For Boston to Provincetown: The guy taking tickets thinks he does brain surgery - I wouldn't ever be as condescending as I saw him treating myself or others and I work in healthcare where it can be life or death. Customer service is stressful but if a customer is nice to you and you treat them like they're stupid, it's not going to get you far in life. Folks - you are better off taking City Cruises on Long Wharf - much cheaper too. read more

Well, it ain't The Love Boat. You wouldn't catch Doc, Gopher, or even Julie hurling chunks over the bow, but of course, my sea legs were as steady as Jell-O when white caps started showing up. Jamie W and I booked round-trip passage from Boston to P-Town with Bay State for $128 per person, a good deal and quite convenient considering it bypassed all the weekend vehicular traffic that clogs up the Cape. The boat was packed with P-Town revelers, mostly well-built guys traveling in packs. Once Jamie and I sat down in our seats, there was no room to move. Things turned quickly as we got out to the windswept bay, and the boat was rolling and churning in a seemingly endless cycle. Getting up and going to the one restroom on the boat became an exercise in horror. Let's just say the ending of "The Substance" had nothing on me. The tortuous voyage lasted one hour & 45 minutes but seemed infinitely longer. You're probably wondering where my Dramamine was. Didn't even think of it. What bothered me is that Bay State mentions nothing on their website about protecting passengers from seasickness. I've been on similar cruises where the crew handed out free Dramamine. Not a bad idea, Bay State. I bought some in P-Town to prepare myself for the return trip. Lesson learned. RELATED - Exploring Provincetown? Here's my collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3MzCyr8 read more

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What makes them exceptional is their communication. They will let you know if there are earlier ferries or if the waves are high and they will make you sick. Best ferry in town read more

Usually have excellent jazz playing from the top deck. Used to be known as the "steel beach".

I took a day trip into Provincetown on a Sunday afternoon, and I decided to use bay state due to their timing and reliability. I was able to book online, which I appreciated, and upon heading to the desk my ticket was ready for pick up immediately. The boat itself was tidy and spacious, and there was ample seating. I also appreciated that there was some table seating, which allowed me to get some work done on the way home. On my way in, I had a mimosa. Technically 2, since they give you a pretty big serving of champagne. And it's only $20 for this double serving! Far less expensive than getting a drink on the mainland. I'm already excited to visit again, and I'll likely use bay state cruises for my trip. read more

This ferry is the only one I will take to Provincetown. The team is kind, flexible, and happy! (Everyone seems miserable on the other one.) The boats are clean and the service efficient. Very grateful we have them. read more

I live in one of the buildings near Fan Pier and have a clear view of the boats coming in and out of the harbor. This past Sunday, the area experienced one of the most significant snowstorms it has seen in over a decade. Given the dangerous weather conditions, I was fortunate to be able to work from home and assumed that many companies would make similar accommodations for their employees. However, later that morning, I observed one of the ferry boats pulling into the pier to pick up passengers. I was surprised to see this service operating during such severe conditions. Throughout the morning, multiple boats from this company continued to arrive and depart. My immediate concern was for the safety of the employees required to work in these conditions. Traveling and operating vessels during the peak of the storm posed unnecessary risks, especially given the hazardous road and weather conditions at that time. While the snowfall may have appeared light from my apartment, city officials, including Mayor Wu, had advised residents to remain at home. This decision suggests a prioritization of operations over employee safety. In my view, suspending service for a single day during a record-breaking storm would not have caused significant disruption, as alternative transportation options were available. These concerns also extend to public transportation services more broadly; however, operating ferry service during such extreme weather felt particularly unsafe. Unlike much of the MBTA system, which operates primarily underground, marine travel during a storm of this magnitude presents unique and heightened risks. I hope the company's management reevaluates its policies and avoids operating under similarly dangerous conditions in the future. Prioritizing employee safety during extreme weather events should be paramount. read more

