Here are how Hy-Line Cruises and the Steamship Authority address the question as to whether or not reservations are necessary for their respective high-speed ferries . . .
HY-LINE: Reservations are highly recommended for high-speed travel as space is limited and often fills up. Reservations must be picked up no later than 15 minutes prior to departures. Within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure time unclaimed reservations are released to standby passengers.
STEAMSHIP: In fact, the Authority encourages customers to make such reservations, especially during the summer and other popular times of year, because the high-speed ferry between Hyannis and Nantucket often reaches its passenger capacity during those times.
