the ferries are HUGE - they carry hundreds of passengers, as well as automobiles; they have two levels and many different seating areas, some with TV's, and you can also be outside on the deck if you like. There is a food shop onboard, where you can get a full plate of hot cooked food or small snacks.

i never got seasick on them; i've taken the ferry about 10 different times and always found it to be a pretty smooth ride, although there are occasional bumpy spots if there's heavy weather, and of course it's very loud due to the engines. But in general i think it's WAY more fun than flying!

Thanks for response. I remember going out to see the whales in Newfoundland and almost died from the boat rocking so I am just checking. Maybe, I can go by the ferry to get the experience and if I really don't like it, I will fly back.

I am not staying near to the airport, so I will have to take a taxi anyway. Most likely, I will arrange for a pickup.

The time of the year is also a factor that determines how rough it will be. I went one November and it was only in the last half hour before arrival in Scarborough that I started to feel sick - that was the longest half hour ever. LOL. Maybe it was the sight of other people being sick that actually brought on my feeling even though I took one of those "seasick" pills to prevent it before we set sail.

I prefer flying. But its almost same time to get to Tobago when you consider airport check-in time vs sailing time.

Most times people would say passing through the Bocas is rough. I haven't gotten sick yet and always take my Gravol before. But sometimes its just sickening to see the people around you vomiting and to have to go to the nasty washrooms when people go in there and mess it up.

Books your tickets early if its a peak travel time like Carnival, Easter, July-August etc.

Thanks for information. I think that I will fly. I understand that there is now an airport bus to the airport from South Quay area. Does it go directly or does it make a lot of stops along the Eastern Main Road. I may have to use this. I don't think that I want to see people vomiting. I have a very sensitive nose and I don't think that I will be able to stomach it. Do you know what time the bus starts to depart from P.O.S.? Thanks.

After reading the forum again, I finally decided to travel by the ferry last February. The sea was pretty calm both ways. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the workers. They really have a good boarding system for getting the people and cars on in time. I got to travel on both ferries, although I preferred the newer one. I was amazed at the cleanliness of the washrooms - at least they were when I travelled. Much cleaner than some of the public washrooms here. I was fortunate to have a friend who offered to take his car over so I did not have to keep hiring cars while I was in Tobago. Thanks for the ferry service. If you are travelling by the ferry, don't forget to book ahead of time at a travel agency. Some days there are no tickets left. You are required to be at the docks two hours ahead of departure time. The 2 1/2 hour trip just flew. I did not get sea sick. I will surely travel this way next time.

Did you see anyone on the boat get sick?

They really do have a good system to get vehicles on and off the boat quickly and efficiently. They deserve commendation for that.

And on boarding passengers too.

AdHah: I did see the stewards running around giving one or two people bags and it was disgusting watching a woman standing vomiting in a bag. She could have sat down or gone to the washroom. She was the only person that I saw on both trips vomiting. By the way, there is a sign in the washroom that says "DO NOT VOMIT IN THE SINKS". So they are trying to get people to stop doing that. When I was returning to POS, I stupidly sat in front of the ferry (it was the older one) for a good view and I did feel a bit of movement when we were leaving the port in Scarborough and my friend told me that was the reason why I was feeling a bit of movement, it soon passed as we got further out. The bottom line, if you sit midway in the ferry, I think you should be fine. I have gone whale watching in Newfoundland and though it was the end of my life, this was very calm. Maybe it was just the time of the year - I travelled in February. I enjoyed the trip so I can't complain. The time just flew.