Community Highlights: Meet Chris Chamberlain of Little Traverse Bay Ferry Co / Detroit Princess

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Chamberlain.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all began in the late 1970s, when my parents, John and Karla Chamberlain, started renting canoes on the river in Lansing. What began as a small, family-run operation quickly grew into something much bigger. Seeing the excitement of people lining up to enjoy the river, my father recognized an opportunity. In true entrepreneurial spirit, he built our first commercial vessel — The Spirit of Lansing. The response was overwhelming. The lines were long, the smiles were many, and people couldn’t get enough of being on the water.

Encouraged by that success, my dad went on to build the Princess Laura in 1984. Around that time, we began noticing a growing interest in private events — weddings, parties, and special occasions — and realized we could enhance the experience by offering food service. That idea led to the creation of the Michigan Princess.

The Michigan Princess quickly became a Lansing favorite, hosting everything from dinner cruises to weddings and community events. By 1998, as demand grew, my parents decided to remodel and expand the vessel, adding a full kitchen and modern amenities. When it reopened, it was bigger and better than ever — a true riverboat showpiece for Michigan.

In the early 2000s, our family looked beyond Lansing to see how we could grow. In 2004, we discovered a much larger vessel — the Detroit Princess, formerly a Mississippi River casino boat. Though she was docked in Louisiana, we knew right away her future belonged on the Detroit River. Bringing her north was a massive effort that required teamwork, faith, and sacrifice. In 2005, the Detroit Princess opened her doors, adding a new chapter to our family’s story and bringing riverboat cruising to the heart of downtown Detroit.

The years that followed brought both triumphs and challenges. The 2008 recession tested us, but we pushed through and continued to grow. Then in 2013, our family faced its greatest challenge when my father, John, passed away unexpectedly. He was the heart of our operation — the dreamer who started it all — but his legacy had already inspired a strong team and a deep commitment to keeping the boats running.

His legacy lives on through the Detroit Princess, and while our early vessels have retired from service, I’ve added two others to Northern Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay, operating as the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company.

Today, our family’s fleet includes the Detroit Princess, the Harbor Princess, the soon-to-be-rededicated Grand Princess, and the Miss Lauren (our ferry). What began as a small canoe rental nearly fifty years ago has grown into a Michigan tradition — one that continues to bring people together on the water, just as my parents dreamed it would.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Losing my father was probably one of the hardest challenges of my life. Shutting the business down during COVID was also difficult, but it felt different — that was something we were all going through together.

Now, with two small kids, ages two and four, time management has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s hard in ways I never expected. I remember one summer in high school, working on my car and complaining to my dad about not having enough time. He just laughed at me. I wish I could talk to him now — I think he’d get a kick out of hearing me say the same thing today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At its heart, our business is about bringing people together on the water. Whether it’s a dinner cruise on the Detroit Princess or a summer ferry ride across Little Traverse Bay, our goal has always been the same — to create experiences that connect people, celebrate Michigan, and make memories that last.

We specialize in passenger vessels — from large, multi-deck riverboats to smaller ferries — each offering a unique way to experience the beauty of Michigan’s waterways. What sets us apart is that we’re a true family operation. My parents built the foundation of this business from scratch, and that same sense of pride and craftsmanship still guides everything we do today.

The Detroit Princess is probably our most recognizable vessel — a five-story riverboat that’s become a fixture on the Detroit River. It hosts everything from weddings and corporate events to sightseeing cruises and our signature live Motown Revue show. But I’m equally proud of what we’re building in Northern Michigan with the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company. That project is all about connection — helping locals and visitors alike explore Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Bay Harbor in a way that’s fun, scenic, and sustainable.

What I’m most proud of is that our boats aren’t just businesses — they’re part of the communities they serve. Each one has its own story, its own crew, and its own group of loyal passengers who come back year after year. I think that’s what makes our brand special. We’re not just selling tickets — we’re sharing something personal, something that’s been part of our family for nearly fifty years.

What are your plans for the future?
Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow both our operations in Detroit and Northern Michigan. On the Detroit River, we’re always looking for new ways to enhance the guest experience — from special themed cruises to expanded entertainment options. The Detroit Princess has such a loyal following, and I want to keep building on that legacy while introducing it to new generations of Michiganders and visitors.

In Northern Michigan, the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company is where a lot of my excitement is right now. We’re working on expanding service, improving infrastructure, and finding ways to make the ferry even more accessible for bikes, families, and locals who want a reliable way to get around the bay. We’re also looking to integrate the ferry with existing community events, like farmers markets, festivals, and local celebrations, creating more opportunities for people to experience the area in a fun, convenient, and memorable way. I really believe this service can become a long-term part of the region’s transportation and tourism future.

Looking further ahead, my biggest goal is to keep our family’s legacy alive while creating something lasting for my kids. Just like my dad did for me, I want to give them the chance to grow up around the water, learn the business, and see what it means to build something that brings people joy. The boats have always been about connection — and that’s what I want to keep steering toward in the years ahead.

Pricing:

• Sunset cruises in Petoskey starting at $39 per person
• Ferry tickets starting at $20 per person
• Motown review tickets starting at $70 per person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.detroitprincess.com/home-page-1.php or https://www.littletraversebayferry.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroit_princess_riverboat
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetroitPrincess