THE WORLD’S TOP 10 FERRY BOAT RIDES

FEB. 19, 2009- The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, recently polled its members to come up with the “Top 10” most exciting ferry rides in the world.  

 “Public and private ferry boats provide an inexpensive alternative to cruises, often traversing some of the world’s most beautiful harbors, fiords, rivers and waterways at bargain prices,” states SATW president, Bea Broda.

 Listed in order of votes with comments from SATW writers, are the world’s “Top 10” trips by ferry boat:

1.    Star Ferry in Hong Kong http://www.starferry.com.hk/home.html

·      “A ride aboard Hong Kong's Star Ferry is crammed with views and people to create the cheapest multi-cultural, multi-sensory cruise experience in the world.” Chris McBeath, guide book author and freelance travel writer

·      “The view from Hong Kong's Star Ferry at twilight is one of the best in the world.” Catherine Watson, freelance writer/photographer

·      “Hong Kong's Star Ferry provides great views of the city skylines and a glimpse into the lifestyle of Hong Kongers for under a buck.” Robin Robinson, Toronto Sun travel editor

·      “Star Ferry is the perfect introduction to the controlled frenzy that is Hong Kong.” Fred Gebhart, freelance travel writer

2.    Ferries from Sausalito to San Francisco, California  www.goldengateferry.org     www.blueandgoldfleet.com

·      “Crossing San Francisco Bay on a sunny afternoon, with Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge to the right, the Berkeley Hills to the left, and that glorious San Francisco skyline looming ahead; all that's missing is a bar of Ghirardelli Chocolate and a warm loaf of sourdough bread.” Eric Lindberg - freelance travel writer/photographer

·      “The San Francisco-Sausalito ferry follows almost the same route as the more expensive tour boats.” John Flinn, freelance travel writer

3.    Staten Island Ferry, New York harbor  www.siferry.com/

·      “The Staten Island Ferry is not new, squeaky clean, or super fast but it is iconic, and even with the World Trade Centers gone the view it offers of Manhattan is superb--and you get to see it all with local New Yorkers, not just tourists.” Christine Loomis, travel writer/editor

·      “Busy and bustling New York City shows you an entirely different, more romantic side when you're viewing it from the water.”  Katy Koontz, freelance travel writer

·      “Staten Island Ferry with twinkling skyline lights is a year-round Valentine.”  Jan Aaron, travel writer

4.    Washington State Ferries, Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands   <
[Back to Press Releases Main]