Woods Hole Terminal

The operation was run very professionally from beginning to the end, or should I say from stem to stern! We arrived in Falmouth ahead of our scheduled ferry and followed the signs to the offsite parking, and we were directed to the far reaches of the parking lots. We were headed to the Martha's Vineyard Museum to see the JAWS at 50 - a Deep Dive exhibit! Even though we were quite a walk from the entrance, there was a bus stop very close by - within 100yrds. A bus was waiting for us and we filled up just as an empty, replacement bus arrived. Soonafter, we were on our way. I had an issue with my e-tickets and an employee quickly straightened me out and we were all set. The boarding was orderly, straightforward, and directions were provided loud and clear! The cruise was brief, but again the employees shined. When I asked for a coffee, I was informed it was Cape Cod Coffee and its on the strong side. It was just what I was looking for. The same manners and professionalism was there on the return trip from Vineyard Haven. As we purchased a wine and a beer, the attendant noticed our surprise attendant price, and apologized. Of course there wasn't a discount, but we appreciated their acknowledgement. The rides each way were perfectly smooth, just like the rest of the day-trip to MV!

The harbour is currently under construction, but it was all very efficient. I was impressed. We showed up on time and they got all the cars and people on there in a timely fashion. Great experience.

The staff and crew are always so personable and caring,I was able to get a boat earlier than the one I was scheduled for today, so they squeezed up on the truck boat! Water was smooth, no wind and no rain this ride,,,,let us hope that we get smooth sailing on the return trip this afternoon! Big doings going on in the woods hole parking and staging area,it's going to be real nice upon completion of the construction!

The Steamship Authority cleaned up the mess of the day that we’d made after worrying we would miss our ferry and changing the reservation, and then actually ending up on time for our ferry, but having already changed the reservation, etc. Lo and behold, L at the steam authority called *us* when an earlier spot opened - she’d probably heard our young kids in the background having a hard time in the car. I don’t think that our experience making a mess of the day is exceptional for them, I think they deal with it all the time… But I don’t know of any other place in a tourist-crazed paradise at high season that would go out of their way to be so caring.

Well organized terminal. We booked ferry to bring car to Martha's Vineyard. Book well in advance. Tickets sell out quickly. We booked our reservation on February 14 for vacation starting July 21. Easy to book round trip ticket. High traffic area. We arrived 1 hour early and were told to come back later as it was too early to line up. Clean bathrooms on site. On boarding & off boarding to/from ferry was smooth process. Ferry has bathrooms on board, limited food/drink options and plenty of seating.

This terminal is a fantastic operation and a true gem for island travel. The staff is genuinely friendly and helpful, making the process seamless. They offer many ferry options and have an incredibly easy-to-use website for booking. ​The terminal is highly convenient: there is dedicated parking, including space for taxis and rideshare, and multiple restaurants are available right around it. They also provide free, clean bathrooms. Best of all, they're improving the experience with a soon-to-be-finished brand new large-screen scheduling/waiting area! Highly recommended.

This is a very busy, bustling terminal to and from Martha's Vineyard. It felt like I was boarding a plane almost. It's definitely the biggest ferry I have ridden to date but also the smoothest fairy ride I have even taken. There it very little to no boat sway. At one point, I didn't even know we were moving. There are also very nice views and sights to see during this 45-minute trip. It was a beautiful day. There are many seats, booths, and areas to sit at. There are restrooms available as well.

Friendly efficient service We were about to get on earlier ferries with our car and the attendants were communicative and kinds Vessels are clean and spacious Bathrooms were clean Great way to get to get to the islands Prebook in advance if you are bringing a car!!!

The Steamship Authority is the ferry to take when going to Martha's Vineyard. Sure, there are other ferry services, but, the Steamship Authority is the ferry I chose. They are located in Wood's Hole. There is no parking at this terminal unless you are a tour bus. Offsite parking is available in Famouth with a short bus ride to the terminal. At the terminal, you can buy your tickets at the ticket booth where it will cost you $20 round trip. Bringing a car on the ferry is expensive. It is better and cheaper to park in an offsite lot and find other transportation. The ferry we got on was large enough to have plenty of room several tour buses and still have room left over both going to Vineyard Haven and return. The ferry was clean. Seats were in good condition. They had plenty of restrooms. The scenery going to Vineyard Haven was phenomenal. They are a good ferry service. The price for the ferry is very cheap. Only swimming would cost less, but, this area is famous for the movie, Jaws. It is a nice ride.

Headed over to Martha's Vineyard? This is how to get there. Since we were here in the Winter, we had to leave from Woodhole though in the Summer there are other options. There is no parking at woodpile, so we were instructed to park in Falmouth at the steamship authority parking area. It costs $20 to park but then a shuttle is provided to the ferry. The ticket office and waiting area is a nice place to wait (you can get tickets online as well). This area has an ATM, a place to buy coffee, drinks and snacks, clean restrooms and some visitor information in addition to selling tickets and a few benches. You can take a vehicle on the ship as well but you need to schedule that in advance. The ferry was a pretty large ship with multiple floors to sit on inside and out, a first aid counter, restrooms and a large snack bar. About a 45 minute ride. Beautiful scenery and a smooth ride. Price was $20 a person for the ferry. An experience in itself.

This was our first time heading to Martha's Vineyard, and we decided to travel on foot. We checked the cost for bringing a vehicle and found it very expensive compared to Washington State Ferries to the San Juan Islands. We planned to go directly to Woods Hole but learned that we needed to park in Falmouth and take a bus to Woods Hole. The first parking location was fully booked, so we had to drive 15 minutes back to Technology Park at Thomas B. Landers Parking. If it's your first time, here's the address: [22 Technology Park Dr, East Falmouth, MA 02536]. Park there, find your section number based on the poles, and a charter bus will take you to Woods Hole, which is a 17-minute, 9-mile drive. At Woods Hole, you can purchase round-trip tickets for $20 at the ticket office or buy them online and save them to your phone. We boarded the ferry immediately upon arrival. The boat had plenty of space, and we sat on top, which was great given the hot weather. They have a bar on the boat, and I enjoyed a Hazy from a local brewery in Falmouth. My only gripe is needing to know in advance to park and rely on the shuttle bus to the terminal. Other than that, it was a pleasant experience.

Ferry boat to Martha's Vineyard [Woods Hole MA] We purchased tickets at the ferry ticket office. One way passenger ticket rate is $10/ea (adult) and is good for one passage in either direction (roundtrip is $20). We didn't need to make reservations since we were riding the ferry without a vehicle. The service was very efficient and reliable. It carries both passengers and vehicles, including commercial freight trucks (on the way to Martha's Vineyard we had the UPS truck along with us on board). The ferry we rode in going to Martha's Vineyard was smaller than the one we came back from the island with. I wasn't attentive to the length of time it took to arrive at the island but it wasn't very long, I'd say around 45-mins. This particular ferry has one gender-inclusive bathroom and only had a vending machine. The ship has ample seating. You can sit in your vehicle while it crossed the water or sit inside the boat. Remember where you parked. There are multiple sites for parking. Shuttles are available to take visitors/passengers to/from the dock. Review #3023

Highly reliable service to and from Martha's Vineyard. You'll board the ship with your car along with other cars. After leaving your car, you can remain inside or walk up to the outside upper deck for seating. There's a small beverage and snack bar inside. Small restrooms are available. Inside, you can still view the waters. On the outside deck, there's seating all around. I always enjoy sitting upstairs to view the passing boats and the beautiful waters. No worries when retrieving your car. It's always been in one piece. Check out the website www.steamshipauthority.com for fare and connection information. In addition, there's an outside ticket office for purchasing tickets in person.

Bottom Line: Its get the job done of getting people and vehicles around the cape and islands safely. My husband and I took the ferry roundtrip between Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard in early May in the chilly shoulder season. We booked our tickets about a week or so in advance and the available time slots were very limited. I can see why during the busy season it is advisable to book a month or more in advance. Other than limited time slots, making reservations online was relatively easy. The reservation system requires you to enter the make and model of your car and since we didn't know what our car was going to be we had to call the reservation office for guidance. We actually made a few calls to the reservation office about getting on a wait list, revising our reservation, etc. and they were helpful each time. Overall, I thought the loading and unloading process went smoothly. It seemed like the employees were working hard to get the cars packed as efficiently as possible and to get as many cars loaded as possible including those with reservations and those in the standby line. Once on board, the ferry accommodations themselves are very utilitarian but adequate. There was plenty of seating inside and outside but in early May when it felt like winter nobody braved the elements outdoor. We enjoyed the scenery from inside while sipping on some very overpriced drinks from the cafe. I wouldn't want to spend several hours on this ferry but for the hour long trip it was good enough. We arrived to our destination safely and luck for us both of our trips were on time.

