FREEPORT, Bahamas -- After nine months of service, SeaJets, a
hydrofoil service linking Palm Beach, Fla., and Freeport, Grand
Bahama Island, business is looking good.
Since launching operations last November, SeaJets has shuttled
more than 45,000 passengers between the two cities.
SeaJets increased service from five days a week to six days to
accommodate passenger demand and operates two roundtrip excursions
each day.
The vessel, SeaJet Kara, a 250-seat Boeing 929 hydrofoil, makes
the 65-mile trip between Palm Beach and Freeport in 99 minutes.
SeaJets could increase to six departures a day when a second
hydrofoil, SeaJet Kristin, is added later this year.
Other destinations, including Nassau and Bimini, could soon follow,
according to George Bradley, president and chief executive
officer.
Roundtrip fares for the shuttle service are $99 for adults ages
17 and older and $50 for children ages 3 to 16. A $25
arrival-departure tax and $8 fuel surcharge are additional for each
passenger.
Guests receive snacks and soft drinks free of charge but must
purchase any alcoholic beverages.
Departures from Palm Beach leave at 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; return
trips from Freeport depart at noon and 6:15 p.m.
The 9 a.m. boardings consist largely of day-trippers, Bradley
said.
Agents will earn 10% pay on the transportation service and 12%
on related package sales.
To make things easier for agents, SeaJets employs a system
similar to electronic ticketing.
An agent calling for a reservation makes a prepayment by credit
card or other means and receives a confirmation number to give to
the client.
Upon arrival, the client provides the confirmation number along
with a photo ID before receiving a boarding pass.
On prepayments, agents deduct a 10% commission.
When payment is made by a client at boarding, the commission is
paid in a lump payment mailed twice monthly, Bradley said.
One-night hotel packages, with SeaJet service and hotel
accommodations, range in price from $99 to $154 per person, double.
The prices are valid through Dec. 20.
Accommodations are available at The Resort & Casino at
Bahamia, Port Lucaya Resort & Yacht Club, Xanadu Beach Resort
& Marina, Pelican Bay and The Lucayan.
The hydrofoils, which skim over the water, most recently were
used between Belgium and Brighton, England.
SeaJets operates with five cabin attendants in addition to the
operating crew.
SeaJets
Phone: (877) 7-SEAJET
Fax: (561) 844-1994
Web: www.seajets.com
E-mail: [email protected]