Onboard amenities include a bar (branded the Steamboat Lounge), food service, restrooms, and both indoor and outdoor seating.

A new Grand Republic entered service in 2003, while the old one was sold to Cross Sound Ferry and renamed the Mary Ellen.

On May 29, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld a United States District Court for the District of Connecticut ruling that the Bridgeport Port Authority was unconstitutionally collecting taxes from the ferry company and passengers and using the tax money for purposes other than for the benefit of the ferry company and passengers.

Tickets were for many years purchased while on board the vessel (at a purser's booth) and turned in to a crew member before walking or driving off.

No injuries occurred, while the Park City suffered minor damage, and re-entered service two weeks later after undergoing repairs.

A large gold leaf statue of an eagle was erected on the corner of East Broadway and NY 25A in 2002, replacing one of Thomas Jefferson.

Each vessel has a second deck above the car deck containing a small outdoor area, a large passenger cabin with restrooms, seating, and snack bar (branded the "Steamboat Cafe") in the middle, and a bar serving alcoholic beverages (branded the "Steamboat Lounge") near the front.

[18] The MV PT Barnum was built in 1999 by Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City, Florida, at a cost of $14 million.

The MV Grand Republic was built in 2003 by Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City, Florida, at a cost of $15 million.

The MV Long Island, the newest member of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry's fleet, was built in 2024 by Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City, Florida, and entered service in December 2024.

Barnum and Grand Republic, but she boasts several new amenities which the remainder of the fleet lacks, including a designated pet cabin, and a family/unisex restroom.