Meet the Dock Porters: The Hardest Working Crew on Mackinac Island
Arriving at Chippewa Hotel Waterfront is a little different than arriving at most hotels. There are no taxis waiting outside, no luggage carts rolling through parking lots, and definitely no cars.
Instead, you’ll be greeted by one of Mackinac Island’s most unique traditions, the dock porter. These workers are trained in transporting luggage through town by bicycle.
Our dock porter team meets every ferry boat that arrives on the island and makes sure our guests’ luggage gets safely from the dock to the hotel. It’s a system that’s been part of island life for generations, and once you see it in action, you’ll realize it’s one of the coolest parts of the Mackinac Island experience.
Let’s introduce the crew and share a few helpful do’s and don’ts to keep everything running smoothly.
Meet the Dock Porter Crew
Louis “ Captain Red Beard”
If you spot a big red beard at the dock, you’ve probably just met Louis! He's better known around the island as “Red Beard.”
Louis is outgoing, fun, and the leader of the Chippewa dock porter crew. He keeps everything organized as ferries arrive and luggage starts moving through town by bicycle.
Despite hundreds of bags moving through the dock every week, Louis proudly holds one impressive record — he has never lost a bag. His attention to detail and experience keep the entire operation running smoothly, and his 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, Gerald is known for handling some of the heaviest luggage loads without breaking a sweat. Behind that calm demeanor is a big heart, and guests quickly learn they can trust Gerald to get their bags safely from the dock to the hotel.
Sam
2026 will be Sam's first year working for the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront. He helps keep luggage moving between the dock and the hotel throughout the day. Quick on the bike and always ready to help, he plays a big role in making sure bags arrive where they need to be.
A Special Thank You to Archie
If you’ve been visiting the Chippewa for years, there’s a good chance you’ve met Archie.
After more than 30 years of dock porting for the hotel, Archie retired from the position in October of 2025. Over the decades, he helped thousands of guests arrive and depart Mackinac Island with a smile.
While Archie has stepped away from dock porting, he hasn’t gone far. He now works for the Mackinac State Park, so you’ll still see him around the island — just with a little more regular schedule.
Archie will always be part of the Chippewa dock porter family, and we’re grateful for the years he spent helping guests start their Mackinac Island vacations the right way.
First Stop: Tagging Your Bags Before the Ferry
Your luggage journey actually begins before you even board 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 the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront. These tags help our dock porter team quickly identify which luggage belongs to which hotel once the ferry arrives on Mackinac Island.
After your bags are tagged, they are loaded onto the ferry separately from passengers. Once the boat reaches the island, our dock porters collect the luggage marked for the Chippewa and begin transporting it to the hotel.
That means you can enjoy the short walk through downtown Mackinac Island without dragging your bags behind you.
How Luggage Delivery Works
Once the ferry arrives on Mackinac Island, the dock porter team collects luggage tagged for the Chippewa Hotel.
They’ll greet you at the dock and give you directions to the hotel. Guests then walk down to the Chippewa while the porters transport 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.
Heading Home: Departure Day
When it’s time to leave Mackinac Island, our dock porters will help get your luggage back to the ferry.
Guests can pre-arrange luggage pickup with the Front Desk, which makes departure morning much easier.
You have two options:
Option 1
Call or stop by the front desk and arrange for a dock porter to pick up your luggage directly from your room.
Option 2
Bring your bags down to the front desk and the dock porter will meet you there before transporting them to the ferry dock.
If you have items you would prefer to store at the hotel rather than send to the ferry, the front desk can arrange that as well.
Dock Porter Do’s
Following a few simple guidelines helps the system work smoothly for everyone.
Keep Your Luggage Stubs
Hold on to your luggage stubs for bag verification.
Let Us Know About Fragile Items
If you have anything fragile, tell the dock porter before the bags leave the dock.
Tip Your Dock Porter
A typical gratuity is $2–$3 per bag. Extra-large bags or especially fast service may deserve a little more.
Empty the Cooler
Extra beverages left in coolers after checkout make great tips — and they make the bags lighter for the ride back to the ferry.
Dock Porter Don’ts
Don’t Pack Wine Bottles in Suitcases
Glass bottles can break during transport.
Don’t Park Bikes in Luggage Zones
Those areas are reserved for unloading luggage.
Don’t Leave Your Room Before Your Bags Arrive
Dock porters cannot deliver bags to an empty room.
Don’t Take the Luggage Cart to Your Room
Our luggage carts stay at the front desk to help the dock porter team keep everything moving.
Don’t Panic if a Bag Arrives Late
Sometimes another hotel accidentally grabs the wrong bag. It happens occasionally, and it will be delivered once the mistake is noticed.
And Definitely Don’t Ride in the Bike Basket
We know it looks tempting and fun, but the bike basket is for luggage.
One of Mackinac Island’s Most Unique Traditions
Watching luggage travel through town on bicycles while horses clip-clop down Main Street is part of what makes Mackinac Island so special.
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 start enjoying your Mackinac Island stay.