Day 1: Caticlan Bound

So are you really gonna do this? Just make sure you’ve read my reminders, if you haven’t yet you can click here, and if you agree to comply with them then read on! 

The Preparation: 

Voyage Schedule: 8pm, we booked our tickets on-line via www.2gotravel.com.ph and paid via credit card.

Our accommodation of choice: Tourist Class.  

photo from 2go Travel

What you need to do on the day of the voyage: 

1. Print out 2 copies of your e-tickets and hotel vouchers. They will be getting one of your copy and the other you can keep as a back-up.
2. Pack your stuff. There will be a lot of stairs involved. I recommend that you just bring a duffel bag instead of a trolley. 

• Make sure that the ff items are handy 
• Money
• ID
• Tickets
• Pack the ff where you can easily get them
• Thin blanket/sarong, socks (optional) - just in case it gets too cold in the cabin
• Change of clothes (optional)
• Your overnight personal kit – toothbrush/paste, tissue packs, facial wash 
• Some snacks and water (there will be a 7-11 inside the terminal, but options are limited.

On our way to the Batangas Pier: 

Tip: ticket says you need to be checked-in 4 hours before. To be honest, arriving an hour and half before the Departure time will be fine, but then again, take into consideration that there will be a lot of variables in terms of traffic and probably the line to the counter, so allow some allowance as you deem necessary.  

Since we didn’t know that you can come in a bit late, I actually had the 4 hours before 8pm as my target arrival time at the pier. We left Boni/Edsa at 1:30pm. The Alps bus does pass by EDSA but we didn’t know how long the interval was and if there will still be seats so we decided to ride the bus to Alabang instead (The other option is to go to LRT/Buendia, they also have terminals of Batangas bound buses there). 


We got off at Alabang in front of the Starmall with the intention of walking back to Hen Lin where the Terminal was. Fortunately for us though, the Batangas Starexpress stopped just in time and there are still seats, so we hopped into that one instead. Downside though was this does not go through the Star Tollway and will still be passing Sto Tomas, Tanauan and Lipa, thus the longer travel time. Try to sleep for the next 2 hours, it will be a long drive. We arrived at the pier at 4:30pm.

our ride from Alabang to Batangas pier

one of the pink signs, very difficult to miss

Tip: There will be some who’ll offer assistance (thinking that you are bound for Puerto Galera), just walk straight to the terminal. Follow the signage that will lead you to the 2go office. There will be a ticket counter, but don’t get in line just yet. Since you already printed out your e-ticket, look for the guard beside the counter windows and ask help from him. He will give it to the cashier to print out your actual ticket. Stand near the counter window, they will call your name and ask for your ID.

lots of people, try your best not to be overwhelmed

Once you have your ticket, head over to the terminal (facing the counter window, it will be to your left).

you seriously can't miss it

your tambayan for the next couple of hours

Pay the terminal fee (30 pesos/pax), have your luggage scanned and head over to the 2go table and give them your ticket. They will tear of a section and give it back to you. 

terminal fee: 30pesos

total fare to Caticlan: 799.60pesos *big grin*

Tip: If you are travelling with a group, you can distribute the tickets now to the respective owner. Keep it in a handy place from now on, as you will be asked for it every once in a while throughout your trip. We’ve been asked for it a total of 5 times – during boarding, when requesting for linens, random check while walking around, random check while we were in the cabin, and when we returned the linens. 

There’s a 7-11 in the ground floor of the terminal, and some stalls that sells hot meals. The waiting area will be at the 2nd floor. There’s a couple of widescreen TVs to entertain you, and some more food stalls (similar to the set up of the Domestic Airport). There’s no wi-fi and no power outlets though, there’s a tindera who offered us to use her stall’s power outlet, but she will charge us. We passed-up on her offer; I guess it depends on how much you really need it.  

Tip: There are power outlets when you get to the ship, so if you can, just wait it out. 

Tip: There’s a water dispenser at one of the corners (farthest from the toilets), you can replenish your water bottle here for free.  

Boarding starts one hour before the scheduled departure time, so until then just relax and watch TV, eat some snacks. There are also a lot of roaming TESDA trained ladies offering manicure/pedicure, each service worth 50pesos, you can try those as well. 

mani/pedi while you wait

Tip: If you are not travelling with a group, try not to sleep and keep your eye on your bags, the terminal is not exclusive to 2go travelers so there will be lots of people moving around and waiting for their boarding time as well.       

