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    MS Dixie II

    3.3 (481 reviews)

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    The gift shop
    Alan C.

    An amazing cruise. I took the daytime cruise, which was 2 1/2 hours long, and goes from Zephyr Cove just a couple of miles from the state line, to Emerald Bay and back. They offer day daytime cruises, dinner, cruises, and charters. The boat is a paddle-wheeler, which is fun. The daytime Cruise is narrated, with stories about Lake Tahoe, as well as about its history. The boat is big, with plenty of places inside and outside to sit. The views are stunning! I would say that the best time to tour would be either winter or spring, because the snow on the mountains is so beautiful. The highlight of the trip is a view of Vikingsholm, a 38 room mansion in Emerald Bay State Park at Lake Tahoe, renowned as a prime example of Scandinavian architecture in North America, built in 1929 as a summer home for Lora Josephine Knight. Inspired by Nordic castles, it features intricate woodwork, stone, and sod roofs, they offer seasonal tours, but to get to the castle is a steep 1 mile hike. Seeing it from the lake is the next best thing. The boat has several bars, that offer alcoholic and nonalcoholic, drinks, some food, and dessert items. The rock slide fudge brownie sounded interesting. OMG, it was warm, ooey and gooey. The price for that and a soda were very reasonable. Besides the bars, of course there's a gift shop. It's not cheap. The cost of the daytime cruise was $99. I don't know what the cost would be for children. It is steep, but it was worth every penny to enjoy a beautiful day out on the lake. Thank you!

    Cynthia M.

    We had a fantastic time! The entire experience was easy. Arrive a little early so you can get the best seats that YOU want. The views were exquisite! I highly recommend you take this cruise instead of going to the point above Emerald Bay if you want to see Emerald Bay. We got the best views here instead of going to the entrance of Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay. We could not find a parking spot there and couldn't stay. We were happy that we did this cruise prior. We skipped the food on this cruise because we had seen prior reviews on how bad the food was. We are so happy we did. We ate a late breakfast, prior the cruise, and it worked out perfect! We packed a couple of snacks for during the cruise. This is good money spent taking this cruise, but definitely skip the food on-board.

    Rain stopped it's just beautiful
    Carolyn G.

    Guess we lucked out! We took the dinner cruise. That night a storm hit with thunder and lightning. So it ended up being perfect for us because over half the boat didn't show. So our dinner was buffet style. So we basically tried it all. The steak was good, the salmon was good. My gf enjoyed the salad. I had the Brussels sprouts good. Hubby had the mash potatoes. No complaints on dinner or dessert. Now the drinks are way too expensive especially when I see what we spent for 3 people. The staff were friendly. They took our picture in the beginning but never showed us it. They even accommodated my service animal with no hassle. They had live music which was entertaining. They were good. We definitely plan on doing g it again but a day time one next time.

    Heading towards Emerald Cove
    Courtney P.

    This was a tough one to review. The experience was 5-stars but the meal service was 2-stars. If you book, knowing those expectations, perhaps you won't feel disappointed. Like I said, getting to go out on a paddle boat across Lake Tahoe, and into Emerald Cove was a wonderful experience. With it being summertime, our cruise was perfectly timed that the sun was setting right as we entered Emerald Cove, and had completely set by the time we made our way back to the dock. Be mindful when you are booking of what time sunset happens in Lake Tahoe, as I think some people who have booked earlier in the spring or later in the fall did not realize the time change. The food service, for the price, was extremely disappointing. The appetizer salad was haphazardly thrown together with a couple cherry tomatoes and a couple cubes of mozzarella. The dinner rolls were quite hard and cold, definitely not something freshly made but more so store-bought. I ordered the salmon while my dad ordered the steak. The salmon was OK, but my dad's steak was definitely tough and overcooked. Like I said, weighing the experience against the poor meal, I probably would not do this again, but I am glad I got to take a trip across Lake Tahoe at sunset.

    Chrisy H.

    Second time on the MS Dixie II, we enjoyed our cruise! Check-in was smooth. We booked it online (if you're guest at Zephyr Cove cabins, you get 20% off). Another plus is, kids ride FREE! We were greeted upon boarding & all the staff were very friendly. The cruise itself was very nice, smooth and we had perfect weather. The cocktails were perfect, not weak. The gift shop is nice too! A perfect way to see Lake Tahoe

    Merchandise
    Loren K.

