Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Lighthouse Tours: Due to rehabilitation / restoration projects at the Apostle Islands lighthouses that began last Fall and will likely continue into 2014, we are unable to land at Michigan Island to tour that Light Station. If we're able to land at Devils or Outer Island we'll hike the grounds but there will be no access to those lighthouses. Guided lighthouse tours will be available at Raspberry Island (interpretive fee charged for lighthouse tour, tour on 9/20 is dependent on availability of park staff). Tours at Sand Island are dependent on the availability of park volunteers during the Lighthouse Celebration. Cruise return times are approximate and depend on weather and wave conditions and our ability to land at any island.
Picking Up Your Tickets at Will Call: Print your receipt or confirmation and present it at Keeper of the Light, 19 Front St, Bayfield, WI. Your boarding passes will be issued to you at that time. Pick up your tickets at least 1/2 hour prior to departure. All cruises board 1/2 hour prior to departure & seating is first come first served. Keeper of the Light is open daily at 8:00 a.m. from mid May to mid October. Open all year!
Ticket Prices / Refunds on Advance Tickets Purchased: Adult price is for those 13 years of age & older, child price is for children 6 to 12 years old, and children 5 years old & younger are free but a reservation / ticket is required. 6% sales tax is applied at the time of sale.
-Advance ticket purchase highly recommended. ISLAND PRINCESS, SUPERIOR PRINCESS & ASHLAND BAY EXPRESS have limited Top Deck capacities regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. Seating is first come - first served.
-Tickets purchased by phone are refundable up to 24 hours prior to cruise departure. On-line ticket purchases are non-refundable unless cruise is canceled by vendor. The $1.00 service charge per ticket is non-refundable.
Weather / Refunds / Return Times: Cruises run in the rain - lower decks of cruise boats are enclosed. Trip routing and docking at any island is wind & weather dependent.
-Cruises canceled prior to departure will be refunded.
-Cruises that depart and are unable to land at an island dock will result in a refund of 1/3 of the ticket price. Exception: No refunds for Devils Island Excursion or Outer Island Voyage due to distance and difficulty landing at each island.
-Scheduled cruise return times are approximate, especially on cruises that dock at an island. Return times vary due to lake conditions, number of passengers and time spent on the island.
-Cruise & event schedule subject to change.
Cruise Boats: All cruise boats are diesel powered vessels, equipped with radar, sonar and all required safety equipment, and are inspected annually by the U.S. Coast Guard. Our Captains are experienced with thousands of miles of safe piloting, and licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Courteous crew members will assist to make your Lake Superior-Apostle Islands experience memorable. Bring your camera for countless photo opportunities, including scenic vistas, wildlife and lighthouses!
-For your comfort, all cruise boats have clean restrooms, snacks and beverages. You may pack a picnic lunch and bring it with you on any of our cruises.
-Lower deck of ISLAND PRINCESS & SUPERIOR PRINCESS are handicapped accessible.
-For the comfort and safety of all passengers no pets are allowed on cruise vessels. Passengers requiring service animals must show certification prior to and upon boarding.
Important: One thing we would like you to understand is our decision to go or not to go on any trip to the lighthouses. We have made a commitment to make exceptional efforts to get you to our lighthouses. Our event does not take place in a controlled indoor environment. The limitation we work under is weather, wind and wave conditions. Lighthouses are placed in exposed areas on open waters. This is Lake Superior, the largest lake in the world, and occasionally, weather prohibits a safe landing. Captains will do their job, and decide on what constitutes a safe cruise and / or a safe landing.
Good News for our Local Lighthouses: A federal historic preservation grant was awarded to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Rehabilitation and restoration projects at our lighthouses began last Fall and may run into 2014. The rehab sites include five islands within the park: Michigan Island, Outer Island, Devils Island, Sand Island and Long Island. Get more information.
Apostle Islands Cruises is authorized by the National Park Service and the Department of Interior to serve the public within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 may require screening/examination of persons, baggage and carry-on items for the protection of the vessel, its passengers and crew.
Picking Up Your Tickets at Will Call: Print your receipt or confirmation and present it at Keeper of the Light, 19 Front St, Bayfield, WI. Your boarding passes will be issued to you at that time. Pick up your tickets at least 1/2 hour prior to departure. All cruises board 1/2 hour prior to departure & seating is first come first served. Keeper of the Light is open daily at 8:00 a.m. from mid May to mid October. Open all year!
Ticket Prices / Refunds on Advance Tickets Purchased: Adult price is for those 13 years of age & older, child price is for children 6 to 12 years old, and children 5 years old & younger are free but a reservation / ticket is required. 6% sales tax is applied at the time of sale.
-Advance ticket purchase highly recommended. ISLAND PRINCESS, SUPERIOR PRINCESS & ASHLAND BAY EXPRESS have limited Top Deck capacities regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. Seating is first come - first served.
-Tickets purchased by phone are refundable up to 24 hours prior to cruise departure. On-line ticket purchases are non-refundable unless cruise is canceled by vendor. The $1.00 service charge per ticket is non-refundable.
Weather / Refunds / Return Times: Cruises run in the rain - lower decks of cruise boats are enclosed. Trip routing and docking at any island is wind & weather dependent.
-Cruises canceled prior to departure will be refunded.
-Cruises that depart and are unable to land at an island dock will result in a refund of 1/3 of the ticket price. Exception: No refunds for Devils Island Excursion or Outer Island Voyage due to distance and difficulty landing at each island.
-Scheduled cruise return times are approximate, especially on cruises that dock at an island. Return times vary due to lake conditions, number of passengers and time spent on the island.
-Cruise & event schedule subject to change.
Cruise Boats: All cruise boats are diesel powered vessels, equipped with radar, sonar and all required safety equipment, and are inspected annually by the U.S. Coast Guard. Our Captains are experienced with thousands of miles of safe piloting, and licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Courteous crew members will assist to make your Lake Superior-Apostle Islands experience memorable. Bring your camera for countless photo opportunities, including scenic vistas, wildlife and lighthouses!
-For your comfort, all cruise boats have clean restrooms, snacks and beverages. You may pack a picnic lunch and bring it with you on any of our cruises.
-Lower deck of ISLAND PRINCESS & SUPERIOR PRINCESS are handicapped accessible.
-For the comfort and safety of all passengers no pets are allowed on cruise vessels. Passengers requiring service animals must show certification prior to and upon boarding.
Important: One thing we would like you to understand is our decision to go or not to go on any trip to the lighthouses. We have made a commitment to make exceptional efforts to get you to our lighthouses. Our event does not take place in a controlled indoor environment. The limitation we work under is weather, wind and wave conditions. Lighthouses are placed in exposed areas on open waters. This is Lake Superior, the largest lake in the world, and occasionally, weather prohibits a safe landing. Captains will do their job, and decide on what constitutes a safe cruise and / or a safe landing.
Good News for our Local Lighthouses: A federal historic preservation grant was awarded to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Rehabilitation and restoration projects at our lighthouses began last Fall and may run into 2014. The rehab sites include five islands within the park: Michigan Island, Outer Island, Devils Island, Sand Island and Long Island. Get more information.
Apostle Islands Cruises is authorized by the National Park Service and the Department of Interior to serve the public within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 may require screening/examination of persons, baggage and carry-on items for the protection of the vessel, its passengers and crew.
