Michigan Princess

Dear Friends and Customers,

It is with a heavy heart that I share some difficult news — the Michigan Princess is being retired. The structural damage that occurred last year was simply too great to repair, and new State of Michigan maritime regulations have made restoration impossible to do safely or affordably.

I am heartbroken. This boat was my childhood home away from home. I have so many fond memories growing up aboard her — and too many unforgettable parties and celebrations to pick just one favorite to share.

This may come as a surprise to many of you. Even before the damage, keeping the Princess afloat was a labor of love. Restarting after the pandemic was a challenge, and the requirements for older vessels have changed dramatically over the past 34 years since she was first built. The structural damage that occurred last year is simply too great to repair to the level of new State of Michigan maritime regulations. The world has changed so much — from personal computers and cell phones to social media — yet through it all, the Michigan Princess remained a piece of Lansing’s history and a venue for so many special life moments that we were so lucky to share with you.

While this chapter closes, Captain John’s legacy lives on. We invite you to stay connected with us and continue making memories aboard our other vessels — the Detroit Princess Riverboat and the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Co.

We would also love to hear your stories. If you have photos or memories from your time aboard the Michigan Princess, please share them on this page. You’ve been part of our family’s story, and we want to celebrate those moments together.

Thank you for 34 incredible years of laughter, love, and community on the Grand River.

Fair winds and following seas,
Captain Chris

P.S. – We’ll be sharing updates about what’s next for our family and future ventures soon. For a little look visit https://detroitcharterco.com/

🎄Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!☃️

Michigan Princess Update: October 1, 2024

We regret to inform you that the Michigan Princess will remain closed for the remainder of 2024. Our team is working diligently and we hope to reopen in spring 2025.

Our office team has been actively reaching out to guests to assist with any questions or concerns. If you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 517-627-2154.

We are awaiting additional information from our insurance company and their experts as repairs continue. We sincerely thank you for your patience and support during this challenging time.

To stay updated on our progress, please visit our website and follow us on social media.

Thank you,
The Michigan Princess Team 🚢

Even though we are temporarily closed, we’d still love to welcome you aboard one of our other vessels! Check out our sister ships while we work to get the Michigan Princess back in the water!

Detroit Princess - 📍 Detroit
➡️ detroitprincess.com

The Ferry - 📍 Petoskey, Bay Harbor, Harbor Springs
Harbor Princess - 📍 Petoskey
➡️ littletraversebayferry.org

8/20/24 OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MICHIGAN PRINCESS UPDATE

We regret to inform you that the Michigan Princess will be out of service for the months of August and September 2024. During regularly scheduled maintenance, an unexpected equipment malfunction occurred while returning the vessel to the water.

At approximately 4:00AM on Fri, Aug 16, an airbag malfunctioned, causing damage to the boat. Repairs are expected to take at least one month to complete. We understand the inconvenience this may cause our guests and are working diligently to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

We are coordinating closely with the City Park Department and DNR. Two out of three launching slips are now available in Grand River Park. We appreciated the community’s patience as we worked to reopen the boat ramp, which took longer than anticipated.

If you have tickets or an event scheduled on the Michigan Princess during this time, our team will be in touch during regular business hours to assist with rescheduling or refunds.

Please stay informed by checking our website, following us on social media, and signing up for our email newsletters for the latest updates.

It’s really unfortunate that this happened. My family and our dedicated staff have great pride in operating the Michigan Princess, and I know how much she means to everyone who has cruised with us this season. We’ve brought in an expert to oversee the repairs to ensure everything meets the highest standards. I’m eager to get her back on the water and welcome everyone aboard again as soon as possible.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work to bring the Michigan Princess back into service.

Updated: August 20, 2024, at 4:30 PM EDT

DJ Dawn’s 30th Anniversary on the Michigan Princess was an epic '80s/'90s throwback with the best beats and endless dance moves. 🕶️💿 Neon lights, throwback jams—we celebrated in true retro style! Huge thanks to everyone who made it a night to remember! 🌟

Are you looking for a venue perfect for your next party or corporate event? We offer a unique setting on the Grand River with all the amenities you need to impress your guests!

🔹 Spacious and elegant event space
🔹 Customizable catering options
🔹 Full-service bar
🔹 Scenic views of the Grand River

Contact us for more details, availability, and to schedule a tour!
517-627-2154

Customer feedback like this helps us continue to provide exceptional service and unforgettable moments. We can't wait to welcome you back on board for another amazing cruise! 🚢

Want a chance to try our famous ribs? Get your tickets today! https://www.michiganprincess.com/Events

Get your tickets for next Wednesday, August 7th! Use the code AUGUST at checkout for $7.00 off! Come aboard for our famous baby back ribs and beautiful views. 🚢

Only Valid for the Summer on the Grand River Lunch Cruise on August 7th, 2024. Must purchase tickets through https://www.michiganprincess.com/

Events Set sail for an adventure on the Grand River with the Michigan Princess Riverboat's public cruises in Lansing, MI. From Dinner Cruises to Live Music and Themed Events like murder mysteries and family fun days, there's an unforgettable experience for everyone. Easily book your tickets online and secu...

🔄 Repost from Kyle Pierson: In 1994, as an April Fools Day joke, we changed the format of 95FM WVIC from Top 40 to disco and called it Electric 95 just during the morning show. Some people called and complained, as expected. What we didn't expect was the flood of calls that poured in with requests for disco songs. It was so popular, we quickly launched retro Saturday nights. Then THAT became incredibly popular and Dawn Ciciora Haddad was hired to host retro cruises aboard the Michigan Princess Riverboat (if memory serves correctly, anyway). Thirty years later and she's STILL going strong! I enjoyed quite a few of her cruises before moving to Texas and keep hoping to board another one on a return trip. If you are in the Lansing area and want to have a fun date night, girls night, or just drink somewhere other than the same local bar, you'll have an absolute blast at Dawn's 30th Anniversary party! Wish I could be there!

Who’s ready for the best 80s/90s throwback party in Lansing? 🎶🪩 Celebrate DJ Dawn's 30th Anniversary with us next Friday, August 2nd with the 80s/90s Throwback Dance Cruise.

Tickets are on special for $30!

DJ Dawn is a Lansing local and has rocked our boat for 30 years. This is going to be the ultimate throwback cruise - you won’t want to miss it!

Call 517-627-2154 or visit www.MichiganPrincess.com for tickets!

🚢 Calling all frats and sororities! Book the Michigan Princess for your next formal or gathering! Enjoy the ultimate party on the water with your crew. 🎓 Call us now for special student large group pricing!
📞 517-627-2154