FAQs

Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online or by calling 800-841-4243.

• Changes to reserved tickets may be made and are subject to the payment of a change fee of $10.00 per Child or Adult fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation and $5.00 per Vehicle fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation.
• Reserved tickets cancelled prior to the reserved departure time are refundable minus the following cancellation fees:

1. $10.00 cancellation fee per Child fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation.
2. $20.00 cancellation fee per Adult fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation.
3. $30.00 cancellation fee per Adult fare with Vehicle (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation.

We strongly encourage paying at the time of reservation so that this helps make your boarding process one step simpler. If you have any questions, our reservations team is ready to help at (800) 841-4243.

The car deck is not accessible during the crossing due to safety and security regulations.

When making a reservation, this would include every passenger in your party and any vehicles that you may be traveling with. Passenger fares and vehicle fares are separate from one another. Please include vehicles at the time of reservation, or call our reservations department at (800) 841-4243 to add any passengers or vehicles to an existing reservation.

We ask that you arrive at the dock one hour prior to departure for ticketing and boarding.

Discounts are offered to groups of 10 or more passengers. Group rates and information are available by clicking here or by contacting our Group Sales Department at 888-227-2628.

The S.S. Badger has ample space for large vehicles such as RVs, trailers, buses, semi-trucks, and oversized loads. Reservations for RV's, trailers, and oversized vehicles are highly recommended. We cannot guarantee you a spot without a reservation.

A chairlift to transport wheelchairs and passengers needing assistance is available when boarding and disembarking the ship. The chairlift has a maximum 300-pound capacity. Passengers with motorized wheelchairs must ride the lift separately from their chairs. There is limited access to our upper deck areas depending on the passenger's mobility.

A handicap-accessible restroom is available onboard the ship. The Movie Lounge and Badger boutique are wheelchair accessible from the port-side passageway. There are free wheelchairs available for use onboard (first-come, first-served basis).

Yes, using the chairlift, powered chairs/scooters are able to be used in the main deck area. However, we do not have a stairlift to make upper deck areas accessible. The chairlift has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, so a powered chair/scooter may have to ride separate from the passenger.

Dogs that are trained to perform a task or provide assistance to a person with a disability are welcome in passenger areas. Comfort animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs may be kept in a well-ventilated portable kennel on the car deck or transported in the owner's vehicle.

We ask that all passengers arrive one hour prior to departure so that we have time to check in passengers and vehicles. You will first be greeted by our K9 teams. They will do a security check and from there you will be instructed to drive forward to a ticket agent. The ticket agent will ask for the last name on your reservation to check in the vehicle for departure, they will give you a yellow tag to place on the dashboard of the vehicle. If you do not have a reservation, they will instruct you to go into the ticket office for assistance. Once your vehicle is checked in, the ticket agent will instruct you where to park your vehicle. When your vehicle is parked, please take any items that you may need for the crossing, as you will not be able to access your vehicle once your vehicle is on the ship. You will leave your keys in the vehicle with the windows down. Our crew will drive your vehicle onboard for you. Next, you will go to the passenger boarding area, near the ticket office, marked with a sign. When going through the security line, you will be greeted by our security team who will check bags. After that, you enter the ship, you will be greeted by the purser who will ask for the last name on the reservation, and check in all the passengers on your reservation. When completed, you will go up the steps and be free to roam the ship and enjoy your passage.

When the ship passes the break wall and/or lighthouse, the Cruise Director’s Office will make an announcement welcoming passengers to the port. Once the BADGER is docked, an attendant will open the gate on the port side stairwell allowing passengers down to the car deck. Passengers who require chairlift assistance, have a kenneled pet, or riding a motorcycle, may disembark on the starboard side. When facing the back of the ship, the port side is the right-hand side and starboard is the left side of the ship. If you are traveling with a vehicle, our crew will drive the vehicle off of the ship for you. Passengers will be safely routed off the ship and are asked to wait behind the safety tape for their vehicle. After you see your vehicle driven off and parked by our auto attendants, you are welcome to approach your car and travel about your day. Please be sure to pull forward to exit our lot.

