Mabuhay Maritime Express – PAL Group now swims
Mabuhay Maritime Express is the newest member of the Philippine Airlines Group.
Yesterday, March 8, 2019, The PAL Group started an entirely new fast ferry service from Kalibo to Boracay. A shuttle-bus brings passengers directly from Kalibo International Airport (KLO) to the new port. This new port had been built at high speed just 2.6 kilometres from the airport.
The Mabuhay Maritime Express – the MV Malambing Express is a fast and modern catamaran with 3 classes. The fast-crafts ply the route in 1.5 hours.
The two 410-seater, high-speed catamarans, named MV Malambing and MV Magalang, had been built by Damen Shipyard Singapore PTE Ltd.
Schedule and Fares
Pros and Cons of Mabuhay Maritime Express
Surely a positive point is the comfortable direct link between Kalibo and Boracay.
Another positive point is the enhanced safety. Still trembling, I remember the freaky van rides especially in the hills between Tangalan and Ibajay.
Arriving within 2 hours on Boracay island is very fast. With bus or van you are in the same time only in Caticlan.
On the negative side I found the rather high fares of at least PHP 750 per ride. Van and bus rides are between 100 and 200 Pesos. But if you compare with the resort transfer rates, the boat trip is much cheaper and much more fun.
Only two trips in the early afternoon and back in the evening/night are not enough. These two trips do not yet match the arrivals and departures of the PAL Manila-Kalibo flights. I presume that this will change soon.
Read also our overhauled Panay page. The last two maps are still under construction. It’s some kind of soft-opening Pinoy style – haha.
I share your doubts – taking a taxi immediately after your arrival in Kalibo, you pay about Peso 1’000.– for the trip one way (3 Pax). At the moment, the PAL-flight arrives at 09:40 from Manila to Kalibo. The new ferry leaves at 13:30. Hence, it does not seem to be too attractive to wait that long before one continues to Boracay.
Of course, meanwhile, quite a lot of direct flights from China & Korea might arrive in time to connect with the ferry within a good transit time.
Anyway, I belive that this again an investment which will peter out whithin short.
You can not judge PAL for this step… Anyway, I think it’s a good investment to connect flight paths and waterways in the Philippines.
In one booking 🙂
In Bohol I heard of plans to build a new fastcraft port between Baclayon and Tagbilaran. The new international airport on Panglao Island was opened 4 months ago…
My hope is to have international direct flights between Panglao and Honkong / Singapore / Kuala Lumpur / Bangkok with PAL (or 5J or why not AirAsia) in the near future.
Judge?
Please read again. I wrote about the pros and cons of this new ferry. And of course, it is my point of view.
Up to now i have no information about a fastcraft port on Bohol’s southern coast, except the FastCat ramp in Jagna.
Hope dies last – haha.
Cheers, waebi
sorry that was a missunderstanding. These were just my thoughts 🙂
You did not judge anything, thanks for the post!
The fastcraft port is probably just a rumor, but who knows what the future will bring…
En Gruess us de Schwiiz, de Früehlig isch hüt erwacht 🙂
It’s more fun in the Philippines.
Ich wünsch euch en schöne Früehlig. Bi eus isch es scho 31°C.7
Cheers, waebi
Hey you guys!
Is there an online booking for MME? Been looking anywhere but still couldnt find any details.