Easy going! A great way to change time zones. We purchased tickets online... and were happy to get a military discount! Arrive AT LEAST 45 minutes before departure. Once you arrive, you'll get instructions on boarding passes (they print), IDs are checked and a security check of your vehicle takes place. When it's time, you drive your vehicle onto the ferry and go upstairs to the cabin area. Once the ferry leaves, you'll be able to order food or (like I did) take a nap. Dress appropriately or at least bring a blanket. The ferry was clean and peaceful. read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The ship is kept very clean and everyone working it is super nice. We took a car on board and stayed one night in Muskegon. Our sail was very smooth but other months can get very rough which means they sometimes have to cancel because of the wind. Food prices aren't cheap. You're looking at 10 bucks for a sausage English muffin and they don't take cash. Overall the experience is pricey at 500 for two people plus a car. Otherwise five stars for everything else. Make sure to get there at least 45 minutes ahead of time if you have a car. They cram in the cars pretty tight and do a cursory bomb sweep but aren't checking if you brought some "gifts" from Michigan to share with others. read more

The ferry was cancelled when we arrived. The staff was uncaring and didn't even offer an apology to us. Terrible customer service. Apparently there was a mechanical issue but there were no repairs being done. There is a ferry that crosses the lake a little north of here. I would recommend that one. Also I had to go back in and ask about a refund because that was not forthcoming . read more

Booked a 1-way from Muskegon to Milwaukee to cut down on my driving time returning from a road trip. For 1 passenger and my car it was $280, basic cabin. They have the loading and unloading process down to a science. Absolutely no dilly dallying happening here. It took 6 minutes from when we docked in MKE to when I was driving off the ferry, I timed it. Minus one star because the price of the ticket should include wifi throughout the ferry, not just for the premium cabin. All the staff were very friendly. I fell asleep on the ride over so I didn't partake in the cafe and bar but many other people did. The bathrooms were impressively nice. Just a nice way to travel. read more

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Was a good ferry ride. Pricey IMO. 200 one way for me and a motorcycle. Galley was closed at the beginning of the trip. Seemed strange and a lost opportunity to sell me snacks. read more

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I took the Lake Express this past weekend for the first time as an adult. The set-up was different than the trip to Muskegon (my starting location). In Milwaukee, you have to go in and right away someone asks to see your ID. They have a little orange tag you can put on your luggage with your name and phone number and give you your ticket (then you have to take the luggage out and put it on the cart yourself). They did look in my carry on bag as well and asked if I had any weapons or firearms. When in the bathroom, you cannot hear the announcements. I actually missed some of the calls to board because I thought I still had 30 minutes and then realized the place was emptier and looked outside and saw people were boarding! I stayed in the classic cabin and there is no wifi and limited plugs so I would put your phone on airplane mode to avoid phone drainage. They did have a food bar that opened after a bit with some pretty decent food. On the way back, I brought some light snacks (bananas) and a sealed water bottle. They do not have a drinking fountain but they have a small cafe on the boat with light food and drinks. I was pleased with what I ordered on the way there but enjoyed having my own food/drink the way back since I wasn't super hungry or thirsty heading home. The waves were 3-5 feet so they did have dramamine and other things you could buy to help with motion sickness. I stayed seated most of the time (and they do have a decent amount of handrails to stabilize if it's wavy) and rested. Fine experience overall. read more

I love taking the ferry. First time I have taken my car over. Pretty amazing how tightly they pack the cars in. I've been lucky in that every time I've been on this ferry it's been smooth as glass. Really appreciate how helpful employees are, in terms of helping you understand the boarding process. read more

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The ride was smooth and quick. Car boarding process worked well. The snack bar was disappointing. Seemed to close and open several times during the 2 hour trip--odd read more

Great trip very much a time saver..... BUT appease clean the windows we want to see out of them.

