Private Events Aboard the Historic Harbor Princess

Little Traverse Bay Ferry Co would love to welcome you aboard for your special event!  Private events, hosted on LTBF’s historic Harbor Princess, offer charterers the opportunity to experience an exclusive venue with beautiful Little Traverse Bay as the backdrop.  Whether you’re planning a birthday party, anniversary celebration, corporate event, or something wedding related, we can accommodate you!  A private cruise on the Harbor Princess will elevate your event and offer your guests a picturesque view of the area’s charming harbor towns from the bay.  LTBF offers both day cruises and sunset cruises and is happy to customize your event to suit your unique needs.

For more information and to plan your private event, please email us at: ltbfprivateevents@gmail.com

Private Cruise Highlights

Exclusive Charter Boat Venue: The Harbor Princess is not just a boat; it’s your private event venue on the water. 

Our route departs from Petoskey and cruises to Harbor Springs and Bay Harbor.

If you have a different route or a special location you would like us to cruise by, we would be happy to accommodate that. We can depart from Bay Harbor or Harbor Springs for an additional fee.

Why Choose Harbor Princess for Your Private Cruise:

Event Venue Rental: Make a statement with the Harbor Princess as your special event venue. Create lasting memories in a unique setting that will leave a lasting impression.

We highly recommend scheduling your cruise to include the sunset. The journey through all three harbors on the Little Traverse Bay offers stunning views of the sunset and local waterfronts.

Before planning your cruise, please keep in mind the sunset times for each month in Petoskey, Michigan:

June: ~9:30pm

July: 9:00-9:30pm

August: 8:30-9:00pm

September: 7:30-8:30pm

Dinner and Catering:

We currently do not offer dinner or catering services on board. However, we invite you to consider a box lunch-style catering with no open flame burners. Here is a list of our recommended local caterers: 

1. Petoskey Cheese: Infinite Catering
   
   • Delicious sandwiches and charcuterie
   • Website: Petoskey Cheese
2. Vernales: Banquets & Catering
   • Website: Vernales
3. Small Batch: Harbor Springs Catering
   • Website: Small Batch Harbor Springs
4. Julienne Tomatoes: Catering Menu
   • Website: Julienne Tomatoes
5. Sweetwater Catering: Whiski Inn
   • Website: Sweetwater Catering
6. Little Bay Gourmet
   • Website: Little Bay Gourmet
7. Boyne River Grill
   • Website: Boyne River Grill
8. Whi-Ski Inn
   
   • Website: Whi Ski Inn

Bar Packages 

The Harbor Princess offers a full cash bar aboard, including domestic, local, and premium beers, a variety of wines, and various spirits.  Try Captain Chris’ signature Sunset Slushie!  Both cash and credit cards are accepted.

For private cruises, you may choose to opt for an open bar package for your guests.  LTBF offers different tiers of bar packages, the option to purchase drink tickets to distribute, or you can choose to run a tab and pay at the end of the cruise.

Open Bar Packages

Pricing for 2 hour standard cruise time:

Tier 1 

Domestic Beer/House Wine

Tier 2

Domestic Beer/ House Wine/Well Liquor

Tier 3 

Premium Bar (any beer, wine, or liquor)

Open Bar Policy:  

• 2 hour minimum
• All guests 21 and over will be charged for the bar package; LTBF requires ID to purchase and consume alcohol aboard.
• Standard 20% gratuity is added to all bar packages.
• No outside alcohol is permitted, as we have a liquor license.
• Special requests will be considered on a case by case basis.

Prepaid Drink Tickets

• Beer/Wine (call or email for pricing) 
• Beer/Wine/Liquor (call or email for pricing) 

Prepaid Soft Drinks

• Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks (call or email for pricing) 

*For parties over 75 guests, we recommend an extra bartender, so we can ensure a quality experience 

Private Cruise Pricing and Details:

All cruises can be customizable, please contact ltbfprivateevents@gmail.com to learn more.

• Duration: 90-105 Minutes (Boat access for setup 30 min before)
• Includes: Captain, 1 Crew, 1 Bartender (additional bartenders for a cost)
• Ships P.A. Equipment with narrated local highlights (if desired)
• Music/Speaker System for custom playlists or announcements
• TV with USB jump drive slideshow option
• Easy boarding ramp for wheelchair access (Main deck only)
• Standard benches and with tables and chairs (Rentals & décor available for an additional fee)
• Standard private cruise duration is 2 hours; a longer cruise time may be possible for an additional cost if there is availability.  A 20% standard gratuity is added to the total cost of the private charter

Payment Terms:

• $500.00 or 50% deposit at booking
• Remaining balance or 50% due 7 days prior to reservation
• Nonrefundable deposit, but can be used for future purchases
• Refunds only if the vessel is inoperable mechanically
• Reschedule or refunds due to inclement weather

How to Reserve Your Private Event Cruise:

Send us an email to ltbfprivateevents@gmail.com or call (231) 444-BOAT (2628). The more information you provide, the sooner it will be for us to give you a quote. Dates are booking fast for 2025/2026, so please reach out soon!

Things to Do in Petoskey:

Explore a new dimension of leisure in Petoskey. A private cruise on the Harbor Princess tops the list of things to do, offering a blend of relaxation and picturesque views.

Yacht Charter:

Our Harbor Princess is not a yacht, but she has 68 years of classic cruising on the Great Lakes. Immerse yourself in the history on the original purpose-built ferry for Beaver Island as you cruise the serene waters of Petoskey.

Exclusive Charter Boat Venue Packages:

1. Summer Cruise Soiree: Enjoy the warmth of summer with a daytime cruise, surrounded by the beauty of Little Traverse Bay.
2. The Million Dollar Sunset: Experience the magic of a sunset like no other on the water, creating an enchanting atmosphere for your evening event.
3. Customized Themes: Our exclusive charter boat venue can accommodate a range of event themes and styles.

Plan Your Private Cruise Today:

Escape the ordinary and set sail for extraordinary moments aboard the Harbor Princess. Reserve your private cruise today, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information, please email: ltbfprivateevents@gmail.com