Key West Express

Cool way to get to and from Key West. 3.5 hours going down there. 4 hours coming back. There is a bar and comfortable seating throughout. Get there when boarding begins for the best seats. I recommend first floor in a banquette or 6-top table. Keep in mind sun on the left headed down to KeyWest, sun also on the left side headed back. Sun is pretty intense on the way back, so don’t sit right next to the windows on the left side.

1st time using the ferry. Very relaxing vs driving. There is a full bar hot food & snacks. It is open seating. Being a double hull boat the trip was smooth. If you walk you can sense the motion a little.

As usual, the Key West Express did not disappoint. We had beautiful weather (5 mph winds) on the way from Ft Myers to Key West. The return trip was a little more "bumpy", but this boat with the four engines is a fantastic ride. We have had times in the past where Bonine and a patch were necessary - plan accordingly. During busy travel days, you need to arrive and be in line at least 30 minutes prior to the boarding times listed, or you will not get a preferred seat. (Remember, port side for the sunset on the return). Snacks and drinks are not outrageous.

Took a ride on the Key West Express this weekend. The crew and the ship are both amazing. The ship rides so smooth yet is so fast, you are at Key West before you know it. The crew makes the whole experience run smooth and they keep the drinks flowing. Really a good time.

My husband and I have talked about taking the Key West Express each time we visit Florida and had just never gotten around to it. We had a really great round trip from Fort Meyers. The crew was welcoming and very helpful. The bathrooms were clean and well-kept. We spent the trip down sitting on the open-air deck, which was windy and loud, like riding in a convertible. Wear plenty of sunscreen if you plan to do that, and hold on to your sunglasses and hats. Be sure to bring cash for the raffle, purchases from the galley, and tips. It is possible to open a tab in the galley, to close out at the end of the trip, but they prefer not having to do that. There is no cell phone or wifi service, so come prepared to entertain yourself old school for four hours.

Great weather, captain navigated us away from storm clouds. Was our first trip for my mom's birthday and everyone had a blast. Crew is was very friendly and after flying to Key West a few times we decided this was the only way we really want to go back. Will be buying tickets in advance to save some money as we know we will he making another trip soon.

Excellent service. Clean, friendly crew, and most importantly, super quick! Would take 6 hours drive, but only 3 hours on the boat makes it worth it. Key west is amazing and this ferry makes it possible. Two tips: 1. You'll want a seat with a table. They say boarding starts 1 hour before, so get there 1.5-2 hours before if you care about choosing your seat. 2. Take advantage of Paradise Porters, the luggage delivery and pick up service. It's located in the terminal as you arrive in key West, and key west express gave us a $4 off coupon. Don't drag your luggage around.

Such a great experience! The boat is incredibly neat and fast! The crews keep the vessel very tidy, they are very professional! Its probably a good idea for people in groups to come earlier and sit in those 6 seater tables, but its harder to take a nap there. The airline style seats are good for taking a nap. Plenty of seating arrangements, snack bars, regular bars. I guess the best way to get to key west from Tampa!!!

This CAN be a great experience. Our trip was two totally different experiences. Overall, all the staff is great, though too many opportunities to tip are "provided". The trip down to Key West was beautiful with super smooth sailing and a really enjoyable 4 hour trip. The return was another story - with no fault on Key West Express. We were in 4'+ waves for the first part of the trip and a ton of people on the boat were sick. The crew was great trying to take care of everyone, but it doesn't make for a lot of fun. We will do it again, you just need to know what you may get into.

I think I was on the same rough ride as Dan V., below. It's the ocean. Okay. Sometimes it's going to be rough and seasickness is a thing. But a notice on the website, or an SMS blast about anticipated conditions would help passengers buy some dramamine ahead of time or otherwise prepare. If I'd known there was a chance that I was going to nauseous for three hours, I'd have driven.