When I discovered that I accidentally booked a trip from Provincetown to Boston for the wrong date, I got a very helpful person on the phone and she was able to reschedule my paid reservation. And though the time I needed to take the ferry was sold out, she emailed me the same day to confirm they had an opening for me. Truly exceptional customer service. The ferry ride itself was smooth and the crew ran the ship very well. The bathroom was clean. Getting to Logan Airport was easy too, using the Silver Line. Took less than 15 minutes. I highly recommend Bay State Cruises to get to Provincetown or back. read more

Bay State Cruise Company - Boarding the ferry - Boat Charters Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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There are several ferries that take you to Provincetown, but we did this one because the timing worked out well after hotel checkout (11am). There are three departures from Boston (8:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM) and four back to Boston (6:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 3:00 PM, and 7:30 PM). We took the 1pm to Provincetown and 10:30am back to Boston. Important tips: 1. Arrive early. Traffic in Boston is a pain. The ferry will depart RIGHT on time (both times). They will not wait for you. 2. Buy tickets online, pick up at the little booth in the alley as shown with the yellow arrow in my accompanying photo. The ticket office is to the right. There are two cashiers. The tickets are paper tickets and if you do a round trip, make sure you hold on to the return ticket, or else you'll end up paying for a second return ticket. 3. The ramps are steep, be careful with heavy suitcases and any members in your party with mobility issues. 4. The upper deck can get extremely windy---enough to blow our drink cups out of our hands, so take caution. 5. There is a small bar inside with some snack items but no hot sandwiches. Drinks are not made strong, so don't waste your time. The popcorn is worth it for $2. My friend, who was hatin' on my popcorn, said it smelled horrible but I liked it. They accept credit cards. 6. No Wi-Fi on the ferry and Internet through Verizon is spotty. It's only a 90-minute ride, tho. You will get through it! Have fun in Provincetown! read more

there is literally no point in buying tickets in advance as they wont give a refund if you cant go and there is no discount buying online. Also the place isnt located where you would think. You have to find the ticket counter way in advanced unlike the other ferry which is right next to aquarium T stop and you dont need to pick the tickets up at the office like baystate cruise. I am now stuck with Two tickets i cant get rid of. Waste of time and money. Do yourself and pay a little more and go to the other ferry. Also never buy tickets in advance. read more

Thank you for another fantastic night out on Boston Harbor. Once again, the captain and crew made our evening a memorable one! We look forward to doing it again next year! read more

Bay State Cruise Company - Boat Charters Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I would recommend to anyone...take the ferry to PTown! Make sure to order your tickets online prior to your departure. The 90 minute ride is relaxing and comfortable! You have a choice of sitting inside or out. There is plenty of space for you and your luggage! They have a little bar with food, and I am always ready for a cocktail or beer to start a vacation out right! One thing to be aware of... Give yourself extra time to park just in case the lots are full. read more

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I've done these cruises several times and they can be fun but they need to get their act together. They let everyone cram onto the top deck this last Saturday (see pic; they're spouting BS about it not actually being like that but it was pretty obvious on Saturday). These COVID rules suck but are critical to follow if we want to get through it and be able to let businesses operate at full capacity. These guys are screwing that up for more $$$. Parties and cruise ships have caused some of the biggest outbreaks. If these guys can't handle their act, they need to be shut down until they can get it right or else we'll be restricted through 2021. read more

Bay State Cruise Company - They let everyone cram onto the top deck - Boat Charters Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Safe and fun trip to and from Boston to Cape Cod. All employees were very helpful and the views of the Harbors were great. It was a little choppy the day we took it but the boat handled it very smoothly. read more

The skinny: Great way to go back and forth to Provincetown to avoid the headache of traffic. The good: -no traffic -drinks and food are available on board -gorgeous views on nice days that are worth the price The bad: -can be expensive (to avoid this get a 10 pack if you travel regularly or at least buy round trip tickets) -travel times are limited and get more limited in off season -getting to seaport and back home can be a pain The ugly: Although this doesn't happen often in rough weather people get sick. If you are prone to sea sickness take medication before getting on the boat. They only have ginger lollipops----and that will not cut it at times. I was on a boat that I saw at least 30 people lose it. If the seas are rough-don't be one of the people with the sea sick bag. Not fun. read more

