Great Bay Express team on the deck of Big B – Head of Operations Charles Smith, Statia agent Gareth Woodley, Carmen Fernandez and Shaminda Gibbs.
ST. EUSTATIUS--Big B ferry, operated by Great Bay Express between Bobby’s Marina in St. Maarten and Oranje Bay in St. Eustatius will have two return sailings in November and three in December. Passengers who want to visit either port will need to stay a minimum of two nights in either destination. The ferry will depart St. Maarten to Statia on November 3 at 8:30am and make a return trip from Statia at 11:00am. On November 5, departure from St. Maarten will be 12:30pm and the return trip from Statia will be at 3:00pm. This same weekend route will be adhered to November 24-26, December 1-3, 15-17 and 21-23. The round trip fare is US $155 including departure taxes and port fees. This fare is less than a standard return air ticket from Windward Islands Airways International Winair priced at around US $220 including Statia airport tax.
Hilda Doek, a chartered accountant on Statia, said the service represents “a great deal” for families especially for a long weekend. “US $155 might seem a lot, but for kids who are three years, they travel for nothing. Winair only allows lap kids to travel for free. So, a ferry family with two tots can save over US $400,” she said.
A two-day layover on either island is not very expensive, Doek said. “The cheapest hotel room on St. Eustatius or St. Maarten is around US $55. Sailing dates are specifically planned around weekends – so interesting shops, sites or sand are an appealing motive. Seeing family or friends is always nice.”
One Great Bay Express passenger who recently sailed to Statia told The Daily Herald she was delighted with the service. “The large boat is extremely comfortable with airco and entirely stable – not like the delicate Waterman that bobbed up and down. It left exactly on time. And, I was helped by ferry crew to bring on board two double mattresses that I bought on St. Maarten.”
Local agent for the ferry service Gareth Woodley has been distributing flyers throughout the island. Customers on Statia can book tickets via the Great Bay Express webpage and Woodley will arrange for tickets to be delivered to the home address almost immediately.