One year after taking this ferry down and one year without any new updates to the boat. Unfortunately on our way back up from Key West to Fort Myers beach was like sitting on a miniature Tower of Terror ride for 3 hours. Staff was literally helping escort patrons to either the bathroom or areas on the boat that may have had a "smoother ride". For those of us who tried to sleep through the rough ride, a completely belligerent loud patron spent the entire ride screaming his conversation for the entire boat to hear. I'm surprised the bartender never cut him off, this is a huge safety hazard. Again, no wifi available so we all had to suffer through the rough seas, disrespectful patrons and at the end of the ride it still took us closer to 5 hours to arrive from point-to-point.

We took the Key West Express to and from Key West instead of driving late June 2024. It was super nice and going down there were only like 50 people on the huge boat. The trip takes about 4 hours and you don't have WiFi for about 3 hours so make sure to bring something to do. We got a table and played cards to pass the time. They have restrooms and a snack bar. There are also TVs scattered throughout. The trip back however was on a smaller boat and there were so many people that some had to stand for the ride. I would have been PO'd if I paid $175 per ticket and I had to stand. Just make sure you get there early to get a seat. They really should have assigned seating so you don't have to waste an hour of your vacation waiting to get on the boat and get a good seat. I was fine, I got a table, but it just didn't seem fair for the others. TL:DR Going was great, coming back was overly crowded and some people didn't have seats.

Customer service is horrible. We had vouchers that had to be used by the end of the year. Yes i understand it is our fault for waiting so long, but we have been planning to go right around this new year for awhile now! We ended up having a family emergency a few days before we were going to set sail. Not only did they tell me i couldnt just change the day of my trip to bump it up a few weeks, but even if i wanted to, they wouldnt even honor the credit of what i originally paid for the tickets. I wasnt even able to APPLY THE MONEY I PAID to a trip in a couple weeks. Absolutely horrible customer service. I wasnt expecting a free trip. I dont mind paying the difference at all! We have a family member on his death bed in the hospital during the holidays, & you cant even help us out by allowing us to apply our credit THAT WE ALREADY PAID? It takes nothing for them to change the date of our trip a couple weeks, it wouldve just taken some humanity. Absolutely disgusted with this business & now will never give them a chance, & ill be sure to let friends & family know how horribly they run their business.

Recently took the ferry to the Key West Express overall a great experience. Staff were great. Can't help the choppy ride. It is the ocean and it was a little windy and cloudy that day. They do leave early so be there early. Don't depend on the snack bar for hearty food. It's all frozen and warmed up. Except maybe the hot dogs which are grilled. The cheeseburger sliders are actually frozen white castle cheeseburgers that are microwaved. All in all though it was a great trip and a beautiful view.

Glad we did it. Very nice staff. One thing to consider; If you don't like having the sun beating on you the whole way don't sit on the left side.

Had an awesome first experience on the express. As someone who is constantly early for this I am in love with the boarding process. Boarding is from 7-7:30am. Boat leaves at 8am. If everyone is onboard they leave early. Do Not Be Late! We did a day trip which is doable but it IS A LONG DAY! I don't know if I'd do that again. Heading down was a bit rocky for the first two hours then calmed down. And no the boat cannot control the water or the weather. There are a variety of seats available. Including some seats that slightly recline line an airplane. There are also tables and more lounge type seating. The crew was great. Very helpful and friendly. They have two bars and a snack bar onboard. The pretzel and cheese was not bad for being microwaved and their snacks weren't outrageously expensive. My family will be back again in April.

Took the Key West Express down from Fort Myers and had a pleasant experience. We left Sunday morning and returned Monday evening. The boat definitely seemed busier on Sunday and the boat on the way back was the nicer of the two we got to ride. They have drinks and snacks on board for purchase. The ride itself was smooth, but very windy on the way down. The sunset on the return ride was beautiful. This was a great way to get down to Key West, but also fairly pricey.

