Bahama Mama ferry

Former name: Alhucemas

Bahama Mama ferry current position

Bahama Mama ferry current location is at West Mediterranean (coordinates 39.16591 N / 0.35240 E) cruising at speed of 21.6 kn (40 km/h | 25 mph) en route to Ibiza. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Bahama Mama ferry

Year of build2009  /  Age: 15
Flag state Malta
BuilderBarreras Shipyard (Vigo, Spain)
Classcruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship)
Ferry route / homeportsBarcelona-Ibiza, Denia-Ibiza-Palma de Mallorca
Speed23 kn / 43 km/h / 26 mph
Length (LOA)154 m / 505 ft
Beam (width)24 m / 79 ft
Gross Tonnage20238 gt
Passengers1000
Cars126
Beds206
Cabins48
Last Refurbishment2020
Former namesAlhucemas
OwnerBalearia Group
OperatorBALEARIA FERRIES

Bahama Mama ferry Review

Review of Bahama Mama ferry

MV Bahama Mama ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned and operated by the Spanish company BALEARIA. The ship has a max capacity of 1000 passengers and 126 cars. The vessel was launched in 2010 (under the name Alhucemas) and currently operates on the Spain-Balearic Islands ferry route Barcelona-Ibiza Island (port San Antonio, crossing time 8 hours 45 min) alternated with the weekend service Denia-Ibiza-Palma de Mallorca.

Cabins

As cruise ferry, Bahama Mama has a total of 48 cabins, all of which are air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The ship also has VIP rooms (can be booked for private meetings and parties) and wheelchair-accessible cabins (adapted for disabled passengers). Most staterooms are 4-berth (quads), 6 are double cabins (with twin beds), 2 are with king beds, 2 are suites and 2 are twin cabins for disabled passengers.

The ship's Reserved Seating Lounge (Neptune Lounge) is equipped with reclining Pullman seats (comfortable, fully reclining leather armchairs). Reserved seats are available for pre-booking. These deals are inclusive of complimentary beverages (tea, coffee, soft drinks). The Lobby Bar Lounge is furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs in a communal area.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 min prior to homeport arrival.

BALEARIA Bahama Mama  ferry ship

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Bahama Mama ship offers:

  • Accommodation options - cabins, Sirena Lounge (economy seats), Neptune Lounge (reserved seats/leather recliners), Lobby Bar seating. All lounges are fitted with large TVs.
  • Dining options - A la Carte Restaurant (formal venue - gourmet food, fine wines, drinks), Self-Service Restaurant (casual venue - full menu, single courses, kids-vegetarian-healthy meals, traditional local dishes), Bar-Cafeteria (patisserie - pastries, cakes, drinks, snacks, sandwiches), Outdoor Bar (grill, cocktails, beers, sundeck barbecues), chocolate and ice-cream parlor. Purchasing dining services in advance offers a 10% discount.
  • Entertainment options - supervised children's entertainment, live stand-up comedy and magic shows, DJ music parties and live performances by guest artists (on Sun Deck), 3D Cinema, Casino (slot machines gaming area).
  • Family services - the company provides high chairs, cots, safety bars for cabins' bunk beds, baby changing rooms, kids menu, children activities (games, toys, drawing sets, board games), kids play area (ball pool). The kids' entertainment program is available during peak season (movies, handicraft workshops).
  • Passengers with disabilities - disabled cabins for passengers with reduced mobility)), adapted toilets (in all onboard communal areas), disabled lounge seats, safety anchorage points (for wheelchairs), lifts (passenger elevators connecting all decks).
  • Spa & Beauty Salon (massages, beauty treatments)
  • Aft on the top deck is the ship's Solarium (sundeck sunbathing area) with a heated swimming pool (small plunge pool), shaded seating (deckchairs) and a poolside open-air bar (grilled food, hot/cold beverages). Forward is located the ship's helipad (helicopter landing platform) used in cases of emergency).
  • Quiet Room (adjacent to the Lobby area) furnished with tables and chairs.
  • Gifts & Travel Necessities Shop (duty-free/combined boutique and general store - gifts and souvenirs, alcohol and tobaccos, perfumes and cosmetics, drinks, snacks, sweets, toiletries, electronics, toys, books, newspapers, local gourmet produce)
  • Luggage Compartments - there are luggage lockers (available in the ship's passenger lounge) which are accessible throughout the voyage.