A variety of factors determine the way the Badger's car deck is loaded on each crossing. Our crew strives to load and unload the car deck efficiently.

For no additional charge, animals may be kept in a well-ventilated portable kennel on the car deck or transported in the owner's vehicle. Due to security restrictions, no pets of any kind are allowed in any passenger area. Service dogs trained to work or perform tasks for a passenger with a disability may accompany that individual.

• Lake Michigan Carferry recommends that pets travel in our well-ventilated portable kennels on our car deck. A limited number of kennels are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend you bring a small blanket or towel and a toy to put in the kennel.
• Owners may bring their own kennels that will be positioned in a well-ventilated area on our car deck.
• Owners may choose to keep their pets in their vehicles. LMC will make every effort to make sure your vehicle is located in an area where there is fresh airflow. It is recommended that owners roll-down their windows slightly so your pet can get fresh air. If animals are left in your vehicle, windshield sunscreens and a water bowl are strongly recommended during warm weather. If you are traveling with a pet, please note that pet vehicle parking on the car deck is limited. On certain crossings, you may be required to use our kennels rather than leave your pet in your vehicle.

Water bottles and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought on board. Outside food, snacks and coolers of any size are not permitted. Coolers must be left on the luggage cart or in a vehicle.

A limited number of private staterooms are available during the four-hour crossing. Rooms have a window, two twin beds, a sink, and a toilet. Please inquire when making your reservation, or at the Cruise Director's Office aboard the ship.

Children under the age of 16 sailing aboard the SS Badger must be accompanied by an adult.

Wifi codes are $5 per device and are available at the Cruise Director's Office. 

Lake Michigan Carferry reserves the right to inspect all vehicles, luggage and carry-on items with explosive detection dogs. Water bottles and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought on board. Outside food and coolers of any size are not permitted. Coolers must be left on the luggage cart or in a vehicle. Ticket offices, parking lots, staging areas, and the S.S. BADGER are monitored 24 hours a day by surveillance cameras or security personnel. (LMC is not responsible for damage to vehicles left in parking lot.)

Passengers are allowed to travel with weapons, however they are strictly not allowed in passenger areas and must stay on the cardeck. We ask that they stay in a locked case in your vehicle. If you are not traveling with a vehicle, we do have a secure locker that it can be stored in during the duration of your sailing. Please see a crew member for more details.

Passengers are required to provide two tie-downs per motorcycle. Tie-downs should be adjustable, heavy-duty nylon with a metal S-hook on one end.

Security regulations prohibit passengers from visiting the Bridge, the Aft Pilothouse, or the Engine Room.

There is free parking at our docks in Ludington, MI and Manitowoc, WI for paying passengers. However, at this time, parking in Manitowoc is limited to a first come, first serve basis on the street in a secure and patroled area.

You can purchase a gift card online here, or by calling (800) 841-4243. Gift cards can be used to pay for a reservation, anywhere onboard, including the gift shop both on the ship and online.

Ludington:

Judy's Rides
231-233-7200

DJ's Taxi
231-843-3912

Ludington Taxi
231-845-9693

Ludington Mass Transit
231-845-6218

Bike Rentals:

Spindrift Cyclesports
231-425-4999

Trailhead Bike Shop
231-845-0545

Provisions
231-843-4150

Manitowoc:

Maritime Cab & Delivery
920-686-1300
1313 S 16th St
Manitowoc, WI 54220

Our Town Taxi Service
920-629-7941
1524 Marshall St
Manitowoc, WI 54220

Manitowoc Taxi
920-204-6003
88 Albert Dr, Lot 46
Manitowoc, WI 54220

2 Guys Taxi
920-374-3308
3949 Calumet Ave
Manitowoc, WI 54220

T'rivers Taxi Service 
920-794-9494
1200 Madison St
Two Rivers, WI 54241

Lulloff Rentals
920-682-0121
1401 Washington St
Manitowoc, WI 54220