Have you ever heard of the term “vomit comet”? No, me neither…. it’s not a type of space shuttle, but rather a nickname for a type of boat that can cause motion or seasickness. And let me tell you, the QE IV Ferry Service definitely, but affectionately deserves it’s nickname. Regardless of its nicknae, it is still one of the most dependable of all the island ferries.
I recently had the opportunity to take a trip from St. Thomas to St. Croix. The QE IV is advertised as a smooth and swift ride, but let’s just say the water wasn’t exactly cooperating this day. Thus, the QE IV lived up to its nickname on this trip. Lol.
As soon as we set sail, I knew I was in trouble. The boat was swaying back and forth, and I could feel my stomach turning. And to make matters worse, I had just finished a large lunch. I tried my best to hold it together, which I ultimately did. But I came dangerously close to officially becoming a member of the “vomit comet club”. Others were not as fortunate.
SPECIAL NOTE: From years of experience on rough seas, looking down at your phone or reading a book is the worst thing you can do. It is always best to look out the window at the horizon, this gives you a sense of equilibrium with your mind and body. This trickery does wonders when it comes to controlling nausea and seasickness.
Kidding aside, the boat itself is a real beauty. With its ultra-strong and safe four-hulled design, I felt like I was riding the waves on a very sea-worthy vessel. Despite the crazy waves, it was still a reasonably smooth ride! The boat seems to have been built for the choppy waters, I was very impressed by the ease by which it was gliding across the sea.
The ferry departs from Blyden Terminal in St. Thomas at 3:00 PM sharp, you will want to arrive about 30-45 minutes early for check-in. As soon as I stepped on board, I was greeted by a friendly crew who made me feel right at home.
As we made our way to St. Croix, I took in the breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and even made a couple of new friends along the way. The trip was approximately 90 minutes and before I knew it, we had arrived at Gallows Bay in St. Croix.
Overall, my experience on the QE IV ferry was definitely an adventure. It wasn’t exactly a smooth ride, but it wasn’t any fault of the vessel, but rather the 6 to 8-foot seas we had to endure. Just remember to pack some ginger chews and a strong stomach! The ferry is a convenient and great way to do a little island hopping on your visit to the Virgin Islands. The staff was great, and the seats are comfortable. We also arrived right on time which was a bonus. It was a positive experience which I recommend trying.
It is partly the fault of the vessel. Its length to width ratio causes it to have a corkscrew motion in the waves which most people find sickening.
Unfortunately, the designer is more experienced at designing cars than boats and it resulted in a vomit comet.
I use the nick-name (as was referred to me by many locals) with affection. What the boat lacks for in any design, she more than makes up for in capability in rough seas and reliability in keeping a timely schedule. Over-all my experiance was a good one!