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We
usually run if it rains. We abide by Coast Guard weather
advisories if the weather turns stormy. We also monitor
weather radar, and if it appears that we are in the
path of an approaching storm (heavy downpours, electrical,
strong winds or tornado) the cruise will be canceled.
Refunds will be issued for purchased tickets if we cancel
the cruise due to stormy weather.
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Is
the boat covered/enclosed? The lower deck of the Star
has 14 screen windows and is climate controlled (a/c
or heat). The upper deck is totally open, but does have
a partial canopy over 2/3's of it. The bow of the boat
is also open.
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What
time is sunset? Our evening departure is set so we may
catch sunset on Lake Michigan. May departures are at
8:00 p.m. – June 8:15 p.m. – July 8:00 p.m. – August
7:30 p.m. – September – Call times vary each week. These
times may vary somewhat according to sunset time – we
will not leave earlier than times listed, but may leave
a little later. Call for additional information.
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Is
it better to take the cruise in the daytime or evening?
Our route is the same during on all of our cruises.
On our evening cruises you will catch sunset on Lake
Michigan, as long as Mother Nature does her job!It will
be turning dusk/dark as we return from our evening cruise.
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Where
does your cruise go, and what do you see? Our dock is
located at 716 Water Street in downtown Saugatuck, on
the corner of Water and Spear Streets. The Star leaves
from and returns to our dock, with no scheduled stops
along the way. We travel up the Kalamazoo River into
Lake Kalamazoo (how far depends on water levels), back
down the Kalamazoo River and entering Lake Michigan
with permitting lake conditions. You will see the harbor
of Saugatuck, S.S. Keewatin, Mt. Baldhead, private homes
and cottages, boats of all shapes and sizes, wildlife,
woodlands and wet lands, pass by the site of Singapore,
as well as entering Lake Michigan, with permitting conditions.
Our live narration will point out local landmarks, points
of interest, and tell you some history of the Saugatuck/Douglas
area along the way.
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Does
that boat enter Lake Michigan? The Star will enter Lake
Michigan if lake conditions permit. The captain makes
a trip-by-trip decision when they can actually see the
physical condition of the lake. The exact amount of
time we spend on the lake may vary, depending on lake
conditions, and time remaining in the cruise. If the
lake is too rough, we make every effort to take the
boat to the shoreline, but the decision is up to the
captain’s discretion.
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Do
you serve alcohol? The Star of Saugatuck carries a state
of Michigan watercraft liquor license. We sell beer,
wine, wine coolers, and mixed drinks (blended drinks
are not available). We carry bourbon, gin, rum, peach
schnapps, scotch, vodka, and whiskey onboard. According
to the state of Michigan’s LCC laws,
you may not bring your own alcohol onboard,
and must be 21 or older to be served. You may be request
to provide picture identification – valid driver’s license
(with photo), state identification cards or passports
are accepted. Please drink responsibly. We reserve the
right to refuse service to anyone that appears or acts
intoxicated.
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Is
there anything to eat or drink onboard? Onboard we serve
chips, candy, juice, water, and soft drinks, as well
as alcoholic beverages. You are welcome to bring your
own snacks or nonalcoholic beverages onboard. All coolers
are subject to inspection prior to boarding.
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Is
the boat handicapped accessible? We have been able to
access persons using crutches, canes, walkers, and non-motorized
wheelchairs in the past. Standard sized wheelchairs,
not wider than 27" can be boarded, and will be seated
on our lower deck. We can not accommodate motorized
wheelchairs or scooters. A written narration is
available for those with a hearing impairment.
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Are
there restrooms onboard? Yes, the Star has restroom
facilities for both women and men. These facilities
are located on our lower deck, at the rear of the boat.
NOTE: Our men’s restroom also serves as a unisex handicapped
restroom.
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How
long has the Star of Saugatuck been in business? Star
of Saugatuck Boat Cruises was established in 1978. The
original Star, was named the Queen of Saugatuck and
held 82 passengers. She was sold in May of 2002, and
is currently in Waco, Texas. The Star of Saugatuck II
went into service on June 23rd, 2000. The Star II is
an authentic sternwheel paddleboat, holds a total of
150 passengers – 70 on the lower deck and 80 on the
upper deck.
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Are
there group rates? Group rates are available for groups
of 20 paying passengers or more, with advanced reservations,
and meeting pre-established requirements. See Group
Rate Information for additional details.