Fast trip to Michigan 2 1/2 hours Nice people, a bit more expensive than last year but, you take the good with he bad read more

We rode the Lake Express planning to be on stand by since we haven't booked our tickets. We had great luck since there was one open spot and someone had cancelled since we had a vehicle to bring on the boat. The prices are expensive but it's worth it to see how beautiful Lake Michigan is. The whole ride is 2 and a half hours plus you can get food on board! Unfortunately there's no wifi unless you're in the premiere cabin section. We didn't know that before we went on board. It was a fun experience and got to experience sailing across Lake Michigan! read more

Let's back up a little to what led me here so I can maybe help all readers with any confusion. When I was plotting my transportation from Milwaukee to Detroit on Google Maps, it kept showing a straight line across Lake Michigan and I thought to myself "I've never been there, but I'm pretty sure there's no bridge THAT LONG and I definitely know there's no road there, so why is it showing that?" Anyway, I dug a little deeper into it and I realized there was a ferry that went from Milwaukee, WI to Muskegon, MI, across Lake Michigan. I had never been on a ferry up to that point, so I was STOKED to finally check that block! I got there super early to ensure I didn't mess anything up and accidentally miss the boat, but honestly it didn't matter. Arriving early didn't help me attain any "better position" or "advantage", so keep that in mind. Secondly, the boat was behind an entire hour on their departure too, so I could've even been late and still got on the boat. Anyway, I started the trip on the very top. I was warned about the high winds and how they'd knock your sunglasses right off your head, but I didn't care-I wanted the wind. Well, it was great until we started hitting some larger waves and it would create heavy spray up top. I didn't want to arrive to the other side and be completely soak and wet, so I opted to go into the cabin for the remainder of the trip. Well, that made it even worse as it made me sick for the remaining 1.5hrs. Something I was so excited about turned out to be a terrible experience. I was so disappointed, but that has nothing to do with the crew or the boat itself-all of that was top shelf! Kudos to the crew for doing an awesome job and if you can withstand the sea-sickness, I would highly recommend this as an option. read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - Leaving Milwaukee. Great city by the way if you ever get a chance to go. - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Great ride across the lake.ni paid the extra money for the cabin with wifi, no kids and table service. Totally worth it!

Lake Express was kinda cool. We had talked about doing this years ago and we never did it. We were bored and were heading to Illinois for an Art Exhibit so why not drive a few hours further north. Tickets are purchased in line. You buy a ticket for each person and for your car. You wait in line outside the gates and someone walks by to check your ID and ran a mirror around the bottom of your car. You pull up further and someone else takes your ID and prints off your ticket and your car ticket. Next place in line you park in a spot an employee directs you to. Then you can go inside. Right now you still need to mask up. Still part of TSA rules till Sept 13th. At some point they called the drivers to their cars. Only the drive is in the car when you are directed by and employee. Others board walk on. After your car is parked grab what you need because you can't go back to your car during cross over. We did premium seating. Fewer people in that area and you get food and bev service. After cross over drivers and passengers can go to the car. Then you wait to be told to start your engine and again are directed when and how to drive off. Totally worth doing once in your life. read more

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We took this ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon! It was very fun and windy! Watch our experience here! https://youtu.be/c9gzkCQsqog?t=5 **but- be wary** --Your car might get damaged! The parking is very very tight and unfortunately, the folks next to us didn't have the decency to be careful opening their door and it hit our car :( --Food was actually ok! Way better than expected but chips don't come with the entree- you gotta pay extra for that! It was so nice to stand outside and wave hello to the families waving hi back to us when we arrived to Muskegon! Very quick trip! I've been on other ferry's before that were nicer, but this is a cool way to travel across Lake Michigan! read more

You want to get to Michigan or MKE quick? Bypass all the BS around Chicago? Or do you have friends coming from Michigan to visit? Well despite the price the ferry is truly the way to go. Most of our friends came on Thursday and left on Sunday mid-afternoon. What better than cruising across the lake while nursing your hangover and not having to worry about the drive? The Lake Express is what it is and does what it does in comfort. This is the easiest way to get from here to there hands down. That's priceless. read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - The Mighty Express! - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Always a pleasure when riding the Ferry. Ally our steward made the trip even better with her service of excellence

The trip is easy BUT the SERViCE TOP OF LiNE Thanks to CC‼ Much Appreciated From your first timer read more

