Travelling via sea vessel is not new to me. I remember six years ago, I used to travel to Cebu monthly from Masbate bound to Cebu. For some, they find it scary because the sea vessel has to leave at 6:00PM and sailing at the middle (of almost nowhere) at night time were you can only here the sounds of ocean waves, and sounds of sea vessel’s machine. After 13hours of sailing, I arrived at Cebu port safely and sound.
It is nice to have a photo-shoot here at the open deck :D
St. Therese of the Child Jesus open-deck, perfect for hangout
I understand that some of you find it scary and inconvenient. Yes, it is inconvenient and time consuming considering of long hours of sailing. Not to mention that there are times that when it is too crowded (especially during peak season) and you will encounter very diverse type of passengers, especially if you booked for economy class. But on the brighter side, you’ll got the chance to meet new friends or if you are a born loner, it will be your chance to observe people (definitely I’m not a sociopath, but I do that sometimes, lol).
Another con for some are those numbers of sea vessels accidents happened not only here in the Philippines, but also in other parts of the continents.
The truth is - every vehicle that we use might cause us accidents.
These shouldn’t stop us. We must face our fear on travelling either via land, by air, or by sea.
In fact, I find traveling via sea vessels more fun, exciting and comfortable!
And one of the sea vessels I would like to try is 2GO’s premium sea vessel. I want to explore our islands using this medium, and I don’t care how many long hours I would take to reach my destination!
So when I got an invitation from 2GO itself for their launch of their new premium sea vessel + a familiarization tour of the vessel per se, my heart leaps with excitement.
PS. Okay I can't silent myself how much I admire the company logo and its color! Hahaha so fun and girly, and I love it!!!
Yeah I’m one lucky gal!
Well, at first not everyone is getting an invitation to visit their port and new vessel.
And second, I’m excited to see the vessels that I will use (very soon!) when I took my 2GO travel destination. I’m thinking of traveling going to Palawan, Cebu, CDO and Davao! Yey!
Together with fellow blogger influencers and journalists, we arrived at Ragoza Port Manila. 2GO Travel, the leading commercial-passenger sea vessels in the Philippines escorted us to their new and modern sea vessel, the M/V Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (or simple St. Therese) aiming to promote more local tourism and promote the local economy. Isn’t that so cool?!
So for this entire post, we simply call her St. Therese, okay? :D
So let’s shall have a quick photo-tour of their beautiful ship!
She might not be the biggest cruise ship in the world, but look at her – isn’t she a beauty?!
Passengers will be more excited cruising with St. Therese. With this 160-metre long and 16,622 tons it can carry more passengers to their destinations at ease even during peak seasons. The ship can carry a capacity of 1,856 passengers and up to 200 twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo. So if you are traveling with huge cargos (either your stocks of raw materials for your business, or even tons of pasalubong/homecoming gifts) you can ship it at 2GO St. Therese with minimal hassle.
Yup 2GO can carry your cargo. PS. Ugh I wish I had a OOTD shots having these shipment cargo containers as backdrop. I would be slay!
but hey! I wouldn’t miss a selfie, LOL
In transportation industry, there is a never ending demand. It keeps on getting higher and higher, and more demanding. If there is available means to reach each destination, then it will help to increase our economy through tourism.
Just think about how easy it would be going island-hopping with less cost, compared to flying!
To be honest, as much as I enjoy jetting – I find cruising more convenient, exciting and safer.
It is convenient because, I can bring my luggage without worrying about additional cost. Well if it does, it would be less, compared to travelling via air).
It is exciting because, sailing is a kind of adventure. It long hours of travel, passengers will have more time to enjoy the vessels amenities!
You can go to the bar, enjoy dining in restaurants, do karaoke, etc.
It will also a great opportunity to meet new acquaintances, build new friendships, and for some business opportunities!
Me and fellow influencer Mommy Lariza, catching-up with the latest chika, and everything!
Or if you are a certified loner (just like me), you can go at the top deck, sit back and relax and enjoy the beauty of the clear sky at night-time, watching the starry night while sipping beers, or your favorite wine. (PS, just do it moderately coz we don't want you ended up jumping and swimming in the middle of the night coz you forgot you are in the ocean and not in the pool, LOL)
Worrying about safety? St. Therese is well equipped with emergency and life-saving devices, and also employed well-trained personnel for their response team. St Therese also have life-saving boats ready at all times in case of emergencies.