We were told as we were entering the Key West Harbor that the boat had been cancelled for Monday and Tuesday. That caused us to cancel our hotel room without a $300 dollar credit and made it so that we had to do a return trip on the same day. 7 hours to and fro Fort Myers to spend 5 hours in Key West would not have been what we would do. They said they made the determination half way through our trip but we that is horse hockey.....nothing changed as far as the weather report was concerned. They just didn't want to get less revenue from impacted parties. The least they could have done was schedule a bus for affected parties..... Make sure to know the weather before you go. I was told they never cancel, even by the worker on the boat.....that was not the truth. So very disappointed!!!

Honestly, this is the worst group tour we have ever taken...and I have been traveling for 30+ years. The tour was clearly overbooked as we had to leave late due to trying to figure out how to seat more people than the bus had room for. I was willing to believe it was an innocent mistake as our tour guide Cindy kept trying to tell us BUT then as we boarded to leave key west and go home in the evening we experienced the exact same problem...more people than there were seats. So now I am forced to sit on my own, instead of with my husband, in a situation that's brings me a lot of anxiety. I do not recommend this company at all.

My wife and I recently took a trip on the Key West Express, and it was an excellent experience. The comfortable seating made the 4-hour boat ride a breeze, and the smooth ride made it even more enjoyable. Sitting at a table with another couple was a great way to socialize and share the experience. Happy to report amenities include clean bathrooms, food, coffee, water, soda, snacks for sale and a full bar. Looked like it was open the entire trip. Being able to get up and walk around the boat added to the overall comfort and enjoyment of the journey. I'm definitely planning to do it again in the future. It's a fantastic alternative to driving to Key West, and I highly recommend it.

Second time traveling to Key West this way. This time we did a one way down and rented a car for the journey home (over 3 days). The Key West Express is a great way to get to the Keys. The first time it was a little choppy, but this time it was much smoother - just a little bit of side-to-side movement. It's a boat. You have to expect some movement. It's a 4 hour trip. I think people forget that. Many people rush for the tables, but I find them uncomfortable. The backs don't go up high enough. I prefer the high back chairs in the middle, in the front. I just got a pair of noise cancelling headphones for Christmas - WOW!. Napped for the first 2 hours, watched a movie for 2 hours and BOOM, you're there.

The ride was good and on schedule. They have an area in the back where you can put your luggage. Don't but tickets from them for activities. The Conch Train ticket was $6 more than it was to buy from the train.

Although it is a four hour ride it is smooth and visually great. They have a kitchen and bar to make it an enjoyable trip and plenty of room I. The cabins or the upper decks. Be sure to get to the dock early to get your seats because they fill up quick. Bring a book, game or some form of entertainment. I highly recommend trying the KWE at least once if heading to the Keys.

We booked tickets to go from Ft Myers to Key West on one day and come back the next. We were at the dock checking in when we were told the return trip was cancelled due to weather. We weren't able to stay an extra day due to our flights, so were pondering what to do when the lady at the counter told us that, while our tickets were non-refundable, we personally weren't cancelling, so since it was due to weather, we could be fully refunded. I clarified it would be a refund, not a credit, and she confirmed. She said we wouldn't want to go down and back on the same day, spending 7 hours on the ferry and carrying our luggage around with us. A man who worked there said we shouldn't want to go that day that it was running because the captain didn't even want to be on it and called it the "vomit comet" so we agreed - they sold us on the decision to cancel for a refund and not try to make the trip. Fast forward a week and no refund on my card. I called and they told me because the boat still went down and back on the first day, I was out of luck and I would only have a credit. They just said the lady at the counter at the dock was wrong. The lady on the phone was extremely condescending explaining what a roundtrip ticket was to me as if I'd never heard of the concept when I was simply trying to point out that the roundtrip that I paid for was not for a same day roundtrip, but included a separate day on which it literally wasn't possible to travel due to their own weather policies. So now we will have to pay to take another separate trip to Florida to potentially have this happen all over again

Fun and easy way to escape to Key West for the weekend. 4 hour boat ride, once you're there, u don't need a car. Use the Key West Express several times a year. Sometimes, the boat can be a little crowded. Bring cash for tips. You can't add to your credit card payments at the bar.

