Steamship Authority summer reservations open to strong demand

FALMOUTH (February 5, 2025) – The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority experienced robust demand for vehicle reservations during its recent summer reservation opening dates.

On January 28, 2025, the Authority opened its summer schedule on the Hyannis-Nantucket route. On that day, it processed 6,642 transactions representing more than $4 million in revenue. In 2024, the Authority processed 7,774 transactions during the entire day. This year, the peak number of transactions processed per minute was 347 versus 182 per minute in 2024.

On February 4, 2025, the Authority opened its summer schedule on the Woods Hole-Martha’s Vineyard route. On that day, it processed 21,466 transactions representing nearly $6.9 million in revenue. In 2024, it processed 23,673 transactions. This year, the peak number of transactions processed per minute was 722 versus 254 in 2024.

The Steamship Authority defines a transaction as either a one-way or a round-trip automobile reservation. The figures cited above account for certain transactions differently from the data released in previous years.

“The recent reservation openings show a continued, strong demand for travel to both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard,” said General Manager Robert B. Davis. “The Authority’s IT group, system developers, and partner vendors spent several months performing increasingly demanding load testing and fine-tuning the reservation process, which led to a successful summer opening period. We are looking forward to another season of serving the travel needs of visitors to and residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.”

Although many of the most in-demand summer travel weekends are at or near capacity, travelers are encouraged to use the Authority’s popular wait list feature if they are trying to book a currently unavailable time. Also, residents of both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard who are in the Authority’s Preferred or Excursion programs are eligible to book spaces that are set aside each day for last-minute travel needs. More information can be found at www.steamshipauthority.com/residents.

Customers will be able to make summer reservations for either island via the phone to the Authority’s Reservation Office and in person at the terminals starting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

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Since 1960, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has served as the transportation lifeline to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard year-round. The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to the islands and offers the most frequent daily departures for passengers, automobiles, groups and trucks. In 2024, more than 2.9 million passengers and nearly 674,000 vehicles of all sizes were transported to and from the islands. Our U.S. Coast Guard-certified crews are committed to the highest level of safety at sea while our vessels offer comfort and convenience with spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and TV on board.