A Magical Adventure to Santa’s Hideaway

A Magical Adventure to Santa’s Hideaway

By Jermaine Pigee, assistant managing editor

You can easily rub elbows with Santa Claus at a restaurant or the mall, but how much more fun would it be to visit him in the middle of a lake? It sounds like a dream, especially this time of year, but a ride on Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s Santa Cruise makes it possible. This winter, the cruise line – long famous for its summertime boat tours around Geneva Lake – will run its Santa Cruise through Jan. 4. See shining light displays along the shoreline and enjoy plenty of Christmas cheer along the way. “We want people to enjoy the lake this time of year and find a new way to enjoy the holiday season,” says Jack Lothian, general manager of Lake Geneva Cruise Line. Tours embark daily (except Dec. 24 and Dec. 25), departing every hour beginning at 4:30 p.m. from Gage Marine, in Williams Bay, Wis., near the Pier 290 restaurant. Before boarding, be sure to walk through the Charities of Christmas Tree Festival with its eight decorated trees. “That’s the place to be before the cruise begins,” Lothian says. “People can also sign up to win prizes while they’re waiting to board the boat.” Leading up to the pier, you’ll walk through a polar vortex of swirling fog near the end of the pier. As you pass through, it magically transports you into your journey to see Santa. The boat is hard to miss, decked out in bright lights and Christmas decorations. These boats provide a comfortable, climate-controlled ride. “While people are walking to the boat, we try to keep them as warm as possible, as opposed to standing on a pier and getting cold,” Lothian says. “The boat is comfortable, so people can come on and take off their jackets.” The 40-minute boat ride passes 25 shimmering displays assembled on the edge of the lake. A friendly narrator talks about each one. “The homeowners are great, and we give them free trips on the boat and gift cards to Pier 290,” says Lothian. “We try taking care of them because they’re helping us out as well.” The displays are owned by Santa Cause, a nonprofit organization that supports charities in Walworth County. “They take care of the displays and pay for the installation and removal,” Lothian says. “We work hand-in-hand with them.” Displays change from year to year. “We have a display of a snowman and his family, and this year it has snowflakes coming down,” Lothian says. The magical Christmas cruise goes to the North Pole Pier, where riders can see Santa Claus from the boat, which stops about 100 feet from the shore. Riders get a good view of Santa emerging from his hideaway in the middle of the lake. Santa waves to everyone onboard, and children who make his nice list can have their name announced. “Santa is mic’d up, so the kids and adults are able to hear him clearly while they’re on the boat,” says Lothian. “The kids light up and are amazed when Santa calls their name – which is pretty cool. That’s one of the best parts of the whole experience.” Each child on the boat receives a boarding pass as they enter; once Santa calls their name, their pass is stamped to prove they’ve made Santa’s nice list. “We double and triple-check everything,” says Lothian. “Just like Santa, we’re making the list and checking it twice, because we want to make sure we get every name.” After they leave Santa’s hideout, families will see a few more displays before joining together in singing some unforgettable Christmas carols. Mixed drinks, beer, wine, soft drinks and hot chocolate are available. “Once we get back on the dock, people can go right into Pier 290 and have a meal,” Lothian says. “They can make a full evening out if it.” Parking is limited at Gage Marine, so plan ahead. On busier nights – especially weekends – overflow parking is available at nearby Williams Bay High School. A free, five-minute shuttle travels between the school and Gage Marine. The Santa Cruise has grown each year, from about 6,500 riders in its 2016 debut to 18,000 riders last year. “Many have made Santa Cruise a tradition, and come back year after year,” Lothian says. “Instead of going up to the North Pole, families can see Santa’s hideaway on the lake.” For tickets, visit santacruiselakegeneva.com or call (262) 248-6206. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales benefits Santa Cause. ❚