From left, Julie Pruett, her 3-year-old daughter Kaitlyn and her mother Pearl were among the passengers on the city's inaugural TheBoat service today. The three from 'Ewa Beach enjoyed the ride on the Melissa Ann despite the somewhat choppy seas. RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

Fifty-five passengers arrived on three city buses at Kalaeloa's Ferry Pier for what are scheduled to be one-hour cruises. By the time they arrived at Aloha Tower's Pier 9, most gave the island's latest form of transportation a thumbs up.

"For some people it will definitely make them queasy," said Pearl Pruett of 'Ewa Beach. "But I would definitely ride TheBoat more often."

Pruett was taking the inaugural voyage with her daughter Julie and her 3-year-old granddaughter Kaitlyn, who enjoyed it despite a rough start.

"The first part of the trip made my tummy tickle," Kaitlyn said.

The bumpy ride started as soon as the Melissa Ann exited the breakwater. Waves up 2 feet to 4 feet overnight had TheBoat rocking and riding swells, and the seas were rough enough initially that a coffee pot in the galley fell from its table and broke, sending hot coffee all over the floor.

But most passengers didn't seem to mind. While a brother and sister studied, some passengers laughed, others became queasy and some slept.

Pearl Pruett's advice to anyone prone to sea sickness: "Bring an extra bag."

Mayor Mufi Hannemann met the first group of passengers at Aloha Tower and was greeted with good reviews.

He was on a trip with about 125 passengers on Sunday when the boat took a 20-minute cruise around Waikiki. This morning, he acknowledged that some trips "will be a little rough." Still, he called it "the best bargain in town for $2" and it is just one part of Hannemann's overall transportation vision for Honolulu that will include a fixed guideway, buses, TheBoat, bike paths and vehicles.

TheBoat will be making three trips in each direction per day. A $2 fare pays for a one-way trip on TheBoat and includes the ferry ride and bus service.

The 72-foot, double-decked Melissa Ann is one of two 149-passenger ferries that will provide daily service from Kalaeloa to Aloha Tower. A second ferry, the Rachel Marie, has not been cleared for use and likely won't be available until next Monday.