Jen W.
Yelp
Leaving from Pt. Judith, we opted for the traditional ferry, which takes about an hour to reach Block island. They also offer high speed service which gets you there in half the time for twice the money. Buy tickets on-line for any day or time, but those tickets are non-transferable, so be in time. You can also purchase them on site just before departure, if space is available.
There are two parking lots across the street from the terminal for both same day and long term parking, at about $10/day. Or, make a reservation and bring the car for the trip. Moped and bike rentals are available at several locations on the island. Taxi's and tour vans are also waiting by the boat. You can also pay a small fee to bring your own bike with you on the ferry. There is a spot on the car deck where you can leave your bike, cooler, suit case and what not during the trip.
Besides the car deck, there are three levels. Most of the seating is outdoors and even in the sun, it gets pretty cold out there with the breezes once you are underway. There is a small snack bar on the upper deck and the line was constant! They serve coffee, soft drinks, a few food items (like a bagel), beer and cocktails. They take credit cards for these items and you can only be served once the ferry is underway.
The outdoor seating is benches, indoor it a bit more comfortable. We took two different style ferries, once had booth style tables and seats by the windows inside, and rows of cushioned seats in the middle. The other had seating along the outer edges and storage boxes in the middle. There are life vests on the upper two levels and lots of rafts for emergency deployment is needed. Neither ferry was over crowded, but there were still plenty of people making the trip.
The traditional ferry is a pretty basic vessel. No frills. The restroom was very clean going both directions leading me to think they clean before each trip. But boy was it HOT in there! And the stalls are tiny. I had to stand next to the toilet bowl in order to shut the stall door. Really small. Toilets, water and hand towels in the restroom are 'touchless'. There is a baby changing station in the ladies room, but not in the men's room.
An announcement is made just before docking for car owners to get in their vehicle, while other guests are asked to remain 'off the stairs' for safety reasons. Cars drive off, before other passengers are allowed to disembark. Staff were all pleasant. Online reservations are easy. They take credit cards both at the terminal and on the ferry. Tour vans, taxi's, bike and scooter rentals are right at the Block Island Ferry dock as well as a block or two in land.