Jaunted

Tags: Accidents / Philippine Travel / Ferry Travel / Ships / Travel Safety / → All Tags

Note To Self: Avoid Ferries In The Philippines

Well we made it through a very hectic Labor Day weekend for travelers without any major mishaps, that is, unless you were spending your three-day weekend in The Philippines, where a Superferry sunk on Sunday after a mysterious clunk was heard and the ferry began listing. As a result of the tragedy, nine people lost their lives although 957 others were saved—you can even see them heading down the ladders on the side of the ship in the picture above.

As if we weren't already wary about boarding vintage-looking vessels, The Guardian UK has this to say:

Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of tropical storms, badly maintained boats and weak enforcement of safety regulations. Last year, a ferry overturned after sailing towards a powerful typhoon, killing more than 800 people on board.

more ›

Tags: Hawaii Superferry / Ferry Travel / Environment / Recession / → All Tags

Hawaii Superferry Awaiting Its Next Assignment In Virginia

Our last update in the saga of the Hawaii Superferry wasn’t a positive one. The company had filed for bankruptcy, and the once mighty catamarans were in the process of heading out of Hawaii’s warm water paradise. As of this week, it looks like the ships are planning to call Norfolk, Virginia their home while they await their final fate.

The Alakai, one of two high speed ferries, arrived in Virginia this week. The other is on its way and should arrive before the end of the month. They were in Alabama for a little bit, but the US Maritime Administration feels that a home in Virginia is better for insurance reasons. They were also a little bit worried about hurricane season—good thinking.

At this point, it’s pretty much a guarantee that these vessels will never find their way back to the islands. However, they may have a busy schedule ahead of them. Rumors suggest that the Navy is looking into leasing both of them. For now, if you’re looking for a used high-speed ferry, and have some cash, you could get a hell of a deal on these two.

Related Stories:
· Ferries From Bankrupt Hawaii Company Land in Norfolk [Virginian-Pilot]
· Hawaii Superferry Is Grounded and Lonely [Jaunted]
· Ferry Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: hawaii]

Tags: Hawaii Superferry / Hawaii Travel / Ferry Travel / Environment / Recession / → All Tags

Bankruptcy Is The New Destination of The Hawaii Superferry

When we last heard about the Hawaii Superferry, it wasn’t up to much ferrying. Due to potential negative environmental impact, it was ordered to stay at dock until further assessments could be completed. But when you own a huge, expensive boat and it’s not carrying passengers day after day, bad things are bound to happen.

Thus, it was no surprise to learn that the company which runs the ferry filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this week, claiming that because it had to stop operations the money simply dried up. They’ve reported that they have between $50 and $100 million in debts, but only $10 million in assets at most. It doesn’t take someone like Ben Stein to figure out that economic math problem.

more ›

Tags: Hawaii Superferry / Hawaii Travel / Ferry Travel / Environment / → All Tags

Hawaii Superferry Is Grounded and Lonely

We admit we've been a bit more interested in the cheap prices you can get on the Hawaii Superferry than the big legal/environmental impact drama, but it's the latter that's meant the big boat is now sitting at the dock in Honolulu with nowhere to go.

The Supreme Court decision by five justices has said the ferry can't go anywhere until a full impact assessment is carried out. Environmentalists have a bunch of concerns, including that the ferry

would strike whales, spread invasive species and create traffic jams at its destinations, first on Maui and later on the Big Island and Kauai.

Trouble was brewing for the Superferry even before the court bigwigs put their heads together--delivery of the planned second ferry was cancelled in October thanks to the depressed economy. Now there are a bunch of ferry employees and prospective passengers who are feeling a bit depressed too.

Related Stories:
· Hawaii Superferry: End of the Saga? [Forbes]
· Is the Hawaii Superferry Finally Catching On? [Jaunted]
· Hawaii Superferry Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: hawaii]

Tags: Hong Kong Field Trip / Macau Travel / Ferry Travel / Hong Kong / Macau / → All Tags

How to Get to Macau in High Roller Style

Although we aren't exactly high rollers, we do a thing or two now about the best ways to reach Macau from Hong Kong without getting stuck in the bilge of a fishing trawler. If you're fortunate enough to have more than a few days in HK, a daytrip to Macau is almost mandatory, as it's over in the former Portuguese territory that blackjack is a religion and duty-free comes cheapest.

