FAQ
- Where does the tour go?
- Is the tour narrated?
- How long does the tour take?
- How much does the tour cost?
- Is there a group rate?
- Where does the boat board?
- When can I board the boat?
- Where can I check departure times?
- Do you take reservations?
- Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
- Where is closest parking?
- Are there restrooms on board?
- How big is the boat?
- Can I smoke on the boat?
- What food is available on the boat?
- Can I bring beer on the boat?
- I’m afraid of the water, is the boat safe?
- Do I have to wear a life vest?
- Will I get seasick on the tour?
- Can a group charter the Belle for a special event?
- Do you sell gift certificates?
- Are souvenirs available on the boat?
- Are you allowed to walk around the boat during the tour?
- Can weather conditions cancel a tours?
- Does the paddlewheel really push the boat?
- How may engines drive the boat?
- Are dogs allowed on the boat?
Q: Where does the tour go?
A: The boat leaves the dock, turns and heads upstream under the covered bridge. The tour takes you up river past downtown Frankenmuth and Heritage Park, Frankenmuth’s biggest park, out into the country. We turn around about half a mile past Heritage Park and return to the same dock.
Q: Is the tour narrated?
A: Yes. The Belle is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system that allows everyone aboard to hear the historical narration from the seating areas.
Q: How long is the tour?
A: Tours last approximately one hour. Several factors may cause the tour to vary by just a few minutes in length, but generally you will be back at the dock in one hour.
Q: How much does the tour cost?
A: Adult tickets are $9.00 – Children 12 and under, $4.00 – No charge for children under 4.
Q: Is there a discount for groups?
A: Yes. Contact us toll free 1-866-808-2628 for group arrangements.
Q: Where does the boat board?
A: Our dock is located at the waterfall in River Place, between the River Place Pedestrian Bridge and the Bavarian Inn Covered Bridge (Holzbruke).
Q: When can I board the boat?
A: Boarding begins approximately 15 minutes prior to a trip.
Q: Where can I check departure times?
A: Tour times are posted each day at our ticket kiosk located at the top of the waterfall in the River Place Shopping Village. Most days, times are also posted on the chalk board at the Chamber of Commerce downtown Frankenmuth.
Q: Do you take reservations?
A: Our tours are open seating. For the best seats arrive at least 15 minutes before a tour leaves.
Q: Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
A: Our dock is completely handicap accessible. We also have wheelchairs on board available for those who may need assistance getting down to the dock or boarding the boat. Motorized chairs and wheelchairs have complete access to the lower salon deck.
Q: Where is closest parking?
A: The closest parking is the gravel lot next to our ticket kiosk on the north east side of the River Place Shopping Village. There are large paved lots on the East and South sides of River Place Shopping Village.
Q: Are there restrooms on board?
A: The Bavarian Belle is equipped with modern restroom facilities. However, boat restrooms do have a limited holding capacity, so we suggest that guests use the public facilities located on the River Place Shopping village before boarding.
Q: How big is the boat?
A: The Bavarian Belle is a 150 passenger flat bottom authentic paddlewheel riverboat. The Belle is 93′ in overall length, 20′ wide and drafts 18in empty (22in loaded). The Belle displaces approximately 55 tons of water when empty. The Belle’s lower salon is arranged to seat 48 on regular tours, 60-80 guests for private rentals. The upper deck is arranged to seat up to 100 guests.
Q: Can I smoke on the boat?
A: Several regulations require the Bavarian Belle to be a non-smoking vessel.
Q: What food is available on the boat?
A: Our snack bar has soft drinks, bottled water, ice cream novelties, popcorn, hot pretzels and candy.
Q: Can I bring beer on the boat?
A: No. We do not sell alcoholic beverages.
Q: I’m afraid of the water, is the boat safe?
A: The Bavarian Belle is a U.S. Coast Guard Documented vessel (has been inspected by the United States Coast Guard). The Belle’s hull is equipped with six watertight bulkhead compartments each equipped with a Coast Guard approved emergency bilge water pumping system. The Belle travels at about 3 knots (walking speed) the length of a tour. We also carry over 150 type III personal flotation devices (life jackets) in the unlikely event of an emergency. It also may ease your mind to know that the Cass River averages about 6 feet deep the course of our tour and the Belle is over 15 feet tall.
Q: Do I have to wear a life vest?
A: The Bavarian Belle has over 150 life vests immediately available in the unlikely event of an emergency, however, life vests are not required to be worn during the trip.
Q: Will I get seasick on the tour?
A: The Belle is an authentic flat bottom riverboat. Flat bottom riverboats are built for stability with very heavy loads. The heavier the load the less the boat moves. The Cass River is a very slow moving, low lying river that does not, even in the worst conditions, get rough. Guests enjoy an very smooth motionless tour.
Q: Can a group charter the Belle for a special event?
A: Yes. The Belle can be chartered for private events including: dinner-cruises, weddings, receptions, birthday parties, anniversaries, reunions, business meetings etc…
For information specific to your event please call toll free 1-866-808-2628,
or contact us with any questions.
Q: Do you sell gift certificates?
A: Gift certificates are available during operating hours at our Ticket Kiosk at the top of the waterfall in River Place Shopping Village, or call toll free 1-866-808-2628 or contact us.
Q: Are souvenirs available on the boat?
A: We have several boat related souvenirs available on the boat: captain hats, pirate hats, pirate hooks, pinwheels, postcards, mugs etc….
Q: Are you allowed to walk around the boat during the tour?
A: Guests are not required to stay seated during the tours. You may visit the upper or lower decks during the tour, or you may take a look in the pilot house. Generally the pilot house door is open and you are welcome to talk to the Captain. As circumstances allow, the Captain may invite you into the pilot house.
Q: Can weather conditions cancel a tour?
A: High wind, high water, thunder storms, and ice are some of the conditions that will keep us at the dock. High wind and thunder storms are conditions that may cause us to cancel a tour last minute. We watch several radar sites for current weather conditions so we can give as much notice as possible if we have to cancel a tour.
Q: Does the paddlewheel really push the boat?
A: Yes. The Bavarian Belle is an authentic flat bottom Mississippi riverboat. Forward and reverse motion is generated entirely by the paddlewheel. The paddlewheel is turned by two high pressure, 2000-3000psi, Sundstrand hydraulic motors supplied by a diesel driven Sundstrand hydraulic pump.
Q: How many engines drive the boat?
A: The Bavarian Belle is driven by a single 140 horsepower 4 cylinder Detroit 471 diesel engine. A second 90 horse 4 cylinder Isuzu engine supplies a 32 kilowatt Norpro generator. We also use two Mercury 50 horse 4 stroke EFI power heads equipped with Kort nozzles as bow and stern side thrusters. The thrusters are fixed mounted sideways and only push side to side. The thrusters are electronically controlled by Morse KE4 electronic controls.
Q: Are dogs allowed on the boat?
A: Living assistance (Seeing Eye Dogs) are always welcome. Docile and well trained dogs are allowed with the understanding that the dog’s “person”, is responsible for correcting or cleaning up anything the dog may do to or on the “Belle”.