Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
Ferry Xpress gone - now what? Ferry Xpress gone - now what?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 4
Ferry Xpress gone - now what?
I got confirmation from Ferry Xpress that they will stop operating on April 24. And they are unable to say IF they will ever restart.

What is the alternatives now. Is the sailboat Starlite the cheapest option? it is over US1000
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Norwich,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 1,062
Air freight from Tocumen airport of Panama City , Panama is the fallback option , is faster than the STAHLRATTE , and costs less or so it was found in past research .I have not used either , so don't take my word on it.
But if I needed to choose I would take the plane, the boat is more of a torture cruise judging from all the stories. Lashing a bike to small sailboats may be cheaper but risky .
Yes , it is too bad but the market demand does not exist for such a large ferry vessel as was tried. There is really no big land transport of goods established south from Panama , no regular repeat travellers to keep a big ferry a paying proposition. Goods get shipped by sea containers and people fly . They grossly overestimated and put in a ship that was far too large and costly to operate.
__________________
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Peter Bodtke's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 588
lack of dock
From reading post here on the HUBB and the HU Facebook group, I surmise that the biggest problem was lack of adequate dock facilities in Cartagena (feel free to correct me if it turns out the dock issues is in Panama...) The ferry loads cars and trucks in the aft section (the back of the boat.) A poster shared that in rough weather ferry needs to be stabilized by pilings on either side. Apparently in one of the ports the pilings have not been installed. A few trips were conducted then car and truck transport was suspended because of the docking issues.

I haven't crunched the numbers, but will take a flying guess that without commercial transport of cars and trucks the voyages don't make nearly as much money. Its a big boat with a large hold for vehicles. If this section is empty, then lots of fuel is used to move a too large boat without revenue for the effort. Perhaps a smaller, passenger only, ferry might be sustainable. Of course it would be great such a wishlist service included motorcycle transport... Colon to Cartagena is a fairly long distance. I would be very happy to see coastal service that transported bikes to Turbo, CO.
__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Apr 2015
Peter Bodtke's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 588
options
Follow the link below to the Mamallena, a backpacker hostel in Cartagena. They book passage for several boats. No idea if they are the cheapest booking service. There are two boats that have transported bikes (and passenger) in the past: Jacqueline and Independence.
http://www.mamallena.com/sailboats-to-cartagena.html
There have been reports of difficulties transport motorcycles from Cartagena to Panama. It seems the custom officials weren't happy with the size of one of one of these boats. The riders who posted on the HUBB ended up airlifting to Panama. The Stalhratte is much bigger and does not encountered issues with customs getting bikes out of Cartagena. Captain Ludwig of the Stalhratte offers a great tour. I highly recommend it. I have no personal experience of the other two boats. I recommend contacting the captains to see if they are moving motorcycles and reading reviews about other passengers trips.
__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to Ferry Xpress - Panama to Colombia MotoIdiotas Central America and Mexico 31 12 Nov 2016 04:06
Ferry Port Said (Egypt) to Iskenderum (Turkey) FULL REVIEW dstehouwer North Africa 38 26 Dec 2014 17:31
another ferry attempt panavalk Central America and Mexico 27 6 Dec 2014 16:52
Ferry Wadi Halfa - Aswan / Port Said - Mersin manigoestoafrica Route Planning 3 19 Sep 2012 14:48
Baku Turkmenbashy Ferry - our experience MasterMoDlx Northern and Central Asia 11 11 Jul 2012 12:10

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:38.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top