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How
early do I need to purchase tickets? Tickets are sold
on a daily first come – first serve basis. We will take
over the phone reservations for groups of 20+ or private
charters. Our ticket counter opens at 10:00 a.m. daily
May through Labor Day. After Labor Day and through October
we open at noon (10:00 a.m. on Saturday’s in September).
Our busiest days during July and August tend to be Saturday’s,
Sunday’s and holiday’s. On these days we suggest that
you purchase your tickets no later than one hour (or
earlier if you’re in town) prior to departure. For most
cruises, you can walk in and purchase tickets until
departure. NOTE: On occasion the Star is privately chartered,
or a deck may be privately chartered and not available
to the general public. If you have a specific day or
time in mind you would like to take the cruise, please
call in advance to make sure it is available.
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What
do you accept for payment? We accept cash, checks (personal
or travelers) or debit cards for payment. We do not
accept credit cards for payment.
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Do
I need reservations? We do over the phone reservations
for groups of 20 or more or private charters. All others
are on a first-come first-serve daily basis. We recommend
calling ahead to check on the availability of a cruise
if you have a specific day and time in mind that you
would like to go. On occasion we are privately chartered
or have large groups where limited seating is available.
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What
time may we board the boat? Boarding takes places approximately
10 minutes prior to departure. Seating is on a first
come-first serve basis. If there is a particular deck,
or area you wish to sit on we suggest that you be out
on our boarding dock 20-30 minutes prior to departure.
Persons with special needs, such as wheelchairs, walkers,
canes, vision or walking impairments will be boarded
first. Please let our staff know if you require assistance
to board when you purchase your tickets. On occasion
we have groups that charter a deck/partial deck – you
should be informed of this prior to purchasing your
ticket.
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We
respectfully ask that you turn all cell phones off or
to vibrate, as a courtesy to other passengers. If you
must take a phone call, please go to the bow of the
boat.
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May
I take my children onboard the boat? Yes, we welcome
children of all ages. An adult must accompany children
at all times onboard the Star, where ever they go –
this is for safety purposes. You are free to move around
the boat with your children, and we use the “reach out
and touch policy” – you should be able to reach out
and touch your child at all times. For safety purposes,
passengers are not allowed to stand on chairs, or sit
or stand on tables. We would suggest that you bring
a few items for smaller children such as a book, card
games, small toy etc. to help pass the time .We do carry
a few books, crayons, and games onboard the boat for
your child to use.
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Do
you have fireworks cruises? Saugatuck offer’s fireworks
on the 4th of July, Venetian Festival (last Saturday
in July) and New Year’s Eve. We do not offer special
cruises for the fireworks. You will be back at our dock
prior to the fireworks, so you may walk to a spot where
you may view them from.
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Do
you have security checks? We do random security checks
onboard the Star during the course of our day, as well
as a security system onboard. Due to security measures
being enforced the by U.S. Coast Guard we can no longer
allow passengers to bring packages onboard the boat.
Backpacks, diaper and camera bags, coolers, purses,
etc. are subject to random search. During heightened
security levels packages, backpacks and coolers will
not be allowed onboard the boat, and purses, camera
and diaper bags etc. will be subject to search prior
to boarding. Persons may also be subject to random search,
and asked to remove an article of clothing such as,
but not limited to a jacket or coat, shoes, etc. At
heightened levels of security levels picture identification
may be required of all adult passengers, and passenger
roster list kept dockside. Anyone refusing to a random
search or unable to produce picture identification will
not be admitted entrance to the vessel. No concealed
weapons are allowed onboard.
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We
suggest a light coat or jacket for your cruise. It is
usually 5-10 degrees cooler on the water than on land.
Shirt, pants and shoes are required. Shirts and shoes
must remain on at all times, per health ordinance requirements.
Shoes are required for boarding. PLEASE NOTE:
Some shoes on wet steel decks can be very slippery -
PLEASE move about with caution and care, using handrails.
Ladies shoes with heels over 1 inch, and flip flops
are NOT recommended to wear onboard.
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There
are tow types of chairs onboard the boat. The upper
deck has patio type furniture - the chairs are made
of resin and the manufacturer recommends passengers
over 290 pounds do not use these chairs as they will
break. If you weight over 290 pounds, we recommend using
the chairs on our lower deck which are made of metal
and have cloth seats and can support the additional
weight.
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