HammerMan

Why do you keep pushing this agenda? each to their own.. Do what makes you happy. If flying is your preference then go ahead we're not stopping you.

Apologies for slow response.. Seahorse tried outsourcing the marketing, catering and entertainment aboard the ferry, but sadly it would appear the partners decided to pull out or are struggling to handle this. As a result we have had to quickly step in a devise a limited menu until a resolution with either the partners is resolved or an alternative catering partner is found. Anyone who has followed this project will know we are constantly set challenges, which we step by step overcome.

https://www.facebook.com/100039530196080/posts/pfbid02b5HsRZBGj1DD884Bo18rxmoHRakkVeFa62JFMSfCzRJPsHFYV5j9ASpftrLgEM6al/

Room pricing inclusive of the allowed persons per room.. additional people in the room pay the standard ticket price.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0W6kxernfjDojJ8wvDVEm9uUwz6wVuB7wD45DtjwarUZggrH4xEejhiB3cyBiTAcql&id=100039530196080

As always it interesting and appreciated to read all the comments. There are basically two types of ferries, Day Ferries and Night Ferries. Day ferries tend to be smaller with limited rooms whilst Night ferries are larger (hence many rooms) and travel longer distances. As explained previously, we are limited on the depth of water around Thailand and thus there are limited berth options. We 'have' added extra rooms and there are the options of sleeping capsules/VIP seating etc.. also. Unfortunately adding more rooms by converting the Upper Car Deck would require a massive investment, mostly in getting the Class approvals/stability calculations and tests/major revisal of safety systems etc.. We are talking probably months of rebuilding and several million dollars, for what is ultimately only a 10 hour voyage. Financially it makes no sense. As I've suggested many times the best way to understand all this is to come and look for yourself and I believe you'll be well impressed.

So.. finally Seahorse/SPCruise admitted defeat as booking system etc.. only starting today/tomorrow and too late to attract sufficient passengers, so changed start date to Thurs 13th sailing from Sattahip and return to Sattahip Mon 17th.. main reason for delay is the payment links with the banks..

SPCruise jumped the gun and besides giving wrong information also gave wrong pricing. Therefore to avoid further delays please note as follows. 1st sailing will be 7th Oct at 4pm from Chuksamet Sattahip and returning to Sattahip 10th Oct at 8am, this will be normal schedule except for 'long weekends' where the vessel will depart on the Thurs to maximize the weekend for passengers in Samui. Pricing as follows: Ticket & Accommodation •Passenger Ticket 2,900 THB/Pax (Adult Fare) - 2 yrs old and under (1:1 adult) {FREE of CHARGE} - Children over 2 - 15 yrs old 1,900 THB - Over 15 yrs old -> Adult Fare - Elderly (over 60 yrs of age) 5% discount (apply with Elder Card) •VIP Seat +500 THB •Comfort Class +1,000 THB ****(Previously known as Capsule renamed) •First Class (type 1) 9,000 THB /(type 2) 10,000 THB [“Type1” —> fixed bed / “Type2” —> moveable bed] •Suite 12,000 THB •Premier 15,000 THB ———— •Pet (up to 5kg) 500 THB (~Future Project~) Vehicle Price List • Passenger Car (Up to 5.5m) 2,000 THB • Motorbike (Over 400cc) 1,500 THB • Motorbike (Under 400cc) 1,000 THB •Boat/Motorcycle Trailer (up to 5m) 2,000 THB •Bicycle 100 THB **Additional Length +300THB/Meter ***Fast Track for Vehicle +2,000 THB*** Bookings initially through The Seahorse Ferry "Line" or "Facebook" or at the Seahorse Office either in Bangkok or Sattahip Port Office. Full website and Samui Office to follow ASAP.

As this is Thailand nothing is simple. SPCruise.com set their own pricing and I agree the rooms are very expensive, but they always sell out. My recommendation is to either choose the sleeping pods or VIP seats. Cars and big motorcycles I believe are Baht 1,000 each/one way. Seahorse will open a channel for bookings also through Facebook and Line Chat. I again offer for anyone who would like to visit the vessel and see for themselves to come to Chuksamet Port and be shown around the vessel.

For anyone following this chat the official sailings will commence October 7th to Samui.. all details can be found through Seahorse or SPCruise.com

The ships crew are all fully licensed with International certificates, many of them having sailed all over the world on cargo/container/tanker and cruise ships. The crew are also constantly being trained on emergency routines, crowd management, fire fighting etc.. As someone who has been in the shipping industry for 50 years I can say this is one of the best crews I've ever met.

Actually you would be surprised how many trucking companies have approached us. However, the current focus is passengers and we'll see how things develop going forward..

I think you need to visit the vessel and see for yourself what its like and then you can decide what suits you best. Your welcome anytime to visit.

Nicky, for the moment yes sorry, it was stopped. However, we are looking at introducing a weekly service Sattahip/Samui/Songkhla/Samui and return to Sattahip. I believe if this is agreed it can start in October.

I'll ask SPCruise/Samui Cruise if they have any plans to provide transport to the vessel from Pattaya etc.. your comments are really appreciated. The Blue Dolphin is owned/operated by The Seahorse Ferry Company, but the restaurant/night club/Sky Deck etc.. is outsourced to Samui Cruise and the Booking system and pricing is set by SPCruise, their subsidiary, all under a parent company called MaxChill.

Actually ALL ships are obliged to change the fuel to low sulphur fuel when inside port limits all over the world. You don't have a choice. The Samui ferries primarily use palm oil as they own large plantations, which I believe is cheaper, but throws out a lot of black smoke. As for the navy vessels, the older vessels no not cleaner, but most modern ships are fitted better/cleaner engines which are more fuel efficient. Our poor ship is an old lady at 27 years.. but it was a tenth of the price for a modern vessel.

Geographically due to the very shallow water around Thailand you are limited where a reasonably sized vessel can berth. Hence Hua His was always going to be impossible. Prachuap was an option but proved too expensive, and killed off by Covid. Songkhla looked promising but issues with securing regular access to berths and issues with the local fishermen killed that too. Samui became interesting but has taken months to prepare and a lot of dredging. Hopefully this will be our new regular port.

If the government eventually allows, absolutely why not..

We could restore with Sattahip/Samui/Songkhla/Samui/Sattahip as an option. Will update in October.

The smoke occurs when changing over the fuel to a lighter low sulphur diesel oil.. hopefully when its being operated regularly that will reduce dramatically.. but have you seen the black smoke kicked out by the other ferries operating at Samui?

When they finish the new roads will be 30 mins, or new expressway is definitely 30 mins. I do it frequently.

We could restore with Sattahip/Samui/Songkhla/Samui/Sattahip as an option. Will update in October.

During the test run 40 passengers sailed to experience the facilities, they had 17 cars and 2 motorcycles between them.

Its a 30 minute drive, so not that stressful.