Cape May - Lewes Ferry Booking Terms & Conditions
By purchasing a ticket and entering Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) property or boarding a Cape May–Lewes Ferry vessel, passengers agree to the terms and conditions stated in the official travel contract.
We recommend reviewing this information carefully before your trip to help ensure a smooth, safe, and well-informed journey.
Contract Terms & Conditions
All Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) vessels are inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. Use of DRBA motor vessels and property is subject to specific limitations of liability, including those related to personal injury and damage to personal property. Passengers are responsible for reviewing and understanding these terms prior to ticket purchase(s) and boarding the vessel.
Weather conditions on the water can change rapidly, affecting vessel movement. Rain, wind, waves, and the natural motion of the vessel—such as rolling and pitching—can impact your ability to walk safely in both indoor and outdoor areas. Even with posted warnings, weather may influence how doors operate and how safely stairways can be used. Passengers should always remain alert and exercise caution. For safety, we recommend consuming hot food or beverages only while seated. Chairs and tables are available for your comfort. Proper footwear—such as rubber-soled shoes or sneakers—is strongly recommended.
Understanding the realities of traveling aboard a moving vessel helps reduce the risk of accidents and property damage. By purchasing a ticket and boarding, passengers agree to be bound by all terms and conditions, including those governing legal rights, applicable law, and jurisdiction. Any claims will be evaluated under Maritime law.
Please read all terms & conditions
- DEFINITIONS: The term “Ticket” applies to the document you receive upon payment of passage. The term “Passenger” includes every person who purchases a ticket and all those for whom the purchase is made, including, but not limited, to dependent children, spouses, and other parties.
- LIABILITY LIMITATIONS FOR LOSS OF, OR DAMAGE TO, PROPERTY: The total value of any personal property, valuables and other personal belongings of a passenger shall be deemed not to exceed the amount of US $200 per passenger and the Company’s liability, if any, for loss or damage to such belongings is limited to a maximum of US $200. Losses due to perils of the sea and other acts of God are not reimbursable. During nonemergency sailing conditions, your safety is your responsibility.
- NOTICE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE: All claims for damage or loss must be reported before the passenger leaves the vessel or any DRBA property, allowing CMLF and/or DRBA staff to investigate any damage and search for any lost items. Failure to notify CMLF and/or DRBA before leaving the vessel (if the claimed loss occurred on the vessel) or DRBA property will result in the assumption the damage or loss occurred elsewhere. Passengers are responsible for checking their belongings before departing the Ferry.
- HEALTH AND SECURITY INDEMNIFICATION: a) The Passenger and all Passengers for whom a ticket is purchased represent and warrant that the Passenger(s) is/are physically and otherwise fit to travel; that the Passenger will comply with the Vessel’s rules and regulations including orders and directions of the Vessel’s officers and crew; and that the Passenger’s conduct will not impair the safety of the Vessels or inconvenience other passengers b) Parents assume sole responsibility for the actions and safety of their children or other passengers under the age of 18, except when that responsibility is expressly assumed by an officer, or crew, as part of their duties or Coast Guard regulations in force aboard the Vessel. Parents with children who need to be carried on stairways should limit the use of stairways while the vessel is underway and request assistance from the Vessel’s crew if use of the stairway is necessary. One or more decks have all the amenities available to Passengers on the Vessel during the crossing. The “Salon” deck is designed to accommodate the needs of children. c) Passengers who have physical or mobility limitations or restrictions and/or require the use of a wheelchair or other durable medical devices are advised to travel with someone who can assist them both onshore and aboard the vessel. Any person with special requirements or needs has the responsibility to make those needs known to DRBA ticket personnel before purchasing a Ticket and boarding the vessel.
- VEHICLE LENGTH: The final total length of the vehicle, including trailers, hitches, etc., will be determined by representatives of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry during check-in and is final. Failure to correctly determine and/or represent the total length of the vehicle during the reservation process can result in the denial of boarding.
- VEHICLE WIDTH: The final maximum width of the vehicle, including trailers, hitches, etc., measured at its widest point, will be determined by representatives of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry during check-in and is final. A vehicle’s maximum width of more than 8’6″ is considered “over width” and will be charged appropriately. Maximum allowable width is 11’3″ (eleven feet and three inches). Failure to correctly determine and/or represent the maximum width of the vehicle during the reservation process may result in denied boarding.
