FLEET HISTORY

Lake Geneva Cruise Line is proud of our fleet, consisting of eight boats. From our oldest, the Yacht Polaris (built in 1898), to our most recent addition, the Duchess (2006), we offer visitors a tour of Lake Geneva on board a beautiful piece of history.

Lady of the Lake

The Lady of the Lake has been the flagship of our fleet since she was launched in 1963. She has gone through a couple of changes over the years, including adding 15 feet to her length in 1971 and at one time having a large “opera hole” put into the second deck so guests on both decks could hear the performance.

The Lady of the Lake captures the majesty of America’s Steamboat Era. Her spacious decks provide a unique setting for various outings and are perfect for weddings. Her charm lends itself to endless possibilities such as theme parties, corporate outings, and family celebrations. The Lady’s main deck is enclosed and climate controlled. The open second deck can be enclosed with clear side curtains for those cool evenings.

Lady of the Lake stats:

Year Launched: 1963
Company: Dubuque Boat and Boiler (hull)
Year Joined LGCL: 1963
Hull: Steel
Length: 103 feet
Beam: 21 feet
Draft: 5 feet
Power: Twin Caterpillar 3208
Fuel: Diesel
Top speed: 12 mph
Main Use: Geneva Bay Tours/Charters

Grand Belle of Geneva

The Belle has seen a few changes to her appearance over the decades, including being lengthened in 1986 and widened in 2003. A new upper deck structure was also added to improve the comfort of guests dining on the second level.

The Grand Belle of Geneva is designed after turn-of-the-century steamers, including brass furnishings and pine decks. She offers generous space with a cozy atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy. The Grand Belle is enclosed and climate controlled on the main deck as well as a portion of the upper deck. Her bow and stern are open to the fresh air of Lake Geneva and allow you to enjoy the beauty of the water.

Grand Belle stats:

Year Launched: 1972
Company: Dubuque Boat and Boiler (hull)
Year Joined LGCL: 1972
Hull: Steel
Length: 85 feet
Beam: 20 feet
Draft: 5 feet
Power: Twin Caterpillar 3208
Fuel: Diesel
Top speed: 13 mph
Main Use: Food cruises/Ice Cream Social/Charters

Walworth – US Mailboat

Originally open to the sky on the upper deck, The Walworth was lengthened in 1976, and a canopy was installed that same year to shield passengers from the sun on hot summer days, and then widened in 2016.

The Walworth is also known also as the U.S. Mailboat. The main and aft decks are enclosed and climate controlled. The upper deck is open to the fresh air with clear side curtains if weather requires. A versatile setting, the Walworth hosts a variety of special events such as weddings, anniversary parties, and business meetings.

Walworth stats:

Year Launched: 1967
Company: Schwartz Marine
Year Joined LGCL: 1966
Hull: Steel
Length: 75 feet
Beam: 17 feet
Draft: 5 feet
Power: Twin Caterpillar 3208
Fuel: Diesel
Top speed: 15 mph
Main Use: US Mailboat/Full Lake Tours/Charters

Duchess

The Duchess originally included a gang plank and a paddlewheel but was partially dismantled to improve efficiency and performance.

A smaller version of the Lady of the Lake, the Duchess is great for cocktail, lunch and dinner cruises. It is also ideal for weddings, anniversaries or business outings.

Duchess stats:

Year Launched: 1986
Company: Skipper Liner
Year Joined LGCL: 2006
Hull: Steel
Length: 52 feet
Beam: 19 feet
Draft: 2.5 feet
Power: Twin Mercury Cummins Outdrives
Fuel: Diesel
Top speed: 10 mph
Main Use: Charters

Steam Yacht Louise

Originally built for John and Louise Mitchell, the Louise was added to the excursion fleet in 1930. Having been converted from steam power to gas, she underwent a complete restoration from 1975 to 1978, and a 1926 Plenty and Sons steam engine was installed. Today she is the only lake steam yacht running on steam.

The restored Steam Yacht Louise, built in 1902, allows you an opportunity to experience the elegance of Lake Geneva’s Golden Era. Her charm comes not only from polished brass and gleaming mahogany, but also from the engineer operating a vintage steam engine as you glide across the water. The Louise has two decks furnished with clear side curtains for inclement weather and an enclosed cabin area with wet bar and restroom.

Steam Yacht Louise stats:

Year Launched: 1902
Company: Racine Boat Works
Year Joined LGCL: 1930
Hull: Steel
Length: 75 feet
Beam: 15 feet
Draft: 4 feet
Power: Compound Steam Engine James Plenty & Sons (1926)
Fuel: Steam (Diesel fired boiler)
Top speed: 9 mph (15 mph short bursts)
Main Use: Charters

Lake Yacht Polaris

Built for Otto and Olivett Young, she was owned for a decade each by Frederick Bartlett and Robert Tarrant before becoming part of our fleet. She remains the oldest boat on the lake.

The Yacht Polaris was built in 1898 for Otto Young, one of the original millionaires on Lake Geneva. You and your guests can experience the fantastic lifestyle of this time period while surrounded by the original mahogany and brass aboard the Polaris. Her deck is open to the lake breeze yet covered with an authentic canopy and equipped with side curtains for inclement weather. The cabin area contains a restroom and brass-top bar.

Lake Yacht Polaris stats:

Year Launched: 1898
Company: Racine Boat Works
Year Joined LGCL: 1940
Hull: Steel
Length: 73 feet
Beam: 12 feet
Draft: 4 feet
Power: Single Caterpillar 3208
Fuel: Diesel
Top speed: 15 mph
Main Use: Charters

Geneva

The Geneva was originally a troop transport for the USS Saratoga, serving missions in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Vietnam War. At that time, she could carry 150 passengers and crew. Today she has more comfortable amenities for up to 50 passengers.

Fun and affordable the 50-foot motor launch Geneva has been completely restored and is a wonderful way to experience boating on Lake Geneva. She is now equipped with a bar and restroom in addition to a streamlined canopy and clear side curtains in case of inclement weather.

Geneva stats:

Year Launched: 1970
Company: US Navy – contracted to UniFlight
Year Joined LGCL: 1999
Hull: Fiberglass
Length: 50 feet
Beam: 14.5 feet
Draft: 4 feet
Power: Single Caterpillar 3208
Fuel: Diesel
Top speed: 14 mph
Main Use: Black Point Estate/Sundowner Tours/Charters

Lorelei

Lorelei was brought to Milwaukee in 1954 and used on the Great Lakes. It was later found in a warehouse in by Green Bay. Lake Geneva Cruise Line purchased the boat in 1981 and refitted her cabin to make it ideal for a relaxing day on Lake Geneva.

The Lorelei is a 41-foot cabin cruiser built in Holland in 1954 and is perfect for an intimate cruise for two, shuttle to your favorite restaurant, or a casual day-on-the-lake for up to 14 passengers. Her teakwood decks and mahogany trim offer elegance while her sleek hull gives you and your guests a terrific ride. Complete with a wet bar and restroom, the Lorelei can be available on a moment’s notice and is a beautiful complement to our fleet.

Lorelei stats:

Year Launched: 1954
Company: Nicolas Witsen (Alkmaar, Holland)
Year Joined LGCL: 1981
Hull: Steel
Length: 41 feet
Beam: 11 feet
Draft: 2.5 feet
Power: Twin Mercury inboards
Fuel: Gasoline
Top speed: 17 mph
Main Use: Charters