Nov. 3, 2004 – By the middle of next month residents will have the option of taking a ferry between St. Croix and St. Thomas. Or they will have the option of taking a special a combo package – going one way on the seaplane and the other on the ferry.
A press release from Seaborne Airlines and V.I. Fast Ferry said the Super Sea & Sky program would recommence Dec. 16.
With the return of V.I. Fast Ferry’s 600-passenger ferry in December, the two companies will offer customers the opportunity to experience a seaplane and a ferry trip all in one journey.
According to Omer ErSelcuk, Seaborne’s chief marketing officer, "The Super Sea & Sky returns with the same fare levels as 2004, although there will be most likely be a fuel surcharge due to oil prices." These fares are either $80 or $90 a round trip, depending upon the time chosen for the seaplane portion of the journey.
ErSelcuk added, "As with last year, the Super Sea & Sky will allow travelers to maximize 'stay time' at their destinations with travelers getting to their destinations sooner and staying longer due to the later departure times offered by the ferry. The significant savings provided by the Super Sea & Sky will also give prospective travelers more spending dollars when they reach their destination. The main purpose of this package is to stimulate the inter-island market travel and enhancing the Virgin Islands offering as a single destination by offering prospective consumers savings and great ease of travel. The effective increase in capacity offered by both companies – up to 4,000 seats a day will also boost local economic activity by creating transportation options previously not available for large groups of travelers."
According to Kevin Matthews, Fast Ferry’s director of operations, "We look forward to another successful year of the Super Sea and Sky. To this end, the 600-passenger Salacia is uniquely suited to offer the most comfortable and reliable transportation between St. Thomas and St. Croix. Additionally, no one can beat our six years of experience operating safely in the marine conditions between the two islands."
Seaborne employs over 130 Virgin Islanders and carries approximately 185,000 passengers a year on its routes between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Seaborne operates twin-engine, air-conditioned, 17-passenger aircraft under the same regulations as the major U.S. carriers. For additional information visit www.seaborneairlines.com or call 888-FLY-TOUR. Reservations hours are from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Now entering its fifth year of operations, V.I. Fast Ferry is a subsidiary of Boston Harbor Cruises, the second largest private passenger cruise service in the United States. The ferry operates the Salacia from mid December to the beginning of May and employs 15 Virgin Islanders. The company draws on 79 years of continuious service to professionally operate the Salacia, which, according to the press release, is the largest, fastest, and most technologically advanced passenger-only catamaran both operated and built in the U.S. For additional information call 877-733-9425.
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