Bluewater Express
Bluewater Express
2
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
2.0
178 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
22
Average
48
Poor
35
Terrible
67
cooldoc1971
Kuala Lumpur463 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
In comparison to its competitor Cataferry, Bluewater is really bad. The e-ticketing and check-in system was chaotic. During boarding we were told to take the ferry on the right, as we arrived, we were told to take the one on the left.
There is no social distancing at all during this pandemic time as evident in the photo attached. The cabin felt old, the seats were just okay, and the whole trip was uncomfortable.
In conclusion, get Cataferry as much as possible.
There is no social distancing at all during this pandemic time as evident in the photo attached. The cabin felt old, the seats were just okay, and the whole trip was uncomfortable.
In conclusion, get Cataferry as much as possible.
Written 24 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MandMandB
London, UK79 contributions
Before you go to the jetty you must pick up your boarding pass at the Bluewater Ferries office and then go to the Marine Conservation office to pay the fee to enter the park - you must have the ticket for this or you can be prosecuted and could get 3 years in prison so remember to do this! It was 30 MYR per adult when we travelled.
Our 13:00 ferry left an hour and 36 minutes late at 14:36.
Around 200 people were queuing from the boarding time (12:00) in high temperatures. Several boats were due to leave at the same time and there was a colour-coded boarding pass system. It was really chaotic and some people got frustrated and were getting angry with the staff which was not helping anyone.
The boat, Bistari 1, was very run down and dirty, with split seats and was really crowded. Thankfully it was air conditioned as the journey was 1 hour and 30 minutes long and the boat was very crowded. The afternoon crossing was very choppy which made the experience even less pleasurable.
We arrived 2 hours after scheduled but did arrive safely.
Our advice - use Cataferry - we went back to Mersing with them and they were punctual, very comfortable and clean.
Our 13:00 ferry left an hour and 36 minutes late at 14:36.
Around 200 people were queuing from the boarding time (12:00) in high temperatures. Several boats were due to leave at the same time and there was a colour-coded boarding pass system. It was really chaotic and some people got frustrated and were getting angry with the staff which was not helping anyone.
The boat, Bistari 1, was very run down and dirty, with split seats and was really crowded. Thankfully it was air conditioned as the journey was 1 hour and 30 minutes long and the boat was very crowded. The afternoon crossing was very choppy which made the experience even less pleasurable.
We arrived 2 hours after scheduled but did arrive safely.
Our advice - use Cataferry - we went back to Mersing with them and they were punctual, very comfortable and clean.
Written 14 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zixuan C
12 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
Counter staff at Mersing who helped with the booking was friendly. But the fairytale ends there when the ferry came.
Ticket was 11am @ Tekek and I arrived at 10am as per ticket checkin time. Ferry arrived at 10:40am. Boarding took awhile for unknown reasons everyone was jammed at the door. I waited for que to clear before I board hence I was the last few to board. After getting on the ship there was no seats?! They have to go up and down and squeeze me in between 2 big sized person and I effectively have half a seat, not to mention our party was split up since there was not enough seats. After waiting for like 1hr they decided to ask everyone to take out their tickets and surprise!! Tons of people have NO tickets and yet they managed to get through at least 2 rounds of checks? And they have a seat while paying customers don’t? So they collected cash from some customers (Chinese and Indians) while letting some move upstairs without paying?!(Not Chinese or Indian) So the nonsense continues for another 30 mins before setting off.
I came to the island on Cataferry and the ride took 1hr 15mins so essentially we waited at the jetty when we could have reached mainland. Not to mentioned now that the ferry is over capacity, it is travelling slower. There was another ship wawasan which was boarding customer when we left Tekek and when we reached Mersing, Wawasan passengers already disembarked.
Also, if you feel that the tropical weather on the island is too hot or humid, fret not! AC will make you feel like you are in the Swiss Alps
Ticket was 11am @ Tekek and I arrived at 10am as per ticket checkin time. Ferry arrived at 10:40am. Boarding took awhile for unknown reasons everyone was jammed at the door. I waited for que to clear before I board hence I was the last few to board. After getting on the ship there was no seats?! They have to go up and down and squeeze me in between 2 big sized person and I effectively have half a seat, not to mention our party was split up since there was not enough seats. After waiting for like 1hr they decided to ask everyone to take out their tickets and surprise!! Tons of people have NO tickets and yet they managed to get through at least 2 rounds of checks? And they have a seat while paying customers don’t? So they collected cash from some customers (Chinese and Indians) while letting some move upstairs without paying?!(Not Chinese or Indian) So the nonsense continues for another 30 mins before setting off.