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could tolerate a boat cruise, booze, and dancing all at the same time without feeling sick to my delicate stomach. Suprisingly though, the Provincetown II didn't exacerbate any unwanted nausea or motion sickness :) Due to the boat's size, I was barely even aware that I was on a moving surface, floating on the water no less! (I don't do oceans, bays, etc. . .the idea of being in the water generally freaks me out if I think too hard about it). The Provincetown II offers several decks of varying entertainment and food/drink services. For evening cruises, you are frisked, then allowed on for a 3 hour ride through Boston Harbor. Top deck has a dj, bar, dancing, and the night I went. . . free airbrush tattoos! Lower decks have bars, food stands with hot dogs, pretzels, soda, etc. . . and live bands! Perfect getaway from the breezy top decks. The boat itself is not much for appearances, peeling paint and funny smells. Keep to the top deck and you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of the Boston skyline, starry night skies on cloudless nights, and refreshing bay breezes. A friend had tickets for the cruise so I only had to dish out money for the $5 beers on board. Not too bad considering prices can sky rocket higher in downtown city bars. Definitely a cruise you should try at least once. . . for one of those drunken, non-classy. . . but fun nights out! Your night will be what you make of it! read more

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Ticket process was easy and the ticketing agent was nice. I was waiting for a friend to show up so I could give him his ticket, and the dock hand was condescending, rude, and passive aggressive when pointing out the end of the line. read more

Definitely a great option for a hassle free commute into P-Town from the city. So much faster. So much easier. I don't mind the occasional road trip but the summer traffic can get a bit out of hand even if you are driving down to lower cape and not all the way down to the hook. Bay State Cruise Company is a very reliable option among a couple of others that you have. The booking can be done online or in person at one of their counters. Their systems are updated to a point where you cannot take prints of your online bookings. You have to call in the day of the trip and pick your tickets on site. The staff on board is working hard throughout the trip. There is a bar in the lower deck which stays quite busy. On take off, the captain makes it very clear that they are very strict about the MA booze policy - no BYOB on any transit I guess. They will take it away people and fine you!! Beware :-)) Upper deck has a few seats which will get you some sun rays - depending on the time of the day you leave. Ladies have to be careful with their hairdos because the winds - obviously can play mischief! Also, the staff is very strict about the times stamped on your ticket for boarding. Usually the rides are full during key hours / days. Getting on an earlier or later ferry is rarely a possibility. And they are very punctual. Get on time to avoid missing your ride. Enjoy!! read more

Bay State Cruise Company - Off to PTown! - Boat Charters Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I write this while sitting on their BUS. Not a ferry, a BUS. Prepaid for a fast ferry ticket because I thought that was the good thing to do. Show up for my nice relaxing cruise and looking forward to a drink from the bar. Instead I'm told that I'm lucky enough and get to sit on a bus through Friday evening Boston rush hour traffic and I still get to pay full rate for it. If they had been nice and sent out an email, I could have rearranged my travel schedule and taken a bus line for literally half the price at a more convenient time. But they didn't, and we are thinking just how much later will I be making it in to "port" read more

Bay State Cruise Company - Boat Charters Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The fast ferry is definitely the best way to get to Provincetown. $88 for a round trip ticket is expensive, but when you consider the alternative (spending 3 hours each way in Cape traffic, and then having to keep track of a car), it's worth it. The signage at the dock in the Seaport district was very clear. There's a Dunkin' Donuts nearby, so you can pick up your ticket at the window and then grab a coffee before getting in line to board. There are many parking lots nearby, but if you're doing a Sunday day trip you can even find free street parking in the area! True to its name, the ferry left promptly and arrived in Provincetown 90 minutes later. The boat had plenty of amenities, including two bathrooms and a snack bar that was offering cocktails. There are a few outlets by the windows, but you may have to fight for them! Free wifi was available on the trip there, but it wasn't working on the way back. Since you're on open water, cell service can be spotty, so I would recommend bringing a book or a newspaper to stay entertained. Or you can just sit back and enjoy the amazing views of Boston's skyline! On the way back there were two boats scheduled so we left about 25 minutes early. This meant that we got to catch the sun setting on Provincetown! Also, since there were two trips, the boat wasn't super packed and everyone had plenty of personal space. Overall, Bay State Cruise Company's fast ferry is a convenient, comfortable, and pleasant way of getting to Provincetown. Although I wish it were a little more affordable, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the fast ferry to anyone looking for a fun day trip idea! read more

