Sept. 5, 2001 — It’s official. Boston Harbor Cruises announced Wednesday that it will return to the territory this winter with its fast-ferry service between St. Croix and St. Thomas.
The company’s high-speed catamaran will begin service in mid- to late-November and run through May, said Kevin Matthews, Boston Harbor’s operations director. The service will run seven days a week and will depart and arrive at the Edward Wilmouth Blyden Terminal on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront and the Gallows Bay dock in Christiansted. The company’s Internet website has yet to post fare information. But a release issued by Boston Harbor Cruises lists these fares: for an adult local resident, $60 round trip and $35 one-way; for those 65 years and older, $55 round trip and $30 one way; for children ages 3-12, $50 round trip and $27 one way. Children under 3 years old ride free.
For non-resident adults, fares are $75 round trip and $42 one way; for non-resident seniors and children 3-12, they are $65 round trip and $37 one way.
Matthews said the trip will take about 75 minutes each way on the $10 million, 270-seat vessel Salacia, which is capable of speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
Along with Boston Harbor Cruises, which conducted a month-long trial run in April, St. Croix-based Crucian Express is set to begin service. It will run its Norwegian-built fast ferry on a year-round basis starting on Dec. 1.
The company's 140-foot, 200-passenger catamaran, unnamed so far, will make two round-trips a day on weekdays and three a day on weekends. Tickets will be $50 round trip for the crossing, which will take about an hour and a half, according to Crucian Express management.
