“You’re gonna journey for 37 hours on a RORO ferry from Manila to Bohol? Are you loopy?”
It was with a lot incredulity and disbelief when our mates heard of our plan to journey from Manila to Tagbilaran by way of 2GO’s MV St. Francis Xavier. The truth that we will truly get to Bohol in only one hour by aircraft versus going at it for nearly three days at sea made everybody scratch their heads.
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| BG AND KID A AT THE TOP DECK OF 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER |
However why not? We’ve been to cruise ships earlier than, and the journey time was for much longer. Granted, 2GO’s ships aren’t actually cruise ships, however nonetheless, we wished to strive an extended voyage utilizing a ferry within the Philippines. We heard it was truly enjoyable—a sailcation form of journey. Plus, with a number of spare time to spend, it’s gonna be a special form of journey for us. A becoming begin to our annual summer season journey, PreKinderTrip2024.
2GO MANILA TO TAGBILARAN
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| 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S ENTRANCE HALL |
As of this writing, 2GO sails each Tuesday from Manila to Tagbilaran by way of MV Masinag—we truly used MV St. Francis Xavier throughout our journey; I believe they rotate ships for his or her locations once in a while.
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| BG AND KID A PLAYING PLAY-DOH AT THE COMMON AREA |
MV Masinag has 5 totally different ship lodging. Observe that for the Stateroom and VIP Suiteroom, you’re paying for the complete room, so the charges are comparatively virtually the identical when you’re reserving for 2 individuals. Terminal charges are additionally included within the charges. Right here’s an inventory of their RORO lodging, from the most affordable to the most costly.
₱1,741.00 – Mega Worth Class
₱1,879.00 – Vacationer Class
₱2,379.00 – Enterprise Class for 4
₱8,293.00 – Stateroom for two
₱11,529.00 – VIP Suiteroom
► GET DISCOUNTED 2GO MANILA-CEBU TICKETS HERE!
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2GO BOARDING EXPERIENCE
The primary order of enterprise was understanding the place MV St. Francis Xavier can be crusing from. The vessel is called after the Jesuit founder, not after the X-Males founder, by the best way. I’ve truly no thought—having by no means boarded a ferry or RORO from Manila earlier than—my earlier RORO experiences have been at all times from the Batangas Pier.
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| MANILA NORTH PORT PASSENGER TERMINAL IN TONDO, MANILA |
We discovered via the 2GO Journey web site that it was on the Manila North Port Passenger Terminal 4 in Tondo, Manila. Excellent, because it was comparatively close to our place in Malabon. And since we have now two full suitcases, a big snack bag, and a toddler with us, we took a Seize Automotive going there. Vehicles and taxis are allowed to go contained in the pier.
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| TERMINAL WAITING AREA |
Upon alighting, we have been directed to pay for the terminal charge—as of this writing, terminal charges at the moment are included with the ticket fares. We then waited for the terminal constructing door to open. And as soon as inside, our stuff was scanned via an x-ray machine, our tickets validated, and we have been ushered to the gate main out to the berthed 2GO MV St. Francis Xavier ship. The method was similar to boarding a aircraft, solely the terminal’s a lot smaller and wasn’t airconditioned. The place was additionally very clear, though the method is considerably a bit disorganized.
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| BOARDING 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER |
Not like with cruise ships, the place they’ve a gently sloping ramp up the vessel, the one at MV St. Francis Xavier was a little bit of a problem. The best way going up was via a flight of stairs—no ramp to roll your baggage via. You may both carry your baggage or ask for a porter to hold it for you for a charge. Straightforward sufficient when you’re hauling only one piece of bag, however in case you have two or three—like us—then it will get fairly difficult actual fast.
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2GO FIRST IMPRESSIONS
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| THE FIRST THING YOU’LL SEE AFTER BOARDING 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER |
I used to be pleasantly stunned upon boarding 2GO MV St. Francis Xavier—this positively is not any abnormal RORO ferry. It is rather clear, the interiors are modernly embellished, and it even has a foyer with a entrance desk. Off the left is a Watsons Quickmart and on the proper is a salon. Additional forward, there’s a café, then a eating corridor with dwell performers. It doesn’t appear like your typical RORO in any respect, and it positively has that mini-cruise ship really feel to it!
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| 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER APPROACHING CEBU CITY |
The ship is big, and the ocean throughout our journey was fairly calm; our voyage isn’t rocky, and we didn’t expertise any sea illness in any respect.
