The SS Badger, a 72-year-old steamship offering the largest cross-lake passenger service on the Great Lakes, embarks on its 2025 cruising season this Friday. As reported by the Detroit Free Press, departing from Ludington at 9 a.m., the National Historic Landmark ferry will bridge the waters to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, with its arrival slated for noon CT. Celebrations to welcome back the iconic ferry include local entertainment and a variety of food vendors in Manitowoc, with a starting event at 11:30 a.m.
Traversing a 60-mile course over Lake Michigan, the journey typically spans four hours; a trip well-served by a ship capable of carrying 600 passengers along with 180 vehicles, including automobiles, RVs, and motorcycles. As has been the tradition since its 1953 launch by Christy Corp, the Badger continues to serve as both a transport vessel and a historical slice of American maritime heritage, preserving a time when coal-powered ferries were the industry standard, the SS Badger, as detailed by MLive, is the last of its kind in the U.S.
Ahead of its seasonal debut, the SS Badger underwent extensive maintenance and repairs that took the vessel back to its birthplace in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for a necessary propeller shaft bearing replacement, WZZM13 reported. The return to the place of its construction brought an air of nostalgia, as residents reminisced about ancestors who took part in the Badger's original assembly. This year's season also introduces passengers to revitalized amenities, including improved culinary options and upgraded crew quarters air conditioning, heightening the overall experience.
For all those looking to voyage aboard the SS Badger in 2025, reservations are "strongly encouraged" and available through the official website or by contacting their hotline.