Boarding Time:      

We started boarding at 7pm. Almost everyone wants to get in line right away, but you don’t have to. Just like in planes, your beds has already been assigned. So just let everyone go ahead and wait until the line thins out. They will ask the girls to line up on one side and the boys on the other as part of their security check. They will also ask everyone to put their bags on the floor and step away from it while they get the bomb sniffing dog. 

waiting for the girl's turn to board

the bomb sniffing dog

Once inside, just look for your bunk. It will be a combination of a letter and numbers. Example, for us it was 19-D and 19-B. It will not be difficult to look for your assigned bunks, but if you can’t find it, there are some roaming 2go staff that can help point you to the right direction. 

Tip: Just like in the plane, there will be some “trading” request. Imagine it in a grander scale, like groups of 15 to 25 doing this as someone prefers the lower bunk, higher bunk or be near their friends, family, etc.  If you don’t want to be bothered just politely say no (wag nyo ko gayahin, hehe!). 

Tip: Each row of bunks is labeled a number, example, one whole row is 1, next to it is 2, etc. The first lower bunk for a number is the “A,” the bunk on top of that is the “B,” and so on. Your bunk numbers are assigned as soon as you book your ticket, by then you will already have an idea if you are in a top or lower bunk and if you are near your friends. So using our bunk assignments as an example, 19B and 19D, we are both on the top bunks that are beside each other.    

Bunk beds inside the Tourist Cabin

Once you’ve settled, look for the “linens counter” so you can request for the sheets. You’ll need to show them your ticket, and leave an ID as a deposit. They’ll hand over a set per bunk (one pillow case and a flat sheet (that you can use as a blanket, or a bed cover. 

Getting Around: 

Although this is not a “luxury cruise ship,” there are still some spots that you can go to. I will be enumerating them but please lower your expectations. No, it’s not bad at all, just remember that this is your “accommodation” for the next 10 hours. 

So you’ve seen the beds, try to make yourself comfy. There will be a lot of people, but for the most part, each will just mind their own business, and you should do the same. If you want to walk around, you can. 'Eh, pano ang bags?' Well during our travel we didn’t notice anyone complaining that their bags were stolen. If you are apprehensive and don't think the honor system applies here, just leave behind the duffel bag with clothes and bring the rest of your valuables with you, or if you are with a big group, you can try roaming around by batch.

There’s a restaurant that offers hot meals, for the most part its ok, and you get your rice and your viand. Nothing special, I want to say expensive for 100/meal, but I guess given the situation that you are in the middle of the ocean; it should be categorized as ‘reasonable.’ There’s also a snack bar selling coffee, soft drinks, some chips and some sandwiches. Prices for them are again ‘reasonable’ but since the choices are limited, it’s really best to just bring your own. If you brought some cup noodles, they sell hot water for 5pesos per cup. 

LJ's dinner, he said it was decent

Cie's dinner, sauce was ok, not happy with the meat

Tip: If you are travelling with a group, and you really want to stretch your budget, I suggest that you just have a potluck to bring some snacks, viands and rice. While we were on board, we even noticed some people bring in their kalderos and they seem to be happy and definitely more busog  than us. 

There’s bar at the top deck, if you are travelling in the evening, they will have performers like a band or acoustic singer. We didn’t stay out though; probably if you are into drinking then this is the spot for you. (hindi kase ako ganun, chos!)

party people!!!

naks! kala mo ang laki! =p 

the small chapel area

They also have a clinic and a chapel on board. Restrooms are traditional, some sinks, toilets as well as shower areas. If you know you’ll be sensitive about the toilets, then don’t forget your wads of tissue and alcohol. Remember that people will be on-board for at least 10 hours, and there’s no service attendant dedicated to maintain the area, so manage your expectations, and just prepare for it.   

Good morning Caticlan!   

Morning came and you are finally near the Caticlan port. Hep! Not so fast, the ship needs to dock, and unfortunately, the pier is so small so we have to wait. This is similar to planes being delayed because there is no available runway. For us the scheduled arrival time was 5am, we finally docked at 7:30am. There were some irate passengers, but to be honest, what can you do? Just wait it out, bring out your book or any form of electronic entertainment and wait for the signal that you can now get out. 

so near, yet so far

Again, passengers will line-up, can’t blame them for being excited after two hours of ‘floating,’ you don’t need to join them. Wait for the crowd to thin out and happily walk out to the Caticlan sun shine!

Are you heading for Boracay? That’s my next post!

Wanna find out how we got back to Manila? Click here!