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OUR 2GO ACCOMMODATION: TOURIST CLASS
We have been initially booked on 2GO MV St. Francis Xavier’s Vacationer Class cabin—the second most inexpensive class of lodging on the ship—alongside the C Deck. The world the place we have been assigned in has 4 sections, every one having two double deck beds—that’s 4 beds per part, for a complete of sixteen beds. The cabin is centrally airconditioned with shared bathroom and baths that may be accessed alongside the hallway.
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| 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER TOURIST CLASS |
The beds are fabricated from painted wooden and are fitted with a foam mattress and a pillow—this may be lined with a pillow and blanket cowl, which you could safe in the principle foyer.
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| WE TRIED THE TOURIST CLASS, BUT DECIDED IT’S REALLY NOT FOR US |
Whereas it was comfy to put on. It was kinda onerous to take a seat on the mattress because the headrooms on the decrease bunk are a bit low. There are additionally no devoted lockers so that you can safe your belongings in, so when you’re gonna get this class, make sure that your baggage have locks, and your valuables are in a smaller bag that’s with you on a regular basis.
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| TYPICAL 2GO PUBLIC CHARGING AREA |
There are additionally no electrical sockets for charging your digital devices—you’ll be able to both carry your individual powerbank or you’ll be able to cost on the energy stations positioned on sure elements of the ship for a minimal charge.
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| A TYPICAL HALLWAY IN 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER |
With all these concerns, we determined that the Vacationer Class cabin wasn’t for us. We went up the entrance desk and requested if we might improve our tickets to the next room class. Our names have been promptly written on an inventory, and we have been instructed to attend till the ship departs to see if there are rooms accessible. Some minutes later, because the ship departed Manila, we discovered that they do have rooms accessible for us.
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OUR FINAL 2GO ACCOMMODATION: STATEROOM FOR TWO
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| 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER STATEROOM FOR TWO |
There was a Stateroom For Two—a single-room cabin with an en suite bathroom and bathtub. We paid a further ₱500.00++ every for me and BG, to our authentic ticket charge to get the improve. Child A’s ticket wasn’t upgraded because the room is meant to accommodate a most of two individuals solely. However since Child A is only a toddler, they allowed the three of us to make use of the room. Bless your form hearts.
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| LOOK WHO’S HAPPY ABOUT OUR NEW ROOM |
The improve was completely value it even when the room appears in want of a make-over quickly.
We had all of it to ourselves—it’s actually spacious, airconditioned, has two very comfy double beds, a flatscreen sensible TV (no cable channels although), a mini-fridge, a closet, a desk workstation, energy retailers for charging, and most essential of all, an en suite bathroom and bathtub with a bidet and sizzling bathe. Toiletries and bathtub towels are additionally offered for.
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| IT HAS A FRONT ROW WINDOW |
I like the truth that the room additionally has a window—and never simply any window—however one proper in entrance of the ship. We’ve got a front-seat view of the place we’re going, women and gents.
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| TOILET AND BATH WITH BIDET AND HOT SHOWER |
The one factor lacking, actually, was an electrical kettle for making espresso or tea. Though there may be drinkable sizzling water accessible within the eating corridor space of the ship, a room of this class, for my part, ought to a minimum of have one.
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| WATCHING OUR FAVORITE MORNING NEWS SHOW ON THE SMART TV |
Nonetheless, our voyage positively felt much more cruise-shippy now!
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| KID A ENJOYING THE COMFY BED |
2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER FACILITIES
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| 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER LIST OF FACILITIES |
2GO MV St. Francis Xavier has 4 ship ranges or decks accessible for visitors.
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| B DECK’S OPEN WASHROOM AREA |
The first stage or D Deck homes the Supervalue Yellow Rooms, extra baggage space, and the livestock space.
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| TYPICAL SECOND CLASS CABINS |
The second stage or C Deck is all lodging: Vacationer Rooms and Supervalue Purple Rooms.
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| 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PRAYER ROOM AT B DECK |
The third stage or B Deck homes the reception space, clinic, prayer room, open wash rooms, Watsons quickmart, and Café 2GO.
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| HORIZON CAFE AT 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER |
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| THE MAIN HALL, ISLAND FIESTA |
It has two eating areas, Horizon Café and Island Fiesta, which can be the occasion corridor cum eating space. It additionally has State Room, Vacationer Cabin, and Mega Worth Cabin lodging.
