HammerMan

There are about 17 rooms of various sizes/styles as this was designed as a day ferry. But there are 80 sleeping pods, 80 VIP (Business Class) aircraft seats and around 350 standard aircraft style seats. A lot of people didn't sleep and instead sat drinking/talking all night in the restaurant and Sky Deck.

If flying makes you happy, go for it. From what I saw at the weekend passengers absolutely loved it, but the big plus for them was bringing their cars and motorbikes. Sailing in the evening and waking up in Samui is not exactly an unpleasant experience, but each to their own.

Unfortunately, like most things here, no one gets the importance of having these up and running ASAP.. I've been pushing them for months. Both are being upgraded and I've been told they'll be operating later in the week.. Fingers crossed.

Later this week under spcruise.com they will announce pricing and schedules. The berthing at Samui was quite difficult but doable, departing was much simpler. Rooms are expensive because of the limited numbers but aircraft type seating (Eco and VIP) are available as well as sleeping pods. The vessel has Wifi installed which seemed to be very effective. There is Sky Deck dinning/entertainment/drinks, a very nice restaurant, Night Club and bar, Spa and coffee shop. Vessel departs Sattahip 5pm and arrives Samui around 8-9 am. Return trip departs 4pm and arrives Sattahip 7-8am. Pricing for rooms is very high because of the limited numbers, but basic aircraft type economy seats expected to start at about Baht 2500/person. VIP seating about Baht 3,000/person. There's space for about 150 cars. More info will follow from our partner Samui Cruise later this week. Target start date is about 27th September to ensure all booking systems etc.. are fully working, but hoping for quicker. Hope this helps.

Interesting thoughts, but no, we have no conflict with Bangkok Airways and have good relationship with them. Perhaps Seatrans/Raja Ferries might feel the heat, but we're targeting different sector. We are promoting the on-board experience rather than simply offering a transport service to/from Samui. If it fails, well its time to admit defeat and move to Indonesia.

The Blue Dolphin has almost completed its renovations and should start its new service to Samui early September.. The booking/accommodation and onboard services were outsourced to a professional hotel and tourism company, so the vessel has 5 star restaurant, Sky Deck dinning and entertainment, nightclub, massage/spa treatment, additional seating, upgraded rooms (altho somewhat expensive), Karaoke, VIP areas and a coffee shop etc.. Vessel will sail late afternoon and arrive Samui early the next morning.. initially 2 sailings each way per week and will build from there. Songkhla maybe reinstated but as only one sailing per week. Your welcome to visit the vessel for more info.

Actually it will operate between Sattahip and Samui, so technically a Ferry Service, but with a difference.

Thanks.. it's a risk obviously and its targeting a specific market.. but alternative is simply to give up. Obviously the "Haters" will have their fill with this, but we still believe in the overall concept of the project, as do our partners, and we have other ideas developing which we will add in due course.

We canceled the service to Songkhla basically because of zero support/endless frustrations from the local administration, lack of a fixed berth and the inability of anyone to clear the fishing nets.. it was sad because passenger numbers had reached almost 300. High fuel costs became the final straw. Currently the vessel is being prepared for going to Samui and the delay is dredging a channel at the jetty in Samui which will be completed in June. The ferry will operate more as a themed "party" cruise than a ferry, but we are adding more sleeping areas and additional entertainment areas. Expect to relaunch in July.

Yes agree with you, we are planning a media day. We also will announce January schedules this week..

It's a good question.. numbers/bookings are growing and we're hopeful that by early next year we'll increase sailings.. fortunately we have sufficient capital to keep going for quite a while, but ultimately everyone has their limit on losses.

Unfortunately this article provided absolutely inaccurate information which was further confused by many ridiculous comments. The Ferry started commercial operations since November and currently is only sailing once a week due to operating at only 30% capacity.. It also had to adjust its schedule due to port congestion in Songkhla, where the local authorities appear determined to see the ferry fail. The ferry accepts all types of vehicles (excluding dangerous cargoes), including motorcycles. We welcome anyone to come and visit the ferry and see for themselves exactly what is available/possible.

Thank you.. highly appreciated.

Sadly beyond our control. Its the law and rules/regulations of the ports.. Additionally under new privacy laws we are not allowed to retain any information in our system. We are struggling to finalize an efficient, reliable website as it involves 3rd party links etc.. but we are close to launching it. We are also developing a mobile app.

https://youtu.be/ahgE_Z5aAvA Final episode.. Meanwhile 2nd voyage went successfully.. no delays and 3rd voyage 29th November from Sattahip. Sailing times have been adjusted to 5pm to better assist inbound transport from the Malaysian border area arriving at Songkhla.. The dreaded website should be active in the coming days.. Bon Voyage

658830971.884390.mp4

Currently sitting outside Songkhla awaiting the pilot to board.. we changed sailing times to 6pm to get trucks entering from Malaysian border..

I'm guessing you've never sailed on a ferry before.. its a drive on/drive off concept. Hence its called a Ro-Pax meaning Roll on Roll off Passenger vessel.... But in some cases we are allowing some vehicles to park and leave the keys with the vessels loading master for collection at the other end.

Henry you should read all the threads before posting..

My understanding is after the first sailing goes smooth/well everything will be posted on the sites. I'm confident that we've met every request presented to us and this truly is the start of a regular service.

Actually the trucking companies and drivers benefit from this because most logistics companies want to expand their fleets and there is a shortage of drivers. As the ferry needs only 1 driver that means the companies can operate more trucks.. The savings also benefit the end users as it reduces costs.. and as you mentioned reduces pollution, traffic, congestion and damage to highways and possibly accidents. There's pros and cons both ways but I mostly see wins for everyone, but maybe I'm bias.

According to my experience and discussions with serious, major logistics operators the return journey costs for trucks is around 42K which includes 2 drivers each way, maintenance, fuel/oil and tires. It's also my experience, having set up logistics operations in many countries in Asia that current operators will definitely lie about the real costs and alleged rates obtained. Then of course there's "tea money" provided to decision makers which we cannot compete with.. So, ultimately we'll get there as we know our rates are reasonable.

We've discussed everyone's comments on this chat (which has proved very helpful and for the most part constructive) and agreed to restructure the pricing and allow driver and passenger to be inclusive, children under 12 free and revised overall rates. All will be announced on the website/Facebook etc.. And one final note, which I personally found somewhat amusing, the first voyage to Songkhla we will have a Royal Thai Navy escort.. just hope they can do 20 knots.. ????