Fast and efficient alternative to the long drive around the lake. The crew was extremely kind and helpful when one of our party's small children got sick from the rough lake conditions. Our only complaint: the passenger cabin is absolute frigid! Next time heavier clothes and blankets! read more

CiCi was a fantastic steward on the boat ferry from Milwaukee to Michigan. she was helpful and made our trip so enjoyable thank you CiCi read more

Glad this was years ago, had fun watching the Boats, people having fun at the Pier. Hopefully this year can be a little more exciting for a lot of people, during this pandemic period. read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - This was so beautiful when I went down the boat Pier with my oldest son back in Summer of 2019. We had such a good time. - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Pulled up late and staff was fantastic- quickly processing certificates for round trip- parking and getting us on board. Above and beyond. Ride was smooth all the way across. Sun deck windy while out on open lake but good for viewing while leaving Michigan and coming into Milwaukee. Their help and patience allowed us to our trip on schedule and make that day's Brewers game. Thank youLake Express. read more

We were so excited to be going on this high speed ferry. We took it on Saturday, July 7, and I can only say that I felt I was in a never ending disaster flick. Other passengers who have taken this boat often said that it should never have been allowed to sail. Dramamine was mentioned in a canned announcement over the loudspeakers at the dock, but since nobody in my family has ever been remotely affected by motion sickness, we figured we were fine, even is it was a bit choppy. Choppy? Try five to seven foot waves crashing the boat around for the two hours it was outside of breakwater. There were whitecaps as far as the eye could see, and the widespread puking commenced almost immediately. Somebody announced there was a limited supply of motion sickness stuff on the boat available (for sale, of course) but it wasn't Dramamine, just some ginger chews. A fellow passenger told me it was best to step outside for fresh air if I was feeling sick. First comes, the sweating, the denial, and then the blowing. I managed to rush outside and hurl next to the lifeboat. I then stayed out there the entire trip, unable (and afraid) to move. The lovely woman who had been seated next to me joined me, and offered a barf bag, which I promptly used. There was no place to throw it away and no staff came to help, so I eventually stuffed it under the lifeboat. Other passengers came to join me in the hurl party. I honestly haven't seen this much vomit flying from great heights since I attended an unfortunate wapatula party my senior year in college. During this time, the only staff members I saw where busy changing out garbage bags at the back of the boat. I managed to stay stable for a while, but when somebody mentioned that their wife couldn't keep a mint down, I lost it again, luckily a passenger had given me a bag. Without any place to put the barf bags, I resorted to crawling around the deck, one clutched in each hand. Nothing says swag like an upchuck bag. Finally, in desperation, I found a pair of earplugs on a long cord that had been thrown from the lifeboat in the tumult. I tied my bags to one of the rails to get it out of my face. When we finally hit break water at the end of the trip, I went inside to assess the damage. Several seats had black bags over them, and it was apparent this had been a miserable voyage for many. Showers and a change of clothes were in the immediate future for these folks. While I realize there was probably a weather pattern that caused this, it seemed unconscionable to let people go on this ride without individual staff members telling people to take something before they got on the boat. Cancelling would have been better. A few seasoned travelers on this boat told me (again) this was by far the worst and roughest ride they had *ever* been on and they couldn't believe it was allowed to sail. So if you go, I strongly suggested you bring a bag for your garbage and possibly put on a Depend diaper in the event you pee yourself from vomiting so hard you have stomach acid burns in your esophagus for the next 24 hours. NEVER AGAIN. read more

We have used this ferry on three different trips across Lake Michigan. If you are heading north of Muskegon you should consider taking this ferry. This year I shot across the lake with my son to do some camping in Muskegon. The trip is really quick from my house in Highland Park. Drive one hour to Milwaukee, ferry across in 2.5 hours, drive another 15 minutes, and you're at Hoffmaster State Park! Others have mentioned possible rough water, absolutely, I loved it. The first two crossings were totally calm and somewhat boring. This third trip was a bit rough, 6 to 8 foot waves. The boat rocked like a boat should. If you are prone to seasickness, they will offer free medication to combat the sickness prior to departure. The outdoor spaces are amazing on board. It is very windy on the top deck, but the rear deck is out of the wind, just a bit noisier from the giant water jet engines. This ferry is a great little adventure and I highly recommend it. Driving around the bottom of Lake Michigan can become tiresome, if you do it several times a year, as I do. I always enjoy skipping the crush through Chicago and jumping aboard the ferry. I can't comment on the food service as we always skip it. The soft drinks and water hit the spot for us. Employees and crew of this company are really friendly. read more

