Tag Archives: steamship authority

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!

#WednesdayWondering: WHAT FERRY TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE?

Ferry Tickets Sold Out

 

If you missed our blog post about vacation rentals that come with ferry tickets, this is a HUGE reminder. If you’re trying to travel during the peak season, especially August, you may find that the dates you’d like to travel are completely,  unequivocally,  comprehensively SOLD OUT.

Now, don’t panic! We have over 30 beautiful vacation rentals with very thoughtful owners. Many are a part of Steamship Authority‘s Head Start program where they can make summer reservations before the general public. The owners know that there are experienced renters that wait with bated breath for the moment it turns 12AM January 13th to book their ferry tickets. These owners have done the work for you. They have transferable round trip ferry tickets that you can use when you book with them.

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Search the complete list: Rentals with Ferry Tickets

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

#FeatureFriday: #1256 Weekend Getaway from Boston

Weekend Getaway from Boston
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When the sun finally starts to peak from behind the snow clouds, I can’t wait to plan a trip away. The snow loses its charm and turns dirty grey. You want to get away for a short time with your someone special to relax and rejuvenate. When you deal with the 9-5 bustle during the week, sometimes you need a change of scenery to make it to the next week.1256

Massachusetts is one of those unique places where you can be away from it all and not too far away. Sometimes you just need a weekend getaway from Boston. Martha’s Vineyard is just a hop, skip, and jump away from Boston–also known as about an hour’s drive from the ferry.1256

The Steamship Authority allows you many ways to get you across the ocean. You’re able to park in one of their many lots and take a shuttle to the ferry. Or you can schedule a reservation and drive right on and off. If you would rather forget about driving all together, Peter Pan Bus offers a trip from South Station to  the ferry. Just pack a bag and go!1256

This perfect two bedroom, two bathroom retreat overlooks Lagoon Pond in Vineyard Haven. The charming living room makes for a welcome area to relax after a day at the beach. This is  such a wonderful retreat for a couple or two looking to get away from the hustle and bustle from the city. A perfect setting to nurture the mind, body, and spirit.         1256Really, just an adorable, well maintained, immaculate waterfront cottage with an upper and lower deck, outdoor grilling, lovely side and back yards, enclosed outdoor shower, with plenty of parking. And for those that chose to either park on the other side or take the Peter Pan, this rental is a short distance to both the ferry and town.

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Inside you will find a retro, yet efficient kitchen, first floor bedroom and private bathroom with access to the back porch. Also an adorable eat in area of the cozy living space which has a serene view of the pond. Upstairs is the king master suite with its own sitting area, deck and bathroom.1256Truly a comfortable Vineyard Haven treasure for a single family or two couples waiting to spend one weekend during the off season, a week during the summer, or the entire summer.1256

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