Thinking of getting away? Steamship Authority preparing for summer reservation openings

It may be January, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for summer!

The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamship Authority announced Wednesday its Head Start and Reservation Opening Dates for summer 2025 vehicle reservations.

The Head Start program allows year-round and seasonal residents of the Vineyard and Nantucket to make up to 10 summer reservations per customer before the general public.

The Authority says starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, Head Start customers may make reservations online and via U.S. mail for travel from May 13, 2025, through October 21, 2025. These reservations can be made in the account holder’s name only.

Reservations in another person’s name for personal use (up to five) can be made starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21.

The Head Start reservation period runs through January 27, 2025.

Two general online openings will be made for Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Reservations for travel to Nantucket from May 13, through October 21, can be made starting at 8 a.m. on January 28 for the general public (online) and mail openings.

Reservations for travel to Martha’s Vineyard from May 13, through October 21, can be made starting at 8 a.m. on February 4 for the general public (online) and mail openings.

Telephone and in-person openings will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11.

Following technical difficulties last year, the Authority says they will have extra technical support on-site and the Reservation Office will be available to provide customers with assistance with login passwords or PINs. The Authority will also continue to use a virtual waiting room that allows customers to see their “place” in line and the approximate wait time until they can make a transaction

“To ensure the most performative and error-free experience for the traveling public during the 2025 reservation openings, the Authority’s IT Department and external vendors have been conducting increasingly demanding load tests in preparation for the upcoming reservation opening period,” a spokesperson said. “The results of those tests show the website is capable of processing more than the peak number of reservations per minute experienced in 2024.”

For more information about the booking process, click here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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