Premier Jetfoil to Macau
Sep 11, 2011, 8:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 333
Premier Jetfoil to Macau, including a Video Trip Report
Since I don't think that people have ever thought of posting a one-hour ship ride on a Trip Report, I thought I could contribute to the experience.
Date: September 10, 2011
Arrived at Shun Tak Center at Sheung Wan in Hong Kong, by KMB/NWFB Bus Route 115 from the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Sorry, didn't want to do the MTR thing in the urban sections, due to the overcrowding. Bought the ticket at the Premier Grand Services Lounge on the Ground Floor near the Taxi Stand and decided to use the Premier Grand Lounge before the boarding since I arrived in the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal @ 13:00 with a purchase of a Premier Grand Class 14:00 sailing for HKD 368 (I have a Stored Value Tickets from TurboJET, use like an Octopus Card). Regular Price $386 for Daytime Sailings and $448 for Night Sailings (Approximately USD 50 and 58, respectively).
The Lounge, Immigration and Boarding
The services lounge on the Ground Floor can be used exclusively by the Premier Grand Class passengers, featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, two computer stations for internet use, complementary snacks and refreshments (no alcohol here, sorry). Of course in this lounge, you can help yourself, provided that you register with the TurboJET Staff. I enjoyed the lounge until 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing and headed for boarding through the West Bridge at the Ferry Terminal.
The Immigration procedures went smoothly, since I am an HK resident, I used an e-Channel immigration clearance system and only mere seconds after using it, I'm cleared to proceed.
Heading downstairs to the boarding hall, I was guided by the service attendant to the Premier Grand Lounge at the Hall. From there I was assigned my seat for the ship. Yes, you have to register for your seat assignment for all, including Economy Class. It was small by lounge standards, very basic; only a few couches and a few sink-in leather chairs with carpet flooring. Not a lot of noise reduction since the walls are more like makeshift dividers. By boarding time at around 13:52, we we’re escorted by the terminal crew from the “Premier Grand Waiting Lounge” to a separate door away from the general boarding line-up.
When I went towards the ship, luck would of bought me over to the FUNCHAL vessel, one of the two Boeing 929s from TurboJET that have been outfitted with the Premier Grand Class interior. The other Premier Jetfoil vessel is designated as TERCEIRA, which is in a white livery (dating back to the early 2000s) the actual flagship of TurboJET. Onboard, I was greeted by the service attendant who directed me over to my seat, which was at the front of the cabin through the starboard aisle (Seat 1M).
Boarding for the Premier Grand Class and like all premium accommodations in transportation, was very civilized and orderly, not a whole lot of misunderstandings as we all take our seats as assigned by the Terminal Crew.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrN_4u6lgi0
Date: September 10, 2011
Arrived at Shun Tak Center at Sheung Wan in Hong Kong, by KMB/NWFB Bus Route 115 from the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Sorry, didn't want to do the MTR thing in the urban sections, due to the overcrowding. Bought the ticket at the Premier Grand Services Lounge on the Ground Floor near the Taxi Stand and decided to use the Premier Grand Lounge before the boarding since I arrived in the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal @ 13:00 with a purchase of a Premier Grand Class 14:00 sailing for HKD 368 (I have a Stored Value Tickets from TurboJET, use like an Octopus Card). Regular Price $386 for Daytime Sailings and $448 for Night Sailings (Approximately USD 50 and 58, respectively).
The Lounge, Immigration and Boarding
The services lounge on the Ground Floor can be used exclusively by the Premier Grand Class passengers, featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, two computer stations for internet use, complementary snacks and refreshments (no alcohol here, sorry). Of course in this lounge, you can help yourself, provided that you register with the TurboJET Staff. I enjoyed the lounge until 20 minutes before the scheduled sailing and headed for boarding through the West Bridge at the Ferry Terminal.
The Immigration procedures went smoothly, since I am an HK resident, I used an e-Channel immigration clearance system and only mere seconds after using it, I'm cleared to proceed.
Heading downstairs to the boarding hall, I was guided by the service attendant to the Premier Grand Lounge at the Hall. From there I was assigned my seat for the ship. Yes, you have to register for your seat assignment for all, including Economy Class. It was small by lounge standards, very basic; only a few couches and a few sink-in leather chairs with carpet flooring. Not a lot of noise reduction since the walls are more like makeshift dividers. By boarding time at around 13:52, we we’re escorted by the terminal crew from the “Premier Grand Waiting Lounge” to a separate door away from the general boarding line-up.
When I went towards the ship, luck would of bought me over to the FUNCHAL vessel, one of the two Boeing 929s from TurboJET that have been outfitted with the Premier Grand Class interior. The other Premier Jetfoil vessel is designated as TERCEIRA, which is in a white livery (dating back to the early 2000s) the actual flagship of TurboJET. Onboard, I was greeted by the service attendant who directed me over to my seat, which was at the front of the cabin through the starboard aisle (Seat 1M).