Pet Cages (upon booking, the pet cage type must be indicated). For pet owners, all Balearia ships offer 2 types of cages - small cage (max height 50-75 cm / pets less than 30 kg) and large cage (max height 70-90 cm / pets over 30 kg). Passengers can also bring their own pet carriers. In all 3 cases, cage pricing is fixed (EUR 3-10 per voyage) and varies depending on the ferry route. Valid health cards for pets are required. Under no circumstances, pets are allowed out of their cages/carriers during the crossing. During embarkation and disembarkation, dogs must be leashed and muzzled. Passengers with pets always disembark last.

Entreolas by Balearia Magazine is a free-of-charge onboard magazine themed on travel and lifestyle, culture, sports, fashion, music, cuisine, Balearia news. Wi-Fi and Internet are available at extra cost. Mobile phone chargers and Ipad rentals are also offered.

All Balearia ships are equipped with CCTV cameras with image recording. Smoking anywhere inside the ships is not permitted.

 

Onboard shopping offers discounted pricing for Balearia Club members. Balearia Club members enjoy as perks:

  • 10% discounts on onboard shops, bars, and restaurants
  • preferential queue (priority boarding in selected departure ports)
  • With standard chair booking, along with the boarding card club members receive vouchers giving them access to the Superior Lounge (reclining leather chairs / subject to availability).
  • The Balearia company has contracts with over 50 partners offering exclusive offers and promotions. Among the Club Member only offers are discounts on travel insurance, land facilities, and services (boutiques, tours, resorts, hotels, restaurants, chain stores, buses).

Car decks

All ferried vehicles must have documentation and valid insurance. Having the car's technical data sheet makes boarding checks easier. Upon booking, the vehicle's model, length and height must be specified. Car ferry passengers must arrive at the departure port 90 min prior departure.

All Balearia ships have a hold for bikes. Free of charge travel bicycles, mopeds, and motorbikes (up to 125 ccs), which must be indicated upon booking. Special vehicles (height over 3 m / 10 ft) must be booked via the company's Call Center (902 160 180).

BALEARIA Bahama Mama  ferry ship

Follows a list of car decks related safety procedures:

  • Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk.
  • Apply handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
  • From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
  • Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
  • Access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
  • Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges is forbidden.
  • Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
  • In order to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

Balearia ferry deals

Onboard shopping offers discounted pricing for Balearia Club members. Balearia Club members enjoy as perks:

  • 10% discounts on onboard shops, bars, and restaurants
  • preferential queue (priority boarding in select departure ports)
  • With standard chair booking, along with the boarding card club members receive vouchers giving access to Superior Lounge (reclining leather chairs / subject to availability).
  • Balearia has over 50 partnerships for exclusive offers and promotions. Club Member's offers provide discounts on land-based facilities and services (resorts, hotels, restaurants, chain stores, boutiques, tours, buses, travel insurance, etc).

(ferry + train travel) Balearia has a partnership with the Spanish state-owned railroad company Renfe Operadora. The company serves the routes between Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Marseilles, Barcelona, and Madrid. The Balearia-Renfe partnership offers discounted train travel. Upon online booking the Balearia ferry, there is an option that if checked creates a Renfe promo code. The code is valid for the next 48 hours if you book online Renfe trains.

(ferry + hotel) On select routes, Balearia offers discounted ferry-hotel packages, with prices starting from around EUR 65.

