Captain's Corner (Blog)

Ahoy, friends!

If there’s one thing life on the water teaches you, it’s that flexibility is every bit as important as planning. This season has certainly reminded us of that.

The Discovery has been away from her home dock longer than we anticipated while undergoing upgrades and repairs identified during her five-year United States Coast Guard inspection. Some of the work might have waited, but we decided it was best to take care of it now and make this investment in her future. We want The Discovery to continue carrying guests safely and comfortably across Grand Traverse Bay for many years to come.

Although the season hasn’t unfolded exactly as we planned, it’s reminded us of something special about maritime communities: We look out for one another.

Some of you may have seen the Harbor Princess at Discovery Pier earlier this summer. She was the first larger vessel to help us continue operating while The Discovery was away. Through our partnership with Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company in Petoskey, we also welcomed the Miss Lauren to the Discovery family.

Now, we’re delighted to begin a new partnership with another Michigan mariner company and welcome the Manistee Princess to The Discovery dock, where she’ll help us finish the season.

The Manistee Princess gives our guests another wonderful way to experience Grand Traverse Bay as northern Michigan begins its annual transformation. There’s truly nothing like seeing the shoreline from the water as summer gives way to fall and the trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.

Maritime communities have always depended on one another. From commercial fishermen and lighthouse keepers to ferry operators and tour captains, there’s a long tradition of helping each other navigate challenges and keep people connected to the water. We’re grateful to our fellow mariners in Petoskey and Manistee for helping us continue that tradition.

Through all these changes, the heart of Discovery Traverse City Tours remains the same. You’ll find the same Discovery captains and crew, the same warm service, and the same stories, history, and local knowledge that make every cruise unique.

Behind the scenes, work continues on The Discovery. We miss seeing her at the dock as much as you do, but we know the work being completed now will prepare her for many more seasons on Grand Traverse Bay.

In the meantime, fall is arriving in northern Michigan, and some of the most beautiful days of the year are still ahead of us. We hope you’ll join us aboard the Manistee Princess and experience a new vessel with the same Discovery welcome.

We’re looking forward to seeing you on the water.

Until then, fair winds and following seas.

Captain Tawny Hammond

Ahoy, friends!

If there's one thing life on the water teaches you, it's that flexibility is every bit as important as planning.

This summer, The Discovery is undergoing a series of upgrades and repairs designed to ensure that she continues serving guests safely and comfortably for years to come. While we know many of you were looking forward to sailing aboard The Discovery this season, we are excited to share a new chapter in our story.

Through a partnership with Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company of Petoskey, we’re welcoming the Miss Lauren to Discovery Pier.

Maritime communities have always depended on one another. From commercial fishermen and lighthouse keepers to ferry operators and charter captains, there is a long tradition of helping each other navigate challenges and keep people connected to the water. We are grateful to the team at Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company for helping us continue that tradition.

The Miss Lauren offers a different kind of cruising experience. Carrying up to 44 passengers, she provides a more intimate setting while still delivering the spectacular views, fresh air, and unforgettable sunsets that make Grand Traverse Bay such a special place.

Guests can still enjoy many of the experiences that have become Discovery favorites, including narrated sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, a full bar, snacks, and of course the stories, history, and local knowledge that make every cruise unique.

As many of you know, Discovery Traverse City Tours is proudly owned by three local women: Caroline Oosterhouse, Jennifer Szunko, and yours truly.

Caroline, a local educator, and her family are proprietors of Bonobo Winery on Old Mission Peninsula. Jennifer brings decades of tourism and hospitality experience to our operation, and both Jennifer and I hold United States Coast Guard Captain's Licenses.

Together, we share a passion for creating meaningful experiences that connect people to the history, culture, and natural beauty of northern Michigan.

Behind the scenes, work continues on The Discovery. These improvements are an investment in the future, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience Grand Traverse Bay from the water.

In many ways, this spirit mirrors Traverse City itself. Our community has never stood still. Lumber mills became parks. A state hospital became the Grand Traverse Commons. Working waterfronts became gathering places. And today, Discovery Pier continues to evolve as a center for education, recreation, and freshwater innovation.

While The Discovery is temporarily out of the water, our mission remains unchanged: to help people discover, appreciate, and connect with this remarkable place we call home.

Whether you join us aboard the Miss Lauren this summer or aboard The Discovery when she returns, we look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Until then, fair winds and following seas.

