Cumberland Queen Ferry Dock — Attraction in St. Marys

Long post I have been waiting as long as I can remember to see Cumberland Island!!

Unfortunately, I’ve gone through a plethora of medical issues and have a life limiting disability. I have a 7lb service dog that I’m very dependent on for my disabilities. I was overjoyed when an amazing, supportive friend offered to drive me to St. Mary’s to visit Cumberland Island. Our Land and Legacy tour and ferry tickets were purchased online by her family and we were off …so we thought! This is where things go nuts!!!! We checked in at the ferry ticket counter and went downstairs to start our journey to Cumberland Island. All was well as we met our Land and Legacy tour guide “Toby”. During Toby’s briefing of our tour I was asked by an employee of the ferry to go upstairs to the ticket office. This lady told me that my service dog could not board the ferry without a ticket 🫤I left the group to go see what was going on upstairs and asked the young lady at ticket counter #1 for a ticket. I gave her my name as a paid ticket holder and showed her my ticket She looked at me oddly and refused to offer the so called “mandatory” ticket. My service dog wears a tag which I showed her and even offered my paperwork from my physician although this is completely unacceptable. Afraid of being left by the boat and away from my friends I panicked … (part of my unfortunate side effects). Another lady hesitated but handed me a ticket for my service dog. Finally on the boat, I was then called out in front of the fully booked and full ferry of people. Once again, I was asked to exit the boat. They sent me to an administrative office down a block for what? They couldn’t say. I arrived and was told by an employee that I needed to show her my dog leash. Since I hold my service dog…I had left it in my bag on the boat. She hesitated but followed me to the boat landing. I had to shout (totally embarrassing for me) to my friend to hold up the leash… all we’re watching as I ran down the platform the boat was already 10 ft from the dock … after a lot of confusion with the ferry employees pulling the boat back in and having to put the plank back down so I could board … we were so very blessed with a beautiful day and wonderful memories were made.❤️

TOBY THE LAND AND LEGACY tour guide-

THANK YOU Sir, You have made a positive impact for people with life altering disabilities and I thank you!!! I am confident that a new entry/orientation for all employees of The Cumberland Island Ferry be made aware and properly educated of the American Disability Act (ADA) moving forward…. I am not angry. I feel that this was simply an amazing opportunity to provide knowledge to those that were involved… This is a federal law for people with disabilities with...

The Cumberland Island Ferry Company has some of the worst customer service I have ever dealt with. The National Park Service closed down the Cumberland Island Campgrounds due to an Administrative closure and cancelled all camping permits (while also providing full refunds). However, the ferry company refused to issue full refunds (even though we cancelled our purchase less than 24 hours after buying ferry tickets), because they are a 'separate entity' from the National Park. However, they are licensed through the National Park Service and provide a service dependent on the park schedule, so one would hope they would provide refunds for their product when the park cannot be accessed. The customer service was unapologetic and unwavering, while also refusing to refund my credit card and instead insisting on sending a partial refund check by mail (without providing any reasoning why they can take credit card orders, but not issue direct refunds). Cumberland Island National Park is amazing, the ferry company...

Thinking about the Land and Legacies Tour? Read this first. Here is some some honest feedback, both positive and negative.

The tour guide, Toby, was excellent. 9 out of 10.

The van used for the tour was awful. It was worse than being stuck in the middle seat on the back row of an overnight flight.

1)The air conditioner did not work. It was hotter inside, maybe 90 degrees, than outside. Since the windows didn’t open, I was stuck with that. 2) The van was too small for riders. I am 5’ 11” and 185 lbs. when I sat upright, my knees pushed an inch into the seat in front. I was wedged into the passenger on my left. 3) I couldn’t hear Toby most of the time. It appears that the speakers were in the front, there were none in the back and I was in the back row. Toby had to blast sound in the front of the van, but it was still not enough to reach me.

Overall, I’d rate this experience a “2” but without Toby’s excellent narration and pleasing demeanor I’d...