I took a $185 ferry to the Florida Keys for a day trip. It was great despite a few small issues.

The Key West Express operates daily ferry rides to Key West from Fort Myers and Marco Island. I chose Fort Myers as my departure point.

I loved that I could buy my ticket online. The rates vary and depend on what day you take the ferry, whether you book eight or more days in advance, and your age.

As an adult, my ticket cost $185. Since I would be driving to the port, I also paid $17 in advance for parking in the ferry's private lot.

The ferry from Fort Myers departs at 8 a.m. daily year-round. Boarding begins at 7, and everyone is meant to be on the vessel by 7:30.

The parking attendants were cheerful and ready to direct me to the spot where I could leave my car, which was only a short distance from the ship.

After my ticket and ID were checked, I was ready to board.

Since I was only traveling for the day, I didn't have any bags to check. However, Key West Express provides luggage services for visitors who are spending more time on the island.

On the main ferry deck, there were restaurant-style tables and airplane-style rows of seats. I planned to do some work on the ferry, so I initially sat in one of the corner booths toward the front of the ship.

That was a mistake. I felt every wave we hit, and it wasn't long before I felt a bit seasick.

Luckily, I was free to move about the ship and switch my seats since they are not booked in advance. I felt much better when I relocated to the outdoor seating on the second deck.

I was also able to purchase a motion-sickness pill for $1 on board. The galley also had a stand selling other drinks and food, such as pretzels, trail mix, and pizza.

If you plan on making a purchase on board, keep in mind the stand is cash-only.

On this particular trip, I was traveling by myself. However, I saw a good variety of families and other adult-only travel groups on the vessel.

Each indoor seating section of the ship had a direct view of a large television screen, where the ship streamed different movies and shows throughout the ride.

There was no WiFi available on board, but I only lost my cell signal for an hour or so as we got farther out into the Gulf.

I always anticipate having limited reception when I travel, so this didn't impact me. However, if you need the internet to work while you're on the ferry or if you're traveling with children, plan accordingly.

We arrived on schedule, and I had more than five hours to explore Key West until the ferry home. It felt like a good amount of time for a day trip.

Passengers got back on the ship at the main ferry terminal on the northwestern side of the island.

I arrived promptly at 5 p.m. to board, and I was one of the last people in line. I was surprised at how early everyone was to get on the ferry to return to Fort Myers.

This time, I sat in the center rows toward the middle of the ship. The ride was way more enjoyable than earlier, even though the sea was a little rougher.

I liked the ferry because it was more convenient and quicker than driving. I didn't have to pay for gas or parking in Key West, and I had more flexibility on the ride than I would have if I were stuck behind the wheel.

However, my Key West Express ferry ticket was significantly higher than if I had driven myself. If I were taking the trip with friends or family, I'd probably still drive to cut back on costs.