Advice about riding Ferry instead of WinAir?

[thedirtychemist]

Hey hey,

My wife and I opted to take the Ferry instead of WinAir from St. Maarten to Saba.

We will be arriving there 9:50 PM, spend the night (any ideas?), and then take the Ferry to Saba the next day.

Can we just purchase tickets when we get there that morning?
Are there baggage limits?
We will have 4- 50lb bags plus carry-ons. Are there carts or such to help us haul cargo?

Any input or advice will be thankfully accepted.

[Samsonlxa926]

You can purchase tickets when you arrive or you can reserve them beforehand on the internet. I don't know the website or direct phone number but if you call 011-599-544-2503, which is the Pelican Resort switchboard, and ask for The Edge ferry service, they will forward your call. I believe they allow each person to carry 2 bags. The first bag is free and i believe the additional bag is $5. As far as places to stay, since you are getting in pretty late, you could stay at the Pelican Resort where the ferry is docked. The next morning you can walk to the ferry. Other than that, you could stay at Maho, Great Bay, or any of the other hotels and just take a taxi in the morning. Good luck and safe travels.

Andrew

[tRmedic21]

The high-speed catamaran ferry runs from Dive Safaris in Pelican Key. You can do a search online for their number or email, I am sure.

For hotel, I couldn't help you, although the Travel Inn was not far from Pelican. It's in Simpson Bay, accross from Ric's Place. You'll need a taxi van from the airport and for the morning. Figure $15-20 each trip because of luggage, etc. unless fares have gone up significantly since I've left Sint Maarten.

[thedirtychemist]

Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.

[thedirtychemist]

I ended up booking a place from...

Summit Resort Hotel on Simpson Bay

I can just purchase tickets on the ferry correct?

Is it called, "The Edge"? Which is the best one to take?

[sweetpeapotts]

yeah...you can actually reserve online if you want...i just checked them out b/c i will be attending in sept....just do a search online and you will find it....if i did, you will trust me

[tRmedic21]

Summit? Oh jeez... I am trying to remember... isn't Summit by the school????

That's not anywhere near Simson Bay, that's right near the school! It's not close at all. You're looking at 15 minutes or more car ride. Sorry, man...

[tRmedic21]

Well I should say 15 minutes in traffic. If there were no traffic, it could be done in 5-7 minutes. But it's just not close at all. It's actually in Cupecoy, not in Simpson Bay, I can't believe they're advertising as being in Simpson Bay... oh wait... yeah I can.

[Jeevee23]

I heard that there will be a parade in St. Marteen on the 28th or something, I am not possitive, however if the parade is taking place, then traffic might be bad, I guess just keep that in mind.

[thedirtychemist]

Well I should say 15 minutes in traffic. If there were no traffic, it could be done in 5-7 minutes. But it's just not close at all. It's actually in Cupecoy, not in Simpson Bay, I can't believe they're advertising as being in Simpson Bay... oh wait... yeah I can.


NOOOO! DAMN YOU EXPEDIA!!!!!! DAMN YOU!!!!!!!!

[thedirtychemist]

Well.. as long as I'm not paying $30 for a stupid taxi, I'm ok.

[amyames]

Hey Chemist, aren't you and your girlfriend attending Saba in Sept? Ha ha, this is what I get for not returning emails, isn't it? :D

[thedirtychemist]

That's right! It's your one and only!

September it is!

I'm still spitefull about the non-returned e-mails. I lost so much sleep over it...

[sweetpeapotts]

Hey yeah I see you are having troubles...sorry...yeah I think Carnival is going on at that time in St. Maarten...just booked Liat tickets from Trinidad and they gave a warning...well...I found the ferry website if you are still interested in booking ahead (which I advise---just living in the Caribbean the past 2 years has taught me a few lessons on the region!!)...the websie is http://www.stmaarten-activities.com/
Good Luck...I am a Sept 06 Student--see you there

[lacycakes]

hey, if you go to sabatourism.com (http://www.sabatourism.com) and click on getting to Saba it has the #'s for both the Edge and the Dawn II. The edge doesn't run Sunday through Tuesday and they do charge $5 for every extra piece of luggage. The Dawn II runs tues, thurs, sat, at 5pm and doesn't charge for extra luggage. Take motion sickness meds if you get at all sick. And if you take the Dawn bring a jacket, the AC is frigid, compared to how it feels outside anyway. I think the prices are about the same, the Dawn might be slightly cheaper. Summit isn't anywhere near either dock for these boats. And Carnival is in april, you don't have to worry about that in September. Sept is actually the very low season and traffic should be at it's best, which is never good!