Who wants to drive seven or eight hard hours in summer traffic to Chicago or Wisconsin when there's a sweet deal in Ludington that will transport two people and their car across Lake Michigan in four hours for only $199?
Hop on the historic
S.S.Badger for the jaunt to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, through October 3 and check out the brand-new perks for the 2010 sailing season: There's a new arcade featuring the hot Guitar Hero game; a movie room with just-released flicks; a main lounge with games, two food-service areas including a buffet-style setup for breakfast on the way over and lunch or dinner on the way back; and wi-fi for $5 an hour or $14 for the trip so you can get some work done while crossing Lake Michigan. "It's been very popular with passengers," says Lynda Matson, the ship company's vice president of customer service and marketing, adding that many travelers post messages on the ship's
Facebook fan page as they are making the trip across.
"But the most popular area is on the outside bow with the comfy lounge chairs," Matson says, where passengers can laze away, sun themselves, gaze out at the water, and often say they feel like they're on an ocean cruise.
The hulking 410-foot car ferry, launched in 1953, is the largest ever to cross Lake Michigan. The steamship holds 620 passengers and 180 vehicles, including commercial trucks, both of which otherwise would be ripping up the interstate pavement. It's the only ferry on Lake Michigan with wi-fi, offers the lowest ferry rates on the lake, and runs continuously starting at 9 a.m. through August 29 and with an abbreviated schedule through October 3.
"We have had a great season so far," says Matson. "So I think we'll end it on a high."
Writer: Patty LaNoue Stearns
Source: Julie Matson
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