FAQ

During our main tour season – April through October – we are at the Riviera Docks at 812 Wrigley Drive in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

For our Santa Cruises which run late November to early January, we are located at Gage Marine, 1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Adults 18-64 years/Seniors 65+/Youth 4-17 years/Infant 3 and under. Infants are no charge, but they must be included in your count for ticketing and seating.

A public tour is a narrated boat tour that includes a sightseeing tour that takes in and gives a commentary about the sights around the lake. There are always other people on board the boat who have also purchased tickets for the tour. Passengers are asked to be respectful of others by limiting conversations, primarily remaining seated, and monitoring children’s activity during the tour.

A private charter is when a group – a business, family, or other type – rents out the boat for their own private party. Food, beverage, and entertainment options are all available.

Since all of our tours include a guided narration, we ask all passengers on all tours to remain seated and quiet throughout the tour. Keeping that in mind, any of the longer tours (US Mailboat Tour, Full Lake Cruise, Black Point Tour, and meal cruises) can be long for kids in that environment. We recommend the shorter Best of the Lake Cruise or Ice Cream Social Cruise for families with young children. Please keep in mind that even on these shorter tours passengers of all ages are expected to be respectful of other passengers by remaining seated and keeping conversation to a minimum.

There is a lot of history in this area and specifically on the lake. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many wealthy Chicagoans made this area their summer retreat. Today, many of those mansions and estates remain and our tour gives a narrated tour about the history of these homes as well as the area and its development. All tours give the narrated tour with the exception of the Cocktail Cruise and the Jazz Dinner Cruise which provide live entertainment.

Please Note: Because our tours are narrated, and most people take the tours to hear this narration and learn about what they are seeing along the way, we ask that all passengers are respectful of others and always keep conversation and any noise to a minimum. 

Our tour season runs May 1 through October 31, seven days a week. We also try to operate weekends in the month of April if weather permits. Our Santa Cruise season operates from the day after Thanksgiving through December.

Reservations are required for all tours that serve a meal – lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises – and are suggested but not required for all other tours. The US Mailboat Tour is typically very busy and often sells out, so we strongly recommend reservations for that tour. Reservations can be booked online on our website or over the phone. Full payment is required at the time of reservation.

For all non-meal tours, cancellation is required 24 hours prior to the tour date for a refund.  For all meal cruises, cancellation is required 48 hours prior to the tour date. For cancellations or changes made within this time period, you can make these updates from your email confirmation. Please contact our office directly if you need to make a change or cancel your reservation after the required cancellation time.

Lake Geneva Cruise Line reserves the right to adjust the tour schedules as needed based on weather conditions, boat availability and number of tickets sold. Customers will be notified by email, phone and/or text if changes need to be made to a reservation.

The two larger boats that we use for the public tours – the Lady of the Lake and the Grand Belle – are accessible for wheelchairs on the main level, but the restrooms onboard can not accommodate a wheelchair.

The Walworth can accommodate a regular transport wheelchair on the main level but can not accommodate a motorized wheelchair. The restrooms on the Walworth can not accommodate a wheelchair.

The Geneva, the Duchess, the Polaris, the Louise, and the Lorelei are not wheelchair accessible.

There are accessible restrooms at the Riviera Docks.

We appreciate knowing ahead if you have special needs so that we can make accommodations.

In most cases, we can allow strollers on board, but on very busy days we may ask that you fold it up and store it in a designated area on the dock.

The Lady of the Lake has air conditioning and heat on the main deck and is enclosed in windows. The upper deck is enclosed in windows that can open.

The Grand Belle is enclosed and climate-controlled on both decks.

The Walworth and the Duchess are enclosed and climate-controlled on the main deck. The upper deck is open air.

The Geneva has a roof but is open air. It has plastic side curtains that can come down for inclement weather.

It’s difficult to give a definitive answer since every weather situation is different. In general, we do not cancel our tours for rain or cool weather because most of our boats have at least one deck that is enclosed. In the event of strong storms, strong winds, or other severe weather, we will make a decision at that time as to whether or not tours can go out. If we have to cancel a tour altogether due to weather, we will provide a full refund or change your reservation to a different date. If we adjust the departure time or end a tour early due to severe weather we typically will not provide a refund, but rather a “rain check” may be provided depending on the situation.

The one-hour Best of the Lake Cruise (formerly the Geneva Bay Tour) encompasses half of the lake, and the two-hour Full Lake Cruise takes in the entire lake.

The Lake Geneva area, including all of Walworth County, has LOTS to offer. There are two local tourism agencies who are able to give assistance: visitlakegeneva.com and gowalco.com.

As always, the safety of our guests and staff  is our highest priority and we want you to feel confident when visiting Lake Geneva Cruise Line. We are taking the following steps to protect the health of our customers and crew:

• The CDC recommends that non-vaccinated people wear masks in public settings, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people. It is recommended that if you are not vaccinated or are showing any Covid symptoms, that you wear a mask when around other people.
• Social distancing on the dock, piers and on all boats is strongly encouraged. We are selling tours at full capacity.
• Passengers may check in at the boat with email confirmation rather than at the ticket window if they choose.
• Fresh air and open windows on the boats whenever possible. (weather permitting)

Please note that our safety policies are evolving based on recommendations by state and local officials.  Please check back to this page on a regular basis for the latest information.

For the most updated health information, please consult the following websites:

• At the county level: Walworth County Public Health
• At the state level, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• At the international level, the World Health Organization

These guidelines are being put in place according to CDC guidelines and for the safety of our visitors and staff.  If you are experiencing any of the documented symptoms of Covid 19, we ask that you please refrain from taking a boat tour. We will not require masking or proof of vaccination.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

We offer a few different discounts on our tours.

• On Tuesdays, all guests 65 and over receive an additional discount on all tours.
• AAA members receive a $2 per ticket discount on all tours.
• A 10% discount is offered to guests of most local hotels. Ask about the Preferred Guest discount at your hotel or resort.
• On Fridays (and also on the FIRST Geneva Bay Tour every day), we offer a Family Discount which provides a free youth fare with each full fare adult on all Geneva Bay Tours. (Limit four per transaction. Discount requires adult ticket purchase with each free youth fare.)
• We offer a 15% discount to all active and retired military personnel with proper identification.

ONLY ONE DISCOUNT PER RESERVATION.

Due to our tours being in an enclosed space on a boat, away from shore with no way to leave the premises if needed, we allow ONLY ADA certified, trained, and properly identified SERVICE animals that are trained to assist with a specific disability on our tours. No other pets can be permitted. This includes emotional support animals and therapy animals.

All boats have a bar on board with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for purchase with cash or card. The snack bar has individually packaged chips and candies for sale. Passengers are not allowed to bring alcohol or coolers on board our boats. (We have liquor licenses on all of our boats so you can purchase alcohol from us but you can not bring your own.)

We are able to accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice. Our food on our meal tours is catered, so we can request specific needs with enough lead time.

Lake Geneva Cruise Line offers fireworks boat tours around the 3rd and 4th of July, Venetian Festival which is the third Sunday in August, and a few other dates throughout the season. Check with our reservations office for details.

Yes, there is a restroom available on every boat. Boat restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. There are also large, public restrooms available in the Riviera Building directly in front of our ticket windows and boats for use before and after your tour.

Please board 15 minutes prior to your boat’s scheduled departure, customers will line up prior to boarding time. You can board by showing your confirmation email to the boat crew (on your phone or printed) or by picking up a boarding pass at the ticket windows. (The only exception to this is the Mailboat Tour from June 15 through September 15, which boards half an hour before its departure.)

Our boats depart promptly at the time shown on our schedule. Allow ample time for traffic and parking on the day of your tour. The downtown area of Lake Geneva is very busy during the summer months and on weekends throughout the year. Please contact us as soon as possible if you miss your tour by calling Reservations at 262.248.6206, extension 302, or by coming directly to the ticket window when you arrive so we can adjust your booking as needed.

We are located at the Riviera Docks behind the historic Riviera building at 812 Wrigley Drive. For more information on where to park and how to pay for the metered parking, see our Parking & Directions page.  As of April 2023, parking rates and parking ticket fines have increased. Please be sure to educate yourself on these updates that were implemented by the Lake Geneva City Council.

On weekends and holidays we always recommend that visitors allow plenty of extra time for traffic and parking in Lake Geneva. We can not stress this fact enough! Please plan ahead so that you do not miss your scheduled departure. Our tours can not wait for late arrivals.