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Took a great ferry ride from Boston to Provincetown and back! Appreciated the seats with tables indoors, the bar (reasonably priced), and the ease of getting on/off the ferry! read more

Awesome wildlife sighting in the Ptown ferry line. Watched a seagull catch an eel and drop it on the dock. Then, in an amazing display of predation, a woman in her mid twenties snatched the eel and slurped it down herself. Everyone in line high-fived her but unfortunately she could not keep it down the whole ferry ride. read more

This cruise was great. The buffet has something for everyone and is fresh while replenished regularly. There are multiple levels to explore, a DJ with a dance floor for your enjoyment, and the waitress was friendly. The negative things I observed were that there was no coffee or tea readily accessible, which were included with the price of the ticket. The waitress was asked to bring me some coffee three times and I never got it. The DJ doubles as the Coordinator for the line to the buffet and is abrasive. read more

I've done a ton of Boston Harbor cruises over the years and, typically, when I am on the Provincetown II, it's for a "booze cruise." Which this boat is perfect for: 2 decks of nothing but a bar and room for dancing/mingling. Literally every deck has a bar. The lowest deck has picnic-style tables, which is odd since the food is usually served on the 2nd deck. Don't drink too much before walking downstairs with a plate full of food! My most recent trek on the Provincetown II was for a work event. 40 people spread over 3 decks - not so great for mingling. Plus, the DJ was on the top deck and the music wasn't pumped to the other decks (so we didn't even hear when a speech was given. Oops!) Fun for dancing with good views, decent food... Probably cheaper than the Odyssey or Spirit of Boston cruises. A fun night all-in-all. read more

When they say "fast" ferry, they mean fast. Ninety minutes to Ptown? No Cape traffic to contend with? Sign me up! As you're tearing along the choppy waters of the Atlantic, however, please do not expect decent bathrooms or WiFi. Yet you may very well find yourself desperately needing both of these things; the bathrooms so you can vomit, and WiFi so you can Google, "can I die from seasickness?" $88 for a roundtrip that involved some of the worst nausea and projectile vomiting I had ever experienced seemed a bit pricey, but I understand that most people find this to be a pleasant and cost effective way to get to and from the Cape. read more

Amazing service and customer support. Always reliable and my go to for traveling to the Cape

Imagine this: You are departing for an all gay dance party harbor cruise. The Provincetown II edges off from the landing at the World Trade Center, and the DJ begins to bust out those oh-so-funky beats... and of course a Celine Dion remix is first on the playlist. But... not just any Celine remix. My Heart Will Go On. That is the song that was playing, as the boat pulled away from land and into the Harbor. Now, I don't care if the water is 10 feet deep and land is visible all around... The theme song from Titanic is NEVER something I want to hear as I'm departing on a cruise of any kind. Anyhooten, the beer was $5 a can, and they stopped serving a half hour before the cruise ended... which sucked. If you are going to take a cruise with Bay State, be sure to take a night boat... the view of the Boston Skyline is beautiful. read more

I just had an awful experience before I even got on the boat. I arrived for the LGBT Boat Cruise which was supposed to board at 7:30. At 7:32, instead of boarding, security makes the line switch from one side to another of the entrance. (Seems to me that letting the crowd in on time would have alleviated any congestion problems.) This caused a fiasco involving people who'd been waiting longer now being farther behind in line than people who'd been waiting a shorter period of time. When I tried to enter with friends that were allowed in, security was unnecessarily rude. One threw 3 fingers up in my face and barked at me to get to the back of the line. I wasn't uncooperative in any way. I suspect members of security were either enjoying being rude, or worse, displaying some bigotry. Several minutes later, we were still not boarding, so I left. I'll probably never go on a cruise hosted by Bay State, if their security can ruin my night before I even get on the boat. Anyone need a ticket? read more

