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    MS Dixie II

    3.3 (488 reviews)

    MS Dixie II Photos

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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!

    cheesecake
    Michelle P.

    Came for a dinner cruise with our NACTE summer conference attendees. It was packed. If you're in the back of the boarding line you are not able to sit with family or friends for the first dinner call. The dining room is really small and you're packed in. The service was nice and friendly and sitting by strangers could be awkward. I was able to hold great conversation with my table mates. The salad was good and fresh. The steak was a lower value cut and very chewy. The potatoes were seasoned great. The cheesecake was to die for. After dinner you're able to head to the upper decks to take in the view or down to the bar where there is a cozy little shop and a bar. The band was playing some great 80's hits. For the price we definitely won't be coming very often.

    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!!

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    3 years ago

    It was good but not worth the price I would say. Seems to be overhyped. I would rather spend my money somewhere else.

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    Jay R.

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    2 years ago

    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

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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 124 reviews

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    Tahoe Lake Tours

    Tahoe Lake Tours

    4.9(61 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    A week in Tahoe with the grandkids and after hiking, mini golf, and time in the pool, it was time…read moreto tour the lake. Looked to Yelp to help me find a tour that worked for us and happy to find Tahoe Lake Tours! Booking online was easy enough. Looking on Wednesday for a Friday morning time slot and there it was: 9:30-1:30 was perfect. The web site states exactly what will happen during the 4 hours and offers a phone number to call for questions. Parking and check in were easy and Captain Dan was ready for us. The boat was clean and well stocked with life jackets that fit for both adults and children (ages 8,6,4) as well as water bottles. Before leaving the dock we were offered water for a cooler which we didn't need but the offer was appreciated. Our 4 hours: 1. Safety information 2. Review of our preferences for the tour 3. Lots of history of the area as we toured 4. Emerald Bay & Mrs. Knights castle 5. Water tubing (first time for the grandkids) 6. Hang out time for a snack (we brought lots LOL) 7. Back to the marina Dan was very knowledgeable and great with the kids. We would definitely book with Tahoe Lake Tours again and request Captain Dan. Thank you for a great ending to our week in Tahoe!

    This was the highlight of our entire trip. Far exceeded expectations. The boat was immaculate and…read morecomfortable. We had 3 adults and a toddler. Captain Troy was accommodating, kind, hospitable, professional and knowledgeable. He took us to breathtaking sites including Emerald Bay, Fannette Island, Vikingsholm, and Rubicon Bay. We enjoyed swimming in the crystal water and never felt rushed. He provided swim floaties, a cooler with cold beverages, and let us take our time to have so much fun. He even called in advance to accommodate a better start time to ensure we had the best weather. We could not have asked for a more perfect day. Booking was easy and he answered all my questions beforehand. We highly recommend this company.

    Photos
    Tahoe Lake Tours - Our boat Calafia on Lake Tahoe

    Our boat Calafia on Lake Tahoe

    Tahoe Lake Tours
    Tahoe Lake Tours - Beautiful Lake Tahoe enjoying the water

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    Beautiful Lake Tahoe enjoying the water

    The Tahoe Experience

    The Tahoe Experience

    5.0(75 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Established in 2017

    One of the best days, if not the best day, I've ever had on a bachelorette trip in my 37 years. If…read moreyou are looking to go on a boat trip in South Tahoe look no further and hire Sorrell and his team.

    This was my first time experiencing The Tahoe Experience with a group of friends who have raved…read moreabout their experience from last year and this experience did not disappoint! Bret is extremely generous with his services and included many activities for us to choose from once we reached various points in the lake. Bret gave us free range on where we wanted to go and even gave us recommendations himself based on where the water would be better to swim in as we went during a windy day. The experience was super enjoyable, fun, and relaxing. We got to plug in our own music and as my friends decided to cliff jump, Bret gave me a lesson on paddle boarding as it was my first time. Had a blast paddleboarding and swimming and my friends enjoyed climbing rocks to jump off of into the lake. Bret even gave them a mini lesson on diving into the water. Our time slot was planned out very well as we chose two locations to go to and Bret was more than happy to accommodate our requests on where we wanted to spend most of our time. Cannot wait to continue booking boating experiences with Bret and highly recommend this experience to anyone interested or thinking about booking!

    Photos
    The Tahoe Experience
    The Tahoe Experience
    The Tahoe Experience

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    Clearly Tahoe - 2 free waters and granola bars! I'm picky about my water and this hits the spot

    Clearly Tahoe

    4.8(213 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    We had a great time on this tour, mainly due to the great team of guys that assisted us. The clear…read morekayaks were easy fun to see through and they provided a cooler with 2 cartons of water for the ride. Our guide gave us a great history lesson and provided some interesting stories. A few pointers: 1) If you book a single kayak, you will still use a double kayak. You will just be by yourself. I'm older and don't kayak often, so this was a little challenging. I had expected a one-person kayak. They did offer to pull me or have the boat pick me up if I got tired. I made it through without assist, but it's easier if you have someone to paddle with you. 2) The water is normally calmer in the mornings, so book the early tour if possible. 3) They take a pic of you in your kayak in the water, which is super nice. Lots of fun! Great Crew!

    We had signed up for the boat trip and kayaking, but the tour didn't meet the minimum amount of…read morepeople to go out, so we were a little disappointed, but Jared made the sunset tour great. It was neat to be out on the water with the kayaks glowing, and the sunset on the water from the kayaks were stunning. Stunning. It was a little disappointing that most of the tour was in the marina and the river. You really don't get the clear Tahoe water tour that's promoted in the pictures. Wish that would have been explained and maybe pushed us to go a different route to get the real Lake Tahoe views/experience. I would definitely use Clearly Tahoe again, but I would pick a different tour.

    Photos
    Clearly Tahoe - Kayaking bright and early in the AM

    Kayaking bright and early in the AM

    Clearly Tahoe - Our guide took great pictures!

    Our guide took great pictures!

    Clearly Tahoe

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    MS Dixie II - boating - Updated September 2026

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