Tag Archives: Martha’s Vineyard rental home

How Does the Steamship Authority Work?

Matha's Vineyard Steamship Authority Ferry

For those of you that have been to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, you know that the process of bringing a vehicle along on your Vineyard vacation can be very trying if you don’t know the process!  Our island population goes from around 15,000 year round residents to 100,000 August visitors.  You really do need to take a ferry to and from the island.  It is a 45 minute ferry ride from the Cape.

Oak Bluffs Beach Front Rental

Once you have booked your Vineyard vacation rental, you will need to work on making arrangements for getting here.  The Steamship Authority does not take reservations for the summer season until sometime in January.  This year they open reservations online and via mail on January 20th.  Mark your calendars!  They will open the phone lines up on January 27, 2009.

Sometimes it feels like you have won the lottery when you get just the right times for your reservations for your August vacation.   The process can seem unbearable much of the time but following are some tips that might help:

  • Go online to the Steamship Authority and sign up for your profile number and pin prior to making your reservation.
  • Go online as soon as you can on January 20, be patient as you may get bumped off the site due to high volume.
  • Book any time you can on the day of travel or as close to the day of travel and request to be wait listed for your preferred times.

You should know that the wait list system does seem to work out for most travelers that are reserving their tickets this far in advance.   The steamship has represented in the past that they do not completely book all of the boats so they will have some flexibility.  Things do shift around but you may not know for sure right up until travel time.  They do also have a day of sail number you can call to try to change your reservation while you are on the road.

I once had a customer call and book a house one Saturday in August, drive down and get right on the boat and arrive at my office to pay for their vacation home and pick up their key, all in the same day.  This is not the norm and I do not recommend you wait to see if this works but, please realize that some of the systems that may seem very flawed can work well in the end!

Feature Friday #FF: #104 Mullen Way Bungalow

Kaufman-104

This charming bungalow is just minutes from Main Street, Edgartown, Fuller Street Beach, State Beach and South Beach.

Feature Friday #FF: William Street Bungalow Edgartown Martha's Vineyard Sandpiper Rentals

The modern amenities such as a fully equipped kitchen and high speed internet add to this immaculate and very well maintained 3 bedroom 1.5 bathroom property.Feature Friday #FF: William Street Bungalow Edgartown Martha's Vineyard Sandpiper Rentals

For those days at the beach, there is an outside shower to wash the day away. Feature Friday #FF: William Street Bungalow Edgartown Martha's Vineyard Sandpiper Rentals

For your added relaxation, there is a lovely yard and back deck to complete the package for your perfect vacation getaway. Feature Friday #FF: William Street Bungalow Edgartown Martha's Vineyard Sandpiper Rentals

Sandpiper RentalsView our vacation rental properties here
Contact: rent@sandpiperrental.com

#FF Feature Friday: Dorothy West Oak Bluffs

Dorothy-West

This beautifully renovated home has plenty of room for everyone. Everything in this home is new, up to date and very comfortable. It is also just a short distance to town in Oak Bluffs and State Beach.

 

This Oak Bluffs cottage is large enough to hold up to 10 people comfortably with enough entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

SandpiperRentals_5273

 

For those that would like a little private time, the guest house is a charming get away.SandpiperRentals_5295

 

The inside of the guest house has the needed amenities to make this a great vacation home away from vacation home.SandpiperRentals_5312

Sandpiper Final Outlines With Green New

View our vacation rental properties here
Contact: rent@sandpiperrental.com