Manila to Davao via MV Maligaya
WITH the Philippines being an archipelago of 7,641 islands, the best way to see as many islands as possible in a single trip is not by land or air but by sea. This was how our ancestors traveled in ancient times: they built boats to go from one island to another. Before land or air travel became popular, Filipinos traveled by sea.
Sea travel still exists today, and people use this form of mobility for various reasons. It is less expensive compared to flying, and you can bring up to 50 kilos of luggage without extra cost. For a family who enjoys traveling together, it allows for more bonding moments. For an adventurer, it provides an opportunity to see many parts of the country that are not often seen during usual land trips.
Sea travel nowadays is quite different from several decades ago when you had to board overcrowded vessels that took forever to reach their destinations. Modern ships now offer «cruise-like» comfort with clean, air-conditioned accommodations. They also offer a variety of amenities for shopping, entertainment, and dining to keep passengers busy while on board.
To experience what it's like to travel by sea, I decided to book a 45-hour voyage from Manila to Davao on 2Go Travel's MV Maligaya. This was my experience.
Booking a voyage
The quickest way to book a trip is to do it online. I visited the 2Go Travel website and checked their destinations and schedules. The company has several destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao, but the one that caught my interest was the trip to Davao, which takes 45 hours according to the schedule. I had never been at sea this long, and I was excited.
AdvertisementLike airline booking, if you book early, you get a good price. In my case, I booked a month earlier and got a business class cabin with five free meals for only P2,382. Getting a mega-value class ticket is even cheaper, but I decided against it because I was afraid my snoring might keep everybody in the economy area awake at night.
Checking in
The terminal for 2Go Travel is located at North Port Passenger Terminal at Pier 4, Manila North Harbor. It is a modern passenger terminal that operates like an airport.
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