Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online
	Cruise the Great Lakes on a Working Freighter

 

One of the most frequently asked questions is: How can I get a ride on a Great Lakes Freighter?
Great Lakes ships are not certified to carry passengers for hire, so it is impossible to buy a ticket. A cruise aboard a lakes freighter is only available to guests which includes the shipping company's customers and some family members.

The only chance for the general public to enjoy a once-in-a-life-time cruise is through non-profit raffles donated to the various groups by the shipping companies.

Win a Trip on the legendary Edward L. Ryerson The Grand Prize is a trip for four adults Tickets $10 donation - drawing June 7, 2008

We have been working the past two years to secure a trip for a raffle to support BoatNerd. When it came time for our raffle, however, industry officials cited the reasons listed above for revoking a previously promised trip. However, through the generosity of the Interlake Steamship Co., we have secured a trip to raffle for the 2007 shipping season. Click here for information

 

For the past 10 years, BoatNerd has gladly promoted trip giveway raffles on this site for out side groups, in the process raising over $100,000 dollars for worthwhile organizations.

Unfortunately, we have chosen to end this practice.

BoatNerd costs $11,000 a year in connection charges. We need an immediate investment of many thousands of dollars more to replace our overtaxed and aging servers, software and other components. While some have offered to pay a fee to BoatNerd, or a percentage of funds raised, to advertise a raffle, or have been so kind as to offer cash donations, these fees would only keep the site online for a few months and we would have to shut down the other parts of the year.

The time has come for BoatNerd to concentrate on its own pressing needs, so we can continue to survive and grow. We have been proud to have been able to help so many in past years, and hope in the future we will be able to do so again. In the meantime, however, we must look to our own interests, for the good of the site and the continued enjoyment of all who visit. We hope you understand and are able to support us in this decision.

--- The BoatNerd crew