The Steamship Authority received little to no administrative or financial support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and yet, somehow manages to provide contextually excellent service. The job that they face ranges from close to dead to insanely busy. During the peak time they are bombarded with all sorts from go with the flow Joe's and Janice's to complain about everything Ken and Karens. The best bet for a smooth trip is to plan ahead and make a reservation. That is not always possible. It's also not always possible to go standby and it's an almost certain impossibility to go standby during the summer. Spots do open up here and there so closely monitor the openings. Even during non peak season times, standby may take multiple tries. More than once I've had to wait 4 or so hours for a spot to open. Take some work or something to read or something. Nine (9) out of ten (10) staff members are friendly and courteous. There is one legendary sea hag in Woods Hole. If you have the misfortune of having her waive your vehicle on she will provide a free show of misery and find something to hit you with. Smile knowing you are in a better mental state than she is. The staff will try to work with you and honestly wants the best result. They are dealing with the ocean, ferries, regulations and safety. The bottom line is that only so many vehicles can fit. If you don't get on with no reservation for a particular trip, don't get pissy with them. Look in the mirror, learn to better plan, and adapt and improvise.

Our ferry on the way to MV was supposed to be at 2:30, but we didn't get on until closer to 3:45. It was clearly late, but no one was given any explanation. The ferry on the way back was on time. But to pay $240 for a round trip, you would expect better services and some courtesy or maybe even a refund for part of the trip.

I have good things to say about this company but to be honest, there aren't many other options are there? I have used this company a few times, both as walk on as well as drive on. For driving towards, the parking lot is about 10 minutes north of the port. They offer plenty of shuttles to the port so no worries there. The cars seem to be pretty safe to leave for a long time. That lot is pretty far away from most things so it isn't like someone is walking by and would bust into your car. Once you get to the port you have to get a ticket at the ticketing office. There is a small coffee and snack shop there but it isn't always open. You can at least use the bathroom which is kept fairly clean. The price of the ferry isn't bad at all, for a walk on that is. The queue at this site can be a bit confusing but there is generally someone guiding people around. For driving on, you will get directed to a line when you arrive and then you can purchase your passengers' ticket. you will have to make a reservation for your car beforehand and that can be expensive depending on the time of year. The loading and unloading is very efficient. They have MULTIPLE people guiding cars on and off as well as directing you to park on the boat so it is very clear. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes prior to boarding as they instruct! As for the boat, it is quite a large ferry with a small cafeteria on board. the prices are steep but you are on a boat. There is a small selection of sandwiches, alcohol, drinks, chips and baked goods. I THINK they do hot food also but they weren't around the times I was there. The bay can be very rocky which was horrible for someone like me who gets motion sickness very easily. I found staying in the car which is on the lowest level was the best . Prices are fair and the boat gets crowded so come early!

The directions at the terminal are ATROCIOUS! And the staff has been unwelcoming and not at all helpful for navigating in/out/around the parking lot, which by the way has construction going on. The signage is abysmal. Everything says DO NOT ENTER, well dammit where DO YOU ENTER? Yes, I carefully used the do not enter routes because they were all that I saw. Even a hand written sign with some better information would be helpful! Do better!

80 percent are very nice yet paying 250 bucks for aroundtripcar..the parking people some are rude and jerks

The ferry is nice and clean. On a beautiful day it's nice to sit outside and look at the water... But if you are planning a trip to Martha's Vineyard and planning to take your car, be prepared to pay up to $300-$500 round trip during the summer. And you have to purchase your tickets months in advance or you are on standby and a waiting line for the ferry. It may be worth it just to take a shuttle bus from the airport and rent a car on the island instead. If that is the way you are traveling. Just a warning...

These people is wildin'! Like, c'mon!? HOW YOU GONNA LEAVE A BOAT UNTIED AND LET THAT SHIP FLOAT AWAY!? And they charging' all kinda extra money now for the boat to even be on the boat when it's boat time like binch please Y'all racist as hell too I ain't even seent one black captain driving the boat.

