State of Sea Travel

When was the last time you take a long trip by a boat? That kind of question would somehow give you an idea what do you expect with todays shipping industry. With the frequent news regarding ferry capsizing and ships in trouble while on voyage, it pays to really be in a trip and feel firsthand how is it.Im not talking of my trip being capsized or in trouble, ill tell you.

The last time i took a boat was 2001, Manila to Cagayan De Oro. I took a Sulpicio ship,i cannot recall its name.What i can remember best then was the heightened security at the pier terminal with bags inspected and k9 units. However at the boat i cannot say more except that the boat travels past and with very few passengers, it was not peak season, understandably, the foods is better than its competitor. We left Manila 8PM Friday and were in Cagayan pier by 11 PM the next day! I love it! I had some baggage with those offduty messboys moonlighting as porter,making rounds and arranging with the passengers that theyll carry baggages at half price those pier porters charges.Who can refuse such an offer, i had mine too.


Back to the present,2008 from November to December, i was travelling back and forth to Manila by boat. This time i am more particular with how things are doing this time.Especially that only Negros Navigation and WGA shipping lines are operating since sulpicio's ships are tied up at port due to consistencies in ship sinking.

WGA been the beneficiary of my schedule as Negros Navigation ships come far in between. So this observation refers to the following ships, Suferferry 5,SF 2,SF 12.
I would like to point out that these observations may be at that time im onboard true , but later corrected or changed otherwise.Also these can be true to ships of other shipping companies.

Security: They learned really good ,after all they owned SF 14 and it was bombed.Security is tight, and courteous but authoritative. I just wonder what are those novelty seems paraphernalias in carton boxes checked items by items by security at the Eva Macapagal terminal.Obviously its owned by Muslim trader as i saw one explaining to the inspector.

Foods: That always fascinates me how in the world that ships are not covered with the price control regulatory board of this goverment!No wonder travellers bring lots of foods and in turn trashes while taking aboat ride. I like SF 2 taste of foods better, i prefer to take the economy accomodation and with no free meals.
Ill tell you, you take a without free meal, otherwise youll starved lining up. The line goes into lull when the washers run out of fork spoons and plates. They simply seems not having the speed to catch up with the usage.ill tell you its a very long line.

Accomodation: Greatly better than before, except that they are not having movies shown. Movie Piracy problem? The ACU works great, the bunks are clean comfortable.

Comfort Rooms: I had a laughing out loud session with an american tourist who happens to be in the same trip as i take him for a walk onboard SF 12, when i told him what CR means.We went to CR and he said "is that how they are supposed to be called comfort rooms? LOL. I told him you better appreciate SF 12 , coz youll roll out loud laughing with the CR of SF 5.Its good that nobody was washing their feet on the lavatory. I nearly puked when this guy about to pray maybe,lifted up his footandi was on the lavatory beside brushing my teeth.SF 2 has the cleanest and well maintained CR with the assigned person checking the place time to time.

Privacy: I observed that there's a prayer room, but only chanced once to see one praying there.It was a lady. And twice i was turned off when this prayer loving guy with his magic carpet just spread it and facing at my side begun his rituals. Gee, i have to vacate the couch i felt so good sitting as we both look like jerks, he praying at me, and me not looking at him.

Personnel: SF 5 are friendlier.

Cellphone Charging: They miss this out big. When they had a charging place made,they underestimate the buying power of peso with china made gizmos that needs to be recharged as well.Hey i've got two cellphones, an ipod, and a digicam and a laptop, how can i charge it if they only have 60 outlets.Where's the math ratio of the electricians there.

Overall Rating: I must admit that the shipping industry got a big lift when Superferries enter into business and how the competition bears favorable travel experience.The condition of the shipping industry is very much vibrant.Gone were the days that you would almost like to jump on the ocean as you feel the boredom while at sea.