April 2, 2001 — After a seven-day journey from Massachusetts, the territory's newest challenge to St. Thomas-St. Croix ferry service arrived at the Charlotte Amalie waterfront Sunday morning.
The Salacia is the latest addition to Boston Harbor Cruises' 25-boat fleet, and she is here to test out the Caribbean waters with an eye to service starting this December through April 2002.
Christopher P. Nolan, the company's managing partner, stood on the deck Monday afternoon looking over the boat's temporary new home. "I've been coming down to talk to the Port Authority and look things over for a couple months," Nolan said.
The boat will do a test run for the month of April, and if that is a success, which Nolan said he expects it to be, the company will start service in December. However, he said, they may use a slightly smaller boat than the 600-seat Salacia.
He doesn't expect to fill up the oversize craft, but that's OK. "We just want to see what the market is," Nolan said. April is, of course, a wise marketing choice with St. Thomas Carnival coming up and all the traffic from St. Croix. And there's more than ample room for bands and equipment.
The handsome blue and white catamaran has three decks comfortably upholstered seats, booths, television and a fully stocked bar with snacks. The first two decks are inside, with a sun deck on top. It cruises at 35 knots, and is capable of 40 knots.
The boat will leave from the Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal on St. Thomas and arrive at Gallows Bay on St. Croix. The maiden trip is Friday. The one hour and 15 minute trip will depart week days from St. Thomas at 7 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. It will leave St. Croix at 8:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Weekends the boat will depart St. Thomas at 8:30 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m. It will leave St. Croix at 10:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Fares are $40 round trip, $25 one way for local residents. For visitors, the fares are $50 round trip and $30 one way. There is a $5 port charge on all tickets.
Additional trips later in the day will be scheduled for Carnival.
For reservations or more information, call Boston Harbor Cruises toll-free at 1-877-SEE-WHALE.