The guy in charge Ted went out of his way to make sure our night wasn't ruined. Let me start off with we were booked for a dinner cruise buffet on a different ship. Some how, when we showed our tickets at the dock, we were directed to board Province Town II(2). We soon realized there was no dinner and we asked if we were on the right cruise, we were not. Ted felt terrible that we got screwed over a lot of money from boarding the wrong ship at no fault of our own. He apologized profusely even though it was no wrong doing of his team and accidents happen. Ted let us on his cruise with no tickets, he gave us drink/food tickets and made sure throughout the night we were enjoying our time many times. He didn't have to do anything for us. But he made it so we didn't have a ruined trip. The workers were awesome, kind and helpful. Teds son was the bartender and was just as awesome as Ted. It could have been a terrible night with waisted money and Ted made it a memorable night. He was so kind, generous, helpful and acknowledged the situation and did everything he possibly could for us, and I can't say the same about Spirit of Boston who told us to just request a refund(those tickets are not refundable). A worker on Province Town 2 even took picture of us with the Spirit of Boston behind us so we had proof of what happened. Ted really made sure our money and time didn't go to waste and like I said he didn't have to do a single thing for us, but he's a great guy and really cares about people in general. His hospitality is through the roof. I will definitely be booking another cruise with him in charge, he was just so awesome and I'm so thankful and appreciative that he did all this for us. read more

Bay State Cruise Company - Boat Charters Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Gwynn and I took the ferry for a daytip to P-town. While the price is really steep, it is a fast, easy trip, and brings you into the heart of P-town. The ride was smooth, quiet and exactly 90 minutes. Part of what made my trip to P-town amazing, was the sunset. We were on the back of the ferry, pretty much had it to ourselves, and we saw the most gorgeous sunset, that I have seen all summer. We also had some beverages on the way back, and the staff was super friendly (Paul??). He was accommodating, and took the time to help us understand the rules of drinking on ferries. At this point, we probably should not have been drinking. However, it was vacation! I was very impressed with our overall experience. It made our trip to P-town stress free, without the worry of cars, transportation or anything else. read more

Also see: Bay State Cruise Co Inc (near Provincetown MA) for additional. This is 1 of 2 fast ferry (fast means approx 90 min) companies to ferry you + your bike to/from Boston/P-Town. (Other: Boston Harbor Cruises) Planning a day trip to Provincetown? Maximize your time in P-Town by pre-ordering tickets for an 8:30 AM departure from Boston's Seaport World Trade Center (skyline side) and a 7:30 PM departure from Provincetown's MacMillan Pier (the end of the pier). Today, the trip runs you $88 for a round trip + $12 for bringing your bike. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of your departure times. There is coffee, snacks, bathrooms, and air conditioned interiors on this boat. There is second deck, open-air seating and a few seats on the front (where your bikes are tied down). All these stars are here because around solstice, the return ride in the evening is just STUNNING with sunset behind a lighted Boston city sky-line.. Despite a later return option from BHC (8:30 PM), you'll miss that beloved view. What else? Ohh, it's a bit chilly on that evening ride home regardless of being in or out. In has that blasting A/C while out can be windy and spray-y. I didn't find the website super helpful in terms of FAQs but ordering was easy and the confirmation document was the thing with the most info (about departure locations etc). Kind crappy that you have to pre-pick your return dates with a round-trip ticket but this is absolutely the way to go if you want to save a bit of money. read more

didn't really ride this ferry. Begs question, what is Ned doing writing a review and giving two stars for trip he didn't take? I'll explain. I occasionally take Boston Harbor Cruise's fast ferry that departs from Long Wharf, Boston downtown (w $7 discount coupon found in PHOENIX newspaper!). It departs only two blocks from my home. It was a warm muggy summer day, I figured Bay State's 3-hour slow trek on Provincetown II would be save $, be relaxing, and allow me to catch up on my reading (damn New Yorkers stacking up, again), Even tho the P II ferry departs a half hour's walk from my home. Well...No slow ferry today...its booked for a private party! No notice on their website (even tho BS staff said there was, I checked again)...BSC can't take 5 minutes to post a notice on website? In fact, under website's schedule, there is NO note saying that sometimes P II ferry won't ride because they book it to others and, maybe, one should phone first. Nice customer service. No, yeah my New Yorkers are still stacked up! read more

