Lake Express High-Speed Ferry

I used the Lake Express this past weekend for the first time as an adult. I'd say it was overall a good/fine experience

There was someone out front who just needed to see my ID and checked me in and took my carry-on. Since I didn't know what else I was supposed to do, I just asked and he told me the expectations (go inside, show the people at the counter my ID again to get the ticket, then wait and get on the boat when they tell you). I did notice that when I went in the bathroom, you could not hear the announcements so I would go well before it is time to get on. 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. The drinks seemed to be more expensive for what you got as compared to the food choices and they said they did not have any drinking fountains on the boat--so I ended up having to buy a drink since I planned to just fill my water bottle. However, I was pleased overall with the light snack (a pretzel bun with ham and cheese) that I ordered for $8 (and bought some other items too).

NOTE: using my iPhone to locate the ferry took us to a close-but incorrect location (thankfully someone said he gets it "all the time" and led us to the right way and said to look for the mural wall). However, when I got picked up they used Google and it brought them right to the location--so be aware of this and probably use Google.

Just for the simple fact they get you across the lake and back safely with your vehicle they easily land at four stars. I used to feel like why land in Muskegon the desolate ghost town. I've learned to appreciate the ease of being only 45 minutes or less from Grand Rapids after landing or about an hour away from Big Rapids when I need to head up for an Advisory board meeting at FSU.

No matter how you cut it taking the ferry makes life easy and saves miles on the car as well as wear and tear on the vehicle. Most of all you avoid driving through the never-ending hustle of Chicago! Just sit back and relax. You might find a few of the lakefront gems on the Muskegon side one of my favorites being the Lake House Waterfront Grille.

So - I truly have mixed thoughts on the ferry. At the end of the day, it's vastly preferable to fighting Chicago/Gary traffic, construction, tolls, and crazy people. This is a fact. On the other hand - it's kind of ridiculously expensive for what you get. I don't understand the rationale of not simply charging "per carload" - my single human self can't possibly add that much more weight to justify almost 100 in addition to the cost of shipping my vehicle. It is easier than flying, and more relaxing when coming home from Detroit, so it is what it is. I have always found the staff to be super helpful and kind (even very early in the morning), and at the height of the pandemic were very insistent upon safety precautions.

I wish there was some kind of roof so you could sit outside and not get fried in fine weather. I wish there was wifi in the main cabin (even for pay!). I wish there were more ice cream in the snack bar. But, the trip is efficient, the crossing is safe, and I didn't stress-sweat through my clothing like I do when traversing the Illinois expressways.

We had a blast. Saved hours of driving through Chicago. We had driven from Southeastern PA to make the 4:45 in Muskegon. We arrived at 3:15 and were the 4th vehicle.

Professional service, clean passenger areas. We spent the extra $ to be in the "premier zone" which had very few passengers

It was a Tuesday so I'm guessing about 50-60 passengers total.

The view comings into Milwaukee is first rate.

We were looking forward to taking the ferry from Muskegon, MI to Milwaukee while avoiding the horrendous traffic driving around Lake Michigan and past Chicago. We went on a wet, windy day and found the ride to be less than pleasant because of pronounced side-to-side rocking. It was too windy to go up on the deck, and the weather wasn't pleasant enough anyway. The cost is quite high even for a pair of seniors with a car. The boarding process is quite efficient (the driver drives his own vehicle onboard) and there is plenty of comfortable seating and tables. There is a counter that offers drinks and limited food choices. Overall the trip expends about four hours (2.5 crossing + 45 min each port to on/offload) which did save some time & much aggravation. It's great to avoid the drive but not sure I'd do it again.

Comfortable fun way to shave off a couple of hours on the trip from Southeast Wisconsin to Western Michigan. The station is nice, although it's best to get here 45 minutes before departure, they can usually handle you up to 20 minutes before if you bought your ticket online. Parking lot seems safe, the station and pier are clean, pretty, it's a good departure or arrival point. The ferry itself is a bit expensive, I suppose it depends on how much your time is worth and how comfortable you are sitting in a car through Chicago area traffic. The main problem with this end of the ferry is that if you come across without a car, either on foot or on a bicycle, you need someone to pick you up unless your destination is Muskegon or bicycle distance from here. To get to Grand Rapids, for example, it's a long two city bus ride to the Greyhound terminal and there are only two departures a day so you have to time it just right, suddenly the time spent is comparable to driving from Milwaukee.

As for the Ferry, on a nice day it is a very pleasant ride, much better than driving, any bus, or flying. But it depends on who's on board. It's a little better to pay the slight upcharge to get into premium as there are less loud uncontrolled children (I don't know why people don't have cats instead) but there's no guarantee it will be peaceful. One time although it wasn't filled, there was a group or a person at every table (seats are configured around tables), and the one free table (I wanted to get some reading and work done en route) was next to a group of loud talkers. So annoying. No Internet so I couldn't get work done. I thought I would watch the movie, "A Wrinkle in Time" was such a disappointment but that was okay because if it were a good movie, I would have been even more annoyed as the screen was positioned behind these very bright lights so I couldn't see it very well. And, the loud talkers were loud enough I couldn't hear the movie very well. I think you'll enjoy your trip more if you bring some noise cancelling headphones or hearing protection. The limited menu is good, I especially like the breakfast sandwich.

So, same problem on the other end, the Milwaukee Terminal isn't served well by public transportation, it's a long walk to the bus with luggage, and I've had a couple of Uber drivers who had some trouble finding it. But if you take the departure that leaves at the butt crack of dawn you'll enjoy a beautiful sunrise over Lake Michigan.

Really really wanted to like this boat; in the end the high price coupled with the lack of internet and long food/beverage lines led me to a negative review. They currently have a monopoly on the transport game from Wisconsin to Milwaukee and is probably the reason for not needing to set any high standards.

The staff was actually incredible helpful and kind. The boat is a premium boat with plenty of seating and they do have a great food selection.

I just can't get past the inability to even purchase internet and the inability to watch the movie without a $4 head set when you're paying 170 for a boat ride.

I'll use it again if I must but allow us to buy some internet.

Great ride, seats were clean, not super comfy but overall a good trip. $215 for a car and me which seemed pretty expensive but worth not having to go through Chicago traffic to head east. Snack bar food was decent and service was very good. I'd def take it again. .

Pricey but worth it!

There's no easy way to get to Kalamazoo from Milwaukee. 1.) Fly to Detroit, rent a car, rock two hours west, 2.) car ferry across the lake and rock an hour and a half from Muskegon to KZoo, or 3.) roadtrip it. Now, when roadtripping I'm generally playing passenger, and since my better half wasn't accompanying me on this quick jaunt to our Easterly, mitten-y neighbor I elected to go w/ option numero dos.

(Take the ferry across Lake Michigan rather than drive solo and carve south along the lake = easy and sort of adventurous, right?)

Yup.

So glad I chose door number two! It was quick and easy to board, the staff was friendly and professional and the vessel itself? Clean and comfortable. It's also a super rad experience if you're into gazing at and pondering calm depths simultaneously.

(Sometimes it's not calm, apparently, but both to and fro were pretty smooth sailing on my voyage.)

Drawback: price, esp. when traveling w/ a car (it's a little steep). Otherwise, smooth sailing and an excellent option!

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.