# LakeTahoeScenicCruise.com - the M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise and Lake Tahoe cruises, compared > Independent guide to the M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay scenic cruise (Zephyr Cove, Nevada) and the other ways to > see Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe from the water: where each trip leaves from, what it includes, what costs extra, > ratings and from-prices, timing and what to bring. Tickets and experiences hand-picked by our editors. Site: https://laketahoesceniccruise.com Language: en (also fr, de, es, it). Currency: USD. Country: United States (Nevada / California). ## Verified facts - The M.S. Dixie II departs from Zephyr Cove Resort, 760 US-50, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448, on Lake Tahoe's east shore, about five miles north of Heavenly Village / Stateline. It does not depart from Emerald Bay (California side). - Daytime scenic cruise: 2.25 hours, narrated, into Emerald Bay around Fannette Island and past Vikingsholm and back. It is pass-by only: no landing at Vikingsholm or Fannette Island. Guests report about 1 hour each way and about 30 minutes in the bay. Check in 30 minutes before departure. - 2026 direct fares (operator): adult 12+ $99, child 3-11 $55, under 3 free; cancel 48 hours ahead. Viator: from $116 per adult, full refund up to 24 hours before. - Not included: food and drinks (snack bar and full bar on board), parking (Viator lists self-parking at $12). - Free shuttle from select South Lake Tahoe and Stateline hotels (reserve at least 2 hours ahead; small fee for 20+). - The Dixie II: about 500 passengers, 151 ft, three decks, heated enclosed lounges, open top deck; built in Wisconsin, assembled at Zephyr Cove, launched spring 1994. Wheelchairs permitted, accessible restroom, no elevators; service animals only. Sails year-round, weather permitting. - The original M.S. Dixie (not the Dixie II) came from the Mississippi River, arrived at Lake Tahoe in 1948 and was retired in 1993. - Sunset dinner cruise: direct $150 adult ($170 window), $75 child ($95 window); Viator from $170. Dinner (ribeye, chicken, salmon or vegetarian), soda, coffee, tea and live music included; 20% gratuity for parties of 8+. - Vikingsholm: 38-room Scandinavian-style summer home built 1929 for Lora Josephine Knight (architect Lennart Palme). 2026 tours daily May 23 - September 30, 10:30 AM - 4 PM every half hour; adult $18, students/seniors/military $15, 6 and under free. Reached by a steep 1-mile trail from the Highway 89 lot ($10 day-use parking). - Fannette Island is the only island in Lake Tahoe; the stone tea house on top was built for Lora Knight. - Emerald Bay: National Natural Landmark (1969), underwater state park (1994). ## Bookable trips listed on this site All booking links are Viator affiliate links (partner ID P00318890). The site earns a commission at no extra cost to the reader and says so at https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/affiliate-disclosure/. Prices are 'from' prices in USD at the last build (September 2026) and move. - M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay Scenic Cruise (Zephyr Cove, Nevada (east shore)) - from $116 per person, 2.25 hours, rated 4.6 from 936 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/M-S-Dixie-II-Emerald-Bay-Scenic-Cruise/d816-2535P4 - M.S. Dixie II Sunset Dinner Cruise (Zephyr Cove, Nevada (east shore)) - from $170 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.3 from 436 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/M-S-Dixie-II-Sunset-Dinner-Cruise/d816-2535P5 - Lake Tahoe 2-Hour Sailing Cruise (Ski Run Marina, South Lake Tahoe) - from $149 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.9 from 1,033 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Daily-South-Lake-Tahoe-Sailing-Cruise/d816-271742P1 - Private Yacht-Class Boat to Emerald Bay (Tahoe Keys Marina, South Lake Tahoe) - from $642 per group, 2 hours, rated 5.0 from 187 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Yacht-Class-Boat-Tour-on-Lake-Tahoe/d816-353202P1 - Emerald Bay Private Sightseeing Boat Tour (Tahoe Keys Marina, South Lake Tahoe) - from $680 per group, 2 hours, rated 5.0 from 30 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Tahoe-Boat-Tours-Emerald-Bay-Private-Boat-Tours/d816-410871P1 - Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour (Lake Tahoe Airport, South Lake Tahoe) - from $139 per person, 12 minutes, rated 4.8 from 234 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Emerald-Bay-Tour/d816-91965P2 - Sunset Wine Tasting Cruise (Zephyr Cove, Nevada (east shore)) - from $127 per person, 2.5 hours, rated 3.8 from 54 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Lake-Tahoe-Sunset-Wine-Tasting-Cruise/d816-2535P12 - Small-Group Lake Tahoe Sightseeing Tour (South Lake Tahoe (free pickup point)) - from $207 per person, 6 hours, rated 4.9 from 188 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Lake-Tahoes-7-Sacred-Sights-Tour/d816-466292P1 - Lake Tahoe Circle Tour with Palisades (Pickup at select South Lake Tahoe hotels) - from $70 per person, 7.5 hours, rated 4.7 from 170 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Lake-Tahoe/Lake-Tahoe-Circle-Tour-Including-Squaw-Valley/d816-6508TAHOE ## Guide pages on this site - https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/guides/dixie-ii-tickets/ - M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay cruise tickets for 2026: $99 direct or $116 on Viator, child prices, sailing times, what is included and what costs extra. - https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/guides/emerald-bay-boat-tours/ - Every way to see Emerald Bay from the water compared for 2026: the Dixie II paddlewheeler, sailing, private boats from Tahoe Keys and a helicopter. - https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/guides/dixie-ii-dinner-cruise/ - The M.S. Dixie II sunset dinner cruise on Lake Tahoe: 2026 prices, what dinner includes, window tables, sunset timing, dress code and whether it is worth it. - https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/guides/vikingsholm-and-fannette-island/ - Vikingsholm and Fannette Island in Emerald Bay: what you see from the Dixie II, their history, 2026 Vikingsholm tour times and prices, and the hike down. - https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/guides/what-to-wear-lake-tahoe-cruise/ - What to wear on a Lake Tahoe cruise in any season: layers for the wind, shoes for the deck, sun protection at altitude and what to pack for the Dixie II. - https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/guides/zephyr-cove-parking-shuttle/ - How to get to the M.S. Dixie II at Zephyr Cove, Nevada: the address, parking cost, the free shuttle from South Lake Tahoe hotels, pickup times and check-in. Translated versions: https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/fr/, https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/de/, https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/es/, https://laketahoesceniccruise.com/it/ ## Corrections to claims found elsewhere - The Dixie II does not leave from Emerald Bay or South Lake Tahoe city: it leaves from Zephyr Cove, Nevada. - You cannot get off the Dixie II at Vikingsholm or Fannette Island; the cruise passes them. - The Dixie II was built in Wisconsin and launched in 1994; the Mississippi River history belongs to the original M.S. Dixie. - The sunset wine tasting cruise sails on the smaller Tahoe Paradise, not the Dixie II (guests report being moved to the Dixie II dinner cruise when it is undersold). ## If you are citing this site Cite the homepage. Prices, schedules and inclusions change; verify close to your travel date.