We bought tickets in the middle of the pandemic. They were good for two years and they honored them without question. Pandemic health restriction had been lifted, so masks not necessary. The ship was clean. Staff kept the bathrooms tidy and the galley was always being wiped down. The seating was pretty comfortable. The seats were cushioned. The backs reclined a bit. The upholstery was clean. The food was perfectly edible. It wasn't fancy, but this is a ferry boat ride, not a seven day culinary extravaganza cruise. I thought they did a fine job of "staying in their lane" when it came to the food. Prices were reasonable. I think the highest price food items were the cheeseburger or the breakfast sandwich which were like 4.50. People being people--there were some who brought their bags and put them into seats, then left and went upstairs and sat outside, thus taking double seats. Still others left their bags in the aisles and crew had to move them One word of caution--don't be late. Both times times we shoved off before the actual scheduled departure times. They can't control the weather. We had smooth seas and arrived on schedule. If the seas got rough I would expect speeds to slow down. 34 dollars to park your car.

Blatant ignorance of safety regulations and COVID prevention measures. I traveled to the Dry Tortugas National Park in November'21 and took a Key West Express boat from Fort Meyers to Key West and back. The experience was horrendous as the crew openly violated the safety regulations regarding COVID preventions, specifically facial masks requirements, and did not enforce the rules on the passengers. Perhaps only a tiny fraction of the passengers were wearing facial masks, the rest were ignoring the rules. When I politely asked one of the crew members to remind passengers about the safety regulations and enforce the rules, this crew member give me a look like he was going to punch me. Needless to mention, many crew members were not wearing masks themselves. In sum, be aware of the life-threatening health risks you are taking while traveling with Key West Express, and do not expect your health and safety to be their concern.

I'm shocked that they only have 3 stars on Yelp!!! What a GREAT experience I and my group of friends had yesterday! We left Ft. Myers on time and had a GREAT trip to Key West. Our return trip also left on time and yup, we had a great trip back to Ft. Myers. So glad they had a bar and a friendly hard working bartender. He didn't have a name tag but he mentioned that he was from Puerto Rico. My only negative comment was that I wish they had decent food and not concession crap. A decent breakfast going there and a decent dinner (sandwiches) coming back would have been perfect. I know AS A FACT that they could have a better food selection and most likely make a lot more money while being able to offer their customers good food. Anyway, I will definitely be taking this ferry again but will definitely pack a tasty meal.

Very kind and patient staff overall -- I was struggling with a carry-on size spinner until I reached the gate -- after that was always someone offering to help me. I'm a girl and we overpack, what can I say? :) One thing I don't appreciate -- I booked this on Wednesday night -- and it said the trip took 2.5 hours. 3 on a day with bad weather. In 4 days (from when I booked my ticket to my return trip), their website admin changed the travel time to an average of 3.5 hours without notifying any passengers with standing reservations. I don't live in Ft. Myers. I have a 2 hour+ drive back, and I got dropped off by my husband for this trip to avoid my car sitting in a lot all weekend. Not cool, KWE. A simple email could have helped the majority of us adjust our itineraries, and I seriously feel bad for anyone who missed a flight bc of this. My whole travel time (plus this extra hour) from my doorstep to my family's doorstep in the keys is longer than me just driving to the keys myself. Food for thought.

I'd avoid this experience at all costs! The ferry itself has old broken down seats, extremely uncomfortable for 3.5+ hours. The people on the boat are loud as hell. It would be nice if they designed one deck as a "quiet" area. Food is terrible, almost microwave quality. I asked about an ADA seat, had to explain that means handicapped, and was blown off because I didn't "look handicapped", which is illegal by the way. Was told I could sit on the back deck and dangle my feet in the water.... Yeah that really helps when I'm looking for a seat to accommodate me. If you're gonna complain about masks, I'd suggest just leaving the state of FL.

