Life Lately: A Sunset Cruise Under The Mackinac Bridge

As part of our glorious room package during our stay at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, we were given tickets to enjoy a Sip ‘N Sail cruise across Lake Huron and Lake Michigan at sunset. You don’t have to stay at Mission Point Resort to get tickets on this once-in-a-lifetime bucket list cruise {although we’d highly recommend it}. So here’s what you need to know to book your sunset cruise today & see sights of Mackinac Island and the Mackinac Bridge that you never thought possible.

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Where to Buy Tickets…

Ticket for the Sip ‘N Sail Cruise can be made online or by phone. Click here to book your tickets now. You can also pay cash {#CashIsKing} dockside 30 minutes before boarding according to their website. Our tickets were included in our room package at Mission Point Resort, so we received our tickets/confirmation email at check-in at the hotel and presented them before boarding.

Where to Board…

We loaded the Isle Royale Queen III on the Coal Dock which is centrally located off of Main Street, downtown Mackinac Island. The dock is located between the Seabiscuit Cafe and the Taxi Station. Note: there are public restrooms almost directly across the street from the loading dock, and although there are restrooms onboard the boat, you may want to use those bathrooms prior to boarding so you don’t miss a thing during your cruise.

What to Bring…

We brought some cash for beverages as there is a cash bar on the boat, as well as light jackets and sweaters. Even during the summertime, it can get a bit chilly out on the water and you may need something light to keep you extra cozy and warm. We also took our cameras/phones to take a plethora of photos and videos. The picture opportunities are beyond amazing!! So don’t forget your camera! Get ready to impress your friends and family with these travel photos!

What to Expect…

We loaded the boat 30 minutes prior to departure, found a seat by a window, got some drinks and settled in. There was live music on the top deck where there were high tables and comfortable outdoor couches and seating areas. The main deck offered booth-like seating with some areas offering tables as well. There were plenty of decks both on the front and rear of the boat to stand outside to enjoy the view even more.

When we departed, we rounded the island coming close to the 2 lighthouses that flank the entrance to Mackinac Island, heading toward the Mackinac Bridge. We went past the west-side of the island, The Grand Hotel, and Stonecliff Inn, a side of the island we’d never seen by boat before.

Once we neared the Mackinac Bridge, the boat slowed and the music became more tranquil. We slowly passed underneath the bridge allowing for plenty of photos and oohing and awwing. We passed under the bridge and began our trek back to the island as the sun set over Lake Michigan in the distance. Slowly the sun descended into the horizon of Lake Michigan offering even more breathtaking views. I’ve never seen a more beautiful corally hot pink sunset in all my life.

We pulled back into the dock at Mackinac Island at nighttime, got the see the downtown area and The Grand Hotel all lit up, as well as the twinkling lights on the Mackinac Bridge as they “woke up” for the evening. It was simply breathtaking and gave us a view of the island and the Straights of Mackinac that we’d never experienced before.

We mingled with couples from other places near and far, including one lovely lady who’d traveled with her friends from Iowa. It seriously was the most relaxing {& QUICK} 2 1/2 hours of my life, I’m pretty sure. I’d take this sunset cruise over and over again. It should certainly be added to everyone’s Michigan Bucket List.

How to Take Amazing Pictures…

I know on a bumpy boat it can be hard to take pictures, and trust me, you’re gonna want to take pictures on this cruise! So here are some of my tips for taking amazing photos on your Sip ‘N Sail Cruise through the Straights of Mackinac.

• Steady yourself by holding on to a pole or railing so you’re not flopping all over the place and thus taking blurry photos. Seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised by what we saw on that boat. Ha!
• You may want to attach a loopy or some sort of strap onto your phone if that’s what you’re using for photos. I kept getting nervous that mine was going to fall overboard all in the name of getting the perfect shot. What a nightmare that would be!
• Tap on the object you’re wanting to focus on on your screen…like the sun, a buoy, the bridge, etc. so your phone blurries {is that a word??} the rest.
• If you have an iPhone 8 or above, use Portrait Mode to get closer to the objects your photographing instead of zooming in. When you zoom in, the photos look very pixelated, which is “no bueno” in my book.
• Take multiple pictures of each scene because sometimes your phone will adjust with each new bump or wave and go out of focus. I took probably a million photos on this cruise, and some of the pictures that I thought looked so nice were actually out of focus when we got back and I got a better look at them. That’s why I always take several shots of the same scene to give myself options to choose from.
• Take photos horizontally and vertically as each allows different amounts of light into the shot and can change the scene dramatically. It’s just another way to give yourself more options when choosing your favorites.

And, speaking of favorites, here are some of my favorite photos from our Sip ‘N Sail Sunset Cruise…I hope these inspire you to book your cruise today & give you lots of photo ideas! {Psssttt…these were taken with my iPhone 8 Plus and edited using the Lightroom App right on my phone with the Light & Airy Photography Presets, which I love, love, LOVE!!!! I highly recommend these presets. I got them in a bundle deal last year around Black Friday, FYI!}

Also, if you’d like to see videos from the sunset cruise and follow along on this unforgettable journey, join me over on Instagram. You can find the little pink circle under my profile that says “Sunset Cruise Mackinac” to come aboard the Isle Royale Queen III and see for yourself how amazing it is!

If you are visiting Mackinac Island this summer, I hope you look into taking your own Sunset Cruise. Once again, here is where to find out more information and buy tickets online. I’ve already added their 4th of July sunset & fireworks cruise to my never-ending Bucket List. How about you? Please share your pictures with me, I’d love to see them and hear about your experience! Have fun!