- BOOKING MODIFICATIONS: There is no fee to modify an existing reservation, provided that the modification is made before the currently scheduled departure time. Modifications that are requested after the currently scheduled departure time will be subject to the “No Show Policy” fees and/or rules.
- CHECK-IN: Check-in begins one (1) hour prior to departure. If check-in occurs within the thirty (30) minutes before the ticketed and scheduled departure, the reservation may be forfeited and will be subject to the “No Show Policy” fees and/or rules.
- HANDLING FEE: Reservations are required. Any customer that arrives on site without a reservation and wishes to book the next available departure will be assessed a $2 handling fee. There are no exceptions to this rule. VIP Program members or Frequent Traveler Books are not exempt from this rule.
- CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations incur a fee of $6.00 per vehicle for each crossing, provided they are canceled at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Cancellations made after the scheduled departure time will be considered a “No Show” and will incur the corresponding “No Show” fee.
- NO SHOW: A “No Show” is defined as a customer who fails to appear for their scheduled departure without prior notification. A “No Show” results in a fee of $26.00 and the cancellation of the missed crossing. For more information, visit our Arriving and Boarding the Ferry page.
- RESERVATION EXPIRATION: Reservations expire two (2) years after the original purchase date. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to use the booking reservation before the two-year date of expiration.
- SMOKE FREE FACILITY: As of 1/1/17, the Ferry is a completely tobacco-free campus.
- FUEL SURCHARGE: A fuel surcharge may be assessed at time of check-in.
- FREQUENT TRAVELER BOOKS: All Frequent Traveler Books (6 & 12 Pack) have a 2 (two) year expiration from the date of purchase and may have a maximum of two names on each voucher. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to use the Frequent Traveler Books before that date.
- All vehicle motors or auxiliary power must be shut off while the Ferry is sailing and until unloading begins. The idling of any vehicle is not permitted per the United States Coast Guard regulations.
Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions
- Loyalty members earn points as of April 1st, 2025, or the date of Membership, whichever occurs later.
- Loyalty program reservations must be made online.
- Your “Customer Identification Number” must be attached to a reservation prior to travel for points to be earned.
- Points are accrued when the reservation holder has boarded the Ferry and is recorded in our system; accrual does not begin when reservation is paid (see Frequent Traveler Book exception below).
- Points are earned based on the money spent, $1 = 1 point. Less expensive fares which result from the use of discounts or packages earn the equivalent points based on the final cost after discounts applied.
- If a loyalty member is inactive for twenty-four (24) consecutive months, all earned points will expire and the customer’s membership in the program will be terminated.
- Packages offered by the Cape May – Lewes Ferry may include elements that will be paid to vendors. These elements WILL NOT receive loyalty points. This should be clear at the time of booking and may be reiterated by a customer service member assisting the customer at the time of booking.
- Frequent Traveler Books (6 Pack, 12 Pack, etc.) earn points at the time of purchase. Loyalty Members paying for elements of their crossing using a Frequent Traveler Book will NOT earn points for those elements but WILL earn points for any additional payments.
Example: Customer 00001 is a Loyalty Member who uses a Frequent Traveler Book to pay for a vehicle and one (1) adult passenger and then uses a credit card for an additional Senior passenger. Customer 00001 will earn points based on the payment for the additional Senior passenger only. If Customer 00001 purchased their Frequent Traveler Book while a loyalty member, Customer 00001 earned the appropriate points at that time.
- Currently, Members cannot receive points from or redeem points for Food, Beverage or Retail products.
Your safety is our top priority. Uniformed police officers are generally present on every vessel and are available to assist with reports of damage, loss, or injury. If you need help at any point during your crossing, simply speak with any crew member—they’re here to help.
Our mission is to deliver “The Best Ferry Ride in America,” and that means a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone on board. With just a little awareness and caution, you can help make your journey across the bay smooth and secure for yourself and your fellow travelers.
Thank you for being a valued part of our ferry community. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!