The most important aspect of the Steamship Authority are the Captains, and I've always had smooth rides on the ferries, so hats off to the Captains! I'd give the Steamship Authority 5 stars based on them. However, I have to shave off 2 stars, because if you have bikes and want to take a shuttle, the bus drivers do nothing to ensure that someone who arrives well after you doesn't usurp your bike slot. My husband and I help each other put one bike on at a time, because we are Senior Citizens, and way too often, an entitled bully will put his bike on the other rack, while we are securing the first bike with the 2nd bike clearly right next to the 2nd rack. When you ask the miscreants, who are very adept at cutting in, to remove their bike, because you were there first, they just scoff at you. We had to miss 2 shuttle busses due to this trick. We finally, drove both bikes to Woods Hole and dropped off the bags with one of us remaining at the ferry, while the other drove back to the lot and took the shuttle solo. The bus drivers, who know full well the game, do not get involved. They say it's a matter between us and the unscrupulous bike rack cheaters. This bike rack incivility continues on the Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority busses, but sometimes the bus drivers there will stick up for us. We now simultaneously lift our bikes on the racks ASAP, even though it is hard on us, and then help each other straighten them out and secure them.

We booked tickets (with our car to board the ferry) for an 8:35 departure. You are told to arrive 30 minutes before departure time. We arrived at 7:50 and we did not board the ferry with our car until 8:50. Ferry didn't leave on time as scheduled. There was no communication whatsoever about delays. We traveled with our toddler who was very impatient as one might imagine. Once the car was on the ferry, the space we had was so tight. We could barely open the doors to get out. I'm an average sized person and I had to get out on the passenger side (I drove). Barely could get the child out of the car seat side of the car, a four door sedan. We spent about $242 total for our tickets (passenger tix and car storage; child under 5 was free). These are the things to note so you can plan accordingly.

To get to Martha's Vineyard you can either fly in or take the MV Ferry, my daughter made all the arrangements online so all I actually had to do was give the personnel at the entrance booth my name and he directed me to line up in lane ( lanes are numbered). My reservation time was 1:15pm )I arrived at 11:05 I was told they would try to get me on at 12:00,we'll it turns out lit wasn't a lot of vehicles so they were able to accommodate me. As you approach you give them a boarding ticket and drive your own vehicle on board. The only drawback was cars are parked so close together on either side you don't or can't open door unless you are very very careful not to hit the car next to you. Also those walking off have to walk by your vehicle if you're in lane 1 or 8 and they have a tendency to walk by swinging backpacks or rolling luggage. It didn't happen to me but I had a few people walking by who I had to give a side eye. Once you're at MV you're directed when you can drive off just be careful when going over ramp it's not exactly leveled to the ground, I came off a little hard but didn't do any damage. Interesting experience.

A very efficient operation run by the Steamship Authority. Vehicle reservations are a must but if you go as a pedestrian, no reservations are required. Watch for parking lot signs as you approach Falmouth because parking is off site and free shuttle buses bring you to the dock. Staff at the ticket counters and those loading the boats are very friendly and helpful. Travel restrictions are in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check the MA gov website before you go as some who travel from select states must fill out travel forms and potentially self quarantine.

I've been waiting over 30 minutes for a shuttle. There was no sign indicating that the Palmer Lot was closed so many people had to turn around and go back to the Thomas Lander lot. During a high summer travel season ya'll have to do better.

Taking a ferry is the only way to get to Martha's Vineyard. We browsed through their website to learn about schedule, parking etc. Parking is off-site, $15/day - they do have shuttle taking folks back and forth from parking. Boats were quipped with disinfecting wipes for covid measures. Strict 6-ft was enforced, people were still congregating while boarding and exiting. We took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. While experience with boat and shuttle was good for MV, shuttle driver on the way back was rude to passenger on Nantucket. Apparently there were several parking lots and driver expected people to know those by number (such as lot#2 or 4) than the street name itself. He got into a ugly verbal spat with a woman who kept referring street name. Not all tourist would know what those lot numbers are unless told in advance - hence taking a star away from this review.

What a mess. Try your best to navigate the mess of angry employees here and you will fail. The systems that work during the off- season are clearly over stressed and out of date for the growing Summer crowds. Put in the hands of patient problem solvers things might work but, those in charge are neither equipped mentally or physically to think on their feet. As gatekeepers to an Island that is truly a marvel, it is a shame they aren't more welcoming or capable.

