MANISTEE — Manistee Harbor Tours will celebrate Independence Day with a special 2 1/2-hour Fourth of July sunset cruise aboard the Princess of Manistee, offering passengers an opportunity to enjoy the holiday from the waters of Lake Michigan.
Boarding begins at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, July 4, with departure scheduled for 9 p.m. from the Princess dock on the Manistee River in downtown Manistee. Depending on weather conditions, the 65-foot passenger vessel will either cruise south to Big Sable Point in hopes of viewing the Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival fireworks display from the lake or head north to Onekama Harbor with a visit into Portage Lake. Organizers said either route will provide passengers with a unique way to continue the holiday celebration on the water.
The Princess of Manistee is a 65-foot former Mackinac Island ferry owned and operated by Capt. Albert “Wally” Laaksonen through Manistee Harbor Tours. The vessel, built in 1973 by DeFoe Shipbuilding Co. of Bay City, originally served Arnold Transit between Mackinaw City, St. Ignace and Mackinac Island before later operating at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Laaksonen and his late father, Capt. Al Laaksonen, purchased the boat in 2019. After beginning service in Ludington in 2020, the operation moved to Manistee in 2021 because of dock availability.
Today, the Princess accommodates up to 148 passengers and offers narrated sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises and private charters throughout the summer season. The vessel features an open upper deck, enclosed lower deck and a galley serving snacks and beverages, including beer, wine and mixed drinks. Most cruises travel along the Lake Michigan shoreline, with alternate routes on Manistee Lake when lake conditions require.
Tickets for the Fourth of July cruise and additional information about the Princess’ schedule are available at manisteeharbortours.com.
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