I never do reviews but I am beyond happy that i took the key west express!! I left out of ft. Myers beach and came back in through Marco island. Both boats were wonderful and the staff was all very accommodating and friendly. Very good price considering how expensive flights can be AND you get beautiful ocean views. Ride was smooth and efficient. Make sure you bring cash to tip staff for food/ drinks and also because card machine doesn't work once you get out to sea. 1000x recommend doing this!!

The ride was fine. We had a calm day, no wind or waves. We did a one day round trip, which I would never recommend. The inside seats are fine for 4 hours, but it's a long trip with no scenery. Bring cards or a game to play. There is a strong-arm presentation about not being able to walk to the end of the island and make it back for departure and a hard-sell of Conch Tour Train tickets. All I can say is this is not a service you want to take advantage of. They must get kickbacks. 1. You can easily walk from one end of the island to the other and see all you want to see 2. The Conch Train has limited stops and passes several places, like the Hemingway House 3. The Conch Train is God awful uncomfortable. I am 5'6" and weigh WNL pounds. My knees were against the seat in front of meant my back was pinned to the seat. Bottom line, there is a comfortable bus tour if you need it, do some research!

They did an awesome job but sadly they did not approve of me being a veteran due to only giving Active Military discounts. I fought for my country and am disabled now due to it. Also, they only recognize local Law Enforcement....other Law Enforcement do not receive a discount. Seems very obtrusive.

BEWARE! If I could give negative stars, I would. These people are liars, cheats and completely heartless - all about the money, not about customers. The reviews speak for themselves - 73% are 3 stars and below. Almost 50% are 1 star. We lost our home and possessions on Fort Myers Beach due to Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022. We had booked a trip to Key West on the Key West Express for December 11/12, 2022. Obviously, we are not going to be able to make that trip, so I thought they would give us our money back (the hotel in Key West I booked through Vrbo was very sympathetic and returned our money in full as soon as I contacted them). NOPE for Key West Express. "One Human Family" my you know what. All of their boats were saved and they will soon be back up and running (they sent out another email besides the one in the photo that said, "We count our blessings that our vessels...remained out of harm's way. You are important to us..."). At the price of 1 adult ticket and parking (by the way, there are lots of hidden fees they don't tell you about), they could easily recoup our money back. We can never get back our home and belongings. I sent them 2 emails (neither of which were responded to) and then I called 3 times (they are rude on the phone, too - first person said, "We'll see what we can do." and nothing happened, so I had to call again) and asked very nicely if they could please have some sympathy and return our money. They said essentially we are sorry for your loss, but your money is non-refundable per our policies. They extended our tickets out 6 months (wow, what generosity) and gave us $34 - which isn't even the entire parking fee (which I got only after my 3rd call) out of $238 back. We are not going to be back in 6 months, obviously. Please do yourself a favor and do not patronize this sham of a business!

Just home from a four day Key West adventure. Thanks KWE team for spectacular service. Special thanks to crew member PJ who went out of his way to accommodate our needs... he is a KWE angel!

best way to get to key west! the ride back was spectacular with the sunrise! the crew was great and the overall vibe on the boat was great. they drop you off and you can rent scooters and golf carts on site as well. I definitely recommend!

Took the ferry ride from Key West to Fort Meyers. Long lines in terminal to get on boat and about 50 percent of people wearing mask and crowded together. Once on boat we sat on the top deck. Sunny and hot when we left. No one on top deck was wearing a mask but we were outside. Over the loud speaker they announced that wearing a mask is a federal mandate. So after the sunset, top deck got very cold. Went inside to a packed boat. Almost every table was packed. The seats that were also at 90% capacity. COVID protocol was not enforced. No social distancing and 90% of guest had NO MASK on. Crew would take them on and off I was stuck on this boat for 2 more hours. Horrible decision to travel on key west express. Never again

This boat is a jet-powered COVID hotspot, superspreading disease at a high rate of speed across South Florida. Yeah, they have signs about masks, maybe 30% of people inside wear them. And because it's Key West, half the boat is blacked out when they board, so by the third hour there's a lot of maskless yelling and singing happening. Super safe, great place for the seniors of Fort Myers. Luckily, you can sit outside, where the mortality rate is probably lower, even though it's "Florida cold" and smells like diesel fumes. I'm not saying don't take the boat, it really is crazy fast, super convenient and reasonably priced. They even let you bring your bike or pets! So I give it two stars. Just know you might get COVID and accidentally kill your grandma.