Boarding for the Premier Grand Class and like all premium accommodations in transportation, was very civilized and orderly, not a whole lot of misunderstandings as we all take our seats as assigned by the Terminal Crew.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrN_4u6lgi0
Last edited by CX_First; Sep 11, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Sep 11, 2011, 8:55 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 333
Cabin, Service & Seat
The seats in general are not really any wider than the Economy Class seats that you get out of an airliner, but they are furnished with buttery leather accenting the luxurious surroundings of this minimalist cabin. The Premier Jetfoil is fitted with LED lights throughout the cabin, the ceiling, the bulkheads and even the emergency floor lights.
For the Premier Jetfoil, the Premier Grand Class seats are the only seats that offer reclining which there are 40 of them (28 in the Main Deck), sufficient for a one hour ride, but the legroom for the seats on the sides of the cabin as opposed to the middle set of seats are very generous. Even in the front row on the sides of the ship, you can still stretch your legs as opposed to the front row of the middle set of seats, which have a rather slightly restricted stretch room. As the boarding is coming to a close, 23 seats have been occupied in the cabin.
The Premier Grand is also located in the Upper Deck with 12 seats behind the cockpit (2 abreast with 3 rows on each side of the vessel, with the stair enclosure in between, with a mini galley on the port side and a lavatory on the starboard side, by the cockpit entrance). But for this sailing, the upper deck Premier Grand Class was closed, due to insufficient demand.
Catering
As we head off to Macau, the Premier Grand Class passengers we’re given complementary food & beverage services. For this sailing, we we’re given snacks instead of mains, going by TurboJET’s catering schedule, it’s appropriate that snacks be offered instead of lunch, since the departure occurred at 14:00.
Today, the offering consisted of a mini-mushroom quiche, a cranberry scone with butter and strawberry preserves, aloe vera jelly and orange juice. For a one-hour boat ride, the food standards weren’t too bad not the best, yet not inedible. Unfortunately, I was one of the last to be served (the disadvantage of travelling solo, seating solo) due to the family of four that was sitting behind my seat, with the children having the hot dogs. Believe it or not, they served our meals out of restaurant style plates and cups, not aircraft style containers nor disposable cutlery.
As the sailing progressed, I did felt a bit hungry after the initial offering of snacks, so I decided to order some crisps and a cup of peppermint tea. Surprisingly, they even offered my tea with a small piece of chocolate (coffee flavoured truffle of some sorts). They do that if you ask for coffee too. I believe they do offer lattes or cappuccinos on the Premier Jetfoil in the Premier Grand Class too. Even my crisps we’re presented on a plate instead of just giving me a bag or a can (in the case of Pringles) lined with a doyley.
After the second offering of my food & refreshments, I decided to take a nap in the remaining 30 minutes onboard. The seats are nicely padded not too hot, even though it’s leather upholstered. Very quiet and managed to nap without feeling disturbed. You may request blankets from the crew, which I didn’t request, as it is summertime and the ship not really having too strong of an HVAC.
For the Premier Jetfoil, the Premier Grand Class seats are the only seats that offer reclining which there are 40 of them (28 in the Main Deck), sufficient for a one hour ride, but the legroom for the seats on the sides of the cabin as opposed to the middle set of seats are very generous. Even in the front row on the sides of the ship, you can still stretch your legs as opposed to the front row of the middle set of seats, which have a rather slightly restricted stretch room. As the boarding is coming to a close, 23 seats have been occupied in the cabin.
The Premier Grand is also located in the Upper Deck with 12 seats behind the cockpit (2 abreast with 3 rows on each side of the vessel, with the stair enclosure in between, with a mini galley on the port side and a lavatory on the starboard side, by the cockpit entrance). But for this sailing, the upper deck Premier Grand Class was closed, due to insufficient demand.
Catering
As we head off to Macau, the Premier Grand Class passengers we’re given complementary food & beverage services. For this sailing, we we’re given snacks instead of mains, going by TurboJET’s catering schedule, it’s appropriate that snacks be offered instead of lunch, since the departure occurred at 14:00.
Today, the offering consisted of a mini-mushroom quiche, a cranberry scone with butter and strawberry preserves, aloe vera jelly and orange juice. For a one-hour boat ride, the food standards weren’t too bad not the best, yet not inedible. Unfortunately, I was one of the last to be served (the disadvantage of travelling solo, seating solo) due to the family of four that was sitting behind my seat, with the children having the hot dogs. Believe it or not, they served our meals out of restaurant style plates and cups, not aircraft style containers nor disposable cutlery.
As the sailing progressed, I did felt a bit hungry after the initial offering of snacks, so I decided to order some crisps and a cup of peppermint tea. Surprisingly, they even offered my tea with a small piece of chocolate (coffee flavoured truffle of some sorts). They do that if you ask for coffee too. I believe they do offer lattes or cappuccinos on the Premier Jetfoil in the Premier Grand Class too. Even my crisps we’re presented on a plate instead of just giving me a bag or a can (in the case of Pringles) lined with a doyley.