EXCELLENT fast ferry. This one is much smaller than the other fast ferry company out there and I liked that. I also like that it wasn't crowded the day I went (mid June at 1pm on a Thursday), the sea was very choppy so those ginger lollipops came in so handy, thank you for selling those! For a ferry, this is my favorite on to PTOWN from BEANTOWN. (sorry for the rhyme and no one calls it Beantown). ;) read more

Fast, clean, and comfortable. 90 minutes to Provincetown! If you're prone to seasickness, make sure you ask how high the waves are. Anything above 4 feet and you're in for a bumpy ride. read more

I used to be a Boston Harbor Cruises purist because they had the biggest, baddest new P-Town ferry in the harbor, but I've come to prefer Bay State because their Boston dock is much more conveniently located when you've got a bike, and they leave P-Town a slightly more convenient time for me. So I guess it's all about convenience, but I'm 40 now man--this is what motivates me. read more

This review is for the general manager, Julie. I booked two round-trip tickets from Boston to Provincetown. Unfortunately, inclement weather meant that all cruises from Provincetown to Boston were cancelled the day we were supposed to travel. The company offered to provide buses for the return journey in lieu of the ferry. However, a one-way bus journey is about $20 while we paid over $90 for the round trip ferry ticket. I could not find any policy on their website about what happens in the event of inclement weather, so I e-mailed asking for a 50% refund since we paid for a ferry and were offered a bus. Had we known we would be on a bus, we would have just rented a car instead of paying for the expensive ferry tickets. I exchanged several e-mails with Julie and she was very rude and dismissive, giving me incorrect information throughout. She tried to charge us for the one-way fare even though we booked a round trip with the intention of taking the ferry both ways. While anyone who knows good business would agree that giving us a 50% refund is the appropriate thing to do, Julie was steadfast that I was wrong and she was right. Only after I filed a dispute with my credit card company did Julie do the right thing and charge me fairly. I would NOT do business with this company as long as Julie is still the GM. read more

When terrible construction and traffic in Boston made my companion and me miss our ferry to Provincetown, the Bay State Cruise staff transferred us to the next one at no additional charge and even held our luggage while we wandered around the Seaport. That alone is worth a five-star review. The trip itself was great. We departed/arrived a bit early and the boat ride was fast and pleasant. Snacks and beer available for purchase make the time pass even more smoothly. First-time rider, but will definitely come back next time I'm headed to Provincetown. TIP: The back of the boat on the upper deck offers a great view departing Boston. The very back can get wet, but the seats under the awning facing aft made for a nice ride. read more

I have taken this ferry every year to visit family who vacations on Cape Cod. It is the only way to travel from Boston to P-Town! The ride is a scenic 90 minute voyage. The views of the Boston skyline are stunning. Watch out for those planes arriving to and departing from Logan airport. Duck :) The dock is conveniently located next to the World Trade Center, close to the Silver Line T or a 15 minute walk from South Station. There is an air conditioned lower level with plenty of cushioned seats. If you want to walk outside, there is a deck out front and one on the top deck (it is shaded by a tarp). They serve snacks on board and reasonably price beer, wine, and mixed drinks from $6-$8. Bathrooms are clean. The crew is very professional. Finally, the price of around $50 one way is reasonable. read more

Great way to see the town of Provincetown by fast ferry which lasted approximately ninety minutes. The customer service was excellent and friendly and allowed me to return to Boston earlier than planned without any hassle! read more

Just got off the phone with Bay State Cruise Company. I've used them for several years for my annual trip with my friends to P-Town. Unfortunately, my mom is in the hospital, and I need to stay local this year.... they are VERY clear when you are ordering your ticket that it is non refundable, but they will give you up to a year credit on a new ticket. Not that losing $88 would have killed me, but I really appreciated it that they could do something. Other than this experience, the rest have always been positive with them as well. They've always left on time, and last year, they were able to get me on an earlier ferry when I had to leave P-Town early. All the employees are super friendly both on the boats, and on the phone. I really like doing business with this company. read more