MACKINAW CITY, Mich., May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Just in time for Memorial Weekend and an expected increase in passenger numbers this summer, Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company, the oldest and most affordable ferry service to Mackinac Island, Michigan, announced a new priority boarding option that allows passengers to board early to select their preferred seat. Passengers who choose priority boarding have the option of purchasing a ticket for a specific date and time to travel to and from Mackinac Island. A limited number of seats have been reserved for priority boarding on each ferry and can be purchased at any time up to 30 minutes before ferry departure, at the cost of $43 for adults, $31 for children (5-12) and children 4 and under are free. Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company will donate $2 from every priority boarding purchase at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®. One hundred percent of funds donated by Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company go directly to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® rescue mission: Find cures. Save children.^® For more information on the new priority boarding option, click here; for photos of the ferry, click here.

“We wanted to offer passengers the option of boarding the ferry first and reserving the best seat to make their experience as fun, convenient and comfortable as possible when traveling to and from Mackinac Island,” mentioned Jerry Fety, CEO of Mackinac Island Ferry Company. “We support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® and I think it would be a great way to continue to show our support while helping to raise awareness of the important work they do to treat seriously ill children.”

After two years of canceled events and travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism experts from Michigan are feeling cautiously optimistic ahead of the 2022 summer season. According to World Travel & Tourism Council projections, the U.S. travel and tourism industry is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year.

Fetty runs the famous ferry company that takes passengers to Mackinac Island since 1878, which recently announced that it would change its name to the Mackinac Island Ferry Company. During this transition, the company will be called Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company. The new name is in keeping with the historic nature of serving the island for over 140 years. As part of a natural transition of the brand name, the Star Line brand logo will continue to be used during this summer season, then be phased out over the next two years. For the new transition logo, click here.

Mackinac Island Ferry Company owns the famous Star Line branded ferry fleet Mackinac Island Hydro-Jet® Ferry, the former Arnold Line Ferry fleet and the Mackinac Marine Services (MMS) shipyard. The company is best known for its high-speed hydrojet cock-tail boats, family atmosphere and the most frequent number of trips to and from Mackinac Island and under the Mackinac Bridge. For the history of Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company, click here.

About Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company
Saint-Ignace, Mich. Mackinac-based Island Ferry Company and its acquired ferry lines began serving Mackinac Island in 1878 and has since transported families and islanders from Town of Mackinaw and St. Ignatius for Mackinac Island. The company is best known for its high-speed hydrojet cock-tail boats, family atmosphere, most frequent number of trips to and from Mackinac Island and under the Mackinac Bridge. In addition to the five classic ferries, Mackinac Island Ferry Company ferries include the Catamaran Mackinac Express, Marquette II, Radisson, Cadillac, Joliet, LaSalle and Anna May and the pirate ship Chance. Mackinac Marine Services is located at Saint-Ignace, Mich., and provides shipyard and services for the needs of commercial and pleasure craft. Mackinac Marine Services currently has a 200 metric ton marine travel lift, winter and summer boat storage, fiberglass repair, fabrication and mechanical work, welding, washing pressure and shrink wrap services. Mackinac Marine Services is owned and operated by Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company.

CONTACT: Pat Baskin, CKC Agency
[email protected]
M: 248-318-0095

SOURCE Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company