Latest news with #SSBadger
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
SS Badger Lake Michigan car ferry to launch shoreline cruises, overnight crossings & mini cruises
MANITOWOC – The S.S. Badger Lake Michigan car ferry is planning four afternoon shoreline cruises in Manitowoc, will launch overnight crossings June 20-Sept. 1 and will offer mini cruises this summer. Here's more to know about the offerings. The shoreline cruises in Manitowoc will run June 14, July 19, Aug. 2 and Aug. 16. Passengers will board at 1:30 p.m. and sail from 2 to 4 p.m. Each cruise offers live entertainment, food, a cash bar and shoreline views. An on-board gift shop, movie theater, museum and lounge areas will be open during these excursions. Tickets are $60 per person, and children 4 and younger are admitted free. The cruises sail rain or shine. Space is limited and all tickets are non-refundable. Four nighttime shoreline cruises in Ludington, Michigan, will also be offered June 18, July 4, July 23 and Aug. 20. Passengers will begin boarding at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern) and the ship sails from 9 to 11 p.m. (Eastern). Ticket fare is the same for those rides, except the July 4 cruise, which is $72. Read more: S.S. Badger passenger and car ferry on Lake Michigan ups its food, drink offerings The S.S. Badger is adding overnight crossings to its regular sailing schedule this summer. The overnight crossings will run June 20 to Sept. 1, departing Ludington at 8:45 p.m. (Eastern) Thursdays-Tuesdays and arriving in Manitowoc at 11:45 p.m. (Central). The overnight crossings depart Manitowoc at 1:30 a.m. (Central) Fridays-Wednesdays and arrive in Ludington at 6:30 a.m. (Eastern). Another way to experience the S.S. Badger this summer is a round-trip mini cruise where passengers can travel without a vehicle and return within 48 hours. Ticket price is $108 per adult with two children free per paying adult. Each additional child ages 5-15 is $62. The Badger makes four-hour runs from Ludington, Michigan, to Manitowoc and back. The spring season runs through June 19, summer season is June 20-Sept. 1 and fall season is Sept. 2-Oct. 12. The Badger can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 vehicles, including RVs, motorcycles, motorcoaches, and commercial trucks and oversized loads in one single trip. For tickets and more information, go to or call 1-800-841-4243. Read more: Couple from across Lake Michigan meet on the SS Badger car ferry and now have a family Here are some fast facts about the S.S. Badger Lake Michigan car ferry: Built at Christy Corp. in Sturgeon Bay for the C&O Railroad at a cost of $5 million Maiden voyage was March 21, 1953 The last and largest train ferries built for the Great Lakes Operated mostly as a train ferry until 1990, but also served passengers and automobiles Lake Michigan Carferry was formed in 1991, and the Badger became a passenger/motor vehicle ferry beginning in 1992 Lake Michigan Carferry was purchased by Interlake Maritime Services in 2020 Length: 410 feet Beam: 59 feet Height: 106 feet Depth: 24 feet The last coal-powered steamship in the United States Propulsion: Two four-cylinder compound Skinner Unaflow steam engines Speed: Maximum, 21 knots (24 mph); average cruising speed is 14 knots (16 mph) Capacity: 620 passengers; 180 automobiles, plus RVs, buses, motorcycles, semi-trucks and trailers (can accommodate vehicles and equipment up to 15 feet, 5 inches wide and 282 feet long) Crew: 50 to 60 with more than 200 seasonal employees Distance between Manitowoc and Ludington: 61 miles Contact Brandon Reid at breid@ This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: SS Badger plans shoreline cruises, overnight crossings & mini cruises
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
S.S. Badger Lake Michigan car ferry kicks off its sailing season in Manitowoc May 16
MANITOWOC – It's that time of year again! Get ready for a spruced-up S.S. Badger to kick off the 2025 sailing season May 16. The public is invited to attend the maiden voyage celebration to welcome the popular Lake Michigan car ferry as it makes its return from Ludington, Michigan, to Manitowoc. The S.S. Badger soon will be making its way back from Door County. The ferry was placed into dry dock this spring for repairs. The 410-foot ship headed to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay in April for a propeller shaft bearing repair and is expected to return to Michigan soon. Read more: Couple from across Lake Michigan meet on the SS Badger car ferry and now have a family Opening-day festivities will take place at 11:30 a.m. May 16 at the car ferry dock at 900 S. Lakeview Drive in Manitowoc. Festivities will include special guests and entertainment, including the Lincoln High School marching band; alpacas from LondonDairy Alpacas; the Red Hatters; and local elementary school students. Lunch will be available for purchase from area food trucks, including China Wok Bubble Tea, Nina's Pita Hut and Vue's Thai Street Food. There will also be free Hartman's Bakery treats courtesy of Visit Manitowoc while supplies last. The S.S. Badger will operate from May 16 through Oct. 12. Regular overnight crossings begin June 20 and end Sept. 1. In addition to the sailings between Ludington and Manitowoc, four Manitowoc shoreline cruise dates are scheduled along Lake Michigan — in the afternoon on June 14, July 19, Aug. 2 and Aug. 16. What's it like to ride the Badger? Ride aboard SS Badger a throwback to bygone era For more information, schedules or to buy tickets, visit or call 800-841-4243. Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@ or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling, on Instagram @PGPatti and on Bluesky @PGPatti. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: SS Badger Lake Michigan car ferry: When does 2025 season start, end?