Over 150 people waiting for a bus since 10:10, definitely not making the 10:45. Doubt I'll make the 11:05. What a joke. Not a single bus for 30 minutes and counting. For my entire life this company has been successfully making transportation as difficult and as expensive as possible. I'm just watching the line grow and grow and I'm stunned that there has not been a single bus. The 10:45 and 11;05 going to be completely missed by all these people who got here with more than enough time.

The staff was AWESOME! I had to change my times going and returning and the staff notified me in plenty of time that both request had been granted. Loved the journey to MV. There was no stress, no mess and so well organized! We were able to arrive earlier than expected.

The only way to Matha's Vineyard is by ferry. You can catch the ferry in many places, but this one seemed more convenient. Plus it is the only ferry that you can take your car in. Just remember that if you plan to travel in the summer and need to take your car, you do need reservations way in advanced. We tried making them three weeks before and were out of luck. We parked at one of their designated lots from Thursday- Sunday. Paid $60. A free shuttle drove us 15-20 min to the ferry. Once there, we paid for a round trip $17. We boarded with our luggage and were on our merry way. The ferry we took was not on the official schedule. I was told that in the summer they add a ferry here and there to accommodate the crowds. You get to choose from two ports to arrive to at MV. Either one is ok. They aren't too far from each other. On the way back, we took the fancier looking ferry. They sold food and it had AC. The disembarking process was a mess. I suggest you sit in the floor that has the food. That's were they disembark from. They have elevators, so bags shouldn't be a problem. WiFi was available. The ferry took about 30-45 minutes.

Very expensive, around $90 for three single riders with 3 bikes round trip. Even though the seats inside were taped off with caution tape, it didn't stop the commuters from sitting inside. The concessions stands were closed due to the Covid19 situation, but the restrooms were opened.

For me, it was not an option (cost wise) to bring my rental car aboard for a day trip to MV. The two roundtrip passenger tickets cost $34, taking the car round trip would have cost approximately $170...price varies per vehicle & seasonally. There were only two employees working the ticket counter being friendly & helpful while keeping the line moving. There's a small snack area selling drinks, packaged meals & snacks with reasonable prices for the location. The shuttle driver & ferry crew employees were just as friendly to answer a question & or lend a hand. The announcement gave us time to head towards the ferry's line, once your ticket is scanned, you board & find a seat. This vessel is a ferry, not a yacht so some of the rumblings about accommodations were humorous. Booths, dual & quad seats all provides a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean with exterior seating offering a few rows of chairs at the nose of the ferry. While I was on deck I got through two pictures with a random thought of Kate Winslet/The Titanic & went right back inside. To Note: *Reservations are not required, yet an easy& convenient process online. *It's recommended to arrive 30 minutes prior to sailing time. *Through the Steamship Authority, they offer annually/seasonal parking in multiple lots (we parked in Falmouth) & free shuttle bus service to the Woods Hole Terminal. *Martha's Vineyard ferries depart from Woods Hole & Nantucket ferries depart from Hyannis. *The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to the Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket islands from Cape Cod. We departed from Woods Hole Wharf & after 35 minutes of a slow cruise across the waters we arrived at Vineyard's Haven. A simple & cost-efficient way to get to Martha Vineyards.

Well, this is how you get to and from Martha's Vineyard so you sort of have to be a fan. In warm weather they leave port often so even if you miss the one you thought you wanted, another boat will be along soon. It's a quick ride there and back again. There is copious parking but finding your car on the way back was a bear. The driver didn't tell us which lot our car was in and we didn't realize we needed to ask. Do ASK! Not only which lot, but which part of that lot as the bus stopped in several places within the one lot. There is lots of parking. The fee to park all day (we arrived early and left late) was only about $15. Based on all the different places we have parked all over the world, I think this is reasonable. On our way over to MV we were on a smaller ship without any services. Just a few spots for vehicles and a small indoor area along the side to sit out of the wind. On our way back we caught a much larger ship with lots of comfy indoor seating, a lounge with TV's and concessions. We arrived in Edgartown and after wandering around and grabbing a meal, we took public transport to Oakbluffs to catch a tour. (Pick up the bus near the ferry terminal and have exact cash for the driver or buy a ticket from the public transport staff wandering around the bus stop.) We figured we'd just catch the ferry from Oakbluffs. Although it was a sunny day, the winds were high, the surf rough and the ships were not stopping in Oakbluffs. So, back on the bus to Edgartown to catch the ferry it is. We got back a bit later than we had planned due to this unexpected turn of events. As the boat was large and comfortable and had a variety of food options, we grabbed a bite to eat and a couple of drinks and enjoyed the ride back to Woods Hole.