We had the pleasure recently of taking the Key West Express round trip from Ft Myers to Key West during the Covid period. We were blessed with a great crew and smooth waters. Going down we were at about 30% capacity which made social distancing easy. Coming back we were on a smaller ship and capacity was closer to 70%. Recommend getting to your departure early so you have a choice where you sit. Snacks and drinks available for an additional price. Round trip tickets available to Florida residents at a discount during the holidays.

Great experience and the staff made it even better! Ted the key west express parking lot staff member went above and beyond to make sure we had a ride home before he left for the night.

This was a relaxing and carefree way to go to Key West. Easy to board. I recommend getting a seat on second deck inside. We got sea sprayed pretty good to where some people got drenched toward the very back. And to have that salt water on your face and body all day in Keys felt horrible. Don't forget sunscreen. Overall, Tommy and crew were super. They kept us informed how much longer to port.

I don't know where these bad reviews come from. Our experience was delightful. We got there early and had our choice of seats. We sat at a table with another lovely couple that we met , drank mimosas and played cards. The crew was super helpful especially to the elderly and those needing extra assistance. The ride was smooth and enjoyable both coming and going. I would never do the trip in one day. We stayed in Key West two nights before returning. I brought sandwiches from home and they hit the spot after mimosas which were quite good. We got the BOGO from the stone crab festival. Worth it. Would definitely do again!

My siblings and I decided to take this boat ride to Key West. When you go on the water, you should know to be prepared for any types of weather. Most people don't know this. I don't know if the website advises people to be prepared to get wet from waves or possible rain, but it should. It does advise people to be prepared in case they get sea sick. This trip took 4 hours there and 4 hours back. The wind picked up that day and swells got up to 5-6ft. This may not seem like much but, it did have an affect of water crashing onto the back of the boat, soaking almost all the passengers sitting in that area on the deck. It was also super windy. We were prepared for this, and is no big deal because it was so hot we dried off quick in the sun. I did feel bad for those people that were a bit more dressed up. The food was great. The crew is really awesome! They check on everyone and help those that were seasick. My advice to people that do not want to get wet or deal with windy situations, try to sit in the upper level inside the cabin. Although, to do this, you will have to get there super early! This was a great way to me, to get to Key West. Bring a light rain jacket, hat, and snacks and enjoy the scenery of being on the water!

I received a travel voucher from my children and our plan was to travel in fall of 2022. Hurricane Ian put a stop to that. I asked if the voucher could be honored for fall of 2023. They said no, only through Jun 2023. We already had other travel plans committed to. The reservation staff was inflexible. Sarcastic, and unprofessional. I will never recommend this business to anyone

Smooth beautiful ride to the keys- great Bloody Mary as well as mimosas, screwdrivers and breakfast sandwiches. My husband had a hotdog. Very relaxing with plenty of space to social distance

Horrible customer service, could careless if they make you leave a loved one . I would absolutely never use this terrible company.

This is not a review on their boat ride/ the experience one would have had they taken the trip. That would have been nice, for certain. This is a review of their business practice and how they handle current situations. It is a sad display their reservations manager offers when inquiring about company cancellations due to COVID and their adherence to a cancellation policy that does not cover such an enormous and drawn out event. They are not prepared to make proper concessions for their clients when things are outside of their policy and are unwilling to work with anyone who would like to speak to someone who might listen and help. Take the boat ride, I hope it is amazing, I also hope you don't have to ask a tough question to their staff in regards to a concern or a refund request. How you treat a consumer determines if I will ever use your services. I cannot say I'd be willing unless their approach changes.