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I took the lake trek on Friday, April 28, 2017--the first crossing of the season. It was a seamless day and the weather cooperated too. The ride was fine and most people just kicked back like I did. Other Yelpers are correct that the boat ride is pricey, most especially if you are bringing a car over. But avoiding having to drive around & through Chicago is worth it. Still, with summer coming, I can see the Lake Express filling up with Wisconsin folks looking to take the family over to Muskegon to enjoy the beaches and other water sports. The Milwaukee terminal is roomy with a small snack bar area. The woman's restroom was still being remodeled when I visited. Had to deduct 1 yelp star for no WiFi on the boat once you leave port. But if you pay for themore expensive Premier ticket, your Smartphone works fine all the way across. For what you pay for even just a regular ticket, WiFi should be thrown in for free. read more

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Thought we'd take the Ferry over rather than make the miserable drive around the south curve of Lake Michigan. Easy boarding and friendly people. They show a movie on-board (pay for headphones) and have a little cafe counter with sandwiches and drinks. The boat is a jet-propelled high-speed catamaran. If the weather is nice you can walk out on the deck. If it's cold outside, it can be a little chilly indoors. Bring a jacket. BE AWARE: I really liked it but there were some pretty rough waters coming over. 5-7 foot waves tossed the little catamaran about in the water and a number of people got sick. The cleanup crew was quite busy calmly walking around with disinfectant and towels. read more

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I love boats! And a high speed ferry to avoid the loop through Chicago and Indiana is the best. It makes the journey to Michigan that much more delightful. It is pricey. You can go as a passenger, take a bicycle, motorcycle or vehicle. The cost of a trailer is obtrusive, so I wouldn't recommend a camper or U Haul. But if you're at the end of a long week it's worth the cost. The loading process is odd. In Milwaukee all passengers stayed in their cars while in Muskegon, only the drivers were allowed. This made a mad rush at loading the human cargo. The trip is pleasant. Usually too cold and windy to be outside on the deck. There's a snack bar inside. The seating is okay, but it's a fairly short trip so easy to contend with. Only big complaint is cabin temperature. They keep it too cold, which isn't so great when it's really hot outside. Be sure to wear long pants and a coat. Soooo, if you have the cash and want to save your frustration, grab this ferry. It's a fun adventure. read more