The most baller of Macau visitors will opt for the SkyShuttle 15-minute helicopter service, which operates on the roof of the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in the Sheung Wan district. At a pricey 2400 HKD, or $309 USD each way ($25 less if you go on a weekday), the chopper remains a transportation option only for the low on time and high on cash group.

Since we didn't have a date with lady luck, we opted to take the most popular route on the Turbojet catamaran ferry, which begins and ends in exactly the same place as the helicopter, except that it costs only $18 USD each way ($15 on weekdays) and takes closer to 40 minutes to make the crossing. The snazzy red rocket also has a VIP class, but we can't fathom splurging on it when the trip is less than an hour.

more ›

Tags: Hawaii Travel / Oahu Travel / Maui Travel / Hawaii Superferry / Ferry Travel / → All Tags

Is the Hawaii Superferry Finally Catching On?

After lots of drama, it seems that the Hawaii Superferry is finally catching on. Seats on the boat sold out on some trips over the Fourth of July weekend, and officials say ridership is on the rise. But is that because people genuinely enjoy it?

Doubtful, says Jeff from the Beat of Hawaii blog:

The best deal through September 30 for Oahu-Maui travel is the Superferry, which is $98 round trip. But you must book by August 4.

Hawaiian Airlines and go! are doing the same duopoly that Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines did for years. The average round trip is now back at about $200, which was what it was before go! entered and sometimes dropped prices to below $20 round trip.

Ah hah! So it's not really that people enjoy the Superferry any more than they like flying; it's simply the cheapest way to go island-to-island. We will give 'em some credit though: You can actually take liquids aboard the boat!

Related Stories:
· Superferry Ridership up [KHNL, via]
· Hawaii Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: eye of einstein]

Tags: Morocco Travel / Ferry Travel / Transportation / Ferries / → All Tags

Take the Slow Boat to Morocco

Exotic Morocco is one of those countries we always want to know more about. Romantic and spicy, remote yet not that difficult to get to and holiday mecca for plenty of European travelers--we want to go.

And now we know the best way to get there: by ferry from Spain. The UK Times tells us you can get there in as fast as half an hour, but to savor the experience more, they recommend taking an older ferry to travel from Algeciras, Spain to Tangier, Morocco. It takes about two and a half hours.

Our tip is to buy a Moroccan beer on board, sit back and relax while Morocco slides into view. You'll skip all the hassles of lost baggage and flight delays that the average budget flight can bring and even if you don't find meaning in Morocco, you'll have a romantic start to your exploration of northern Africa.

Related Stories:
· Take the Ferry from Spain to Morocco [UK Times]
· Find Meaning in Morocco [Jaunted]

[Photo: ferry-site]

Tags: Hawaii Superferry / Protests / Ferry Travel / Transportation / → All Tags

Adventures of Link: Return of the Superferry

The Hawaii Superferry is back, and along with it protests about environmental damage. After a court ordered the big ship to stop its inter-island journeys this summer, a new decision--and some action by Governor Linda Lingle--has the ship cruising again, at least until an environmental assessment is complete.

While protesters greeted the ferry when it pulled into Maui's harbor late last week, the tone has been quite civil. Maybe that's because the Coast Guard and lots of law enforcement have been watching demonstrators while toting automatic weapons?

Related Stories:
· Book Your Own Controversial Tickets [Official Superferry Site]
· "I think this is great for Hawaii," Passenger Says [KHNL]
· Delays were "very damaging to the company," CEO says [KHNL]
· Hawaii Superferry's Arrival Stays Calm [Honolulu Advertiser]
· Environmental Group Preparing More Legal Action [Honolulu Advertiser]

[Photo: eye of einstein]