I came to the island on Cataferry and the ride took 1hr 15mins so essentially we waited at the jetty when we could have reached mainland. Not to mentioned now that the ferry is over capacity, it is travelling slower. There was another ship wawasan which was boarding customer when we left Tekek and when we reached Mersing, Wawasan passengers already disembarked.
Also, if you feel that the tropical weather on the island is too hot or humid, fret not! AC will make you feel like you are in the Swiss Alps
Written 28 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hidayat S
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Family
Took the return trip on 16/3/20 10am from ‘ABC’ to mersing, during boarding crew never inform anything about faulty aircon. The ferry ride was pack to max or might even be over as these not enough seat for everyone, the ferry was design to be air conditioned so imagine how stuffy n hot it was for everyone as there is only 4 door that could be open. Children n elderly vomiting on board due bad conditions for the 2 hrs journey. When confront the ferry crew about the why was the passenger not inform and why they allow the trip to proceed even though the ferry has these problems they even have the cheek to say ‘ Customers only paid for the trip from tioman to mersing , not for the aircon’
Never again for us .
Never again for us .
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob G
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Please please choose the other Tioman ferry operator, Cataferry, over Bluewater. We tried both operators, and in terms of service, comfort and - most importantly - safety, Cataferry was by far superior. The Bluewater ferry was old and worn down. Don’t risk it!
Written 9 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Farid Apandi
11 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
First the plus points:
• Ticketing ok (booking, collection, price)
• Punctuality is fine (on time. No delay)
• Staff very friendly
The bad part:
• The terminal. My God! It’s 2020 and the place looks like stuck in the 1980’s!
• Dirty toilet (no surprise there)
• Very dirty (again, no surprise)
• Badly maintained. Broken seating, out of order fans etc
• And who the hell design the ferry system? Passenger and luggage from the same door!!?? They need to improve the system. It’s chaotic and old fashioned
• The ferry is in a sorry state
• The authority has to wake up! Obviously they’re just interested in collecting the revenue only
• Overall the ferry is a shame to the nation!
• Ticketing ok (booking, collection, price)
• Punctuality is fine (on time. No delay)
• Staff very friendly
The bad part:
• The terminal. My God! It’s 2020 and the place looks like stuck in the 1980’s!
• Dirty toilet (no surprise there)
• Very dirty (again, no surprise)
• Badly maintained. Broken seating, out of order fans etc
• And who the hell design the ferry system? Passenger and luggage from the same door!!?? They need to improve the system. It’s chaotic and old fashioned
• The ferry is in a sorry state
• The authority has to wake up! Obviously they’re just interested in collecting the revenue only
• Overall the ferry is a shame to the nation!
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damon F
18 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We travelled on Bluewater as part of our return trip from Tioman back to Mersing. Firstly the ferry we travelled on Wawasan I is so dirty! I couldn’t find one seat that was either full of Stains or full of cigarette burns. No smoking signs throughout the cabin, but gaps in seat frames are full of cigarette butts! The toilet is dirty and doesn’t flush! And it seems that the staff leave random and downright dangerous items around the boat including a knife being left on a ledge outside the toilet.
Never again!
Never again!
Written 4 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anis Syafiqah N
7 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Customer service is bad at tekek, the check in counter guy, yelled and upset over boarding and queue questions. I was asking couple of time to the other girl, she was polite, asking me to wait. They will call for boarding, i was with 30 people, family trip, everyone is anxious so when to them to confirm time, boarding and queuing time. Suddenly, the guy next to her started yelling, "this is only check in counter. Not when u asked about boarding time at what not. Just go inside. And wait to be called". I was stunned, i said OK, and started to queue with my family. But I could resist to think, and felling upset over his remark. You are working in service industry, have a bit of decency to be polite and attentive to customer. I am not asking for butler service. Asking for some guide and direction.
Also, no aircond in the ferry on the way back to mersing, they open the entry door.
Also, no aircond in the ferry on the way back to mersing, they open the entry door.
