Bahamas Florida Express announces the launch of the new CAT — one of the fastest High-Speed Passenger Ferries in…
Bahamas Florida Express announces the launch of the new CAT — one of the fastest High-Speed Passenger Ferries in North America — bringing visitors to Grand Bahama Island from Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) with a quick, tourism-friendly schedule and pricing 40 percent below airlines.
Beginning November 1, the new CAT departs Port Everglades daily at 4 p.m. for the two-hour trip and returns from Grand Bahama Island at 9:30 a.m., meaning travelers will not have to purchase a hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale prior to or following travel.
For the first time, travelers from around the world can arrive in Ft. Lauderdale by air or automobile and make it to Grand Bahama Island on the same day in time for dinner, said George Bradley, vice president and chief marketing officer, Bahamas Florida Express.
Seats aboard the High-Speed Ferry range from $129-189 round-trip, per person (plus port charges and taxes) with a 40 percent discount for children ages 3-17 from Nov. 1-Dec. 18. Traveling at a speed of 42 knots (50 mph), the 320-foot (98-meter) vessel transports up to 900 passengers.
A comfortable and convenient alternative to costly flights, the new CAT eliminates long check-in procedures by being the only boat to utilize Terminal 1 in Port Everglades. Travelers on the Bahamas Florida Express need passports or an original copy of their birth certificate for entrance onto the islands.
The new CAT is also significantly faster than our maritime competition, said Bradley. Its departure times are not tourist-friendly, the trip is five-and-a-half hours each way and the vessel is older, lacking the comfort and amenities that we offer.
The launch of the High-Speed Ferry dramatically impacts tourism throughout the Bahamas. Upon arrival on Grand Bahama Island, tourists stay a couple of nights there and may then use Bahamas Ferries to easily explore the Out Islands like The Exumas, Eleuthera and The Abacos.
The new CAT brings more of the Bahamian islands to travelers, said Bradley. We can now compete with destinations such as Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making the Bahamas more of a seven-to-ten night vacation destination.
A great option for groups, the new CAT allows families, wedding parties, golfers, divers, incentive and corporate meeting groups to travel together in a comfortable, social setting, arriving on the island in time for welcoming festivities.
While on board, passengers enjoy entertainment in the TV-movie lounge and casino, meals served in the center of the passenger deck at The Cafe, a wide variety of cocktails and specialty drinks at the bar, shopping in the duty- free gift shop and spectacular views from all sides of the vessel.
In addition to the daily service to Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas Florida Express is pursuing the possibility of several trips per week to Nassau. Also in the works are Fun Day fares, dipping as low as $99 round-trip, per person and discount packages with select hotels.
Chartered from established High-Speed Ferry operator Bay Ferries — which has operated daily trips from Maine to Nova Scotia between May and October since 1998 — the new CAT arrives on Grand Bahama Island at the end of October.
Bahamas Florida Express is a completely separate venture from past High Speed Ferry services that have operated in the Bahamas.
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