Taking this ferry is the econo-buy to get to Martha's Vineyard. It's just $8.50 to walk on. The boat is roomy & spacious. On board they sell food, snacks, drinks and alcohol. The disadvantage to this ferry is the offsite parking. It's a 15 minute bus ride from the Falmouth parking lot to Woods Hole. The parking was $15 for the whole day. Looking for a cheap trip to Martha's Vineyard this is the way to go.

Parking for ferry is 25 minutes away , forcing you to take a smelly shuttle and wait ....and miss your ferry. No notifications by text or call that you are to park miles and miles away. Use a ferry company where you can park on-site or a reasonable distance away, Not a half hour away, forcing you to lose half your day on shuttles!!!

I made my reservation a couple of months in advance. I then called them to ask some questions around things like vehicle-type (I didn't know for sure, as I was renting) and license plate (ditto). The lady on the phone was quite helpful. As long as I specified a type of vehicle and didn't get a radically larger one, I was fine. We arrived at the ferry terminal about 40 minutes in advance of departure. We were directed to a specific lane (1 of 8) to prepare. We had time to walk over to the concession stand / restroom place. The only gripe there was that a bag of potato chips cost $2.39 (it would be just over $1 at most places near home). Fees for the round trip for our rental car were around $200. That seems pricey, but there are no other choices. Loading and unloading were handled efficiently. During the crossing, you can exit your vehicle and sit on one of the upper decks. They have a small grill / snack bar and (I think) a bar-type set-up at the rear of the ship. We didn't buy anything on board. Overall, it was an okay experience. I'd like to have paid less, but that's generally true of most travel items.

Horrible management and customer service especially Alison Fletcher Director of Shoreside Operations. She acts concerned and like she cares about customers then that quickly changes and she goes silent once hearing the problem. Rude and unprofessional. They seem to have a thing for hiring employees that are regrading. I dealt with a very disrespectful employee on the ferry and he crossed some lines and steamship didn't seem to care much. I can't support a business like that.

Great help with reservations from Rebecca and another colleague of hers. I wasn't sure how to go about reserving and waitlisting, and both women were super helpful and really nice!

If you want to go to the Vineyard, most likely this is the ferry you will take. When coming from the mainland - it's closest to the canal. And only a 45 minute ride across. The ferries can also transport your car. Round Trip on the ferry for the car with 2 passengers was $125ish. Quite the bargain if you ask me. If you are taking your car, you really should make reservations in advance. Even on a freezing cold snowy December day, the ferries get booked up and going stand by sucks. In high season the ferries can be booked weeks in advance. You can make reservations online. You need to make the reservation for a particular make and model of car and you need to know your plate number. You pay additional for the driver as well as all passengers. Yes - you can send your car over unaccompanied. They tell you to be in line 1/2 hour ahead of time. Maybe that is necessary in high season, but off season, 10-15 minutes is fine. Seriously - it's the only civilized way to get to the Vineyard.

This is the worst set up possible.. they are lucky they are the only competition on this island as any individual with a 2nd grade education would have a better back up plan when dealing with delays. You would think, if your boat @ 9:50 is cancelled due to no fault of your own, the next scheduled boat at 10:30, would then allow the 9:50 cars to be loaded. So on and so forth... NOPE!!! That would just make too much sense... Instead, those who missed that boat, now has to wait and luck out hoping the next boat has a car that cancels. This way, you slowly get closer in line to catching a boat. The steamship authority likes to complicate things and hold people hostage to your vehicle.. they constantly ship people around, so if you are not at your vehicle during this shift, you lose your status in line. So you are basically held hostage to your vehicle... Absolutely pathetic, whom ever runs this shit show of an operation needs to be fired asap..

