The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company — Local services in Bridgeport

I had an appalling experience with this ferry. Last night, returning from a horse show in MA with 2 trailers full of horses, we pulled into the Bridgeport terminal just after 8pm with the intentions of getting on the 9pm ferry back to Long Island. We had called ahead and they believed we would be able to get on the ferry. As we pulled in, we checked with the dock personnel and they confirmed we would get on the ferry as we were the 5th and 6th vehicles in the standby line. The horses had just spent hours in hot trailers. When the ferry arrived, they boarded all the vehicles with reservations, and then began boarding the standby vehicles. When it was our turn to board, we were instructed to pull to the side. They proceeded to load every other vehicle behind us, and then every vehicle who arrived for the next 10 minutes, about 40-50 cars in total, and then told us that they could not take us. The decision was made by First Mate Brian Powers. The entire dock staff was very upset as they knew what the first mate did was messed up. According to them, this man is despised by his co-workers and does things like this frequently. After the dock employees did their best to make this guy do the right thing, he finally offered to take only 1 vehicle. The problem is one of the drivers has a disability and can not drive unfamiliar routes alone. We were told by the dock staff that he had done this on purpose and intended to screw us over the moment the ferry arrived and he saw us in line. We argued to no avail and the boat left. The dock staff encouraged us to file a formal complaint against Brian Powers because what he did was so blatantly wrong. They volunteered their names so they could be mentioned to back up our story. The entire incident happened right in front of their security cameras as well. We ended up having to wait another hour with the poor horses having sat in a hot trailer for 4 hours now without water until the 10 pm ferry arrived. Then to add insult to injury, when we finally arrived in Port Jeff and were exiting the lot, Brian Powers was standing at the exit and as we passed pointed at his watched and laughed at us. I have left a message with a manager and am skeptically awaiting a call back so I can lodge a formal complaint. I am so freaking livid right now that I am contemplating contacting an attorney to see if I can press any kind of charges for animal cruelty against...

Just as a preface we have used the ferry many times before with no issues. However, I absolutely hate the mandatory buy online tickets. Today we were returning to port Jeff from cape cod Massachusetts. GPS noted we would arrive at 1:20. We decided we would book the 2:30. Due to traffic we didn’t arrive until 2:17. 3 minutes short of the “mandatory cutoff”. We were denied boarding. Placed in standby and told we would have to wait for an open spot on a different ferry. I wouldn’t be too upset except the 2:30 ferry didn’t even arrive in port until 240 (10 mins after it was supposed to sail). So they can be late with no penalty but we were denied boarding. So I asked about it. It seems that this is a common issue and there were 17 cars who missed the 1:30 and so our spots were given to them. I think this is a bad business practice and a way to make sure they get paid no matter what. (Some people may decide to drive around instead). I would prefer a system where you show up and buy the tickets on arrival. (Had we shown up and told 3:30 is next available, we wouldn’t have been upset or felt wronged). I’m sure there is pros and cons of both systems. But be forewarned when your booking a ticket make sure you book it with LOTS of extra time. On a side note, we did get on the 3:30 (which was also late). The ferry is very convenient and we will continue to use it as we live in port Jeff. Just a...

I always think of posting positive reviews for restaurants, shows, etc. Today I realized how important it is to do the same for things we (at least I) take for granted. Like a simple ferry to CT, or LI same as I drove onto today.

Today's trip to CT however, was interrupted by a call that my mom was rushed to the hospital so I needed to just get off the ferry and get back on the next one.

The first person I saw with a tag on was a young woman who worked in the bar (blonde hair, wish I knew her name). I explained my situation, she told me to wait, but not worry, they will help me. She then brought a young man, I think his name was Ely, but not sure, who told me not to worry, they will get me back. Then a man named Mike came to explain what I needed to do, and not to worry, they got me. When I got to my car guy Mike V, came to be sure I knew what to do, and then he directed me making sure I am first off the boat at LI.

As I sit here writing, and still have no idea what's up with my mom, I do know one thing. I am grateful to each of the people who helped me. All did it with such concern and care that I knew "they got me".

Thank you Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company for having the right people, the right training, and for empowering them to do the right thing. I will never forget how accommodating and kind everyone was.

With my respect and...