ALF

I've taken the good old Steamship Authority ferries from Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard, but this time I am headed to the Vineyard from NYC. I've noticed that there is a 'Fast Ferry' from Quonset Point, RI to the Vineyard, and I'm wondering if anyone has taken it - sure looks like a good option on the map.

THanks!

Gene

There is also a fast ferry out of New Bedford, Mass. closer to MV than R.I.

Kehsutton

The fast ferry from Quonset is an excellent option. And it's closer to NYC than New Bedford. It's just under an hour and a half ride from Quonset to MV. Here's the link: http://www.vineyardfastferry.com/index.htm
There's ample parking available, easy access from 95. And wouldn't you rather be on a ferry than in your car still driving to catch a ferry from New Bedford?

SB_Travlr

We used the fast ferry from Quonset for the first time in 2003, after many trips on the older, not-fast Woods Hole ferry. Overall journey time was a bit faster (coming from CT), but I have to say that there's something appealing about the Woods Hole trip that I just didn't find on the Quonset trip.

At that time, facilities at Quonset were pretty minimal -- and because the schedule is limited, you will probably spend some time there waiting. They may have improved that now: it was certainly very much in start-up mode when we were there. Maybe my memory is tainted by the fact that it was a wet cold day, not the ferry experience we had in mind...!

EmilyC

Lots of folks seem to be enjoying this option. While I haven't taken the ferry myself, hubby and I spend a lot of time out on the water and we watch it leave Narraganset Bay frequently. You can get off the train at Kingston and cab it to the Quonset point location ( about 15 - 20 minutes). The ferry ride is 90 minutes.

ALF

Thanks for the info! I looked at the New Bedford ferry too, but it would get me into the Vineyard at pretty much the same time as the Quonset Point ferry (the NB ferry leaves later), and I would do less driving - which is important, because I will have flown into NYC that morning via red-eye flights from Anchorage to Seattle to JFK.

china_cat

So, ALF, I just want to make sure you know, neither the Quonset or New Bedford ferries take vehicles. I only mention it because you say you are driving from NYC. You'll have to leave the car (presumably a rental?) on the mainland. The only car ferry is the one from Woods Hole.

ALF

Yes, I realize that both the Quonset Point and New Bedford ferries are passenger only. I will be picked up on the Vineyard end. I haven't been there since our honeymoon, 28 years ago last week. I'm actually going there on business, to help resolve a real estate dispute. After that, I'm renting a bicycle and will go visit some old haunts.

ALF

Thanks for the feedback - I just returned from the Vineyard, via the Quonset Pt ferry, and it worked out quite well. As noted in a post above, the 'terminal' is a trailer sitting in a gravel parking lot, and the 'dock' is an old barge. Nevertheless, the boat itself was well-appointed, and did indeed get me there (and back) quickly and smoothly. They commonly have fog problems, which causes them to become a not-so-fast ferry, but we still got there within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time. Parking is $10/day, but you don't have to take a shuttle like you do at Wood's Hole. There is a shuttle service from the Amtrak train station, as well as Providence airport.

china_cat

thanks for following up. It sounds like the ferry itself might be a little nicer than the New Bedford ferry. Good to know for future reference.