    I made a reservation online for 3 people. From the reviews I decided to park at Zephyr Cove Beach instead of getting picked up at a local hotel. We arrived 3 hours early and there was a bit of confusion as to where we could park. After getting that settled, we walked around the beach until it was time to board. The boat ride was very slow which was fine. It was nice to take in the views. Every 20 minutes or so a prerecorded announcement came over the speakers to give information about the history of the lake and the surrounding area. I spent most of the time on the top level which has no shade. I did browse the store which has snacks and merchandise. There was a small bar serving drinks and there were a few items on the menu being served. The cruise went to Emerald Bay and back to Zephyr Cove Beach in a little over 2 hours. I would recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and some of your own water and snacks.

    Boarding the MS Dixie II
    Amanda P.

    A very peaceful, 2 hour cruise ride that goes through South Lake Tahoe. There is a food and beverage service on board. It is a bit slower during the winter months with the service station being on the second floor only. Our bartender let us know that it picks up during the spring/summer months and all floors are open for food and beverage service. But I would highly recommend visiting during the slower months. My party and I were able to explore the cruise ship with ease as there weren't many passengers on board. Immaculate views of South Lake Tahoe. There isn't a bad seat anywhere on the cruise. We departed from the docking bay on Zephyr Cove. It's of good walking distance if you're camping across the road at the Zephyr campsites. I also believe there are shuttles to and from! I would also recommend calling ahead of time to see if there are promotions going on for in-person purchases! My party and I had booked tickets online, upon check in, our host told us of an in-person promotion if we bought through the box-office. Definitely a good way to save some $$$.

    Dock
    Kristen J.

    We really enjoyed our Tuesday morning cruise. The lake is absolutely stunning. They also have a giftshop, bar and food. We got a few souvenirs and enjoyed their rum runner drink and micheladas. Beautiful relaxing setting. Our bartender on the 2nd floor was great!

    Salmon dinner
    Mary S.

    Great experience! For $150 per person I was expecting the alcohol to be included but pleasantly surprised by the taste of the food. There is plenty of space to sit and enjoy the views outdoor or dance to the live music inside. There are 2 bars, one outside the other inside and even a gift shop.

    Alyssa D.

    I went with my in-laws last week. I have never been before! Inside they had a educational video playing . One of the times I learned something new . Got a fresh baked cookie Those were really good! However they ran out pretty fast. Over all it was a good experience.

    Tina K.

    I liked our experience on the boat over Labor Day weekend. The boat trip takes a bit over two hours and will take you across the lake to Emerald Bay and back. The crew were all really friendly, we had beautiful weather, and the ship allows you to move around and take in the different views. They serve alcohol and food for purchase, which is mediocre and what you'd expect. My review would be much higher if it wasn't for the parking situation. They do offer shuttles from hotels, but we drove in from incline Village. The parking lot at Zephyr Cove is insane. on a busy beach day, it takes forever to get in and then you're endlessly driving around trying to find a spot. They only let us go into the parking lot and pay for parking with tickets for the boat. Once we were in, I dropped my family off and spent 30 minutes trying to find a parking spot. I was fully prepared to miss the boat, but got a spot and had to sprint to make the boat. Honestly, for a more calm experience, I would get there at least 45 minutes before boat departure to find a parking spot.

    Paige E.

    My husband and I went on Easter Brunch Cruise. It was very good! Ate way too much...lol. The Buffet was delicious. They had scrambled eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Country potatoes (they were delicious), fresh fruit and French toast all you could eat. We had breakfast then went back for lunch. Which consisted of Ham, Pork, Green Beans, Mashed potatoes and gravy! We didn't eat in the main salon. We ate upstairs much quieter and far less people since it was just the two of us. All in all it went very well. The weather was perfect and the Lake was like glass. They narrated the sites around the Lake and added a lot of interesting facts about Lake Tahoe. It was our first time taking the Cruise and we really enjoyed it!!

    Sunset on Lake Tahoe

    Rode Ms Dixie II to emerald bay. The chicken dish was tasty but the steak wasn't the best. The sunset on the way back was Absolutely stunning! I would say it was a little pricy but worth it for a special occasion.

