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 Facebook 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