Short answer: for blue‑water sailors who need reliable, worldwide voice and emergency comms, an Iridium‑based option (Iridium handheld like the 9575/Extreme or an Iridium GO! hotspot) plus a satellite messenger (Garmin inReach) for two‑way text/SOS is the most practical, widely used setup. If you only need voice in non‑polar latitudes, Inmarsat’s IsatPhone 2 is a solid alternative. Globalstar handsets and some older models have limited availability/coverage and are less recommended for true global passages. (Iridium.com)

Recommended options (with pros/cons)

• Iridium 9575 / Iridium Extreme — true global (pole‑to‑pole) voice, SMS, GPS, integrated SOS; rugged and made for harsh conditions. Best if you want reliable voice calls anywhere on earth. (Good for ocean crossings.) (Iridium.com)
• Iridium GO! — portable Wi‑Fi hotspot that lets your smartphone make voice calls and send messages over Iridium; handy if you prefer using familiar phone apps. Good as a bridge between a full handset and smartphone convenience. (Iridium.com)
• Garmin inReach family (Mini, Messenger, Messenger Plus) — two‑way satellite messaging, location sharing, configurable tracking and a dedicated SOS routed to Garmin Response. Extremely popular with sailors as a lightweight, lower‑cost safety/communication tool (no full‑bandwidth voice, but now supports photos/voice on newer models). Use inReach as primary backup/for routine check‑ins. (Iridium.com)
• Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 — very reliable voice and SMS in Inmarsat coverage (excellent mid‑latitudes), long battery life and rugged. Not suitable for polar regions because Inmarsat uses geostationary satellites. Good choice for long offshore trips that stay away from high latitudes. (Inmarsat.com)
• Globalstar (e.g., GSP‑1700 / Spot X) — useful in some regions but Globalstar has gaps and some handset SKUs are discontinued; consider only with careful coverage checks and as secondary kit. (Globalstar.com)

Why many sailors combine devices

• Iridium (or Inmarsat) handheld = voice ability to call marina, agents or family.
• inReach/other satellite messenger = cheap-ish subscription plans, two‑way text, tracking and dedicated SOS that connects to professional responders (lighter, lower power, excellent battery life).
  Redundancy is important: multiple systems reduce single‑point failure risk. (Iridium.com)

Practical buying/usage checklist

• Coverage: check the provider coverage maps for your planned route (Iridium = global; Inmarsat = geostationary band, limited near the poles). (Iridium.com)
• Voice vs messaging: voice calls cost more and require a handset; messaging/SOS via inReach is cheaper and often sufficient for many sailors. (Iridium.com)
• Plans and costs: compare prepaid vs postpaid, airtime per minute, monthly fees and data charges — plans vary widely and are a major ongoing cost. (Dealers/wholesalers can quote packages for cruisers.) (Globalstar.com)
• Antenna / line‑of‑sight: satellite phones need a clear view of the sky — don't expect indoor use; mount or carry where the antenna has an open horizon. (Iridium.com)
• Ruggedness & battery: choose devices rated for water/salt exposure (IP rating), and bring spare batteries/charging solutions (solar, power bank) for long passages. (Inmarsat.com)
• Test before you go: activate and test calls, messaging and SOS while still ashore; enter emergency contacts and learn device procedures. (Iridium.com)
• Redundancy: carry at least two comms methods (e.g., sat phone + inReach + VHF/EPIRB) — EPIRB for life‑threatening distress, VHF for local safety/coordination.

Legal and customs notes

• Some countries restrict or prohibit satellite phones (India historically restricts non‑Inmarsat devices; Cuba, Myanmar, North Korea and others have strict rules). Before cruising into foreign waters check local rules — failure to declare or carry an unauthorized satphone has led to confiscation or worse. Get permits where required. (support.satellitephonestore.com)

Quick recommendations depending on your needs

• Blue‑water global (including high latitudes) and want voice: Iridium handset (9575) ± Iridium GO! + inReach for messaging/SOS. (Iridium.com)
• Mid‑latitude long offshore passages, voice needed, polar travel unlikely: Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 + inReach as backup. (Inmarsat.com)
• Budget/short coastal trips or mainly want emergency messaging + tracking: Garmin inReach Mini/ Messenger and a VHF/EPIRB. (Iridium.com)

Where to buy / subscribe

• Buy from authorized dealers or directly from manufacturers (Iridium, Garmin, Inmarsat partners) or reputable marine comms vendors (they can bundle installation, mounting, and airtime plans for cruisers). Read cruiser forums and Yachting World/MailASail guides for plan examples tailored to sailors. (yachtingworld.com)

If you want, I can:

• compare 3 specific models and their current airtime plans for your planned cruising area (I’ll look up the latest coverage and monthly costs), or
• give a short shopping list (models, accessories, suggested subscriptions) for a specific cruise route.

Which of those would you like next?