HammerMan

Obviously, there is the river passage to the berth which is quite time-consuming but may offer a unique experience of seeing the fabulous Temples etc. I'm told the demand from passengers is significantly higher in Bangkok and therefore worth trying.

Still here.. The Blue Dolphin shifted to Bangkok.

The lack of posts is simply because of the lack of development. The vessel is sitting at anchor off Sattahip.. Many potential partners have been in discussion, but they're always frightened off by the hidden costs of business in Thailand. We did look at alternative ports, but the investment/paper work involved made the investment not viable. The current plan now, I believe, is to accept defeat and sell the vessel.

The ferry completed the dry dock and endless surveys/inspections and is currently at anchor outside Sattahip port. The plan is still to revive the Samui service but there are ongoing discussions with various commercial partners, alternative port options etc. Bangkok was a bust as there is no suitable/practical jetty available. Delays have arisen due to changes is government departments, more rules and ongoing requests. During this month a final decision will be made, one way or another.

FYG - Sunday is last sailing from Samui before vessel Blue Dolphin proceeds to dry-docking at Laemchabang . Currently there are no sailings planned for July, but this is Thailand and things frequently change, and service to/from Samui will resume in August. At this point in time it's still undecided if this will be from Sattahip or Bangkok as options are still under discussion/negotiation. Further updates coming.

Unbelievable comment.. Seahorse vessel is as good/safe and well managed as any of the big ferry companies worldwide. Its was recently audited by a US Coast Guard who rated it A+, especially for safety.

Thanks for the comment. You are totally correct and we are trying to resolve this ASAP. The delay is mainly due to the Banks linking payment methods, in particular credit card payments. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

The problem with Songkhla is not really us, we see the potential there, but the issue is the fishing nets/posts strewn across the shipping channel, which make it difficult to safely navigate to the inner berth. The berths near the entrance to the lake cannot agree with a fixed schedule, so it's "hit and miss" with their availability, that makes planning extremely difficult. The local government are aware of these issues and are trying their best to find a solution to a complex situation. We meanwhile wait and see, but realistically with the current global situation and climbing oil prices, pricing will have to be significantly higher and therefore less attractive. We definitely take the matter seriously and will happily cooperate with local representatives in Songkhla and Hat Yai.

Please try: https://lin.ee/t0PNYOR

It's interesting to see the constant comparisons on prices.. Assuming say 2 people travelling to Samui from Sattahip by car the basic cost is Baht 2500/person and Baht 2000 for the car. This entitles the passengers to economy class style reclining aircraft seats in an air-conditioned area. Upgrades to VIP seating (business class type aircraft seats) or comfort sleeping pods are affordable. Rooms are limited and in very high demand, but despite the apparent high prices, please note that this includes the ticket price of baht 2500/person.. i.e. in reality not that expensive. Hidden savings are vehicle fuel cost/wear and tare, hotels enroute and finally you still pay for a ferry to the island. Flying is undoubtedly quicker, not necessarily cheaper and you have no car. Obviously you can't please everyone, but to date we've had a 97% success rate based on passengers ratings and comments. As someone in the industry for 50+ years I can say the vessel has the best safety equipment/training of any similar vessel in the world. The vessel was recently inspected by a retired US Coast Guard who complimented us on every aspect of safety. I understand for some people the voyage seems long, but it is overnight and there's lots to do onboard. We are limited to docking and undocking in daylight due to regulations, so my recommendation is to relax, enjoy the sea air and experience a mini cruise feeling.

So, how was the experience?

FYI- The Seahorse Website is currently down, temporarily, for relaunching a new, better and secure website in the coming weeks. All/Any communication can be through following links: https://www.facebook.com/fb.theseahorseferryofficial and https://lin.ee/t0PNYOR

Apologies for my apparent silence but have been on medical leave. I understand if people are reluctant to use Facebook or Line. You can email the Customer Service ([email protected]) and then communicate by telephone or call the CS team directly at 0858426021-23 and mention you do not use Line or Facebook. If any problems you can email me directly at [email protected]. I have been pushing for a direct online booking system on the website and payment by credit cards, but for reasons I truly do not understand, it simply hasn't happened so far.. T I T

Yes, as mentioned previously, room rates include passenger ticket. i.e. no additional 2,000 baht/person. Secret is to book early. There are wheel chairs on board and staff assistance if required, they are happy to assist if needed.

The VIP seats are definitely more comfortable and the area is very quiet/secluded. Also closer to the restaurant/sky deck etc. Personally I would recommend it. Yes you can always upgrade on board subject to availability. Pillows/Blankets/Towels are available, but I have to be honest I do not know off-hand if there is any charge, but if there is its reasonable and makes a great souvenir.