Starlink is discontinuing the Global Roam plan for existing customers on August 17, 2026. It is not simply renaming it. Cruisers currently relying on Global Roam for extended international travel will need another service arrangement.
What replaces it
Starlink’s revised Roam Unlimited policy allows:
- Service in your registered home country.
- Up to 30 days at a time outside your registered home country.
- Other lower-tier Roam plans are generally restricted to the registered home country.
- This 30-day international limit is separate from Starlink’s water-coverage rules.
What it means for cruisers
International cruising becomes harder. A U.S.-registered account spending months in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, or farther abroad may no longer remain continuously covered under ordinary Roam Unlimited after 30 days outside the United States.
Changing countries may not restart the clock. Starlink describes the restriction as time outside the account’s registered home country—not 30 days per foreign country. Therefore, sailing from the Bahamas to Turks and Caicos would apparently still count as continuous time abroad. This is an interpretation of Starlink’s wording and should be confirmed through the customer’s account notice.
Offshore use still costs extra. Roam coverage ordinarily has separate limits for coastal and territorial waters. Starlink says coverage beyond 12 nautical miles from land, or extended use exceeding its coastal-water allowances, requires Ocean Mode, billed by data usage.
Likely practical choices
Long-distance cruisers may need to:
1. Move to Global Priority or another eligible maritime/priority plan.
2. Use Roam Unlimited only during shorter foreign trips.
3. Combine Starlink with local cellular SIM/eSIM service while anchored.
4. Keep an independent offshore safety communicator such as an EPIRB, satellite messenger, or marine SSB.
Do not treat Starlink as the boat’s only emergency communications system. Plan names, prices, eligibility and Ocean Mode rates can vary by account country, so the controlling information is the change notice displayed inside your Starlink account.