Thank you for making your reservation to Dry Tortugas National Park aboard the Yankee Freedom III high-speed ferry. We look forward to serving you and your group on an unforgettable adventure to one of America’s most remote national parks!
Please understand that we do have policies and rules listed below that will ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for you and the other guests aboard the Yankee Freedom III. Your understanding and cooperation with these policies are appreciated.
Yankee Freedom III travelers are responsible for reading and complying with this information:
Terms and Conditions
All sales are final. Reservations are non-refundable. You are expected to be checked in and onboard the vessel by 7:30 am on the date of your reserved trip. TICKETS ARE NONREFUNDABLE for late arrivals or no-shows. Reservations will be held until 15 minutes before departure (7:45 am) and then released for standby use.
Stand by Ticketing
To be considered for Standby statis, all potential passengers must be present at the ferry terminal on the day of the trip. Standby order will be determined the morning of the desired trip on a first come bases determined by your order in the standby queue at the Ferry Terminal. There is no pre-trip standby list.
Day Trip
Day Trip reservations are for the same day round trip only. If you do not return on the same day as your outbound leg, you will be charged additionally for the one-way fare to return ($99). You may not split outbound and inbound legs of a Day Trip reservation among multiple parties.
We reserve the right to deny boarding to anyone whose apparent condition may present a danger to themselves or others while onboard the vessel. We do not guarantee specific weather, sea, wildlife, or visibility conditions on any trip. Prices, policies and restrictions are subject to change.
Rescheduling-Trip Cancellation
Reservation changes must be made no later than 5:00 pm EST TWO (2) DAYS prior to the ticketed travel date. After this date rescheduling is not permitted. To reschedule Day Trip reservations, you must phone the Yankee Freedom ticket office (305-294-7009) by 5:00 pm EST. TWO (2) DAYS before your scheduled departure. To reschedule Camping reservations, you must phone the Yankee Freedom ticket office (305-294-7009) by 5:00 pm EST. SEVEN (7) DAYS before your scheduled departure. Rescheduling will be accommodated ONLY if space is available for the requested dates. If you do not reschedule by these deadlines and do not take your reserved trip, your fare will be forfeited WITHOUT REFUND.
Weather and Force Majeure
Yankee Freedom is contractually obligated to the National Park Service to operate daily in all weather unless sea conditions may compromise safety. Rain, lightning or other weather conditions ashore are often localized and do not indicate conditions at sea or in the Dry Tortugas. NO REFUNDS will be issued for weather conditions unless the trip is cancelled by Yankee Freedom.
If we cancel your trip due to inclement weather, equipment breakdown, civil order, or other force majeure event, we offer guests a choice of a refund or rescheduling to a future date. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OR OTHER SIMILAR PANDEMIC OR EPIDEMIC SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A FORCE MAJEURE EVENT.
If you are susceptible to motion sickness, we recommend taking Dramamine or other motion sickness remedies prior to departure. Dramamine or the equivalent will be available for sale onboard the vessel.
Camping
Campers are responsible for reading, signing and returning the Yankee Freedom Camping Rules and Acknowledgement form. This form will be emailed to you the next business day after your booking date. This acknowledgment form will be sent from mail@signnow.com. This form MUST be returned with the Campers’ signature who made the reservation within two weeks of receiving it. If we do not receive the signed form, your camping reservation will be canceled and refunded.
Does and Don’ts
The Dry Tortugas are a remote destination and many factors may interfere with access to and from the islands. Make sure your travel plans and lodging arrangements are flexible before and after your camping reservation dates. You may NOT bring compressed gas canisters, flammable accelerants or firearms of any type onboard the vessel. Security will inspect all camping gear before it is loaded onboard the ferry, please do not bring any of the aforementioned items with you. The Dry Tortugas National Park is pack in pack out, everything taken into the park must be taken back out by visitors.
Other Information Operating Times:
Campers must arrive at the Yankee Freedom III terminal by 6:00 am to load gear. Day Trip check-in is at 7:00 am. The Yankee Freedom III Ferry boards at 7:30 am, departs at 8:00 am sharp and returns to the terminal at 5:30 pm.
Check-In/Vessel Location:
The Key West Ferry Terminal, 100 Grinnell Street, is located at the Historic Seaport. The nearest intersection is Grinnell and Caroline Street. We are paperless so there is no need to print your tickets. We will ask for the last name and ID of the lead traveler at check-in on the morning of your trip to issue boarding passes for all passengers on the entire reservation. However, we strongly recommend that you know the Booking Number found on your emailed booking confirmation.
Parking:
The nearest parking is located at the Key West City parking garage, 300 Grinnell Street, at the corner of Carline St. and Grinnell St. (day rate of $40, shaded, payment by credit card only). Over height and/or over length vehicles and RVs are prohibited by law from parking in the City of Key West’s streets and parking lots. Please make alternate arrangements well before your trip. Yankee Freedom III is NOT responsible for securing parking arrangements.
National Park Pass:
If you have a National Park Pass, veteran’s ID or Every Kid Outdoors Pass, you may select the “w/ National Park Pass” ticket option for up to four (4) adult/senior/student members of your party. If you select more than four (4) tickets per pass, you will be charged the Park Entrance Fee of $15 for each nonqualifying member at check-in. You MUST show the physical National Park Pass at check-in or you will be charged the entrance fee. Electronic copies, pictures, etc. will not be accepted. NO Park Pass refunds can be issued after check-in.
Personal Possessions:
Please remember to gather all your personal belongings before disembarking at the end of the day. Although we endeavor to collect and store any items left aboard for your retrieval, we are not responsible for ensuring their return.
