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.

Dominican Republic Entry Update — Field Report from CSH host Denise Simpson/Ocean World

Cruisers arriving in the Dominican Republic are reporting closer checks on departure documents.

From The Bahamas, a valid current Bahamas cruising permit may be accepted in place of a separate zarpe, especially when obtaining one would require major backtracking.

From Puerto Rico, U.S.-flagged boats should carry written proof that CBP was notified before departure. A printed copy of the sent email, plus any CBP reply, may help document where and when the vessel departed.

Carry vessel papers, passports, crew list, cruising permits, Customs receipts, marina receipts, and printed and electronic copies of all documents.

This is a current cruiser field report, not a formal change in U.S. departure law. Practices may vary by Dominican port, so confirm requirements before departure with the marina, port authority, Armada representative, or a knowledgeable local contact.

Cruisers Helping Cruisers: Successful Rescue Underway Off Trinidad. A disabled sailing vessel drifting north of Trinidad received timely assistance today after a coordinated response involving local maritime contacts, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, and a fishing vessel dispatched to provide a tow.

SSCA is pleased to partner with Marine Weather Center (MWXC) and renowned marine meteorologist Chris Parker for a comprehensive 12-part weather education series beginning July 28 and continuing through September 8.
The series begins with Weather 101, an essential introduction to the fundamentals every

The Seven Seas Cruising Association invites cruisers to a complimentary Best Practices webinar on Health and Evacuation Insurance for Cruisers.

The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) is pleased to announce that acclaimed author, yacht broker, and lifelong cruiser Melanie Sunshine Neale will serve as keynote speaker for the 2026 Chesapeake Gam, taking place October 2–4, 2026 at the Maryland Yacht Club in Pasadena MD.

Clean Wake is one of SSCA’s most cherished traditions. It reflects respect for others, respect for the environment, and care for the communities that welcome cruising boats. It is the belief that those who follow in our wake should be warmly welcomed because cruisers before them acted with kindness, responsibility, and practical help.

Deep Creek Bridge (Dismal Swamp Canal)
Closed to all maritime traffic
July 6, 2026 through August 3, 2026
Reason: demolition of the old Deep Creek Bridge span in preparation for a new bridge.
Alternate route: Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal / Virginia Cut
Notice issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District on June 3-4, 2026. Image/Old Deep Creek Representation

"What's that?" Not because you don't understand the individual pieces. But because the pieces have come together in a way you haven't seen before. The first automobiles looked like horseless carriages.
The first websites looked like electronic brochures.
The first smartphones looked like telephones with extra buttons. People could see the components but not yet recognize the new category.

Bruce was best known as the author of Passages South: The Thornless Path to Windward, a guidebook that became the trusted companion of generations of sailors making their way from the United States to the Eastern Caribbean. For countless cruisers, Passages South was more than a guidebook—it was a passage-making strategy, a source of confidence, and often the difference between a difficult voyage and a successful one.

The Marine Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MSATT) proudly welcomes the official opening of the new Port Health Office at CrewsInn Marina, Chaguaramas, marking a major step forward for maritime health coordination, vessel clearance efficiency, and the continued development of Trinidad and Tobago as a leading Caribbean marine destination.

The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) has launched a new monthly Zoom Webinar training series supporting fundamentals and introducing members and guests to HAL (Hybrid Applied Layer) — SSCA’s AI-assisted decision-support framework designed to help cruisers interpret conditions more clearly, recognize risk earlier, and make better operational decisions afloat.

Annapolis Cruisers' Monthly Lunch
SSCA is proud to announce continuation of our monthly luncheons at Leeward market in Eastport, MD.