~ Captain Tawny Hammond

Ahoy friends,
Why is wine such a big deal in Traverse City? The answer is written not just in our rolling hills and shimmering bays, but in the very latitude of our home waters.

The Magic of the 45th Parallel

Traverse City sits proudly on the 45th parallel north, the same line of latitude that runs through some of the most famous wine regions in the world. From Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley in France to Piedmont in Italy, these regions share the same sun angles and growing conditions we enjoy right here on the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas.

That means when you’re sipping wine on The Discovery as the shoreline drifts by, you’re experiencing the same balance of sunlight and season that European winemakers have cherished for centuries.

A Landscape Made for Vines

Our peninsulas stretch into Lake Michigan, creating a natural climate buffer. The big lake keeps the air mild, protects against frost, and extends the growing season—exactly what grapes love. Pair that with our rich soils, and it’s no wonder Traverse City has become one of America’s most exciting wine regions.

And here’s another secret: glaciers carved this landscape thousands of years ago, leaving behind rolling hills, fertile valleys, and mineral-rich soils that give our wines their distinctive character. The very topography we admire today is also what makes this place such a natural fit for vineyards.

A Community That Celebrates Wine

Wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass; it’s about connection. Vineyards here are family-owned, community-driven, and built on the same spirit of hospitality that makes Traverse City so special. And there’s no better place to raise a glass than on the deck of The Discovery, surrounded by good company and the beauty of Grand Traverse Bay.

Wine Down Wednesdays

Looking for something more relaxed? Join us for Wine Down Wednesdays, running Wednesday evenings from July 2 through October 15, 2025.

Escape the crowds with a semi-private wine tasting led by a local winery expert as we cruise the bay. The beautiful backdrop will serve as the perfect pairing. Along the way, you’ll enjoy light snacks, additional beverages available for purchase, and the chance to have all your pressing wine questions answered.

This one-of-a-kind series is co-hosted by Lake District Wine Company on 8th Street in Traverse City.

 Book Now for availability and more information

From our Cruises That Inspire Series, mark your calendars for Friday, October 10. This special evening—Geology & Wines of Michigan—will blend breathtaking views of the bay with a fresh perspective on how the land shapes the wines we love.

Ahoy friends!  

At Discovery Cruises, we believe a boat ride should be more than just a sightseeing trip—it should be a journey with purpose. That’s why our cruises are designed not only to showcase the stunning views of West Grand Traverse Bay but to deepen your connection to this place through stories, science, and shared experience.

From daily sightseeing and sunset cruises to private charters and special events, every outing aboard The Discovery offers the chance to explore the natural beauty, history, and culture of northern Michigan. But it's our “Cruises That Inspire” series that truly brings learning to life.

Set sail with local experts and educators like geologist Jillian Votava and gem expert Kevin Gauthier, who will guide guests through hands-on activities and fascinating presentations. Coming up August 13 at 1:30 PM, you can even take home your own polished Petoskey Stone—a treasure of our Great Lakes—and the story behind it.

And don’t miss Wine Down Wednesdays, our weekly evening cruise running through October 15. Featuring local wines, light bites, and spectacular views, it’s the perfect way to unwind midweek.

Whether you’re a curious traveler, a lifelong learner, or just looking for something meaningful and fun, our cruises offer more than scenery—they offer perspective.

Explore. Learn. Connect. Be inspired.

Join us aboard The Discovery. Your journey awaits.

~ Captain Tawny Hammond

Ahoy, friends!

Summer 2025 is just around the bend, and the Discovery crew is counting down the days until we welcome you back aboard for another unforgettable season on the bay. While winter still lingers, The Discovery is on dry land up in St. Ignace, resting and getting ready for the trip south. Soon, we’ll make our 12-hour journey by water to Traverse City, where upgrades and final touches will set the stage for another summer of adventure, learning, and laughter.

Each season is a fresh page in a long, rich story. Did you know that human history here dates back more than 13,000 years? Glaciers once stood a mile high, shaping the bay and surrounding landscape as they slowly melted and receded. Archaeological evidence tells us that native people lived here long before the bay existed as we know it today—right where the water now flows.

As we sail into a new season, we continue our tradition of acknowledging that the lands and waters we enjoy are the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary homelands of the Anishinaabeg—the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodawadami peoples. We offer gratitude to the Grand Traverse Band of Odawa and Chippewa Indians for their continued care and stewardship.

Here’s to a summer of connection, joy, and discovery—on the water, in the stories we share, and in the beauty that surrounds us.

Miigwech (Thank you), Captain Tawny