Gluten free food options on the ferry! Others have reviewed the ferry, how the cars get loaded, etc. I want to review the food offerings, specifically the gluten-free options. Our trip on the ferry was going to cover lunch time, so as usual, I brought some gluten-free snacks in case there was nothing I could eat on the ferry itself. I was in for two surprises. The first surprise was when they announced no carry-on food could be eaten on the ferry. Unhappily, I perused the on board menu, finding mostly fast/junk food. But there were several items I could eat: an apple, a banana, a vegetable combo of grape tomatoes/celery sticks/broccoli/baby carrots, and a fresh fruit dish with cheddar cheese cubes. I got my second surprise when I went up to the counter. The server was very helpful. She gave me a binder to look at, with sheets explaining the ingredients in everything. This is great not only for gluten-free eaters, but also for anyone else with food sensitivities or allergies. My investigations showed me more food options. They have individual packets of "Newman's Dressings" that are gluten-free, that can be added to the veggie combo or the caesar salad. I ended up ordering a banana, and eating it clandestinely with the peanut butter I had carried on board, but it is good to know there are options for those who do not bring their own stash onto the ferry. read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - Lake Express Ferry menu page 1 - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I think I should start by warning that you need a plan B as the Ferry is subject to weather and mechanical factors. I think having a plan B is pretty important in life, but maybe that's beyond the scope of a Yelp review. Purchasing tickets online is convenient and easy. It's very expensive to take a car, but fun and saves time over driving through the Chicago area around the Lake. It's more fun and less expensive to take a bicycle. Otherwise, getting to and from the pier is going to add the cost of an Uber, Lyft or taxi as neither the Milwaukee nor the Muskegon sides are well served by bus. The terminal is clean and comfortable, the crew from the terminal and on the ferry are courteous and competent. The food on board is very good, I'm a big fan of the coffee and breakfast sandwich. On the downside, the placement of the screens for the invariably bad movie (has to be PG for all the children, but they don't tend to show even good children's movies) isn't great for all seats. I love the voyage usually but add a boatload of poorly supervised children and this becomes less pleasant and more like torture. I would have to say the very worst thing about American society nowadays is the way we parent. It's worse than our criminal justice system. In fact, we need to release more nonviolent prisoners and lock up more irresponsible parents. Whoah that's really beyond the scope of a Yelp review. Let me rein it back in. So because of the set up, you are more likely to have a peaceful pleasant journey if you pay the slight up-charge to be in the better cabin, but there's never a guarantee there aren't going to be unsupervised children and this is the one thing the crew can't help you with. I like to bring ear plugs. Wi Fi can be fine, but not always, I like to bring an old fashioned book (pages, paper, ink) as my plan B to getting work done on a computer. Arrive early. read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Took the trip from Milwaukee to Muskegon July 1, 2018. The ferry was *packed*, but there was plenty of room to roam up top if you didn't mind the wind. A little bit of chop on the lake but we had a great time. The regular cabin rush for food when the galley opened was a bit much, but it settled down after folks had their first round. My youngest daughter and I were up and about the whole time exploring the ship, taking in the views and enjoying the wind in our faces. While you can't drive aboard with the whole family - only the driver can take the car on, my family had to walk aboard - you can drive off as a family on the other side. That was fun and everyone enjoyed it. Quite pricey, but the experience was worth it. read more

We took our car on the ferry to Muskegon. Full transparency: we had free tickets, but having a husband who has become completely adverse to flying, I would do it again to shave off a few eastward hours on a road trip. If I saved up my money for quite a while, it would probably be worth the $500 to NOT be in the car for the first several hours. The main cabin seating configuration is somewhat airplane like but better, since there are seats in the middle section set up in a conversational area with an oblong table in between. The other seats do recline a bit for napping. Our ride was wonderfully smooth and the weather was great, so of course that made it even more enjoyable. I feel that some of the galley breakfast prices are out of whack. $5.50 for a cup of instant oatmeal with dried fruit? $8.50 for a breakfast sandwich? But other food and drink prices seemed reasonable. The galley opens after the obligatory safety video is played. In the premier cabin you do receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and wifi, but it sounds like they plan to add free wifi to the whole vessel soon, so I'm not sure it would be worth the upcharge to me. On deck there are a few seats, and plenty of standing area if you want to be outside and take in the sights. Both the Milwaukee terminal and the Muskegon terminal had Enterprise car rental counters on site, so if you go across sans car and wanted one, it could easily be arranged. The staff on the Milwaukee side were super friendly, which was appreciated, and the staff upon arrival at Muskegon were nice as well. All in all, a very nice experience, matey! read more

I thought this was such a great experience! I needed to commute to Milwaukee and tried it out, brought my dog and my car, and did the round trip. They have it down like a well-oiled machine! I paid extra for the upgraded seats and it was well worth it to have the free wifi (which worked perfectly for me to get some work done) and the extra room away from the crowds. I wasn't expecting the boat to be so nice in general, or to have the little boat tracker monitor so you could see where you were on the trip. Dogs aren't allowed in the cabin area and mine would have been extremely stressed in one of the provided kennels since they are located right by all the people walking around and he is terrified of strangers. It was really cool out so I left him in his bed in my car and he did perfectly fine, at least he seemed completely relaxed when I came back. I'm assuming he slept the whole way. If it were warm out I wouldn't advise it since you have to keep the car windows up. The ride itself was very smooth! Both going there and back, even in spite of both trips being on a rainy day. I brought dramamine just in case but didn't need it. This was a really fun way to get where I needed to go! I definitely recommend it! read more

