Meet the Dock Porters: Your Mackinac Island Luggage Heroes
One of the most unique parts of arriving on Mackinac Island happens before you even reach the hotel. It's when our dock porters greet you at the ferry dock.
At Lilac Tree Suites, our dock porter team helps make your arrival and departure smooth and stress-free. They transport luggage by bicycle from the ferry docks to the hotel and back again when it’s time to head home.
If you’re visiting Mackinac Island for the first time, the system can feel a little different, but once you see it in action, you’ll realize it’s one of the island’s coolest traditions.
Let us introduce the crew and share a few helpful do’s and don’ts to make the process easy for everyone.
Meet the Team
Our dock porter team works hard to greet every ferry and help guests begin their stay the right way.
Louis “Captain Red Beard"
If you spot a guy with a red beard at the dock, you’ve probably just met Louis. He's better known around the island as “Red Beard.” Outgoing, friendly, and always ready with a smile, Louis is the leader of the Lilac Tree dock porter crew. He’s the one keeping everything organized as ferries arrive and luggage starts moving through town on bicycles. His experience and attention to detail keep the whole operation running smoothly, and his fun personality makes arriving on Mackinac Island feel like the start of a great vacation.
Gerald
Gerald might not say much, but he doesn’t need to. His work speaks for itself. Quiet and incredibly strong, he’s known for handling some of the heaviest luggage loads with ease. Behind that calm demeanor is a big heart, and guests quickly learn they can count on Gerald to get their bags safely from the dock to the hotel without a fuss.
Sam
Fast on the bike and great with luggage logistics, Sam helps keep bags moving between the docks and the hotel all day long.
Together, they help hundreds of guests every week get their luggage where it needs to go.
How the Dock Porter Service Works
Your luggage journey actually begins before you even step onto the ferry. When you arrive at the docks in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, ferry staff will tag your bags with a destination label for Lilac Tree Suites. This tag lets the dock porter team know exactly which hotel your luggage belongs to once it arrives on Mackinac Island. After tagging, the bags are loaded onto the ferry separately from passengers. When the boat reaches the island, our dock porters meet the ferry, collect the luggage marked for the hotel, and begin the process of delivering it to Lilac Tree Suites. This system keeps luggage organized and allows guests to enjoy the short walk to the hotel without having to carry their bags through downtown.
Every time a ferry pulls into Mackinac Island, our dock porters are there waiting. They will greet guests arriving for Lilac Tree Suites and receive luggage for delivery to the hotel. The dock porter will give you directions to the hotel. Guests then walk down to the hotel to check in while the porters handle the luggage.
If Your Room Is Ready
When you arrive to the hotel, there's a chance your room will be ready for check-in. Speak with the Front Desk to find out your room status when you arrive. If your room is ready, your luggage will be delivered directly to your room.
If You Arrive Before Check-In (4:00 PM)
Stop by the Front Desk when you first arrive to the Island. The Front Desk will check on your room status. If your room isn't ready, the Front Desk will pre-register you for your room and call you when it's ready. Your luggage will be safely stored at the front desk until your room becomes available.
Departure Day Is Easy Too
When it’s time to head back to the mainland, our dock porters will help get your bags back to the ferry.
You have two options:
Option 1:
Stop by or call the front desk and the dock porter will pick up your bags from your room.
Option 2:
Bring your luggage to the front desk and the dock porter will meet you there before taking your bags to the ferry dock.
If you have extra items you’d prefer to store at the hotel instead of sending to the ferry, simply let the front desk know and they’ll make arrangements.
Dock Porter Do’s
Following a few simple guidelines helps the process run smoothly for everyone.
Keep Your Luggage Stubs
Always hold on to your luggage stubs. They are used to verify which bags belong to you.
Tell Us About Fragile Items
If you have fragile items in your luggage, please let the dock porter know when checking your bags.
Tip Your Dock Porter
A typical gratuity is $2–$3 per bag. Larger bags or especially prompt service may deserve a little extra.
Share the Cooler Love
If you have extra beverages left in a cooler when departing, they make a great tip! And they help lighten your load on the way to the ferry.
Dock Porter Don’ts
A few things to avoid so everything runs smoothly.
Don’t Ship Fragile Items
Wine bottles and delicate items should not be packed in luggage being transported by dock porters.
Don’t Leave Your Room Before Your Bags Arrive
If you check in and leave before your luggage arrives, the dock porter cannot deliver bags to an empty room.
Don’t Park Bicycles in Luggage Zones
Loading zones near the dock are reserved for unloading luggage.
Don’t Worry If a Bag Arrives Late
Sometimes another hotel accidentally grabs the wrong bag. If that happens, it will be delivered once the mistake is discovered.
And Definitely Don’t Ride in the Bike Basket
We know it looks tempting, but the basket is for luggage only.
One of Mackinac Island’s Best Traditions
Dock porter service is one of those small details that makes Mackinac Island feel special.
Watching luggage travel through town by bicycle while horses clip-clop down the street is a reminder that things move a little differently here. It's one of the many reasons people love Mackinac Island.
The next time you arrive, be sure to say hello to Louis, Gerald, and Sam. They’ll make sure your luggage gets where it needs to go while you begin enjoying your island stay.
