Any tips on taking Lake Express Ferry?

[ItsNotATuba]

I'm going to be taking advantage of the motorcycles ride free on the lake express ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon to go visit family next month and was wondering if anyone has done this before?  I'll be bringing my own tie down straps but is there anything else I should expect?
Thanks

[mschook9]

I have taken the ferry many times with a bike. I have always used my own tiedowns instead of the ferry tiedowns. Bikes load first and are placed along the sides with decent room between other vehicles. All my crossings have been trouble free.  

[bluemax]

First tip DON'T
I've been on that bus more than half dozen times, and three of those times were free because they screwed up and I got comped with tickets. It's not nautical at all, it's a bus on the water. The ride more times than not is very rough. If you have motion sickness issues it won't be pretty.

If crossing the lake is just about getting there and asthetics be damned it does that very well.

Since you're in central Wisconsin why not take 'S.S.Badger' ferry out of Manitowoc  The dollar difference shouldn't be much different.
Just for starters, this ferry is nautical, it's a boat, with a useable deck with lounge chairs. The high speed doesn't.
The Manitowoc ferry is a cruise the HS is a bus ride.

Of course you'll have to factor in dollars and schedule and do what makes sense to you.

You may want to look into taking one over and the other back.

Make sure you check out the western shore of Michigan it's beautiful !!

Have fun.

[cyclebabble]

I have taken it once.  I had no problems at all.  Though the security guy made me empty all my bags, but not the two Harleys in front of me.  Guess FJRs are suspicious.

I arrived early and got in line, motorcycles have their own lane, and get loaded first.  I took the express, cause I didn't want to spend 6 hours on the slow boat.  It was a beautiful
sunny day, and the lake was calm.  Nice ride, though bring your own refreshments, cause they are expensive on board.

[Boov]

I did it once also, about 5 years ago, and there were no problems.  They have a bunch of smaller ratchet tie-downs, and you have to have to tie down your own bike.  But, if you have any common sense about how to secure a bike, it's no big deal.

[xsPain]

I've done both. The Lake Express is just that - fast and with few amenities. In nice weather you can spend the whole trip on deck, which is windy but can be pleasant. I slept up there on a crossing a couple years ago. In bad weather it can be rough, but you're in a boat on a lake. It can be rough.

The Badger is a completely different experience. There are deck chairs, two places to eat, and staterooms for an extra fee. The Badger is a converted rail ferry, so the surface in side is weird in spots, but its not like your speeding in there. The Badger ride was much more relaxing, and closer to the nice parts of MI to ride in.

[Ack535]

I have taken the Lake Express Ferry 3 times, and enjoyed the ride all three times...

Of course bring tie downs, watch for some uneven surfaces when loading and unloading. Other than that, no worries...

Enjoy!

Pete

[CLAY]

I have taken the Lake Express Ferry 3 times, and enjoyed the ride all three times...

Of course bring tie downs, watch for some uneven surfaces when loading and unloading. Other than that, no worries...

Enjoy!

Pete

I'd echo this.  Pretty calm seas, quick crossing, no problems.  

[cbsnbiker]

I've taken both ferries. I've enjoyed both trips. I slightly prefer the Badger, since I'm a bit of a rail buff, but both get the job done and are much better than riding through Chicago traffic.

IIRC, you want to bring *four* tie-downs. You want to make sure that your bike is really strapped down.

Also make sure that you have attachment points for the tie-downs.

[bomber]

I've also taken both -- no problems on either, though the Badger is much more enjoyable  . . . .

As far as tie downs, you're doing the right thing . . . howver, hand around untill all the bikes around you are also tied down -- a couple of times, I've had neighbors that didn't know wwhat they were doing, wouldn't take advice,  (from either the crew or me), so I re-secured their bikes after they left --

Don't want someone else's lack of experience causing a falling row of dominoes ;-}

[ItsNotATuba]

Thanks for the tips!
I wanted to take the Milwaukee ferry because it was a nice break in the ride, 3 hours there, three hours across and three hours to my families place.  I booked my ticket and ended up getting the upgraded seats so I can relax and get complementary beverages.  It ended up being the same price as a trip would cost on the SS Badger.

[Mr. Clean]

I am taking a trip on the Lake Express Wednesday morning.  I am going to miss Chicago and Gary so much!  First time for me on the ferry, I will post some pics about the boat ride and the 6 day ride the wife and I are taking.

[mxvet57]

I am taking a trip on the Lake Express Wednesday morning.  I am going to miss Chicago and Gary so much!  First time for me on the ferry, I will post some pics about the boat ride and the 6 day ride the wife and I are taking.

CHEATER   CHEATER   CHEATER


The real riders leave from woodfield at 4:30 in the morning.

[cbsnbiker]

Thanks for the tips!
I wanted to take the Milwaukee ferry because it was a nice break in the ride, 3 hours there, three hours across and three hours to my families place.  I booked my ticket and ended up getting the upgraded seats so I can relax and get complementary beverages.  It ended up being the same price as a trip would cost on the SS Badger.

Sounds good.

Bring a book, depending on how much of a conversationalist you are.

With the Badger you can also book a berth and sleep in it. I have not done that.

BTW, I'll nibble: if it's not a Tuba, is it a Euphonium?

[Cheddarhead]

BTW, I'll nibble: if it's not a Tuba, is it a Euphonium?

 

[cbsnbiker]

 

Look at the handle of the OP.

Tuba:



Euphonium:



How they're different (tuba and euphonium, tuba is on the right):

[sammyseaman]

I am taking a trip on the Lake Express Wednesday morning.  I am going to miss Chicago and Gary so much!  First time for me on the ferry, I will post some pics about the boat ride and the 6 day ride the wife and I are taking.

 

[Huron52]

I have taken the Badger and the Express as well.  

  The Badger can be very enjoyable ride if the lake is calm. My return trip it was blowing pretty good. Quite a roll to Badger but being near and on the Great Lakes all my life is was ok.

I only took the Express one way and it was good until the fog set in ... then we crawl into port.

I'd take the Badger again... the Express?  I found pricey.

[naustin]

One trip on the Lake Express.  No Problems, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it again.   I paid extra to sit in the special area in the back, which was nice since it wasn't as full.   Seas were calm, and that damn thing FLIES.

[ItsNotATuba]

Sounds good.

Bring a book, depending on how much of a conversationalist you are.

With the Badger you can also book a berth and sleep in it. I have not done that.

BTW, I'll nibble: if it's not a Tuba, is it a Euphonium?

Yep you got it, it was a baritone though, pretty much the same.  Kindergarten Cop just came out when I was playing and the "It's not a tumor" line got adapted for the band geeks.