Counting Down to the Fourth!

Ferry rides and flights from Hyannis to Nantucket will be busy this weekend as hundreds of visitors kick off their Fourth of July celebrations a little early! Jetties beach is the best place in Nantucket to view fireworks and celebrate the Independence Day. Leading up to the fireworks at night, there are many patriotic activities to take part in throughout the day. A fun, annual event is the 4th of July parade through Main Street. The weather couldn't look much better this weekend . . . lost of sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70s!!!

Bikes Ride Free Tomorrow!

Just a quick reminder that both Hy-Line Cruises and the Steamship Authority are holding a "Free Bike Day" on Wednesday, June 27th! In support of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority's Smart Transportation Week, both Hy-Line and the SSA have announced that passengers can "take their bike for free" for travel between Hyannis & Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard!

Happy Trails

There's so much to love about Nantucket and at the top of our list is a collection of beautiful properties owned and operated by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation know as The Sanford Farm, Ram Pasture and The Woods. Runners and walkers love the breathtaking scenery that is unique to the island. Our family usually makes the complete six-mile round trip Ocean Walk once per visit at a brisk walking pace. I'll run the the same route most mornings as there are few trails in the country that offer grassy plains one minute and rolling waves crashing into the shore the next. Read about the history of these unique properties and view a map here. 

July Events on Nantucket!

It's never too early to start planning a summer trip to the island. Here's a list of some popular events coming to Nantucket in July . . .

Fourth of July Fireworks

Nantucket Dance Festival:
July 24-27

Nantucket Garden Festival:
July 25-28

Nantucket Yoga Festival:
July 26-28

Nantucket Comedy Festival:
July 26-28

Happy Summer!

The first official day of summer is bringing loads of sunshine to Hyannis and Nantucket and temps in the 70s!!

Nantucket Film Festival begins tomorrow!

Ferries and flights from Hyannis to Nantucket will be busier than usual beginning tomorrow with the start of the 2012 Nantucket Film Festival. For details on this year's event visit: http://www.nantucketfilmfestival.org/

Steamship Authority to add three ferry runs Wednesday

Summer ferry services from both Hy-Line Cruies and the Steamship Authority will officially hit their stride on Wednesday, June 20, when the SSA adds three daily traditional ferry runs. Barring any revisions, both ferry companies' summer schedules will then be set until the fall. The three SSA traditional ferry additions will leave Hyannis bound for Nantucket at 7:15 a.m. (arrive 9:30 a.m.), 1:00 p.m. (arrive 3:15 p.m.) and 6:30 p.m. (arrive 8:45 a.m.) The three added return trips from Nantucket to Hyannis will leave the island at: 10:15 a.m. (arrive 12:30 p.m.), 3:45 p.m. (arrive 6:00 p.m.), and 9:00 p.m. (arrive 11:15 p.m.) These three round-trip runs operated during the Memorial Day weekend, but were dropped after May 29.

Notes

The weekend forecast for Nantucket calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s . . . Hy-Line will add its 6:20 p.m. traditional ferry run from Hyannis to Nantucket tomorrow, as well as an 8:20 p.m. return trip from Nantucket to Hyannis . . . The Steamship Authority, like Hy-Line, will allow passengers to bring their bike for FREE on Wednesday, June 27th, as part of Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority's Smart Transportation Week.

Pets Fly Free from Hyannis to Nantucket

Did you know that pets fly free from Hyannis to Nantucket on both Nantucket Airlines and Island Airlines? It's true. Find out more on Nantucket Airlines' pet promotion here. For info on Island Airlines' pet policy, call 508-228-7575.  

2012 Nantucket Film Festival Starts Next Week!

Hy-Line Cruises is a trade partner of the 2012 Nantucket Film Festival which is fast approaching! The dates for this year's event are June 20-24. Find out more at www.nantucketfilmfestival.org.

Free Ferry Rides for Kids!

Children four years old and under cruise for FREE on both Hy-Line and the Steamship Authority's high-speed ferries! Hy-Line is extending a "kids ride free" promotion on its traditional ferry in 2012, allowing free ferry travel for children 12 and under. The Steamship Authority offers free cruising on its traditional ferry for kids four and under, while the rate for children 5-12 is just $9. Check the complete 2012 ferry rate chart here.

Free Bike Day at Hy-Line on June 27th!

In support of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority's Smart Transportation Week, Hy-Line Cruises has announced that passengers can "take their bike for free" on Wednesday, June 27th. Offer is good for travel between Hyannis & Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. Coupon must be presented at time of ferry ticket purchase and limit one coupon per bike. Not valid with other discounts or specials. Click here for your "free bike" coupon.

Summer (Unofficially) Starts Saturday!

