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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — The American Patriot returned to Ludington Friday morning for its second visit to the city, following a successful inaugural port call last week.
The American Cruise Lines vessel entered the Ludington harbor about 7:15 a.m., approximately 30 minutes after the morning arrival of the SS Badger from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The cruise ship is docked along the west seawall at Waterfront Park and is expected to depart about 7 p.m. tonight.
The visit comes one week after the American Patriot made its first scheduled call at Ludington on Aug. 7. That visit brought approximately 130 passengers to the community, with passengers exploring downtown Ludington and taking organized excursions to attractions throughout Mason County.
Those excursions included the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village, Ludington State Park, Silver Lake Sand Dunes and Amber Elk Ranch, while other passengers spent time shopping, dining and exploring downtown.
The first visit received positive comments from both passengers and local tourism officials.
Brandy Miller, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, described the inaugural visit as successful and said visitors were greeted throughout the day by residents welcoming them to Ludington. She said the interaction reflected the community’s hospitality and pride.
Rebecca Berringer, executive director of the Mason County Historical Society, also reported positive feedback from passengers who visited the historical society’s attractions during the first port call.
The inaugural visit also provided an unexpected test of how the American Patriot and Badger could operate in the harbor at the same time. The cruise ship remained at the Waterfront Park seawall last Friday evening while the Badger entered the harbor and completed its docking maneuver. With adequate clearance between the vessels, the American Patriot departed about 7 p.m. after the Badger was secured at its dock.
Ludington Police Chief Chris Jones said following the first visit that the American Patriot’s captain appreciated the opportunity to share the port with the historic Badger, something passengers aboard the cruise ship do not normally experience at other Great Lakes ports.
Today’s arrival again put the two passenger vessels in Ludington harbor within a short period of each other, with the Badger arriving first followed about 30 minutes later by the American Patriot.
The American Patriot entered service in 2025 and is the lead vessel in American Cruise Lines’ Patriot class. The approximately 243-foot ship accommodates about 130 passengers and was designed for domestic cruising, including service on the Great Lakes. It is U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed and operates between American ports.
American Cruise Lines began Great Lakes service this year with three new itineraries operating from May through August. The company described the program as the return of entirely domestic U.S. Great Lakes cruising aboard an American vessel.
The two Ludington visits are part of an effort by local tourism officials and the city to establish Ludington as a regular Great Lakes cruise destination. City officials approved the Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 port calls this spring, allowing the American Patriot to use the Waterfront Park seawall.
The American Patriot is expected to remain in Ludington throughout the day before departing at approximately 7 p.m. The Badger departs at 8:45 p.m.
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