MV St Therese is a domestic cruise ship with six (6) suite rooms, twelve (12) state rooms, twenty-one (21) business class, and thirty-four (34) tourist accommodations – all with elegantly designed furnishings. It also has a spacious first-class bar and restaurant, a 24-hour convenience store and gift shop (for your homecoming gifts!), a spa and salon, karaoke area, comedy and other forms of entertainment, a clinic and a chapel. Plus a wide open-deck where guests can enjoy island viewing across the sea, stargazing (and for me men-gazing, lol).
Check the photos below for their rooms and amenities!
ROOMS
This is St Therese Suite Room – it has 2 beds, a coffee table, and huge vanity mirror, own bathroom and a bath tub! Fully air-conditioned, with television and wi-fi connection so you’ll stay connected anytime online. So it is like you are in a hotel! Perfect for couples and with their family.
Note that not all suites has the same interior layout, so do check with 2GO for your suite choices.
Business Class – Each business class room has a deck, and composed of 4 beds (with curtains for your little privacy). They also have washroom but the comfort room and located separately.
Also perfect when travelling with your team, equipped with flat-screen television, fully air-conditioned room and a mini fridge.
Tourist Class – This looks like a military dorms (I saw it on movies only) and fully air-conditioned. They have separate washrooms and comfort rooms.
All beds in the entire rooms has its own safety-vest located on the headboard for easy access.
Super Value Economy – similar to Tourist beds, but not air-conditioned. This is very public, good for savvy travelers, and backpackers.
OTHER AMENITIES
2GO Travel St Therese’s reception area
At the reception area, you can hang-out here and enjoy their cozy sofa beds and lovely ambiance.
Part of reception / lobby area
All floors have its charging station so that you will stay connected!
Spa and salon area.
You can wine and dine at their restaurant.
Praying area.
PS. I don’t see a praying area for our Muslim siblings. It would be wise to have it to cater the spiritual needs of our Muslim travelers. It will help to promote halal tourism.
They have a store and souvenir shop!
You can buy snacks here, and souvenir merchandise from 2GO Travel.
Waaahh and they even have their own skincare and beauty products! This is SLAY!
Me together with my fellow online influencers, and our PR Team who make this tour happen
Do you think cruising is boring? Hahaha definitely not! Even this background color shouts “we are not boring”, lol
St Therese will serve the Manila-Bacolod-Iloilo-Cagayan de Oro route every Thursday at 9:00AM.
You may log-in at their website to book your trips, and to view the list of schedule trips, including the latest fare and promos.
Although initially have a fewer trips, I hope that 2GO will increase the number of trips of St. Therese to cater the increasing demands of travelers domestically.
Isn’t this a beautiful background? (And pretty me?) Hahahaaha
I’m encouraging you to book your next domestic trip and enjoy cruising with St. Therese.
She’s a beauty and ready to serve your every cruising needs, and will bring you safe and sound to your destination.
Don’t miss this exciting adventure!
xoxo, Blair
Hi! Great post! Just curious, what camera did you use for these nice shots? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for visiting! I haven't brought my Nikon DSLR then, so I used my smartphone ASUS Zenfone Selfie to capture these photos. Then I use PITU editing app for finishing touch-ups :D
DeleteYou may check my PITU review here:
http://www.forurbanwomen.com/2016/04/impressions-and-review-pitu-makeover.html
just discover this site from somewhere. great sharing story & experiences. i will recommend this site to my friends out there.
ReplyDeletethank you for visiting!
DeleteThis is great and looks like an amazing adventure. The room sizes look spacious as I would have thought they might be smaller. You cannot contain your excitement in the pictures which is great. I can only imagine how fun a trip like this would be up on the top deck!
ReplyDeletetotally fun, like you can do ocean viewing and hangout with friends or with fellow passengers
DeleteIts so cool that you got an invite ! thanks for all the info, I will check out their website. I am not a full time travel blogger / influencer so , not sure whether I can get so much time out to travel all across Philippines cruising, although would love to do so one day...
ReplyDeleteAnd I have published an e-book for travel bloggers to improve their photography, please feel free to check it out, http://imagineescapades.com/store/
ReplyDeleteHi Shounak, thank you for this, I will check this :D
DeleteWohooo, I wanna try this! I have never made a longer journey with a vessel, and it really looks much more comfortable than flying. Now, they also have a chapel, seriously? Seems like everything is very well thought out :)
ReplyDeletethey are now giving importance to passengers even their spiritual needs!
Deleteyou seem to have had a great time. i have always seen cruises on televsion programmes but never really gone for one muyself. in India, there are very few options as such. But this looks good and maybe one day in future I will try it out myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah you must!