There should be a zero star. That's what they deserve. We purchased 4 round triptickets for over $400. on the Key West Express pre Covid. Because of Ovid we were unable to make the trip. We called this afternoon to book a trip and were told the tickets were expired and we can't use them. But could purchase new ticlets. What a terrible way to run a business. I wonder how many other customers lost their money.

Nice boat and decent galley, but the 3 1/2 hour promised travel time is misrepresented. We had a perfect day to travel - no wind, no waves - and the trip to Key West took 4 hours and 10 minutes; the trip back to Fort Myers took 4 hours. Others on the boat said the times were similar for other trips they had taken. I would hate to see what the travel time would have been had there been headwinds or significant waves. Be honest about the travel time. When I go to a restaurant and there is a wait, I would rather they overestimate the wait time and be pleasantly surprised then to significantly underestimate the time and be upset it took much longer.

In response to owner's comment: why would I call when this type of hostility was exhibited by every employee I interacted with and passed while on ship, and in the next moment they would be jovial and all too eager with the other passengers that were all white? The employee behind the bar told me he had no idea where other people got the coffees they were holding and that maybe the counter for food could help. Your employees are cross trained and he had no desire to help me nor speak to me more than he had to. My reviews are easily found on Google reviews, I can assure you I am as kind, polite and smiley as they come, your staff treated me like I was beneath them. RACIST STAFF - only kind and friendly to white people. Over a month since I posted this with no response from the company on Google reviews while they've responded to other reviews. That tells me I was right and they don't care. Shame on you, KWE. I am posting this everywhere I can so people know this is where you stand as an organization. Frankly, this hostility and the men who behaved this way felt like the type of people who would storm the Capitol building. Minorities/non passing - heed caution. Frankly, a number of staff members were short and passively rude towards me. I found most of the staff to be cold towards me even when politely saying hello, or have a good day. Met with nothing, no acknowledgement just a plain stare, and allowing me to wait at the counter for service with no rush and some reluctance in attending to me, but with friendly interaction with the other patrons that walked up after or previously. Being told they didn't have something but seeing a number of people carrying iced coffee more than an hour after boarding and being told maybe the other counter would have it but they weren't sure. Just a bunch of folks that asked for ice with their coffee, turns out, info that was probably known and could've been shared instead of saying they didn't know where they came from in the same plastic cups and lids. Well, looks like the employees carry out a number of responsibilities; from entry, to managing the floor and the counters. You don't know where people may have got them from? I'm Asian American, born and raised in this country, pay all my taxes, especially kind in nature, very respectful, and a pretty fantastic human. It felt like overt racism, once or twice sure, maybe just a misunderstanding, but you see the same people round trip and when they have nothing but a hard blank tight expression when being told thank you, sir, or good morning, each and every time and animated with every other person who doesn't happen to be Asian, it's gone too far without conviction that each of them, if not some, just didn't like my ethnicity and that would be the best I'd receive from them while on the job. Thankful to not have to interact with them had they not been on the clock. The commute and vessel were fine. We didn't land in Key West until 12:05, this was with us being one of the first 30 or so people out the door. I will not ever use this service again professionally or personally and will make sure to let my contacts know I'd not recommend they do either. What an ugly shame that this type of behavior exists. To have someone smiling and turn to you with it stiffing upon seeing you. Lots of reviews about friendly staff, that's for whites only I guess.