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    Relaxing tour of lake tahoe and emerald bay. My family enjoyed the time we spent on the cruise

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    2 years ago

    It's a great experience! The crew is great and food was delicious! We had a fantastic time out on the deck.

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    Page 3 of 13

    Ask the Community - MS Dixie II

    Are there life jackets on board for safety?

    Yes, there are life jackets on board for crew and guests.

    When is best time to go? Morning cruise or afternoon cruise?

    I enjoyed the morning. There is less people. I got around the boat pretty freely to different parts of the boat to take pictures. The crew told us it is packed in the afternoon.

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - MS Dixie II

    I highly recommend you take this cruise instead of going to the point above Emerald Bay if you want to see Emerald Bay.

    Mentioned in 123 reviews

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    Lake Tahoe Boat Rides

    Lake Tahoe Boat Rides

    4.9
    (376 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    Lake Tahoe Boat Rides is where it's at! By far the best private charter company around South Lake…read moreTahoe. After we called around all other businesses, such as this, we realized that Lake Tahoe boat rides was the most professional and upfront about their prices. Many companies didn't let me know that fuel and captain fees would be tacked on at after the ride as well as a certain gratuity. Sneaky! Once we arrived at Lake Tahoe, Boat Rides, Lindsay, the owner and everyone else was super friendly and helpful. They have a store with food/drinks, towels etc.. but they tell you in advance that you can pick it up elsewhere. They helped us carry our bags over to the perfectly clean and well maintained boat complete with our own captain who was incredible!!!!! Ask for Steve-O!!!! I do believe no matter who you get as a captain that you will have an amazing experience as we did. Steve-O was friendly and great with our 4 1/2 year-old. He provided just the right amount of history and information as we rode along and also took us to less touristy places that were also beautiful and so worth seeing. We cannot wait to come back and see Lake Tahoe boat rides next summer, and we will definitely be asking for Steve-O.

    Heather gave our family the best Fourth of July we've ever experienced! We felt completely safe the…read moreentire evening as she navigated one of the busiest nights on the lake with incredible skill, confidence, and precision. Beyond being an outstanding captain, she's simply a wonderful person. To know Heather is to love her. Thank you for giving our family memories we'll cherish forever. We can't wait to be back!

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    Sunset cruise
    Sunset cruise
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    Tahoe Cruises

    Tahoe Cruises

    4.7
    (719 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    Tahoe Cruises at the Ski Run Marina had so many excursions to choose from, from kayaking, jet skis,…read morecruises and power boat rentals of all sizes. My kids chose the 2-hour Class C - 20 feet open Bow Speed Boat ($478). I thought we would have a driver with us to take us out but no.... They showed my kids how the boat operates, took us out to the open water, and let us loose! There was eight of us on board. It was beautiful out on the water, with the rocking waves, and beautiful scenery and sky. But not when you have my kids driving it like a race car on water. We were rocking like crazy and we all got wet. Especially my grandchildren sitting at the front, who were drenched! I told my kids to slow down, but they say, "he said we could floor it." OMG!! The kids had to put on life jackets and the adults were told there are emergency life jackets on board. Well, with my kids enjoying what the boat can do, I threw on my life jacket! I admit, my kids are very responsible drivers on land. They had so much fun driving the boat in the wide open lake. As scared as I was of possibly being overtaken by waves or capsizing, it was an amazing experience, and it felt so good out there. Absolutely beautiful!! I really enjoyed it, and the staff were great. They know exactly what they're doing. The water started to get kind of choppy, so we ventured back towards the shore after an hour, called them on the radio, and staff came out on a dingy to help dock the boat so that we can safely get out. I am so glad I went on this excursion. If you love the water and drifting up and down with the waves, this is a must try!