A public tour is a narrated boat tour that includes a narrated sightseeing tour that takes in the sights around the lake. There are always other people on board the boat who have also purchased tickets for the tour. A private charter is when a group – a business, family, or other type – rents out the boat for their own private party. Food, beverage and entertainment options are all available.

The three larger boats that we use for the public tours – Lady of the Lake, Grand Belle, and Walworth – are accessible for boarding the boat, but the restrooms on board can not accommodate a wheelchair. There are accessible restrooms at the Riviera Docks. We appreciate knowing ahead if you have special needs so that we can make accommodations. The Geneva and the Duchess are not wheelchair accessible.

The Lady of the Lake has air conditioning and heat on the main deck and is enclosed in windows. The upper deck is enclosed in windows that can open. The Grand Belle is enclosed and climate-controlled on both decks. The Walworth and the Duchess are enclosed and climate-controlled on the main deck. The upper deck is open air. The Geneva has a roof but is open air. It has plastic side curtains that can come down for inclement weather.

It’s difficult to give a definitive answer since every weather situation is different. In general, we do not cancel our tours for rain or cool weather because most of our boats have at least one deck that is enclosed. In the event of strong storms, strong winds, or other severe weather, we will make a decision at that time as to whether or not tours can go out. If we have to cancel a tour altogether due to weather, we will provide a full refund or change your reservation to a different date. If we adjust the departure time or end a tour early due to severe weather we typically will not provide a refund, but rather a “rain check” may be provided depending on the situation.

Guests can begin boarding 15 minutes prior to departure time. If your charter time is 7-10 p.m. guests can then begin boarding at 6:45 p.m. and the boat will depart at 7 p.m.

All boats are equipped with iPods and full sound systems. Use ours or bring your own with a playlist you know your guests will enjoy. Pandora is also available. Microphones are also available for use.

Our captains are always up for giving a great tour, but that is up to you. Typically captains do a highlight tour of the main mansions and homes dotting the shoreline then back to the music and conversation. Just let your charter representative and/or captain know your preference.

In the rare event of ‘severe’ weather, such as very high winds and extreme storms, Lake Geneva Cruise Line will determine if the cruise needs to be cancelled due to safety reasons. If Lake Geneva Cruise Line cancels the cruise we will not leave you high and dry. We will allow you and your guests to ‘Party at the Pier’ enjoying your food, beverages, and friends while waiting out the storm aboard your boat. If you have chartered a smaller open-aired boat and we do not have the ability to upgrade you to a more weather-friendly boat we will then work with you to reschedule or refund the cruise. This is ONLY when Lake Geneva Cruise Line deems it unsafe to cruise. Our boats still go out in rainy weather.

Cancellation or Breach of the Passenger Agreement

If you cancel or breach this Passenger Agreement for any reason other than Force Majeure, you will be responsible for the following cancellation payments:

The charter deposit is the base rate of the boat you have selected. It is due two weeks after receiving the contract.

Your charter representative will touch base with all of your hired vendors and let them know when and where they can board the boat for set-up.

Only very simple foods such as dry snacks, desserts, and cold/room temperature menu items can be brought aboard by the client. Please discuss all items with your charter representative to be certain items are appropriate and the necessary table space and serviceware are available.

Lake Geneva Cruise Line

No. Our boats have liquor licenses that prohibit outside alcohol. Only beverages purchased and paid for by Lake Geneva Cruise Line through a Wisconsin wholesale distributor are allowed. No exceptions can be made.

We strongly recommend using our preferred catering companies. Their menus are specifically designed for our boats and their staff are familiar with and have perfected the art of meal service on our vessels. Preferred catering companies also hold liability insurance needed to be of service on our boats.

Yes

Your Lake Geneva Cruise Line representative will assist you in selecting and ordering your menu.

30 Days prior to your event

There is a 21% service charge on the base rate of your chartered boat and any additional time as well as your bar service (per person package rate or bar tab) included in your agreement. 10% of the 21% (just under half) is split equally between the captain, crew, and bartenders. Caterers have their own service charge and gratuity schedules which are added to their menu price on the contract.

No, we do not allow swimming off of any of our boats.