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
n a
2 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
I wished there were proper seating numbers and arrangement instead of first come first serve basis. Our main fear is being turned back when the seats are full. Boarding at tekek jetty is at disadvantage as the jetty was almost full by the time they reach Twkek Jetty. No assurance of the seat at our booking time
Written 5 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curtis B
Alcobaca, Portugal556 contributions
Feb 2020
Besides never being able to get a straight answer from anyone on this ferry system, this is the first ferry in Asia that I've come across that doesn't allow bicycles on board. We've traveled everywhere with our bike, ferries in Vietnam, Thailand, France, Portugal, even little rubber rafts allowed us to take our bikes - but this big old dilapidated ferry wouldn't.
That aside, we still tried to take them without our bikes and they were so disorganized we gave up.
That aside, we still tried to take them without our bikes and they were so disorganized we gave up.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is there an other option to go to tioman island please? Cataferry is full and bluewate seems horrible..
Written 24 July 2019
Which web site did you choose to book tickets? The web sites I can find do not specify the departure time but wants credit card information before specifying the desired departure. Also, do anybody know when the schedule for July 2019 will be posted - and where to find it?
Written 14 June 2019
Easybook website or iOS / Android app is the way to go. Good luck.
Written 16 June 2019
Hi, anyone knows if this operator still departs from Tg Gemok? Thanks! :)
Written 28 February 2018
I believe it does. We are traveling from Tanjong Gemok to Tioman in a couple of weeks using Cataferry. Bit more expensive but better service well recommended.
I won't use Bluewater again, please see my review on them.
Written 1 March 2018
Hi. Taking the ferry from Mersing to Tioman Island for three day stay on the island. Is there somewhere we can park our Car near the Mersing Ferry terminal please??
Written 20 October 2017
You can park your car near the ferry port. Just so you are aware they have moved the ticket sales to inside the new harbour centre
Written 21 October 2017
Hi, after reading review regarding the ferry service from Mersing or TG Gemok to Tiamon, not feeling very comfortable to travel by ferry? is there any other option or ferry company who organize trip to Tioman? TIA
Written 18 July 2017
I think you can charter a private boat which is going to be expensive. The unpredictability of the ferry schedule not only cost me a night's accommadation in Mersing but also loss of time at the resort. When I was at Tioman there was only one ferry that day which was 4.30pm. This means hanging around the terminal all day. On the way back the ferry left Tioman at 7am. This meant checking out at 6am, going from the resort to the Genting pick -up point by speed boat to meet the ferry. Aside from the ferry schedule the staff there were unhelpful, un-professional lay abouts.NEVER AGAIN.
Written 19 July 2017
I am travelling the end of August from Singapore to Tioman Islands. I read few reviews which left me with the impression that the process of booing and travelling is somehow chaotic. Here are my questions.
Does the online booking for the ferry and bus guaranty a seat and the trip on the chosen date?
What are the best bus and ferry companies to travel with?
Are the ferry crossings frequent in August?
Is it a good idea to spend the night in Mersing to spare me stress and ferry long queues and delays?
I highly appreciate your suggestions and advice. I am spending a month travelling throughout Malaysia and I am finding the organisation of the trip quite challenging.
Written 21 May 2016
Hi There, August is good to be in Tioman. Just be at the ferry termial in Mersing town by 8am and have your coffee or breakfast at the terminal. The ferry booth, plenty of them will open by 9am. Tioman is a beautiful island. Take your time and enjoy the process. There are many rest house or Hotels in Mersing town if you want to stay for the night before you take the ferry to tioman. Cheers. For average rate good resort in Tioman Island are located at kampong Salang, Tekek and Paya. For a more exclusive resort - Berjaya and Tunamaya
Written 19 July 2017
I am travelling the end of August from Singapore to Tioman islands. I have few questions to ask. Does the online booking guaranty the trip? What's the best bus company to travel with? What's the most reliable ferry company to use?Are the ferry crossings frequent? I am thinking of spending the night in Mersing to avoid stress and long queues before boarding the ferry. Is it a good idea?
Many thanks.
Radia
Written 20 May 2016
Nadia, you have to check before you go as there is only one company Bluewater going to Tioman. The ferry service is dependent in tide. There can be cancelation due to bad weather mainly monsoon season. If you coming in August make sure there is no school holidays. Personally one night is not enough if the ferry leaves at 12pm you won't get there till 2pm and might leave at the same time next day. We stayed 3 nights, loved it could not dive but as island was great. Enjoy
Written 22 May 2016
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