S.S. Badger Lake Michigan Carferry Service — Attraction in Ludington

I can't say enough about our trip on the Badger!

We discovered that Hungry Howie's is in Ludington. We haven't eaten there in ages, so we did a crazy expensive pizza run by taking the ferry from Manty to Ludington. What an adventure!

We traveled on a day when the ferry was transporting a house! Chatting with the other passengers was exciting and friendly. We played Badger Bingo, but didn't win anything. Snacks are a little pricey, but nothing like going to a sporting event. A slice of pizza, soda, and fruit cup was $9.25. The weather to Ludington was cold and blustery, but the ride was smooth.

On the way back, we got a stateroom. There is a $20 key charge (you get it back), which is understandable because it's one awesome key! We had a light to medium chop on the water and the movement was noticeable. It wasn't enough to make us sick, and laying down was kind of like getting rocked to sleep. There is a bathroom in the stateroom, but it is snug! We had a strong odor in the stateroom, which we're assuming was coal. It was kind of a diesel smell. Opening the window helped, but the weather was bad so we couldn't keep it open. If you're sensitive to strong odors, this was enough to cause a migraine. We couldn't smell it anywhere else on the ship, unless we were standing directly in the exhaust.

There is a lot to keep you busy during the trip. On board is a museum with comfortable seating. The giftshop has reasonably priced souvenirs and gifts and the ladies working in the shop are so friendly! There's even a theater that plays movies and a small arcade with old school video games! There are several areas to sit and watch the water or read a book. The temperature out on the lake significantly cooler than on land, so plan accordingly. My winter coat with a hood was necessary (traveled in May). If you need to move during your trip, there are plenty of stairs and decks to walk.

Your car gets parked on board for you. Our dashcam picked up some interesting footage and the car parkers we're efficient and knew what they were doing. There is an amazing system in place to get your car into a safe and secure position for the trip.

As someone who works near downtown Manitowoc, I was surprised with the horn. On land, there are days when the horn can blast you out of your desk in an office with closed windows. On board, it was barely noticeable. I assume this is because that horn isn't meant for the passengers, but for all sorts of external reasons, which makes sense. I just never thought of it that way when I'm sitting at my desk. 😂 It has become a comforting and familiar sound. Now, when I hear the horn, it will bring back memories of a fabulous get-away adventure.

10/10 would do this again (and...

It was a good experience. You drive up into assigned lanes an leave your car there with keys in it. The staff drives the vehicles onto, and off, the ship.

You make your way onto the ship and walk upstairs where you can choose where to sit. There are chairs all around the outside of the ship and lounge chairs at the very front of the ship, reminiscent of the lido deck of a cruise ship. 1st come 1st served. There is also much seating inside the ship too. There is bingo, trvia, and even a movie room where they show 2 movies during the trip. Cool!

FYI, if you're looking at the ship from the back, I sat on the right side, right about in the middle as you're walking from back to front. You need to know that they below the horn when exiting and entering the harbor and the horn IS RIGHT THERE so it's deafening!! I would choose to sit on the other side or at the front next time. If you're sitting outside bring a warm jacket! It was 80° when we set sail and I needed my winter jacket as the wind was crazy once you get going. The front of the ship was far less windy.

Bathrooms were clean and adequate. I did purchase the wifi access, which was not very good. I didn't purchase anything else as I already had a water bottle. You are not allowed to bring food in, but just know, they have very little that's healthy on board. They have loads of "junk food" though 🙂 and other items that are decent, just not for me. I'm low carb and gluten free and wouldn't have been able eat much from their selection. They have a bag check before you get on the ship. I heard that if you call ahead with dietary concerns they may let you bring special foods aboard, but I don't know if that's accurate. It's only a 4 hour trip so maybe just eat before you get on the ship.

The main thing for me was relaxing while avoiding Chicago mayhem. I was traveling from Door County Wisconsin to New England and this ship was a way for me to enjoy the journey while not having to drive! Bliss! It was a nice day and I met some really wonderful folks. If I have the $$ and had the opportunity again, I'd absolutely do it...

We have traveled on the Badger for 32 years and my family since they opened originally. We have always loved them! Ever since they got new ownership the customer service has gone terribly downhill. We traveled yesterday and have a big passenger van (large family problems). I booked our round trip over the phone and told them it’s not a sprinter van but it’s the same size. They booked us as an auto. We had round trip. On the way over to Ludington they kindly said “what happened this should be a sprinter” I explained I made my reservations over the phone and they said it’s fine. However on our return trip from Ludington the SUPERVISOR commented, “I can’t believe you got away with this.” When I explained to her she said “they know better than to do that, this is unacceptable.” We had 2 vehicles and our 2nd somehow wasn’t on our return. She was very frustrated about that and when I explained I booked over the phone for all this and was confused she was visibly mad and sad “well I’m the supervisor I would I’ve never allowed any of this to happen and you should be charged for both again, but I’ll just charge the second auto”. She was very rude and I was saddened that such an unfriendly person was the supervisor and spokesperson for the Badger. Once docked in Manitowoc they parked our big van across the street where they unload. We were instructed to cross in a certain area and when crossing got yelled at by an old man. We kindly told him we were told to cross there and he said “what the hell foe?!!!” When we told him our vehicle was on that side he walked away. I have loved Badger my entire life, and I’ve always had a great experience, however, after this one, I don’t know that we will be spending so much money on it again. I’m horribly devastated to see where the customer...