Caribbean Tourism
Ferry service soon to be a choice for five Southern Caribbean destinations
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - Five destinations in the southern Caribbean will soon enjoy an inter-island passenger ferry service that will cost almost one-third of the amount it cost to travel to the islands by air.
As of October 01, 2009, the service will be offered to residents of Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Grenada. Owned and operated by BEDY Ocean Lines in Grenada the service will officially be launched on October 1, but will make its maiden voyage departing from each of the destinations on October 20, 2009.
Costing between US$120 and US$140 and already inclusive of relevant government taxes associated with inter-island travel including Value Added Taxes. In Grenada’s case, it will be implemented as of February 2010.
The duration of a trip from each country will range between one and half hours to three and half hours. “These are passenger speed boats and it will it make more or less time to arrive in each destination because naturally some islands are closer to each but basically no trip will not extend beyond three and a half hours,” BEDY Ocean Lines CEO Benjamin Ross said.
The company had originally planned to launch the service in July, but had to delay the service to facilitate a second ferry. This has resulted in one ferry making St. Vincent its home and will service the St. Vincent to Barbados and St. Lucia routes, while the second ferry will be based in Grenada and will service the Grenada to Trinidad and Barbados route. The seating capacity per boat will be 260 and 300, respectively. The company hopes that very soon into the operation, other neighboring countries will be added.
Speaking about safety, Ross said that the vessels, with American and Caribbean crew, would contain a radio system to communicate with the nearest port and immigration at each destination.
There will also be certain rules and regulations in place for passengers' safety. “For instance, passengers must be at the check-in area at least 30 minutes before departure and would be searched and subjected to customs and immigration laws,” he said, while confirming that no alcoholic beverages would be consumed on board.
Speaking about the baggage and ticketing system, Ross said the free baggage allowance would be two pieces at a maximum of 60 pounds, plus a carry-on. Extra pieces would only be accepted on a space available basis. Tickets will be valid for a maximum of 60 days will be non-refundable and passengers would be allowed to change their reservations up to three hours before a scheduled departure.
Promising to provide patrons with a fast, reliable, comfortable, safe and extremely cheap way to travel, the ferry services come at a time when the traveling public has been negatively affected by high airline rates and baggage restrictions.
“This ferry will be offering daily service to the islands mentioned and management is confident that customers will have a perfect way of reuniting with families and friends while business persons will now have a reliable mode of travel,” the company said in a statement.
Comments
i heard about it & was excited & now i`m reading all these comments from people all over the caribbean wanting to travel to the islands has me even more excited `it`s realy a good step forward cant wait to get onboard `for all the people who brought it together `god bless` thanks
It's November 9th. 2009, Has the service started? I look for it in the dailies but nada. What's the keep back?
that is so cool wat u guys r doing fa real . . . .
but i think u guys should put up a FAQ section up for us guys
or as some one said a contact number for the ticket booths or stuff like that
when will the service from Trinidad to Barbados begin, longing to board this service
can you post some contact numbers.
is there an office in barbados so i can apply for a job???
This is truly great news and another step towards Caribbean integration. We might be moving slowly, but we are moving nonetheless. It is the people of the Caribbean that will encourage the CSME movement. The politicians will follow our lead.......as always
Thats great news. Both my husband and I live in Trinidad and have most of our family in Grenada!!! cant wait to pop-in and see my parents and nieces and nephews!! contgrats...we look forward to efficient service...God bless...can anyone indicate where tickets can be bought or where we can get more information such as the itinerary to travel..VIVA BEDY Oceanlines...WOWEE to cheaper transportation...Finally!!!
the islands in the east Dominica Antigua St. Kitts etc need a piece of the action airline prices are over the edge.
Its a very great move, but we here in antigua are saddened that we are able to be apart of it directly. My other half is presently working in Barbados and (LIAT)IS KILLING US SLOWLY.
Can't wait....this is airline tickets cut in half...that means more spending $$$$
Fantastic idea for this mode of inter-island travel.
I agree with Mr. Peter Young. Union Island is a popular destination in the Grenadines and will prove to be quite beneficial to be included on the routes.