I decided since I was going from Grand Rapids to West Bend WI to try the ferry. I tried to reserve online on my phone but couldn't get it to work so then tried to call but couldn't get through and ended up leaving a message.  They never called me back and I was trying to book a reservation.  Since I had my heart set on not driving through Chicago and trying the experience of the ferry, in spite of the cost (201 for a car plus a person), I ended up driving out of my way after getting up extra early to make it in time to then sit around on standby. The staff was all very courteous and essentially booked me and did all the paperwork and then I parked my car to be ready to get on in case someone didn't show and four cars didn't show. You don't get to stay with your car so have things ready. I went up on the sundeck to watch takeoff but once enroute it was way too windy. I am used to doing everything on my phone that I was a bit lost when I lost service. And there is no WiFi on the boat. Next time I will bring a book. It was weird that they were playing the Jungle Book (the new verson) on at least 8 screens with the sound off. They do have food (see my pictures for menu) but nothing special besides the beer. read more

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Transparency disclaimer: The only thing keeping me from giving five big stars to the Lake Express is the cost associated w/ round trip travel (with a car). It's almost $400. Aside from that, though, Lake Express = pretty damn near perfect. Two and a half hours of smooth sailing across our glorious inland sea pond, and all the sudden you're on Eastern Time and in our neighborly mitten. Easy peasy, boom. Load-in w/ the car is an absolute cinch, and the vessel itself is clean and comfortable. The waitstaff are attentive and the whole experience was incredibly anti-climactic in this really fantastic way. If you're brave, venture up to the top deck for some pristine and expansive views of Lake Michigan. It's so calm comparative to an actual ocean, but it still *feels* like an ocean... miles upon miles of open water with no land in sight. It almost felt like something out of a dream; a calm and water-y desert where the horizon meets the water all around. The gradient blues and purples and yellows made it so surreal and dreamy. If you sail during nice weather, def take some time to sit outside and take it all in. That said, when you're clipping away at full speed, you need some serious moxy to get up there. It's windy, so be warned! Would travel again, especially if I had a car situation figured out on the other side. Of course, in this case, work paid for the trip, but $400 for car + person round trip = a little steep, IMO. That said, it was a seriously awesome experience and I would definitely recommend/do it again! read more

I finally got my ride on the Lake Express! I have been waiting for years. I could never quite justify the cost (It was near $300 for two of us plus our car), but I do love to be on a boat! We took the early boat on a Monday. Which meant we had to be there by 5:15 (You arrive 45 minutes before the leaving time so all the cars can get loaded). We were warned when we got on that there were waves and it would be a rocky ride. They offered to refund the money, which I think is amazing. We didn't take it, because I wanted my boat ride darn it. The inside left a little something to be desired, I really wish they would make it a little more fancy. It felt out dated, I don't know what I expected, but it was more bus on the water than luxury boat cruise. Clearly, I prefer the later. The hostess came around immediately passing out vomit bags, she looked as though she would vomit at any moment. We were told there would be no food or beverage service other than water because people will get sick. We didn't get sick and I had no coffee. It was 5 a.m. They played Godzilla on the TV and passed out headphones which was great because is drowned out the sounds of everyone vomiting. Seriously, half the cabin was throwing up I kid you not. My three stars is not because of the rocky ride or the vom.com. It's for the fact that the staff did not seem prepared for it. Nothing is worse than seeing employees on the back deck puking their guts out. We felt fine, yet I couldn't get any coffee or snacks probably because the person who makes the coffee was not fine. Find your sea legs people! read more

