Families Can Save Money on Grand Bahama Trips: Bahamas Florida Express Launches THE CAT to Grand Bahama Island
Want to head to the Bahamas for your family vacation, but having trouble finding low airfares? Bahamas Florida Express now offers THE CAT - one of the fastest High-Speed Passenger Ferries in North America - bringing visitors to Grand Bahama Island from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) with a quick, tourism-friendly schedule and pricing 40 percent below airlines.
THE CAT departs Port Everglades daily at 4 p.m. for the two-hour trip and returns, leaving Grand Bahama Island at 10 a.m. (arriving at Port Everglades at noon), meaning travelers will not have to purchase a hotel room in Fort Lauderdale prior to or following travel.
"For the first time, travelers from around the world can arrive in Fort 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 for adults and $70 for children ages 3-17 round-trip, per person (plus port charges and taxes). Also, "Tuesdays" are replaced with "FunDays," where fares dip to $99 round-trip, per person (plus port charges and taxes). Traveling at a speed of 48 knots (55 mph), the 320-foot (98-meter) vessel transports up to 900 passengers.
A variety of resort packages that include round-trip ferry transportation are available at seven leading Grand Bahama hotels. Packages start as low as $177 per person double occupancy for two days/one night and from $199 per person double occupancy for three days/two nights.
A comfortable and convenient alternative to costly flights, THE CAT eliminates long check-in procedures by being the only vessel to utilize Terminal 1 in Port Everglades. Travelers on the Bahamas Florida Express only need a passport or an original copy of their birth certificate for entrance onto the islands.
"THE 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 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."
THE CAT is a great option for families, allowing parents and children to travel together in a comfortable setting and arrive 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 Café, 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.
To make a reservation on THE CAT, visit Bahamas Florida Express - THE CAT and receive an online booking savings. Or, call 866-31-FERRY or a travel professional.