    The crew from start to finish were fantastic! Welcoming, informative and created a great experience…read morethroughout the day. We went on the 2PM cruise today and had fantastic weather for a lake cruise. They advised us to start lining up around 1:30p, started boarding around 1:45p and were promptly cruising following key safety messages. Key things to note below: -There is available seating toward the front outside, if you appreciate some sun and a cool breeze these may be the seats for you! -Guests moved in and out throughout the cruise, we opted to stay in for most of it but had no issues moving around outside to take photos comfortably. -Snacks and drinks are available for purchase onboard. -They had comfy blankets available inside to take outside to keep warm (very nice touch and they appeared to be very clean) -They did a great job slowing down in Emerald Bay and highlighting wildlife nearby for viewing and photography. -Don't forget to bring cash to tip the well-deserving crew! -We had a cool mix of tourists and locals to chat with on the cruise. -There are padded bench style seats indoor and plastic chairs as well. The upper deck also had seating (no shade up top aside from some in the front) -There are restrooms on board, I didn't use them but they were available. Highly recommend for a relaxing and informative cruise around South Lake Tahoe & Emerald Bay. Will definitely cruise again on our next visit to South Lake Tahoe. Star employee - The gal in the ticket office helped us as our tickets printed oddly. She confirmed we were on the list and would be able to board without it. She was so friendly & set a cheerful tone for the day. :) Note, I typically never write reviews this quickly but they did an amazing job and we had a few minutes to spare before dinner nearby. :) Happy Sailing!

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    Emeral Bay, Lake Tahoe
    Emeral Bay, Lake Tahoe
    Romantic Sunsets
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    The Tahoe Experience

    The Tahoe Experience

    5.0
    (61 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Established in 2017

    Bret is such a great person to work with! I asked for a quote on Yelp, and he got back to me in an…read morehour. He even called to chat about the details. We ended up choosing Tahoe Experience because Bret was so positive, patient, and offered great prices. On the boat, we had Chris, a freelance captain who works with Bret. Chris was a joy to be around. He was super relaxed, funny, and kind. He took great care of us during our boat rental. The ride to Emerald Drive took about 30 minutes, and we spent an hour there before heading back. Sadly, I got hurt while paddleboarding. It was all my fault since it was my first time. Chris helped me out of the water, took care of my scrapes, and drove us back to shore safely. He even gave us the closest emergency hospital details and offered to refund half of the agreed amount. We were so grateful for his help and really appreciated his kindness. Bret texted me to check in and say he was sorry about what happened. Bret and Chris are truly amazing people to work with. Even though I was at fault, we had a blast meeting Chris and having him as our captain. I definitely plan to reach out to Bret again when I visit Tahoe in the future and would highly recommend his services to anyone who comes to the area.

    Highly recommend!! Booked to celebrate my mother's 70th birthday with grandchildren. Brett was…read morehospitable, attentive and focused on safety. Boat is nice and well maintained. Beautiful drone pictures and videos included. Wonderful experience :)

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    The Tahoe Experience
    The Tahoe Experience
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    Clearly Tahoe

    Clearly Tahoe

    4.8
    (194 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    Nadja with Clearly Tahoe's Emerald Bay 8 AM Clear Kayak Charter was an amazing guide! She shared…read moreinteresting stories and facts about the lake, gave clear instructions, and made everyone feel comfortable and safe -- with no one falling out of their kayaks. She also took incredible photos during the tour and shared them with us before we even left, which was such a thoughtful touch. The clear kayaks were so fun, and we were lucky to have calm waters and breathtaking views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe. It was definitely a chilly adventure, but we dressed in layers like they recommended. The paddle out was calm, but the wind coming back was cold. Thankfully, the team had blankets ready for everyone, which we really appreciated. The snacks and drinks afterward were also a perfect treat after kayaking. The entire staff did a wonderful job keeping everyone safe while making the experience relaxing and enjoyable. One tip: when we booked, the two-person kayak option wasn't available online. If you really want a tandem kayak, I'd recommend calling ahead to ask. We got lucky and they were able to switch us that morning. The experience is definitely pricey, which was my only hesitation, but for a first-time adventure it was absolutely worth it. Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe are unbelievably beautiful, and we're so glad we did it. 5 stars!

    We had an amazing time kayaking emerald bay - I loved learning the history of the area. Our guide,…read moreRyan, did a great job managing all of us and keeping us entertained! And the clear kayaks were a huge plus. I definitely recommend Clearly Tahoe.

    Photos
    Kayaking bright and early in the AM
    Kayaking bright and early in the AM
    Our guide took great pictures!
    Our guide took great pictures!
    Glow boats are glowing during our sunset tour!

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    Glow boats are glowing during our sunset tour!

    MS Dixie II - boating - Updated July 2026

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