Horrible. Cancelled with one hour notice on Labor Day Weekend as 14 of us were loading up to head to the dock on a tight schedule for a family wedding. We received a pre recorded message claiming "mechanical difficulties" and when we were able to reach a customer service person she also said there were "choppy waters". Not sure if I buy either of those excuses and was not able to get any additional information. We were offered no incentive (discount on future rides? free ticket for next time? comped plane ticket to get us to our destination in time? nope.) to ever use Lake Express Again. When we called Enterprise to cancel the rent a car on the other side in Michigan, they said there were many people doing the same thing who had plans on Lake Express and were now in for a 6+ hour drive with their own cars instead. Don't rely on this company if you have anywhere to be and if you do chose to use them make sure you are at home an hour leading up to the trip to answer the recorded call you may receive letting you know you're out of luck. read more

Took the 2.5 hour trip from Milwaukee to Michigan, well worth the dollars for the time saved. The car was safe and sound and I actually saved money from buying gas and caffeinated drinks had I decided to drive. Very professional staff at every level, from parking lot attendant to the Captain who made the cruise as smooth as silk. I loved this ferry ride! read more

As a native of West Michigan, I love having the Lake Express as an option to visit my hometown without needing to drive through Chicago. Having taken a hiatus of a few years from the ferry, I opted to test it out again this summer. Even after seven-ish years of service, the boat is in fabulous shape -- the staff is vigilant about keeping it clean and well-maintained before, during, and after voyages. The seats are pretty darn comfy, too, affording quality people- and water-watching opportunities (okay, or napping). The trip takes about 2.5 hours and guests are asked to arrive 45 minutes in advance of sailing. Parking is available on the Milwaukee side for $5/day, which is a pretty good deal compared to Amtrak or the airport. On the Muskegon side, I think parking is still $4. Car rentals are also available at either port. Food is served on board, ranging from hot grill items (burgers, hot dogs) to snacky items like chips and cookies. In the last few years, they've transitioned to Coke products and they do offer Milwaukee Brewing Company beers as well. Overall, a nice selection to satisfy some mid-lake cravings. The only downside that I've experienced with Lake Express is the rising cost. I feel spoiled that I used to get such good student deals a few years ago -- the cost for an adult traveling round-trip, alone, without a car on-board is up to $168, once you factor in the $20 fuel surcharge and $12 port security fee. Yikes. Pretty sure I used to travel for around $85. From what I can recall, it seems like prices started to increase when gas prices spiked in summer 2008 and just never settled back down. Perhaps they've noticed it though, as I feel like they're offering more specials this summer than in the past (I got my ticket for $130 this time). Things to note: -Just because it's a big boat doesn't mean it's immune to waves. If you're apt to seasickness, try to get a seat near the restroom or get some fresh air. -There is limited seating outdoors; keep in mind it's always chillier on the water than on land, so you may want a jacket. It's pretty chilly in the cabin as well. -When weather cancellations occur, there's usually a shuttle that offers to drive passengers to the opposite terminal. From my experience, they're generally pretty accommodating about refunding or offering credits if you choose not to use their transportation in such circumstances. -The Airport Connection shuttle service also does pick-ups/drop-offs at the port and may be cheaper than a taxi. Overall, it's a great experience. Super simple, fast, and a fun alternative to standard transportation! read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The rumored 14' waves of a few days earlier were nowhere to be seen; it was an idyllic 2.5 hr crossing, a bit foggy at times, but mostly sunny. The Enterprise car rental drop off was exceptionally convenient. One glitch: you're asked not bring your food on board, but the food onboard is unhealthy. None of the breakfasts, hot items, or the sandwich include any hint of vegetable or fruit. Just cheap manufactured items with processed cheese. There are also plenty of alcohol and sugary options if either of those are your thing. read more

Lake Express High-Speed Ferry - Menu - Ferries Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The only thing keeping me from rating this a 5 star is the cost of the trip. I usually take the train to Michigan, but for $80-100 more you can take the ferry and get there in a few hours instead of an all day investment. The price is unreasonable if you are traveling with more than yourself. This is only worth it if you are by yourself. If you are traveling with a partner you should consider flying or taking the train. If you are traveling with 2+ people rent a car. There is no need to pay a thousand bucks or more when driving isn't too much longer or too much more $. Except for the price, I enjoyed every aspect of the trip. The seats were comfortable, the service friendly and the views unmatched. You can walk all around the ship. It was such a cool experience. I will definitely be using Lake Express again. read more