DeleteThe Philippines are a place I'm really curious about, maybe because I'm born Parisian, and even tho I feel more Tel avivi, I know that Asia is #1 on my bucket list. As well, I do envy you to be part of such a country where it's all islands and that you can hop from one to another. I guess sea vessels are much cheaper, but even tho I love the ocean, I wouldn't trade the air jet for those. I guess I ain't patient! 13 hours is a long time! x
ReplyDeletehttp://tomboychronicle.com
I agree with you... I myself is sometimes very impatient with my travel.. so sometimes I chose to fly... but if I'm in a mood of just to kill time then I choose cruising. And I find cruising more chic and lux, in a way :)
Deletebeautiful accommodation for the high end traveler but wow I would not want to stay in those bunk beds in the economy section!
ReplyDeletehahahaha those are perfect for more adventurous and cowboy-type of travelers
DeleteWe have never been but cruising is one of our dreams and looking at your pictures want us to plan one very soon. We dont think crusing can ever be boring with so much to do there surrounded by the nature.
ReplyDeleteexactly :D
DeleteThis looks like such a lovely, colourful boat! I've not had much experience of sailing - the one time I took a ferry, we ended up having to sleep out on the open deck because of ticket problems! :O THIS looks like a much better way to travel!
ReplyDeleteI also experienced the same Danielle! Hahaha it was stressful at first, but I chose to forget about that problem and just enjoy what I have. I also ended up sleeping on the open deck, good thing it didn't rain, hahaha but it was a good experience :)
DeleteThe inside of the ship is amazing! Not so sure about the outside.... reminds me of a cargo ship! Looks like you still had a great experience!
ReplyDeleteYeah, but what matters most is the inside of the ship.. I don't care much on its outside appearance
DeleteThis looks like a lavish cruise, cruising in the Philippines in such luxury should be an awesome experience. Never been on a cruise, hope to do this some day.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful ship! And I love the look of the beauty products. I think traveling by ship is so glamorous. Looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI did! And I'm excited to travel more with 2Go. Yeah such a classic skincare :)
DeleteFabulous post and I LOVE cruising! I was on three cruises last year and have one later on this year, but I have never been on an 2Go cruise, so it was interesting to read all about it and see the photos too! What a great adventure! Karen
ReplyDeleteOhh good for you! I also want to try other cruise line, and luxury cruise includes in my bucket list.
DeleteYou're so right about the accidents. They can happen anytime anywhere irrespective of the country.
ReplyDeleteThe cruise looks beautiful. I've never been on a ship, I'm still stuck to small boats :) you had a great time
if you survive using a small boat, oh definitely you should try a bigger one! Thanks Tamshuk :)
DeleteLove the pink also :) So feminine and fun! I definitely agree that all forms of transportation have their risks, but it's still worth going. I hope this becomes a popular mode of transport :) I love the sea. Cute write-up!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tae! You are such a sweetheart :)
DeleteThat looks like a nice budget cruise ship, especially for first time cruisers. Love the pink logo.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer,
DeleteYeah totally budget friendly, and another good option to travel from island to island :)
I've never heard of this cruise line, but this is a very thorough review! I will have to consider them if I go on another one!
ReplyDeleteHello Meghan,
DeleteIf you will visit the Philippines, maybe you might consider taking a 2GO Cruise!
I haven't tried cruising around the Philippines yet but the 2gotravel looks like a good idea to navigate and visit different big city islands abd cheaper option to flying.
ReplyDeleteHello Anne,
DeleteYeah and you can save a lot from your travel money :)
I love cruising but have never heard of go2travel . I am going to look into it though as looks a nice way to travel. I don't think I would like economy though as I don't like sharing lol
ReplyDeleteThanks anonymous! Hope you'll avail their travel services soon!
DeleteWow, this looks quite comfy, I would love to travel with 2Go I guess! Very helpfull article!
ReplyDeleteThank you A.Petit!
DeleteI have been to many cruises here in Greece, as it was part of my job! I love the sea and the ships and I travel every year by boat. This cruise ship is so awesome! That thing you mentioned about the wave sounds? Yeah, I made it a picture on my head. And it looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteOhh you are soo lucky to be always in a cruise!
DeleteExtremely detailed round-up of the cruise liner, complete with food and amenities and facilities of all kinds. You are right, lot of people are wary of travelling by sea, and I am one of them. In fact, I love train travel the most. Maybe, I would be ready for short-hauls at the most :)
ReplyDeleteHello Punita,
DeleteOur train sucks! Its scary actually, lol
Wow....such a colorful cruise. You excitement is evident from the pics.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I would love to cruise again soon :)
DeleteThat is indeed a beautiful ship. And you look gorgeous. And yes, we must face our fears and travel by any mode...It definitely should not stop us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ami! Well I do have one limitations on travelling - I don't ride motorbikes!
Delete