Please also provide contact information for BEDY Oceanlines so I can seek further information.
This is truely a move that has been long awaited,look forward to sailing to our sister isls...
thank you ..
Excellent idea and long overdue. Many, myself included, have always maintained that inter-island travel shouldn't be so expensive as to prevent most Caribbean residents from visiting sister islands. Notwithstanding initial hitches and glitches, I pray that GOD will bless this service and that it will remain a reasonable option for travel between the islands and that service will always be decent. Thanks BEDY team.
I've heard of the Federal Palm and Federal Maple ,welcome Bedy Oceanline i think that the missing link in true caribbean integration has just been found
Vacation here we come, my husband and I can actually afford to have that honeymoon we never had. Thank you!!!
AMEN!!!! I am Trinidadian born with Grenadian grandparents and only just two years ago i renuited with the rest of the family over there. Making trips there has become very hard on us and this is excellent!!! I agree with the fact that Liat is not only holding us at ransome but also raping our pockets...finally i can see my family as well as my new fiance on a regular basis. Mr. Ross and BEDY Ocean Lines, and all others involved in making this possible A BIG THANK YOU! Ah cyah wait to get on board!!!!
Just receive an e-mail regarding Caribbean Tourism ferry service.
Could you please forward a contact number so I can call for some more information on this service.
I was elated and overjoyed when a friend sent me a link to this fantastic piece of news. It's about time ... and love overdue. LIAT has held the Caribbean people to ransom for too long, with their outrageous airfares, especially to destinations that are in close proximity to each other. Competition is good and healthy. It's great to have an alternative, and once people feel safe, the service is reliable and relatively quick, the boats will be well utilized by the travelling public in the islands. Congratulations Mr. Ross and BEDY Ocean Lines, and A GREAT BIG THANK YOU! Grenada here I come again! This is one Trini who LOVES Grenada and the Grenadian people.
At last our dreams have come through and i can't wait to be on that first trip.All i want to know is where i will purchase my ticket so i wouldn't be left out.Can't wait to go to Trinidad and my friends can't wait to go St.Vincent.THANK YOU BEDY OCEANLINE
Is there any chance of including Union Island in the routes to be covered by this new ferry service. Union Island is a popular destination as it provides easy access to so many Grenadine islands (Mayreau, Canouan, Palm, PSV etc) The Grenadines Airways provides daily services from Barbados to Union but there is insufficient capacity.
I think to include Union Island would be very successful and profitable.
Sincerey Peter Young (England)
About TIME. This is a major step to Caribbean unity, well at least unity in the Southern Caribbean. I can't wait for my first trip in December for my Christmas Vacation from UWI when I'm coming from Jamaica to Barbados and skipping Liat for a cheap alternative aboard the Ferry to St. Lucia.
What a refreshing alternative to the cramped conditions of an aircraft.
Long overdue and greatly appreciated. I too want to add my voice to those who are congratulating this company. Kudos to you the investors who at this point in time seem to have more than 20/20 vision. Our caribbean leaders i'm sure will want to be there for the launching / inauguration but all of them should be ashamed for not being the principal investors for this great initiative. We in Barbados salute you, I personally am looking foward to travelling on your vessels and linking with friends from the islands.
I'm so excited & cannot wait for this venture to take place. It's long overdue & I'm so thankful to this company for finally stepping up to the plate & taking the stand against LIAT who has been the caricom airline, but failed to upgrade their standards.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU & THANK YOU!!!
Waiting for you, to board in Trinidad !!
This is the best news I've had in a very long time. Too long have we in the Caribbean waited for this type of service to be put forth. One would think that it would have been done by one of the larger islands but no, Grenada has taken the initiative and it it most welcome.
I live in Trinidad but I've been to Grenada.. something in my spirit feels just right and at home as if I belong there. So although purchasing property there may not be affordable, at least I'll be able to plan a trip to Grenada then to Barbados on my way to St. Vincent as I've also got friends there. St. Lucia will be a new place to discover. I say Kudos Grenada! "All on board!!!" and Good Luck!
This is a really great idea
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