Update: Starlink addresses roaming for global cruisers, but introduces a size problem

Earlier this summer, Starlink changed rate plans and made tweaks to the rules around using their various roaming plans. For boaters who travel across international borders, the most substantive of the rule changes was the move from a limit of 60 days in another country or region down to 30 days. That change generated a lot of frustration for global cruisers who have been using Starlink’s services and came to depend on them. But, it looks like there is relief coming with a new rate plan for private boats.

Many of those cruisers make a living via the internet. Previously, they’d been operating within Starlink’s rules, but with this change, they found themselves without an option for (more) affordable connectivity. Subscribers suddenly found themselves running afoul of rules that didn’t exist a couple of days prior and would go into effect in very short order. For many cruisers, Starlink’s solutions simply aren’t practical. Starlink suggested returning to your home country or changing your subscription to your current location. Unfortunately, they also placed limits on how often you could change your plan’s location.

The newfound trouble without viable solutions led to attempts to organize communication to SpaceX leadership to voice displeasure and request a solution. Honestly, I was very skeptical anything would come of those efforts. But, it appears I may have been wrong. Today, SpaceX sent an email to subscribers who have used their service at sea in the past year. I’m not sure if at sea means in territorial waters or offshore, so it’s unclear exactly who will receive the email.

Stay Connected on the Water
Your Starlink has operated at sea in the past year. We have a new plan—Personal Maritime—for people who use Starlink on a vessel and stay on the water for extended periods before returning to their home country.
Your current Roam plan includes coverage in territorial waters, with Ocean Mode as a paid option beyond 12 nautical miles. International use is limited to 30 days at a time outside your registered home country, after which you can return home to continue service. Effective September 27, Ocean Mode will be $6/GB.
If that 30-day limit doesn’t fit how you travel, Personal Maritime may be the better option.
Introducing Personal Maritime
Personal Maritime keeps you connected on the water as you move between countries, without the 30-day Roam travel limit.
    •    $185/month USD, excluding applicable taxes
    •    Unlimited data and use in territorial waters worldwide
    •    Ocean Mode available beyond 12 nautical miles for $6/GB
    •    No 30-day Roam international travel limit, except in extremely rare cases when required by local regulations
This plan is for small personal vessels—not yachts or commercially operated vessels (including ferries and commercial fishing)—and is not intended for use on land.
To switch to Personal Maritime, you will be asked to provide information about your vessel:
    •    Vessel name
    •    Flag state
    •    Length overall (LOA)
    •    A unique ID (such as Hull Identification Number, Craft Identification Number, MMSI, or ITU Call Sign)
    •    A copy of your vessel’s Registration Certificate

If you are interested, you can create a ticket with support below. We’ll follow-up with next steps, including terms of service.

Recap of Your Options
    •    Remain on Roam. Continue on your current plan and follow the updated travel policy, including the 30-day international limit. Ocean Mode will be $6/GB starting September 27
    •    Switch to Personal Maritime. Stay connected on the water without the 30-day international limit. Click the button above to get started
    •    Switch to Global Priority. The most flexible option: coverage on land and in the open ocean, prioritized data on the network, and no 30-day travel limit
You can manage or change plans anytime from your account

This most recent round of changes once again demonstrates that SpaceX is utilizing a fail-fast model of decision making. They seem to make decisions quickly and often without fully vetting the consequence of those decisions. That can be very frustrating for those using the service, especially those dependent on the service for their livelihoods. But, the good news is they also course correct similarly quickly. Although I’m sure there will be some consternation over the changes, the slightly higher subscription cost and the significantly higher ocean mode usage, this looks like a good solution to me. I think we would all like service to be as cheap as possible, but $6 per gigabyte for connectivity nearly anywhere on the planet is a smoking good deal when measured against every other service option out there.

Ed Note 8/27/26 – 6pm: In digging around on Starlink.com, I came across the legal terms that define plans with the paragraph above. Unfortunately, I think Starlink has undercut the target a little with their definition of smaller vessel. The legal definition above says that a small personal vessel is 40 feet or less. There’s a disconnect between the vessels that would need this plan — those traveling from country to country — and defining a personal use vessel as 40 feet or under. I guess it serves as further proof that SpaceX is really moving fast. In this case, probably too fast. I expect there will be another tweak coming here soon.