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| 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER LIVE BAND |
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| CAFE 2GO FOR COFFEE AND PASTRIES |
This deck is the principle hub of MV St. Francis Xavier. Individuals principally congregate on the Island Fiesta eating corridor, the place a dwell band performs nightly. Right here, you’ll be able to truly eat meals, have a snack, or drink beer—that are all available from Watsons, Cafe 2GO, or you’ll be able to carry your individual—whereas watching the efficiency.
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| 10-PESO PER SONG AT THE 2GO VIDEOKE |
Throughout the day, a videoke machine is accessible for anybody who desires to sing their hearts out whereas in the course of the ocean. Fairly enjoyable, truly.
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| THE 2GO SALON IS ALWAYS BUSY |
The fourth stage or A Deck are all lodging: State Rooms, Vacationer Cabins, and Cabins. It has an out of doors space the place the smoking space is positioned.
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| THE 2GO MV ST. FRANCIS XAVIER TOP DECK |
The ship additionally has a high deck accessible for ship visitors to roam round in from 6:00 AM to six:00 PM.
It’s truly nice and enjoyable hanging out at this space in the course of the late afternoons when the solar isn’t as sturdy—snacking on chips and having beer whereas watching the passing islands and ready for the solar to set. Don’t go on the lookout for a swimming pool and a top-deck bar although; that is, in any case, nonetheless a RORO ship, lol.
2GO FOOD EXPERIENCE
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| MORNINGS AT THE 2GO HORIZON CAFE |
Since we have been billeted on 2GO MV St. Francis Xavier’s Stateroom, our day by day meals—that are included with the tickets for all passengers of the ship—are at Horizon Café. This eating corridor is unique for visitors staying in First Class kinds of lodging. Meaning you get higher meals, and also you don’t have to line up with the lengthy queue at Island Fiesta.
Observe that each one meals served at 2GO are halal.
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| TAPSILOG AND SAUSAGESILOG BREAKFAST |
Our first meal was for breakfast the following day. It was a alternative between beef tapa and sausage, plus scrambled eggs, rice, and low or juice. And since Child A nonetheless has a meals cross for the Island Fiesta, we have been additionally capable of strive their servings of beef longganisa. We ate with a view of the the Batangas Pier from the window.
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| CREAM DORY FISH FILLET AND CHICKEN CURRY FOR LUNCH |
Lunch, whereas in the course of the ocean, was cream dory fish fillet and hen curry with a aspect dish of mushroom soup, blended greens, and orange juice for drinks. Island Fiesta served hen adobo and guinisang togue.
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| BEEF CALDERETA AND BREADED CHICKEN FILLET FOR DINNER |
For dinner, we had breaded hen fillet and beef calderata with a aspect dish of guinisang upo and mushroom soup. A plate of fruit salad and orange juice accomplished the meal. Island Fiesta additionally served breaded hen fillet, however with a really lonely piece of fried eggplant.
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| GUINISANG TUNA AND CHICKEN EMBUTIDO FOR BREAKFAST ~ PHOTO BY BLISSFULGURO |
Whereas docked in Cebu, our last meal was breakfast for our third day at sea. We have been truly wanting ahead to it because the tapa yesterday was sensational. Sadly, the serving that morning—as we gaze out on the swish Cordova Bridge—was guinisang tuna with grean peas and hen embutido paired with scrambled egg, rice, and low.
►SEE: CEBU TRAVEL GUIDE
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| THEY EVEN HAVE DESSERTS! |
Surprisingly, a lot of the dishes we had at 2GO MV St. Francis Xavier have been above common—as in, sincere to goodness, scrumptious. We will’t ever neglect their beef tapa breakfast and their beef caldereta lunch—actually tender meat and really flavorful. I additionally like that lunch and dinner have been paired with aspect dishes and desserts. Our solely gripe was a lot of the dishes have been served chilly; it will positively have tasted even higher if served sizzling.
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THE FINAL VERDICT
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| WE ENJOYED OUR SAILCATION FROM MANILA TO TAGBILARAN |
We have been fortunate to have good climate throughout our journey—the ocean was calm and the voyage went easily all all through. We positively loved our 2GO voyage by way of MV St. Francis Xavier from Manila to Bohol. From our Stateroom lodging—which felt like we have been in a resort—to the superb dishes served throughout meal occasions, and the leisure on board. We have been truly stunned that 37 hours flew by so quick, we truly have been a bit unhappy because the journey ended. We wished to remain longer and have one other breakfast with that tapsilog meal once more!
2GO Journey
Contact Quantity: +63 (2) 8528-7000
E-mail: journey@2go.com.ph
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