Cruising

Traveling to the Philippines’ 7,107 islands has never been easier, thanks to the Road Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO) Terminal System (RRTS), which continues to be a boon to Philippine tourism.

With the assistance of the Development Bank of the Philippines, under its Sustainable Logistics Development Program (SLDP), RRTS infrastructures have been developed to facilitate faster, cheaper, and more efficient transport of goods and people.

The RRTS now connects a total of 70 ports throughout the country, making it possible to drive to popular tourist destinations such as Boracay, Puerto Galera, Mactan, Panglao Island, Camiguin, and Dakak, and reducing the cost of travel for passengers by 37-43 percent.

Travelers can drive their cars to RORO ports and bring their cars aboard the RORO-PAX ferries. Upon reaching the port of destination, the cars can simply roll off the ferry and continue travel via land.

Bus lines also offer multiple daily trips across the country, with private van transport available from port to port.

If you find yourself in any RORO port and wish to explore nearby islands, RORO-PAX ferries also accept walk-in passengers aboard. With fares ranging from P150 to P400, and a number of trips scheduled throughout the whole week, RORO ferries certainly provide an alternative and more affordable way to travel.

After the recently concluded, five-day, P1M DBP Inter-island RORO Race Year 3 (where twins Jojo and Jedtz Tan and Star Circle talent Zaira dela Peña emerged as the winning team), plying the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Samar, Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Sur, Quezon and Manila using the Central Nautical Highway, the racers soon became experts at RORO travel.

Below are some important tips from the racers:

1) Arrange your trip schedule.
Plan ahead of time to make the most of your trip and avoid inconvenient delays. Research the schedules for the RORO trips you plan to take for the duration of your trip as well as the estimated travel time in between.

Log on to the website www.schedule.ph for the most comprehensive schedule of ferry trips across the Philippines, or visit individual shipping websites, such as http://www.lite-shipping.com (Lite Shipping) or http://www.montenegrolines.com.ph (Montenegro Lines).

If traveling from port to port via land, plan your trip to make allowances for planned activities such as tours or day trips, as well as travel time and rest stops to make sure you don’t miss your ferry schedule.

If you are catching a flight on another island, do not rely on the last boat to take you to your destination. To make allowances for delays, at least take the second to the last trip to make sure you do not miss your flight.

2) Book in advance.
If possible, book or reserve your tickets in advance to avail of any seasonal discounts and promotions. Booking tickets in advance in the peak seasons also ensures that you get seats on the schedule of your choice and lets you skip the long lines over the ticket counter at the port outlets.

3) Check the weather.
On your trip, keep abreast of weather forecasts around the RORO ports you will be using, as inclement weather may cause trip cancellations. Check with the ticketing office in the area for updates so you can make the necessary changes in your travel plans should the need arise.

4) Seasick?
If you are prone to sea sickness, make sure you are well rested before boarding, and take travel medicine an hour before departure. Bring along extra medicine for the trip. If you become dizzy or nauseated, a bit of fresh air on the vessel’s deck will help.

5) Charge before boarding.
With the length of travel on the land routes as well as time spent on the RORO vessels, cellphones and other electronic gadgets are bound to run out of juice. Although charging stations are available onboard RORO vessels, it is better to charge your gadgets before boarding to avoid losses or charging fees.

6) Pack essentials for sea travel.
A travel pillow and blanket will come in handy if you want to sleep off the voyage aboard the RORO vessel, or are on the night ferry. Not all RORO vessels sections have reclined chairs or bunk beds installed in them and aircon temperatures can get freezing; your own pillow and blanket can ensure your comfort on the trip.

For entertainment, pack playing cards, books, and small toys for the children, although most RORO vessels are equipped with karaoke machines, or widescreen TVs that continuously play videos. Snack counters aboard the RORO offer limited fare and can be expensive, so pack enough snacks and lots of mineral water to last you through the trip.

7) Keep kids supervised.
If you are bringing kids on the trip, make sure they are supervised at all times on board, especially near deck railings and staircases, to avoid any untoward incidents.

Bag safety.
Make sure your baggage is placed within your line of vision. When boarding or disembarking from the vessel, entrust your baggage only to official, uniformed porters with proper identification, and make sure to get the name or number on their shirt. Establish a meeting place with the porter to make it easier to locate your bags.

9) Enjoy the sights.
The major highlight of the RORO is easily the spectacular showcase of land formations, beaches and wildlife, so slap on some sunblock, and enjoy the sights and the sea breeze out on the observation deck.