(day tour) deals are valid when purchasing roundtrip tickets and within 24 hours after booking (no changes or cancellations are accepted). Kids under 13 receive a 50% discount, while babies travel for free. Day tour package prices range between EUR 10-60 (depending on itinerary). Shuttle bus service is provided.

ferry company BALEARIA - CruiseMapper

The shipowner Balearia (fleet, 1998-founded, headquartered in Denia Spain) is a Spanish ferry company operating passenger ferry services in the Mediterranean and Caribbean (Bahamas).

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Bahama Mama ferry ship related cruise news

Bahama Mama ferry Wiki

In 2011 was introduced the "Balearia Caribbean" cruiseferry brand operating regularly scheduled passenger shipping service between USA (Florida) and The Bahamas with roundtrips from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) to Freeport (distance approx 137 km / 85 mi). In March 2015, the high-speed catamaran ferry Pinar del Rio (IMO 9043952, 1992-built, 460 passengers) was replaced by the bigger MS Bahama Mama (previously named Alhucemas).

The vessel is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI number 248218000) being registered in Valletta.

Ship's Florida-Bahamas ferry service officially started on February 26, 2015. Daily departures from Florida were at 8 am. Arrivals back to Fort Lauderdale were at 11 am. Departures from Freeport Bahamas werre at 7 pm (arrivals at 10 pm). Balearia Caribbean's roundtrip ferry prices werre USD 210 (economy class) and USD 250 (first class). Overnight ferry-hotel packages combined the roundtrips with Grand Bahama Island hotel stays.

Bahama Mama's Caribbean service was terminated in 2017 when the vessel was replaced by the fast ferry Jaume I (IMO 9081693, 1994-built). This new Balearia Bahamas Express service was started with 1-day cruise fare from USD 73 pp (roundtrip ticket) excluding taxes. Balearia also offers Bahama Island ferry vacation packages with included all-inclusive resort deals (Island Seas Resort, Grand Lucayan Resort, Memories Resort), as well as a selection of tours and excursions.

Balearia's Florida-Bahamas business grew approx 34% in 2014 (over 2013) - from 91,000 to 121,000 passengers. When deployed in the Caribbean, Bahama Mama had scheduled 300 voyages and carried over 200,000 passengers annually.

In late-October 2018, Balearia contracted Caterpillar Marine to install MAK dual-fuel engines on 3 vessels (Abel Matutes, Bahama Mama, Martin I Soler). Engine conversions (by Caterpillar dealer Finanzauto) were scheduled for early-2019. By this project, ship's diesel engines (2x 9M43C, total power output 18 MW) were replaced with 2x MaK 9M46DF (dual-fuel / diesel-LNG, power output 8,7 MW each) used with gearbox and controllable pitch propellers. Caterpillar provided dual-fuel conversion kits and all engine modules (ignition, ventilation, exhaust gas, and GVU ventilation, valves, housing).

In November 2018, BALEARIA started a EUR 443 million (USD 520 M) drydock reconstruction project for nine ferries to be retrofitted/converted to LNG (liquified natural gas). The project was partially (20%) funded by CEF (Connecting Europe Facility).

All drydocks (at Gibraltar Gibdock and West Sea's Viana Shipyard) included modifying the diesel engines (to MAN dual-fuel) and installing LNG tanks. Each ship now has dual-fuel (LNG-diesel) MAN marine engines (model 9L-51-60-DF). The Wartsila-made LNG tanks (one or two per vessel) are able to store up to 425 m3 LNG, which allows autonomous operations up to 1800 km (1100 mi). Onboard gas pipes are from Cryospain (Madrid-based). The project as engineering was designed by Cotenaval (Valencia-based).

The fleet retrofitting resulted in fuel savings, with expected annual emissions reduction per vessel 9113+ tons (CO2) and 871+ tons (NOx) plus zero SOx emissions and no soot particles. Ferry's annual CO2 reduction is equal to the emissions of ~6000 cars.