Clearly the men working the docks are salty merchantmen with no class, sense of customer service or safety. When we first arrived and just prior to boarding, three workers including the policeman standing there chastised a group of boarders because we were told to board and then told not to board. We were then told to go to the second door on the left, but there are no signs and no directions. Walking through the tight spaces appeared to be quite difficult for some of the passengers in front of us. After we returned from Martha's Vineyard, there was no one directing us where to go. We were told to exit down where the cars leave, but again no instructions of which door to go to or anything. Once we left the boat, the shuttle buses were in complete disarray. Everyone was trying to cram onto the buses. When there was a group of us left over for another bus, the arriving bus told everyone that he was done for the day and we would have to wait for the next. It was 90° outside and high humidity. The lady guiding buses thought the one arriving was for us, but we had to tell her that she was incorrect. After the busses arrived for us, we were so crammed in sitting down and standing up that it was nearly unbearable. The ride to the shuttle lot seemed like riding a roller coaster. Very fast and everyone was swaying as they held onto the rail. This is a very poorly run operation here. Either be prepared for the chaos or choose another vendor to cross to the islands.

Steamship Authority provides a wonderful travel service from the Cape to the Islands (in this case, Martha's Vineyard) It costs about $17.50 for a round trip, without reservations, if you go as a pedestrian. In the height of summer, the ticketing line is huge, winding into the loading area, so be sure to go first thing in the morning. The service is friendly and helpful. There's a little cafe with refreshments. There's coffee, salads, cookies, even ice cream. The ride out to Oak Bluffs is excellent, in the salty air with views of lighthouses, other boats. A great way to go to the Vineyard. Would definitely go again. A pleasant hourlong excursion along Vineyard Sound.

Traveling to MV has gotten more and more difficult. Now with the new upgrades and regulations it is not a easy experience. The new policy on passenger tickets is ridiculous. I recently purchased a 5 trip passenger ticket and was given an option to put it on my account which I did. So you would think you don't need the actual card. RIGHT? WRONG! Not one employee I ask knew anything about how I would retrieve my pass on my phone and forget about using someone else's pass only one swipe per ride. RIDICULOUS!!! If they want to upgrade they really need to follow through.

Rude rude beyond rude!! I will charter a flight to the islands before I ever travel with the S A!! Agent was miserable. Loading guy was worse. Squeezed my car in so I couldn't open doors EVEN though ferry not full!!!

I came here to take the ferry to martha's vineyard and was happy with how easy the whole experience was. The cost for the fast trip was only $17 round trip, much less than other ferries I researched. They had a parking lot for $13 for the day and a shuttle to take people back and forth. There was plenty of signs and the process was fast and seamless. You need to wear your mask the whole trip but I felt it was reasonable.

Terrible customer service and extremely rude staff. I know exactly why they are the cheapest cuz otherwise they won't get business

There and back again Martha's Vineyard is a cool island that sits about seven miles off of Cape Cod. There are several ways to get there, you can take a plane, take your own boat, swim or take the Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole. Since the gut between the island and mainland is treacherous and filled with rips and nasty tides, trying to swim the seven miles would probably be suicide for most people, although one guy apparently did do it in 1982 to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. Even taking a kayak or small sail boat would be pretty dangerous because of the unpredictable tide rips that can create six foot standing waves in minutes. Flying is nice and quick but fairly expensive, so for most people that leaves the Steamship Authority Ferry. The ferry is kind of noisy and stinky and can get really crowded in the summer but is always fun. Only takes about 45 minutes and you can bring your car, bike, kayak or just yourself. Of course everything on the water depends on the weather but most of the time the ride is smooth and relaxing. Plenty of places to sit inside out of the weather or you can pace around up on deck and look for giant kraken. The parking area in Wood's Hole can be pretty tight but there are other lots in Falmouth a few miles away where you can park and there is a free shuttle service to get you to the boat. Runs back and forth all day during the summer months. Being on the water is always cool, and going to the Vineyard is always very cool. And for most people, the Steamship Authority Ferry is the best way to do it.

Very nice boat, But do not book same day passage if you have somewhere to be. We booked ferry with5 hour window to get to Boston Logan airport. Our ferry had mechanical problems and after making us wait for a fix they canceled it and sent us to another ferry terminal. Problem is you then go as standby . on a Saturday????? Delayed over 3plus hours.... Occurred extra rental car charges, missed our flight and had to spend one extra night in Boston with all hotels by airpor booked. $40 each way Uber ride to airport plus $500 hotel. Complete bullshit. Not a word from steamship, some lady in charge could care less. Ruined a perfect trip. Will not be back ever.

SURPRISINGLY SMOOTH Queue up in your car, drive on, walk around the ferry, get back in your car, then drive off.

