Frequently Asked Questions

List of Questions: (Click question to jump to the answer)

Click here for entire Customer Policies and Procedures Handbook

GENERAL PASSENGER INFORMATION

How do I board and disembark from the ferry?

Are there any precautions I should take while I am riding on the ferry?

Do any passengers have priority in boarding the ferry?

What baggage may I bring with me on the ferry?

May I bring pets with me on the ferry?

Can I smoke cigarettes or cigars on the ferry?

Can I transport or consume alcoholic beverages aboard the ferry?

PASSENGER TICKETS AND FARES

I have purchased individual passenger tickets at their regular fare. Are there any restrictions on their use?

Do you charge the same fares for adults and children?

Is anyone eligible for a discounted fare?

Can I receive a lower fare if I buy a book of multiple tickets?

Are there any restrictions on the use of the 10-ride ticket books?

Are group fares available?

Does the Authority have any special group fares for student and youth groups?

INFORMATION ABOUT THE THE AUTHORITY'S FASTFERRY BETWEEN HYANNIS AND NANTUCKET

Can I make a passenger reservation to travel on a particular trip of the fast ferry?

Do I need a reservation for my bicycle?

What is a “Fast Ferry ID”?

When can I a make a reservation for the fast ferry?

Can I change or cancel my reservation?

What happens if I simply do not use my reservation?

PARKING

I am driving to one of your mainland terminals and then traveling to one of the Islands without my car. Will I be able to park my car at the Authority’s terminal?

What does the Authority charge for parking?

What happens if I lose my parking ticket?

What’s the procedure if the parking facility does not have an entrance or exit gate?

Can I obtain a parking permit instead of paying the daily parking rates?

Are parking permits generally available?

Are parking permits transferable?

Can I park at the Vineyard Haven terminal?

Can I park at the Oak Bluffs terminal?

Can I park at the Nantucket terminal?

INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES

I have a disability. Is there anything special I should do?

Are the Authority's ferries accessible for passengers with disabilities?

Does the Authority have any policies to assist individuals with disabilities?

THE AUTHORITY'S SECURITY PROCEDURES

Does the Authority have any security procedures?

Will I be subject to screening by the Authority?

Can I bring a firearm or other dangerous article with me on the ferry?

May I travel on the Authority's ferries with any gasoline, propane or other flammable product?

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMERS TRAVELING WITH THEIR VEHICLES

Am I responsible for driving my own vehicle onto and off of the ferry?

How do the “drive-on/drive-off” services work on the Hyannis-Nantucket route?

My vehicle will be pulling a trailer. Are there any ferries that I should avoid traveling on?

My car won't start and I need to transport it off-island for repairs. Can it be towed onto and off of the ferry?

VEHICLE FARES

What vehicle fares does the Authority charge?

Does the Authority also carry motorcycles and other items?

What is included in the Authority's regular automobile fare?

Is every automobile charged the same regular fare?

Does the Authority charge more if I am towing a trailer?

Does the Authority charge more if my vehicle is tall or if I have a container or a bicycle rack on top of my vehicle?

I am traveling in a camper. Do I pay a normal commercial fare?

What is an “excursion” fare?

VEHICLE RESERVATIONS

Can I make a reservation to travel with a vehicle on a particular trip?

Do I need a reservation for my motorcycle or bicycle?

What is a “Profile account”?

When can I make a vehicle reservation?

Are there any restrictions on my vehicle reservation?

I am traveling in a rental car. Can I make a reservation even though I don’t yet have any information about the car?

Do I need to pay the fares for my passengers at the time I make my vehicle reservation?

What if I can't get a reservation for the particular trip I want? Does the Authority have a “wait list” for reservations?

Do I need to have a written confirmation of my reservation?

Can I change my vehicle reservation?

Can I cancel my reservation?

What happens if I simply do not use my reservation?

THE "PREFERRED SPACE" RESERVATION PROGRAM

What is the Authority's “Preferred Space” Reservation Program?

Who is eligible for the “Preferred Space” Program?

Are there any restrictions on the use of “Preferred Spaces”?

When do “Preferred Space” reservations become available?

THE AUTHORITY'S HEADSTART RESERVATION PROGRAM

What is the Authority's “Headstart” Reservation Program?

Who is eligible for the Authority's Headstart Reservation Program?

How many Headstart reservations can an individual make?

When do Headstart reservations become available?

CUSTOMERS TRAVELING WITH VEHICLE RESERVATIONS

I have a vehicle reservation for a particular sailing. When should I arrive at the terminal?

What if I arrive later than 30 minutes before sailing but before the ferry leaves?

What happens if I miss the trip for which I have a reservation?

Are there any circumstances in which other vehicles will be boarded instead of mine even though I have a reservation?

What happens if a vehicle with a reservation needs to be “bumped” due to an emergency situation?

What happens if my trip is cancelled?

TRAVELING WITHOUT VEHICLE RESERVATIONS ON THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD ROUTE

Can I travel with my vehicle between Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard without a reservation?

How does “standby” work on the Martha's Vineyard route?

Are there any times that I cannot travel with my vehicle on a standby basis?

TRAVELING WITHOUT VEHICLE RESERVATIONS ON THE NANTUCKET ROUTE

Can I travel with my vehicle between Hyannis and Nantucket without a reservation?

How does “standby” work on the Nantucket route?

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