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Passengers have reacted angrily to plans by Wightlink to introduce its winter timetable in just a few week's time.
The ferry firm wouldn't normally enforce it until November.
The company has blamed fuel prices, the weather and the economic downturn for the change.
On Isle of Wight Radio's facebook page Sarah Woodburn said, "Sick and tired of being held to ransom by the ferry companies".
Mark Pettifer added, "May not suit some of our customers - joke company I thought the increase in fares accounted for cost in fuel rising".
A spokesperson from Wightlink told Isle of Wight Radio, "The changes have been necessary due to the significant fuel increases that we have incurred this year along with the inclement weather which combined with the economic downturn, has impacted our business. This is a trend which is affecting both the Isle of Wight and the UK as a whole and many businesses have had to adapt to remain viable. Therefore we have had no option but to reduce our on-going costs wherever possible and by bringing the winter timetables forward to the middle of September, we can continue to operate a viable operation whilst crucially controlling our operating costs."
The spokesperson added, "We are aware that the change to our sailing times may not suit all of our passengers; unfortunately these changes are essential to ensure the future of the routes whilst minimising the impact for the majority of our passengers."
The main changes to the sailing schedules are as follows:
Portsmouth-Ryde - an hourly timetable being operated at weekends
Lymington-Yarmouth – a two boat service all week - with the exception of Friday 21 & Friday 28 September, where a three boat service will operate. The 2025 sailing from Lymington and the 2115 sailing from Yarmouth has been withdrawn, with the exception of Fridays & Sundays
Portsmouth-Fishbourne – a three boat service in the mornings Tuesdays-Thursdays
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