Always thought the staff on the steamship authorities to Martha's Vineyard from Woods Hole or professional and kind. Not this trip! Rude rude rude so maybe we're not used to backing onto a freighter, we take our time driving into a fairy so we don't hit somebody? These guys were jerks

The ladies who answer the phones to assist you are the best at customer service. They listen to your concern and work with you to find the best accommodations. I have spoken with them numerous times, and each time was the most pleasant experience. I thank them for their hard work in scheduling, especially during the summer months. Joyce N.

Great service and staff. Took their ferry to/from Nantucket on July 2021 and I was very pleased.

Want to go to Martha's Vineyard? The Steamship Authority has an affordable ferry from Woods Hole to one of two ports on the island - Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. For adults, it is $8 each way, or a $16 round trip for your outing. If you're going often during the year, or traveling with a group, consider the 10 ride ticket book that you can pick up at a ticket office for $65, but head's up - I think you have to let the ticket taker rip out the proper tickets. They use a handful of satellite parking lots (ranging in price from $8-13 per calendar day depending on the season, payment accepted as you depart the lot) and offer free bus shuttles to the terminal. The ride from the Palmer Lot was about 10-15 minutes once the bus was filled. The terminal wasn't all that big, but it had a few seats inside, a coffee shop with some food options, and bathrooms. What more do you need? The ship was actually pretty big. We got on the early morning boat on the early side, so our group of 12 meandered a few floors and was actually able to find a circle of 12 seats just waiting for us by the stern. During the 45 min trip, we walked about and got windblown outside. Comfy enough a ride. The trip back was a bit more packed, so we had to divvy up our group in terms of our car rides back. I tried to use their wi-fi, but was quite unsuccessful. Jump on the appropriate bus - remember which lot you parked at? - and get ferried back... but there may be more than one bus stop at your particular lot... did you remember where you parked at your lot? This is key to finding your car in the relative dark. Official word from their website: "Calling our Woods Hole Parking Information Line at (508) 457-PARK (7275) Visiting our mobile site at m.SteamshipAuthority.com Tuning into 1610 AM radio Watching for road signs on approaching highways 511 Massachusetts from your mobile phone*" "We recommend that passengers arrive 1 hour prior to scheduled departure time to allow time for parking in our off-site parking lots during our busy summer season."

This is the most anxiety inducing travel establishment in existence, and I've flown American Airlines. Let it be known that it is run by people who resemble bridge trolls, as they speak in riddles and are flustered when you ask any simple question like "when does the next ferry leave?". They are truly An army of tiny Neapolitans in bright yellow. I'm just trying to get to the ferry with my mom. That's all we ask, take my money and tell me where to park. We are not asking for a window seat. I'm only giving this sh*thole ferry a two stars because I didn't collapse into the ocean on the way over. Too bad the competition is an hour away in hyannis. Worth the drive? You decide - but also I'm telling you, yes. I amend my previous review to include : Dave, we see you. You're a cool dude and we are glad you work at steamship. I'd give you five stars for your humor and am going to email steamship about your hospitality

I don't think it's actually a steamship anymore, but they do operate a nice fleet of ferries which take you from Woods Hole to either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. To take a one way trip, it would cost $8.50 each way during peak season. To bring a car, you need to make reservations in advance which would cost $68 each way. For a motorcycle, which we brought, no reservations are necessary and costs $26 each way. The trip itself takes less than 45 minutes. There are several ships which cross back and forth, some bigger than others. They have a snack bar area where you can get alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, sandwiches, chowder, and other snacks. The staff really hustles to ensure you embark and disembark in an orderly fashion. Trust me, this could be a very difficult task with so many New Yorkers and Bostonians all jostling to get onboard first.

We journeyed to M/V to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary. I would like to give a shout out to Purser Joseph O'Keefe of the Nantucket, and also the State Trooper who was on duty on Wed, 7/3/19. After loading, then suffering a panic attack, my wife felt the need to disembark in despair. Her fear of motion sickness and a ruined wedding anniversary adventure was managed calmly and extremely professionally by both gentlemen. Both the Trooper's and Purser O'Keefe's reassuring tone and relayed experience went a long way to assure my wife and restore a sense of peace and trust. Joseph's treatment and attention were above and beyond as he offered his office and personal care for the voyage. Not only during the voyage but at the end and on the return trip! Joseph's follow-up with his passenger was excellent. Forever grateful