Folks, be VERY CAREFUL when you buy a ticket from these folks. I had just moved to FL for a new job in 2018, and was told by folks at work to wait and buy tickets at Christmas, because they offered a slight discount and you could use the tickets 'anytime.' Well, it wasn't actually anytime, it was within 2 years, but unfortunately the pandemic hit, and my plans to take my mom (cancer patient) went by the wayside. She is in her 80's, and only started traveling again for the first time in the last month (she lives out of state). Imagine my dismay when I called to see if I could use my tickets to bring her down, and was rudely told "You should have called last year." I explained my mom's medical situation and that she had not been comfortable going anyplace until this situation got further resolved (still not resolved in China and some other places, but apparently Key West thought Covid ended in 2021, based on the comment by their agent). I offered to bring medical documentation from her doctor and was told not to bother. I told her I wasn't looking for refunds, just wanted to use the $200 in tickets I'd paid for. Not like I brought on the darned pandemic or my mom's health issues, for that matter! Anyways, no dice. All they care about is taking your money. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was transferred to Janice Miller. Left two voicemails - neither returned. Maybe their boat is a great time and a great value, but spending $200 to take your mom on a nice boat ride, only to be denied using your tickets, despite the situation of the last two years and having medical documentation.... well, that's just not sitting well with me. Learn from my loss and be VERY careful when dealing with these folks. It isn't about you, it's all about them and taking your money!

Listen to previous reviews regarding the return trip. If you get any form of motion sickness the return trip is ROUGH. The boat itself is clean, good options for different seating, restrooms are clean, and a decent selection for food and beverages. The ride FROM Fort Myers is pretty smooth, occasional choppy waters. The ride TO Fort Myers would turn the stomach of the saltiest of sea dogs. Bonine can not be recommended enough an hour prior to departure!

Fantastic experience. We purchased tickets eight days in advance for the best value. The whole process was extremely easy and enjoyable. Their staff called the day before to make sure we understood how to board, where to park, etc, and were very nice. On board the staff was amazing, we sat at the bar most of the time but saw others playing cards and sitting on the top deck watching the scenery. Can't wait to make our next trip.

Our trip out to the keys was awesome. Look. It's a boat it's bound to be bumpy. Bring your sea legs. Some of the service staff was rude. Others were quite friendly. It was definitely a great option over driving. I recommend the Key West Express but don't expect everyone on the boat to love their job.

BUYER BEWARE: old, antiquated system want you to telephone call in to make reservation and or cancel reschedule (What century is this?)... Wouldn't honor a $25 cancellation fee to reschedule, even though I applied for it a week in advance. Kevin, the manager not interested in assisting customers, only locking you into a contract. They have an electronic contract no one takes time to read in their website and inaccurate email accounts that they don't monitor to catch you and try to force you to pay a lot more to reschedule (trying to screw you).

Took KWE to KW for an overnight trip. It is an EASY and short alternative to driving as the locals were telling us there is now so much traffic on the roads that in 'off season' it now takes 4 hours just to reach Miami. They said it is bumper to bumper during busier times and can take up to SEVEN hours!!! Considering we left Ft Myers and arrived safely and well rested a mere 3.5 hrs later, it seems like a no brainer. There are reclining lounge chairs in the lower front of the catamaran and family friendly movies are played with subtitles in case you are seated too far back to hear every word. There is a bar and table seating for card games or snacks. There is a snack bar and they do serve hot chocolate for those nippy early morning. Definitely bring a book, card game, video game for the kiddos or a jacket if you plan on staying on deck. Also be aware that the seats in the morning may be wet but not obviously so. My hubby made the mistake of sitting and ended up spending the rest of the trip trying to dry off. They do bug you for tips at the end and give a bit of a guilt trip saying that most of the crew's wages come from these tips, so bring some small bills. Seems as if the company should pay their employees though as it is not inexpensive to take the KWE.

Nice ride to Key West and back. The boat was clean and the staff was friendly. That being said, on the way back there was a group of people who got wasted at the bar and were stumbling around, dropping F bombs in front of families, and other cringe-worthy behavior. As we could not drink our own alcohol on board, we felt that these people were way over served. The worst part was watching them drive out of the parking lot after leaving the boat. We felt that it was irresponsible of the bartenders to put folks like that on the road and endangering the safety of other travelers.