After the second offering of my food & refreshments, I decided to take a nap in the remaining 30 minutes onboard. The seats are nicely padded not too hot, even though it’s leather upholstered. Very quiet and managed to nap without feeling disturbed. You may request blankets from the crew, which I didn’t request, as it is summertime and the ship not really having too strong of an HVAC.
Sep 11, 2011, 8:56 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 333
Disembarkation
When the boat pulled up to the Macau Maritime Terminal, the Premier Grand Class passengers we’re offered priority disembarkation along with the passengers in the VIP Suites, which there we’re none for this sailing. This was followed by the passengers in Super Class, located immediately behind the attendant service area by the 2 VIP Suites (One on each side of the vessel). Finally, by the Economy Class passengers, located upstairs behind the bulkhead at the stair landing.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqJp63eK1b0
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqJp63eK1b0
Sep 12, 2011, 10:44 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 333
-Guia*
-Horta
-Lilau*
-Taipa*
-Cacilhas
-Sao Jorge
-Pico
-Madeira
-Flores
-Urzela
When these vessels we're already in use, they we're used by a company "Far East Jetfoil" prior to TurboJET's days, which was a result of a merger of "Far East Jetfoil" and "Turbocat". They originally had 3 more Jetfoils, but those we're sold to South Korea since the TurboJET inception.
Sep 13, 2011, 1:24 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 333
With the fare here's as it follows (All in Hong Kong Dollars)
Hong Kong to Macau
Economy Class
Weekdays: $151
Weekends & Holidays: $163
Nights (including overnights): $185
Super Class
Weekdays: $291
Weekends & Holidays: $311
Nights (including overnights): $330
Premier Grand Class Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $386
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings) $448
Premier VIP Suites (4-seats) Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $1919
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings): $2544
Macau to Hong Kong Effective September 14, 2011
Economy Class
Weekdays: $141
Weekends & Holidays: $153
Nights (including overnights): $175
Super Class
Weekdays: $281
Weekends & Holidays: $301
Nights (including overnights): $320
Premier Grand Class Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $376
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings) $438
Premier VIP Suites (4-seats) Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $1879
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings): $2504
For additional information, please consult:
http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/prd.asp
Last edited by CX_First; Sep 13, 2011 at 1:39 am
Sep 13, 2011, 3:20 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Knightsbridge, London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 93
Glad you enjoyed reading my TR and hope you enjoyed my video as well.
With the fare here's as it follows (All in Hong Kong Dollars)
Hong Kong to Macau
Economy Class
Weekdays: $151
Weekends & Holidays: $163
Nights (including overnights): $185
Super Class
Weekdays: $291
Weekends & Holidays: $311
Nights (including overnights): $330
Premier Grand Class Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $386
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings) $448
Premier VIP Suites (4-seats) Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $1919
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings): $2544
Macau to Hong Kong Effective September 14, 2011
Economy Class
Weekdays: $141
Weekends & Holidays: $153
Nights (including overnights): $175
Super Class
Weekdays: $281
Weekends & Holidays: $301
Nights (including overnights): $320
Premier Grand Class Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $376
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings) $438
Premier VIP Suites (4-seats) Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $1879
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings): $2504
For additional information, please consult:
http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/prd.asp
With the fare here's as it follows (All in Hong Kong Dollars)
Hong Kong to Macau
Economy Class
Weekdays: $151
Weekends & Holidays: $163
Nights (including overnights): $185
Super Class
Weekdays: $291
Weekends & Holidays: $311
Nights (including overnights): $330
Premier Grand Class Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $386
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings) $448
Premier VIP Suites (4-seats) Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $1919
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings): $2544
Macau to Hong Kong Effective September 14, 2011
Economy Class
Weekdays: $141
Weekends & Holidays: $153
Nights (including overnights): $175
Super Class
Weekdays: $281
Weekends & Holidays: $301
Nights (including overnights): $320
Premier Grand Class Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $376
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings) $438
Premier VIP Suites (4-seats) Only offered on the Premier Jetfoil sailings
Day (including Weekends & Holidays): $1879
Nights (not offered on overnight sailings): $2504
For additional information, please consult:
http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/prd.asp
Sep 14, 2011, 10:15 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 333
If you're going to take a side tour of Macau, you only need a full day to pull it off. I would suggest that you leave Hong Kong during mid-morning to get the most of it.
Sep 14, 2011, 2:32 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Knightsbridge, London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 93
Oct 10, 2011, 9:00 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 333
New Video on the Premier Jetfoil
I just recently posted a new video in the Premier Grand Class on the Premier Jetfoil.
This time, I got on board the TERCEIRA, the infamous White Boat from TurboJET.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piWJSmVeXKs
Enjoy the video.
This time, I got on board the TERCEIRA, the infamous White Boat from TurboJET.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piWJSmVeXKs
Enjoy the video.