waste of money and potentially can cost you a lot more money than advertised.

The international day pass is a good option when you're docked and on land, but can't be used while at sea

[DoomSlayer]

45 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Voom is all you need. Any carrier cruise package is a waste of money and potentially can cost you a lot more money than advertised.

The international day pass is a good option when you're docked and on land, but can't be used while at sea

Just as @smokeybandit said.  Just make sure you understand how to enable wifi calling on your phone and put your phone in airplane mode while on the ship to avoid accidently connecting to their super expensive cell services while at sea.

[Matt]

Voom is all you need. Don't waste your money on AT&T's package

[JasonOasis]

I have AT&T cell service and I've been with them for over 20 years and I've never purchased their package and I've been cruising since 2009.  VOOM works perfectly while on the ship, if you get off the ship while in port and something is that important where you need a signal to make a phone call there are place in a lot of ports in the Caribbean that offer free WiFi. 

[JimnKathy]

As others have said, get the Voom package and move on.

I check the AT&T package options once a year or so and have never found it to be as usefully comprehensive as the Voom package.

Happy Sailing!  

[pheenix99]

On 9/16/2024 at 11:39 AM, DeeChere said:

I purchased the VOOM package. Do I also need to buy my phone carrier's "cruise package" or the International Day pass?  I only plan on texting, maybe sending photos, talk a couple of times.  While in Port I will access free wifi if I need to but do I need to buy all the passes to do this?

 

I just put my phone into airplane mode, then turn wifi back on and enable wifi calling when I was on Mariner in Jan of this year. That allowed me to make phone calls to check in on a few family members. When the ship returned, I disabled airplane mode while waiting to disembark. Absolutely zero issues.

[smokeybandit]

Day pass now works on ships for an extra $8 per day. Though I'm leery of speed and quality 

 

https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/000108837/

[Mike n Ky]

Check your coverage areas, for instance in the US Virgin, Puerto Rico, Mexico, you can use AT&T for free. As for onboard, with the wifi package you can also use the WhatsApp to make phone calls

[JimnKathy]

38 minutes ago, Mike n Ky said:

Check your coverage areas, for instance in the US Virgin, Puerto Rico, Mexico, you can use AT&T for free. As for onboard, with the wifi package you can also use the WhatsApp to make phone calls

...and Canada, too.

[smokeybandit]

Att doesn't include canada if you're grandfathered into an older plan. Just the newer unlimited plans.

[Matt]

I haven't tried the new AT&T plan, but one thing is important to think about when comparing cost to Voom package.

These cruise packages only work while ship is at sea. It's a different charge when on land, including if you start off on land and then try to use it at sea later.

[smokeybandit]

My biggest concern about that plan is that some RC ships are still only 3G.  

[JimnKathy]

On 3/19/2025 at 2:51 PM, smokeybandit said:

Att doesn't include canada if you're grandfathered into an older plan. Just the newer unlimited plans.

We have the newer unlimited plan so Canada's a go for us.  

[GinaB5642]

I never even new my AT&T has an international or cruise package until today.  Please tell me if I have this straight.  Even if I get the $20 through AT&T with Air and Cruise, I would still need Vroom? I"m sure I must be mistaken.  

If I want to be able to be able to use the phone on and off ship, do I have to do both?  Or just stick to AT&T?  I'm traveling with my 19 year old daughter.  We did fine cursing int he Caribbean but Europe is a whole other ball of wax.  SmokeyB above mentioned Vroom and day package through At&t.  That sounds logical.  Expensive but logical. LOLH

We've cruised before on Royal but NEVER on a ship this big or to Europe.  This trip is a dream of years of saving and planning.  We are so beyond excited.  A bit overwhelmed if I'm honest but wicked grateful and excited. 

Happy to have you all out here so I can get my baring's before we go. 

Be well.....Gina B