Hy-Line Cruises will add a 6:20 p.m. traditional ferry run from Hyannis to Nantucket beginning this Saturday, June 16, as well as an 8:20 p.m. return trip from Nantucket to Hyannis . This third daily run of its traditional ferry (Great Point) will continue through October 14. Yep, summer is almost here!!!!

Ferry Seating Tips

When it comes to traveling comfort, few modes of transportation beat the ferry. The seats are wider and softer than most airline coach seats, but the real beauty of ferry riding can be summed up in two words: leg room. Most indoor ferry seating is booth style so there’s plenty of room to stretch your legs, which, after hours in the car, can make it feel like you’re traveling first class. Seating is general admission so boarding early will allow you to settle into one of the booths by a window which are usually taken first. For those worried about getting sea sick, make sure to get a seat facing forward. On warm, sunny days  the boat’s outdoor deck is also a popular place to sit. Passengers may find it too windy to sit outside for an hour on the fast ferry, but basking in the sunshine on the traditional ferry makes the two-hour trip “cruise” by. View complete 2012 ferry schedules between Hyannis and Nantucket here.

Monday Cancellations

The Steamship Authority has cancelled today's 1:55 p.m. high-speed ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket due to weather conditions. The 3:15 return trip from Nantucket to Hyannis has also been cancelled. For more information call the SSA at 508-228-0262.

ADDITIONAL CANCELLATIONS:

The following Steamship Authority trips have been canceled due to weather conditions.
M/V IYANOUGH 4:30PM Hyannis to Nantucket
M/V GAY HEAD 5:00PM Hyannis to Nantucket
M/V IYANOUGH 6:00PM Nantucket to Hyannis
M/V GAY HEAD 7:45PM Nantucket to Hyannis
M/V EAGLE 8:00PM Hyannis to Nantucket
M/V EAGLE 5:30PM Nantucket to Hyannis
M/V IYANOUGH 7:15PM Hyannis to Nantucket
M/V IYANOUGH 8:30PM Nantucket to Hyannis
The following Hy-line trips have been canceled due to weather conditions:
The high speed Grey Lady to Nantucket at 6:00 & 8:45pm and the 7:20pm and 10pm to Hyannis.     

Restaurant Week, June 4-10!

Every spring and fall thousands of visitors descend on Nantucket for Restaurant Week and this year's "spring week" is Monday, June 4-Sunday, June 10! All participating restaurants will be offering three course dinners at discount prices ($25-$45). It's a great early-season opportunity to experience some of the best food, wine and hospitality that the island has to offer. Participating restaurants include: American Seasons, Black-Eyed Susans, Boarding House, Brant Point Grill, Centre Street Bistro, The Chanticleer, The Club Car, Company of the Cauldron, Corazon del Mar, Cru, Dune, DeMarco, Galley Beach, Languedoc Bistro, Oran Mor Bistro, The Pearl, Ships Inn, Straight Wharf and Ventuno. Nantucket's Restaurant Week this fall is scheduled for September 24-30.

Ferry Services Announce Cancellations Due to Weather

Hy-Line Cruises has announced that all of its traditional services to and from Nantucket have been cancelled on Saturday, June 2, due to poor weather conditions. The Steamship Authority has also issued a notice stating that its fast ferry scheduled to depart from Nantucket at 8:30 tonight has been cancelled.

"Hour" Advice for Arrival

Few vacation destinations are as relaxing and rejuvenating as a Nantucket getaway. Set the tone for your stress-free island visit by arriving to the Hyannis ferry of your choice at least one hour early. Not only will this allow you time to unload the car and place your bags into the carts that will be rolled on to the ferry (bags sail free by the way), but you will park your car without feeling rushed. When planning your arrival at Hyannis ferry docks, keep in mind that traffic in and around Hyannis can be heavy depending on the time of year and time of day. Typically the peak months of July and August draw the most travelers. Traffic congestion can also be expected on weekends from April through October, especially when good weather is forecasted. We typically try to beat the back-ups by arriving early morning or late evening as the ferry schedules usually feature boats departing Hyannis as early as 6:00 a.m. and as late as 8:45 p.m.

Summer Cruising Schedules

Both Hy-Line Cruises and The Steamship Authority are now into their summer cruising schedules! No changes are expected to either lines' fast ferry service until the fall season, while Hy-Line Cruises will add a trip to and from Nantucket to its traditional ferry service beginning Saturday, June 16. The boat will leave the Hyannis dock at 6:20 p.m. and arrive at Nantucket at 8:10 p.m. The ship will then depart Nantucket at 8:20 p.m. and arrive back at Hyannis at 10:10 p.m. Hy-Line offered this evening run for four days from May 25-28. Find current ferry schedules from Hyannis to Nantucket here.